What a beautiful book! This will make you cry and laugh and swoon and have a stronger appreciation for life. First of all, the author did a fabulous job with the military details and aspects of this book. As a veteran myself, I am always sort of critical about military romances because more often than not, it's just not believable. However, Raquel Riley nailed it. What stood out the most to me was the struggle with identity and dealing with PTSD, and survivor's guilt. Also, the camaraderie and the closeness that someone would only understand if they have ever served. West and Brandt were so close as military men serving together, but their bond was so much deeper than that. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but in the best way. I love how they just sort of transitioned from best friends and military brothers to more than that, and there was just this unspoken agreement between the two of them that they were soulmates. Even though it was a bi awakening here, to them it was just simple and easy: they belonged together in a way they couldn't with anyone else and they were going to help each other heal. I really loved the start to this series, and I am looking forward to the second book! 

I wanted this to be so much better than it was, but I guess that's wishful thinking. Ana Huang's books always get so hyped and they always over promise and under deliver. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We were promised a book where these two would clash, and it would be hot and sexy, and she would have to wrangle in his playboy ways and deal with him, and that the tension between them would be off the charts. Well... there was maybe two chapters where they are like this and then all of the sudden, he's a changed man and no longer acts like that, and they basically are together and making it work on a trial basis. Okay? Where was the tension and heat and arguing we were promised? Is it in the room with us right now? No. Also, I felt they lacked serious chemistry. I didn't feel like they were sizzling hot as promised. There was no heat. He wasn't dazzling and hot as promised. It was just a huge letdown. The spicy scenes were also really lacking; they were far fewer than usual and they just weren't great. The whole book was just BORING, despite the fact that the author tried to throw in a lot of drama like family issues, exes, the club opening, the inheritance, etc. Also, do we NEED to see every character from her Twisted series? I feel like she just throws them in there for no reason and it's really unneccesary. Stop relying on cameos! This book was full of editing errors too! Overall, I'm super disappointed but that's par for the course with her books these days, I guess. 

I was excited for Daddy P's story, but I seriously HATE the whole "I'm falling for my nanny even though I can't stop thinking about my dead wife" trope. I feel like this could have been so much better, especially with the single dad/nanny trope combined with a sports romance. I just didn't feel the connection between them, probably because of the fact that he was still hung up on his dead wife and didn't really get his head out of his ass until almost the end of the book. I think Ava was a cute kid though! 

I really love any sports romance book, but especially one that features Formula 1 racing because there aren't enough of them! I was really excited for this book because the driver who has been racing for a long time falling for the rookie driver? What an awesome premise! I do think the book didn't live up to my expectations like I thought it would because one minute they hated each other and the next minute, they were so in love and I think that's unrealistic. I also do NOT like the fact that the first time these two are together intimately, one of them is really drunk and I think consent can't be given so I really didn't like this part. I loved the banter between them, and of course, all of the Formula 1 aspects of the book; the author did this so well! The cover is also super cute and reminds me of real drivers who race, so it drew me in. I know this isn't a debut novel, but it sort of read like one and I just wish I loved it more, but I didn't.

Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter/Harper Collins, and Rebecca J. Caffery for the eARC of this book. 

I wanted to love this more than I did, but it was a cute novella. I just think it was a lot to pack in around 138 pages, and I felt like it was missing something and I didn't connect with the characters. I didn't really care for the MMC, I did enjoy the witch and magic aspects of this novella, but it just didn't capture my attention like I wanted it to. 

Thank you to NetGalley, 8th Note Press, and Karen Healey for the eARC of this book. 

Fake dating is my favorite trope and this did not disappoint! This was a really sweet fake dating romance that I had a great time reading. I loved the relationship between Nathan and Summer, and how they fell for each other. I think it's a great angle having Nathan be a secret softie as opposed to a grump that becomes less grumpy because of the sunshine in Summer. The author did an excellent job balancing the wanting and the tension and the pining with the real feelings these two were experiencing. The chemistry between Nathan and Summer was very palpable and they worked really well together. I loved reading another hockey romance, and felt like this was really well done. 

Thank you to NetGalley, JPC Publishing, and Jenny Proctor for the eARC of this book. 

My favorite kinds of books are romantic suspense and this definitely did not disappoint! Vivian is such a strong female lead character, and Arrow is a morally grey man but he goes above and beyond. Both of these characters have had tragic pasts and have struggled but this helps them to connect with each other because they have an understanding. This is a fast paced read where the plot moves along well and the two main characters have such a strong chemistry. This was suspenseful, steamy, swoonworthy and really was just what I was craving! 

After reading <i>The Long Game</i>, I was really excited for Josie and Matthew's book. This book did not disappoint and was even better than I expected. I loved returning to the small town of Green Oak, North Carolina and get this twist on <i>Runaway Bride</i>, featuring Adalyn's sister, Josie, and Adalyn's best friend, Matthew. I also really love a good fake dating or fake engagement book and I think Elena Armas did so well with this trope. In the first several chapters, I sorely wished for Matthew's POV along with Josie's, but I'm glad I trusted the author because it was so worth it. Matthew is seriously a top tier book boyfriend; he's incredibly sweet, supportive, and sexy. The way he gets that SOS text from Josie because she needs him, and he literally runs across town half naked to be there for her? Oh, my goodness. Also, the wedding dress shopping scene? I'm not lying when I say I don't think any scene in any other book could top this one for me. I'm STILL thinking about this and I know I will be for a really long time. I also loved the small town and all of its side characters and you really feel immersed in the setting. I loved Josie's journey of self-realization and how Matthew supported her every step of the way. It was so clear just how connected they were, despite being very different people. I also think that this was Elena's most hot and horny book and I truly appreciated that. She kept us fed and happy with this one! I'm so obesessed with this book and I cannot wait for others to read it because it's just so good! 

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Elena Armas for an eARC of this amazing book. 

Bailey Hannah is such a great writer and it's amazing that this is only her second book. I'm normally not a huge fan of the accidental pregnancy trope but I really loved this one. Cassidy is such a realistic FMC and I really connect with her. She has two chronic illnesses: Hashimoto's (a thyroid disorder) and PCOS, both of which cause her varying symptoms that affect her life. One such result of these disorders is weight gain and Cassidy is plus size. I really appreciate this representation of both plus size and chronic illness because I really see myself within her and struggle with the exact same things. Something I really loved about this book is how much Red loved her, even though she struggled to love herself through these issues. He never cared about her weight, and always thought she was beautiful inside and out, especially because she was growing their child. These moments between them really stood out to me, and I was getting teary eyed over how he was with her. Cassidy was so self conscious and worried about her weight and how she looked, but Red made her feel beautiful and loved and showed her every single day through his words and actions. The way he took care of her was so amazing and he was all in from day one. I loved the timeline of this, and how well paced the entire book was. Some things I really loved about this were the hand necklace, the twelve different type of potatoes Cassidy craved and Red made for her, found family, childhood friends to lovers, some dislike to lovers, friends with benefits, filthy mouthed cowboy with a breeding kink, rough past with a bad reputation, and so much more. Alive and Wells was such an amazing book and this is right up there with it. I seriously cannot WAIT for the next book and I really hope it's Denver and Blair's book! 

I'm SO excited that we are getting a King family series! I loved the Sullivan books but it's going to be so awesome to get a book for each of the Kings. First up is Whip King, who is a firefighter who falls for the chief's daughter after a one night stand with her... a one night stand where he isn't at all aware that she is his boss's daughter. Whip and Emily had such great chemistry and you could just feel the tension jump off the page. I was waiting with bated breath for them to finally get together again but it was a lot of back and forth and I LOVED that; it made the reward of them finally giving in so worth it. I do wish there had been more angst surrounding their relationship and the "forbidden" aspect of it and her father's feelings about it, but overall, I loved everything about this. I'm also really excited for Abel's book!