I love the feeling of family between the girls in this series. They have a closeness, understanding and support that most people hope to find.

I get why Genevieve wants so badly, and works so hard, to head back to NY. It was her goal and she had it taken away from her. Developing something with yummy rancher Ryan only complicates things … but he’s awfully hard to resist. He’s down-to-earth, caring and hardworking. Sexy and smart, he’s got a lot going for him.

I’m a little confused about the depth of the conflict toward the end. I’m not sure I totally understand why things blew up to QUITE the level they did – some of it, but not all of it. But I think that it is handled well and leads to a conclusion that works for everyone.

I’m definitely looking forward to what Seed has for us next. These women (and men) may be different personalities but they are all likable, with a great bond, and are bound to have blast on their road to true love.

(Part of a series, but can definitely stand on its own. I do recommend picking up Moonstone Beach for a fun read.)

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

I love the feeling of family between the girls in this series. They have a closeness, understanding and support that most people hope to find.

I get why Genevieve wants so badly, and works so hard, to head back to NY. It was her goal and she had it taken away from her. Developing something with yummy rancher Ryan only complicates things … but he’s awfully hard to resist. He’s down-to-earth, caring and hardworking. Sexy and smart, he’s got a lot going for him.

I’m a little confused about the depth of the conflict toward the end. I’m not sure I totally understand why things blew up to QUITE the level they did – some of it, but not all of it. But I think that it is handled well and leads to a conclusion that works for everyone.

I’m definitely looking forward to what Seed has for us next. These women (and men) may be different personalities but they are all likable, with a great bond, and are bound to have blast on their road to true love.

(Part of a series, but can definitely stand on its own. I do recommend picking up Moonstone Beach for a fun read.)

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Lenard’s first book in her newest series is a spicy slow burn. I liked that she brought readers an ace character – the diversity in characters is one of my favorite things in MM romances. Traditional MF romances tend to be … well, traditional and I love that she took the opportunity to explore.

I do struggle a little tho with New Adult age romances, especially first year college students. I’m an old lady :) and recognize how much growing is done, especially through the 20s. But I also realize that there are couples that get together young and last, which can be appealing too. And Cruz & Liam have dealt with a lot so I feel like it helped them bond and matured them a bit more than your average 18/19 year old.

Speaking of them going through a lot, I hurt for these two but through luck of the residence lottery they were matched up with someone who could truly get them. And I love how their pasts made them different, with Cruz being positive & happy-go-lucky but Liam being grumpy & sullen, but it also helped them be the support the other needed.

There’re these delightful moments of humor mixed in with the steam & emotion as Cruz explores his sexuality and both of them start to become more than just friends, sharing some of their hurts. There’s also a delightful mix of side characters so Lenard has given her readers plenty of material for future stories. Looking forward to what comes next (I’m just torn on who I want it to be more).

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

I, like pretty much everyone else apparently, loved Smitty. He’s like a big, likable puppy who just throws his whole self into things. He’s struggling a bit with his past and where he’s going next so he’s taking a bit of time in Elmwood to figure things out. It definitely doesn’t hurt that Bryson is nearby.

We’ve met Bryson before and most of us were curious about his story. He’s such a great dad and an upstanding member of the community but there has to be more there, right? Of course because he’s just a bit too … perfect. There are issues in his past, things that have left him a little scared to stray too far from the straight and narrow. It leads to some complications with Smitty in town. Putting him on some people’s **** list because of how he treats Smitty at first. But it definitely doesn’t take him long to get past that :)

Thin Ice, like the rest of The Elmwood Stories, is a low angst, slow burn, feel good love story. There’s moments of humor (between Bryson’s dad jokes and Smitty’s ingenuity in getting Bryson’s attention), steam (oh, the steam), and all the emotions (as both come to terms with their pasts and what a relationship together might look like). I loved seeing everyone again and wallowing in all the warm & fuzzies & snark & fun. Looking forward to whatever Hayes has for us next.

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

Cadence was the best. She’s strong but also vulnerable, struggling with what the career that she loves means for the rest of her life, her privacy, her relationships. It’s not easy but she definitely handles it like a boss, without letting it make her lose her big, caring heart. I do wish we’d gotten a little more of her side of things outside of her time with Ford because I’d love to see her more in her element. As it is, she’s pretty darn awesome – loving Ford’s kids, supporting him when he needs it, and fitting in seamlessly into their lives.

Ford has had a difficult few months but as a single dad he’s got to keep it together. Even if it means having to deal with unresolved issues from his childhood. I assume that there is more to those family dynamics in some of the other stories, but since this is my first (and it is resolved well) I would have liked a bit more because it is so important to why Ford is the man he is. Probably a good reason to read some more books!

***slight spoilers ahead***

I will say that I expected more from Ford towards the end. I understand that he’s been hurt, fresh out of a relationship (maybe too fresh) that ended badly, but he has some bad reactions and I felt like Cadence let him get away with it a little too much. I understand that he felt bad for it but c’mon man. I mean she does a good job of standing up for herself and removing herself from it, but I think he could have begged a little more :)

My first from Dunbar was enjoyable, sweet, and satisfying. Looking forward to seeing what else she comes up with!

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

4.5*s

Like her King of the Court series, Lawson splits this story into thirds. Cliffhangers aren’t usually my thing, and I had no idea that’s how KotC was going to be, but I enjoyed the heck out of it. She showed me that New Adult romances can have a delightful mix of drama, growth, and emotion. And with that one trilogy, Piper Lawson won her spot on my must read author list.

Hard to Fake is just as good as I expected it to be. Brooke is dealing with some issues with her family, her mother and her brother, as well as facing an upcoming sorority reunion where she’s facing a must impress situation. As well as an old boyfriend. It’s putting some stress on her and has her finding help in an unlikely place.

Miles is the good time guy – always up for a joke or a good time. But he also knows the value of hard work and dedication to his team, his family. That includes stepping in when Brooke needs someone at her back, someone to show the haters and support her as she tries to win an important contract. Of course, time spent together, and moments when acting turns to something more, has them quickly finding themselves over their heads.

I love Brooke’s sassiness and her drive to make it on her own. She’s had a lot of years having to watch everything she does, how she looks, how it’s perceived. It’s impressive she’s as solid as she is but as she’s building a life of her own sometimes those expectations don’t match up with her wants. I’m looking forward to seeing what it looks like as she embraces being her own person.

Miles obviously has some issues from his childhood, which we see here & there. He’s emotionally available to his grandmother and his teammates & friends, but he’s adamantly against getting involved romantically. There is definitely something deeper going on with him and I’m so looking forward to getting those answers.

Being only a third of the story leaves us with a lot of questions and hints at what might come next. If you aren’t prepared for that I can see why it would be upsetting, but I like the way Lawson builds us up and leaves us wanting for more. We are given an opportunity to get to know our characters a little bit and to have them interact with each other but not rush to a HEA. Bring on book 2, Piper!

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

There’s a trigger warning at the beginning that mentions infidelity, SA, and toxic family relationships (which all are present in spades), so please make sure that you are OK with these. Langwell doesn’t shy away from these and delivers them with a bluntness that may not be for everyone.

As for me, I really wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one because I am not usually a fan of cheating in my romances. But Langwell does such an amazing job of showing how messy and hard and complicated life can be. It definitely helps that we are given both Brayden and Nina’s POV, since that lets us see it from his perspective and have an understanding of where his head is. We truly see the conflict for the two of them and the depth of their connection as they grow closer. It’s so real and raw and heartbreaking. Readers will feel for them as they struggle with an attraction that they shouldn’t do anything about but find too strong to ignore.

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

4.5 stars

Nicholas’s newest is seriously cute, definitely funny, and quite steamy. I haven’t read any of the Iowa stories so Drew is new to me but I could appreciate his need to go somewhere new and let loose a little. He’s a good guy but he’s also got a naughty side and unfortunately no one at home is able to reconcile the two. A week in Louisiana sounds like the perfect opportunity to get a bit wild … except the first person he runs into isn’t the wild bayou fling he was hoping for. And their attraction is gonna be hard to resist.

Rory had her sense of security ripped away as a child and is desperately trying to find community & belonging in adulthood. In Autre, the Landrys are the epitome of a big, loving family and she is hoping to use Christmas to prove to them that she’s responsible and … worthy? Unfortunately she quickly realizes she’s over her head and, with her dad in the picture, it can only get worse. Meeting Drew is definitely a high point in a quickly spiraling day.

There is definitely insta-love, but it doesn’t make the romance any less enjoyable. Their’s is a connection that helps them understand & appreciate each other. It’s a connection that sizzles but also supports, allowing them to show all of themselves and to be accepted (even embraced) for it. It’s caring, comfort, encouragement, and chemistry all in one.

I think Head Over Hooves is my favorites by this author (not that I’ve read ALL that many) and quite possibly one of the most enjoyable stories I’ve read in a while. Nicholas is known for combining fun & zaniness with all the feels in her books and it’s no different here. She makes sure that readers understand where Rory is coming from and why she’s trying so hard to prove herself. She also makes sure that everyone, including Rory and Drew, see that he can be a stand-up guy while still embracing the bad boy underneath. It’s sexy and sweet and pretty much impossible to resist! And it wouldn’t be a BotBGW book without a good dose of the boisterous Landrys, escape artist goats, a trip to jail, and big bowl of Ellie’s gumbo :)

(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)

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

Merged review:

4.5 stars

Nicholas’s newest is seriously cute, definitely funny, and quite steamy. I haven’t read any of the Iowa stories so Drew is new to me but I could appreciate his need to go somewhere new and let loose a little. He’s a good guy but he’s also got a naughty side and unfortunately no one at home is able to reconcile the two. A week in Louisiana sounds like the perfect opportunity to get a bit wild … except the first person he runs into isn’t the wild bayou fling he was hoping for. And their attraction is gonna be hard to resist.

Rory had her sense of security ripped away as a child and is desperately trying to find community & belonging in adulthood. In Autre, the Landrys are the epitome of a big, loving family and she is hoping to use Christmas to prove to them that she’s responsible and … worthy? Unfortunately she quickly realizes she’s over her head and, with her dad in the picture, it can only get worse. Meeting Drew is definitely a high point in a quickly spiraling day.

There is definitely insta-love, but it doesn’t make the romance any less enjoyable. Their’s is a connection that helps them understand & appreciate each other. It’s a connection that sizzles but also supports, allowing them to show all of themselves and to be accepted (even embraced) for it. It’s caring, comfort, encouragement, and chemistry all in one.

I think Head Over Hooves is my favorites by this author (not that I’ve read ALL that many) and quite possibly one of the most enjoyable stories I’ve read in a while. Nicholas is known for combining fun & zaniness with all the feels in her books and it’s no different here. She makes sure that readers understand where Rory is coming from and why she’s trying so hard to prove herself. She also makes sure that everyone, including Rory and Drew, see that he can be a stand-up guy while still embracing the bad boy underneath. It’s sexy and sweet and pretty much impossible to resist! And it wouldn’t be a BotBGW book without a good dose of the boisterous Landrys, escape artist goats, a trip to jail, and big bowl of Ellie’s gumbo :)

(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)

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

This is the first in the series that I’ve read and while technically it’s a stand-alone novel, I probably would have benefited from having read the other stories. Reus does a pretty good job of giving new readers the info they need but I think that there are certain nuances and details that I missed out on.

While I enjoyed Brooks as a hero, he was definitely everything you could want as a part of this elite unit of mercenaries – strong, tough, smart, and ruthless. He also loves Darcy with his whole heart … even if he did go and screw it up at the very beginning :)

If I was Darcy I’d definitely have made him work for it a bit more but I also have to appreciate the lack of games and dramatics between the two. There’s hesitation on her part and a bit of groveling on his, but they do eventually figure it out. I also like that Darcy is smart enough to realize that this is something much bigger than she can’t handle on her own. She listens to the professionals and lets them help guide her.

And speaking of danger, Reus sure knows how to crank things up. The action and suspense element of this story was balanced really well with the romance portion. Overall, an enjoyable read and some more stories to add to my TBR pile because I’m dying to get my hands on the other stories in this series :)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

**maybe minor spoilers ahead … maybe, I’m not sure**

I enjoyed so much of this book. I like Sophie and Stone and I think they complemented each other well – the whole grump/sunshine thing. I think the premise of finding real life book boyfriends is fun (kinda wish we’d gotten more of the guys because it’s a fun idea). But there are a few things I didn’t like as well.

I’ve never read this author before so I had no idea what to expect. A little bit in I found out that there was a smidge of paranormal to this one, which is fine – love a good supernatural romance – but I had no idea it was coming and I’m not sure that I got a good understanding of how their world works. Maybe this story is part of a bigger world that I don’t know about since I’ve not read anything else in the series? But it did make me struggle just a little. Without any kind of background, it just felt like it was vague for no reason or to be mysterious and instead was confusing.

I also wish I’d gotten more of a feel for Stone’s family because I think there could be some great interactions between the brothers. I like Stone as a character and I wanted more of his history, of his family, & what made him into the man he is today. I like him and want to know him even better.

Sophie is an entertaining heroine. She’s bubbly, passionate about her HEAs, and willing to work hard for what she wants. I love her connection with her Poppie and her creativity in making a life she can be proud of. In working with Stone to make sure that her dreams can come true.

The back & forth between Sophie and Stone is entertaining and I was rooting for them to figure things out. It’s lighthearted with a bit of steam and quite a few laughs. I’m intrigued enough I might pick up the other books in the series to see if it’ll help clear a few things up.

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