Review: Drive the Net (Delay of Game, #1) by Hannah Henry

Rating: 3🌈

Hockey romances are my jam so when I see a series by an author I’m not familiar with I’m sure to pick it up , starting with the first novel.

Drive the Net (Delay of Game, #1) by Hannah Henry Is that first book in Henry’s hockey’s romance series and it’s a sweet one. For readers looking for a quick, uncomplicated sweet romance with an adorable dog character, Drive the Net is that book. You don’t need to understand or especially like sports to enjoy this couple.

Which is part of the issue I have with this story. But let’s starts with positives.

The main characters are likable, cute together and the romance sweet

It’s extremely low angst

Well integrated dog character (yes, that’s important because so often it’s not a well done element)

It’s a HFN and quick sweet read

Issues:

The age gap (10 years) isn’t noticeable because of the personalities. Ryan Cosgrove at thirty two doesn’t come off often as much older than the twenty two Jackson Harper in their actions and dialogue. He should as a senior player but he doesn’t.

This age gap should bring up significant questions and discussions. For Ryan about his hockey longevity at his age and prospects about being traded. Same for Jackson if he does well. He’s at the beginning of his career and Ryan is starting towards the end. Is any of this discussed? No, granted they are in the beginning of the relationship but they are hockey players and things like that are foremost in every player’s mind.

Then there’s the entire aspect about Ryan being “closeted “ but suddenly he’s in a relationship with a teammate. There’s no discussion about that with the team, coach or PR staff, which is unrealistic. Even with the coaching staff being supportive. This element is ignored.

Jackson’s emotionally abusive relationship with his mother and dysfunctional one with his father.

This is a big part of his storyline until it’s dropped without further explanation. If an author wants to make a character have this sort of family history and include it into their narrative, then realistically they should carry through with it in a satisfying and meaningful manner. Abandoning it by saying Ryan told him not to take the calls, then nothing about this demanding parent who had no boundaries? Unrealistic and makes this aspect of his character seem like just another example of how not to write a storyline.

Then there’s the hockey. Most of it happens off the page. There’s no on ice excitement, no thrills, no adrenaline rush to be had. We’re told someone got a score or didn’t. This might as well as been any sport . Plus a reader new to hockey won’t understand anything about the sport here, what league this team is in, trading, and there’s no realistic team dynamics involved to give a better understanding of the game other than a bare minimum about a line coming together. For someone new what’s that even mean exactly? Give them an opportunity to see it. We get more dog action (love Lola btw) than we do hockey.

I’m going to check out the others to see if there’s a difference in how the sport is approached . The other books involve different teams in other states (from the descriptions ) so I don’t expect to see any carryover from novel to novel. Could be wrong.

I’ll see how far I get.

For readers looking for a quick , low angst , uncomplicated sweet romance that’s a HFN this just might fit the bill. Sometimes that’s all a reader may want. Not me but someone.

Delay of Game:

✓ Drive the Net #1

◦ Off-Ice Behavior #2

◦ Draft Bust #3

◦ Empty Netter #4

◦ Offensive Edge #5

◦ Home Ice Disadvantage #6

Buy Link:

Drive the Net (Delay of Game Book 1)

Blurb:

Jackson Harper had barely gotten his feet wet in the NHL before he was traded from LA to The Minnesota Northern Lights. It’s hard not to take it personally, but he is going to make the most of being the only out gay hockey player in Minnesota. He’s going to play so well that everyone is forced to talk about his hockey instead of his sexuality. Plus, if he focuses all of his effort on his game, he can ignore his freshly broken heart.

Ryan Cosgrove is thirty-two, which means he’s practically a geriatric hockey player. He won a cup a long time ago, and now all that’s left is his empty house, his golden retriever, Lola, the tail end of his hockey career, and the weight of loneliness as everyone in his life pairs off to start families. It’s hard to put effort into a personal life when you’re closeted, but since he’s the only vet on the team without a partner or kids, it’s obvious for Ryan to give Jackson his guest room for the season.

Their friendship is fast and easy, budding into a legendary bromance, if The Northern Lights’ social media is to be believed. Ryan is calm and steady, an anchor when Jackson needs one. Jackson’s magnetic personality pulls Ryan out of his shell. But despite the best of their intentions to keep their relationship friendly and professional, their feelings keep slipping into romantic territory.

Ryan has been down this road before. He can’t make the mistake of falling for a teammate again. Plus, Jackson is ten years younger than him. Jackson needs to focus on hockey, healing his recently broken heart, and doing even one thing his parents will be proud of him for. Getting into a relationship in the middle of the season with his liney and roommate is a recipe for disaster.

But despite all the best intentions, Jackson keeps finding himself in Ryan’s arms. Will their feelings blow up in their faces, or can they figure out a way to have a real relationship?

Drive the Net is a low-angst, age-gap, MM hockey romance.

Review: The Head Game (Relationship Goals #2) by Brigham Vaughn

Rating: 5🌈

The Head Game is the latest in Brigham Vaughn’s terrific hockey romance series. Centered in the AHL team, the Toronto Fisher Cats, we’ve already had an amazing story about the team’s captain and a former Olympic figure skating champion. Great characters, incredible elements, and real depth. Set the bar high for the next book.

But The Head Game easily rises to those same heights in some similar ways and some very different ones. The couple this time is referee August Manning and D-man Nico Arents. Arents is a figure from the first book, as is much of the team. The trope here is fake engagement/fiancé just as the first book’s was “woke up married “.

And Vaughn has shown , as she did in The Husband Game, that a popular, much read theme can feel fresh and exciting if given the right creative choices made in elements, layering, language,and chemistry .

The Head Game has all that in abundance.

Each book looks to start with a common trope, and featuring one of the characters with a deep personal issue that arises that needs to be addressed and resolved, together. And often the other person has a past history that brings a realistic perspective to the dynamic and their relationship.

Vaughn’s ability to bring the reader immediately into the lives of these men is remarkable. From August’s heartfelt pain over his ex marrying someone else to the excruciating minutes on the ice when Nico is hit, not once but twice, the reader feels every bit of those moments.

And don’t even get me started on those scenes with the doctor and Nico at the hospital. Bring tissues. Which brings us to the huge aspect of this story. That’s the brain tumor, surgery, and slow recovery that Nico undergoes here. It’s realistically portrayed, from the beginning headaches to the seizures to the frustrations that come with a body that’s slow to heal. I felt like I was going through it along with Auggie and Nico, it was so well done. But for some, it might be an element that might be too raw, you need to decide for yourself.

I loved how Charlie (The Husband Game) was included to talk about recovery (his story involved anorexia, as well as other aspects) and acceptance. A wonderful piece of work.

Plus we have the absolute heartbreak of one man’s loss of a career. That devastation is a part of this story I wasn’t expecting to feel as deeply or was so stunning an element. But it was an emotional part of this journey as was the physical part for Nico. Amazing execution on this author’s part.

So much of this novel is written so beautifully that it’s easy to read and overlook the smallest details. There’s the family members of Nico’s, described warmly and lovingly, August’s brother Julius, Nico’s pregnant friend Sky, and all the members of Toronto Fisher Cats. We are getting to know each of them in greater depth with each book as the author sets them up for the new romance to follow.

This series is turning into a comfort read for me. I love it when that happens. And when I can rec not one but two books so easily as I can hear? Perfect!

Stay tuned for The Waiting Game!

Relationship Goals:

✓ The Husband Game #1

✓ The Head Game #2

◦ The Waiting Game #3 – Feb 29, 2024

◦ The Home Game #4 – tbd

◦ The Blame Game #5 – tbd

Buy Link :

The Head Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 2)

Blurb:

Nico Arents Rushed to Hospital After In-Game Fall—Mystery Beau Revealed?

The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo.

Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice.

The incident raises serious questions after referee August Manning was spotted in the same hospital shortly after Arents was admitted.

Recent rumors have swirled around Arents’ involvement with someone within the league. Could Manning be the mystery man?

A credible source claims the two are engaged. “He has been so doting! He’s barely left Nico’s side.”

Tongues are wagging as their off-ice involvement throws Manning’s on-ice impartiality into question.

How will the league react? Thus far, they have declined to comment but given the new Code of Conduct, there will be some tough questions to answer for these men to keep their romance and their careers.

TRIGGER WARNING: Contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer. HEA guaranteed but please reach out if you have further questions.

Review: Blitzed (Rules of Possession Book 3) by S.E. Harmon

Rating: 4.5🌈

From the sharp dialogue to the layered plotting and fabulous characters, I think this is my favorite of the series. I absolutely fell in love with each man Harmon created here, whether it is the warmhearted NFL tight end Andrew McAdams or the emotionally wounded Jesse Fox, who helps to run Rainbow Harbor for LGBTGIA youth. These men have such dimensions that they vividly come alive on these pages. We see them with their own issues, support systems, and emotional capacity to move forward with their relationship, even when it scares them.

And Harmon, with her excellent work, gives us scenes of intimacy, emotional trauma, family drama, great personal joy and humor as Andrew and Jesse work together to create a relationship as well as a family of two for themselves.

I was so invested in every part of this story. Whether it was the kids, teenagers of Rainbow Harbor , the McAdams family members or those of the Outlaws teams, or even the people like Joshua, who worked at Rainbow Harbor , an exceptional group of people. Honestly, I could see a series about them and the people who are working there and the kids who are part of it. It’s such an amazing, heartfelt element.

It’s also the only aspect of the story where I felt that we didn’t get closure. What happened to Harper? Im so into that teenager’s story. Forget about Trace King, give me Harper.

There’s some small things with editing but the fantastic narrative just connected me so much to these men and their journey that it just felt insignificant.

I could just use a bit more. Of them, of Rainbow Harbor, of those great boys.

Which is why I’m highly recommending this series and story. They do leave a wonderful impression.

Rules of Possession:

✓ The Blueprint #1

✓ A Deeper Blue #2

✓ Blitzed #3

Buy Link:

Blitzed (Rules of Possession Book 3)

Blurb:

NFL tight end Andrew McAdams isn’t thrilled to be sidelined with an injury. He’s even less thrilled about his legal troubles. Community service is the only thing standing between him and jail so…yeah. That’s a no-brainer. It’s not all bad news, though. He gets to work with Jesse Fox, who is as gorgeous as he is guarded. And there’s no rule saying he can’t do his hours and have a little fun. Right?

Wrong. Jesse may have to put up an athlete using his center as a “get out of jail free” card, but that’s where he draws the line. And who cares if Andrew is unexpectedly sweet and thoughtful? The people in Jesse’s life think he should get a life outside of charity work and find love. And maybe he will. But it won’t be with a playboy NFL player wearing an ankle monitor as an accessory. Besides, anyone who dated someone like that would be thrust into the public eye. Jesse has worked hard to become someone else—someone better—and he’s not about to dig up the past.

That’s just not a game he’s willing to play.

Too bad it’s not in Andrew’s nature to give up on something he wants. It may have started as simple attraction, but now it’s much more than that. He doesn’t just want Jesse for now…he wants Jesse for always.

And that’s not a game he’s willing to lose.

Review: Dealing Him In (The Kings: Royal Flush Book 1) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dealing Him In is the start of a new Kings universe series by Charlie Cochet and it’s a terrific one. So easy to dive into the high action and sexy romance between retiring Fire Chief Valentino “Val” Serrano and Kings bodyguard Santos “Saint” Cavallero that my time with the book just slid merrily by.

There’s age gap, bi-sexual awakening ,a mystery, bombs, adrenaline rush, and real chemistry between two men so this romance really ignites and makes me feel as though this relationship has a firm grounding to it.

While you don’t have to be familiar with the other series and characters, it certainly makes it easier when they appear to support Val and Saint in their tentative romance and baby steps toward a HEA, and through the entire events that will occur during the storyline.

There’s plenty of drama to be found here, and various types of support needed.

Each man has realistic doubts about the relationship, the age gap and barriers raised due to personal issues and their own struggles. Cochet did a balanced job in creating a healthy relationship with the men, and advice from friends that carefully helped them understand the stumbling blocks they had raised between each other.

Have to admit I loved the use of the Malinois, but that’s on me. I’m such a sucker for dogs , especially when they’re used appropriately as the author does here with Chip.

Wonderful work all the way up to and through that adrenaline rush of an ending! Fabulous first book of a new series and addition to the Kings Security universe.

Now to wait on the release of book two next year!

Until then I’m highly recommending Dealing Him In (The Kings: Royal Flush Book 1) by Charlie Cochet !

The Kings: Royal Flush:

Dealing Him In #1

Calling His Bluff #2 – Aug 6, 2024

Buy Link :

Dealing Him In (The Kings: Royal Flush Book 1)

Blurb:

Play with fire, and you’ll get burned.

Santos “Saint” Cavallero had his life all figured out when he married his high school sweetheart, joined the Navy, and became a SEAL. After years of being deployed, Saint comes home for good, only to discover his wife has fallen for another man. Now divorced and a bodyguard for Four Kings Security, Saint loves his job and his found family. His dating life? A hot mess, until the spark of an unexpected attraction strikes him like lightning, leaving Saint confused. Why is he feeling hot and bothered over the ruggedly handsome Fire Chief?

After twenty years of service, Valentino “Val” Serrano is passing his fire ax on to the next Fire Chief. His retirement starts off with a bang, literally. Val is saved by the young, hot bodyguard he’s been dreaming of for longer than he cares to admit, but Saint is straight, isn’t he?

Val and Saint get roped into working on Val’s tavern, but Val is determined not to let Saint get under his skin. He’s been here before, and he’s not about to risk his heart, no matter how hot and flirty Saint is. When a killer sets his sights on Val and puts everyone he cares about in harm’s way, there’s suddenly more at risk than their hearts. If Val and Saint don’t stop the killer, their whole world could burn to the ground, and the possibility of a future together will go up in smoke.

FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE

STANDALONES

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts-Standalone (Spencer and Quinn. Quinn is Ace and Lucky’s cousin.) Can be read any time before In the Cards.

FOUR KINGS SECURITY

🔹Love in Spades-Book 1 (Ace and Colton)

🔹Ante Up-Book 1.5 (Seth and Kit)

Free short story

🔹Be Still My Heart-Book 2 (Red and Laz)

🔹Join the Club-Book 3 (Lucky and Mason)

🔹Diamond in the Rough-Book 4 (King and Leo)

🔹In the Cards-Book 4.5 (Spencer and Quinn’s wedding.)

FOUR KINGS SECURITY BOXED SET

Boxed Set includes all 4 main Four Kings Security novels: Love in Spades, Be Still My Heart, Join the Club, and Diamond in the Rough.

BLACK OPS: OPERATION ORION’S BELT

🔹Kept in the Dark-Book 1 (Standalone series can be read anytime)

THE KINGS: WILD CARDS

🔹Stacking the Deck-Book 1 (Jack and Fitz).

🔹Raising the Ante-Book 2 (Frank and Joshua)

🔹Sleight of Hand-Book 3 (Joker and Gio)

THE KINGS: WILD CARDS BOXED SET Boxed Set includes all 3 main The Kings: Wild Cards books: Stacking the Deck, Raising the Ante, Sleight of Hand, and bonus story In the Cards.

RUNAWAY GROOMS SERIES

🔹Aisle Be There

🔹To Have and Witthold

THE KINGS: ROYAL FLUSH

🔹Dealing Him In

🔹Calling His Bluff”

Review: Not Dating Material (Accidental Love, #2) by Saxon James

Rating: 4🌈

I struggled with the rating for many reasons. I had been looking forward to a story that was about the strange dynamic between Seven and Xander, two of my favorite characters. And I wondered how James would create a perfect person to fold into the existing tight relationship. And what that personality would be like.

Honestly, Molly wouldn’t be my choice of person or character to fit into the tight family. But that’s just me. I found Molly swung between irritating or grating while still appreciative of some of the aspects of his personality that James’ wrote into his character.

I thought her portrait of Seven’s as someone afraid of being hurt, again was so well done. Of being open to the exact same emotions that ended up being the thing that damaged him was so beautifully written. It goes perfectly with the well established abuse suffered by Xander. The reader can understand how their dynamic developed and why they are so codependent upon each other still, deeply emotional as family/brothers.

It’s such a strong element here that Molly , is a lesser player just by being himself. I liked that James wrote in the way he was able to examine his own actions and past experiences. And then try to understand how to use people’s help to move on. But he equally at times just feels too superficial in comparison.

I don’t know. I just felt that his character, the“I’m so cute “ personality came across as too much so often of the time. Couldn’t invest in his character or his romantic life.

Which was a shame because I adore Seven and Xander. So two thirds of this story I was anticipating a different kind of partnership. Oh well.

Many will feel differently.

I’m enjoying the series and look forward to the next book.

Accidental Love:

✓ The Husband Hoax #1

✓ Not Dating Material #2

◦ The Revenge Agenda #3 -Feb 28, 2024

Buy Link:

Not Dating Material (Accidental Love Book 2)

Blurb:

MOLLY

Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.

I have new roommates–quirky, sometimes strange, roommates–a nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still don’t feel like I belong. Plus, it turns out the men in Seattle are exactly the same as the ones I left behind, and my string of romantic disconnections continues.

It’s not until one of my roommates, Seven, hits me with some hard truths that I realize where I was going wrong.

Maybe the men aren’t the problem.

I am.

And there’s only one way to fix that.

SEVEN

Being found tied up naked to my bed by my cute new roommate isn’t an ideal way for us to start a friendship.

But apparently a quid-pro-quo is.

He keeps his pretty lips zipped about the compromising position, and I step in as his dating coach. We go out, I note where he’s going wrong, and he magically becomes dating material.

The problem is, between my codependent brother Xander and a new best friend I can’t get rid of, Molly and I are the target of a matchmaking scheme. My life is way too busy to add another person to it, and Molly is the kinda guy who needs to be made a priority, which I just can’t do. Xander’s medical anxiety takes up too much of my time, and I’ve never found a partner who doesn’t resent it.

I’m determined to help Molly find his ever after.

But that guy will never be me.

Review: Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1) by Saxon James

Rating: 3.75🌈

This book has so many interesting elements to offer plus an author I’m a fan of. Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1) by Saxon James has a best friends to lovers trope, a bi-sexual awakening low angst romance with characters that have several different aspects to their lives that makes this a tad different from the usual contemporary fiction.

One of the main characters, Roo, is an epileptic who has families in both the US and Australia, where he’s from originally, hence the nickname. His disability progresses to the point, that , he decides to have surgery to reduce the amount and extent of the episodes he’s having. And that necessitates a return to Australia after high school graduation in the US.

His best friend all through school and adolescence is Tanner. A great friend, both as a boy and man, and someone who’s dealing with his lifelong learning disability, dyslexia. It’s keeping him from a permanent position as a firefighter as he can’t pass the written exams. Tanner was Roo’s support through school when the bullying got to him, when the epileptic seizures had Roo crashing to the ground in hallways and classrooms, with the expected ramifications from classmates who didn’t care or understand.

James has written two well defined men, a realistic small town near Portland with all the flaws , challenges, and pluses that come with living in that environment. Then James gives the reader a window into the minds and hearts of Tanner and Roo as they explore the adults they’ve become in the time they were apart. And what they might have now they are together again.

Based on the reviews I read, I expected to connect with them and their story more than I did. I appreciate the work James put in here creating the location, their backgrounds, and the attention to detail where Roo’s epilepsy is concerned.

The rating is for the overall quality and storytelling.

Personally, I found myself just too detached from the men themselves to be engaged in their relationship, let alone their life choices. James never pulled me into either of these men’s situations emotionally. It could have been the way they handled their issues, a drawn out , now we do , now we don’t, ok we do meandering mess. Or side elements within the narrative that bothered me. Those get to me a lot, picking away at any connectivity I might have.

With Tanner it’s his trait of just being so dense or oblivious, even after the entire town it seems has pointed out how his actions and emotions have been pointed towards a deep bond between him and Roo. I just can’t do dense as a brick anymore. Pls stop.

Then there’s the way his sexual awakening is explained and is drawn out here. It feels repetitive, not in a way that makes the reader think Tanner’s always getting the context, see dense above.

Then there’s the fact that he’s refusing help for his dyslexia, a reading disorder, that’s keeping him from his dream job and stability. None of the objections as stated make sense, but appear to be that author’s tool needed for a scenario where something else happens down the storylines.

Roo’s epilepsy is part of him, defining his school years by his seizures and bullying. I feel he’s the more layered character here. However, there’s hints of a bitter family divide between the parents, and a mother whose behavior seems very controlling and actually mean spirited here. Was it James’ intention to write a mother whose words indicate how very opposed she is to Tanner in every way, clearly thinking that Tanner isn’t good enough for her son. Then, years ago when she “whisks” Roo back home to Australia and now as she tries to get Roo to leave again. And basically, the author and Roo give the woman a pass, writing it as just part of her “character “.

Well, I’d call it toxic but I’m not writing the script, obviously.

No, I couldn’t get emotionally invested here. Enjoyed the location, the side characters and small town citizenry, and aspects of the storytelling. Read it because I liked Saxon James.

If you like contemporary romance, this author, and any of the elements I mentioned above, then give this a try. It’s the first of a four novels series to date.

Never Just Friends series:

✓ Just Friends #1

◦ Fake Friends #2

◦ Getting Friendly #3

◦ Friendly Fire #4

Buy Link:

Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1)

Blurb:

Roo

Five years ago, I walked away from Sunbury, Oregon, and left my best friend behind.

The move was supposed to get my life on track. I even had a list.

Life changing epilepsy surgery. Check.

See the world. Check.

Get over my straight best friend … Not exactly.

No matter where I go or who I meet, I can’t let Tanner go.

I’m back to tell him how I feel. To get the closure I need once and for all.

Only now I’m here and falling for him all over again, it’s getting harder to say the words.

Because once I have my closure, I’ll be gone.

And this time it will be for good.

Tanner

When my best friend, Roo, left for Australia, it was the worst day of my life.

I thought we’d have each other always.

But Roo needed the surgery so I let him go, thinking he’d come straight back.

Five years is a long time.

Now he’s here, all I want is to hold on tight.

I need to show him what he means to me.

The problem is, I’m not exactly sure what that is.

My draw to him has always been confusing and different—everyone in town says so. But I struggle to understand it.

All I know is I won’t survive him leaving again.

And I’ll do anything to make him stay.

Just Friends is a best friends-to-lovers romance with an oblivious MC, only one bed, and terrible kangaroo jokes.

Review: French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton

Rating: 5🌈

“Choose love not in the shallows but in the deep.” – Christina Rossetti”

— French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton

French Fancy rose right into a tie for the top spot for favorite Lily Morton romances and, happily, into my small comfort read list of books I must have by my bedside to grab as needed for emergency occasions.

I picked it up when I got the notification it was out and, finished at 4 am in the morning, as a grumpy canine companion can attest to. I probably would have finished sooner but I kept going backwards over certain areas, laughing until I had tears in my eyes, or giggling in sheer appreciation of some of the sharpest dialogue and snappy interchanges in recent memory between characters.

Help me, some of those phrases are setting me off still! I don’t want to bring them up here for several reasons. One, I doubt Amazon would let most of the quotes get through with their racy content but more importantly, it’s because I want the readers to have the spontaneous delight in coming across them in context and having their own reactions! Whatever they may be.

This book and characters just does it for me! Ticks all my boxes in terms of excellent storytelling, fabulous writing, and memorable characters.

I could talk about character development and depth of personality but, honestly, the best thing I can say about French Fancy is that it’s not as if I’m reading a story about characters , but seeing people living their best lives, finding their true paths with help from their friends and families, whether they be through blood or through a foundation built by connections. I absolutely feel I know and genuinely love these people, would recognize them if I met them.

If someone asked me about them, I think I might actually reply as I would if you’d asked about a friend “yes, they’re doing fabulous last I heard , finally!”.

Pip Simmonds, Olivier Durand, the gorgeous villa Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, they have found a permanent place in my heart. It didn’t take long. My TBR pile will suffer as I’m heading back for a reread.

I really need more of them and look forward of getting that in future books to come just as saw delightful , moving scenes with Dean and Jonas and Ruby, their daughter.

I wish I could go higher than 5. Oh well.

Lily Morton goes deep into the fears of loss, the endurance people are capable of, the strength of the support of families and friends, and, finally, how, the power of love can overcome even the most painful of barriers.

French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton is a fantastic book and one I’ll have one reread. I’m highly recommending it!

The Model Agency:

✓ The Sunny Side #1

✓ French Fancy #2

Buy Link:

French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2)

Blurb:

Pip Simmonds is the twinkiest twink in London. He’s loud, proud, and packed to the brim with sass. But when he’s laid low by illness, even his hotpants lose their sparkle and his worried boss sends him to the South of France to recuperate in his holiday home.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is beautiful, and the periwinkle-blue villa is luxurious, but the real draw for Pip is the villa’s other resident—his boss’s younger brother, Olivier Durand.

Olivier owns a perfume empire and has spent his whole life running from any other form of commitment. He’s worldly, carefree, wild, and the perfect choice for a holiday fling.

Drawn together by proximity, the two men become lovers and friends and then something more. Something special. But will their special bond hold true after summer’s end, when they both must return to their real lives?

This is the second book in the bestselling Model Agency series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Review: Bad Boys (Hot Off The Ice Book 7) by A. E. Wasp

Rating: 4🌈

I’ve enjoyed A. E. Wasp’s hockey romance series, Hot Off The Ice, since the first book debuted back on June 29, 2017. That was the lovely City Boy, about farmer Dakota and closeted NHL player Bryce Lowery.

Now at book 7, with 2 more novels planned, the series continues with the Seattle Thunder going strong and a new troubled arrival from Las Vegas coming for a second and perhaps only last chance to make it in the NHL.

Bad Boys is a hurt/comfort, age gap redemption love story. And when it works great when it stays on the main couple’s relationship, and Noah’s journey to a more well adjusted, healthy adult who can then carry that new understanding over into his career. Those things make Bad Boys a terrific read.

There’s many aspects to Bad Boys that A.E. Wasp does so well narratively speaking. Her characters are so well done, layered with their own unique personalities and combined with elements that speak to their passions and strengths. If they’re hockey players, we see the difference in physicality between them and other people. We get great team dynamics and a depth of understanding about the game. For characteristics, if they’re cooks, business peoples or whatever, Wasp has given each the right amount of detail that they can standout and still be able to be believable and alive. This will add to the richness of the story and hurt it when certain people drop out of sight.

The relationship between Adam and Noah is engaging and wonderful to be a part of. It’s funny, serious, sexy , and real. While there is an age gap, it’s not mentioned or discussed much here, in the relationship or elsewhere. I only found that odd when it was brought up that Adam had played with Noah’s father, however, no mention of either man’s age at the time (Adam or Noah’s dad), although it was said Noah was very young at the time.

Wasp brings therapy into the storyline as a means to get healthy and understand what is driving certain aspects of a person’s behaviors. And how to counteract these behaviors through therapy. It’s a great tool for both men and the league. It was wonderful seeing it here.

Team dynamics, Noah’s redemption within the team and himself is real and fully worth the book. You can see him struggling with his toxic relationship with his father, it’s ramifications, and his mental awareness that allows him to move forward. All amazing elements here.

Same goes for Adam’s grief over his failed marriage and hidden secrets about his dead husband. That actually needed more page time for Adam to finish that chapter of his life. But the author is speeding towards the finish line.

Which brings me to what is still bothering me about this story.

Usually it’s a case of the disappearing animal character that has me so irritated. But here it’s a father, island, and a married couple. Read on but there’s spoilers ahead.

Elements that weren’t allowed to come to fruition or were dropped completely. ⛔️ Spoiler Alert ⛔️

1. Noah Braterman’s toxic father and his relationship with him. The last mention of this man was that the coach was fielding his insistent nasty phone calls, informing Noah the man was coming across as unhinged. Not a single word or sentence afterwards was given over to this man or large section of Noah’s redemptive storyline where he dealing with the toxicity of an adolescence and adulthood under this man. It’s an emotional matter not dealt with, and I can’t understand that. It’s not logical not to include at least some semblance of closure.

2. Then in a connected storyline thread, there’s the unexpected, startling way that the island and mansion were made to disappear from Adam’s life. Towards the end, Dev , the BIL, arranges for a Japanese firm to buy both the island and mansion. Deal done, and a major narrative element is dealt with and vanishes. Just a few sentences and buhbye. Goodbye to all the important scenes, places, whales, the boat, everything. Which brings us to big number 3.

3. Guess who else disappeared with the mansion and island not to be mentioned again. The all important, ever heartwarming fabulous strong women characters who live on the island too. The ones who have been Adam’s support system for years and who the readers get to know and love almost as completely as everyone else in this book. That’s Annie or Ms Potts and her ceramic artist wife, Tracy. They live on the caretaker’s cottage on the island and are a big part of not only Adam’s life, past and present, but become part of Noah’s as well. After parting with Adam in an emotional scene to tell him to, basically, go get his man, they disappear. Not a word about these important people is written again in this book. No goodbye’s, nothing. Not even a vague statement of missing them.

“You’re moving off the island?” Paul asked.

“Yep. It’s sold. House and island together.””

— Bad Boys (Hot Off the Ice Book 7) by A. E. Wasp

A.E. Wasp writes in her author’s notes that it took her years to finish this book. If that’s the case, then I would have expected that the issues that popped up and have stayed with me to the detriment of the overall polished product and satisfaction I derived from Bad Boys to have been resolved.

I wonder about these issues. In the epilogue, the happy couple talk about inviting people over to their new place. Guess who’s not included in that list? Yup, the women who held Adam together.

If I was Wasp’s editor, that would have been on my list for things easily inserted that would have been expected and made readers happy.

So it turned out that Bad Boys is a good book but not a great one. I’m interested in seeing what the next two books will be about. And if some of the things that are a bit flawed here can get corrected in books to come.

I’m recommending this as a good hockey romance, part of a terrific series, and one that fans of this author won’t want to miss.

Off The Ice Series:

✓ City Boy #1

✓ Country Boy #2

✓ Skater Boy #3

✓ Boy Toys #4

✓ Boy Next Door #5

✓ Boys of Summer #6

✓ Bad Boys #7

Buy link:

Bad Boys (Hot Off the Ice Book 7)

Blurb:

Behave or be benched.

Noah Braterman’s hotheaded attitude may cost him his NHL career before it truly begins. After alienating his current teammates, coaches, fans, and the press, Noah gets a second chance to prove his worth when he’s traded to the Seattle Thunder with one ultimatum—lose the attitude or lose his spot on the team.

Enter Adam Labatt, former NHL player, and Noah’s last, best Vegas fling.

After his own rocky past in the show, Adam turned himself around and is now being asked by his old mentor to help Noah learn to play well with others. Living in isolation on his private island and still guilt-ridden over the way his marriage ended, how can Adam possibly mentor anyone? But the man he shared an unexpectedly intimate passionate night with is worth fighting for, even if he has to fight Noah himself.

Forced into close quarters, the walls they’ve erected to protect themselves crumble as they share their hopes, dreams, and fears.

Fate brought them together. Now it’s up to them to find the courage to face the world unafraid. If they do, they just might create a future better than they could have imagined that night in Vegas under the desert stars.

Review: Like I Pictured (Heather Bay, #0.5) by Charlie Novak

Rating: 3.5🌈

Like I Pictured is the prequel to Novak’s Heather Bay series. It introduces the reader to the series setting, a richly detailed and glorious scenic Yorkshire coastal landscape, complete with horseshoe bay, quaint village and hilltop castle.

We meet several of the series regulars including the two main characters here in this romance. That’s the fantasy author Anders Flynn, who’s from Heather Bay and photographer Bastian Roche, whose home it will become because of Anders.

I liked this story because of the introduction Novak gives us to Heather Bay. We see it in far greater depth and detail than we do in the later stories. From the moment Bastian views it from his car to his walks through the streets exploring shops and looking at the residences, it’s an closeup portrait of this village we won’t see again. And it’s one that will resonate with the reader, making Heather Bay come alive in every way.

Like I Pictured also does an amazing job in defining both main characters. Each totally different in from their age and outlook, Novak is able to create fully dimensional personalities with realistic backgrounds and depth of character. It’s easy to believe in them , their professions, and the manner in which they interact with each other.

Alas, it’s the last the suffers from the shortness of length here. While Novak has written a splendid location, given the story two fully realized, well defined characters, it’s in their relationship development where the romance faltered.

It starts off promising. I love the texts between them as they get closer to each other. But for the majority of the exploratory conversations and important part of the relationship, it happens “off page “. So the other aspect is one of a “meet, one night, move in” sequence. It just doesn’t do justice to the rest of the story and foundation work.

Rushed? Uh yes.

Like I Pictured (Heather Bay, #0.5) by Charlie Novak lays the groundwork for the series and the group of people that will be the found family of friends to find their HEA in this magical world Novak has created.

In truth, it’s a lovely romance and I enjoyed it. It’s just I had read the other books and backtracked to this one so I knew the voices and had them as an established couple already.

For me this is Heather Bay light compared to the other stories. But I wouldn’t have readers who are fans of the series or author miss out on it. It’s very lovely and a recommendation for you.

Heather Bay series :

✓ Like I Pictured #0.5

✓ Like I Promised #1

✓ Like I Wished #2

✓ Like I Needed #3

✓ Like I Pretended #4

◦ Like I Wanted #5 – Sept 28,2023

Buy Link:

Like I Pictured

Related to: Heather Bay

Blurb:

What if taking a chance photo led to love?

Bastian Roche is lonely and drifting. While he adores his photography job, he still hasn’t found a place to call home. Until he takes a chance photo of the elusive fantasy author Anders Flynn and makes a life changing connection.

Anders is grumpy, reclusive, and convinced he’s better off alone. But that doesn’t stop him from replying to Bastian’s emails. When Anders suggests Bastian scouts out his hometown of Heather Bay as a shoot location, Anders realises he’s falling fast for the man who brings sunshine into his life.

As Heather Bay pulls them together, both men must make a choice. Can a chance meeting give them the life they’ve always pictured?

Like I Pictured is a contemporary MM novella and is a prequel to the Heather Bay series but can be read as a standalone. It’s got a sweetness, steam, a small, British seaside town, and some grumpy cats.

Review: The Enchanting Nanny (Nannies of New York Book 4) by K. Sterling

Rating: 5🌈

Embracing this story is like embracing the all of life’s experiences, wrapped up in one amazing book. You’re going to laugh, breathe in the joys and heartbreak of family life, the memories that bring one feelings of incredible loss and that of deep love. It’s startling in the intimacy of emotions and vibrancy that Sterling is able to bring to the characters, both adults and children, that the reader meets here.

To misquote a famous story, your heart will grow three sizes by the end of your journey with this small family and you will embrace every moment.

It’s one enormous narrative hug and it tops all the books in this fabulous series to date.

I’ve been waiting for this as it’s been hinted at in the previous stories. The vaguest of scenes with the Poppins like nanny Penny Lane and the fabulously rich and beautiful Agnes Cameron. Each has close ties to all the other characters in the series and we’ve seen them countless times throughout other books in various scenarios.

Now they finally get together as Agnes has decided to adopt, after being an important part of her brother’s family and an aunt to his children. We dive in as Agnes arrives at a foster care home and meets the young girl who will become her daughter, June.

I don’t need to say that this is such an emotional moment for them and us as well. It’s done in such a sweet manner, and one that’s allows Agnes to have an intimate moment to let June express herself and then bond over their love for books.

This scene really sets the tone for the story and relationship between Agnes and June. It’s believable, genuine, and heartfelt.

The rest that follows involves Penny Lane arriving as the nanny, a necessity because of the factors at play here. Agnes’ status as a beloved aunt, wealthy woman, and someone who isn’t totally prepared for all the needs that a newly adopted child might have now has Penny Lane there to support them and guide them through as a family.

If only they hadn’t hooked up those several times and now cannot stop thinking about each other.

This story incorporates some amazing elements. Both women end up working through some deep psychological issues and adolescence trauma while giving June the opportunity to have the security and stability she craves for herself. It’s launches a family as they create a new core relationship in the most incredible location, a spot the reader sees so clearly due to Sterling’s beautiful rich descriptions.

This is a very sexy lesbian love story with a great HEA, their chemistry is off the charts and their relationship is layered with their own unique personalities and issues to overcome.

And June. I absolutely love June. She’s a young girl I recognize so much. The growth K Sterling writes into her from the moment she’s seen in the backyard of the foster home to the girl at the end of the book, we understand and cherish her journey.

Books like this almost should be the series finale because they are so well written, so beautifully nuanced in their narrative that any book that follows will seem faded by comparison.

It’s hard to say goodbye to “the new queens of Manhattan “ but I’m sure I’ll be revisiting them again soon.

Until then, I’m absolutely recommending this book and the series. Totally fabulous!

Plus that cover? It’s Penny Lane and Agnes all the way! Outstanding!

Nannies of New York :

✓ The Last Nanny In Manhattan #1

✓ Giles Ashby Needs A Nanny #2

✓ The Handy Nanny #3

✓ The Enchanting Nanny #4

◦ The Nanny with The Nice List #5 – Nov 14,2023

Buy Link:

The Enchanting Nanny: Nannies of New York Book 4

Blurb:

Love grows where you least expect it.

Despite being born into one of the wealthiest families in Manhattan, Agnes Cameron hasn’t had that many good things in her life. At fifty-two, she’s ready to change that. She’s adopting a child and putting her playgirl days behind her. Agnes is done piggy-backing and cherry-picking the best parts of her brother’s life and is ready to finally have a family of her own.

Enter Penny Lane Tucker: thirty, vegan, and a wild child who occasionally sleeps in trees. Like her older brother, Penn, she’s a nanny extraordinaire. There isn’t a problem Penny can’t fix with a little elbow grease and creativity. And while she believes in soulmates and the power of love, Penny suspects fate is playing tricks when she’s sent to The Killian House and meets her new clients.

Their brothers might not be aware, but Agnes and Penny have…history. Of course, neither wants to be the one to explain why Reid should send a different nanny. Instead, both decide to play it cool for the sake of Agnes’s newly adopted daughter, eight-year-old June.

That proves to be a challenge when the trio heads to the Tucker family cabin in the Catskills for the summer. Sparks fly and love blossoms as Penny learns that she’s not who she thinks she is and that Agnes and June just might be her soulmates. But can Penny trust wayward Agnes with her heart? And can Agnes prove she’s ready to put her wild ways behind her and tame her enchanting nanny?

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