Abby Jimenez could give me crumbs, and I’d still devour them like a five course meal. And The Fall Risk? Absolutely delicious. This novella was everything I love about her writing—witty, heartfelt, and packed with chemistry that had me grinning like an idiot the entire time.

Charlotte and Seth were the perfect mix of awkward, vulnerable, and so easy to root for. I mean, a girl armed with emotional support bear spray and a newly divorced arborist literally stuck together on Valentine’s Day? Peak rom com perfection. The forced proximity, the banter, the slow unraveling of their walls—it was chef’s kiss.

Even in such a short story, Jimenez gave us depth, humor, and that signature emotional pull that makes her books irresistible. It was sweet, a little chaotic, and just the right amount of swoony. If this were a full length novel, I’d be first in line.

If you love Abby Jimenez (or just need a quick, serotonin boosting romance), The Fall Risk is a must read. Now excuse me while I go manifest more crumbs from this world!

THIS is what I wanted from Vengeful Gods and wow, did it deliver! Masked men? Say less—I was gone. This book was a wild, dark, delicious ride from start to finish. It’s hot, it’s suspenseful, it’s dramatic, it’s emotional—every piece came together perfectly, and that twist? Absolute perfection.

Elliot Rose took everything that Vengeful Gods was missing and gave us a story with depth, intensity, and the kind of character dynamics that make a dark romance unforgettable. We got stalker obsession, kidnapping, found family, love, twisted darkness, and romance all blended together seamlessly. One moment, I was sick to my stomach from the tension, and the next, I was swooning. That balance is what makes this book so good.

Not to mention, we finally got the answers we were waiting for from Vengeful Gods! And trust me, it was worth it.

💀 What I Loved:
✔️ Masked, bloodstained captors (hello, new obsession)
✔️ Dark, dangerous, and deeply emotional character arcs
✔️ A revenge plot that actually made sense
✔️ The way desire and fear blurred into something intoxicating
✔️ A found family element that hit
✔️ The writing—so much better, tighter, and more gripping

This book took everything I love about dark romance and executed it flawlessly. It was twisted, it was beautiful, and it left me absolutely wrecked in the best way.

If you love morally gray men, obsessive desire, and tension so thick you can feel it, Macabre Gods is an absolute must read.

🔥 Would die for these masked men. No notes. 🔥

Thank you to Luna Literary and Elliot Rose for the eARC of this book. 

I really wanted to love this book. Elliot Rose is an auto read author for me, and Vengeful Gods had so many elements that should have been a win—reverse harem, obsessive men, swords, a secret society, and tattoos! But somehow, it all fell flat.

Let’s start with the positives: the spciy scenes were hot. If you’re here purely for smut, you’ll probably enjoy that aspect. But for a book this long, I expected way more from the plot, the character development, and the relationships. Unfortunately, this was a case where the story didn’t add anything to the smut—it was just filler between sex scenes.

Here’s where it lost me:

1️⃣ The romance made zero sense. How did we go from "we literally hate you and wanted to torture/kill you" to "we love you and can’t live without you" with no development in between? The only thing bridging the gap was sex.
2️⃣ Almost no character interactions outside of sex. There was no tension building, no getting to know each other, no moments that made me believe in the relationships.
3️⃣ The FMC was supposed to be this tough, independent tattoo artist who escaped her criminal family, but she spent the entire book just going along with what everyone else told her to do—whether it was the love interests, other women, or the bad guys. Not a single escape attempt, no resistance, nothing.
4️⃣ The secret society plotline was confusing and felt detached from the actual story. It was like, “Oh, right! There’s a secret society stealing children! Back to the smut.”
5️⃣ The ending was anticlimactic. The "secrets" revealed were just meh, and the twin switcheroo twist? So predictable.
6️⃣ Calling this a Beauty and the Beast retelling is a stretch.
7️⃣ Shortening Raven to Ven pulled me out of the story every time. It just sounded silly, and not fitting for her and the things she did (or did not do).

Overall, I did finish the book, so there’s that. But for me, it was way too long for a story that didn’t add any real substance to the steam. If you’re looking for dark romance with a solid plot and compelling character dynamics, this one might not hit the mark.

Would love to hear from someone who did love it—what was your favorite scene that wasn’t a spicy scene? Because I genuinely can’t think of one.

Lincoln Carter is the book boyfriend. Full stop. No contest. If you’re looking for a cowboy who will completely steal your heart with his rugged charm, undeniable magnetism, and just the right amount of slow burn intensity, Between the Pines delivers all of that and more.

Josie Hayes is the kind of FMC you root for, even when you want to shake her for running. Her past is messy, her choices complicated, but the way she feels—raw, real, and undeniably drawn to Lincoln—had me hooked from the very first page. Their connection is instant, electric, and so full of tension that you can feel the weight of every glance, every touch, every unspoken word.

And then she leaves.

When fate (and a family run horse training program) throws them back together a year later, Lincoln isn’t about to let Josie forget what they had… or what they could still have. Their chemistry? Still scorching. Their unresolved past? Even more complicated. The angst? Delicious.

Amber Palmer has written a small town romance that aches in the best way, full of longing, second chances, and a cowboy worth staying for. The Tennessee setting is so vivid, the slow burn so well done, and the emotions so real that I didn’t want this book to end.

If you love:
🤠 Cowboys with a grudge (and a heart of gold)
💔 Second chance tension that hurts so good
🔥 Chemistry so intense it leaps off the page
🏡 Small town charm with all the drama

Then this book is for you! Lincoln Carter, you officially have my heart. 💙

Finn by Ashley James takes a fresh and exciting approach to the classic nanny/single dad romance, flipping expectations on their head in the best way possible. Instead of the usual dynamic, we get a male nanny and a single dad who's not only straight (or so he thought) but also in a relationship at the start. This unexpected setup adds layers of tension, longing, and emotional depth that make this story stand out.

Finn, a hardworking, rugged rancher, is in desperate need of a new nanny for his son, and in steps Ash Tudor—his girlfriend’s twin brother. Ash is everything Finn is not: bubbly, carefree, and unapologetically himself. From his tight yoga shorts to his awful taste in music, he’s a whirlwind of chaos in Finn’s structured world. But what starts as simple annoyance quickly turns into fascination, and then something much more dangerous—desire.

The slow burn in this book is deliciously well done. Finn’s internal struggle, his resistance to his attraction, and his eventual acceptance of his feelings are all written with so much care and authenticity. Ashley James captures the complexity of sexual identity and self-discovery in a way that feels raw and real. And let’s not forget the spice because wow! Once that tension snaps, it SNAPS.

Ash is an absolute delight. He’s funny, confident, and a breath of fresh air. His chemistry with Finn is off the charts, and their dynamic is both heartwarming and hot. I loved seeing Finn open up, challenge himself, and fall completely and utterly for the last person he ever expected.

If you love slow burn tension, forbidden attraction, and a romance that challenges societal expectations while delivering on sweet moments and steamy encounters, Finn is perfect!

Highly recommend! 🔥💙

Thank you to Ashley James and The Author Agency for the eARC of this book. 

I am so glad we’re back in Friendship, Rhode Island because In A Rush was everything I wanted—adorable, sexy, and packed with all the heartwarming moments that make Kate Canterbary’s books so special. The fake marriage setup between Ryan and Emme was executed perfectly; it felt natural, full of history, and brimming with the kind of longing that makes a friends to lovers romance truly shine.

Ryan dotting on Emme? Obsessed. He was down BAD for her. Every time he called her my wife, I melted. He’s the perfect mix of devoted, protective, and head over heels in love, while Emme’s struggles—both with relationships and her self-worth—felt so real and relatable. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their journey from best friends to something more was perfect.

I also loved the cameos from other characters in Canterbary’s book world, which made the story feel even richer. And while this book was fun, it also tackled real issues like chronic illness (shoutout to the endometriosis and ALS rep), self-doubt, and complicated family dynamics in a thoughtful way.

Overall, In A Rush is a perfect blend of heat, heart, and humor. If you love fake marriage, pining, and an NFL hero who would literally do anything for his best friend, then this one is an absolute must read. But make sure to read In A Jam first, trust me! 

Saving Grace by Alexandra Banks is an enjoyable small town romance with all the right elements—forced proximity, a grumpy wounded hero, and an FMC on the run from her past. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I’d read this story before. The setup is uncannily similar to Downpour by Maggie Gates: a man with a rugged past (this time a soldier instead of a bull rider) is badly injured, his family hires a woman to care for him, she’s escaping an abusive relationship, and despite his initial resistance where he is very grumpy and mean, they fall in love. It was almost too identical.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the book. Grace’s struggle felt real, and I appreciated how she slowly found her strength again, refusing to let her past define her. Mackinlay, while a bit frustrating at times with his gruff, closed off attitude, had solid character growth as he learned to accept help and open his heart again. Their chemistry was definitely there, and the emotional beats hit well, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was reading a reworked version of something I’d already experienced.

If you love this trope and don’t mind a near copy of Downpour, Saving Grace is still a well written, emotionally satisfying read. However, if you’re looking for something fresh in the wounded cowboy/ranch romance genre, you might find this one a bit too predictable.

Digging Dr. Jones is a fantastic debut from Olivia Jackson that blends adventure, humor, and romance in the best way possible. If you love The Lost City, Indiana Jones or Something Wilder by Christina Lauren, with a side of sizzling chemistry, this book is an absolute must read!

Adriana and Andrew’s dynamic is so much fun. She’s completely out of her element, accidentally getting tangled in his high stakes treasure hunt, but instead of being just along for the ride, she fully embraces the adventure. I loved how Andrew never dismissed her ideas, always treating her as an equal and making sure she knew how much he valued her, even though she had zero background in archaeology. Their connection was built on respect, trust, and an undeniable spark that made every moment between them feel special.

Adriana’s past heartbreak made her hesitant about love, but the way she let herself trust Andrew and follow her instincts was so refreshing. And Andrew? Total book boyfriend material. He was supportive, kind, and a guy she could easily fall for (and did) from start to finish. Their island picnic date? Pure perfection.

The story moves at a great pace, balancing action, romance, and humor effortlessly. The forced proximity trope works so well here, and the ending wraps everything up in the most satisfying way. This was such a cute, fun, and spicy read. I can’t wait to see what Olivia Jackson writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Jackson, and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book. 

This was certainly a redemption arc I did not know I needed. Wow. I was hesitant going into this one because, after what Avery did in Don’t You Dare, I hated him. Like, full on, no redemption possible hated him. But C.E. Ricci completely surprised me with how she handled his arc. Avery didn’t just magically become a better person—he recognized his mistakes, unpacked the reasons behind them, and actively wanted to change. And that growth? Chef’s kiss.

The summer camp setting was perfection. Sticking Avery in the wilderness, forcing him to work alongside Kaleb—the guy who exposed his secret and got him kicked out—was the perfect setup for their dynamic. The animosity, the grudges, the forced teamwork… every interaction between them had this electric push and pull that kept me hooked. And when that tension finally snapped? Whew. The chemistry was unreal.

But what made this book so good was how natural their relationship progression felt. It wasn’t just an hate to love romance; it was two people working through past hurts, learning to trust, and finding something real in the process. And let’s not forget the meddling campers who added the perfect amount of humor to balance the angst!

I loved this book. It’s emotional, spicy, and filled with just the right amount of angst and heart. C.E. Ricci took a character I never thought I could root for and made me fall for him. Read Don't You Dare AND Never Will I Ever and you will see how good they both are! 

Meg Jones serves up another absolute winner with Game Point! This friends to lovers romance, set against the high stakes world of professional tennis, had me hooked from the very first page.

Dylan Bailey’s struggle with her career and self-doubt felt so raw and real, making her journey incredibly compelling. And Oliver Anderson? Oh man, talk about the perfect mix of sweet and spice! Their friendship turned something more was filled with tension, stolen moments, and just the right amount of angst. The bet? Genius. The coaching dynamic? Electric. The slow burn? Perfection.

What I loved most was how this book balanced the intensity of professional sports with the deeply personal, emotional stakes of their relationship. The chemistry between Dylan and Oliver was off the charts, but their friendship and respect for each other made it all the more satisfying. And let’s not forget the setting—Jones truly brought the Australian Open to life, making me feel like I was courtside, feeling every serve and volley. I will be the first to admit I am not a tennis fan, but this book makes me want to get interested! It had me hooked on a sport that I did not know I would like. 

If you love sports romance with high tension, sizzling chemistry, and a couple you can’t help but root for, Game Point is a must read. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Jones, and Avon for the eARC of this book.