It was just another day in the Emergency Department -- until she was wheeled in through the doors.
Amanda Parks, my childhood best friend's mom who I may or may not have secretly kissed before leaving for college.
I haven't seen her in over a decade, and in so many ways, she hasn't changed.
Same killer curves. Same hypnotizing eyes. Same reaction from my heart when I see her.
But something new? There isn't a ring on her finger anymore... And I'm much more of a man than I was at eighteen.
Christy's Review:
I love a good age gap romance and it's been some time since I've read one with an older heroine/younger hero. This was a bit different from what Kandi normally writes, but it was still so good. I enjoyed it so much!
Amanda is in the process of getting divorced and restarting her life. At forty seven, she has an adult son, a terrible soon to be ex-husband, and was a stay at home wife/mother. Her first step is to go back to school and that's what she's doing.
Greg is an anesthesiologist at the hospital. Med school was a lot of work, but he's now back in his hometown/local high school and has been for two years. He's been here for 2 years and even though he has a great routine, it doesn't feel like home quite yet.
Everything is routine for Greg until he sees her. His biggest crush when he was a teenager, his high school best friend's mom, Amanda. What I loved most about this book is the friendship that Greg and Amanda developed. Before anything happened between them, you could just tell they were becoming each others best friends and it was so great.
Also, I loved watching Amanda change and grow. Even though she was older than Greg, she had a lot of growing to do and a lot of life to discover and live. These two were perfect together and the ending made me so happy! Another great Kandi Steiner read.
Stefan Dalca is beautiful, brooding, and bossy. He’s also public enemy number one in this small town, with a murky past that’s hard to overlook. And I just agreed to three fake dates with him.
I may be a renowned veterinarian, but when I find myself in a sticky situation, Stefan is my last hope. I need his help to save a sick foal and what he wants in return is me.
Our time together starts out as a simple transaction, but the more time I spend with him, the more I wonder if he’s not quite the villain they’ve made him out to be. With every intimate conversation and lingering look, the tension between us builds. I’ve been drawn to Stefan since the first day I laid eyes on him. And now he’s downright irresistible.
I know sleeping with the enemy is playing with fire. But like a moth to a flame, I’m attracted to the mysterious man in a way I can’t explain—in a way those closest to me wouldn’t approve of or understand.
And the more he softens for me, the harder I fall.
But as his mysteries unravel, so do hidden truths. Truths that are bound to leave someone burned.
I just didn’t expect that someone to be me.
The Front Runner by Elsie Silver is available now for only $2.99 or you can read for FREE in KindleUnlimited! Get it today: https://geni.us/thefrontrunner
Christy's Review:
I read my first Elsie Silver book this year and I enjoyed it a lot, but I loved this one even more! The Front Runner had the perfect mix of angst, steam, emotion, and fun! Stefan and Mira were absolutely fantastic and complimented each other so well.
"I'm not the villain you think I am." "Or maybe you're exactly who I think you are and I like it."
If you’ve read ‘Photo Finish’, you probably don’t think too highly of Stefan Dalca. I know I didn’t right away. He’s an enemy/rival Gold Rush Ranch, and Mira’s best friend runs that ranch. Mira is a veterinarian and runs between the ranches taking care of all the horses. When she needs Stefan’s help to save a baby foal, she sees a totally different side of him.
Misunderstood/broody heroes… they’re one of my favorite things in a romance and Stefan is exactly that. How he appears to be is not how he is at all. I adored him. Watching him with Loki warmed my heart, and I loved seeing him with his sister. I especially loved watching him thaw out Mira little by little. It took some time, but he was persistent and eventually, she couldn’t resist him.
This is the third book in Elsie Silver’s ‘Gold Rush Ranch’ but can definitely be read as a stand alone. I loved being back in this world and I’m glad I’d read the previous one before this because it was nice knowing a lot of the secondary characters and their story. This is lovely forbidden-ish romance that I couldn’t get enough of!
"I would walk through fire for you any day. Over and over again.”
Diane Donner—recently divorced pillar of polite society—is craving danger. She’s tired of playing it safe and she knows just the sexy criminal motorcycle man to proposition for a good time. Problem is, she doesn’t actually know his name.
Jason “Repo” Doe never takes risks. So when the queen of local commerce walks into his club, looking to get risky and frisky, Jason knows the smartest thing to do is save himself a headache while saving the new divorcee from her worst impulses.
But then one thing leads to another, and the memory of just-one-night doesn’t feel like enough.
Theirs is a story with no future, because how can a dangerous criminal win (and keep) a queen?
‘Beard In Hiding’ is book #4.5 in the Winston Brothers series, is a full length contemporary romantic comedy about two lost souls in their 40s, and is a companion novel to the Winston Brothers and Solving for Pie series.
"Just when we think our path is set and we're cruising along toward the inevitable tomorrow, the good Lord sees fit to throw a sexy, sweet motorcycle man in my path to shake everything up."
When I heard Diane Donner was getting her own book I had mixed feelings. There was a time where I truly disliked this character, but what I loved about Diane is she knew certain things she did and how she treated people was wrong and she changed. I can appreciate that. I ended up loving her in this book!
Diane is Jenn's (Cletus Winston's woman) mother and this story is a story about her finding herself and getting a second chance at love. Her love interest isn't clean cut and is a good guy who doesn't always do good things. Jason 'Repo' is part of the Wraiths and isn't someone I could have ever seen with Diane, but they work.
I loved these two together and I loved that they were a little older and at a different place in their lives compared to Penny's other characters. This was fun, suspenseful, and well written. I'm not sure if I was crazy about the ending personally, but I'm hoping we get an Isaac book soon and get more of this couple!
Cozy up for a heartfelt, humorous, sizzling slow-burn in this marriage of convenience romance about finding love—and home—in the most unlikely of places.
Axel Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate. Warm, bright, always smiling, she’s everything I’m not and the last person I have any business desiring. Desperate to hide a hopeless attraction, I’ve done everything possible to keep my distance...until a charades game gone wrong brought that to a grinding halt.
Since then, steering clear of Rooney has been impossible. In a matter of months, she’s kissed me speechless, commandeered my art career, and infiltrated not only my dreams but my home. The woman who was once avoidable has become the last thing I needed: temptingly within reach.
Rooney Axel Bergman is a gorgeous grump who doesn’t have the time of day for me. Thankfully, I’ve kept my crush under wraps...well, until I kissed him. Charades got away from me, okay? It was an accident! I haven’t seen him since, which is for the best. My life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to embarrass myself further with the man who avoids me like that’s his job rather than painting modern masterpieces.
It seems the universe, however, has a different plan. When Axel and I unexpectedly find our paths—and problems—converging, a marriage of convenience proves the perfect solution. At least, until I’m facing my most serious problem yet: a once-loveless marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.
With You Forever is a sunshine and grump, marriage of convenience romance about a shy artist on the autism spectrum*, and a smiley smartypants who has a chronic IBD. Complete with combustible cooking lessons, interfering family and friends, and a steamy slow burn, this standalone is the fourth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.
*This is an #OwnVoices story for its portrayal of autism by an autistic author.
Christy's 4.5 star review
I love the Bergman siblings so much and I was so excited to start With You Forever. Axel and Rooney were so worth the wait! Grumpy sunshine and marriage of convince are two of my favorite troupes so when I saw both of those in this book…. eek! I adored it.
Rooney is having some health struggles and needs a bit of a break from school and life. Her best friend offers the families house for her to get some R&R and when she gets there (it’s supposed to be all hers) Axel is there. Axel definitely does not want a visitor, as he’s doing some work on the place. Because of that he needs a wife. It’s a long story, but to dip into his inheritance from his uncle he has to be married.
Rooney is willing to help out Axel, she needs a place to stay and it makes sense for them both. Rooney and Axel both have this attraction to one another, but at first they fight it. Axel is quiet, a bit shy, and appears to be a grump, where as Rooney brightens up any room she’s in. In this case, opposites really do attract.
One of my favorite things about this book was how soft Axel was for Rooney. When they started to truly know each other you just saw a different side of both of them and it was beautiful. And I also have to shout out that Chloe does an amazing job with being inclusive in her writing. One of my closest friends has the same chronic illness as Rooney and I’ve heard some of the same stories/struggles from her.
Honestly, there was so much to love about this book. Axel and Rooney were an unexpectedly great couple and watching them fall for one another and open up to each other was such a joy. I wanted this to be a five star read so badly, but there was something towards the end that really bummed me out… aside from that, I loved this one to pieces and highly recommend checking it out!
One unforgettable night leads to an unlikely shared connection, and unlikely connections never go unnoticed by the good folks in Green Valley, Tennessee...
Jackson James follows the rules. He has to. He’s a sheriff’s deputy in a super small town with a super big personality. However, strict adherence to the law during the day has been enjoyably balanced by rakish rules at night. Jackson, typically happy to protect and serve (and serve, and serve), starts questioning the value of wayward evenings when getting laid starts to feel more like being waylaid. Could it be that Green Valley’s most eligible—and notorious—bachelor longs for something (and someone) real?
Mega movie star Raquel Ezra follows only one rule: always leave them wanting more. Studio execs, reporters, audiences, fans, lovers—no one can get enough of the smart, savvy, and sexy bombshell. But when “generous offers” begin to feel more like excessive demands, years of always leaving has the elusive starlet longing for something (and perhaps someone) lasting.
When Raquel abruptly returns to the quirky Tennessee hamlet, her path crosses with the delectable deputy with whom she spent one unforgettable night. Unfortunately, scandal and intrigue soon follow. Raquel and Jackson must decide which is more important: following their rules? Or, at long last, finding something real.
CHRISTY'S REVIEW
I, like many others, wasn't the biggest Jackson James fan at the start of the Winston Brother's series. Over time, he grew on me. I was excited to get to his book and see how he'd changed. Jackson James was the very best part of this book, so it's safe to say all those changes he made were positive!
Jackson and Raquel meet at a wedding and sparks fly. These two have insane chemistry, but Raquel lives in a different world than the small town deputy. Raquel is friends with Sienna and is also a famous actress and she happens to live in LA. She goes back home after that one night and Jackson continues living his life in Green Creek. Until five years later when she comes back.
Raquel needs a break from everything that is Hollywood. She's tired of living a life that doesn't feel authentic to who she is, so she comes to stay with Sienna for a few days to recoup and decide what she really wants. Of course, she runs into Jackson on day one and those sparks that they experienced early on are still there and still strong.
I adored Jackson so much. I loved the kind of man he was. I loved his relationship with his parents and how strong his moral compass was. Overall I really liked Rae as well. There were things about her that niggled at me just a bit, but she was human and lived a totally different life than Jackson and all of Green Creek.
Totally Folked was a great start to Penny's new Good Folk series. I can't wait to see what comes next. If you're looking for romance that's funny, steamy, sweet, and has that banter that only Penny Reid can write, pick up Totally Folked!
It’s a tale as old as time: the bad boy meets the good girl. He makes a daring proposition. Then the boy gets a mysterious head injury and loses a year of his life…
The first time I meet Rickie, I don’t know what to make of him. The second time we meet, he doesn’t remember the six hours we spent together. Or standing me up afterward.
I’m not the same, either. I’ve got secrets. I’ve told lies. Bad boys aren’t my type, anyway. Even the ones with troubled gray eyes.
But now we’re roommates. Cue the awkward moments in the hallway when he’s wearing only a towel and a smile. He’s determined to win me over, and his talented hands weaken my resolve.
It’s all fun and games until my past rears its ugly head and his secrets come to light, shaking our fragile connection, maybe even breaking it…
Note: this is Daphne Shipley's story. Contents include Vermonty ice cream flavors, nerdy awkwardness, tattoos, and a playboy grandpa.
I love Sarina Bowen’s ‘True North’ series and when I heard Rickie was getting his own book, I couldn’t wait. Then I realized his love interest was Daphne Shipley and I was even more excited!
Waylaid starts in the summer time while Daphane is home for the summer. Rickie is also there. Rickie is Dylan’s college roommate and decided to come and work at the Shipley farm for the summer. Daphane has met Rickie before, only he doesn’t remember.
Daphane is switching to Dylan’s school and she’s keeping secrets from her family. Rickie has secrets as well. Secrets can’t stay secrets forever. And when they come out there is even more of a connection than these two thought.
Rickie was such a fantastic character and definitely my favorite of the book. He’s been through so much and has his struggles, but he still managed to be lighthearted, sweet, and fun. I liked seeing Daphane’s story from her perspective. She’s the Shipley I liked least in some of the other books, but I like her much more now. Mostly, I really just loved these two together.
I always love reading about the Shipley family and it was amazing to get to see more from some of my favorite characters. The romance between Rickie and Daphane was great and I even liked the bit of suspense and build up we got. Overall this one was very enjoyable and the audio was incredible- Callie Dalton and Zachary Webber killed it! Highly recommend
Emery has never felt more alone. Raising her daughter is both her pleasure and her pain as she struggles to hold on to her job as a bartender and keep a roof over their heads. With no one to help them—no support system—any unexpected expense or late bill could turn their whole world upside down.
Reeling from the death of his twin brother and bandmate, rock star Oliver Smith is trying to drink his problems away. Apparently he isn’t very good at it; they follow him wherever he goes. Also in hot pursuit are the paparazzi, who catch Oliver at his lowest low.
He could have walked into any bar in California, but he walked into hers. Emery helps Oliver lose the crowd, and they find themselves alone: two people whose paths are marked with loss and pain. However, they hold an unshakable hope for healing. They find solace together, but can their love withstand the world?
Sometimes the world didn’t make sense. No parent should’ve ever had to bury their own child. I couldn’t even imagine that kind of pain that raced through her heartbeats on a daily basis. If I could offer up only one set of prayers for the remainder of my life, it would be for the parents who had to say goodbye too early on to their own.
Those hearts would always beat a little slower in my mind.
“I’m so sorry, Michelle.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She reached out and patted my hand, and I knew it was because she needed a hand to hold. So, I wrapped both of mine around hers. “The mourning doesn’t get easier. It just get quieter. Some days, I still cannot get out of bed, but I’m blessed. Because Richard stays in bed with me and my quietness. Then, when it’s time for me to get up, he pulls me to my feet, and we dance. A piece of advice—find yourself a man who would dance with you even when your heart is broken.” Her eyes flashed with tears and she held my hands tighter. “You want to know a secret?”
“Yes.”
“I thought I was going to lose Oliver, too. He kept everyone so far away. So, when I flew out here, I prepared myself for the worst. I thought he’d be in a drunken slumber or, worse…so much worse. Last time I came a few weeks ago, he wasn’t doing too well. But this time? This time I came back and he’s smiling.”
“That’s so good.”
She smiled brightly up at me as tears freely danced down her cheekbones. “So thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I swore.
“You’re the only difference in his life since I came back. Plus, there’s the way he looks at you when you’re not looking. Now, sweetheart, I don’t know what you did, but I’m almost positive that you helped bring my son back to life after he was holding death’s hand. Call it my mother’s intuition. So, thank you for helping him. Even if it’s just by being his friend.”
Now I was tearing up, and I pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re an amazing mother,” I whispered, and she began to cry harder.
“You have no clue how hard it is to believe that each day.”
I think all mothers thought that. The ones who doubted her mothering skills, were sometimes the ones who were trying their best day in and day out. I didn’t expect the conversation with Michelle to go the direction that it had, but I was glad it had taken that path, because it was clear we both had some healing corners of our heart that had to be touched that evening.
“Oh, don’t tell me you two are wine drunk and emotion,” Richard cut in, walking in our direction. “We were just picking out a song for two seconds and we turn around to find you both moping.”
“Oh hush, Richard. Can’t us girls have a moment every now and again?” Michelle remarked, standing to her feet.
“Yes, but for now, we dance to The Spinners, my lady.” Richard reached out for his wife and took her into his arms as they began swaying to the song, Could It Be I’m Falling In Love. Richard serenaded Michelle as she smiled and melted into him like a perfectly fit puzzle piece.
Oliver came to stand beside me as we both watched his parents fall more and more in love with one another.
“This was their wedding song,” Oliver mentioned. “Dad recorded it, and they danced to it for their first dance.”
“Oh my gosh, how sweet is that,” I swooned. True romance.
“They dance to it every single night. On the good days and bad days. Especially on the bad days.”
“They’re what I want my love to look like,” I confessed. Oliver gave me a tight smile but didn’t say anything. I shifted around for a minute before looking toward him once more. “Do you want to dance with me?”
Christy's 5 star review
Every person in this world has a mixtape of sorts, a collection of tracks that defines their lives. Each memory is a song, and they all come together to create a masterpiece. So, tell me about your story.
Once again, Brittainy Cherry brought the feels with her newest release, The Mixtape. This story is about two people, Oliver and Emery who are both struggling in different ways.
Oliver hasn’t been the same since he lost his twin brother. Not only did he lose half of his musical duo, it feels like he’s lost half of himself. Emery is struggling in a different way. She’s a single mother who is trying to keep it all together, but it’s been hard. Harder than normal lately. When these two find each other, they’re not in the best place.
Even though Emery is having a hard time, Oliver is much more of a mess in a way. Emery is just the person he needs in his life. Someone who doesn’t want anything from him and is just there for him. Oliver and Emery connect on a way he hasn’t connected with anyone in a long time.
The oddest thing about life was how something could show up out of nowhere and change everything in a split second of time.
I loved this couple together and I adored Emery’s daughter being thrown in the mix. I’m always here for a great single parent romance. There were so many fantastic moments in this story. I thought the friends to lovers aspect was so well done and even though Oliver was a famous musician, it didn’t have that feel as a rockstar romance normally does, and I mean that in the best way.
If you’re looking for a beautiful romance that will give you all the feels and keep a smile on your face look no further than The Mixtape.
About the Author
Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts and a minor in creative writing. She loves to take part in writing screenplays, acting, and dancing—poorly, of course. Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three things that she thinks every person should partake in. Cherry lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her family. When she’s not running a million errands and crafting stories, she’s probably playing with her adorable pets.
BLURBThey could’ve been perfect.In another time. Another world.Where his wasn’t falling apart.And hers wasn’t already in pieces.-High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge.He never expected that challenge to come in the form of a girl…A girl with zero fashion sense, a filthy mouth, and a bullsh*t attitude.Unlike Holden, Jameson Taylor had no choice but to grow up.Neglected, isolated, and forced to raise herself, Jameson only has one goal in life: graduate and move on.The last thing she needs is some guy she can’t stand suddenly declaring her as his new hobby.Their lives couldn’t be more opposite.Their pasts a complete paradox.But in each other, they find the unexpected…They find solace.Fragments of forever…A forever that might tear them to pieces.
Jameson Taylor is a masterpiece, and I’m in way, way over my head.
This book absolutely positively slayed me. It was everything I wanted and more, and I was completely blown away. Jay McLean always hits me right in my feels but also gives me the perfect amount of humor, angst, and romance. This gave me the best kind of old school mature YA/NA vibes and I was so here for it!
Holden is a character I've loved since I first met him in Leo. Holden has a lot going on right now. He's a senior in high school, but school isn't the only thing on his mind. He's carrying a lot on his shoulders. Jameson Taylor is new to school and Holden is taken with her. If you think Holden is carrying a lot of weight, meet Jamie.
Jamie's life has been so incredibly hard. It's incomparable to most teenage struggles and I felt for her. I had so much respect for her and I wanted more than anything for her to be okay. I adored Holden so much. I mean, Jay McLean writes these special kind of heroes that have the biggest hearts, but are also alluring and you really can't help to love them. That is Holden.
Maybe Holden Eastwood isn’t the flame to my moth. Maybe he’s the moon. The light. Guiding me out of my darkness.
Honestly, I could say so much about this book but the main take away is that you need to read it and experience it for yourself. It was completely compelling from start to finish. And that ending.... that ending left me in a state of shock. I need to know what happens from here and I would do just about anything to get my hands on part two of this duet. Thankfully, I'm fairly certain these two won't be releasing too far apart and I'm sure it will be worth the wait. But seriously.. that ending!
Pieces of You was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it's turned into one of my favorite books of 2021. Jay McLean never disappoints. This one put me through the ringer and gave me all the feels and I couldn't have loved it more! Highly recommended for anyone looking for that old school NA angst feel!
“You’re not here to be average, Jamie,” he scoffs. “You’re here to be extraordinary.”
View all my reviewsABOUT THE AUTHORWriter. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm. Jay McLean is a full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her three boys, investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.
As the most hated player in baseball, I had two options: either clean up my image or pack my bags. Being traded wasn't an option which only meant one thing, I had to become compliant.
That's how I found myself sharing a small bistro table with Kate Chapman, the Chicago Bobbies newest PR Manager. Devastatingly beautiful, vastly intelligent, and incredibly cunning, she knows exactly how to handle my grumpy demeanor.
It was supposed to be simple. Book some PR events, show up, smile for the camera, and be done. But one massive mistake on my end sends me into the trenches with Kate, forcing me to open up to her.
Innocent glances turn into cordial encounters. Secret touches turn into tempting invitations. And dangerous nights alone turn into consuming desperation.
I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want her. And I know she wants me, but there’s a no fraternizing with the players rule. Neither of us can afford to lose our jobs, but we also can't seem to keep our hands off each other either.
EXCERPT:
I slip on my clothes, going for a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved Henley. I push the sleeves up, still heated from the shower. I leave my hat in my locker, opting for a quick swab of styling pomade through my hair. I couldn’t care less what I look like, but Coach always likes us to be somewhat presentable after a game in case we run into any press.
Hungry and ready for my bed, I head out of the locker room and am making my way toward the players’ exit when a throat clears behind me. I glance over my shoulder to find Kate Chapman standing against the wall, her purse draped over her shoulder and a beautiful smile gracing her delicately freckled face.
She quickly gives me a once-over and says, “It was the socks.”
I can’t help it, I let out a low chuckle while slowly shaking my head and turning toward her. Hands in my pockets, I say, “It wasn’t the socks.”
Her mouth drops open in disbelief as she approaches me. “It was so the socks.” She points her finger at me.
“Don’t even deny it.”
“It was all my practice.”
“Yeah, practice with me. Just admit it, Rockwell, you had fun last night, the socks were a good luck charm, and you played your ass off tonight.”
I don’t believe in superstitions, which is unheard of when it comes to a baseball player, but I’ve never geared my play around being a habitual player, either. Instead, I do what feels right. So, believing in socks having a special power and helping me gather some hits tonight—nah, not real. But I will say this—having my socks up reminded me why I was behind that plate. It reminded me of being small again and taking joy in the little things.
Was it the socks? Maybe.
Was it the thought of the girl standing in front of me?
Maybe a little more.
“It wasn’t the socks.”
Her head falls back as she groans. “You’re so stubborn.” She makes eye contact with me again. “Do you realize that?”
“Yeah.” I rock on my heels, trying not to stare at her too much. Just picture me pitching to you.
When I said that would be too distracting, I meant it. With her softly curled hair and her gorgeous smile that doesn’t seem to ever falter—unless I’m a total dick and walk out on her—she’s caught my eye.
She’s starting to imprint herself on my brain.
She’s starting to make me feel shit I shouldn’t be feeling.
“Well, I’m—”
“What are you doing right now?” I ask out of the blue, surprising myself, and her.
“Uh, I was going to give you a hard time and then go home?” she says with a hint of question at the end.
I nod at her. “Hungry?”
She eyes me suspiciously. “Starving.”
“Want to get some food?”
She chews on her bottom lip, thinking about her answer, and I know it’s not in a joking around way, but more so she’s afraid. Afraid of me, possibly. Afraid for her job, most likely.
So, I add, “You know, to discuss business.”
It’s against team policy to fraternize with the players. I know that, she knows that, but, for the life of me, after seeing that infectious joy on her face, I had to ask her. I had to try to spend more time with her.
“Well, if it’s business . . .” She smiles brightly and then nods behind her. “Follow me.”
