ARC Review: Finding Hayes by Laura Pavlov

I have loved the Magnolia Falls series from the very first book and so it was a little bittersweet reading Finding Hayes as I just wasn’t ready for this series to finish! Laura Pavlov has written such an amazing group of characters with this series and I have to say she definitely finished it off as strong as ever! Finding Hayes was amazing, I just loved this book from the first word to the last.

Finding Hayes features Hayes and Savannah, and I couldn’t get enough of these two. These childhood best friends  spent years apart after a misunderstanding and find themselves suddenly back in each other’s lives here. They had such a strong connection and it was great to see them get to know one another here after growing up. The chemistry was off the charts and I just never wanted it to end. 

The reason this series has been such a standout to me has absolutely been this cast of characters. I have never felt so connected to a group of characters where I was genuinely so excited for each book of the series. This group is filled with lovable and genuine characters who feel so real and relatable. Truly a case of family is what and who you make it, not what you are born into. The support and love between them is unlike any I’ve read about before. Hayes and Savvy’s book was a strong finish and I loved it just as much as I loved the previous books. The real star of the series though for me was Cutler. Beefcake stole every scene he was in, and I was so glad that he was still a huge part of this story after his dad’s book. I can absolutely picture him leading the next generation forward as the rest of the characters got their HEA’s and are settling into married life. 

I am also really looking forward to getting Easton’s book as the start of a new series from Laura Pavlov. At this point, I will read whatever she writes and cannot recommend her books enough. If you haven’t read the Magnolia Falls series, you are seriously missing out. Each book is a standalone story but I believe that each book is worth the read and starting at the beginning is definitely the way to go if you can. One of my all-time favorite series and I already can’t wait to read them all again!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Play the Game by SJ Sylvis

Play the Game is book one in the Blue Devils Hockey series by SJ Sylvis. This book is a standalone story, but fans of her Bexley U series will recognize some familiar faces here. I really enjoyed this one, and I think a lot of readers will as well.

Emory and Scottie’s story starts off to a not so great start, but they quickly find themselves in a marriage of convenience. She needs money and he needs help cleaning up his image. Soon they find themselves having very real feelings for each other though. 

There is a ton of chemistry between these two. I felt it right away and it just got stronger throughout this book. I really liked both Emory and Scottie. They were strong and independent, yet worked perfectly together. They were so hot together, and the amount of “my wife” moments in this book was everything you could possibly hope for! Emory is definitely the kind of character romance readers can’t help but fall for right along with the heroine. 

Overall, another great read from SJ Sylvis! I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for Rhodes to get his story next! Hot single dad and nanny, sign me up! I know this series is going to be just as fantastic as Bexley U was, and I can’t recommend SJ Sylvis and her hockey hotties enough!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: The Rules of Dating A Younger Man by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

The Rules of Dating A Younger Man is the 4th book in the Laws of Opposites Attract series from Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. Each book is a standalone story about one guy from a group of friends and the lucky lady that wins each of their hearts. This group of friends is one that I have been obsessed with since the very first book, and I just love them all so much. I highly recommend reading each book if you can because they are really great stories, and seeing them each fall in love  over the course of this series has been so enjoyable.

This book is Brayden’s story. He is the least involved with the building the group owns in the city, but runs the Ryan’s House charity. It was so great to see him so passionate about helping others and using his resources for good. I really felt connected to him here, and fell even more for him as I read this book. He is just such a great guy, and I loved how sweet and caring he was. His maturity level and good head on his shoulders made it impossible not to fall for him! This is probably why I struggled a bit with Alex from time to time. I understood some of where she was coming from, but Brayden was just so amazing it was hard to see how she couldn’t see it also!

I didn’t see the twist coming, and while Alex’s way of dealing with it was not my favorite, it made me like her more. I got a new understanding and appreciation for her that I really needed. I did feel like Alex and Brayden had strong chemistry and a great connection. They fit well together and it was easy to see why their connection was so easy and genuine. 

Overall, this one was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. Brayden is worth the read all by himself, but I really liked him and Alex together and it was great to catch up with the group and see familiar faces! I can’t wait to see what Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward write next! They are such great authors alone, and when you get to read one of their co-writes it is guaranteed to be a great read! Their styles blend seamlessly and they are probably my favorite author duo ever. Another winner here, I can’t recommend their books enough!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: The Rocker's Muse by Penelope Ward

Penelope Ward is an auto-buy author for me and has been for years! I always look forward to her books and they never disappoint! The Rocker’s Muse was no exception! This one was such a great read, and once I started I didn’t want to put this one down.

Tristan and Emily’s story starts when Emily finds herself going on tour with Tristan’s famous rock band. Despite the age difference, Emily and Tristan find themselves drawn to each other from their very first meeting and their connection continues to grow as they spend time together on tour. What Tristan doesn’t know is that Emily has a secret that changes everything. 

These two had such a genuine and easy connection. I loved seeing them get to know one another and how natural it was, despite the fifteen years that separated them. They were supportive of one another and really helped the other in ways that no one else could. Penelope Ward made it so easy to feel connected to Tristan and Emily throughout the story, and it feels like the reader is right there with the characters experiencing everything that the characters were. 

The Rocker’s Muse had so many great moments that I honestly wanted to keep reading, while also wanting to slow down and savor each bit of the story for as long as I could. While there were some really emotional parts of the story, there were so many lighthearted and funny moments as well. I always enjoy Penelope’s books and this one was one of her best! Tristan and Emily will definitely be characters I think of in the future, and I have no doubt i’ll be reading this one again to revisit them at times! I am already anxious for her next book and I think readers are going to really enjoy this one like I did. You can’t go wrong with anything Penelope writes alone or with her co-author, Vi Keeland. If you haven’t read anything by Penelope, you are truly missing out and The Rocker’s Muse is a great place to start!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: Tempest by Alison Rhymes

Alison Rhymes was a new-to-me author at the beginning of this year and since starting with Rainfall, I have binged her entire backlist! She is definitely my favorite find of the year, and I cannot recommend her books enough! I was so excited to get the next installment of the Seattle Blades series, with each book being an interconnected standalone you can read each without starting at the beginning. I definitely recommend reading them all though as they are fantastic!

One of the reasons that I love Alison’s books is that each one has a bit of heartbreak and angst to them that the characters have to overcome to get to their HEA. Tempest was no exception and I absolutely could not put it down! I won’t spoil any of the story as I really love the experience of Alison’s books and believe they are best experienced blindly with the reader taking the journey without spoilers. 

What I will say though is that I absolutely loved Gavin and Odette. These two had a strong connection and life got in the way as it often does. They end up finding themselves back in the same city years later, with Odette becoming a mentor to his daughter. They quickly discover that time and distance don’t always dull feelings, regardless of the circumstances that kept them apart. 

Gavin and Odette had so much chemistry. You could really feel the connection and heat between them. I loved seeing them get to know one another after their years apart and I really felt like I could relate to both of them. Odette was so strong and inspiring and I loved her interactions with Gavin’s daughter. Gavin was a really great guy and it was easy to see why he made the choices he did. I really think readers will love this one as much as I did. The characters are impossible not to fall for and the story is captivating from start to finish. One of the best books I’ve read this year, I highly recommend Tempest and honestly any and all books from Alison Rhymes.

**ARC Provided by Wordsmith Publicity**

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ARC Review: Beating Heart by Laura Pavlov

 

I absolutely love the Magnolia Falls series by Laura Pavlov! Each book is an interconnected standalone story. While each can be read on its own, I highly recommend starting at the beginning if you haven’t already started this series. Not only are each of these books fantastic, but you really get to know the characters and their personalities throughout the series and see the growth and progression for each one. This has definitely been one of my all-time favorite romance series to read, and each book just keeps getting better!

I have to say that I had such high hopes for Beating Heart seeing as my favorite character from this entire series has been Cutler! I knew his dad Nash’s story would heavily feature him, and I couldn’t wait for it! It not only delivered all I had hoped for, but so much more! This one was just such a great story even beyond Cutler and Nash being front and center. I loved Emerson so much, she has definitely been my favorite heroine of the series! This book  just delivered the perfect amount of heat and steam, but also a genuine and undeniable connection between the characters. I really felt like I was invested from page one and right there with each of them through every triumph and struggle. 

I wish I could go back and read this one again for the first time as it is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year as well as my favorite of the Magnolia Falls series. I seriously cannot recommend this book or series enough. Nash and Emerson were everything  you could hope for, and Cutler is seriously my favorite fictional kid ever. Every scene he is in, he just steals the whole show! I hope we continue to get more of him, because I honestly can’t picture a world in which we aren’t getting little bits from him and seeing how he continues to grow up and tackle the world. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, but while I wait, I know I'll be reading this one again! Beating Heart is a must read!!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

I have been hoping to get more of the Jaeger brothers since I first read Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas. This book definitely didn’t disappoint! Five Brothers can be read as a standalone story, but I highly recommend reading Tryst Six Venom as it is good and will give you a bit of backstory on these brothers and Liv and Clay that feature here. You don’t need to read it though to understand this book.

This story centers around all five of the Jaeger brothers and Krisjen. While the Jaegers come from the “Swamp” side of town, Krisjen is a “Saint”. Their sides aren’t supposed to mix, but Krisjen finds herself more comfortable on the other side of town in the Jaeger house. I won’t get into details of the story as I don’t want to give anything away, but I genuinely enjoyed getting to know each of these brothers better. I will say that while there is a lot that happens with the brothers here, this one is not an RH. It does end with Krisjen in a relationship with one brother.

I didn’t want to put this one down, interested to see what would happen and who she would end up with. I honestly felt like Krisjen belonged in the Jaeger family and I loved seeing how much she cared for all of them. She was such a likable character and was so genuinely nice and caring. While I loved this one and know readers will too, I can absolutely say that I hope we get more of this family! I’d love it if each of the brothers gets their own book. While I loved the relationship that developed here, my favorite parts were the family moments here. The Jaeger crew are truly one of a kind and I couldn’t get enough of their moments together. I highly recommend this one!

**ARC Provided by Publisher via Netgalley**

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ARC Review: Frisco by Tijan

I love Tijan’s books and its been a bit since I’ve read an MC book, so I was really excited for Frisco! This one definitely didn’t disappoint and once I started, I didn’t want to put it down for anything! MC books just hit different, and this one had everything you could hope for. It was gritty, suspenseful and full of possessive men that would do anything for their club and their women.

Shane  was great! I loved him from the start and the chemistry between him and Kali was so strong. I loved that there was a bit of a second chance here, and it was so interesting to see how their past and present came together. These two not only had a ton of heat between them, but you could see and feel the connection growing as well. It felt so real and like you were right there with them. 

One of the things I love most about Tijan’s books is that while this one can be read as a complete standalone, her worlds are linked. It is so much fun as a reader to be able to get glimpses of familiar faces and/or places and no one does that better than Tijan! Not only that, but her secondary characters are just as easy to become attached to as the main characters and that was definitely the case here. I felt so invested in how everything would turn out, and I think readers will love this one like I did!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Come Break My Heart Again by CW Farnsworth

When I saw that CW Farnsworth was reworking and republishing Come Break My Heart Again, I was both excited and a bit anxious. I liked the story the first time I read it, but I will admit that there were a few things I struggled with. I loved the changes that were made here though, and I really felt like the story was still true to the original but so much stronger here!

Elle and Ryder are from opposite sides of town and there are many differences between their upbringings The two of them find themselves drawn to one another, but Ryder ends up breaking Elle’s heart both at fifteen and eighteen. Seven years later, their paths cross again and while Elle is still questioning things, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the pull that is still between them. 

I loved the connection between these two and the undeniable chemistry they had. You could really feel what was between them and the feelings that never went away. My heart breaks for them and all they each experienced. I really felt like I was able to understand some of the decisions better this time around and I’ll admit I liked Ryder a lot better here! I truly felt these two were meant for one another and that I was connected to them from start to finish. 

I am so glad that I got to read this new version of Come Break My Heart Again and I think readers are going to really enjoy this one! CW Farnsworth has become an author that I look forward to reading and I think her writing continues to get better with each book she writes. Elle and Ryder’s story is one that I really enjoyed and while I liked it before, I loved it this time around! I highly recommend checking this one out whether or not you have read it before. It has everything I look for in a good contemporary romance and I am already anxious to read this one again, as well as more from Farnsworth after finishing this one!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Forbidden King by Laura Pavlov

The Magnolia Falls series by Laura Pavlov has quickly become one of my favorites! Each book is a standalone story, but they are so good I recommend all of them! I honestly could not wait to get King’s story and I was not disappointed! Forbidden King was great from start to finish!

I loved King and Saylor right from the start. Each of them had real and genuine personalities, and were characters that you felt like you could relate to. They had such a strong connection and I honestly loved the history they had that even those closest to them didn’t fully know about. The chemistry and attraction was there between them as well, which just made them even easier to love and root for. 

Their story was one that I loved the journey and I felt like I was right there with them. I have to say with each book in this series, my love for one character just continues to grow! I absolutely love Cutler/Beefcake and honestly he just steals the show every time! He is just everything amazing and I can’t wait for the next book in this series to get more of him! Definitely pick this one up if you love small town and/or friends to lovers romance stories. This one is great!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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