I'm loving Laura Kaye's Warrior Fight Club series, in part because of the way she tackles mental health awareness without using magic sex as a cure all, and because they are hot and emotional AF. IN this novella, Tara meets and hooks up with a delicious man named Jesse, sharing a wonderfully emotional night, before discovering he's her new coworker on the commercial diving team she's a part of.

Both have something to prove, to themselves and their team, and agree that despite their very real connection that it is best to remain coworkers and friends, nothing else. But, the pull of the heart means that this might not be possible.

Bonus points for a really excellent scene featuring Tara doing a little one-handed time with a Keanu Reeves gif from a certain movie (Siberia) and some porn that reminds her of her night with Jesse. I love seeing masturbation representation in romance!

Definitely a situation where I feel almost bad for reading this book? So utterly ridiculous, what with the virgin yet sex-expert college girl and the super stalker, abusive, alpha Russian who is a walking cliche, but I still finished it. Basically all sex interspersed with very unbelievable (and lite) character development. Poor mafia hitman-millionaire. Puh-lease.

Upon re-reading The Professional and being able to listen to the Fated Mates podcast episode discussing it, I've rounded up my rating to three stars! I appreciate what Kresley was trying to do here, and the sex is H-O-T hot, but I'm still kind of bored when they aren't having the sex. What does Natalie do all day? More character development please!

I also learned this was a serialized novel, in three parts! May explain some of the pacing issues. That said, still a darn good time and introduced me to some THINGS. Phew.

Drew's fiancee jumped out of a window to flee from their wedding, with not a world to tell him why, well no words until she published her tell-all memoir/self-help book entitled "Embrace Your Inner Ice Cream Sandwich." A book that lambasts Drew for "melting her ice cream sandwich" and for being a cross between Eeyore and Oscar the Grouch on steroids." Ouch.

So now Drew hates ice cream. Can't stand it. Not even if the owner of the ice cream shop his foodie niece is currently obsessed with is also super cute and super intent on changing his mind.

Ginger Scoops has been Chloe's dream since her mother died, even if her father doesn't believe it is a smart career choice. Chloe is intent on proving her father wrong and honoring her Chinese-Canadian mother's heritage, a heritage her White father seems intent on ignoring, with her Asian flavored delicacies.

So when the deliciously grumpy Drew starts showing up with his adorable niece, Chloe doesn't much have time to spare for someone who is a self-described ice cream hater. But there just something about Drew, something about his instance he's a grump and not worth a relationship, that makes Chloe also want to prove him wrong. Even if it cuts into her time owning a small business.

Lau does an amazing job of bringing these two melancholy souls together. Don't let the breezy title and cover fool you, this story has some angst and tackles tough subjects, including death of a parent, parental disappointment, and racial blindness that hurts. But, through the darkness shines so much sparkling light, including Drew's coming to realize he's lovable through his relationship with his six-year-old niece (much more than plot moppet), and a series of unicorns.

There's also fabulously delicious sex scenes, and a celebration of Chloe's use of toys to achieve maximum pleasure (huzzah)!

I always look forward to the next Lau tale!

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

I loved reading this story about a 40 something married couple using a sex toy package to reignite their passion for each other. I appreciated how the husband was the one to slowly introduce his wife to the concept and how tenderly and sexily he made sure she was comfortable. I also appreciate the discussion of how monogamy works best for them, as opposed to opening their marriage like some of their friends had done, but without shaming.

On the whole, this is actually a pretty tame read for ME, but a great starter novella for those looking to spice up their own reading.

A great novella, definitely worth a read!

*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review*

I adore Naima Simone, and her books are without question brilliant. I did read the entire story and loved how the steamy hate between Isobel and Darius developed into steamy hate sex, then love. The premise of hooking up as "strangers" during a blackout is also super fun and sexy and I love a marriage of convenience, and Simone knocks it out of the park with heat, character development, and soapy good fun.

Darius believes his best friend's ex, Isobel, is a liar, a cheater, a horrible woman he helped bring about his friend's demise in a reckless car accident. Darius has been fed these feelings by friend and his friend's parents, the some people who helped raise him and helped launch his multi-billion dollar company.

But after the sexy and mysterious woman who helps him avoid a panic attack during a blackout at a gala turns out to be Isobel, Darius can't connect the two versions of the woman he thinks he knows, and he can't also help but fall in love with her son. A marriage of convenience seems the best way to make sure his friend's child is raised not in poverty, but convenience turns into so much more.

For all the excellent story-telling, this one, alas, just hit my top unforgiveable actions buzzer and I couldn't come back from it.

A mild spoiler -
What kept me from enjoying the story was when Darius threatened to take custody of Isobel's small toddler son away from her. I cannot forgive a hero who ever threatens to take children away from the heroine, especially when it is a case of him being a billioniare and her having nothing but her love for her child. Unforgiveable. Ultimately, they end up with an emotionally satisfying HEA for more readers, but for me there is no grovel big enough to make up for this huge mistake.

BUT, if that isn't a deal breaker for you, you can never go wrong with a Naima Simone!

Love breaks your heart, fucks you up—perfect, all-consuming chaos. I didn’t know what to do with that. It felt safer to walk.” He wraps me up in his arms, his eyes on mine. “But it’s also this. Peace, and warmth, and so fucking beautiful, you’ll risk anything to keep it.

Gosh, this book. I've read a few rock star romances in my time but I do believe this is one of my absolute favorites. Everything about the writing, the geeky Star Wars references, the slowburn delicious romance, the characters, basically everything, just hit my sweet spot.

Killian and Liberty Bell's love story was basically a superior version of the A STAR IS BORN trope. Libby finds Killian passed out on her front lawn with a wrecked motorcycle, and is so pissed at this hungover asshole who dares to end up on her property and reminding her of how her parents died. She has no idea who he is, and is aghast to discover he's her neighbor on the small NC island she calls home.

Libby has withdrawn from the world, working from home on book cover design, and scared to ever connect or love anyone, lest she lose them too. She misses her parents, she misses the music her parents brought into her life, she misses human interaction, but isn't sure she wants it from the grumpy man who suddenly invades her space.

But as he invades her space and insinuates himself into her routines, she can't help but see that Killian is also a lonely soul looking to connect, a man who made a mistake and suffered a trauma, a man who is a talented musician and may be more than he even seems. A man who can change her life in so many more ways than one.

Gah, more Kristen Callihan for me please and thank you! I've heard rumors Managed is even better, and I've met Scottie here and hellllooooo.

I have been eagerly awaiting Trashed, as [b:Thirsty|36100022|Thirsty (Eastside Brewery, #1)|Mia Hopkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503354665l/36100022._SY75_.jpg|57684443] is a absolute and utter steamy delight. Like whoa, my face is red reading this in the break room and I need to take a moment.

Trashed does not disappoint.

After being released from his five year prison sentence, Eddie Rosas hooks up with a beautiful stranger in a public garden a few days after finally being released from prison. While Eddie wants to blame his forced celibacy for the fire between him and the woman he cannot forget, he knows there is more. Something about her twitches Eddie's memory.

When Eddie gets a dish washing job at a fancy Italian restaurant six months later, he is stunned to find out the beautiful woman he still dreams about is running the kitchen. Their chemistry is impossible to deny and when he and Carmen get caught making out in the cooler and they both lose their jobs.

Trying to be more for Carmen, to be more for his family, to be more for himself, Eddie must navigate his budding relationship and his fear of falling back into old habits, falling back in with the East Side Hallenbeck gang.

What follows is a story of working hard, of taking your chances, of trying to do what is best, even if it isn't quite right. Eddie's story is important, as Hopkins deftly shows how the Rosas brothers deserve their happily ever afters.

Gritty, angsty, and so utterly delicious, I love this series!

Also, I have to say I really enjoyed how Hopkins portrayed Eddie and Carmen's struggle to be alone. Eddie lives with a family friend in a trailer in the same public garden he and Carmen first met in. Carmen lives with her parents, despite being in her mid-twenties. Carmen could live on her own, but feels both obligated by her family to stay and the pressure to save money for a rainy day. Watching these two try to find a place to be together, alone, was super frustrating and SO hot because of it.

I feel like we barely see financial struggle in romance novels as usually the characters all have wonderful jobs, wonderful careers. Of course your small cupcake business is just fine, makes all the money.

This series banks on these struggles and feels all the more realistic for it. While I have huge hopes for Eddie and Sal's brewery business, I also feel their concerns, their difficulties, the realities of starting up a small business, especially for POC. The discussion of trying to keep their new business in "their neighborhood" before the white gentrify-ers show up was especially on point (Jackie Lau's newest series, Baldwin Village, also deftly deals with these small business worries).

Content warning for discussions of gun violence, gang violence, physical violence (fighting but never between the main couple), drug use.

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

I am rooting so hard for this book to win a RITA award (problematic as those awards are), and absolutely have fallen in love with this author's work!

A deliciously explored polyamorous relationship between two men who own a brewery and the local sex-toy store owner that develops into feelings for all. Not only is this story hot as all get out, the emotional depth Winters brings to each of the characters and their journey to happily ever after is just *chef's kiss* perfection.

Absolutely will be diving in to Winters back-list!

Frank Tripp is the toast of New York City's legal scene, a status achieved both by his hard work, his smarts, and his complete excising of his past. He has much to gain, and lose, if he can't maintain the favor of the rest of society's elite.

So as Frank helplessly continues to try and stop heiress Mamie Greene from ruining herself completely with her antics at gambling hells and other unsavory establishments, he has to worry if he'll find trouble with her father.

Mamie wants nothing to do with Frank's meddling, she's got her life perfectly handled. So what if he think she's simply a spoiled rich girl out for fun, she's actually using her skills to help the women of the neighborhoods she shouldn't dare be seen in. And Mamie knows she has to marry her childhood friend, the man selected by her father, and even if she wanted a dalliance with Frank, she can't risk her or or younger sisters' futures...can she?

As both Mamie and Frank realize they are far more than they seem, their undeniable attraction alights, with huge consequences for them both.

A deliciously steamy romance with social justice and feminism in spades, a definite must read. Also, when the blurb says Frank is silver-tongued...they really aren't joking. One of my favorite billiards table scenes ever. Yum.

Miss Mina Penny had it all planned out. Kiss the secret spy employed by her over-protective Uncle. Convince him to marry her, live exciting life of intrigue and travel, finally free of the walls that have held her confined her entire life.

What Mina's plan wasn't counting on was the spy's oldest brother being so handsome. So intriguing. So totally not for her but so totally the one she wants.

Reclusive Rafe Bentley only wanted to find a wife suitable to live with him on his remote estate. One who wouldn't blanch its' crumbling walls, its desolation. He wasn't planning on finding sunny Mina or falling for this woman who wants anything but the life he can offer.

As Mina and Rafe find they have more in common than they could ever hope, they also work to uncover who killed Mina's parents all those years ago.

Totally swoon-worthy with a perfect cover for the story, this is Bell at her finest since FOR THE DUKE'S EYES ONLY (you'll see some familiar characters but this story does stand-alone).

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review!