Elle Kennedy: The Chase

Briar U book 1 read in 2025 (stand alone book could be read out of order)... I started reading this series first but there is another hockey series she has that is before this one that I haven't read yet, I will eventually I just don't always "Love" super hyped up books from Tiktok/face book etc... I think I might be expecting too much from them?

Summer DiLaurentis is Dean's younger sister (Dean is from the previous Hockey series).  Summer has had to leave her previous school and transfer to Briar U after being expelled for setting an accidental fire at her sorority house... due to this when she makes it to her new campus sorority house hoping everything will be a fresh start she is sad to learn that her fire starting days have followed her and the sorority sisters don't want her in their home... she is banished from there and now has nowhere to live.

Dean at that point provides an alternative he is able to get her a room at his old teammates (hockey) home and with very little time to find anything else she accepts.  Problem being that one of her new room mates (Colin "Fitz" Fitzgerald) is someone she has been crushing on who she over heard talking trash about her... only she can't help but still be drawn to him he's tall, handsome, smart, has lots of tattoo's and he is a gaming genius.

Hunter is another room mate who she shared some kisses with on the same night she overheard Fitz talking badly about her and she is now torn between fighting her attraction to Fitz and knowing she really should give Hunter a chance he's also a very handsome hockey player and he actually knows how to tell her he's into her.

Summer is a feisty/sassy, beautiful rich girl who really says whatever she's thinking, very shortly after arriving to her new city she meets Brenna another beautiful feisty college student who happens to be the Hockey coaches daughter so when Summer blurts out her issues with her new room mates Brenna already knows all of these guys.

Summer had an inner critic who she called Selena (Gomez).  Summer struggled throughout the book with feeling down about her learning disability, Fitz helped build up her confidence in that department and helped her with an upcoming paper while he sketched.

While I didn't necessarily dislike the lead characters, I felt they spent too much of the book not together, they were either going on a date (or trying to) with someone else, not talking to each other at all or upset with each other for things that they weren't discussing... they are clearly into each other just talk about it already!  Also Hunter is a nice guy and Summer shouldn't have strung him along so long when she was into Fitz more (even when he wouldn't admit that he wanted her back) this caused a weird atmosphere at home for the room mates and at the rink with the team mates.  

Fitz is constantly getting turned on whenever Summer comes in the room... it's all the time.  

Summer has a nemesis in her fashion class (Nora) who also likes Fitz and went on a date with him, there is a creepy college professor who gives off cringe vibes in waves but Nora thinks that Summer is getting special treatment, which she's not. Also, Summer doesn't know what Fitz sees in Nora... she's clearly a mean girl.

Summer's chapters spends a lot of time discussing all the expensive clothes, shoes and bags she owns, she is a fashion major and it is a big part of her personality. 

Some extra drama occurs when Summer and Fitz are seen as "Sneaking" around because they didn't announce to everyone that they were together, and when Fitz goes to interview for a possible internship with a large game company but the billionaire owner is anti-jock and anti-beauty queens (Summer) even though he frequently dates models.   

Ending was ok... just like the rest of the book, I got it for audible and I plan to continue the series but I don't think I need to read this one again.  

*hockey romance *sports romance *college *young adult *Frenemies to more *some spice 

*Broody MMC/Sunny FMC *miscommunication/no communication *drama *cat fight *bar fight

 *love triangle *opposites attract  *happy ending  *representation of learning disability

*Jacob Morgan is one of the narrators, will need to check what else he's done* 

Trigger warnings: mention of drug use, mentions of attempted SA, some body shaming, self doubt, mentions of Chanel being a Nazi sympathizer 

What is your favorite Elle Kennedy book?  Would you recommend the original series?

**Potential spoiler ahead**

Nora is "the other woman" essentially early on in the book we know that she likes Fitz and goes on a date with him, she has been kind of the mean girl towards Summer off and on throughout the book then at the end she has their creepy professor's attention and ends up almost sexually assaulted in the bathroom by him... Summer finds them in this position and gets Nora away from the teacher.  Summer than basically demands that Nora make the report and instead of going to the police they go to the deans personal home after hours to do this.  I felt at this point I know that Nora was shaken up but it was "the Summer show" Nora didn't say much after they arrived to the Dean's home and it was very Summer is telling everything she got her dad on the phone as her "lawyer" and Nora as the victim was not really in control of this situation either, I get that Summer was trying to help but I think Nora should have been the bigger focus here in the telling of her story and it focused more on how Summer saved the day.

Aurrora St. James: The Earl's Timely Wallflower

 Taken By destiny Book 1 read in 2024, this is a trilogy and I would recommend reading them in order. 

Lily Bennett is a modern day woman who finds it hard to find a true place to call home she lives in Kentucky in a run down apartment, she is single, and has a lackluster job, her parents have passed away and she had been taking care of her younger sister but now she's grown up and living her own life.  Her brother is in the military and often has been away on lengthy missions, either way she has found herself in broken relationships with both of her siblings but she wants to mend this and move forward she misses them both and decides that she is going to make steps towards bringing the trio back together when she finds an unusual ornate clock at work (at a book shop) she attempts to fix the device when it transports her back to Regency England (1813).

Completely unprepared for the trip she's wearing modern clothing and ends up almost getting run over by a carriage she falls and hits her head, thankfully the lady (Violet) in the carriage feels horrible and takes her to the home she lives in with her older brother Gabriel Hawthorne Earl of Rothden.  The earl is of course very handsome and Lily notices this immediately. 

Gabriel has decided to host one last house party before returning to London, he isn't looking forward to going back and dealing with the season's activities which involve a lot of women (and their mom's) after him to choose them as a wife... most of them don't care about him as a person just his title and his money, but he does want his sister to have a suitable match.  Now he has another guest Lily she is beautiful although maybe she hit her head too hard because she starts talking about being from the future!  what? Well he is a gentleman and he will take care of her while she is under his roof.

Some extra drama occurs when Gabriel's Ex mistress arrives to the house party unannounced and attempts to get back in his good graces and cause issues between Gabriel and Lily.  

Gabriel is a true gentleman and is really supportive towards Lily but what if she finds a way to return to the future?  Where does that leave him?   Lily is now struggling and torn between wanting to return to the future (if she even can) and reunite with her brother and sister or stay in the past where she is falling for the Earl and loves his sister as well.  

While I did enjoy the book I did find it odd how easily those around Lily  accepted her story of being from the future and time travel, I figured there would have been a bit more drama there.  The story kept me wanting to read more and I read the other two books in the series after.  

Have you read anything by this writer?  what would you recommend?  What is your favorite time travel romance?

*time travel romance  *historical romance  *found family  *supportive side characters 

*feels kind of insta love  *Some spice  *Slow burn  *Earl  *happy ending  *dual POV

*a bit of some magical elements happening with one of the Earls friends

Trigger warnings: Self doubt and insecurity from female lead (low self esteem)

**possible spoiler:  *some people found the ending lacking since Lily spent the majority of the book wanting to go home and see her brother and sister again but at the end decided that they would be ok without her* 

Valerie Bowman: Duke looks like a groomsman

 

Book 2 in the Lords in disguise series read in 2025, I read the first in this series awhile ago and almost forgot what happened but there is over lap in this book to jog my memory.  I would suggest reading these in order.

Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington is a handsome playboy, during one of his get togethers with friends while there a friend declares he is looking for a wife but wants to be able to find one who will love him for himself and not for his money or title (this is the lead man from book 1) his friends offer up suggestions to help with his effort and during that discussion a bet is formed that 3 of the 4 gentleman can disguise themselves as servants at their 4th friends upcoming house party if they can do manual labor without quitting or being discovered by more than one or two other party guests they will win the bet (I believe it was around 1000 pounds).

No one believes that Rhys is capable of lasting the full party as a servant... he likes to drink, eat, sleep until the after noon and gamble away loads of money he isn't the type to be able to do manual labor, he's a pampered Duke with servants he couldn't possibly do the work of one.  Rhys is offended that even his friends think that he isn't up to the challenge... game on!  He will be the best groom that anyone has ever seen and win the bet.  

Lady Julianna Montgomery is a guest at the house party while she is already engaged she is looking out for her younger sister and trying to help her find a suitable husband, maybe they will be able to find one at this very party.  

Julianna loves horses and shortly after arriving to the party goes to see the stable where she runs into Rhys... what's he doing working with the horses and sleeping in the stables of all places, she is surprised to see him and learning about this bet he has with his friends she sets out to make his life difficult... he deserves it he did break her heart after all she thought they were on their way to forever love but just when she thought he would propose he left abruptly then never returned only sending a letter telling her she would be better off without him what is that even about she at least deserved to hear it from him in person!

**Possible Spoiler**  

I thought for sure that the letter was going to be from someone else because there is talk during the book that Julianna's dad doesn't like Rhys, it turns out that there is a twist to the story and it was sent from him but there is some additional things going on there. 

End of spoiler**

Handsome Rhys gets right to work enjoying Julianna's tasks and maybe even tempting her in the process taking off his shirt (so he doesn't get too sweaty of course).

Julianna begins with trying to make Rhys lose his bet even though she keeps his secret from the other guests... in the process she might be realizing that she still likes (maybe even loves Rhys) but she's betrothed to another man what is she going to do?  Oh and she finds out that her husband to be is coming to the house party this adds a bit of extra drama.

Running into Rhys has had old feelings coming to the surface and she realizes that maybe she wants more for herself than to be the perfect daughter and a obedient wife to a bland man with no personality.  Rhys believes Julianna only wanted to be with him for his title and with him out of the picture just went for the next best title.  

Julianna also irritated me in places that she was willing to go through with marriage to a man she didn't want to be with to spite Rhys because he wasn't stepping up to declare himself in a grand gesture to her and ask her to stop the engagement... even if our lead male never stepped up to get his lady she should have ended the engagement with the guy she didn't want to be with she still had other options as a beautiful Duke's daughter with a decent sized dowry.  

I plan to continue reading this series, I thought the story was ok as far as historical romance novels go but it was pretty repetitive and a lot of the plot was based on Miscommunication and no communication. 

*dukes *historical romance *banter *enemies to more  *second chance romance  *some spice (lighter)

*miscommunication/misunderstanding/lack of communication  *house party  *hidden identity  

*happy ending with a cliffhanger for cross over story line 

*female lead engaged to another man when some kisses and other things were going on with male lead

Elle Kennedy: The Dare

 Book 4 (Briar U series): read out of order in 2025 which was fine it's a stand alone

Taylor is in a sorority she lives off campus and has to occasionally get together at the house with the other sisters for group meetings and elsewhere for events (like fund raiser dances and parties).  Taylor is a beautiful girl but is very body conscious and throughout the book battles with her own inner thoughts, even though everyone else basically just says she has super big boobs and is a bit curvier, she's not an unhealthy weight but discusses covering up her body with baggy clothes to hide better.  

Connor Edwards is a hockey player who transferred from the west coast and is of course super hot and has ladies fighting to get near him, he has been around the campus with many of them and is known to not have any serious relationship lasting longer than a month max.  

During a party Taylor is dared by her sorority sister to get Connor to go upstairs with her for spicy times... how is she supposed to do that he's the hottest guy she's ever seen in real life she is going to have to be bold and just ask him knowing that these "sisters" gave her this dare in order to humiliate her knowing that Connor is going to turn her down flat... only he doesn't.

Connor has been bored with the different women just wanting to get with him thinking of him as a piece of meat... he's got feelings too and none of these girls want to know about him as a person they just want to say that they slept with a campus celebrity.  When Taylor approaches looking like a deer in headlights he is intrigued... next thing you know he's upstairs and they are talking for hours and end up falling asleep after putting on a production for their waiting audience in the hallway... he doesn't want to make things look bad for either of them after all.

Connor and Taylor decide to keep up with the fake relationship situationship and grow to be friends with benefits.  Connor is ashamed of his past where a shady childhood friend is holding something over his head, he's ashamed and thought that this guy was in the past where he left it but he comes back in after finding him in a bar while they are out of town, not wanting to get Taylor involved he temporarily brushes her off and doesn't tell her what's wrong.  Taylor is upset about the lack of communication and has some things to say after Connor comes clean about what's going on.  

Connor grew up poor and has a lot of insecurities with only being more well off now because his mom married a wealthy guy (who is paying for his college tuition and everything else and he doesn't want to lose that support).  

After this first situation is cleared up between our couple... Taylor ends up in a situation where she doesn't communicate with Connor or allow him to decide what he wants to do for himself which is surprising since she was recently upset that Connor wasn't talking to her and now she's doing the same thing to him.

This too ends up getting worked out it was just a bit frustrating that there was so much miscommunication for awhile and back to back with 2 break ups.  For the most part I liked the book and the couple, it was fairly repetitive with some of the plot points but I do plan to go back and read the rest of the series.  

I did like that Taylor started to stand up for herself more with the mean girls at her sorority, she has a feisty friend there who always had her back but towards the end of the book she started to really hold her own against Queen B Abigail... and Abigail herself even has some changes.

**Possible Spoiler**  Taylor kind of irritated me from the book it sounded like she was an average sized woman not a size 2 but like probably a 12 or something with some curves and large breasts but from how she felt about herself at times I thought she was going to be larger... she's fine just the way she is really and she was wanting to praise Connor for not fat shaming her too (like she was doing to herself).  Connor did his part to try to make her feel better about herself but several times in the book did it in a way where he was body shaming a different woman's body type (he likes curvier women... not sticks) 

What is your favorite Elle Kennedy book?  Have you read this series? 

*hockey romance *sports romance *college *young adult  *virgin MFC  *slow burn  *some spice 

*fake dating --> more  *mean girls  *miscommunication/ no communication *some humor *banter

*college parties 

trigger warnings: Body shaming/negativity,  mentions of home invasion, theft, and shady dealings with drug dealers, hazing, cyber crime (revenge porn) 

Pippa Grant: Until it was Love

 Copper Valley Pounders book 1 read in 2025

Goldie is a life coach, author and influencer she has a great job which she loves and when we meet her she is going to be moving to England in a few short weeks for a great job opportunity that she doesn't want to pass up... she did that once for a man but not again.

Fletcher Huxley is a international rugby star who has recently been sent from a top tier team in England over to the Copper Valley Pounders in the US, Rugby in the states isn't as popular of a sport as it is in the rest of the world... but Fletcher wants to change that he's not a too old, washed up player that needs to quit he still has at least a few years in him and he's going to prove it to his ex coach and ex team mates when this new team is at the top of their game and selling out the venues where they play.

Fletcher is handsome (muscular/athletic) he looks like Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds had a baby... or at least that's what I pictured him looking like throughout the book since they kept bringing up the man's mustache, this was a bit much a few jokes about it fine... but it was throughout the whole book gah!  Anyways back to our couple...

Fletcher is on the same team as Goldie's younger brother and they end up going to help Goldie's friends with a blood drive where he passes out on her (meet cute sort of...) they have met before (or at least been in the same place at the same time) briefly where Goldie over heard Fletcher bad mouthing her years prior when she was still playing soccer, she has since had to end her dreams of playing professionally due to an injury so she knows a thing or two about having to give up on a dream and looking for a way to work towards new goals.  

Lately Goldie's brother has been sabotaging every relationship she has tried to have and she's sick of it she's an adult, so when she finds out that her brother hates Fletcher what would be better than fake dating the enemy, it works for both of them Fletcher is a twice divorced playboy and not looking for anything really serious and why shouldn't Goldie have a bit of fun prior to her big move.  

Fletcher has an adorable dog, Goldie has lost her girl friends when her last serious relationship ended badly but has made friends with 3 adorable elderly ladies who have taken her into their group with loving arms and she has a super cute niece who also befriends Fletcher and Silas (Goldie's brother) isn't happy about it.  

Spending more time together while faking their relationship naturally leads to their situationship and faking starting to feel more real especially when they talk about child hood issues and past relationships and what went wrong.  But Goldie is leaving soon and Fletcher doesn't really want anything serious he has been there done that and he doesn't want to get burned again.  

I have read other stories by this author and they tend to be pretty kooky/quirky at times as far as plot and dialogue goes so prepare for that if you decide to read this book or any of her other books.  I enjoyed this more than the last Pippa Grant book I read, but there were definitely some cringe dialogue/moments and I didn't really see them "falling" for each other in such a short period of time, I would consider it insta lust/love at that point since they spent such a short amount of time together. 

 I did finish the book and got the second book in this series which I plan to read soon.   

what is your favorite Pippa Grant book?  

*sports romance  *rugby romance  *female lead was a soccer player  *enemies --> more   

*Brooding MMC  *Grumpy/sunshine  *friends --> more  *fake dating/fake relationship 

*younger brother's team mate   *spice  *Slow burn  *happy ending  *banter *humor *drama

--> author mentions different characters race and sometimes sexual orientation  throughout the book after reading some other reviews there was a pattern where some readers found it hard to over look with how often it was mentioned even with characters only brought up once where it wasn't something the reader needed to know.  

Savanna Golden: stealing Squatch

 Silver Ridge Shifters book 2  

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227752466-stealing-squatch

This is the second book in this series but I read this out of order and I wish I hadn't after finishing the book because many of the things from the first book are brought up in this one, it is advertised as a stand alone but I would suggest reading them in order.  I will go back and read the first one but might wait a bit between.

Our leading lady Kai is a shifter (wolf) and has been found to have a fated mate he's a really sweet guy Alder he is also a shifter (sasquatch).  Kai while she doesn't dislike Alder... she dislikes the whole "fated mates" situation since her parents were always at each other and fighting due to this she never wanted that for herself and turns away from Alder trying her best to avoid him.  

Kai is part of a pack that her best friend (Finley) is now the leader of, she is second in command and in charge of security for the group.  Their pack has recently become inclusive to other species including Alder and his best friend Xan who is a warlock (and Finley's fated mate).

Alder even though Kai continues to avoid him is determined to win over his mate he wants a love match and knows that they could have true happiness if she would just give him the time of day... his latest plan is to make their own space away from the rest of the group while out getting supplies for their home and breakfast (a man/squatch) has to eat!  Anyways while out he runs into an evil witch from out of town and falls under her spell next thing you know Alder and this new woman are going to be "mates"... not on Kai's watch Alder is her squatch, get back witch!  

This book had drama, action, love, friendship and heart!  If I were a shifter I would want to be part of this pack they really care about each other. 

This was a cute quick read that happened over a short period of time and swapped POV's regularly.  While I kind of wished there was more focus on our lead characters relationship and less jumping around between everyone I did enjoy the story and liked seeing our couple finally find each other and their happy ending.  

have you read anything by this author?  have you read this book?  

*multiple POV  *some spice (lighter)  *fated mates  *cinnamon roll MMC  *shifter romance  

*found family *happy ending  *Indie author 

Lynn Rush + Kelly Anne Blount: In the Penalty Box

 Read in 2023

Willow is a figure skater she suffers an injury and is worried that her skating dreams are gone but she's a hard worker and knows that she can get back to where she was with rehab and a competitive spirit.  

Brodie is the captain of the hockey team, he's just as driven to succeed as Willow is and when a championship win is on the line with college scouts at the event he needs to do what he needs to do to help his team succeed... even if that means convincing a figure skater to try out for goalie when the other options are looking grim at the moment.

Willow faces challenges as a female goalie on a male team but she's fierce... no sweat she's got this!  Also would it be weird for the rest of the team to know that their captain and goalie are into each other?  

Brodie and Willow both have some bigger issues they are dealing with at home making you as the reader want a happy ending for our couple.  

I really loved the Cutting Edge when I was a kid and I love the Hockey boy + figure skater pairing, it was great seeing their relationship grow and how they were able to teach each other new things and help push each other towards their goals.  Brodie worries that Willow will get called back to her figure skating world and want to stay there... what about their team?  What about him?  

Willow becomes torn between these two different parts of her life throughout the book you see how much she misses figure skating and how she would love to be back on top again going for her golden goals... but she also loves her Hockey team and being able to handle her own on a boys team has been rewarding... and she really likes Brodie, she doesn't want to let down him or her team.  

have you read this before?  Have you read anything else by these authors?  

what would you recommend?

*Young Adult *Hockey/Sports romance *Ice Skater *High school *Dual POV  *clean (no spice)

 *age appropriate read  *slow burn  *Friends --> more 

*small town *secret relationship (hiding it from the team) *happy ending  

Trigger warnings:  Death of parent discussed, alcoholism

Karla Sorensen: Forever Starts tonight

 Book 4 in the Wilder Series read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208662056-forever-starts-tonight?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ciUGFfwlbL&rank=1

So I read these out of order and I had liked the whole idea of Poppy and Jax in other books you could see that there was something there but he was keeping away from her because she is his best friends little sister.  From the other books in the series you could tell that Poppy is crushing hard on this man and has been for a long time.  

This book finds our MMC had a mother who was only looking for the next man in her life who could take care of her and didn't help build Jax up in the confidence department, what he did have was a man across the street named Henry who took him under his wing taught him life lessons and showed him how to build and repair things Jax looked up to this man who was single and a "lone wolf" and decided that was the life for him he wouldn't need love or a partner in his life he could do without the drama that seemed to follow his mom and as an adult that's the outlook he's had: don't get too attached to women never really date, playing the field and having a hook up here and there is the life style for him.  

One night he gets talked into going to the bar by his best friend Cameron (Poppy's older brother) and goes up to the bar where he sees the back of girl he might want to spend time with for the night, he tells the bar tender he will buy her next drink and then is surprised when it turns out to be Poppy, he's been talked into going to her 21st birthday party... he has done his very best to avoid and keep a distance he knows (everyone knows) she has a crush on him and he doesn't want to lead her on she wants marriage and forever and he is a lone wolf for life.

I like this author and usually enjoy their books but I was disappointed that I didn't actually read the reviews or summary of the book until after I got the Audible version to go with the book... turned into a surprise/unexpected pregnancy book and I'm generally not a fan of that trope.  

There are multiple time jumps in this book the next time we see the couple is several years later (after the 21st) birthday when  Poppy and Jax have a one night stand --> **potential Spoiler ahead**

Poppy has a bad date and gotten a bit on the drunk side she gets an Uber to go to Jax's house and decides to just come out and tell him that she wants him and offers up a "no strings attached" one night stand just to get him out of her head.  Due to a snow/ice storm she is now stuck at his place he tells her no multiple times and it's not a good idea gives her a blanket and pillow and tells her to sleep on the couch as she is a bit on the drunk side.  Later that night she sneaks into his room and into his bed cuddling up near him (not taking no for an answer) and one thing leads to another and fireworks occur for their "one night only."  As a reader I wish things had happened differently he said no multiple times and she went in anyways to try to change his mind... if roles were reversed and he did that to her everyone would be really upset that he was trying to push himself on her.

**end of spoiler**

After this we find that Jax might have some feelings for her to but he is emotionally unavailable from the baggage that his mom has placed on him as a boy and runs off for an adventure anytime things get to be too much in the feelings department.  This time he ends up in Spain for 3 months when he gets back he finds out that Poppy is pregnant... and dating another man who looks like Captain America and Thor had a baby, he is also the town veterinarian and is practically perfect in every way... I found him to be a bit too perfect since he seemed to be smitten with Poppy after barely starting to date her and he was totally fine finding out she was pregnant with another man's baby, he was also on a break from sex until he found someone he wanted to marry since he was a bit of a playboy in college and didn't want that life anymore.

Poppy never tells her family who the father of the baby is because she wanted to let Jax know first but he is who knows where and unreachable in Europe... so everyone including her boyfriend think that the baby's dad is out of the picture forever, she doesn't say who the dad is but she doesn't deny it when her family thinks its from the date she had (earlier the same evening of the one night with Jax).  Jax comes back and is very surprised to see a very pregnant Poppy for some extra drama they are all at work and her family is standing around when he finds out this news.    

A lot of this book I felt dragged on a lot of "lets just be friends" and see how that works for us since we are going to have to co-parent soon, our main couple doesn't start to get back together until the last like 15-20% of the book and I felt too much time went into discussing the relationship with Captain Thor since she liked him but didn't feel sparks... she only felt those with her emotionally unavailable grumpy lumberjack Jax.  

I love the Wilder family and how supportive they are everyone is in everyone else's business but you can see the love and when needed everyone is there for one another, anyone would be lucky to have a family like that.  

I liked the ending it was good to see Jax come out of his shell a bit and actually say what was on his mind and the book had me tearing up in a few spots when he talked with his friend Henry (who has dementia) and when it was discussed about Poppy's dad (who we know from this book and previous books recently passed away).  

What is your favorite Karla Sorensen book?  Have you read any of the others in this series? 

*older brothers best friend  *unrequited love *Dual POV  *some spice *surprise/unexpected pregnancy *one night stand--> more  *age gap (MMC is 10 years older) *friends --> more  *happily ever after

*supportive family (Poppy's side) 

Abigail Bridges To stop a Scoundrel

 read in 2023

The Ashton Park Series Book 1 (299 pages) this was the first book I read by this author.  

Rose Timmons and Thomas Ashton were friends as children Thomas ends up moving away and they end up meeting later in life when Rose is considered a spinster and Thomas has been a rake for years.  

Rose has basically an underground network of informants who keep her apprised of society's scoundrels and she has made it her mission to protect vulnerable young women from being involved in a scandal.  Her sister is making her debut this season and she is 100% making sure that her sister doesn't fall prey to any "gentlemen" with ill intentions.

Thomas Ashton, Lord Newbury and heir to the Duke of Kennet has been away from society living how he pleased for many years but he is now making his way back into society because his father has made the decree that him and his 2 brothers need to be on their best behavior and follow society rules if they want to continue to receive the Duke (their father's) support... he has to make this happen soon as he has to be married by the end of the year to keep his inheritance how is he supposed to behave in polite society again?  

Thomas runs into Rose at a society event and they eventually decide to work together to help with each other's missions she will help him find a suitable bride and help him get back into society's good graces and he will help her deal with the scoundrels who are attempting to ruin young ladies.  Rose has a secret as she was once a vulnerable young lady and she still carries the scars from that incident (emotionally and physically) due to this she feels it wouldn't be right to marry anyone and plans to retire to the country after helping to find her youngest sister a suitable husband.  Naturally working closely together they start to have some feelings for each other, could it be more?   

Thomas has a younger sister who is making her debut to the ton too and he is protective of her he doesn't want her to fall prey to the wrong guy either.  

Lots of drama in this book (even more than a regular historical romance novel) and miscommunication which was sometimes frustrating.  Book was probably longer than it needed to be and the ending felt kind of rushed.  I did end up reading the rest of the series and enjoyed the series overall the remaining books in the series follow Thomas's two brothers and his sister.  

*possible spoiler*  Thomas was made to give up his mistress at the start of the book and continued to think of about her and miss her etc... even after when he was supposedly falling for Rose. 

*strong independent woman *miscommunication  *historical romance  *Some spice (slow burn)  *HEA

*childhood friends *friends to more *Rake/Rogue  *Spinster/Wallflower  *older female lead 

*male lead is a bit of a hot head

Trigger Warning: Attempted sexual assault, attempted murder,  a bit darker for a historical romance novel (not sure if it has a trigger warning list but you might want to check for this prior to reading). 

Rose's mom is also pretty unbearable as a character

Have you read anything by this author?  what would you recommend? 

D.S. Kinahan: Some Unexpected Vacation Baggage

Read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222889206-some-unexpected-vacation-baggage

Our story starts with Margaret she is a hard worker and rarely "lets down her hair" for some fun, she is an accountant and used to taking care of everything... including cooking and cleaning after her boyfriend Ben she has been with him for 4 years so she is surprised to come home one evening from work to find a simple note saying he is unhappy so he is bailing on their relationship and he's left... he didn't even say anything before now so what was he so unhappy with?  He also didn't pay for much of anything including their upcoming trip to Canada.  

What is Margaret going to do she had a full trip planned to the Canadian Rockies for 2 and it's doubtful she can get a full refund since it's so close to the trip, instead of going by herself she decides to run an ad looking for a partner to go on the trip and split the costs with and someone takes her up on the offer when she gets on the plane she is shocked to see that it's not a female companion like she originally thought it is Kelly a man and she is floored she can't go on a trip with this stranger now what is she going to do?

Kelly is a wealthy business owner (chain of mattress stores), he is outgoing, outspoken and fun he's not getting off the plane like Margaret wants him to... he paid his share of the trip and he's going she's just going to have to deal with it.  I get that Margaret was just dumped in a bad way but I felt she truly was rude and at times obnoxious towards Kelly who was trying to make the best of things on their trip. 

Kelly is a sweet guy and really does what he can to get Margaret out of her slump and encourages her to enjoy the trip... considering how she is behaving I feel bad that he has to room with her at times, she eventually admits that she's being a stick in the mud and starts to enjoy the trip maybe they could even be friends for the time being. 

Once Margaret starts to break out of her grumpy shell and enjoy herself she and Kelly end up having a night of passion... or two.  Kelly believes that they will continue some kind of relationship afterwards, Margaret still needs time to get over her baggage related to her Ex.

I liked the first part of the book more than the back half of the book, while the book was a cute cozy read after the trip ended there were multiple time jumps the couple ends up moving in together shortly after returning home from vacation, she has a confrontation with her ex then she needs to move out of her apartment due to not being able to afford the rent.  Margaret briefly discusses with Kelly her troubled past with her family but there is really not much drama for this couple minus some mood swings from Margaret and Kelly possibly over sharing things with his younger sister.  

Back half of the book includes a lot about what Margaret is cooking for dinner and how she is redecorating Kelly's home.  Low spice with brief mentions of getting nude but it is closed door.  

The thing that kind of took me out of this story was the dialogue was a bit awkward (if it is a modern day story which I'm guessing it is supposed to be it just was not how younger people would talk) if it wasn't mentioned a few times that the couple were in their 30's I would have thought based on the banter and dialogue that the couple were way older but I guess the couple are old souls.  

The story was ok and cutesy but in the back half once they started using "pet names" they used them ALL the time like every few sentences was a "Babe" "Baby" "sweetie" and talking about lengthy "smooches"... that part for me was a bit over the top... but someone else might love this in their reads.  

This is my first time reading this author, have you read anything by this author?  have you read this book?  what did you think?  

*Strangers --> more  *MMC divorced  x 1  *cinnamon roll MMC  *low drama  *Forced proximity

*happily ever after  *cozy read  *under 250 pages  *Indie author

*mentions of spice but it is closed door with just kisses for those who don't like the spicier stuff

Trigger warnings: mentions of loss of parents

Maggie Dallen: One little Lie

 Book 3 in the first loves series read in 2024.  This is actually the first book I read in this series then I went back to read the first two, can be read as a stand alone. 

Addie has had a lot of changes recently her mom has gotten the opportunity to go to Europe to further her culinary training and knowing how hard her mom has worked over the years and knowing that she would never go if Addie didn't give her a little extra push she needs.  In order for her mom to go Addie   has to change everything she a senior in high school and instead of spending her final year with her friends she is moving across the country (New York to Montana) to live with her father and his new family.

Addie hasn't spent much time with her dad in the past besides short visits during school vacations... but now she will be living there full time and going to a new school.  Already nervous about her first day her day gets progressively worse when trying to be nice to her step mother she agrees to put on an outfit she picked out for her (that is not her style and too small/short), she ends up around the side of a building to catch her breath prior to going in where she witnesses an altercation between two guys and shortly after the queen bee of the school thinks she is trying to steal her boyfriend because she was again just trying to be nice. 

The guidance counselor trying to be helpful pairs Addie up with the other new kid in school Vince he's big, has tattoos, transferred recently from juvie... oh and he was one of the guys that got in the fight earlier that day he's strong, tough, and claims he doesn't need friends but everyone needs a friend right?

Not wanting to draw more attention from the school bullies Addie leans into the new rumor she hears swirling around that Vincent "Vince" and she are an item... and when asked about it while not really saying that they are getting together she doesn't directly say no either, she then tries to keep close to Vince who in turn is trying to not get closer to Addie.

Problem is Vince has noticed Addie more than he wants to and he finds himself wanting to take care of her and keep her out of trouble he's recently transferred to this school and he doesn't want to be there either but maybe this new girl is just who he needs to help him feel welcome in his new situation, he's originally from California and now living with his rich somewhat dysfunctional family if that isn't dramatic enough he is going to the same high school as his super popular nephew who doesn't want anything to do with him.  Will he ever feel like he belongs?  

I really enjoyed this book, super cute quick read and age appropriate for teenagers.  

Have you read anything by Maggie Dallen?  which book would you recommend?

*dual POV  *Teen/young adult (clean)  *bad boy  *Grumpy/sunshine  *high school romance 

*friends --> more  *happy ending  *sweet/innocent girl 

*mentions of marijuana use

Kristy Brown: Cinderfella

 Read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41022694-cinderfella

Ash (short for Ashley) is our Cinderfella in this book, he is a sweet, caring and nurturing guy he was adopted at a young age and while he had a caring family when he was young that all changed when his mom passed away.  His adopted father at that point turned to alcohol and began to treat Ash as more of a servant also encouraging his two biological sons to do the same.  Ash has been pushed out of the house and sleeps in the barn going to the house after his family leaves for the day for food from their housekeeper.  

Ash works the farm by himself including bottle feeding his piglet Gus, who sleeps in the barn with him.  One night everything changes when he meets a strange elderly man named Gerry who asks for help with his car, he goes to fix it for him and gets him on his way then later receives another unexpected visitor a beautiful girl Elle who is secretly a princess and is running from a ball where it was announced she would have to marry a complete stranger, tired of following all the rules and not having any say in her life she runs losing her shoe in the process and ends up on a farm (the farm where Ash lives naturally).

I enjoyed that Ash remained kind and caring he wanted to be a doctor and was often at the local hospital volunteering even though he was tired from his farm work.  Ellie is offered multiple times by Ash for a cab to be called to pick her up and take her home but she declines and ends up staying and helping around the farm for several days she likes that he doesn't treat her differently due to being royal, he doesn't even know who she really is as there is no TV in his barn.

I felt some of the dialogue was awkward it started off feeling like a movie from the 1950's but then you knew it was supposed to be modern times due to having modern cars mentioned, lap top computers, what was on TV and Ed Sheeran.  

Gerry is found to be Ash's Fairy Godfather assigned to him to correct a wrong, but he leaves more questions really as he shows up sporadically to help him and tell him that he's "doing things at the wrong time" but doesn't often tell him when the right time is either until he shows up way late asking why he isn't doing something... how was he supposed to know what to do?  

Ellie knows she needs to go back to the palace eventually and Ash finds out who she really is when he goes in the house and sees the news report on TV that the princess is missing and there is a reward for her safe return.  Some drama occurs when the evil step brothers find out where Ellie is leading Ash to have to make some tough decisions since a poor farm boy and a princess could never actually be allowed to be together right?

Was a cute quick read that had a lot of the same story we know and love from the original Cinderella but with some twists before our couple gets to their happily ever after 

*Indie author  *gender-bent Cinderella  *fairy tale retelling  *closed door  *some adult language 

*insta love  *young adult  *happily ever after  

Trigger warnings:  abduction/captivity, alcohol over indulgence

Kenadee Bryant Fear of Falling

 Read in 2025

Falling book 1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217776480-fear-of-falling

Josie Scott is a photographer/journalist who works for a life style magazine that focuses on local businesses and events.  After coming home one evening she ends up stuck in her apartment buildings elevator with Wyatt Boone he's a local hero as one of the cities hottest hockey stars.  Since they are stuck for hours waiting for rescue they chat about everything and form a bond.  

Wyatt has had his share of playing the field and from experience knows that not all women want to be near him for the right reasons in fact several have liked what he can get them (fame/higher social status, luxury items) it's hard to meet someone who really just likes him for him and not Wyatt the hockey star.  Josie is sweet, beautiful and fun to talk to if he had to be stuck in an elevator for hours he's lucky it was with her and he can't get her off of his mind... which his friends and family tease him about.

Josie has had a handful of bad relationships (history of DV) and isn't really looking for anyone but when Wyatt lands in her path she can't help but start to fall for him he's sweet, handsome, loyal, and driven to succeed, he had a recent injury and he's already back playing for the NHL, he's seriously the catch of a lifetime and she would love to get to know him better... but most likely will just see him in passing he does live in her apartment building after all. 

This is a bit of a whirlwind relationship where Wyatt finds out what apartment she lives in and invites her to come to one of his upcoming games, they have a few dates and get closer to each other.  They are sweet together.  After a few short weeks he invites her to meet his family (mom and brothers), I adored his younger flirty flirt brother Mateo he's a high school football star and super funny.  

Lower drama with some paparazzi issues that were resolved quickly.

If you don't like books that are more insta love (everything kind of happened in less than a month)... this might not be for you.  The story was somewhat predictable but I wasn't upset about it, I felt it was cute story with likeable lead and side characters and set up for some future books.  

This is the debut novel for this author and the second book is out now, I plan to read this soon.  

**I'm also hoping that the writer will do a time jump for a future book and do Mateo's love story  (Kenadee if you ever see this hint hint)

Have you read this book or the second one?  what did you think of them?  

*hockey romance  *Sports romance *more of an insta love  *strangers -->friends --> more  *some spice  *dual POV *she's different from the other girls  *Indie author  *first book by this author

*forced proximity  *found family  *no third act break up

*trigger warnings: mentions of DV & emotional abuse, death of a parent/grieving and loss 

Belle Ami Tuscan Time

 Lost in time series book 3 read in 2025 --> I would recommend reading these books in order there is a lot to the story line you might miss if you start out of order.  

The third and final book in this time travel romance series follows the last friend Gabriella as she remains in the modern world waiting for her friends to show up at the museum and beginning to worry as it's well past their meeting time as she's wondering if she should wait longer or just head back to her friend Emily's place to wait for them she ends up getting pulled through the 3rd painting in the series by Marco in order to now become part of the plan to save Marco and Iris from an evil countess set on destroying them and their love by keeping them apart.  

Following in line with the first two books Gabriella lands back in time (1902 Italy) where she is very near the edge of a cliff where the most handsome man she's ever seen rescues her after she falls over barely holding on to a branch.  Jack manages to pull her up and bring her back to his aunts home that she runs essentially a bed and breakfast out of... drama starts right away when the chef is too drunk to work thankful for rescue modern day chef Gabriella gets to work in the kitchen creating fabulous meals and making everyone wonder where she came from... of course she can't tell the truth so she plays up that she has a bit of memory loss.

Jack and Gabby are attracted to each other but Jack has big issues his evil cousin talked his father into disowning him while he was abroad and now holds his title the Earl of Witton and Marquis of Bainbridge, he needs money to fight his cousin to get back what is rightfully his by birth.  He turns to the idea of marrying a wealthy lady in order to make this happen and even makes the offer for Gabby to be his mistress... she of course is horrified by this and as she should turns him down flat.  

Jack's aunt Kitty has invited several guests to her Villa including the young lady (Cynthia) that Jack is considering for marriage her aunt (by marriage) who is very clearly up to something, Iris (undercover again) with her American friend from the second book Constance, and Gabby's friends Emily and Jenee plus their husbands and an art expert who is helping with the search for the final remaining painting that Iris and Marco need to obtain to end their curse and finally be together.  

A lot of the story takes place at the Villa so there is not as much history as the first few books and a lot of the book has the lead characters fighting their attraction and running away from each other (more or less) because of his current financial predicament.  When Gabby magically finds the missing painting by master painter Marco, Jack now has to figure out what to do with this find selling this painting could mean that he would be able to follow his heart and possibly marry for love instead of money... what to do?    

Some drama at the end and I felt that everything was wrapped up pretty quick but I enjoyed the series over all.  I liked that the ladies we started out with at the beginning of the series ending up finding each other again even though they were back in time.  

What is your favorite time travel romance?  

*time travel  *insta love/lust  *Brooding MMC  *happy ending  *chef   *some spice 

 *house party (kind of they are at a villa together)  *scholarly (Jack has a passion for archeology)

Dhara Shah: Hitched in Hawaii

 read in 2025

The author gave me an advanced readers copy (ARC) version of this book so maybe some of these kinks are worked out.

Dev is a billionaire on vacation in Hawaii he left home to get away from his parents trying to set him up in an arranged marriage.  First day of his trip he is looking at the scenery and sees a couple taking photographs but shortly after this he notices that the couple has an altercation and the lady storms off in tears throws her ring in the ocean then goes and sits by a fountain closer to his balcony.  Dev is a caring guy and doesn't want to see her hurting so he gets dinner then sits by her at the fountain... magically at this point he realizes that it is his elementary school friend Emily he hasn't seen her since 2nd grade but knows it's her because of her "honey brown" eyes (this is a main plot point as it is mentioned multiple times).  After his first dinner he invites Emily to second dinner which she accepts.  

Emily and her husband to be have split up instead of calling off the wedding because none of her family/friends coming have met him yet anyways Emily decides the next best thing is to simply find another groom for her wedding in 10 days named David or Dave... something similar (prediction... Dev sounds like Dave).  Dev agrees to be the groom because it will help solve his issue of avoiding a family arranged marriage and he is at least having a say in who he marries.  

What I did like about this book is it has multicultural representation and I appreciated that aspect of it.  The marriage of convenience trope is a hit or miss for me and I think this one is a miss for me but other people might enjoy it.  While Dev's family is a close group and sometimes meddle in his affairs they welcome Emily with open arms and begin to teach her their customs (Indian).  On Emily's side pretty much only her grandma is there for her and her grandma is ill her dying wish is to see another member of the family get married and Emily wants to make this happen for her.  

Dev is shown as "sweet" ish throughout the book towards Emily, other times it feels like he is talking to her like a child (Now Emily swim away from the turtle, don't touch the turtle).  Dev mentions many times he wants to give a real relationship a try and hopes they can fall in love in the year time frame they decided on to make their marriage work.  Instead of talking through issues Emily tends to give the silent treatment and/or cry.  Emily has a secret that she hasn't told Dev and it's a big one but instead of talking to him about it she approaches his best friend and puts him in the middle cause she doesn't want to hurt Dev... which of course leads to hurting Dev.  

The writing felt robotic to me I had a hard time getting into it the dialogue felt unnatural and somewhat repetitive (Emily has had 5 serious relationships and Dev has had 3; Emily has lots of shoes Dev doesn't yep noted).  Dev said Emily's name  like every time they spoke (even if they were already in conversation) just doesn't feel like how a real conversation would go and took me out of the story.

Have you read anything by this author?  would you recommend any of their other books?  

*billionaire  *marriage of convenience  *Dual POV  *destination wedding 

 *friends --> More   *multicultural romance   *vacation romance  *reconnection of old friends 

 *insta love  *some spice   *under 200 pages *happy ending

More possible spoilers that made me almost DNF this book  --> 

Again not sure if this might have been fixed in editing but the book could have used some more research into different things the couple were doing together and different things happening in the book: some examples *they went snorkeling and they were diving down under the water but wearing life vests which doesn't make sense you can't free dive with a life vest.* The couple are adults but Dev seemed to not be aware there were other forms of birth control (other than the pill until he talked to his friend who is a doctor).  *If someone is on Hospice they would not be attached to a bunch of tubes and wires.  *People in the book are doctors but are talking about other peoples medical issues without a release being signed (HIPPA).  *At the end of the book there is mention of burning shoes inside of a home... burning shoes can release toxic chemicals depending on what it's made of and they were burning multiple pairs of shoes inside of a closed space.     

*possible spoilers/somewhat me on a soap box 

I had a hard time liking the main characters early on after they take a trip to the mall and Emily asks Dev's opinion on colors for bra and panty sets and he tells her she looks "fat" in green (ouch!)

Same trip to the mall Emily has located 3 David's working at different stores/food shops our lead characters describe one David as "bald, one having crooked teeth and one with a butt as big as Russia" ... none of them asked to be the new husband leave these David's alone!.  Maybe this is a me thing but describing your lead characters as basically having perfect beach bodies is fine (good for them) but having your lead characters body shaming others isn't cool.  

Possible triggers: body shaming 

Alanis Winters How to Fake (and Break) an Engagement in Seven Days

 read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227993504-how-to-fake-and-break-an-engagement-in-seven-days

Alex Carrington is a workaholic he and his family are very wealthy (Billionaires) and he has been set in his ways for a long time.  His family always has a trip the same time every year and it's coming up his grandma deciding it's time for him to settle down get married and have children (she's not getting any younger)  has put her foot down if he doesn't pick someone to marry soon she is going to pick someone for him in the heat of the moment feeling flustered on this call he says that he already has a fiance... only of course he doesn't the first person he can think of is the woman he spends the most time with his assistant Anika who isn't a huge fan of his at the moment.  His family is both pleased and shocked by the news and they want to meet her as soon as possible, in fact she needs to come on vacation with them.  

Anika Patel is a hardworking woman with a heart of gold, while she didn't want to go into her family business she spread her wings moved across the country and landed on her feet working for Alex who is a bit grumpy and overbearing at times but she knows him well enough now to work with him and predict his needs before he asks like bringing his coffee in the morning the way he likes it even when he doesn't ask... that being said she is completely unprepared for him to ask her to be his fake fiance for the week of his families vacation her first thought is 100% NO, but in order to get her to agree to this plan he offers to pay off her medical bills which racked up the year before after she had to have a surgical procedure.

Anika knows immediately this will be a mistake but she goes anyways how is she going to keep her feelings for him fake he's so handsome and she has been drawn to him in the past how will she be able to separate those feelings?  When they are so close together and enjoying their time on vacation lines get blurred and things begin to feel not so fake, could they actually make a real relationship work?  

I really loved some of the side characters like Alex's grandma is adorable!  his meddling family is a great bonus they are in love with love.  Some not so likable characters make an appearance as well for a bit of drama.  

If you are looking for a feel good book that won't take long to read  give this one a try --> this book is a really cute quick read (it's a novella) the main story is happening over a week long vacation but nothing feels forced because the author does a really good job with pacing and showing that while the couple is currently in a "fake relationship" they are naturally drawn together as they have worked closely with each other for several years and have had an office "fling" in the past.

Have you read any other books by this author?  which one would you recommend to read next?

*Indie author  *Billionaire  *workaholic  *some spice  *2nd chance  *office romance *dual POV

 *fake fiance/relationship  *one bed  *forced proximity  *novella  *Grumpy MMC *happy ending

*has footnotes to read 

Lola Glass: Heat and Hard Candies

 Read in 2025

Book 3 in the Survival of the Mated series  

This is a Novella and the last in the series which I was disappointed about even though the first two books were similar I was really drawn to these books and read the whole series over a few days.  Since you have most of the same Fae competing (minus the one that won the season before) it would have been nice to read some of the other guys stories... maybe with a little bit more drama.  

It's almost like the author is just vaguely touching on the story and not getting into it too much since the books discuss that all these Fae males are "too" savage and possibly too dangerous for the Bachelorette version as these Fae are closer to their death, if they do not get a mate by a certain point in time they will fade from existence but none of the Fae males on the Island seemed all that dangerous in fact they seemed pretty mellow.  The story focuses on Kyle who in the first book is kind of like a "bro" who is kind of obnoxious but over the course of the first two books the reader comes to find that Kyle is a loveable guy who is even helping other Fae get to the end even if it means sacrificing a possible match for himself in the process. 

Launa is the new female lead of the sixth season of this survival show and she has watched all the other seasons and knows who she wants and hopefully if everything goes to plan she will end up as Kyle's mate in the end... hopefully he didn't win the previous season so he will still be there for her she has gone out of her way to get on this show instead of on the bachelorette like the Fae originally wanted her to be on.

Kyle wins the first task easily like he has during all the previous seasons of the show and intends to work with Launa to help her get to the end with the Fae she wants then he plans to enjoy his remaining few months with his family and see his little sister get married... that is until Launa is bold and tells her the guy she wants is him... this is unbelievable since he thinks that human women just don't like him. 

Since this is a novella it is super short and everything happens pretty quickly it's kind of an insta love situation, immediate steam on the first date, the tasks are pretty much the same as from the first few books which again was disappointing it's almost like the author didn't want to think of new challenges for them (and even at the end in the authors note she writes about how she wanted Kyle to get his story but couldn't really think of a longer story for him so it came out short and sweet).  

Even with the similarities throughout each book I enjoyed the series and would pick up a book by this author again.  

*novella  *short and sweet  *happy ending  *insta love  *fae *romantasy  *survival game show 

*Virgin female  *age gap (obviously since he's supposed to be like 300 years old)  *some spice 

possible spoiler:

There is really no drama, not really any conflicts in fact a lot of the guys don't even care about winning the date challenges since Launa spends time ignoring them when they are alone together on their date... pretty predictable and several days on the island and vote off of contestants is just a brief sentence.  It was a bit disappointing that the author didn't really seem to put more time into Kyle's story since it could have been a lot better with some changes.  

Lola Glass: Glamour & Gumballs

 Read in 2025

This is book 2 in the Survival of the mated series where we find human females dropped on an Island with 12 handsome eligible Fae bachelors.  

Erin is our lead female in this book and she isn't happy to be on this show where she is the end prize, Rhett from the first book is back again only instead of being the guard and host of the show like he's used to being the Fae leadership has pulled a swap on him behind his back not wanting to see Rhett fade from existence his friends mom (Cameron from book 1) and leader of the Fae has placed Rhett in the game as a contestant to find a mate.

Erin is immediately drawn to Rhett he is handsome and brooding he wants to be there on the Island for survival about as much as she does... which is not at all.

The Fae men returning to the game and learning from the first season that anyone who gets too close and friendly with the female ends up getting voted off try a new tactic of ignoring Erin as much as possible... how is Erin supposed to get to know anyone and make a huge decision to choose a mate when no one will get close to her.

Rhett becomes a safe option to spend time with everyone knows that he is perfectly happy losing the game and fading away.  Rhett has been burned before in a bad relationship with a human and rather than spend life in another bad relationship he's fine never getting close to anyone again... that is until Erin lights a fire inside of him she might just be the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Erin getting closer to Rhett wants to get to the end with him and to pick him as her mate but begins to question if she is just imagining their chemistry together and if it's one sided, what if she chooses him but he declines?  should she start looking at the other guys as actual life partners also what if her plan is found out and the other guys vote Rhett off? 

While I enjoyed this book, I did find it very similar to the first book almost like a control C control V situation from the first to second book in the way that the survivor tasks were basically the same in the same order and not described just kind of a summary of "then this happened" and the couple goes on their date together.  I haven't seen survivor in many years so maybe some seasons are like that where not much happens, or similar things happen (?)... I don't know I guess I felt more could have been done with the tasks and rewards some of that could have been changed up.  

I would still recommend the book to others it was a cute, quick read with a happy ending.

What is your favorite paranormal romance?  

*Fae  *Paranormal  *Survivor game  *Broody LMC  *Dual POV  *Spice  *forced proximity