Early Book Review: A Favor for a Favor (All In) by Helena Hunting

A Favor for a Favor is the second book in the All In series by Helena Hunting. While there are carry over characters, you can enjoy each book on its own as well. It is currently scheduled for release on January 28 2020.

When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her? Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister. So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

A Favor for a Favor has everything I love in a romance. Stevie and Bishop are honestly good people with snark and a fair amount of emotional baggage. I love that they both own their issues and are doing everything they can to make themselves and their lives better. Misunderstandings, emotional wounds, and injuries keep the verbal banter at a high level- and I enjoyed it. I loved watching the paor get to know each other and fall in love when they convince themselves that PT is all they are doing. The secondary characters are just as well built and complex as the main characters, and I enjoyed seeing returning characters as their stories continued and getting to know more of the players in Hunting's book universe. I honestly just enjoy the writing style and find myself thinking about the characters after I finish the book. They feel real, like I could run into them if I ventured into their neighborhood, and I would enjoy every minute of it. 

A Favor for a Favor is a wonderful slow burn romance with heart and humor. It is a must read for fans of Hunting.

Early Book Review: Make Your Move (Gamer Girls) by Laura Heffernan

Make Your Move is the third book in the Gamer Girls series by Laura Heffernan. I have read the second book in the series, but not the first. All of the books seem to stand up well on their own. There is significant character overlap so returning readers will get some bonuses from that aspect, but new readers will still be able to fully enjoy the story. This book is currently scheduled for release on December 17 2019.

At twenty-eight, Shannon has yet to fall in love. Which is fine, since she’d rather spend her evenings creating games than swiping right or going on awkward blind dates. Right now though, she has two little problems. First, she’s stuck for a new game idea. Second, the only candidate in her roommate search is Tyler, the gaming buddy who’s long had an unrequited crush on her. It should be awkward. But when Tyler moves in, the situation doesn’t go at all the way Shannon expected. Between helping her deal with coworkers and fixing the bugs in her latest game, Tyler’s proving to be damn near perfect. Except for the fact that he’s falling for someone else. Maybe Shannon has already forfeited her turn. Maybe she’s playing for nothing but heartache. But the best games have endings you can never predict.

Make Your Move is a romance that handles the friends to more trope beautifully and treats the spectrum of sexuality with honesty and respect. I really enjoyed getting to see Shannon's character as she struggled with so much all at once. The back stabbing and issues at work were sadly very realistic, and there were a couple times I had to walk away from the book for a minute because it was stressing me out. Similarly there were a couple moments that made me want to kick Tyler. Even though he is an extremely well written character, and one I would like to have in my circle of friends, there were moments that he really made me angry. Both characters were very concistand in their personalities, and their actions were on point throughout the story. I think my liking for both characters made the conflicts of the story that much harder to bear. I was completely engaged in the story right from the start, and really enjoy the group of characters that this series follows. I can think of a few secondary characters that I would love to read about next, and I will continue to read Hefferman's books. 

Make Your Move is a fantastic read that had me emotional enough that I had to close the book a few times. 

Early Book Review: Weekend Fling (Crazy Love) by Stacey Lynn

Weekend Fling is the fourth book in the Crazy Love series by Stacey Lynn. Each book can be enjoyed on its own, but characters from the previous books do make appearances and are secondary characters. It is currently scheduled for release on November 26 2019. 

Fresh out of a long-term relationship, Willow Parks is working two jobs and caring for her mother, whose husband left her with nothing but a pile of bills. That’s why Willow made a vow: no men until she figures out her own life. But while she may not need a man, she could use a break. And a weekend away at a California beach to clear her head? That’s appealing. Even if the offer comes from Trey Collins, the irresistible tech-mogul millionaire who visits her coffee shop every morning like clockwork—and needs a date for his best friend’s wedding. With an adorable, occasional stutter, he refuses to take no for an answer. Once the weekend begins, Trey is intent on proving how good they can be together. Willow’s even feeling tempted to break her vow—until reality rudely interrupts her well-deserved getaway. There’s no way she and Trey have a future, not with the colossal amount of baggage Willow has to offer. But Trey is used to getting what he wants. He just has his work cut out for him convincing her that they want the same thing.

Weekend Fling is a story that offers heart, heat, and laughs. Willow is going through some major life changes. She is more than a little overwhelmed- and a weekend of fun with an attractive guy by the beach seems like the perfect weekend vacation, at least until one more crisis comes her way. While I have never been in Willow's position- I could completely understand her reluctance and desire to maintain emotional distance. She was well written, and was a relatable and sympathetic character that was willing to own up to her own mistakes. Trey is almost too perfect for me- he is rich, attractive, a hard worker, and honestly a good guy with a great circle of friends. He gives Willow the space she asks for, and stays a friend while not lying about wanting more. I even loved his wacky parents, who offered up some of the best laughs in the book.  Even with all that fun stuff, I like that the mental health aspects of the story are well done, not overwhelming but offering an honest look at how one family can be affected by it and see it all so differently. While this was not my favorite book in this series, it was still a great read with solid characters.

Weekend Fling is another fun romance that has some depth to it. I cannot wait to see what the author writes next.

Book Review: Happy For You (Love & Family) by Anyta Sunday

Happy For You is the third book in the Love & Family series by Anyta Sunday. While I recommend reading all of the books in this series because I really enjoyed them, each can stand up fine on their own. 

Mort wants his de facto family back, he knows he doesn’t deserve them. Not without making up for leaving them in their time of need. But it’s not easy to make amends. Mort must show how much he wants the Rochester family back in his life. When his best friend’s younger brother, Felix, has his license suspended, Mort jumps at the chance to play chauffeur and to win back the family he desperately wants to call his own. Repairing his broken relationships—with all five Rochester siblings—becomes Mort’s personal mission. Especially with Felix. Felix, who used to follow him everywhere. Felix, who idolized him. Felix, whom Mort has not stopped thinking about. Felix is just trying to keep it together,  with a perma-smile as his armor, he’s determined to make his family happy. Determined to be a positive role model to his three younger sisters, while their mum struggles with depression after her kidney transplant. Unfortunately, no amount of smiling can save his license when he gets pulled over for the umpteenth time, and he still needs to get his sisters to school, soccer, and dance classes. The solution to his problem emerges in the return of their prodigal neighbor, Mort. Mort, who left their lives without a word. Mort, who was in love with Felix’s older brother.  Mort, who is the last guy Felix wants charging back into their lives. 

Happy For You is a story that is about the two characters and their lives as it is about them finding their way together. Mort knows he has made mistakes, but wants nothing more than to reconnect with the family he depended on for years. Felix and his family have missed Mort, but have been affected by his absence- and things that lead up to it- in different ways. The honest and love in this story is heart warming and heart breaking in turns, and having read all of Sunday's full length novels I expected nothing less. I enjoyed seeing glimpses of characters from previous books, and how some had prior interaction with the characters here. The rebuilding of bridges is hard, made more difficult and complicated when feelings grow and change.  Sunday did a wonderful job of showing the slow build up and growth of the connection between Mort and Felix, and how the rest of the family made things easier or more challenging in their own ways. It is the honesty about people, in all their imperfect glory, that make the characters and their interactions feel so real. I could understand all of the fears and concerns of Mort, Felix, and the rest Rochester clan even though I have never been in similar situations. My only complaint is that I did not want the story to end, I want more about all of Sunday's characters and am greatly looking forward to whatever they write next.

Happy For You is yet another winner from Sunday. The realistic characters and their growth as individuals and as a couple stays with the reader long after the book is finished.

Book Review: No Experience Required by Kimberly Cooper Griffin

No Experience Required by Kimberly Cooper Griffin is a contemporary romance. Izzy Treadway has a reputation as a love guru. She knows exactly what ignites the spark for others, but she has no desire to find love herself. You see, Izzy’s bipolar and not only fears being seen as damaged goods but is terrified that if anything goes wrong, it might just send her back to the hospital. Nevertheless, her best friend decides Izzy’s the perfect person to write The Idiot’s Guide to Love. While researching and writing the book, Izzy finds herself falling for Jane Mendoza, the new intern at work. Everything’s perfect until Izzy tells her she’s bipolar and Jane leaves her, claiming the dreaded “It’s not you, it’s me." Izzy’s devastated, but heartbreak teaches her she’s stronger than she gives herself credit for. As Izzy and Jane learn their pasts don’t define their future, they’ll need to get out of their own way to discover love can overcome any obstacle.

No Experience Required is full of realistic, multidimensional characters. Izzy is dealing with her disorder the best way she knows how, which includes keeping herself at least partly walled off from others. Jane has her own issues, and I found their connection and path towards each other to be very organic and believable. I found both characters to be likable and relatable in their own way. I liked the honest and straightforward way that bipolar disorder was discussed, and I feel like I understand how those with the disorder feel a little bit more than I had before. I think that so much of this book is relatable to readers in different ways, and can help us all stop and think about others and the bigger picture a bit more. Even if readers do not know anyone with bipolar disorder, or are not in a same sex relationship, the matters at the heart of the story are universal. I liked the framing of the story between sections if the book Izzy was writing, and found that it brought everything together, and had me anticipating some of the upcoming issues that they would need to address. I also thought that the advice she was writing was on point, and what I would try to encourage others to take to heart. It was also nice to see slightly older main characters, which I could relate to more on the life experience level. 

No Experience Required is a well written and engaging book. I thought the issues of dating advice and mental health were very well handled, and I honestly would love to see more from all the characters in the book. I will be reading more from the author.

Book Review: No More Bad Dates (High Tea) by Kate O'Keeffe

No More Bad Dates is the first book in the High Tea series by Kate O'Keeffe, but it is clear that at least some of the characters were secondary characters in previous series by the author. It still works as a stand alone, but fans of the author might have  a more engaging read.

Twenty-five-year-old Sophie McCarthy’s career is virtually nonexistent, her family expects her to “do something important” with her life, and she’s totally sick of dating the wrong guys: the self-absorbed, the arrogant, the borderline criminally insane. After she’s unceremoniously dumped during the vows at her boss’s wedding, she and her two equally disappointed-in-love best friends agree to help each other find decent guys to date. Together, they form the No More Bad Dates Pact: stop dating the wrong guys and start dating the right ones—weirdos and jerks need not apply. When Sophie’s roommate Jason Christie—a.k.a. doctor-in-training and serial nurse-dater—joins the pact, he vows to weed out the bad ones for her. But with his rejection of every guy Sophie meets, she begins to wonder if he’s got an ulterior motive. And anyway, why does she always have so much more fun with Jason than with the guys she’s actually trying to date? While desperately seeking her “happy for now,” could Sophie stumble into her “happily ever after?”

No More Bad Dates is a story that focuses more on the journey than the destination. Sophie is sick of bad dates, tired of being talked down to by her siblings, and just wants to figure out what she wants. She loves her job, and her friends, but thinks that she should want more- mostly because other people keep expecting her to. Jason is her roomate, friend, and a serial dater. I like that they are real friends from the start, not friends because they want more- but real friends. I loved the secondary characters- the friends and extended family are great and really keep the story moving and entertaining. The bad dates were terrifying and funny in their own way- and also realistic in terms of some of the people that are out there. I found the story to be more about Sophie figuring out what she wants from life- and figuring out how to get there than about her relationship with Jason. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and will appeal to a variety of readers, it just was not what I was expecting. I would have liked to have seen some of the story from Jason's point of view, even though I know many readers are not as fond of that as I am. I just like knowing what is going from both sides- especially when feeling as in question. I enjoyed the read, and think it will appeal to a wide range of new adult and adult romance readers. 

No More Bad Dates is fun and sweet with plenty of humor and feels. 

Early Book Review: Against the Rules (Gamer Girls) by Laura Heffernan

Against the Rules is the second book in the Gamer Girls series by Laura Heffernan and is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. I did not read the first book in the series, and while it is about a circle of friends I was able to fully enjoy the book without having read the first.

Holly has taken herself out of the dating game since breaking up with her cheating, thieving ex. She barely notices Marc, who comes into the game store every week, hoping to get her attention. Her friends insist it’s time to take on a new role, to leave Quiet Holly behind and embrace her inner flirt. And on paper, Marc’s great: cute, funny, and a hardcore gamer just like Holly is. Then there’s Nathan. He’s everything twenty-eight-year-old Holly wants, except he’s also her friend’s father. Absolutely off-limits. But as she and Nathan playtest a new legacy game together, they’re growing closer. The game is complex and intriguing, and there’s no way to know how choices will pan out. What seems like a good idea could lead to disaster or sweet victory. But in gaming, as in love, sometimes you have to roll the dice and take your chance.

Against the Rules worked really well on some levels, and fell flat for me in others. I really liked Holly, she has had some serious challenges in life lately and is doing her best to keep moving forward in life. She is a little oblivious sometimes, but in ways many of us are. I liked her intelligence and spirit, and found her insecurities to be realistic and relatable. Nathan seemed like a smart, good guy with issues of his own. I felt like I did not get to know him all that well, since we only saw him through Holly's eyes- I would really have liked to have seen the world through his eyes once and awhile o see his take on Holly. Yes, he was open with her about his feeling once things started happening- but a better look at the attraction and his worries would have brought the whole story together more for me. I liked them together, and understood the worries and hesitancy about becoming involved, and the complications it would create. I did like the glimpses of the horrors on online dating and the real lives of gamers. I found these bits of the story to be well done and realistic, as anyone that has been involved in either can attest. 

Against the Rules is a good contemporary romance that had some fabulous moments, but did not wow me. I am glad I picked it up, but am not sure I will be going back to read the first in the series.

Book Review: Temptation (Bad Angels) by Inara Scott

Temptation is the second stand alone in the Bad Angels series by Inara Scott. As close friends and coworkers, attorney Zoe Riva and tech genius Connor Ashton know they can never get involved. Never. Ever. Until a scooter accident lands Zoe in Connor's arms—and his overnight custody—and she starts to see a man she's never seen before. With her career and her heart on the line, Zoe can't afford to take any chances. But when combustible chemistry takes over, even the smartest people in the room can make the biggest of mistakes.

Temptation is a friends to lovers romance that had me hooked from the start. I was in a bit of a reading slump- where nothing was really making me eager to get back to reading after having to put the book down for a moment, and this book broke that streak. Zoe is a strong, successful, and professional woman just trying to get ahead in a field that is still dominated by deals made in bars and over sports. Connor is a smart guy that is more than a little shy and socially awkward. A chance encounter has them each pondering crossing the border of friendship into something more- but they each have emotional scars and professional qualms about taking the next step- until they cross the line anyway. I loved the sass and straightforwardness of Zoe, and Connor's sweet nature. The secondary characters, particularly Connor's mother and her friends, were great fun while the couple's mutual friends added some honest talk and advice to even things out. I honestly found myself routing for our couple from the very beginning- even when their efforts to seem nonchalaunt had me face palming. The read hit all the sweet spots, heart, heat, and humor and left me grinning one the last page. I just might be going back to read the first book in the series, but I will definitely be putting Scott's name of my list of authors to watch for. 

Temptation is a contemporary romance with strong characters and a nearly perfect balance of heat, heart, and humor.

Book Review: Take It Off the Menu (Mile High Matched) by Christina Hovland

Take It Off the Menu is the third book in the Mile High Matched series by Christina Hovland. I have not read the previous books, but this book read well as a stand alone. 

Marlee Medford just got dumped. Yes, things have become ho-hum in her longtime relationship, but she was two days away from walking down the aisle with the man she thought was her forever when he called it off.  Marlee needs to regain control of her life, and a weekend away with her friends is a solid first step. One of Denver’s best up-and-coming chefs, perpetual bachelor Eli Howard, isn’t into serious relationships—especially the kind that ends in marriage. Feeling oddly protective of the jilted bride—his little sister’s best friend—his weekend plans now involve a trip to Sin City with her group of friends. But it looks like he had a bit too much fun in Vegas when he wakes up married, wedding night included. Marlee’s attempts at getting her life back together are failing miserably. Her ex-fiancé is taking the house, her chihuahua is intent on a love affair with Eli’s sneakers, and she’s now accidentally hitched to the guy who can't even say the word marriage. With their quickie annulment denied, Eli and Marlee just have to hang tight until the divorce goes through. It’s just a little divorce amongst friends, what’s the worst that could happen? 

Take It Off the Menu is a contemporary romance with a lot going on. There is the best friend's brother aspect, the afraid of commitment element, and the interfering parents and sucky ex bit. However, the book managed to balance all of these elements with humor. I loved the regular intervals of a horny chihuahua and the wonderful circle of friends that both Eli and Marlee have helping them through every hurdle. Marlee is a sweetheart with a soft heart that often falls into doing whatever other expect from her- I would have liked to see a bit more backbone from her, but I think that if she had stood up for herself more she would not have ended up in the situation that brought this all about. Eli is a sweet and strong guy- he is always there to help everyone else but has trouble accepting help from anyone else. That is something I could relate to- and I was glad to see that he had to come to terms with that as well as his commitment issues. There were times when I thought there was much more to his commitment issue than readers were told- but that might have just been me. The secondary characters, and dog, stole the show for me. I loved the extended circle of friends and family even more than the rest. I think I want a story just about Babushka! As a whole I really enjoyed the read.

Take It Off the Menu is a romance that has a good balance of heart and humor. I enjoyed the read and will be reading more from the author.

Book Review: The Best Friend Problem (Mile High Happiness) by Mariah Ankenman

The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman is the first book in the Mile High Happiness series. Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn. All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life. Except all this talk of babies and insemination and...Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant. As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?

The Best Friend Problem takes the friends to lover trope and doubles down by adding a unique wanted but accidental pregnancy twist. It was an ambitious story to tackle, and I'll say that Ankenman did it beautifully.  I really enjoyed getting to know Pru and Finn- and seeing their journey through both perspectives. I could relate to Pru, at least with her reluctance to accept help, and understood her motivations and fears throughout the book. I liked Finn's openness and caring for others, and I knew they would figure it out once they admitted their own emotions. I also loved the secondary characters, not just Mo and Lilly, but Finn's coworkers and family to. I think the characters work was really the star of this story, the banter was fun and the characters supportive and real. I felt like this group of people are really liking in a Colorado town just waiting for me to visit and meet them. 

The Best Friend Problem is an engaging read that had me rooting for and wanting to shake the main characters at the same time. I look forward to reading more from Ankeman in the future.

Early Book Review: Call Her Mine (Harmony Pointe) by Melissa Foster

Call Her Mine is the first book in the Harmony Pointe series by Melissa Foster. While it is the start of a new series, there are some familiar faces for Foster fans. It is currently scheduled for release on August 13 2019.

Ben Dalton has always been honest, except where his heart is concerned. He’s been in love with his best friend—saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark—forever. But Ben’s a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own—to a different town. Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she’s crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she’ll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on. But when a baby is left on Ben’s front porch—a baby that is presumably his—Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after, just not one either of them expects.

Call Her Mine is an emotional and engaging romance. While Ben and Aurelia have been dancing around each other for years, neither realizing that the other was attracted to them and wanted more than friendship, it took a big crisis to get them to slow down and really look at each other. I like how once they started talking things out with each other they started making thing work- even though there was more than one occasion I wanted to shake one or the other to get them to share more of what they were thinking. Frankly as a parent, and former daycare worker (in the infant room no less), I found their antics as they figured out how to take care of the baby highly entertaining. I loved that they did have a support system, and like most fiercely independent people, struggled with accepting support even when freely (or enthusiastically) offered- which is something I relate to on many levels. The compassion and love in this book is almost overwhelming- and if I can complain about anything it is that the characters are almost too unrealistically good and I wish there were more people like this in the real world.

Call Her Mine is a must read for fans of Foster. I loved the story and found it to be sweet, fun, and steamy in good proportions. 

Early Book Review: One Summer Weekend (Cedar Street) by Shannon Stacey

One Summer Weekend by Shannon Stacey is the first book in the Cedar Street series. It is currently scheduled for release on August 5 2019.

Noah Stafford loves his life—his happy, single life. So what if he made up a fake girlfriend to stop his boss’s matchmaking? He kept things close to the truth—Carly really does have long, sexy legs and a killer sense of humor. She just happens to be his best friend. His wicked awesome and completely platonic best friend. But now his boss is having a destination wedding, and Noah is expected to attend…with Carly, his girlfriend. Carly Randall has no interest in living out a rom-com plot. But Noah is her best friend, so she agrees to help. Still, once they arrive on Cape Cod, she can’t explain the sudden butterflies she feels when he looks at her that way. Or why she doesn’t mind when Noah’s hands stray a little south of her back. What happens on the Cape stays on the Cape. Except not really, not at all, and once their sexy faux-cation is over, Noah and Carly return to a reality where everything’s changed. Going for it would mean risking their friendship, but forgetting how good they were together just isn’t an option.

One Summer Weekend is a fun friend to lover novella that is sweet and enjoyable to read. Noah and Carly are best friends that share just about everything. Getting thrown together as a pretend couple instead of best friends shows bends and breaks the boundaries between them. I liked the banter between the two and how friends gave them just as much advise and ribbing as I would expect from close friends.The way they teased each other and valued their friendship was wonderful, and pulled me into the story.  I found Carly and Noah's fears to be very realistic, and I was rooting for them from the very beginning. EAch of their individual freak outs were well done and in character- and I loved seeing them figure it out and find their way to happy ever after. I greatly enjoyed the ride, and will continue picking up new books from the author.

One Summer Weekend is a perfect single sitting or relaxing by the pool read. It is fun, sweet, and has just a touch of heat. Fans of the author are certainly going to want to read it, and newcomers to Stacey's work might become serious fans after this read.