I loved Ben. He’s sweet, funny, happy, and, luckily for Alejandro, forgiving & patient. Even knowing that they are meant to be together, it takes a LONG time to get there and the progression in their relationship is slow going. (I’m not sure I could have been as tolerant as Ben was so I’m glad Beckett had us jumping thru time in the early parts of the books to show how things developed.)

Alejandro is drawn to Ben but he feels like there’s quite a bit standing in their way – their age difference, the fact that they are employer/employee, and his daughter’s crush on Ben. While they find ways to work through the first couple, that last one is really hurting Alejandro (and giving readers some fits based on other reviews). He feels like it would be wrong to hurt her, after all as her father it’s his job to protect her, but he’s getting outside advice telling him to just tell her. (And we as readers know he should just tell her. She’s like 19 years old and it’s just a crush. Plus, Ben has never suggested the feelings could be reciprocated and I’m pretty sure he has a say in this matter too.) Eventually things come to a head, thanks to a little push from outside parties, and we’re good for that HEA they deserve.

Or maybe not! I looked down at this point and realized I was only about halfway thru the book and thought how much more can she put them thru! :) Just a little more apparently and of course it all worked out in the end. Although I did wonder about Alejandro a few more times – the man had some seriously wrong reactions to situations. Luckily Ben is willing to wait for him to figure things out, which of course he does and comes out all the better for it, but it is a frustrating and sometimes eye-rolling journey to get there. So, who’s ready for a bit of a roller coaster read?

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Readers are gonna have to be ok with a bit of a rollercoaster with Ray’s newest. Omari is really conflicted about his future and struggles with how Mal & their attraction for each other can fit into it. Getting both of their POVs helps to see where each of them are coming from so you understand Omari’s struggle. I think my favorite part is that both of them have people there for them. Mal is a little bit better at embracing that support, I think because of how they’ve all been there for each other up to this point, but once Omari accepts they want to help and want the best for him, it leads to a satisfying ending.

There are some complaints about how Omari treats Mal and how Mal reacts, but I remember what it was like to be in college so this really struck true to me. Usually it didn’t end in a HEA tho so I’m pleased that Mal & Omari were able to figure things out. And the way that Mal is able to help Omari figure things out is just the sweetest.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Pretty sure that there isn’t a better book boyfriend (or husband) than Torin. He’s hot, caring, and intelligent. He listens to Abi, really listens, and does his best to make her world perfect. He supports her and helps her navigate difficult situations. He gives her gifts that actually matter to her and makes sure that ALL of her needs are met *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* :)

Not that Abi doesn’t do what she can to support him in return. She believes in him and helps him embrace his future as a monarch, leading Cara into a delightful future. But no one can do it with the flair that Torin does.

I appreciate that we avoid what could have been a huge conflict towards the end. Instead we are given a satisfying slide into a HEA and a glimpse of a delightful future. Erin has always delivered the heat and the fun, continuing to do so with a new series and a new name, and I’m so looking forward to what she has in store for us next.

(Can be read as a stand alone but there are character appearances and references to previous books.)

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Game Day is pretty much just a really long epilogue to the King of the Court series and I enjoyed every minute of it. We get to see Clay and Nova figure out how to manage the expectations of those around them, especially when they conflict with their own wants. There’re moments of steam but also big emotions and support, humor and fun. It’s a wonderful way to end their story … and a quick look at what’s coming up next for the Kodiaks.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I’m trying to figure out how to convey my feelings for this one without spoiling anything so I think I’m going to have to just go with a generic warning that there MAY BE SPOILERS AHEAD.

Together, Palmer and Hudson are pretty awesome co-parents. They’ve got the sharing things down, living next door and supporting each other. It’s sweet that they’ve figured out how to be friends and raise a spirited, confident daughter. Butr of course we know that things have to change or it wouldn’t be a romance, right?

And I like the way that Piper Rayne showed the progression of their feelings. It read true, the way things changed for them and they start to realize that maybe there is more than friendship between them. Which everyone else has known for years :)

I also like the way we get their backstory through Palmer’s writing. It’s an interesting way to do flashbacks, which can easily overpower a story when authors have us jumping back and forth in time. It was a little weird that Palmer seemed a little surprised that she was writing their story when I assume it was pretty straight on the way things actually happened but that’s a tiny nitpick.

The other one was the catalyst to get us to the HEA. It was pretty obvious and I kinda hoped they weren’t going to go there, just because it seemed a little too easy. But I have to say they definitely made up for it with the epilogue. It was cute and sweet, a perfect ending to their romance.

I love Piper Rayne’s books. The characters are always interesting and they show me with every story that they can make any plot line work. I always know that if their name is on the cover, it’s a must for me.

Having said that, I’m a little late on the Piper Rayne bandwagon so I’ve only read a few of the stories in this (and related) series. And while each can stand on its own I always feel like I’m missing just a little something. It seemed a tad bit more with this one because I think I might have understood the drama with Piper & her parents better. Don’t let it stop you from jumping in wherever works for you, just be prepared for a lot of people and a lot of interesting stories. Might make your TBR pile multiply! I know it has mine.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Overall I liked The Duke Wins a Bride. The characters are interesting, with Philip’s issue with his dead wife and Annabel’s family dynamic. (I’m assuming that there will be more of Annabel’s brother – or at least I hope so. He’s got the potential for a story of his own and I’d love to see more of what he’s been through.) They struggle with their baggage complicating their relationship as they work to get to know each other better. Just when it feels like they are taking steps forward, miscommunication or a past hurt rears its head and they lose a little ground.

Which means, of course, there is a lot of angst in this book. I, and Philip, love how spunky Annabel is. She’s willing to take chances and fight for what she wants. But she’s also very young and struggles with moments of self doubt thanks to her father and brother. It leads to a lot of ups and downs – literally one chapter will end with her feelings of optimism and the next will start with doubts. (There are also a few times when she seems a bit … forward for a new, young bride in a historical romance. It leads to some quite steamy scenes but seems a little off for the time period.)

Philip also struggles, especially with how he views his relationship with women. His last wife’s actions have him second guessing a lot of his interactions with Annabel, creating more ups and downs for them individually and as a couple.

The Duke Wins a Bride won’t be for everyone but I enjoyed it. It’s got a good blend of spiciness and drama, with a satisfying HEA (and hopefully at least two follow up stories).

Heads up – the writing is a little flowery, which I think is a little more acceptable in historical romances than contemporary ones, but it is a bit heavy handed here and there. I don’t mind it but I know that it does bother some. Also, apparently but I don’t know enough to confirm, there are anachronisms but … again, don’t know enough so it didn’t bother me.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

3.5/3.75*s

I really like Evan and Liv. They work well together – caring, giving, and kind. Evan helps Liv step a little out of her comfort zone and try new things. He is also good at helping her feel good in her body, finding herself as sexy as he does. While Liv helps Evan remember that he’s a worthy man as he is now. One who is an integral part of his family, their business, and the community.

Of course, his issues cause trouble between the two but after a big push from his family & Liv and a bit of self-discovery (I wish it had included professional counseling), he starts to recognize how his attitude is impacting his world. While it isn’t completely resolved by the end of the book, there is still an opportunity in a future book so maybe Brockus is holding on to that. Oh, and the epilogue is perfect for these two.

**some minor spoilers ahead**

I did struggle a bit, though, with Evan’s issues. It’s been 13 years! And they were kids! I get that he lost a lot of what he expected to be. And that it was painful and took a while. But I don’t understand why his family let him continue like that for so long. I could understand if it had only been a few years but over a decade? and the man is in his 30s … it should have been addressed well before this point. This is my first by this author so maybe this came up before, I don’t know. But it bothered me. I kept reading because I loved these two together AND because I hoped that there would be an explanation. There wasn’t. And there wasn’t a good resolution? I seem the only one that seems to mind it though so take from that what you will.

(Part of a series, can be read on its own, but I felt like I missed a couple of references by not having read previous stories. Minor but they exist and may bother some.)

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Piper Rayne’s newest brings us to a close-knit Nebraska ranching community. And like all good small town romances, it has big personalities, fast moving gossip, & couples just waiting on their HEA.

What better way to start off than a second-chance romance between an ex-NFL football player and his high school sweetheart. I loved Ben & Gillian together – both still having feelings for each other after all the years apart. A connection that time didn’t break, but maybe bruised a bit.

I gotta say, though, life seems to come pretty easy to Ben. He was able to choose when & how he came home while Gillian had to stay behind, to weather the gossip and be reminded of their relationship at every turn. So I was with her as she first tried to avoid him and then to keep him at arms length. I can even understand why she gave in when she did but she really could have made him work for it :) Granted we are only given some of the details on exactly what happened between them, and they were young, but it would have been nice to see a bit more effort on his part.

As the start of a new series, The One I Left Behind is a delight, bringing us the big Noughton family that I can’t wait to see more of. They can be a little rough, and not the best at communicating, but they are full of heart and there are plenty of them to bring us a lot of new stories.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**