elizabethgscott's Reviews (435)

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks deliver phenomenal performances! If you enjoy reading with your ears you do not want to miss this audiobook!! 

Left of Forever is the second book in the Spunes, OR series by Tarah DeWitt and it’s unputdownable. This could be read as a standalone but is more enjoyable in series order. Wren and Ellis Byrd are high school sweethearts that fell in love as kids, had their son Sam as teens, and now in their 30s everything has fallen apart. Divorced for five years, but still carrying love for each other, the two are about to send their son to college out of state. They decide to extend their roadtrip back home to Spunes in an attempt to give their relationship one last shot. 

Left of Forever is a spectacular and emotional second chance romance that had me crying and rejoicing! I was dying for Ellis and Wren’s story when we first got a peek into their lives in book one, Savor It, and Tarah did not disappoint. This may be her best book yet. Ellis and Wren are so complex, relatable, and easy to root for. The entire Byrd family is a blast, I hope we see more of them in future books! 

Read this if you like:

-second chance romance 

-roadtrips

-small town

-epistolary 

-she’s a baker 

-he’s a firefighter 

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you Tarah DeWitt, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review. 

If You Love Me by Helena Hunting is the 4th book in the Toronto Terror series but can be read as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook narrated by 

Stella bloom and Stephen Dexter and really enjoyed it! 

Three years ago Lexi and Roman shared an unforgettable weekend together. Despite not seeing each other since, Roman thinks about Lexi often and what could’ve been if only she hadn’t disappeared without a goodbye. That is until Lexie walks into practice and is introduced as the Terror’s first female assistant coach. Now Roman is faced with the complicated position of being totally gone for his coach while trying to make the best of his last season before retirement. Lexi is working hard to make a name for herself in the hockey world while also being the guardian to her younger sisters. She knew being the assistant coach for Roman’s team would be challenging, she just didn’t expect Roman to remember her. 

I was waiting for Roman’s book and it did not disappoint! If You Love Me is full of found family, grief, tension, love, and second chances! I love how Roman and Lexi show up for each other! Roman is such a good dad, the scenes with Lexi’s sisters will melt your heart. Read this if you like:

-hockey romance 

-found family 

-second chance

-age gap

-forbidden romance 

-workplace romance 

-alllll the spice! 🔥

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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A big thank you to Helena Hunting and her team for a copy of this ALC in exchange for my honest review. 

Mr. Swoony by Piper Rayne is the third book in The Nest series and is available February 25, 2025. This book can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed in series order. Trust me, you don’t want to miss reading about this great group of friends! 

Eloise Corbin meets Conor Nilsen, goalie for the Chicago Falcons, at her terrible bachelorette party. They have an instant connection. Conor helps Eloise get her drunk friend situated in her hotel room and the two end up staying up late discussing life and their dreams. The week following their perfect night, Conor isn’t convinced that Eloise wants to marry her fiancé. He gets drunk and decides to stop her wedding. Eloise knows she’s only marrying her fiancé to appease her family. She’s trying to talk herself into going through with the wedding when Conor comes crashing through the church doors. 

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it if you enjoy reading with your ears. Mr. Swoony is a duet narration with Connor Crais and Luci Christian Bell featuring Sean Masters, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. 

This book is such a fun listen with a small amount of suspense! I really enjoyed this story despite insta-love being one of my least favorite tropes. Piper Rayne did a fabulous job teeing up the next book, I can’t wait to finally get tweetie’s story!! 

Read this if you like: 

-insta-love

-hockey romance

-runaway bride

-he falls first

-roommates to lovers 

-all the banter

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you Valentine PR for a copy of this ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

Mr. Broody is the second book in The Nest series by Piper Rayne. While it is best enjoyed in series order it can definitely be read as a standalone. 

Jade is back in Chicago helping her mother recover from surgery. She usually avoids coming home out of fear and self preservation. Jade’s childhood best friend/ex boyfriend, aka the love of her life: Henry lives in this city with his son Bodhi. Did I mention Henry’s a superstar professional hockey player? He lives in the same building as several of his teammates. They are a close knit group that all look out for each other. Jade and Henry’s lives were once so connected and now she feels like an outsider. Jade unknowingly gets a temporary job at Bodhi’s school and now Henry can’t be avoided. The pair were never good at staying away from each other  but now the stakes are higher with Bodhi’s heart also on the line. Will Jade stay in Chicago or is she just passing through? 

I devoured this audio! This audiobook is a duet narration from JF Harding and Brooke Bloomingdale featuring Sean Master, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. I highly recommend this audiobook!! The performances were perfect and so endearing. Henry and Jade’s story is a wonderful second chance romance that didn’t heavily rely on flashbacks which I loved! The supporting characters are lovable and have me praying we get their stories next! Read this if you like: 

-second chance romance 

-hockey romance

-single dad

-adorable matchmaking kids

-fun friend groups

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for a copy of this ALC in exchange for my honest review. 

If You Need Me by Helena Hunting is the third book in the Toronto Terror series. 

Dallas annoys Hemi to no end. She can’t for the life of her figure out why he acts the way he does around her. They grew up in the same small town and had very different school experiences. Dallas and his friends were constantly picking on Hemi. She has always been a determined woman and she takes that drive to succeed into every aspect of her life, including her upcoming class reunion. Hemi wants to show up with a date, too bad everyone she matches with are walking red flags. After an interesting night out with friends from the team, Hemi and Dallas find themselves having to fake date to save face and possibly their jobs. Dallas being Dallas takes things too far and suddenly they’re fake engaged! 

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Andi Arndt and Stephen Dexter’s performance.  

Read this if you like: 

-forced proximity 

-he falls first 

-fake dating/ fake engagement 

-hockey romance 

-childhood crush 

-enemies to lovers 

-only one bed 

4.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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A big thank you to Helena Hunting and her team for an advanced listeners copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts are my own. 

The Wingman by Stephanie Archer is the third book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be read as a standalone. 

Hayden Owens is a fierce defenseman in the NHL, beloved by his teammates, and in love with his best friend Darcy. Darcy Anderson just broke up with her boyfriend of 8 years and moved to Vancouver to start fresh. She’s living with her best friend Hayden and rediscovering what she really wants her life to look like. Darcy decides it’s time to put herself back out there and asks Hayden to help her find the right guy. He agrees to be her wingman even though the thought of her with other men makes him sick. While relearning the ropes of dating, Darcy finds that living with Hayden has really put a fine point on how perfect he is for her, too bad she believes her feelings are one sided. 

If you’re like me and agree friends to lovers is the superior trope, you will absolutely devour this romance!!! And if you’re on the fence about FTL this may be the book to convert you! Archer writes these characters with so much heart, you can’t help but love them all. I’ve been looking forward to this story since these characters were teased earlier in this series. I’m a sucker for a guy that’s down bad for his lady and Hayden is that guy!! Hayden wants Darcy to thrive and be herself. He’s supportive, considerate, and oh so patient- but actually also jealous which is delicious to read. Darcy is smart, funny, and learning to put herself first. She’s a good friend and brave when it counts. 

Read this if you like:

-hockey romance

-friends to lovers 

-“practice kissing” 

-roommates 

-reformed playboy 

-dual pov 

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you Stephanie Archer and her team for a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

Play Along by Liz Tomforde is everything we’ve come to expect from the Windy City series, perfection! 

“I live laugh love you” 

Kennedy is the only woman on staff with the Windy City Warriors and that’s not been easy. The players are great and so are most of the staff but Kennedy’s boss is a real piece of work. Desperate for a shot at her dream job as a team doctor, Kennedy needs to keep things strictly professional which would normally be fine but after a drunken night in Vegas, she ends up married to Isiah. Isiah Rhodes is the charming shortstop for the Warriors and he’s had it bad for Kennedy ever since her first day. The two wake up married and have to keep up the charade in order to protect Kennedy’s career. Of course lines start to blur and the lies become true. This story had me in all the feels, welling up with tears, and kicking my feet with glee! 

The audiobook was fabulous! Jacob Morgan and Samantha Brentmoor perfectly bring these characters to life. It was so fun to get glimpses into the lives of all our friends in the Windy City. I can’t wait for book 5, Rio’s book!!!! 

Read this is you like: 

-Vegas wedding 

-forced proximity 

-found family 

-sports romance 

-laugh out loud banter 

-he falls first 

5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Liam Davies and Zoe Valentine have had a contentious relationship for the better part of a decade. When tragedy strikes and the best friends that brought them together both die in a car crash the pair are forced to reexamine their relationship. To their surprise, they have both been granted co-guardianship of their 3 year old god daughter, Mira. Zoe steps up immediately while Liam has some demons giving him pause about the whole parenting thing. 

When this story was teased in the first book for the Best Men series, The Best Laid Plans, I was ecstatic as the movie Life as We Know It is one of my favs! The Best of All did not disappoint, I couldn’t read it fast enough. In spite of the extremely heavy subject, Sorensen found ways to make me laugh throughout this book while also pulling on my heart strings big time! My only complaint is that I wish we got more time in the story with Liam and Zoe as a couple. Overall, I would definitely recommend this series but remember to check trigger warnings! 

In The Best of All we get: 

-slow burn 

-forced proximity 

-he falls first 

-enemies to lovers 

-sports romance (football) 

-a zany octogenarian book club

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you to Netgalley, Karla Sorensen and her team at Montlake for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner is a beautiful story about grief, coming home, human connection, and next acts. I first listened to the audiobook and loved it so much I bought the hardback! I finished this book almost a week ago and I’m still thinking about it, in a good way. 

Country music singer/songwriter Colton Gentry has his first hit in a decade with Honeysuckle Summer topping the charts. He’s married to everyone’s favorite country star currently crossing over to pop music and is getting to play for packed arenas opening for the mega artist of the moment. You’d think all this would make Colton happy but it’s not, he’s hurting. A few weeks ago his best friend Duane was murdered on stage by a mass shooter at a country music festival. He’s grieving something fierce and he’s turned to alcohol to deal with this enormous loss. One night he takes to the stage drunk and lets the audience know how he feels about the gun problem in America. Needless to say, he’s kicked off the tour, quickly becomes a “has been” and returns home to a wife wanting a divorce. Colton finds himself back in his childhood home in rural Kentucky with limited funds and prospects. To his surprise, his small town has a new farm to table restaurant that rivals some of the spots in Nashville he used to frequent. Possibly even a bigger shock is that his high school girlfriend, Luann, owns this restaurant and offers him a job working with her in the kitchen. 

This story has alternating timelines both in the present and back to Colton’s high school days when he first met Luann. The writing is beautiful and thought provoking but I think what I loved most about this book is the lesson that there is always a next act, even when you fear there isn’t. Read this if you like stories of coming home, second chances, life’s unpredictability, honest looks at grief, and perfect dialogue! 

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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