⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)

Maisie Meyers scores big with Winning Brynn, a sizzling, banter filled enemies to lovers romance that brings all the tension, charm, and heart you could want in a sports romance.

Leo Sullivan is the kind of guy you love to hate at first—cocky, infuriating, and completely convinced that Brynn is the worst possible nanny for his daughter. But watching him slowly realize just how wrong he is? Pure perfection. The way he softens as Brynn bonds with his daughter is enough to make anyone fall for him. And Brynn? She’s feisty, determined, and gives as good as she gets. Their banter is electric, and the push pull between them kept me glued to the pages. I am a sucker for a nanny/single dad romance, and this one nailed it! It was so good. 

Beyond the chemistry, what really stood out to me was the emotional depth. Leo’s devotion to his daughter adds so much warmth, and Brynn’s journey from doing this out of spite to truly falling for both of them felt so natural and heartfelt. The soccer backdrop was fun without overpowering the romance, and the slow burn build up made every moment worth the wait.

If you love a sports romance with witty enemies to lovers tension, an adorable father/daughter dynamic, and a man who has to work hard for his happily ever after, Winning Brynn is perfect!

Thank you to Maisie Meyers and Love Notes PR for the eARC of this book. 

I really liked this one, much better than the first book in the series! Corinne Michaels delivers another heart wrenching, beautifully written romance with Here and Now. This book is packed with all the things I love—deep emotions, romantic suspense, and the perfect balance of tension and tenderness.

Miles Anderson is everything you could want in an MMC. He’s charming, kind, and the way he steps up—not just for Penny but for her son—had my heart melting. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but what really makes this story shine is the emotional depth. Penny has struggled with her past and her fear of staying in one place felt incredibly real, making her journey all the more gripping.

The small town setting of Ember Falls adds a cozy yet suspenseful backdrop, and the way Michaels weaves in the tension of the past creeping in kept me hooked from start to finish. The stakes felt high, and I was holding my breath, hoping they’d find a way to be together despite the odds.

If you love a romance that tugs at your heartstrings, features a protective, patient MMC, and keeps you on edge with just the right amount of suspense, Here and Now is an absolute must read! I am looking forward to the next book in the series! 

If you love grumpy mountain men, chaotic matchmaking brothers, and baby making shenanigans that turn into something way steamier than expected, then Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is your next must read!

🏔️ Grumpy/sunshine perfection? Check.
👶 A surrogacy agreement that turns oh so complicated? Absolutely.
🐐 A pet goat with excellent taste in women? You bet.

When Ridge’s nosy brothers post a wild help wanted ad looking for a baby mama, he’s furious… until Trista answers. She’s bold, curvy, cowboy boot wearing chaos—and exactly what he never knew he needed. But when their clinical arrangement suddenly has off the charts chemistry, Ridge realizes he doesn’t just want a co parent—he wants her.

💥 If Meghan Quinn & Tessa Bailey had a spicy, laugh out loud, small town romance baby, this would be it. 💥

🔥 Tropes you’ll be obsessed with:
✔️ Grumpy/sunshine
✔️ Small town meddling
✔️ Accidental forced proximity
✔️ Age gap & curvy FMC
✔️ A man who grunts his feelings

If you like your rom coms hilariously unhinged, deliciously spicy, and full of heart, Nine Month Contract is the book for you!😏💖

Wow. Betting Man absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. This book was raw, emotional, and at times, incredibly difficult to read—but it was also a stunning story of healing, resilience, and unconditional love.

Bridget’s journey shattered my heart. Her pain, her fear, and her struggle to rebuild herself after escaping an abusive relationship felt so real and deeply personal. Maggie Gates doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of domestic violence, and at times, it was hard to stomach—but that made her healing process all the more powerful. Watching Bridget learn to trust again, to believe she deserved happiness and safety, was both gut wrenching and beautiful.

And Chase? He was everything. The way he loved and supported Bridget with such patience and devotion had me in tears. He never rushed her, never pushed too hard—just stood by her side, ready to fight for her even when she wasn’t ready to fight for herself. His quiet strength and unwavering love made him one of the best men in this series.

This book isn’t just about romance—it’s about survival, second chances, and the kind of love that helps you put yourself back together. It was intense, heartbreaking, and so, so worth it. If you’ve followed The Beaufort Poker Club series, this finale is everything you could hope for and more. Just be prepared—this one hurts before it heals.

Maggie Gates has delivered yet another absolute winner with Not in the Cards! This book is packed with second chances, small town charm, and just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. Melissa and Jason’s story is an emotional, heart melting rollercoaster that I never wanted to end.

Melissa was so easy to root for—smart, independent, and completely over the modern dating disaster. But just when she’s ready to throw in the towel on love, Jason walks back into her life like a dream come true. And Jason? A former Navy fighter pilot with a heart of gold? Say no more. The way he sets his sights on Melissa and refuses to let her slip away again? Swoon. 😍

Their chemistry is undeniable, and the sister’s best friend dynamic adds just the right amount of tension. Throw in a few secrets, some small town meddling, and moments so hot they’ll melt your Kindle, and you’ve got a book that’s impossible to put down. But beyond the spice, this story has so much heart—Jason’s journey home, Melissa’s fears of opening up, and the way they fight for their happily ever after made this book unforgettable.

If you’ve been reading The Beaufort Poker Club series, you need to pick this one up. Read them in order! If you haven’t started yet, grab Poker Face and thank me later. Not in the Cards is a beautifully written, deeply emotional, and seriously swoony addition to the series, and I loved every second of it!

Oh. My. God. This book. THIS BOOK. In Spades is hands down the best in The Beaufort Poker Club series, and I am absolutely obsessed! Will completely stole my heart—he’s the ultimate sweetheart and the perfect book boyfriend. If you love guardian romances, prepare to swoon, because watching him not only fall for Kristin but also win over her siblings is everything.

Kristin is such a strong, selfless FMC, doing everything she can to keep her family afloat. The way she puts her siblings first, even when life is overwhelming, made me love her so much. And then there’s Will—sweet, thoughtful, and so patient. He sees Kristin’s struggles and doesn’t run. Instead, he steps up, slowly but surely proving to her (and her siblings) that he’s all in. Every little moment with them, from the dog rescue to the nap dates, melted my heart.

The romance? Absolute perfection. The chemistry is fire, the slow burn is just right, and that Ferris wheel scene?! 🔥🔥🔥 Plus, the undercover billionaire twist adds the perfect amount of drama and intrigue. I laughed, I swooned, and I didn’t want this book to end.

Maggie Gates has outdone herself with In Spades. It’s a modern day Cinderella story with so much heart, heat, and family love that it’ll stick with you long after you turn the last page. Do yourself a favor—read this series in order and savor every second of Will and Kristin’s story. You won’t regret it!

Maggie Gates has done it again with Square Deal, the third book in The Beaufort Poker Club series! This sizzling, banter filled romance brings together Hannah Jane, a wedding planner with zero patience for entitled billionaires, and Isaac, a commitment averse playboy who thinks marriage is a losing game. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their dynamic? Utterly addictive.

Hannah Jane and Isaac’s enemies to lovers tension is perfection. From the moment he breaks into her office and helps himself to her champagne, I knew this was going to be a fun ride. Isaac’s no strings attached proposition should have been a disaster, but instead, it’s the spark that sets everything ablaze. The witty back and forth, the undeniable attraction, and the emotional depth that sneaks up on both of them made this book impossible to put down.

Gates masterfully weaves humor, heart, and heat into this story, proving why this series must be read in order. The cameos from past characters add an extra layer of charm, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you love billionaire romance with strong heroines, delicious tension, and a hero who falls hard despite himself, Square Deal is an absolute must read!

A perfect addition to The Beaufort Poker Club series that is fun, fiery, and full of feels!

Maggie Gates delivers is never one to shy away from the emotional and heavy topics and she gives us just that in another emotionally charged, slow burn romance with Wild Card, the second book in The Beaufort Poker Club series. This one takes us on a journey of grief, healing, and unexpected second chances, proving that sometimes life deals you the most unexpected hands—whether you’re ready or not.

Steve is a man barely existing after losing his wife—his heart buried along with her. The label of “widower” doesn’t even scratch the surface of his pain, and his days have become nothing more than a monotonous cycle of survival. But then there’s Erica—his new neighbor, who enters his life at just the right (or wrong) time. She’s starting over too, though for entirely different reasons, and despite Steve’s grumpy resistance, the two find themselves orbiting each other in ways neither expected.

This book hits all the right notes for an emotional, small town romance. It’s a true slow burn, and the chemistry between Steve and Erica is palpable, even when they’re at odds. Gates masterfully balances deep, heartbreaking moments with lighthearted, heartwarming ones, especially with the fantastic side characters and, yes, the hilariously competitive adult kickball tournament (because who doesn’t love grown men acting like middle schoolers over a playground game?).

If you love grumpy/sunshine pairings, small town charm, and second chance romances that tug at your heartstrings, Wild Card is a must read. Just be sure to grab tissues—this one will get you in the feels. And if you haven’t read Poker Face yet, start there first—this series is meant to be read in order, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a single page.

The Stronger Sex by Starre Vartan is a powerful, myth busting deep dive into the resilience, endurance, and undeniable strength of women’s bodies. For too long, society has equated physical strength with brute force, dismissing the biological and physiological advantages that make women uniquely powerful. Vartan shatters these outdated notions, weaving together cutting edge research, expert interviews, and compelling real life stories to prove that when it comes to endurance, pain tolerance, immunity, and even longevity, women most certainly come out on top.

As a woman, I was immediately drawn to this book because I know we are powerful, but seeing the science laid out so clearly was both validating and empowering. I felt this same surge of confidence watching the Olympics this past summer—seeing female athletes dominate, push boundaries, and prove time and time again that we are the strongest. That feeling has stuck with me, and The Stronger Sex reinforced it even more. Reading this book made me want to stand a little taller, embrace the strength I already know I have, and celebrate the incredible capabilities of women everywhere.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it balances hard science with engaging storytelling. Vartan’s interviews with researchers across disciplines—from sports science to anthropology—add weight to her arguments, while firsthand accounts from athletes, firefighters, and adventurers bring the data to life. Whether she’s discussing the science behind pain tolerance, the adaptability of female bodies, or the history of why these strengths have been overlooked, Vartan makes a compelling case that strength isn’t just about muscle mass, but how it’s about survival, resilience, and adaptation.

This isn’t a “battle of the sexes” book; it’s a celebration of what makes women’s bodies extraordinary. Instead of pitting men and women against each other, The Stronger Sex challenges outdated ideas and uplifts a more inclusive, science backed definition of strength. Whether you’re an athlete, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who’s tired of hearing that women are the "weaker sex," this book is an empowering and eye opening read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Starre Vartan, and Seal Press for the eARC of this book. 

Poker Face by Maggie Gates is an absolute must read for enemies to lovers fans who love tension, spice, and a hero who’s as grumpy as he is irresistible. This book kicks off the Beaufort Poker Club series with a fiery mix of witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of tension that keeps you flipping pages long into the night.

Madeline and Luca’s dynamic is everything. Their accidental prejudging hook up? Iconic. Their morning after realization? Utterly chaotic. The way they challenge each other at every turn? Perfection. Madeline is fierce, independent, and would rather face a hundred obstacles than let Luca have the upper hand. Meanwhile, Luca is the kind of broody, confident hero who thinks he’s in control—until Madeline proves otherwise. Their push and pull had me hooked, and every interaction was laced with tension and undeniable attraction.

Beyond the scorching hot moments (seriously, prepare your Kindle), the emotional depth in this story was spot on. Luca’s swoony and sweet side slowly unraveling, Madeline’s resistance melting away, and their inevitable happily ever after? Pure romance magic. Plus, the poker club setting adds a fresh, fun element that I can’t wait to see explored further in the series.

If you love enemies to lovers with a side of forced proximity, a grumpy but sweet MMC, a strong willed FMC, and enough heat to set the kitchen on fire, Poker Face is for you. Maggie Gates delivers a knockout first book, and I’m already dying for the next book in the series!