This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved Rafael and Ellie, and Nico too. I wanted Rafael's story so bad because I know he's struggled with major issues in the past, leading to him being closed off and guarded. I also felt very deeply for Nico, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a rare eye disease that causes progressive vision loss. My heart just ached for Nico, because although he had accepted his fate and knew he was going to keep losing his vision, it doesn't make it any easier for a child so full of life to deal with. Rafael and Nico's relationship hurt my heart because for most of the book, it's so strained and both of them want the other to feel happy and not sad. But Ellie comes along and helps them patch things up in her own special way, and it's amazing to watch their little family grow, even though it started out as a single dad/nanny relationship. I loved their honesty with each other, and how they showed each other it was okay and worth it to love again and trust again. They were both there for each other through some very tough and trying times. Rafael could be a jerk sometimes, but it's understandable after all that he has been through and what he is currently dealing with. This is Lauren Asher's slowest burn, but it made sense for them and their relationship and what they faced, and the payoff was worth it. Something that really stood out to me was Rafael's struggle with food and past food insecurity, and how his trauma affects his eating habits now and his compulsions. I felt so seen because that is something I struggle with as well, and it was like Lauren Asher took the words right out of my mouth; his struggles were so much like my own and I loved getting to read about a character who shares what I do. Ellie's struggles with her scars were also so well done and I resonated as well. This book was perfection from start to finish and I cannot wait for Lorenzo and Lily's book.  

I was looking forward to getting to know Miles and his story and it did not disappoint. This book was so well done, and touches on some heavy subjects but it's both heartbreaking and beautiful. Miles is goofy and cracks jokes left and right, but it's always been obvious that his humor is used to cover up issues he is struggling with. His sobriety journey and struggles with ADHD and making amends with past bullying was very interesting because Miles definitely did bad things in the past, but he was a better person and his redemption arc was really refreshing to read. I also really appreciated his relationship with Reed, who is Daisy's teenage brother. They both felt like outcasts and struggled with inner turmoil, but for different reasons. The scene with Reed along with Daisy and Miles truly broke my heart and I shed some serious tears. I loved that scene and it will live with me forever. Daisy and Miles have such a meet cute and I loved their fake dating scheme because it was truly for something good. This book has the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope, and I thought Daisy was the perfect grump who put up with Miles and his annoyingly sunshine personality. I just absolutely adored this book and this entire series (it only got better as it went on) and I cannot wait to read more of Julia Wolf's work! 

I'm not sure what Julia Wolf put in this book, but I absolutely LOVED this so much! Single mom, plus size, intolerable boss, hot billionaire... so many things in this book that were amazing and so well done. I was kicking my feet and giggling and smiling the entire time reading it. Elliot is Catherine's boss and he's pretty intolerable and doesn't really notice her, so much so that he misses the fact that she is pregnant. But once he finds out she's having a baby and is essentially alone, he steps up to the plate and is there for Catherine in every conceivable way. He IMMEDIATELY becomes a daddy from the second he realizes Catherine is pregnant and moves mountains to make her life easier and to give the baby everything imaginable. Elliot is the perfect man! We absolutely love a hot man who has a tiny little baby girl wrapped around his fingers! The chemistry between Elliot and Catherine is just off the charts. The spice is incredible, especially the lactating and breeding portions. If you know, you know! Also, the part about Catherine's notes and the little pieces of paper she tears off at the end, and when Elliot finds out was HILARIOUS! I cannot say enough good things about this book and I will be thinking about it forever. 

Okay, I love a good marriage of convenience book and this one was so good. I LOVED Luca and Saoirse together from the very start. I loved their journey from not really caring for each other to falling head over heels in love. The spice was super hot in this one, and their banter was off the charts. And who doesn't love a hot billionaire? There isn't one I have found yet that I hate. 

I loved this book! I was really excited about starting this series because I have read Julia Wolf's books before and loved them. This was a really great start to a new series. I loved that the author included a plus size FMC! Weston and Elise were definitely made for each other and I loved their journey together. I will say that I found Weston less grumpy and more... mean. That's my reason for one less star. He was actually a jerk, until towards the end when he realized what was at stake and what he could lose, then he was better. He was also a workaholic and prioritized that until he was at risking of losing something important to him; only then did he change. The whole bully thing with Miles was interesting and I can't wait to see how that plays out. The spice in this was really HOT. Overall, I enjoyed it but I think I'm looking forward to the next few books more. 

I loved this book so much! There's something special about a woman in her forties finding love. Most romance books feature characters that are a lot younger, but I really appreciated reading about a mature woman who finds love. Dom and Cherry were perfect together; Dom is a motorcycle riding mechanic who is really sweet and sunny but doesn't really want to connect with others too deeply and Cherry is an older woman who has been through a lot and has a daughter, and she is much more cautious about others. They meet and sparks fly! It's unexpected for both of them, but they click and even though the journey isn't easy, it's worth it for them. I really enjoyed this book and plan to read others by Melanie Moreland! 

Wow, this was an amazing follow up to Salt Kiss. I can't really say much because it would be major spoilers, but there is so much lying, betrayal, love, lust, and secrets within this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Please make sure to read the prequel and the first book, because they are so important for the backstory and to set the stage for everything that unfolds in this book. From start to finish, there is so much going on and the push and pull between Isolde, Tristan, and Mark is filled with so much tension and drama and it's hard to know who to root for. Or maybe I root for all of them. Sierra Simone is a master at messing with your mind in the best way possible. It's so filthy and possessive and dark and devious and twisted and even sick at times, but I love it and that cliffhanger will haunt me until the next book is in my hands. 

So, this was pretty different than her previous books and was darker, had more angst, and a lot more spice. I really liked it but I could see how this being so different from her previous books would not go over well with some people. It's missing her signature romcom touch and while I still really liked it and enjoyed it, I can see others not really caring for it. I didn't care for Rue's POV being in first person and then Eli's POV being in third person, as it made for a clunky book and I had to keep switching and it felt odd to me. Other than that, I thought this was really good. I really liked Rue and Eli, from how they met to how they traded terrible stories to how they connected via their rough upbringings and their meet cute (which was less cute, and more scary but interesting too). Rue was obviously much more closed off and detached and didn't want anything to do with anyone, while Eli was much more sunshine and sweet and fell for Rue hard and fast. I loved this juxtaposition about them, an opposites attract sort of situation. Add the layer of Eli's company taking over Rue's, and the villain twist, and it made for a wild ride with the rivals and forbidden aspect of it. I love Ali Hazelwood's writing style, and I was really happy to see that she turned up the spice in this one. This book discusses heavy themes like child neglect, food insecurity, trauma, grief, and more. Ali Hazelwood did a great job with these subjects, and this is definitely different than her other books where these heavier themes were not part of them. I don't know, but for me personally, Ali Hazelwood could write anything and I know I would love it. This was no exception!  

What an amazing book and end to this series equally as amazing series! I have been looking forward to Griff's book since we met him in his brother's book, which is the first of the series. Griff was so intriguing because he wasn't like the other guys; he kept to himself, was mysterious, wasn't interested in women or men, or hooking up, and he just worked at the bar. We also meet Josh in the first book, who is Griff's brother's best friend. Josh is the exact opposite of Griff because he likes men, a <i>lot</i>, and frequently hooks up with them. At first, Josh (and everyone else) assumes Griff is straight because Griff has never said any different, but Josh and Griff trade barbs and have a teasing, friendly relationship. That relationship soon blossoms and becomes so much more. I loved seeing Griff finally figure out who he is and what he wants. I also loved Josh and how he was just so much more than what people thought he was or assumed he was. Josh's backstory was WILD and explained so much about him, and I thought he was really strong. Overall, I enjoyed this book so much and the series as a whole. 

Wow, what a sweet book! Knox is single father who has been straight (or so he believes) but then Callum comes into his life and turns it upside down, for the better. I really loved the development of their friendship and slow burn into romance, alongside Knox's journey of self discovery. Callum's relationship with Logan was just wonderful, and they really got each other in a way that others didn't. Everything about this book was just such a cozy read and a really great time. I was kicking my feet and giggling and smiling. This is a perfect single dad, slow burn, friends to lovers, MM romance and my favorite of the series!