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thisteacherlovestoread's Reviews (544)
3.5 stars
Devious Obsession is book 2 in the Hockey Gods series by S. Massery. These are dark hockey romance books. These books are dark so please check your trigger warnings. I gave this book 3.5 stars. I didn’t think it had as much plot as the first book and there were some similarities between the two books so the plot didn’t seem as original. Be warned this book is 5/5 chili spices. I wish the FMC was stronger and had more development. I wanted her to overcome her past and see how great she was and how much she had to offer someone. I liked the epilogue though! I will continue with the series and looking forward to reading about Miles and Willow. These men are unhinged and their friend group is strong. I think this series is best read in order. All of these books can be found in kindle unlimited. I also listened to the audio and Teddy Hamilton and Desireé Ketchum did a fantastic job voicing these characters! 5/5 narration.
Devious Obsession is book 2 in the Hockey Gods series by S. Massery. These are dark hockey romance books. These books are dark so please check your trigger warnings. I gave this book 3.5 stars. I didn’t think it had as much plot as the first book and there were some similarities between the two books so the plot didn’t seem as original. Be warned this book is 5/5 chili spices. I wish the FMC was stronger and had more development. I wanted her to overcome her past and see how great she was and how much she had to offer someone. I liked the epilogue though! I will continue with the series and looking forward to reading about Miles and Willow. These men are unhinged and their friend group is strong. I think this series is best read in order. All of these books can be found in kindle unlimited. I also listened to the audio and Teddy Hamilton and Desireé Ketchum did a fantastic job voicing these characters! 5/5 narration.
Friends to enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope but Hannah Gray does a good job with it in this book. In this book we meet Tate and Link. They were friends as kids and then Tate ran off without saying goodbye. Now in college Tate and Link have become roommates (not by choice). Now enemies, they try and resist the pull and connection they have always had. I love the Brooks Hockey Team boys and can’t wait to continue this series. I did a mix of audio and ebook. Great narration for audiobook.
I really liked this book!
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did! It starts out as a college sports romance, then turns into a romantic suspense/darkish romance. I was hooked me from the start and it was impossible to stop listening to. If you like a protective hockey MMC, then this is the book for you. He falls and he falls hard for the FMC. I highly recommend you listen to this book. Joe and Kasha knock it out of the park. It is long, but it doesn't feel like it because of the plot, characters, narration and pace.
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did! It starts out as a college sports romance, then turns into a romantic suspense/darkish romance. I was hooked me from the start and it was impossible to stop listening to. If you like a protective hockey MMC, then this is the book for you. He falls and he falls hard for the FMC. I highly recommend you listen to this book. Joe and Kasha knock it out of the park. It is long, but it doesn't feel like it because of the plot, characters, narration and pace.
Noah Riley is top tier book boyfriend! He needs to be protected at all costs! This book shattered my heart and then put it back together. This book had me sobbing! It was a little slow at times but still a 5 star read overall. I don't want to give to much away because I think going in blind is the way to go with this book. The narrators did a fantastic job and totally did this story justice. I can't recommend this book enough!
Twisted Obsession is book 4 in S. Massery’s Hockey Gods series. These books are so hard to rate because these men are so morally gray and do unacceptable things to show their devotion and love.
While Jacob was beyond morally gray, he fell hard for Melody and would do anything and I mean anything for her. His way of showing that love was twisted, but he only had eyes and love for her.
These men are obsessed for their women and will do what ever it takes get their love in return. Like I have said before, the ride or die friend group is amazing! I also like how prominent the previous characters are in the books.
Overall 3.5 rounded to 4 stars/5
Spice level 5/5
There was a prequel novella to this book that is important for context. It’s called Twistsed Obsession Prequel: Meeting Melody. It can be downloaded from the kindle unlimited book Twisted Obsession.
Troupes:
* Hockey Romance
* Reverse age gap (11 years)
* Found Family/ Ride or die friendship group
* Amnesia
* He falls first and he falls hard
* Obsessed protective MMC
* Dark romance (check the trigger warnings)
* Manipulation/blackmail/drugging/murder
* Stalking/tracking
Now on to Fierce Obsession. How can Knox redeem himself? We shall find out in his book.
While Jacob was beyond morally gray, he fell hard for Melody and would do anything and I mean anything for her. His way of showing that love was twisted, but he only had eyes and love for her.
These men are obsessed for their women and will do what ever it takes get their love in return. Like I have said before, the ride or die friend group is amazing! I also like how prominent the previous characters are in the books.
Overall 3.5 rounded to 4 stars/5
Spice level 5/5
There was a prequel novella to this book that is important for context. It’s called Twistsed Obsession Prequel: Meeting Melody. It can be downloaded from the kindle unlimited book Twisted Obsession.
Troupes:
* Hockey Romance
* Reverse age gap (11 years)
* Found Family/ Ride or die friendship group
* Amnesia
* He falls first and he falls hard
* Obsessed protective MMC
* Dark romance (check the trigger warnings)
* Manipulation/blackmail/drugging/murder
* Stalking/tracking
Now on to Fierce Obsession. How can Knox redeem himself? We shall find out in his book.
Since I am in my hockey romance era, I thought I would give the Hockey Gods series a try. Oh my…. Greyson is unhinged and has massive red flags. This was my first bully romance and at times I was super uncomfortable but obviously since it is fiction, and because I know there is an HEA in the end I was super curious how they would get to that point.
In the end, I liked Greyson and Violets connection (although it took a while for me to get there). I’m not sure how healthy a connection it is though but I am looking forward to seeing their relationship woven into the other books in this series.
Genre: dark romance (check your trigger warnings)
Think if Haunting/Hunting Adeline and The Deal had a baby- it would be this book
Series: First book in the Hockey Gods series ( I recommend reading them in order)
Spice level: This book was 5/5 chili spices for me. (Again, check your trigger warnings)
Writing/plot:
I did like the story line and how it all unfolded. I liked the suspense aspect and how there were twists I didn’t see coming.
Characters:
Greyson is an alphahole hockey player who gets what he wants when he wants it. As a senators son, his family has the ability to wipe away any bad press. They can make his bad actions “go away” which thus fuels his morally gray behavior further.
Violet is just trying to find her way after a car accident ended her dance career. I liked Violet as an FMC but at times she gave into Greyson a little too easily and I would have liked to see a little more fight or payback.
The male side characters are seriously ride or die like no other. They are there for each other with no questions asked and have each other’s back even if what is being asked of them borders on insane/illegal, etc.
I am still not fully sure how I feel about Bully romances but I am trying to go into the next book open minded since that one also has a bully aspect to it as well.
Audio: 5/5 Teddy Hamilton and Heather Firth did an amazing job bringing these characters to life!
In the end, I liked Greyson and Violets connection (although it took a while for me to get there). I’m not sure how healthy a connection it is though but I am looking forward to seeing their relationship woven into the other books in this series.
Genre: dark romance (check your trigger warnings)
Think if Haunting/Hunting Adeline and The Deal had a baby- it would be this book
Series: First book in the Hockey Gods series ( I recommend reading them in order)
Spice level: This book was 5/5 chili spices for me. (Again, check your trigger warnings)
Writing/plot:
I did like the story line and how it all unfolded. I liked the suspense aspect and how there were twists I didn’t see coming.
Characters:
Greyson is an alphahole hockey player who gets what he wants when he wants it. As a senators son, his family has the ability to wipe away any bad press. They can make his bad actions “go away” which thus fuels his morally gray behavior further.
Violet is just trying to find her way after a car accident ended her dance career. I liked Violet as an FMC but at times she gave into Greyson a little too easily and I would have liked to see a little more fight or payback.
The male side characters are seriously ride or die like no other. They are there for each other with no questions asked and have each other’s back even if what is being asked of them borders on insane/illegal, etc.
I am still not fully sure how I feel about Bully romances but I am trying to go into the next book open minded since that one also has a bully aspect to it as well.
Audio: 5/5 Teddy Hamilton and Heather Firth did an amazing job bringing these characters to life!
Secret Obsession is book 3 in S. Massery’s Hockey Gods series. It follows Miles and Willow. Miles is the goalie for CPU’s hockey team and Willow is Violet’s (we meet Violet in book 1) best friend and used to dance on the CPU dance team.
This book starts out with a bang! I enjoyed the plot in this book and enjoyed the twists and turns. I like how they are dark romances with a twist of suspense.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading them in order because the characters from previous books are heavily woven into these books as well. It really enhances the reading experience if read in order. I liked Willows character and learning about why she thinks and acts the way she does. Even though Miles has a morally gray character in the end he always had Willows best interest at heart. He gave off it’s always been you vibes and touch her and die vibes.
As in all the previous books, I loved the ride or die found family the boys have. They are there for each other with zero questions asked. The girls are also ride or die for each other and have a strong supportive bond.
I also listened to the audio and as usual Teddy Hamilton is 5/5 narration! The female narrator (Alyssa Avery was good as well.
These books are dark and very spicy. Please check the trigger warnings.
I look forward to reading Jacob and Knox’s stories.
This book starts out with a bang! I enjoyed the plot in this book and enjoyed the twists and turns. I like how they are dark romances with a twist of suspense.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading them in order because the characters from previous books are heavily woven into these books as well. It really enhances the reading experience if read in order. I liked Willows character and learning about why she thinks and acts the way she does. Even though Miles has a morally gray character in the end he always had Willows best interest at heart. He gave off it’s always been you vibes and touch her and die vibes.
As in all the previous books, I loved the ride or die found family the boys have. They are there for each other with zero questions asked. The girls are also ride or die for each other and have a strong supportive bond.
I also listened to the audio and as usual Teddy Hamilton is 5/5 narration! The female narrator (Alyssa Avery was good as well.
These books are dark and very spicy. Please check the trigger warnings.
I look forward to reading Jacob and Knox’s stories.
4.5 stars for Pine River by Tijan. This is the third book I have read by Tijan and I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audio of this book. It was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton. I give their performance 5/5 stars.
Synopsis:
Pine River was supposed to be a new start for me. And it was, especially attending school with my three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy. Except they weren’t alone there, and the first day when I came to school, I saw him.
Scout Raiden. Tall. Lean. Tattooed. Mesmerizing.
He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes—looking like he wanted to eat me up.
The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem. It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. I was affected. And I couldn’t have that. No way. Not after what I’d just left in Cedra Valley.
I didn’t care how much money his uncle had. I didn’t care that it seemed every girl wanted him. I didn’t care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter. Or the promise of how those hands would make me feel.
What I did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible. Because the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in my world wasn’t a promise at all. It was a threat.
I wasn’t going to survive Scout Raiden.
I like Tijan's style of writing and the narrators brought the characters to life. It is told in a dual POV from the perspective of Ramsey and Scout.
Characters:
There are many characters in this story but it wasn't confusing to follow. Each character added to the story. There are lots of relationships happening in this story. There are romantic relationships, social/friendships, and familial relationships. Each one has its own dynamic and their connections are strong and emotional. I would love to see future books about some of these characters. I love the way Ramsey's cousins protected her and showed they cared about her. I love books that have found family and a strong friendship group.
Read if you like the following:
* sports romance (MMC is a MMA fighter)
* high school romance
* enemies to lover
* enemies with benefits
* angsty romance
* overprotective cousins
* cousin's best friend
* past trauma for FMC
* found family
* secret billionaire
* protective MMC
Please check trigger warnings since physical abuse and blackmail are discussed in the book.
Synopsis:
Pine River was supposed to be a new start for me. And it was, especially attending school with my three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy. Except they weren’t alone there, and the first day when I came to school, I saw him.
Scout Raiden. Tall. Lean. Tattooed. Mesmerizing.
He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes—looking like he wanted to eat me up.
The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem. It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. I was affected. And I couldn’t have that. No way. Not after what I’d just left in Cedra Valley.
I didn’t care how much money his uncle had. I didn’t care that it seemed every girl wanted him. I didn’t care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter. Or the promise of how those hands would make me feel.
What I did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible. Because the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in my world wasn’t a promise at all. It was a threat.
I wasn’t going to survive Scout Raiden.
I like Tijan's style of writing and the narrators brought the characters to life. It is told in a dual POV from the perspective of Ramsey and Scout.
Characters:
There are many characters in this story but it wasn't confusing to follow. Each character added to the story. There are lots of relationships happening in this story. There are romantic relationships, social/friendships, and familial relationships. Each one has its own dynamic and their connections are strong and emotional. I would love to see future books about some of these characters. I love the way Ramsey's cousins protected her and showed they cared about her. I love books that have found family and a strong friendship group.
Read if you like the following:
* sports romance (MMC is a MMA fighter)
* high school romance
* enemies to lover
* enemies with benefits
* angsty romance
* overprotective cousins
* cousin's best friend
* past trauma for FMC
* found family
* secret billionaire
* protective MMC
Please check trigger warnings since physical abuse and blackmail are discussed in the book.
**** This review is for the audiobook of Falling in Line****
If you like a sweet, small town, second chance romance books then Falling in Line by Kasey Stockton is the book for you. I really enjoyed this book. It gave me all of the feels. I loved Arcadia Creek and all of the lovely characters. This book felt so realistic and I wanted to move there and be a part of this loving community. Falling in Line is book two in the Arcadia Creek series. I didn’t read the first one, but this one can be read as a stand alone. I didn’t feel like I missed anything by not reading book one but I will be going back and reading the first book in the series.
Writing/plot:
This was a quick listen that held my attention. The story line was unique and executed well.
Characters:
June and Tucker were high school sweethearts and about to get married, when June decides to leave Arcadia Creek. She hasn’t been back or kept in touch with her friends or Tucker while being away. Now five years later she is back to help her dad after surgery. I really related to June and enjoyed listening to her inner dialogue. As the story unfolds you start to understand why she left Arcadia Creek.
Tucker is a great MMC and I liked the way he communicated with the other characters in the book including June and Maddie. He is sweet and charming and gives of it’s always been you vibes. He has tried to move on but his thoughts and heart always comes back to June.
This story is told in dual POV which I loved. I loved hearing the inner dialogue and hearing about the thoughts and feelings of each of the main characters.
The side characters are fantastic as well and I look forward to reading their stories in the future.
Narrators:
Cara Swingline and Evan Sibley do a great job bring these characters to life. I really enjoyed them as narrators. 5/5 for narration.
I am usually a spicy romance reader, but I didn’t even miss it in this clean second chance romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Dream Scape Media for an advanced listener copy. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.
If you like a sweet, small town, second chance romance books then Falling in Line by Kasey Stockton is the book for you. I really enjoyed this book. It gave me all of the feels. I loved Arcadia Creek and all of the lovely characters. This book felt so realistic and I wanted to move there and be a part of this loving community. Falling in Line is book two in the Arcadia Creek series. I didn’t read the first one, but this one can be read as a stand alone. I didn’t feel like I missed anything by not reading book one but I will be going back and reading the first book in the series.
Writing/plot:
This was a quick listen that held my attention. The story line was unique and executed well.
Characters:
June and Tucker were high school sweethearts and about to get married, when June decides to leave Arcadia Creek. She hasn’t been back or kept in touch with her friends or Tucker while being away. Now five years later she is back to help her dad after surgery. I really related to June and enjoyed listening to her inner dialogue. As the story unfolds you start to understand why she left Arcadia Creek.
Tucker is a great MMC and I liked the way he communicated with the other characters in the book including June and Maddie. He is sweet and charming and gives of it’s always been you vibes. He has tried to move on but his thoughts and heart always comes back to June.
This story is told in dual POV which I loved. I loved hearing the inner dialogue and hearing about the thoughts and feelings of each of the main characters.
The side characters are fantastic as well and I look forward to reading their stories in the future.
Narrators:
Cara Swingline and Evan Sibley do a great job bring these characters to life. I really enjoyed them as narrators. 5/5 for narration.
I am usually a spicy romance reader, but I didn’t even miss it in this clean second chance romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Dream Scape Media for an advanced listener copy. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.
Make her pay by Miranda Rijks is a psychological thriller that follows Leonie and Carrie. Leonie grew up with overprotective parents who controlled many aspects of her life. At 16 years old Leonie gets into a hit-and-run accident and now carries the guilt of that accident with her. She tries to put it in the past, but it has taken it's toll on her mentally. Carrie is the victim of the hit-and-run accident and is having a difficult time moving past it. She is out for revenge and Leonie is her target. I didn't find either of these characters particularly likable but I was still interested to see how Carrie would get revenge on Leonie. This audio kept my interest but I found some of the plot line unrealistic/believable. Still an enjoyable read that is worth giving a listen to.
Read if you enjoy:
* psychological thrillers
* secrets and lies
* a dual POV
* twists and turns
* suspence
* revenge
* unlikeable main characters
Setting of the story is in the UK
Characters 3/5 stars
Plot 3.5/5 stars
narration 3/5 stars
Narration: I had a difficult time with the narration of this audio. The accents were difficult for me to understand at the speed I typically listen to audio books. I usually listen to them at 2.0-2.5 speed. This one I had to listen at 1.5 to understand. The narrators tone and inflection were not an issue and they did voice different characters nicely. I would recommend listening to a sample if possible. Since I had a difficult time with the narration, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I read it on my kindle.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Miranda Rijks and for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers or books about revenge.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advance listeners copy of this audiobook. I voluntarily listened and gave an honest review.
Read if you enjoy:
* psychological thrillers
* secrets and lies
* a dual POV
* twists and turns
* suspence
* revenge
* unlikeable main characters
Setting of the story is in the UK
Characters 3/5 stars
Plot 3.5/5 stars
narration 3/5 stars
Narration: I had a difficult time with the narration of this audio. The accents were difficult for me to understand at the speed I typically listen to audio books. I usually listen to them at 2.0-2.5 speed. This one I had to listen at 1.5 to understand. The narrators tone and inflection were not an issue and they did voice different characters nicely. I would recommend listening to a sample if possible. Since I had a difficult time with the narration, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I read it on my kindle.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Miranda Rijks and for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers or books about revenge.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advance listeners copy of this audiobook. I voluntarily listened and gave an honest review.