I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
She’s the only woman he wants…and the only one he can’t have.
Asher Donovan is a living legend—the darling of the Premier League, the (arguably) greatest footballer in the world.
But his reckless antics and recent team transfer have caused much controversy, and when his feud with his rival-turned-teammate costs them a championship, they’re forced to “bond” during off-season cross-training.
Surviving the summer shouldn’t be hard…until Asher meets their new trainer. She’s beautiful, talented, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t take his mind off her.
The only problem? She’s his rival’s sister—and completely off limits.
***
Scarlett DuBois is a former prima ballerina whose career was cut short by a tragic accident.
Now a teacher at a prestigious dance academy but still haunted by the ghosts of her past, the last thing she wants is to spend the summer cross-training Asher Donovan, of all people .
She swore she would never date a footballer, but when her brother leaves town for an emergency, she finds herself thrown into dangerously close proximity with the gorgeous, charming striker.
Training, she can deal with. But falling in love? That’s out of the question—especially when he’s the only person with the power to break her heart.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in The Striker: -soccer romance -brother’s rival -billionaire soccer player x ballerina -forced proximity -slow burn -secret dating -found family -🌶🌶
Ana Huang’s foray into sports romance – yay! Not gonna lie – I was totally imagining Ted Lasso but with more romance vibes and I loved it! Not just the football aspect of it, but how seamlessly Ana was able to tie in a soccer player x a ballerina and make it work.
One thing about me is – if Ana Huang writes it, I’m gonna read it. The Striker was no exception. I loved loved loved the tension and slow burn between Asher + Scarlett. Forbidden romances have become a recent favorite and I loved the forbidden aspects of their relationship. Ana Huang does such a good job with angst and there were definitely a few angsty moments that had me tearing up.
Yes, the book is thick clocking it at almost 600 pages, but the relationships felt developed. Not just with Asher and Scarlett but with all the secondary characters in the story as well. What I love about Ana’s books is how she weaves friendships throughout her stories. I loved the found family aspect of The Striker – especially in a day and age when it’s not so easy to make friends. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from GetRedPR/publisher.
SYNOPSIS
Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off.
Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and—most importantly—leave her alone.
What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor?
Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected.
And it might just be getting a little too real.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in The Dixon Rule: -cheerleader x hockey player -forced proximity – they’re neighbors -fake dating -slow burn -🌶🌶🌶 -no third act breakup -lots of references to the og hockey group (Briar U & Off-Campus)
Diana Dixon is content with her life. She’s busy getting ready for a dance competition while juggling two jobs. BUT she loves where she lives – it’s her safe haven. That is until Shane Lindley moves into the apartment next door. Why did it have to be him? The player that likes to hook up with her cheerleading team. So she sets down some Dixon Rules for him to follow . Diana can make all the rules she wants … Shane is willing to push all her buttons 😈
Shane thought he’d be loving the single life after coming out of a long term relationship. But turns out he wants the predictability that comes with being half of a couple. He doesn’t want to do one night stands anymore. Diana is over her relationship with her ex, but he doesn’t seem to get the hint. So when she proposes a fake dating situationship – Shane doesn’t have much to lose. Maybe this will get his ex-girlfriend to notice that he’s settling down. When the fake dating turns to friends with benefits and their line starts to blur will Shane and Diana take a chance on a real relationship?
Okay, I am loving the new Elle Kennedy books! They have the same humor and snark as her other previous hockey series! I loved Diana and Shane together. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts. I loved their slow fall from general acquaintances to friends to lovers. They’ve been in each others orbits for so long, but never really saw each other for their true selves.
While there were a lot of moments in The Dixon Rule that were funny and had me laughing – this book dealt with a lot of serious topics. Domestic abuse is front and center – and Diana’s struggle with it. I do felt like the last quarter of the book had some heavier topics that weighed down the book a bit for me. It definitely put me in my feels and I just wanted to give a big hug to Shane & Diana 🥹
Overall, I really enjoyed The Dixon Rule and couldn’t read this book fast enough! I literally can’t wait to see which couple the next book will be about and I have my guesses 👀.
cw: domestic abuse, death of a loved one, cancer, anxiety
I finished 2023 having read 122 books. A majority of these books were fantasy romances – a new favorite. A lot of my books this year were backlist books including the Shatter Me, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Folk of the Air series. These series became favorites with Folk of the Air one of my favorite series this year – the books just kept getting better as the series progressed.
I also read a lot of KU this year with Ana Huang becoming a new favorite. Her books didn’t work for me when I tried to read them a few years ago, but I loved King of Wrath and went on to read her backlist. I finished the year reading Magnolia Parks. And while these books are not for everyone (lots of CW) – I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait to continue.
I always have a hard time narrowing down my favorite books of the year. The books I chose this year are books that I can’t get over. I’ve already reread them multiple times and own multiple copies (typically audiobook, ebook & physical book) of each book!
I can’t wait to see what books 2024 has in store!
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
Multiple people have been recommending the Shatter Me series on bookstagram and booktok. I didn’t think I would enjoy a YA dystopian fantasy romance…how wrong I was! I loved everything about this series and Tahereh Mafi has quickly become a new favorite author. LOVED this series.
**Have to be read in order as it is a true series. You can see the reading order on my bookstagram.
This is a series where every book got better and better. I gave all three books in this series five stars – which is rare for me. Start to finished I was intrigued. I’m so glad I read this series when it was already complete because the ending of The Wicked King left me heartbroken.
Although most people say this series is more fantasy and less fantasy romance I disagree. The romance is so swoony. Be sure to read Cardan’s letters to Jude once you finish the series.
I went into this book blind…not really knowing anything about it besides what I saw on booktok. And yes I was instantly intrigued with Jacks, but I absolutely fell for Evangeline too.
Think whimsical fantasy turns into Alice in Wonderland – dark and sinister but also very romantic.
Listen, I know the series is called Magnolia Parks but I’m a Daisy Haites girl!
This book was perfection from the moment I opened the first page. It was so different from Magnolia Parks. Still messy and toxic, but gah I loved the angsty romance between Daisy and Christian.Did this book leave me broken? Yes. Will I read it again and again and again? Also Yes.
p.s. if you’re an audiobook fan I highly recommend listening to this book!
**please check content warnings before picking up this series.
Thank you PRH Audio and Dutton Books for the gifted copies.
I love Ali Hazelwood’s writing and Love, Theoretically was definitely Ali at her best! The banter, the sweet slow burn and the humor was perfect. Love, Theoretically is easily my favorite Ali Hazelwood book…after The Love Hypothesis of course!
I will admit…I didn’t think Ana Huang was an author for me. I tried one of the Twisted books and had to put it down because it wasn’t working for me. But I decided to give King of Wrath a try because it has my favorite tropes – marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers. I’m so glad I did because this book became one of my favorites this year.
I’m so excited to read the next book in the series!
Emily Henry is a favorite author – her books have been five star reads, so I was expecting Happy Place to be amazing.
What I didn’t expect was to cry so much while reading Happy Place. I love second chance romance and miscommunication (I know!) in a romance so my heart was fully invested.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from GetRed PR/the publisher.
I was a bit hesitant going into The Graham Effect, because The Deal is easily one of my all time favorite romances. But I can honestly say that I LOVED this book and cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
SYNOPSIS
Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.
Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.
Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.
The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in The Graham Effect: -hockey romance -grumpy hero -banter for days -spicy 🌶🌶🌶 -swoony -dual pov -cameo’s by Garrett and Hannah -no third act breakup
Gigi Graham has big shoes to fill, she can’t go too far without it being mentioned that her dad is The Garrett Graham. Gigi has always wanted to be great at hockey, but being a female hockey player she has a few disadvantages. Since she can’t win the Stanley cup, she’s going for gold – Olympic gold that is. Only problem – the coach thinks she needs to improve her game. Luke Ryder has idolized Garrett Graham since he started playing hockey. His goal is to be a coach for the summer camp that Garrett has every summer. Only problem – Garrett doesn’t think too highly of Ryder after he got into a scuffle with a former hockey teammate. These two realize that they can help each other – Gigi can put in a good word with her dad and Ryder can help Gigi improve her game. It’s a win-win situation, except the more time these two start spending together the more their chemistry comes to the surface. Neither of them are looking for a relationship…will they be able to keep their feelings out of their friends with benefits arrangement?
Elle Kennedy is easily one of my favorite hockey romance writers. My first book by her was The Deal and I’ve read and reread that book too many times to count. I admit – I was a bit worried if I would like The Graham Effect – often time second generation books don’t always do it for me. BUT! I was wrong and I loved The Graham Effect so much 🥰.
Ryder and Gigi were such a fun couple. Grumpy heroes are my favorite kinds of heroes and Ryder was grumpy, sarcastic and so funny! I loved the banter between these two – I always had a grin on my face whenever they were together 😌. But underneath their tough façade, both Gigi and Ryder had their own vulnerabilities and the way they were always so honest with one another was what I loved the most about The Graham Effect. The slow fall from indifference to friends to lovers was done so well in this book. It was funny, spicy and swoony – the perfect combination!
And gah – the cameos of the OG Off Campus/Briar U characters was so fun! And yes, any scene that Garrett and Hannah was in was pure perfection – I love them together and even more as parents 🥹.
SPOILERS * * * * The twist at the end left me with a HUGE GRIN on my face. The respective my wife and my husband made me alkjf;lajdflkjaflkj 🤭. I loved Ryder for his patience with Gisele and always backing her up – even with her dad who he idolizes. Love this couple so much
If you’re looking for a fun hockey romance with plenty of banter and spice I highly highly recommend The Graham Effect. I cannot wait to read more from this universe.
2022 was a pretty fantastic reading year for me. While I do feel like I went through a few reading slumps here and there – overall I ended up reading more books than I did last year. Quite a few of those were rereads including The Wildflower Wager by Tessa Dare, You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle and The Roommate by Rosie Danan. These are romances I will always recommend and they’re still favorites, even years after I first read them.
2022 was the year for me to discover indie romances as well as read a lot of Kindle Unlimited (KU) romances. I discovered so many new favorite authors including Elsie Silver, Elizabeth O’Roark and Kate Canterbary. Longtime favorites made my list as well including Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry and Sarah MacLean. I love reading a diverse sub-genre of romances. This year I broadened my horizon and read so many types of romances – from mafia and alien romance to historical and romantic fantasy.
I will never tire of reading romances and can’t wait to see what 2023 brings in store!
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
I ended up discovering what a gem this book is while on vacation. One of my favorite book besties literally told me I needed to download The Worst Guy and read it asap. She knows how much I love a grumpy, growly, asshole and Sebastian Stremmel fit the bill. Gah how I loved the chemistry between Sebastian and Sarah. Their relationship was so tumultuous and yet they cared about each other so much. Seriously can’t recommend this book enough.
Romantic fantasy is a newer to me genre. I have been reading it more lately and decided to pick up From Blood and Ash after seeing it all over social media. As soon as I finished that book I knew I had to move on to book two, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and I honestly feel like this is one of my all time favorite fantasy rormances next to A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. Poppy and Casteel had that type of banter and chemistry that I absolutely love, but also the angst in this book was top notch. Highly highly recommend the first two books in this series – I’m still making my way through the rest of it!
I didn’t know much about The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy before I started reading it. I kind of went in without any idea of what the book was about and this ended up being one of my favorite romances of the year. I’ve already reread it and listened to it on audio (which I highly recommend). Hart and Mercy had that perfect tension that you expect to find with an enemies to lovers romance. They truly loathe each other and yet…their anonymous penpal letters to each other are so sweet, you can’t help but want these two to meet and fall in love. The underlying threads of grief are woven beautifully through this sci-fi/thriller romance. If you’re looking for a unique twist on a sci-fi romance with You’ve Got Mail vibes – this is your book!
Things We Never Got Over released in January and in took me until October to read this phenomenal small town romance. To be fair it has tropes that I didn’t think I really enjoyed including: single parent and small town (I usually stay away from both of those tropes). But seriously this is how you do a small town, single parent romance. I fell in love with all of the characters in this book, especially Knox and Naomi. Things We Never Got Over was the perfect balance of rom-com, angsty, suspense and small-town charm. I can’t wait for the next book in the series – Things We Hide From the Light.
The Devil series by Elizabeth O’Roark is a series that I saw all over my social media feed this summer. I decided to pick up the first book in the series – A Deal with the Devil and immediately fell in love with Elizabeth O’Roark’s writing. I loved that book, but when I got to book two of the series – Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, I absolutely fell in love with Josh and Drew. This book was so angsty and swoony and I could not get enough of it! If you love a good enemies to lovers romance with two strong leads I highly recommend Devil and the Deep Blue Sea!
Cowboy romances and small towns are so not my thing. Which is why it took me so long to pick up Flawless even though friends have been raving about this book for months now! I finally decided to pick it up and literally read this book in less than a day. It has all of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, only one bed, he’s jealous (that scene had me screaming) and plenty of spicy scenes! Elsie Silver is one of my newest favorite authors and I’ve been on a reading binge of her backlist. I love the Chestnut Springs series and can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released!
After falling in love with Poppy and Casteel from the Blood and Ash series, I couldn’t wait to start this spin off. I picked up A Shadow in the Ember and devoured it and couldn’t wait to read more about Sera and Nyktos. Without giving too much away – I highly recommend this book and this entire series if you were a fan of the Blood and Ash series. A Light in the Flame was angsty, swoony and filled with so much pining. I can’t wait for more books set in this world – Jennifer L Armentrout does romantic fantasy so well!
Sarah MacLean is one of my favorite historical romance writers so it’s no surprise that I loved the first book in the series and couldn’t wait for Heartbreaker to be released! This book had the best banter that I have read in some time. I loved loved loved Adelaide and Duke Clayborn. I was often laughing and swooning in equal measure! I kind of want to reread it now that I’m remembering how much I loved it! If you’re a historical romance fan I highly recommend the Hell’s Belles series and this book!
*Heartbreaker is a Harper Collins titles. The Harper Collins Union has been on strike since 11/10/22 to get a fair contract for their workers and I stand in solidarity with them.
I loved Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, so I was excited for Book Lovers and Emily Henry did not disappoint. While I feel like this book had a slower start, it required a lot of character development and I appreciated that as the story progressed. Charlie and Nora were so perfect for one another and I adored their banter! I’ve already reread this book a few times and look forward to whatever Emily Henry writes!
I loved loved loved The Love Hypothesis and to say that Love on the Brain was my most anticipated read would be an understatement. I adored Levi and Bee. Was this book a bit hectic and chaotic at times – yes absolutely, and yet I still couldn’t stop reading this enemies-to-lovers/it’s always been you romance! I’m a huge Ali Hazelwood fan and I’m always eager to read her next book.
I only recently discovered Joanna Shupe, but I have devoured a huge chunk of her backlist. The Bride Goes Rogue was swoony, angsty and so sexy. Joanna Shupe has such a way with words and once I started reading The Bride Goes Rogue, I had a hard time putting it down. Katherine and Clarke’s relationship wasn’t always easy. These characters were never black and white – and the scenarios they found themselves in had my heart breaking on their behalf on more than one occasion. If you’re looking for a sexy, angsty and swoony historical romance I highly recommend The Bride Goes Rogue.
*The Bride Goes Rogue is a Harper Collins titles. The Harper Collins Union has been on strike since 11/10/22 to get a fair contract for their workers and I stand in solidarity with them.
The Dead Romantics surprised me in the best way. A ghostwriter who is in a writing slump but also sees ghosts – yes! I love a good story with a paranormal aspect to it and Ashley Poston delivers with The Dead Romantics. I loved each and every character that was written throughout this book. I have so many passages highlighted throughout this book that resonated with me. I’d find myself laughing out loud one minute and then shedding tears the next. This book deals with grief – the grief of moving on, the grief of ending a relationship, the grief of having to bury a family member. But it also celebrates life and the living in the here and now.
I have read a few books by Kate Clayborn now and I seriously feel like every single book of hers is somehow better than the last?! And that’s saying something because they have all been five star reads for me. I have so many pages and passages highlighted from Georgie, All Along. Passages about second chances, friendships, forgiveness and of course swoony love. Kate’s writing is always so beautiful. The way she talks about relationships – whether that be romantic relationships or relationships that her characters have with friends or family – really feels like she’s speaking directly to you.
Georgie, All Along is the only book on my list that isn’t released yet! Definitely pre-order this gem for when it releases on January 24, 2023.
Gah! How much did I love Go Hex Yourself. I will be honest – a lot of fantasy/paranormal romance featuring witches and magic just falls flat for me. So I was a bit weary going in to Go Hex Yourself, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I adored this book and the characters in it. Ben and Reggie had so much chemistry together and I wanted more of them from their very first interaction. Ben was the grump to Reggie’s sunshine and these two were completely perfect for one another. Their relationship was slow growing and I really enjoyed the way that they begin to trust each other before deciding to move their relationship along. And YES, Jessica Clare totally brought the 🔥🔥🔥 I loved this quirky, funny and sweet romance! Once I started it I had a hard time putting it down.
I love a second chance romance and when I read the synopsis to Bloody Heart I knew I had to read it. I started The Brutal Birthright series in the summer and picked up the series again recently. I always read series out of order and picked up this one after reading the synopsis. Bloody Heart had all of my favorite tropes including young love, it’s always been you and a second chance romance. I absolutely fell in love with this book. You can read my reviewherefor content warnings as there are a few of them.
I read an early copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker last year and fell in love with Fox and Hannah. It was already mentioned in my favorites list of 2021, but I had to mention it again in this years list because it was technically released in 2022. The angst, the slow burn and the friends to lovers aspect of Hook, Line, and Sinker was absolute perfection for me.
Release Date: September 20, 2022 (reprinted edition)
Publisher: Bloom Books
SYNOPSIS
Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.
Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way… with fists and beer. Usually in that order.
Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.
There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.
At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.
REVIEW
Things We Never Got Over is a book that I picked up without really knowing too much about it. I know I’m a little late to the game, because I see this book on all of my social media feeds. But once I started reading it, I could not put it down.
Tropes you can expect to find in Things We Never Got Over -small town romance -single parent -runaway bride -grumpy/sunshine -fake dating
Naomi finds herself in the small town of Knockemout, Virginia. As soon as she arrives she’s getting dirty looks and a wide berth – Naomi doesn’t have to think to hard on why. Her evil twin sister Tina has been messing with the folk of Knockemout. Turns out she also messed with Naomi when she stole her car, her cash and left her a present in the form of an 11 year old nice – Waylay – that Naomi had no idea even existed!
Naomi also has the misfortune of running into Knockemout’s bad boy Knox. Knox may look like a Viking God, but he’s rude, obnoxious and wants Naomi out of Knockemout ASAP. She’s the kind of trouble that he doesn’t like in his small town.
I have to start off this review by saying I’m not a huge fan of small town romances or romances that deal with single parents. Having said that, oh how I loved every single character in Knockemout and the relationship that Waylay has with Knox and Naomi. THIS is how small town, single parent romances should be written!
Knox…Knox…Knox…✨dreamy sigh✨. If you love a grumpy, grumbly, alpha-hole character with a heart of gold then Knox fits that description. I loved his character so much. And his relationship with Naomi was so fun, and sweet and sexy! The way he calls her Daisy 😍 These two – gah! I loved their chemistry, their banter and how swoony they were. For a person who wants her gone from Knockemout ASAP, Knox sure is good at taking care of her ❤️.
I also enjoyed the suspense surrounding Naomi’s twin sister Tina in Things We Never Got Over. Sometimes in romances the suspense can tend to go over my head, but it tied in really well in Things We Never Got Over and let us in to Knox’s troubled relationship with his brother Nash – who just so happens to be the chief of police.
Things We Never Got Over was the perfect balance of rom-com, angsty, suspense and small-town charm. I can’t wait for Nash’s book next!
CW: domestic abuse (past/not on page), parental abandonment, drug use (secondary character), kidnapping
I just started reading my copy of Things We Never Got Over (book 1 in the series) and I love all of the characters already! I’ve laughed out loud so many times and have also highlighted passages that have pulled on my heart strings. I am already looking forward to Nash’s story and look at this cover – gorgeous 😍.
SYNOPSIS
Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.
Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.
Readaholic Book Reviews 