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Friday, March 1, 2024

ARC Review: The Surrogate by Penelope Ward



I always hoped that Penelope Ward would give us Sig’s story after finishing The Aristocrat, so I was so excited when she announced The Surrogate! This book can easily be read as a standalone story, though you do meet Sig in The Aristocrat and Leo and Felicity’s story will be a bit spoiled if you don’t start there. I highly recommend reading The Aristocrat if you haven’t as it is one of my all-time favorites and I just loved it so much that I have read it multiple times now.

Sig’s story is an emotional one, and I was fully invested right from the start. I think even if readers are new to Sig, they will be just as drawn in as I was. Sig has been through a ton, and I felt so much for him. Abby was exactly what he needed and I instantly loved her. She has such a kind heart and was a heroine that you can’t help but fall for right along with the hero. While these two were ones that I felt like I could relate to, their journey is anything but easy. Their situation is unique and honestly unlike any i’ve previously read about. Things are a bit messy, but the ride was so worth it. These two are just such great characters that I never wanted their story to end. 


Penelope Ward never disappoints, but The Aristocrat and The Surrogate are some of my absolute favorites of hers. I just felt so connected and invested in all these characters and they are definitely ones I think of often. I know i’ll reread this one again, and I think that fans will love this book. It is emotional, heartfelt and while it wasn’t always smooth sailing, it was filled with hope and some really funny moments as well. Penelope is one of my all-time favorite authors and The Surrogate is a must read!


**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**


Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |












 

Friday, February 9, 2024

ARC Review: Against All Odds by CW Farnsworth

 



Against All Odds is the second book in the Holt Hockey series by CW Farnsworth, but can be read as a standalone story. I couldn’t wait to get Aidan’s story after reading the first book of the series, and I highly recommend reading Famous Last Words if you haven’t already. This series is one I am loving and I think not only sports romance readers, but just romance readers in general will enjoy this series as much as I have!

This is Aidan and Rylan’s story and I couldn’t get enough of these two! These two first meet and have what they believe to be a one-night stand, but when Rylan shows up at Holt University where Aidan goes, they quickly realize that there is more between them. Things are further complicated by Aidan being on the Holt hockey team that Rylan’s dad coaches. Rylan is tasked with tutoring Aidan and soon they are both finding it harder to keep things platonic than they thought it would be. 


Aidan and Rylan had so much chemistry, right from the start! The heat and steam between them was clear, but it was the connection they were building that kept me flipping the pages and not wanting this one to end! I loved seeing them get to really know one another, and there were so many sweet moments between them as well as steamy ones! I loved seeing familiar faces here, and I am already anxious to get Hunter’s book next. This one was such a great read. Definitely recommend for sports romance fans, but even if sports aren’t your thing, there is something for all romance readers here!


**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**


Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |












Thursday, February 8, 2024

ARC Review: Stay Present by Kaylee Ryan



Stay Present is a standalone story in Kaylee Ryan’s Kincaid Brothers series. This one is the sixth book, but can easily be read without having read the other books. I hadn’t previously read this series and had no issues starting here. That said, I enjoyed this one so much that I can’t wait to read the previous books!

Ryder and Jordyn were so good together, and I loved them each on their own and together as a couple! I really loved that during their time apart they were loyal to one another. They had so much love for one another, it was clear that their separation was due to circumstances and not feelings. They had so much chemistry between them, but it was their connection that made them special. These two were absolutely meant for one another, and it really showed throughout the entire book. 


I will say that while I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was on the sweet side. There were several moments that were a bit overly sweet and a tad cheesy. That didn’t stop me from enjoying this one though. It was honestly refreshing to see feelings being acknowledged so openly with characters willing to talk and work things out and not just assume the worst. I recommend this one and can’t wait to read more from Kaylee Ryan!


**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**


Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |












 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

ARC Review: Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer



I will admit that the love I have for this book started with the cover! It is so gorgeous and honestly was what sold me on this book. But as beautiful as the book is on the outside, the contents are even more so! This book is by far my favorite I’ve read so far this year, but also in a really long time!

Micalea Smeltzer captivates you with her words and story-telling from the very first page with characters Reid and Via. These two were just so easy to love and feel connected to. They had so much chemistry and a clear attraction from the start, but it was the connection between them that had me unable to put this one down! This is a reverse age-gap, which isn’t usually my jam, but with these two I couldn’t help but fall in love right along with them! I loved them both so much and honestly Reid is what book boyfriends are made of! He was so mature and patient for his age, and I couldn’t get enough. He was perfect for Via.


Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. It was just such a great read that I constantly found myself wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next, but also slow down and savor it. I am also really excited that we are going to get another book in this world featuring two characters I really liked from Eleven Eleven! I already can’t wait for that book next! In the meantime, I’ll be re-reading this one! This one is a must read!


**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**


Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |







 

Friday, January 19, 2024

ARC Review: Hooking the Captain by Kimberly Knight & Rachel Lyn Adams



Hooking the Captain is the first book in the Off the Bench Duet by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams. If you read After Hours Lectures, you’ll recognize the characters here, but if you didn’t read it, you’ll have no problem understanding anything here. It does give you the backstory for these characters a bit, but Kimberly and Rachel do a great job of giving you everything you need here so you don’t feel like you are missing anything. Since I had previously read After Hours Lectures, I was anxious to get Coop’s story, while also being a bit unsure of how I would feel towards Ford. I shouldn’t have worried at all though, this book hooked me right away and I need more of these characters.

Ford and Coop meet when they are both out of town, proving that it is a small world when they realize that they both live in the same place. They immediately hit it off, and things between them quickly turn to more as Coop begins to explore a side to himself that he has kept hidden due to his high profile career in the NHL. Coop isn’t the only one that has secrets though, and as Ford struggles with his past, the knowledge that he must come clean threatens to destroy everything that he and Coop are building. 

I really felt for Ford here upon learning more about his past and what he had been through. While it doesn’t excuse his actions, it does explain them and I found myself liking him more than I originally expected. I loved him and Coop together! They had chemistry and were building a strong connection and I enjoyed seeing them both happy. I will admit that I knew things were heading in a certain direction though with all the secrets, and it broke my heart right along with these two as it happened. I hated seeing both of them struggle and just have to hope that things work out as they should in the end. Beware, Hooking the Captain does end with a doozy of a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to get the conclusion to their story in Retaking the Shot! These two both deserve to be happy and I know that the journey will be worth it in the end.


**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**


Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |