I’ll be honest, I went in totally skeptical because on paper it had so many things that I avoid in books

• Professional Athletes
• A Second Chance Romance
• Children

But, this was so much more than I was anticipating! The athletes were endearing, the second chance felt real (like two people actually working on communication in a marriage), and the children weren’t awful.

As a stan of historical romances, I love that they’re getting their time to shine. It was so much fun that Adams added snippets from the novel Gavin reads throughout the story for us to read, too. I thought it was a brilliant touch. I also thought it was clever that she compared pro athletes and WAGs to the aristocrats and wives of the ton in regency England. It really tied everything together.

More than anything, Adams wrote MCs that you wanted to root for while you were reading. Did they make mistakes and say things they didn’t mean? Yes, but it never felt like they took it too far (I seriously don’t understand how some of these romance ships come back from what they say to each other during arguments *shiver*). Gavin and Thea also both work on individual growth while working on their relationship, and it’s not all one sided.

I felt the relationship between the sisters was a bit off, but maybe I’m a bit biased because I also didn’t care for the audiobook narrators voice for Liz (he did great for everyone else), so I was annoyed when she talked. I can’t get into the details of why I didn’t care for her without spoilers, but she was really the only part of the book that was meh.

Right now, coming off the high of reading this book after a slump, this gets 4.5⭐️ because it was fluffy but deep, I genuinely enjoyed it, and I’m excited to read the next one.

Spinster Gia Landon is tricked into a Season by her father seven years after her first failed attempt, but luckily she meets the Scottish Duke of Roxburghe, Jeremy Hale by chance. Together they form a friendship over their mutual love of horse....will it turn into more? 

There were several things that I enjoyed about this book! The beginning definitely grabs your attention, and the characters are relatively likeable. Gia is brash but kind, and she is genuine in her interactions with those around her. Hale is confident without being overbearing, and he actively tries to put Gia's needs above his own.  I personally thought the "will they/won't they" became a bit much near the end, especially for Hale (the MMC) who explicitly stated he wouldn't be opposed to marriage as long as it wasn't a marriage of convenience. I felt a lot could've been resolved with a good old fashioned heart-to-heart.

The writing was good, but at times a bit choppy. I believe some of Hanson's sentences could've been combined to make the flow smoother. Example: 

“It shocked Hale not only to hear that Gia had cried-he'd thought her impenetrable. But more so for the way his chest pulled tight at hearing of her pain"

It is grammatically correct? Yes, but it doesn't transition smoothly from one sentence to the next. Starting the sentence with "But" was a staple of Hanson and was found throughout the novel, and I feel it could've been parried down. Secondly, the writing style was definitely more tell than show. More often than not, the characters were telling the reader details that felt redundant or that we could've gleamed from context clues. You don't have to tell me she laughed and she thought it was funny. Gia laughing is telling me that she thought it was funny. You know?

Thank you Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

Dare I say boring? You’d think with the fake engagement and the couple’s history this would be a real page turner, but I found myself wanting to skim. I think it’s because this is a second chance romance, so Sophie and West end up having (what feels like) the same conversation ten different ways. By the middle of the book, I feel like I could’ve recited both of their parts for them.

The relationship between the sisters is fun, and it was great to see cameos of the other couples from the previous books. I just don’t think this one was for me.

 Am I giving 5⭐️ to an Omegaverse book after the travesty that was Fake Mate? Yes, and I stand by it. The relationship between the MCs, the mystery, the entire Were/Vampyre system went above and beyond my expectations. I went in thinking the Were and Vampyres were going to be vaguely Twilight (2008) or Underworld (2003) but it felt wholely new. The interactions between the different species didn’t feel forced or like an info dump. New information was brought up naturally in conversation or the reader learned from context clues, as it should be. It was small details that brought the world together and made it real, like an olive blush because of green blood. Something I never would’ve thought of until Hazelwood put it into words. Tying strings together before I even thought to question them.

Even though this was a new genre for her, this book felt so classically Ali Hazelwood because you can’t help but fall in love with the MMC when he says stuff like:

I was worried because alphas are usually short tempered, controlling, and rude in media, but Lowe was unexpectedly kind, considerate, and respectful. He was a leader without being a bully and it was refreshing.

The relationship between Lowe and Misery was nicely paced, and didn’t feel forced. They had the proximity to get to know each other and form mutual trust before delving forward in their relationship. Was there miscommunication? Yes, but nothing worth clawing your eyes, so I wouldn’t avoid this book because of that alone. Generally, the two were relatively open in their communication given the circumstances, and I appreciated it.

I loved that there was the mystery to drive the plot forward. We were given enough information to keep us hooked and guessing, but I was still left blindsided at the end (in a good way). Genuinely entertained.

Have I been converted to the omegaverse from my historical romances? Probably not, but I definitely don't regret dipping my toes into the genre 

 Definitely a fascinating read as someone who grew up during the rise of the computer and consumption of online media. Most of us have been taught to make sure our sources are reliable when reading news or research, but this book takes it up a notch helping you identify the "mode of transmission" for disinformation and how it's amplified on social media platforms.

The theory and research behind phycological inoculation along with the execution and implementation of different "vaccines" was explained was compelling, and I truly enjoyed getting to read about the process from someone at the top of the field. van der Linden made the information in his book easy to follow and digest regardless of your background in psychology, and I highly recommend. 

 Don’t worry, if you missed how plain, old, and clumsy the FMC was the first time, she’ll tell you again in two pages. I thought by the third “I’ve tripped, but don’t worry the MCC got here just in time to save me” moment that my eyes had rolled so hard they’d made it halfway to China.

The MCC was, yes, rigid and disciplined because of his position, but he was also just mean and controlling. I honestly don’t know how these two made it to the HEA, because he would try the patience of a saint. Get off your high horse. His morals about lying are flawed, and he’s heavy with a guilt trip.

The story itself was predictable. Granted most romances are to a degree, but this was Hallmark level.

Memorable quote:

 

 An entertaining and quick read with excellent chemistry, tension, and banter. The two MCs, Kitty and Leo, are childhood rivals, and Bennet does a great job of adding history to the characters without it feeling like an info dump.

Leo is *chefs kiss*. This is how you do it, ladies and gentlemen. A man who is (A) patient (B) kind and (C) can take constructive criticism is always a winner in my books. 

This book will haunt me. There’s so much I could say, but I don’t want to think about this book anymore than I already have.