At first Knox and Crew get involved in a sexual relationship but it doesn’t take them long to become friends and then something more. Life throws them a curve ball tho with a trade for Knox to a new city just when they were starting to develop feelings for each other. And it just … sucks! It hurt me to see them face up to the idea that it ended just when it was starting. And oh my heart as they have to deal with their separation. And when things change yet again … so sweet!

This is the first for me from either of these authors and I enjoyed it bunches. It’s got a lot of steam but there are feels too. I will say, I’m not sure where we’re going to go from here. Crew and Knox have already been thru so much and it is going to break my heart if they have more struggles between them as a couple. I get that there may be some issues with their careers or families or whatnot but I really want them to be able to settle into a HEA together. No more drama for their relationship! :)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

(Some slight spoilers ahead)

I find it so hard to put this author’s books down and finish them basically in a day. Sibling’s best friend is a popular trope for a reason and Andrews delivers. It’s sweet as Tyler slowly lets someone else in to his life and Lily finds herself again after years in a unfulfilling relationship. And I enjoyed getting to know them right alongside them as they find themselves spending time together.

Like in Wildflowers and Wide Receivers there are third act troubles, which you can see coming a mile away. Knowing Tyler’s past, it makes sense and I appreciate that Lily is understanding even through her hurt. I like how it is resolved and how they work their way through it.

My only complaint is that we needed more of the guys interacting. Their friendships were such a highlight of W&WR and while they are there for Tyler I wanted even more of their group together. There’s something about that found family, bro love that is just so appealing to me :)

This is the second of Andrews’s that I’ve read but definitely won’t be the last. I enjoy the characters and while their stories are messy they have fun and feels and a good dose of heat. Looking forward to seeing what comes next!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Cowboy Dreams starts with all the steam as Joe and Sylvester pick each other up at the bar but they feel a connection that with time and closeness eventually develops into something deeper. There is a bit of an insta-love thing going on but it’s to be expected in a shorter story.

I do kinda wish this one had been a full novel because I really liked these two. I liked them as people and I liked the idea of them as a couple, so I wanted to see even more of their time together as they grew closer. But for a novella I’m still satisfied – it has feels, it has heat, and it has a satisfying (if not quite complete) HEA.

Harper is a new author for me but this won’t be my last read. Her characters are interesting, the story flows well, and the writing is smooth, feels real, and has a good mix of feels & heat. Hopefully, we come back to the Circle K so we can get an update on these two but regardless I’ll be keeping an eye out for more.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I’m not sure what to say except that I loved this one so much. It has a huge small town allure, with an eclectic group of friends, a well endowed moose (?), a porcupine that just wants to cuddle, and a bridezilla or two.

Myles, for all his big city swagger, fits in so well and quickly finds himself charmed just as I was. Especially with Montana, who is saucy, fun, and keeps him on his toes. From a one night stand to enemies to friends to more, their interactions are so entertaining. And for all his talk about not being relationship material, Myles sure knows how to be there for others. Not just Montana, but everyone. He just has to learn to have a little faith in himself and see it too.

Pavlov’s newest is quirky, humorous, and steamy. It’s got a wide range of feels and while their journey is predictable it is also all sorts of satisfying. I really couldn’t have loved this more and I’m excited to see where we go next in Blushing.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I liked Sloane and Will together – how they met and kept coming together, how the are formally finally formally introduced, and the way things work out for them. But I did have a few problems.

Both characters came across as a bit immature. I’m not sure how old Sloane’s supposed to be, and she recognizes her own immaturity, but I struggled a bit with her. And I did not like AT ALL how people treated Will. It was almost like he was a child … or a joke to them. He’s enthusiastic and a bit clumsy but I can’t tell if his immaturity was on him or the way that other people interacted with him. I felt like he deserved so much better.

Overall not my favorite by Chase but still a solid story. I felt like they had a pretty solid romance between them and it had its moments of quirky fun. Returning readers will love seeing all of the Donovans and seeing the big loving family come together for Sloane and Will.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Deacon is back after a few years in prison. Between his record and his less than respectable family, he’s struggling with how he’s perceived by others in his small home town. And his sweet downstairs neighbor, his childhood crush.

Phoebe had a thing for Deacon when they were kids, and a decade away hasn’t changed it much. Kindness and understanding, and a few sweet treats, has them developing a friendship of sorts. That develops into something more.

Like See It Through, the characters just shine in this series. Both Phoebe and Deacon have some baggage from their pasts (granted his is heavier than hers) but with time and patience they figure things out. And work to create a healthy, long term relationship. Wolf delivers another story that is emotional, steamy, and oh so satisfying.

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

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

TW: for abusive relationship with her mom and past sexual assault

Auburn has a lot of trauma she’s spent years working on, and she still has a long way to go. (I do kinda wish she was still seeing a therapist because I think that it’s needed, especially with the move and changes in her & Austin’s lives.) Her connection to Ledger, tho, is pretty hard to ignore.

For not having had a relationship before, Ledger is a pretty stand up guy … as well, as a sexy and forceful. I appreciate the patience he takes with Auburn, in and out of the bedroom. He’s supportive, caring, and understanding.

Some may have an issue with how quickly they fall into a sexual relationship together, but I think that it works OK knowing that she’s been thru therapy. Getting her POV for it helps as well. Not that making that step is easy or without bumps (big bumps) along the way.

This is the first by Taylor that I’ve read. While the writing isn’t what I am used to (it’s a little quirky) and there are some times when it feels like things don’t flow quite right, overall I enjoyed it a lot. I’ll be interested in seeing what comes next in this series.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

The Whiskeys are stand up people and Doc is no different. He can be grumpy and rigid but he’s hiding a heart of gold, one bruised by a lost love. Meeting her again, learning the truth, gives them another chance and bringing out the man he used to be.

Juliette is a good match for Doc. She had a rough start but she’s created a good life for herself & her son and getting to the truth of their past also has her looking at the future with brighter eyes. And with Doc & the other Whiskey’s at her side, she’ll find out that she can face down just about anything life has for her.

Foster’s latest did not go at all like I expected. And it was a gut punch every step of the way. From Juliette and Doc’s meeting again after so long, to finding out the truth of what happened all those years ago, getting to know each other again and the troubles life sometimes gives you. It’s emotional hit after emotion hit, both good and bad. Make sure you are ready, then throw yourself whole body into this roller coaster of a read!

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

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Griffin had his dreams for the future taken from him at 18, but he’s managed to create a good life for himself. A job that he enjoys and 2 beautiful kids. And now he’s starting a new stage of his life, divorced and newly out as a gay man in his 40s. Then he meets Jack … and things got drastically wrong.

Jack is struggling post NHL life. He’s broke with no idea what he wants to do with his life and a difficult relationship with his dad. And finds himself battling on and off the ice with Griffin.

This was my first book by Truman and I enjoyed the heck out of it. It’s a fast read, funny and steamy and heartfelt. It has a sweet mix of found family and romance, with a bit of angst to keep things hopping. I’ll definitely be looking for another read from him.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Wilder has been thru so much and I wanted to just yell at all of the townspeople that let their childhood reach the state it did. (And there was a moment toward the end that I just wanted to punch one particular selfish old man.)

My heart went out to both of the brothers, living with the consequences of that night and struggling to figure out how to move forward. (I really wish we’d gotten a little more of Lain’s POV. It made me a little angry that things went as far for as long as they did.)

Cash is patient and supportive and good for Wilder. He shows him the love and understanding that he so desperately needs, setting him up for a chance at a good future if he’s willing to trust.

Cash & Wilder’s path to a HEA is not an easy one. There are a lot of 2 steps forward and 1 step back moments for them as they try to work thru Wilder’s adjustment to being out of prison. And having to face his past and his brother again. It’s an emotional story but a satisfying one and I just loved it – every angsty, slow burn, gut punch page.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)