Review: Possessive Puckboy (Puckboys Book 8) by Eden Finley, Saxon James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Possessive Puckboy is Connor Kikishkin’s redemption story. He’s been a secondary character to his brothers books and a problematic one at that. One of the four Kiki hockey players, Connor’s the one who has been the most controlling of his brothers lives, personal and professional. He’s come off as a bully and a bit of a homophobe.

It got to the point in the last book that his brother, Easton and his best friend, Knox, hid their relationship and Easton who plays on the same NHL team, Colorado, now wants a transfer out.

The beginning of Possessive Puckboy has a man who was horribly bullied in the same high school as the Kiki siblings by the football players buying the hockey team.

This is a true enemy to lovers, reformed bully, secret relationship, bi-awakening journey story. There’s even more elements here packed into dense emotional baggage stated above. Deep family expectations, self awareness and realization, and one thing I thought should have been talked about more clearly, rage management.

But there was already a lot narratively on the table here for the authors to explore with their characters.

The relationship between gay IT billionaire/owner Parker Duchene, the man who was horribly bullied in high school, and the straight Connor Kikishkin, the jock who stood by and did nothing, is a very engaging one. It’s tough, hilarious in parts, emotional and smartly executed.

Connor is a mess. So to have him immediately improve is unlikely. And he doesn’t.

It messes with his head as well as his game. And his other relationships and team dynamics. As it should.

Parker too is slow to find his way as an owner, making plenty of mistakes.

All those aspects of the story really work together to bring a believable sense of a growing relationship.

What I missed was the authors exploring how Connor reached the stage where he was so rigid in his own life and outlook that he was drowning in it. That the lack of empathy and communication between him and his family, his parents who pushed him into the role and kept him there, and his siblings who didn’t talk to him enough to make him understand, none of that is really covered.

Instead it’s a quick conversation and done. Which really removes an entire accountability and aspect of reality to his own redemption arc.

Anyway I enjoyed this, and it’s onto Stubborn Puckboy , where a certain new Russian character we just met gets his own romance. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him!

Check this one out!

Puckboys:

Egotistical Puckboy #1
Irresponsible Puckboy #2
Shameless Puckboy #3
Foolish Puckboy #4
Clueless Puckboy #5
Bromantic Puckboy #6
Forbidden Puckboy #7
Possessive Puckboy #8
Stubborn Puckboy #9 – July 31,2025

Buy link

Possessive Puckboy (Puckboys Book 8)

Blurb

Connor

Finding out those closest to me don’t see me as the great guy I think I am not only kicks me in the gut, it makes me question everything.

Until that happened, I didn’t think I had many regrets in my life. Now, I have nothing but regrets. And when my NHL team is bought out, and the new owner makes his presence known, my existential crisis kicks up a notch. Because he might be my biggest regret of all.

Parker Duchene.

I made his life a living hell in high school, and now he’s inserting himself into my career to repay the favor.

With everything in my personal life already on the line, I can’t risk hockey too. I need to figure out a way to play nice with the new owner.

Parker

I bought Colorado’s NHL team to honor my late father. I did. Only reason.

Emotionally playing with one of my many high school tormentors is a nice bonus though.

Connor Kikishkin may be the one who made me the target for years of name-calling, but I’ve always wondered if my hatred for him bordered too much on the obsessive side to truly be classified as hate.

Infatuation is probably the right word for it.

Now his whole life is in my hands, and I can’t wait to see him beg for my mercy. Seeing Mr. Popular find his humility will definitely ease the grief from losing my dad … right? Because right now, that’s all I have, and I need to hold on to it so I don’t crumble.

Publisher: Sadenverse Books (March 27, 2025)
Publication date: March 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 308 pages

Review: Unhinged Little Angel (Mafia Bound Book 3) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4.75🌈

K.M. Neuhold ‘s delightfully murderous romance series ,Mafia Bound, just got another great new addition in Unhinged Little Angel.

The Moretti Crime family continues to expand as each family member finds their own unique romantic HEA, usually with an equally compelling, twisted personality.

Mafia Bound has its center in the powerful crime family, the Morettis, run by big brother, Lorenzo Moretti. The first story, which I loved, featured his enforcer, the Ice Man, Xaviaro Saviano, and his romance with Sparrow, an assassin with an agenda. They are seen again here in all their loving psychotic glory. Perfection.

Dante is the near feral, violent , extremely popular dancer at the Moretti’s nightclub, Wild, that we know from previous books. He’s also got mad hacker skills which have come in handy in past events.

The lustfuf focus of many, it’s Salvador Moretti who’s decided that Dante is more than just a dancer, something Dante has noticed. And plays into Dante’s plans when he decides he needs help to solve a past situation that arises. In an absolutely hilariously mad scheme, Dante “kidnaps “ Sal to force him into a Las Vegas style marriage.

This entire storyline is amazing. I laughed, it’s perfect in further developing these incredibly intense complex characters in a situation that’s part sitcom and crime drama. The location, clothes , the way Nuehold flips up between them as the emotionally charged situation changes moment by moment, letting the reader into the thoughts of each of them as the night progresses.

This series is a favorite of this author’s and this couple quickly became my personal favorite too. Dante is so well written that he’s both able to be realistically vulnerable yet still a raw, violently angry man, striking out like a viper. And Sal is both a deadly criminal threat as well as an old time romantic, intelligent, capable of deep emotional commitment. They are a perfect combination.

And this turns out to be a fantastic story. Funny, violent, romantic and sexy. It adds to the growing Moretti family and moves the narrative forward about the antagonism between the Fitzgerald crime family and theirs.

And sets up Luca for his own romance next.

So happy there’s more Moretti’s in need of partners. Loving this series and definitely recommending it.

Cover Design Natasha Snow Cover Photography by Xram

Great covers.

Mafia Bound:

Deadly Little Sparrow #1
Beautifully Savage Butterfly #2
Unhinged Little Angel #3
Desperately Delicate Viper #4 – June 6,2025

Buy link

Unhinged Little Angel (Mafia Bound Book 3)

Blurb

Forcing Salvatore Moretti to marry me at gunpoint isn’t the craziest thing I’ve ever done…

I hate being desperate, being scared. It’s a filthy, helpless feeling. I’d much rather be enraged, violent… unhinged.

Salvatore watches me dance and calls me Angioletto, his little angel. He doesn’t know the demons that haunt me. He’s too blinded by my beauty to see the blood on my hands. Then again, he’s a mafia capo, so maybe the blood wouldn’t bother him anyway.

My past is like fire licking at my heels, ready to consume me. But Sal won’t let that happen, he’ll protect me. He has to.

I learned a long time ago not to trust anyone but myself. It’s dangerous the way he manages to unravel all of my defenses and turn me from a guarded Dom into the submissive brat I’ve never felt safe enough to be. It’s terrifying the way I’m starting to crave him.

I wasn’t sure I would live long enough to worry about this marriage starting to feel real, but this well-dressed mafioso might just manage to save my life after all. We can argue about divorce once the threat is neutralized I suppose. And in the meantime, he is my husband, I might as well enjoy the perks…

Publication date: April 4, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 255 pages

Review: Puck Love (The Elmwood Stories #6) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s fitting that Lane Hayes brings her heartwarming series, The Elmwood Stories, to a close with one of the boys who we met in the earlier books.

Now grown and playing in the NHL, Jake Milligan is one of the boys we met from the first Elmwood junior hockey camp, and along with Denny Mellon, who’s been a character we’ve watched as their parents got their own romances in the early books.

So it’s perfect that the series finale will have Jake’s own story and we get to see many other familiar faces in this book as Jake’s enemies to lovers story unfolds.

The “enemy” is hockey arch rival Mason Trinsky, a trash talking, exuberant player who has made their rivalry a media firestorm to Jake’s chagrin.

Elmwood’s Junior Hockey Camp is now a huge success, with famous players participating as coaches and that’s how both Trinsky and Jake end up as partners for a camp weekend.

It’s a terrific story that Lane manages to bring together elements of bi awakening, Trinky’s family members with special needs as well as his mother’s history of addiction and recovery. That balances so well with the fears and need for control of Jake’s upbringing.

But we get juicy, sexy scenes of discovery, great characters, hockey, adorable kids in Eddie, Nathan, Ella and Charlotte. Truly a fabulous heartwarming story of love , family and finding your forever home.

Elmwood and its magical, small town places hold a special place in my heart. I know that I’ll be revisiting it and it’s love stories.

Lane is going to bring us a new series based in the neighboring town, Wood Hollow, and hopefully we will see some crossovers in characters. Vermont’s fictional Four Forest area has so much to offer and more towns to explore.

A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people.

The Elmwood Stories:

You, Again #1

Next Season #2

Holiday Crush #3

Thin Ice #4

Hot Shot #5

Puck Love #6

Buy link

Puck Love: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 6)

Blurb

Two rivals, one secret, and a shot at forever…

Jake

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, family, friends.

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Mason Trinsky.

I have my reasons, but since you’re curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, he’s a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends, and I grudgingly accept that he’ll be a coach at w this summer—however, I plan to keep my distance.

Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Guess who I’m stuck with?

Trinsky

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, surfing, and my kid brother

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Jake Milligan

Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, it’s all in good fun.

Until it starts to feel…complicated. I shouldn’t care if he’s happy, should I? I don’t want to be Jake’s friend. I don’t want to have feelings for him at all.

The only thing that matters is hockey. It’s all about the puck. Not love.

Or is it?

Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockey’s hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at forever…

Publication date: March 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 280 pages

Review: Don’t Come For My Night Stalker: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 2) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4.75🌈

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker is the second book in Annabella Stone’s excellent Black Squadron duology. A political intrigue , intense combat and suspense filled story that focuses on a long standing unspoken love between elite op Grady Montreux, and Claudio Stancanpiano, Black Squadron’s commander.

Stones series ’ series and books, which are heavily intertwined with each other as they are part of this overall agency and oversight task force, have the same locations and repeat characters/couples. It’s a densely populated and complex military universe where the protocols and procedures are rigid and complicated.

Stone gets this and layers it beautifully into her characters and their storylines.

It’s a soldier’s story. Complete with nightmares, PTSD, trauma and fears of committing due to the fact that the job makes any future tenuous. So a realistic based storyline for two soldiers who have been in many campaigns and are still fighting, but in yet another capacity.

A international arms and drug dealer who has been an ongoing major villain in other stories appears here. Another key element of Stone’s’ series and ability to maintain a high energy and realistic flow in the universe.

The scenes between Claudio and Grady are moving and intense, especially due to the circumstances. I love the communication between them that finally allows them to see a future or at least a HFN as a couple together. That’s believable.

As, frustrating as it is, so is the ending. Claudio and Grady’s relationship story had wrapped up but an even larger story and plot is just beginning.

Stone’s books are extremely well written, extraordinarily detailed, with explosive action sequences and suspense filled moments. Loved it and waiting for the next!

Cover Design By: Golden Czermak Cover Image By: James Critchley Cover Model: Carlo di Carlo

Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

See all connected series below.

Buy link

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 2)

Blurb

War forged him:

Former Italian Special Forces Commander Claudio Stancanpiano has spent his life on the battlefield, where love is a luxury and attachments are a weakness. As the leader of one of the world’s most elite covert Task Forces, he’s used to making impossible choices—ones that leave no room for second chances. But when his Squadron’s latest mission goes sideways, and the man he nearly lost is the only thing grounding him, Claudio is forced to face the truth he’s been running from for years.

Love found them:

Former Night Stalker Grady Montreux has always lived in the shadows—flying into the deadliest war zones, slipping past enemy lines, doing whatever it takes to bring his team home. But after a near-fatal mission, one thing is clear: the only fight that truly matters is the one for the man he refuses to lose.

When the battle stops, love me more

Bound by war, scarred by the past, and tangled in a love they can’t escape, Claudio and Grady finally surrender—to desire, to trust, and to the future they never thought they could have. But love is its own kind of battlefield, and staying together will take more courage than any war they’ve fought before because this time, neither of them is walking away.

A high-stakes, slow-burn military romance packed with heart-stopping action, raw emotion, and the kind of love that refuses to be denied.

Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (March 20, 2025)
Publication date: March 20, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 332 pages

Full list of Crossover Series of Connected characters/couples and Agencies in the same universe in order:

🔹DELTA FORCE: TEAM PANTHER Jonah’s Compass

Tied Up In Steele

Malik’s Redemption

Micah’s Promise

Christmas-Panther Style

Grif’s Salvation

Jason’s Justice

🔹TAGS OF HONOR: RED SQUADRON

Zenko

Noble

Don’t Let Go

Drax

Roman

Saxon

Rees

🔹DELTA FORCE TEAM LYNX Salvation’s Sinner

Redemption’s Rebel

Temptation’s Tango

🔹THE GHOST PROTECTORS

To Love A Ghost

To Claim A Ghost

To Tame A Ghost

🔹Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

🔹SHORT STORIES

They Won’t Ask If We Don’t Tell (Delta Force Team Panther)

Review: A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes #2) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.75🌈

The past comes rushing back for Homicide Det Liam Paige, the murderous psychopath who’s one delicious side of this two POV narrative in A Forgotten Mistake, the second story in the Deadly Mistakes series from Alice Winters.

The other voice belongs to cat loving Detective Gabriel Hyde, partner , voice of reason and stability, as well as the beloved of the hilariously acerbic Liam.

Winters uses the cases and investigations here to further the inter-departmental relationships Liam is reluctantly building with various team members he’s established barriers with previously and to reaffirm his commitment to the other romantic relationship he’s made with Gabriel. It’s a layered story, shockingly emotional and compellingly told.

Many details about Liam’s past life become hugely relevant to the cases and storylines here, impacting the investigations but Liam’s mental and emotional state. And that of Gabriel’s.

While there’s deeply disturbing and shocking elements in the scenes and storylines, there’s an equal amount of genuine hilarious moments. Gabriel,his cat,Lucille Pawl helps , in spectacular fashion, a new family member get added.

A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes #2) by Alice Winters is a fantastic book. The author creates a compelling narrative that allows for the characters to explore their relationships and deepen their friendships, or in Liam’s case, actually start to develop some. Their characters show genuine growth through dramatic, tragic moments but we still have the comedy to lighten the load.

Highly recommended. A must read for lovers of this trope, author and amazing series.

Deadly Mistakes:

A Simple Mistake #1
A Forgotten Mistake #2

Buy link

A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes Book 2)

Blurb

Liam

Despite winning Gabriel’s heart, my trials are not yet over when I’m stuck competing with Gabriel’s cat for his affection (why is she only evil when he’s not looking?), dealing with coworkers trying to befriend me (I should have blackmailed more of them), and worst of all… meeting Gabriel’s parents (whose affection I will win with lavish presents).

Oh, and hunting down another killer. Though that’s the easy part.

But when a crime scene brings me face-to-face with someone from my past, I realize I might have to fight to keep my secrets hidden from those who would tear me away from Gabriel forever.

Gabriel

Tackling Liam’s foster sister to the ground outside of a crime scene is the last thing I expected to do. It’s clear she needs help, and Liam might be the only person who can assist her. People are turning up dead, but if we fail to find the connection between them before it’s too late, innocent people might end up taking the fall or piquing the serial killer’s interest.

Thankfully, Liam’s no stranger to challenges as he draws me further into his secretive world where the vilest of humanity reside around every corner. He’s opening my eyes and making me fall even deeper in love with every breath as I realize that his darkness isn’t driving me away but pulling me even closer.

This man who is willing to burn the world down for me doesn’t realize just how far I’d go for him.

Publication date: March 18, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 395 pages

Review: Reading Between the Lines (Shadowy Solutions #3) by Nicky James

Rating: 4.5🌈

Shadowy Solutions is a great series and in this story James has not only a terrific murder investigation but a case that will let a newly formed couple show individual development as well as their partnered maturity show.

It also allows for other aspects of Diem’s personal life to change for a more positive outlook instead of the same negative status and brutality it’s been at for the last books.

The case that draws Diem and Tallus out of town is a call from a heart broken mother who’s convinced that her son, now on life support, was murdered. But no one will believe her.

With little to show for her belief, she’s willing to pay enormous sums of money to have the case investigated by Diem and Tallus. Money Diem desperately needs.

The investigation is a complicated process, and James uses it to show the tremendous amount of growth for Diem personally as well as the potential for a larger healthier relationship between them as a couple. Diem’s working on his trauma and anger issues, and letting Tallus into his own life.

The mystery is one where I had several people pegged as the ultimate villain, an aspect of a story I liked.

And I can’t giveaway one element I both love and wanted a deeper dive into. I honestly don’t think James could have done that given the storyline and stakes as they were, but, going forward, I can’t wait to see this side character fit in with Diem and Tallus again.

This series is shaping up to be such a stellar series and with such outstanding characters. It’s a must read.

Shadowy Solutions:

Invisible Scars – prequel

Skeletons in the Closet #1

Power of the Mind #2

Reading Between the Lines #3

A Breath of Life #4 – Sept 18,2025

Connected and preceding series in the same universe:

Valor and Doyle (8* book series)

New book releasing

Buy link

Reading Between the Lines (Shadowy Solutions Book 3)

Blurb

One case to save my career.

One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without.

I’m doomed.

Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business.

The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident.

All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother.

Unable to handle such a delicate situation on his own and unwilling to go bust, Diem invites his boyfriend/almost-partner along to make sure his rough edges don’t cost them a payday.

What he didn’t expect was a high school full of secrets and suspects, a bed-and-breakfast from hell with only one m*#@er f*#@ing bed, and danger around every corner because someone doesn’t want the truth to be unveiled.

Diem can handle threats. Risking life and limb to get answers is part of the game. But as the mystery unfolds, he realizes there is one thing not worth jeopardizing for a case: Tallus.

Publication date: March 6, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 354 pages

Review: Paper Roses (Confetti Hitched Book 3) by Lily Morton

Rating: 4.75🌈

Paper Roses just might be my favorite book of Lily Morton’s fabulous Confetti Hitched series. The third story in this series about a wedding planning business, Confetti Hitched, the author’s focus turns from its engaging, vivacious employees to its owner, Jed Walker and his PA, Artie.

Jed, a widower, and his adorable PA Artie, are about to tumble into that popular romance trope, the fake marriage. In Morton’s story, this romantic framework for Jed and Artie’s HEA is a hilarious, poignant, heartwarming tale of two men clearly destined for each other. The obstacles in their relationship, a dead husband’s memory, a timeline , and various misunderstandings are clearly present. However , Morton’s narrative takes the wonderful slow road in allowing the meaningful aspects to of the past relationship and their current feelings a slow recognition to be fully understood. I enjoyed that the reveal was part of the growing relationship. It was extremely satisfying to see such adult relationships here.

I also adore that Mal and Caden and their farm were very much involved in parts of this story. Hilarious and very entertaining.

So much laughter here as well as romance. The pages flew by. I can see this couple having so much entertainment and joy in their lives together going forward.

Paper Roses (Confetti Hitched Book 3) by Lily Morton will be a reread for me. I loved this couple so and it left me feeling so lighthearted and happy.

Another win and highly recommended story by this author for me.

Confetti Hitched:

Confetti Hearts #1

Something Borrowed #2

Paper Roses #3

Book Cover design by Natasha Snow Designs

Buy Link

Paper Roses (Confetti Hitched Book 3)

Blurb

Jed Walker thinks he’s having a midlife crisis. The only trouble is that it feels too good to stop.

Widowed at a young age, he’s spent his life since then avoiding any relationships that might end up hurting him again. He has his successful wedding planning business, Confetti Hitched, and a series of uncomplicated hookups, and that’s all he needs in life

The one person disrupting this controlled stoicism is his younger assistant, Artie. He’s sweet and kind and has a funny way of calming Jed’s mind. So, when Artie comes to him with a problem, Jed moves heaven and earth to help, which is how he finds himself entering a fake marriage with the younger man and catching feelings. Too bad it’s all pretend. Or is it?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a story about how love can completely derail the best-laid plans.

This is the third book in the Confetti Hitched series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Publication date: February 9, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 326 pages

Review: Duck and Dive (Rise and Shine Book 1) by G B Ralph

Rating: 4🌈

I discovered G B Ralph through his delightful cozy mysteries, The Milverton Mysteries. Ralph’s stories are tend towards the same elements. Character driven stories with the people , all of them with their faults included, fully realized and completely layered with human frailties. These characters carry the fears, joys as well as inabilities to move forward that the reader might recognize from their realities . It certainly makes them relatable.

If not occasionally a tad frustrating.

In this sweet, short trilogy, Ralph gives us the journey of Arthur and Gabriel, from Arthur’s awkward coming out to their relationship happily ending.

Each novella a sweet quick tale of a section of passage through that journey.

Duck and Dive starts it off with Arthur, an awkward Duckling trying to come out to friends and well, anyone, that’s he’s gay. And it’s not going well.

This is sweet, funny, painful in its own way in that you feel for Arthur in his fears and yearning to be out at his age. And his friends don’t make it easy.

Read all three together for a delightful lighthearted romantic afternoon.

Definitely recommended.

Cute covers

Rise and Shine Trilogy , complete :

Duck and Dive #1

Slip and Slide #2

Over and Out #3

Buy link

Duck and Dive (Rise and Shine Book 1)

Blurb

A gay romantic comedy novella about coming out and failing spectacularly.

Arthur knows it’s time he told his mates he’s gay. So what’s the holdup? He’s wound so tight he can’t get the words out – giving himself injuries, spilling his dinner, and all-round making a mess of it.

And that’s before the nosy neighbour gets involved with her spiced apple muffins. Or the elderly residents of the Sunset Villas retirement home start complicating matters. Not to mention the gorgeous straight guy from the driving range.

If only Arthur could get his act together…

Duck and Dive is a quick, light, and fun read – the first in the completed Rise and Shine series. It’s filled with buckets of banter, dashes of comic tragedy, and more food and booze than any story ought to have. Our boys are surrounded by a cast of chaotic characters and thrown into the most unlikely situations. Their story continues in Slip and Slide, and concludes in Over and Out.

‘I didn’t know what to expect, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I’m glad I did, otherwise that would’ve been a very awkward conversation.’ Author’s partner.

Publication date: May 22, 2020
Language: English
Print length: 115 pages

Review: Truth or Spare: Princes Take New York Book 2 by K. Sterling

Rating: 5🌈

Second story into K. Sterling’s Princes Take New York series and I have a favorite already. Funny, heartwarming, beautifully written, full of characters that make you feel invested in their lives and the story. And even side appearances from delightful people who have just become star players in this universe! Muriel, I’m looking at you!

Sterling’s series is exploring the future of each von Hessen prince. There’s four brothers and a cousin, Max, living in Manhattan, who abdicated his duties and title to Leo, the oldest. Leo’s story and romance was the first one in the series.

Still single are Theobald (this book), Matteo, and finally younger, brilliant brother Elio aka Eli. And that’s the order that the author looks to be following for their stories.

As Truth or Spare opens, the setting is once again, The Olympia, an elegant well known apartment building on 72nd Ave in Manhattan on the Upper West side. It’s home to many characters and couples of both series but it’s Muriel Hornby’s apartment where Matteo and Theo are currently staying. Muriel is now family and ,hilariously, an intimidating sidekick when needed.

Theobald Anton Christoph Aelbehrt von Hessen is feeling restless. Sterling gives the reader an immediate impression of a man cut loose from his life’s purpose. That of raising his brothers who are now young men and capable of making their own decisions.

His interactions with Matteo show the brotherly dynamic and immense love that they feel for each other. And Theo’s loss of purpose for himself.

His personality and strength of character will only be further enhanced as he decides on a choice of actions that take him on a bus ride to tiny Oslo, New York and the old lanes of Brooks Family Bowling.

Never have I loved a fish out of water tale so much as I have watching an Austrian , albeit anonymous, prince wander into an American small town, multiple suitcases in hand, with a joyous, exuberant outlook. And lots of German words. With some very astonished people there to welcome him.

Dewey Brooks, owner and operator of Brooks Family Bowling has his own issues to deal with. Dewey also has a deep love of his fractured family, his tiny town, and the Brook’s legacy as represented by the family’s bowling alley, which he’s determined to keep alive whatever the cost to him personally. How much he’s struggling isn’t fully understood at first. Or exactly what are the issues he’s been battling. Those get revealed slowly, by others and as forced by events during the narrative.

Theo and Dewey’s relationship as employer/employee is hilarious. As something more? Sweet, sexy, utterly heartwarming and engaging. So well written it felt intimate to be a part of their lives and journey. And Walter? More please.

I could just continue on. About the customers, family members, town. Oslo, New York just has something special. And so does this amazing book.

It’s funny, it’s generous of spirit, it’s kind hearted, sexy and sweet.

I’m hoping we make a beeline back here soon in Matteo’s novel. Until then, pick up this fantastic romantic comedy. It’s one I’m highly recommending. The author too. She’s on my auto read list.

Nannies of New York (6 book series) and must read.

Princes Take New York (connected and sequel series):

Jonathon, After All #1
Truth or Spare #2

Buy link:

Truth or Spare: Princes Take New York Book 2

Blurb:

Split happens.

Too cynical to pin his hopes on a miracle, Dewey “Doobie” Brooks has his doubts when a charming stranger arrives in Oslo, New York, looking for a job and a place to stay. Running the family bowling alley, raising his brother’s son, and hiding an autoimmune disorder have left him in need of help—but finding a capable, reliable adult in his small town has been hopeless.

Theo von Hessen is neither capable nor reliable. An Austrian prince and philanthropist with a reputation for being an unrepentant playboy, he has never held a real job and is clueless about manual labor. But the moment he sees a “help wanted” sign and Oslo’s tired town hero, Theo’s convinced fate sent him there to make a difference.

It isn’t all fun and games at Brooks Family Bowling. Dewey is at his wits’ end and doesn’t know what to make of his new employee. Is Theo on the run, or is this some reality-show stunt? Neither can deny their attraction and romance strikes, but will Theo wind up in the gutter when his true identity is revealed—or has he finally found his purpose and a chance to rewrite his own story?

Publisher: Bawdy Books (February 4, 2025)
Publication date: February 4, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 267 pages

Review: Handy (Four Bears Construction Book 8) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s fantastic to be back in Fall Crosse, Wisconsin , the small town that’s the heart and home of K.M. Neuhold’s three interconnected contemporary romance series. Four Bears Construction Company launched them all and the author is keeping the series going and heartwarmingly fresh with the latest release, Handy.

It’s the eighth book and it’s wonderful. While I’ll always love Stone and Dare’s romance because it’s just hilarious, Neuhold had me at park ranger and bird nerd with Ledger. While there were other aspects of Ledger that had me sighing ( not in a good way, it’s the raccoon) , Neuhold represents his job (low pay, high knowledge, passionate) extremely well. Neuhold writes layered, believable characters.

Griff too was a great character. One easy to emphasize with, as he’s in stasis, the loss of his husband, his own grief and inability to understand how to let go and move forward keeping him emotionally and in a way, physically isolated. So well written. We can understand this man and why he’s allowed himself to get mired down.

Until Ledger, that human vibrating ball of fantastic positivity and bear crushing energy next door comes calling. Or maybe more accurately his DIY house does. And his pet raccoon, TP.

I will admit to the fact of someone, even a ‘Ranger’, having a raccoon as a pet is an issue for me because of past experiences that have not gone well for the animals. But the way Neuhold realistically describes the huge damage the raccoon does to the house (holes chewed constantly in the walls) and furniture as a fact of its every day life made this aspect of the storyline well documented. Thank you for relating that wildlife comes with wildlife instincts.

The relationship that develops between Griff and Ledger is one I adore. They flirt, or Ledger does and Griff slowly moves forward towards acceptance that he’s ready for a new relationship and love. They communicate, get sexy, Ledger imparts bird facts and together they become a couple who is engaging, realistic, and heartwarming.

Plus those are some truly special bird facts! I’d be won over.

Ledger has a best friend who is also a park ranger, Jericho, a single man in search of his HEA. I suspect his story is coming. Although it may be in the Ink Slingers series.

I love the series and Handy is among my favorites here. I’ve listed them all below as well as the two other connected series.

Be sure to check them out. Highly recommended.

Book and Cover design by Natasha Snow Designs

Four Bears Construction :

Caulky #1 (Ren and Cole)

Nailed #2 (Dare and Stone)

Hardwood #3 (Watson and Ev)

Screwed #4 (Ollie and Daniel)

Stud #5 (Sawyer and West)

Stripped #6 (Miller and Demetri)

Drilled #7 (Apollo and Ridge)

Handy #8 (Griff and Ledger)

Connecting sequel series, same town and crossover characters:

🔷Big Bull Mechanics (5 books to date series)

🔷Ink Slingers (2 book to date series)

Buy link

Handy (Four Bears Construction Book 8)

Blurb

My new neighbor may be grumpy but he’s also hot, and very good with his hands…

I definitely overestimated my own handyman skills when I bought this fixer-upper. I have to say, the view from my new place is worth it though. Especially around seven o’clock every morning when my big, furry bear of a neighbor drinks his coffee shirtless on his back porch.

He’s dedicated to the bear thing too. Growly, grumpy, and as it turns out, he really likes belly rubs.

Am I a sucker for a touch starved grump? Yes. Am I sorry about it? Absolutely not.

Getting Griff into my house and into my bed is the easy part. Convincing him I’m actually interested in him is so much harder.

I didn’t mean to turn myself into his secret admirer, but if sending him anonymous presents and notes is the only way to wear down his gruff exterior, then that’s what I’m going to do.

Sooner or later he’ll realize he’s more than just my grumpy handyman, right?

Handy is a super low angst, high heat, romantic comedy featuring a grumpy “Bear” (not the shifter kind 😉 ), and his sunshiney neighbor who becomes his secret admirer. It can be read as a stand alone but the most enjoyment will be from reading it as part of the full Four Bears Construction Series.

Publication date: February 3, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 208 pages

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