I have not been reading the Hustlers series and I have definitely been missing something great. These two are carrying so much – Annie has some serious esteem issues thanks to her parents and Alec is still working on getting over his wife’s death. But the connection between the two is unmistakable … and unavoidable. Once they meet, it is just a matter of time before they give in to the attraction.

I really liked both of these characters. They are flawed and real and not once did I want to smack them, which is saying something. There are definitely some rough patches, but that intense attraction (and some bad luck) puts them on a pretty fast time table and they really didn’t have a lot of time to figure out the other’s hot buttons. This lack of communication between the two causes a lot of their issues, but it works really well in the story. I’m with them every step and I totally see how they end up where they do.

Not having read Flirting On Ice, the first in the series, I’m not sure how this fits in, but I can say as a standalone that it works. I don’t think you’ll have any issues if this is your first meeting with the Hustlers, but you’ll probably be like me – ready for another go with the super-sexy hockey players.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

My only complaint about this book is that I’m not sure that Lucy’s issues with her stepsister were ever addressed. I mean they never actually fight, there are little digs and comments, but then suddenly they are supposed to be on good terms? I would have liked to have seen some kind of heart to heart, even if it was a snarky one. Something that would have shown some progression in their relationship and maybe an understanding of where they are coming from. Unfortunately I didn’t feel like we got that.

But I read these for the love story and that part hit it on the head. Small town romances can be so much fun – especially with the humorous cast of characters that you can get in the South. I mean who doesn’t love a sassy best friend who has a pet pig … and not a miniature one :) Actually that is my other complaint. I think that Lucy’s friend Wanda needed her own story, because there is a lot going on there as well. Before I get too far with my complaints I should say that I haven’t read the first book, so I’m not sure if any of this would have been addressed with Find My Way Home. It doesn’t seem like it, because Lucy comes to town after the happenings of book 1, but you never know so I feel like I should throw that out there.

The relationship between Lucy and Brogan, though, is absolutely darling. I loved these two together and their journey is a ton of fun (& funny). With their history and the paths that life has led them down, it makes for an interesting and sometimes difficult attraction. I loved the way that Summers brings them together and the resolution she gives them at the end. It wraps things up beautifully and I smiled when they finally get it all figured out.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I’ve never been shy about the fact that I absolutely LOVE the HOT series and Harris’s latest novella doesn’t disappoint. I will give a warning that this is a little bit of a variance from the previous stories though. It is loosely tied to the terrorist group from before but it centers around a South American drug cartel instead. Some of our favorite HOT members are involved but we are also given a new hero & heroine and their supporting cast.

However all the things that we love about the HOT series is here - the action is thrilling, the romance is steamy and the characters are interesting. If anything, I would have wanted this to be longer because I really would have liked to see more about these two. Their story is complete (and it is a humdinger - both the suspense portion and their very complicated relationship) but they are complex enough that I think they could have supported a full length story – especially Dane and his issues with his father. What we are given, though, is satisfying and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

As much as this can stand on its own, since the majority of the action is centered around a different bad guy than the stories so far, there is enough going on here that it fits in with the continuing series. It won’t stop new readers from keeping up, but there are pieces that flow over from previous books. I also really like the idea of introducing a new subset team to HOT with the SEALs. It gives Harris a lot of material to work with for future stories.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

These two are just a whole bag of trouble. . . Damian is only interested in a long-term relationship but he has some secrets he’s holding onto with a death grip. Addison has had her heart trample on by her ex, but she’s having trouble letting him go. With the two living next to each other, and a lot of simmering attraction, you know that it is going to bubble over and cause all sorts of a big mess. And it is – for every step forward they make, they quickly find themselves two steps back. But Pryor does it very well, because at no time did I find myself annoyed or bored with them. Instead it is well-developed and engaging (although I do wonder how so much can go wrong for these two), with characters that make sense and are enjoyable to get to know.

There’s a lot of angst going on in this story so make sure you are ready for it – they really can’t catch a break. But it’s the good kind and I quickly found myself pulling for them to figure it out so they could get to their HEA. It isn’t an easy journey for them, and there is definitely a lot of heartbreak along the way, but I cheered for them when they finally got there and that’s a win in my book.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Harper has a history that has left just as many scars on the outside as on the inside but she makes a fateful decision when she goes to Trent for a tattoo. He’s fantastic – patient, understanding and sexy as can be. As the two get to know each other, he helps her address more than just how she looks. He helps her learn how to let others close again, to realize that she’s got value, and that maybe she can do more than just survive. She’s fabulous in her own right – strong, caring and hot. She just needed a little help realizing how much strength she’s been hiding. I loved the care that Trent shows as he draws her out bit by bit and gets her to really look at herself in a new way.

Of course, things can’t go smoothly for them. Besides some angst stemming from their baggage – of course, he’s not perfect so he’s got some as well – they also have to deal with ghosts from Harper’s past coming back for a visit. It gets emotional as they deal with everything that life throws their way, but they handle it together (mostly, because where would the fun be if they didn’t have some downs to go with the ups?).

If this is what Cole can give readers on her first time out, I cannot wait to see what she delivers next … and next … and again in book 4.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I’ll be honest I didn’t think I’d like this one very much. There was a little preview of the first chapter in the back of Slow and Steady Rush and I just knew Jessica was going to be one of those women that I didn’t like. But I loved Logan enough that I was willing to take her on to get his story …. y’all that teaser didn’t do her justice AT ALL. She’s so wonderfully neurotic and I loved every single minute of this book!

Jessica has so many hang-ups thanks to her parents. She’s never really had a chance to be normal or even to be loved & supported like she needed. Except by her grandmother. And thanks to Logan, and a forced stay in Falcon, she’s starting to remember those wonderful summers and what it felt like to be cared for. It’s so very sweet to watch her come into herself and find her way.

And Logan … I knew I’d love that boy from the moment we met him in the first book and he doesn’t fail me. He’s caring and smart and giving. He’s also sexy as all get out and when he turns on that Southern charm with Jessica she has no hope. And neither do you :)

I love that Trentham brings her readers a journey piece to go with the romance. We get to watch them fall in love and grow and find a path that works for them both. It’s funny and touching and sexy and irresistible. And I can’t wait to see what she has in mind for the next story. We get some hints here and I just know it is going to be another sure-fire hit!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

The Prince’s Runaway Lover is supposed to be almost 200 pages long, but it read like a much shorter story. I found myself just flying through it, which is a great sign. The plot is pretty simple and Covington does a great job of keeping things tight. There isn’t a whole lot of extra things thrown in – besides the romance, we have Nicky’s troubles with adjusting to being the new king and the political issues that brings. It all makes sense and ties together very well.

Nick is rich, gorgeous, confident and a Prince (now soon-to-be king), which all adds up to a man who gets what he wants when he wants it. And he wants Isabel … the girl doesn’t stand a chance. She resists but you know he’s going to win, mostly because she wants him to :) With the death of his brother, he’s a little lost and that lets down his guard so that Isabel also gets to see the very appealing man under the crown.

I’m not sure why Nick is so surprised when everything goes wrong. He was the one pushing Isabel into getting involved (like the spoiled, sexy man that he is) and she told him all along that she had troubles that she couldn’t talk about. I did like that it was his mother who helped him get his head on straight and that had to be one of my favorite scenes in the entire book. Their heart-to-heart was just what was needed and adds something so very sweet to the story.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I feel so bad for Ava. She not only has feelings for another woman’s man, but it is her own sister so she has to see them together all of the time. She copes the only way she knows how and hides it behind a façade of dislike. I just can’t imagine how she handled it for as long as she did.

When Cal makes Ava a job offer that she can’t pass up, the two spend time together and get to know one another better. And the more Ava sees of Cal, the more her long-held feelings grow. It also allows Cal to see the woman behind the mask she’s worn around him for so many years, showing him a woman that he finds very attractive. But there are so many hurdles for the two, considering their history. Are their feelings enough?

Purman deftly delivers detailed characters with a unique problem. I found it very difficult to put the book down, speeding thru the pages, hurrying to get to that HEA ending. And while I was a little curious how it would feel to be with your sister’s ex (as an only child I would think that Christmas dinner would be a little uncomfortable :) ), I think that it was handled very tastefully here. Ava and Lulu have a chance to finally discuss what happened (on all sides) and for Ava to come to terms with her feelings for Cal. It helped make that HEA even more complete.

**This is the second in this series about three brothers, but (of course) I haven’t read the first. I don’t think that it really impacted anything so you are probably pretty safe starting here.**

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

My heart absolutely breaks for these people – none of them have had it easy. Luckily they have found each other and with a lot of love & understanding, they may finally be able to find the family and HEA that they need.

Brook Lynn has spent a lot of years mothering her sister and trying to keep it all together. Unfortunately, she’s not had a lot of help. Meeting Jase (with her sister naked in his bed … yeah, that’s going to be uncomfortable) has them butting heads and creating sparks. But Brook Lynn isn’t looking for a fixer-upper in a man and there is no doubt that Jase needs some help.

Jase is dealing with A LOT of issues. He’s spent almost a decade in prison and that leaves many scars, both inside and out. Fresh to Strawberry Valley, he’s looking to keep his head down and find some peace. Falling into bed with Jessie Kay early on brings a lot of complications he doesn’t need … especially an attraction to her sassy sister. But more time spent with Brook Lynn tempts him with things that he didn’t think he could have. He just has to decide if he’s willing to try for them.

With The Closer You Come, Showalter delivers complex characters and an emotional storyline guaranteed to bring you laughter and tears. And with two more guys needing to come to peace with their past, the next books are guaranteed to be doozies as well.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I am actually a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I expected something light hearted, but not a lot of depth … and I was only half right. While it’s a humorous read, Oaksmith manages to deliver a good amount of growth for Kylie as she learns what it truly means to be kind and help someone by giving them what they really need.

The characters are what makes this book so great – from her mom who opened a B&B for nudists (without telling her), to the sexy sheriff who keeps finding her in the least flattering situations, to her best friend the gay hairdresser who embraces the cliché. Not to mention Margaret and her ugly mutt, who are the catalyst for Kylie becoming a better person. You’ll find at least one of them speaks to you and has you coming back for more. Well, and Kylie herself who just can’t keep out of trouble …

I am also a bit surprised at how Kylie somehow manages to get herself into so many messes but it is a romantic comedy – just sit back, giggle and go with the flow :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)