Lexie Black: More Than Words

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240713915-more-than-words

book Blurb: 

Kate Martin does not do spontaneous.
She color-codes her calendar, creates multi-tabbed, cross-referenced spreadsheets to plan her dinner menu, and once made a PowerPoint to decide between two shades of beige. But after a brutal breakup leaves her questioning everything, Kate decides it’s time to shake things up by accepting a job offer as the personal assistant to rock’s biggest heartthrob. For Kate, control is comfort, predictability is peace, and falling for a rockstar—particularly one who has a habit of forgetting things like names, birthdays, and, occasionally, pants—was never part of the plan.

On the outside, Josh Calloway has it all. On the inside, he’s falling apart.
Frontman for the chart-topping band Velvet Shadows, Josh is confident, charming, and used to living fast and loud. He’s always used humor to hide his flaws, but lately, the spiraling self-doubt is getting harder to ignore. Enter Kate—the quiet, capable assistant who calms his chaos with color-coded precision. She wasn’t supposed to matter. Now she’s the only thing that does.

She’s organized. He’s impulsive.
She plans her days down to the minute. He can barely remember what day it is.
On paper, they don’t add up.
But sometimes love shows up exactly when—and how—you least expect it.

*ALC 2026  *rockstar MMC  *personal assistant FMC  *High gravity audio books  *Duet narration

*secret relationship  *forced proximity  *on the road  *high profile career  *opposites attract

*ADHD rep  *toxic ex  *some drama  *cozy read  *rom-com  *found family *friends --> more 

*State Challenge (Tennessee) *golden retriever MMC *spice *banter 

thoughts:

Kate is doing something spontaneous for once in her life after the end of a toxic relationship of several years she has accepted the job of personal assistant to one of the worlds biggest rock stars it's easy for her to fall into the habit of organization and keeping order for her rock star boss Joshua Calloway and even if he can't remember what her name is he's getting closer every day so that's a start right?

Josh is the handsome lead singer of an incredibly popular band to the world he is calm, collected, handsome and just plain cool women want to be with him, men want to be him and that's what he wants the outside world to see but inside his mind is pure chaos struggling with ADHD he goes through each day with the equivalent of a bazillion open files in his head with none of them closing so he can concentrate properly on just one thing.

Kate and Josh balance each other out perfectly what starts out as a boss x assistant relationship turns into a friendship and then so much more.  Josh is down to earth and green flag boyfriend material.  once These two open up to each other they help each other heal emotionally.  The author does a really good job with showing both lead characters have vulnerabilities they need to work through and I think that was what made these two so easy to love they felt real and their struggles were relatable.  

Between spending late nights together watching old rom-coms and talking about anything and everything their relationship turns spicy... but not wanting things out in the open due to his high profile career they keep it a secret even from their closest friends.  

Kate continues to have issues with low self esteem and self doubt throughout since her ex did a number on her.  While they are in a special secluded bubble together while on the road would they ever be able to make things work longer term?  He is in the spot light all the time and she is used to fading in the background to the point where she's not even noticed any relationship he were to have would be criticised and examined in the media and is Kate ready for that kind of extra stress?  What will their friends think about their relationship?  Also Josh said he doesn't do relationships anymore... is this just a fling, and they live thousands of miles away from each other what will happen after the tour?  

The narrators did a great job with bringing these characters to life and towards the end felt like listening to two good friends.  I did feel that some of the story line was predictable but I felt this was a cute feel good read and loved listening to their story and plan to read any other books that come out in this series.  

If you enjoy rock star romances, two broken hearts finding their other half, hot green flag boyfriends and a FMC that knows how to take charge when needed who you would love to hang out with this book will be for you!  

If you've read this one let me know what you think in the comments!  

Kassie Jones: Bake It 'Til You Make It

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250712358-bake-it-til-you-make-it

Book Blurb:

All Taylor Madden has ever wanted is to own a bakery filled with whimsical designs and unforgettable flavors. Landing a spot on America's Next Great Baker is her chance to make that dream a reality--even if her biggest competition is a cocky, annoyingly gorgeous distraction who smirks every time she slips up. Winning could mean a fresh start. Surviving him might be the bigger challenge.

Alexander Harrington only agreed to the competition to get his parents off his back, not to complicate things with the disaster-prone optimist who insists on making everything cute. She's not supposed to be his biggest obstacle, but the longer they're stuck in the kitchen together, the harder it is to remember he's meant to beat her... not fall for her.

The stakes are high, the ovens are hot, and the cameras are rolling. But when the rivalry starts to taste like something sweeter, will either of them walk away with more than just the prize?

*Rom-Com  *Grumpy/Sunshine  *Flirty Banter  *Cozy read  *Baking competition  

*Reality TV Hijinks *protective MMC  *lighter spice *loveable leads and side characters 

*state Challenge (California repeat state) *Rivals to More  *Indie Author  *ARC 2026

Thoughts:

Taylor (FMC) is on the struggle bus she's in a dead end job that is sucking the life from her... and not even paying well as evidenced by her late payment due notices but then she gets the most amazing news... She's going to be a contestant on America's Next Great Baker a new reality show that mixes all of those cute cozy baking competitions but they are taking it up a notch by the show following them while at their shared house as well (think Real world or Big Brother).

Where Taylor is a walking ray of sunshine Alex (MMC) is the exact opposite he is uptight and grumpy he didn't even want to come and he was voluntold by his dad that if he didn't come to this show and put up a real effort his dreams will be gone before they even start... and he and his cousin have worked too hard to throw it away now... besides there are a few good things he's found about this competition like Taylor for instance her sunny disposition might just crack thru his layers before this competition is over.

Alex might take some people a bit to warm up to but he gets there eventually!  I really liked him even when he was the king of Grumps, he just takes a bit to warm up to people.  

This was a fun cozy read there were a lot of cute moments between our couple and I loved watching them fall for each other and support each other through the ups and downs of the competition.  The MMC stands up for what is right even if he knows that it could possibly ruin his chances in the competition I love a protective MMC. 

I love watching those baking competitions and the author did a really great job making that part of the book just like the actual shows... even with the corny jokes from the host and judges.  

I also enjoyed that the story didn't end when the show ended, Taylor and Alex had to actually work to keep something going after leaving their reality show bubble and going back to their real lives and Alex lived in Canada while Taylor lived in California this felt very real their relationship wasn't easy and the ending felt earned.  

I was excited to get my hands on this one and wasn't disappointed this book was a delightful feel-good read.  If you enjoy baking competitions, rom-coms, and characters with heart grab this one it comes out soon!  Thank you Kassie for letting me read this book early I loved it 💓

S. Rena: On Thin Ice

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239680503-on-thin-ice

Book Blurb:

God of Malice meets Pucking Around in this spicy hockey romance where one freshman becomes the twisted obsession of three university hockey players.

I only have one shot to make a life for myself, and more than just my future is on the line. My baby brother is still back in the dump I escaped from, still living in a house of cigarette butts stuffed in beer cans and slurred arguments. So now that I've gotten to Sovereign Kings University, I have to make it worth it. I'll keep my eyes down, ignore the rich kids’ taunts, and graduate.

At least that was my plan before I busted the knee of a hockey player. Having possibly ruined the team’s chance of a championship, I'm now the target of the players. The golden boy captain, Alexander, is the ringleader of my popular bullies. Every day Kane—the tall, dark and perpetually pissed-off defense—finds a way to humiliate me. Yet, being painfully ignored by the huge, reserved goalie they call Mountain may just hurt the most.

When the guys aren’t making my life a living hell, they’re twisting me up inside with desire and giving me glimpses of the real them. But can I risk losing my heart to one hockey player—let alone all three? I’m certainly in for a long, hard season.

*College Romance  *Hockey/sports  *Darker vibes  *Enemies --> More  *why choose 

*spice  *taboo relationship *rich kids/poor kids  *Bully *Trigger warnings (check yours) 

*death of parent (in the past)  *family drama  *multi-cultural characters *Netgalley ALC 

*Multiple POV  *family secrets 

Thoughts: 

Sam (FMC) has had a tough life made even tougher since her mother passed away and she's stayed in custody of her step father to protect her younger brother.  Only now she's leaving her brother to focus on her studies at a new college across town if she does well there this will be huge for both of them she can fight for custody and give them both a better life.

Shortly after arriving she sees a familiar face in Kane (MMC #1)... only he doesn't welcome her like she thought he might he is moody and pushes her away.  Kane doesn't want Sam at his school she knows his history that he has worked so hard to hide from everyone (including his closest friends) and he needs to keep things together finish out the school year and make sure that his mother (who is mentally ill) continues to receive the care she needs in the super expensive facility he can't do any of that if Sam gets in his way.

Alex (MMC 2), Kane, and Mountain/Bryden (MMC #3) live together in the house that Alex's father has bought for them off campus even though he's not supposed to Alex throws a big party.  One of the popular girls invites Sam and she finds herself in a predicament where she is cornered by one of the Hockey players outside it's fight or flight and she fights... originally set on keeping her head down and pushing herself to succeed flying under the radar this just put her on the map for all the wrong reasons and now everyone is mad that she just possibly ruined the teams chances at finals which is coming up soon. 

Instead of listening to what happened at the party the leadership at the school takes the hockey player's side... but she is at that point thrilled not to be expelled, although her sentence might be worse she now has to work as the hockey players assistant (sharpening blades, filling up waters, clean up, washing jerseys) all while surviving the bullying and taunting that is now happening.

My heart went out to Sam she was put in a terrible situation and was trying to make the best of things in a world where the rich and powerful rule.  Throughout the book the lead characters lives all intertwine but for a good majority they are not "together" it is more of a love triangle (square?) until the last 5 or so chapters when things come together... *I will put a spoiler down below

All of these characters are dealing with their own hard times but over the course of the story you see Sam falling for each of the guys for different reasons.  There is a lot of family drama going on throughout this Alex's dad is the head of the school and he is shady and secretive.  Wanting to find out why she is even at the school Sam uncovers news to her that her mother went to this same college she never told her she went there and since she has passed she can't ask her any questions wanting to find out more she begins to investigate which leads down a rabbit hole of bad things that happened and were covered up but someone doesn't want Sam digging and when she begins to receive threats who is there for her... all 3 of these guys and if she's being honest with herself... and the guys when it comes down to it she can't let go of any of them.

I didn't really dislike any of the main characters but certain parts felt rushed especially the ending.  I only truly felt Sam developed a relationship naturally with Bryden as they built a friendship after being paired together in one of their classes for Alex and Kane it was more of a insta lust situation even though she did know Kane previously he went out of his way to not be friendly to her when she re-entered his life.  I appreciated the mystery in the story I just wish that that this section was built up better instead of being rushed towards the end of the book and I think that it could have been extended instead of having a spicy situation right after the big reveal of all of the information. 

I listened to this as an ALC and felt all of the narrators did a great job with their parts.  This one was just ok for me I feel that there was too much going on at the end which is another reason in how it felt really rushed to wrap everything up.

**Possible spoiler***

Kane knows and has known that he and Alex share the same father, the father has been paying for Kane's mother to be in an expensive mental health institution if he keeps quiet and doesn't announce that he is his illigitamet son.... two brothers being with the same girl at the same time and then in a relationship with her after I'm not a fan of this plot point... family shouldn't be getting that close, that parts a no for me.  

RJ Steele: The Rake Who got turned into a Garden Gnome

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247760444-the-rake-who-got-turned-into-a-garden-gnome

Book Blurb:

When spirited Claire Chiswick first encounters Matthew, he’s no charming gentleman. He’s a sharp-tongued gnome with a chip on his tiny shoulder. Once a notorious rake who broke too many hearts, Matthew was cursed by a witch and has been stuck in his miniature form for years. There's only one way to break the he must make a lady fall in hate with him.

What begins as an unlikely friendship, fueled by banter and barbed remarks, slowly blossoms into something neither of them expected. Beneath Matthew’s grumpy exterior, Claire glimpses a man worth caring for... even if he insists on hiding behind sarcasm and stubbornness.

*Enemies --> More  *no spice  *historical romance  *handsome Rake  *novella *rom-com  *no spice *close proximity *insta love *Indie author

Thoughts: 

Claire is returning to the city for the season with her parents her mother is complaining about her spinster status and even though Claire knows that one of her mother's goals is to get her married this season she's tired of all the guys she meets in the ball rooms who fall at her feet with praises and who knows if they are even telling the truth... what she needs is someone who wants to be real with her... while she was hoping for a charming noblemen what she finds is a garden gnome.

Matthew was once a handsome rake he could get any woman he wanted and frequently did... until he crosses the wrong one and he gets cursed he has now been stuck in this small form for several years with no luck reversing this and getting his regular body back... knowing he needs to get Claire to dispise him he gets to work right away.

This book was just what I wanted for a title like this it was funny and charming, I did feel that maybe some of the barbed remarks were too mean and I actually would actually would have liked for this to be a longer read.  But it was cute and I read it in about an hour.  

E.V. Everest: Kissed by Iron and Glass

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250419411-kissed-by-iron-and-glass

Book Blurb:

When my stepmother sold me at auction, I thought I’d experienced the cruelest fate. I was wrong.

Because now I belong to the Iron King, a fae with a heart as cold and unyielding as the cursed iron that encases it. To keep his throne, he needs a queen–his fated mate. And I’m supposed to use my ability to protect him, to see through deception… by posing as one of his potential brides.

Assuming I can survive.

The Iron King’s Bridal Trials are a glittering nightmare of cutthroat fae and deadly secrets. His kingdom is on the brink of rebellion, and every fae lady is willing to kill for the crown.

But when the clock strikes midnight during my first dance with the Iron King, everything changes. Because maybe, just maybe the man I loathe might also become the man I love...if two hearts can break a curse of glass and iron.

*Fairytale retelling (Cinderella) *Political intrigue *ruthless Fae *Bridal trials  *truly unlikeable villains *Fated mates *brooding/grumpy MMC *Cursed MMC  *Fierce FMC  *Some spice (light)  *Familiars *magical world *touch her and 💀 *Romantasy *ARC read 2026 *Dual POV

**This is book 2 in the series it is a stand alone and I didn't read the first one but now plan to

Thoughts:

Alette (Cinderella) is a magical fae with the ability to see through glamour spells (rare in this world) 

She is sold by her evil step mother at auction to the head guard at the palace and now is blood bound to serve him and he wants her to find threats that others have hidden or are trying to bring into the castle.

Harry: MMC brooding, grumpy he was the 4^th son of the king and never expected to inherit the title so he left years ago to forge his own path with his best friend… they were both cursed together (in the first book which I haven’t read but now plan to) and now that his friend has found happiness and he hasn’t since he is still cursed he is headed home after years away… only when he’s on his way back he gets word the palace is under siege by rebels and arrives too late to save the remainder of his family… he takes care of the current issue but now there are rumors that he came back to steal the throne and he lets these rumors fly if it causes fear and helps him keep the throne in his family… for now but he knows there will be more uprisings if he doesn’t do something drastic.

He decides to host an ancient event that where he will find his queen through a series of possibly deadly trials… an Iron King needs someone strong to stand beside him

This is where Alette comes back into play she has now against her will been brought to the castle to work and is now part of this bridal competition she wants no part in.  There is a cute Meet cute between our leads in the kitchen when she doesn’t know who he is.

Alette has had a hard life since her parents past and it’s about to get worse since 299 other noble ladies are fighting for the crown… they can have it as far as she’s concerned

Then she finds surprise allies in the castle with the kitchen staff, Princess Ember (widow to one of the fallen princes), The former queen’s familiar (a very large cat), and even the King himself who might not be as iron hearted as she originally thought…. In fact could she be falling for her enemy?

The only negatives for me were that there were some slower parts in the middle in between the trials and then the ending wrapped up a bit quickly but I'm looking forward to going back and reading the first book to see what happened to Harry previously.  

I truly enjoyed this romantasy fairytale retelling and I thank the author for letting me be on their ARC team!  

If you've read this one or any of this authors other books let me kwow what you think in the comments 

 

Maggie Evans: Hot For Hostage

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221548847-hot-for-hostage

Book Blurb:

Good girls don't take mafia bosses hostage... or fall in love with them.

Sadie Morris is a ball of sunshine wrapped in short pink overalls, pockets brimming with homemade dog treats, and an alarmingly passionate thirst for vengeance. Her idea of "fun" is volunteering at a rundown dog shelter.

I hate dogs. And volunteering. And fun.

But when a group of punks vandalize the shelter and steal one of Sadie's furry friends, she goes to the last person she should seek out for help getting him me. Davian Reed. Heir to the criminal empire that runs this city.

Cold, calculating, and raised by a ruthless father to own this city and everything in it—I was tied to the mafia from birth until death. Good girls knew to never come within a hundred feet of me.

That didn’t stop Sadie. When I brushed off her desperate plea for help, she didn’t even hesitate before snatching my friend’s gun and wiggling it at me like a seasoned bank robber—claiming she was taking me “hostage” until her dog was found.

She got my attention.

Her sob story might seem a little far-fetched, but few have the balls to ask me for help. Throw in her sweet curves and laughable demands, and I’m ready to see how this hostage situation plays out.

*Rom-com  *Mafia MMC  *Touch her and 💀 *FMC with a heart of gold  *insta lust/love vibes

*some spice  *close proximity  *age gap  *bubbly FMC  

Thoughts: 

Sadie (FMC) is a sweet college aged girl (who is in a culinary program) she loves to bake, she loves volunteering at the dog shelter and she has a lot of patience but is tired of these teenage vandals coming and tagging the shelter... the last straw is when they break in and steal one of her favorite dogs "Bear" and the police have been no help with getting him back or with getting the teens to back off it's time to take matters into her own hands.

While at the local ice cream shop to pass out missing posters she runs into Davian Reed (MMC) he is handsome, fierce and runs the city with his crime family.  Seeing an opportunity Sadie steals a weapon from Davian's number 1 guy and takes Davian hostage she has no plans to harm him she just wants help getting Bear back and knows that Davian means business and gets things done... he is a dangerous guy after all.  

If you are looking for a serious book... this is not going to be for you, this is a series of ridiculous events that have our couple getting closer together.  There is no real back story on either lead and we only know them superficially at best the main story takes place over the course of 2-3 days and they are already falling "in love" with each other if it seems fast it's because it is.  

This book started out cute and was sometimes funny throughout but I felt it was kind of repetitive and dragged a bit in the middle... I don't think this needed to be over 400 pages.  Our FMC was supposed to be sweet, quirky and naive but at times it was to the point where she was more obnoxious than cute... for example she's at Davian's "compound" finds a shed in the woods with a guy being held inside and tries to help get him out... girl who do you think put him there?  You do realize your new friend isn't a boyscout right?!!  She doesn't know how to read the room and is just a non-stop chatter box.  

Sometimes the quirky behavior worked for the FMC and sometimes it was just weird if I didn't know she was in culinary college I wouldn't have realized she was supposed to be in her early 20's she acted really young (immature).  I enjoyed Sadie's friends from the shelter they were friend goals!  

Davian isn't used to being bossed around... he is the boss and when this Pink haired cutie bursts into his world and adds color he can't help but fall for her and go along with whatever she says... even if it's going to rescue some dog from these teenage punks... only things go down hill and now there is a turf war with another family.  Could he really be with this bubbly girl who brings out his softer side?  Or will she be his weakness?  

Final Thoughts --> I would recommend this to the right people if they are in the mood for something light and not at all serious.  I enjoyed this book enough to finish it but some of the scenes were trying to hard to be like a sketch comedy show and just didn't work for me.  

Aleatha Romig: Intercepted

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246031319-intercepted

Book Blurb:

In The Coopers, family power meets forbidden passion, and one wrong move can cost you the team… or your heart. Perfect for fans of the ruthless tension of Succession and the dark, aching obsession of Wuthering Heights.
At thirty-six, Fin Graham is a legend, a veteran quarterback, dangerously handsome, and built to win. The field. The season. Me.
I never thought I’d see him again, not after he disappeared and shattered me without a word. But now he’s been traded onto my family’s team, the Lexington Coopers—my turf, my legacy, and the one place I swore he’d never touch.
No one knows our past.
No one knows how hard I loved him… or how deep the betrayal cut.
And if I have any sway with the team’s owner—my father—Fin’s contract will be the shortest in franchise history.
But the problem with old heartbreaks?
They remember how to start beating again.
Fin wants a second chance.
I want revenge… or maybe I just want him.
And the time clock is almost out.
With the future of the Lexington Coopers on the line, we have to decide if we’re working together or against one another.

*sports: Football Romance *2^nd chance romance *FMC boss *forbidden *some spice (light)

 *Netgalley ALC  *State Challenge: Kentucky

Thoughts:

Fin (MMC) is a veteran quarterback he’s handsome and has had an amazing career now in his mid 30’s he’s at the end of his football career and while he still feels he has a few good years left in him he wants to take the back seat on a team that values family and team work so when a spot opens on the Lexington Coopers he’s happy to move… when he does though he will have to face his past…

 Vee (FMC) is the heiress to the football dynasty (her father owns the team) while in college she met and fell in love with a handsome football star who saw her for her (not for her families business) only just when she thought they would be forming a forever he left and she never heard from him again until now… Fin is on her families team, and she’s just hearing about this now?  She would have said no if she knew he can’t be here.

This story goes back and forth between college years and today to show that they once had a connection that was broken suddenly when Vee was ghosted after he transferred to a different college to have better prospects of getting drafted.  But Fin harbors his own frustrations and it’s not exactly what she thinks.  They were both young at the time and while they have had other relationships have never found the one… could it be that they are both still living in the past?  Could they ever forgive each other and move on from their past to have a future together?

While the story itself had potential I never fully felt a real connection with either lead character.  I appreciated that Vee was a take charge woman boss and wanted to make it in a male dominated sport and I was rooting for her to succeed throughout the book and I liked that Fin was open to guiding the next star quarterback while he took a back seat on the field but our “main” couples interactions were few and far between I was wondering at one point if I had misread what the book was supposed to be about. 

Vee spent at least half the book in a relationship with a different guy who didn’t see the real her or really care about what she wanted in her life.  It felt like the romance aspect of the book was on the back burner throughout most of the story I do appreciate the actual sport and some game play being mentioned in my sports romances… but this book at times felt like I was reading a play book or sports broadcast and it took up way too much of the story… no offense to the game but I’m reading this for the romance which felt like an after thought.

Feels like just when the story might be getting somewhere it ended on a cliffhanger. 

I thank Netgalley and the author for this ALC and I do plan to read the next in the series.

Cassandra Medcalf: Milking with the Minotaur

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243685343-milking-with-the-minotaur

Book Blurb: 

Can a human woman and a hunky minotaur meet the demands of a hungry demigod? Or will they cow under the pressure?

A Single Mother in Crisis

Betsy should have known better than to fall for the King of the Gods. But hey, we've all made stupid decisions in our twenties.

But in her case, there were consequences. Demigod-sized consequences.

You'd think Zeus would be interested in getting to know his minotaur son. But sadly, Betsy is abandoned to figure out single motherhood on her own... which is a problem when her baby needs more nourishment than she can provide.

When a mysterious goddess offers her a solution, she hastily agrees-not realizing it will deliver her straight into the arms of a monster.

A Lonely Minotaur

If Felix has said it once, he's said it a hundred times: Never trust the gods.

They're the reason he was exiled to the corn fields of rural Minnesota all those years ago. He fell in love with the wrong goddess, and BAM. Sentenced to eternal solitude.

That is, until they issued him a new punishment: shack up with Zeus's ex-girlfriend, and help her raise their son.

She's nothing like he expected—and that's exactly why he can't let himself get too close. Except, her baby needs milk. And there's only one way to increase her supply...

This minotaur x hucow romance is chock-full of forced proximity, single mom realness, existential angst, and "milking" both ways!

*Monster Romance  *MMC Minotaur *Single Mom *Broody MMC  *Farmer MMC  *Small Town

*cinnamon roll MMC  *close proximity  *angst  *Netgalley ALC  *Spicy *room mates --> more

 *Mythological elements *Rom- Com  *State Challenge Minnesota  *Indie Author

Thoughts: 

I wasn't sure what to think of this story going in but I've been giving a lot of new to me reads a try this year and the plot sounded cute.  

The Plot: set in the 90's in Minnesota Betsy is a hard worker and has been since forever she had a hard life growing up in the foster care system and has been taking care of herself for a long time finally deciding it's time for her first ever vacation she heads to Lalapalooza and ends up getting intimate with Zeus (yes... that one)... Unfortunately after a whirlwind relationship Zeus leaves her to go on to greener pastures with a parting gift, she is now pregnant.  Having only her best friend since childhood Petra to lean on she doesn't know what to do.

In comes help from the gods (thankfully) since this is no ordinary pregnancy and she is about to be the mother to a very cute but very hungry Minotaur baby (demi-god) having very few options she accepts the goddesses help which involves moving to the middle of nowhere Minnesota with her fussy baby.

This is where our MMC comes in Felix is a Minotaur centuries ago he was charged and sentenced by the gods and has been paying for his crimes ever since although lately it hasn't been so bad he has been by himself running a farm and growing crops for the gods... he doesn't trust them but he is fine serving out his sentence alone and that's how it's going to be he doesn't need anyone else.

Betsy and her baby Apollo land on Felix's front step and disrupt all of his well laid plans... but in all the best ways Betsy and her baby need Felix's "essence" because her body can't produce enough milk without it... I think you get where this is going.  

Now we have Felix who has been on his own for so long and hasn't been with a woman in several thousands of years... and Betsy who... is she starting to fall for her room mate?... why yes she is.  Lets just say that Felix is a gentlemen, until he isn't --> if you know you know.

This book was unexpected for me this had a lot of truly emotional moments between our characters where both of them had been wronged by many in their past but coming together they truly saw each other and took care of each others needs... all of them.

Felix was truly respectful of Betsy her boundaries and her body he never did anything that she was uncomfortable with and he helped her see her own beauty along the way.  Felix was a true sweetheart.

The ending threw me off a bit for how the story had been going but maybe more will come from that in the future with this world.  

This book had some laugh out loud moments for me, I listened to it and the narrators did a great job with these characters.  

I would definitely check your trigger warnings... but the MMC is a Minotaur so if you are reading this you probably are going into it knowing that there might be some things that are pushing the boundaries.  

Lena Knight: Nothing's fair in Love & Marriage

Book 2 Fostered H(E)ARTS series

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249046287-nothing-s-fair-in-love-marriage-fostered-h

Book Blurb:

What happens when you meet the right person, at the right time, but under the wrong circumstances?

Well, let me tell you all about it...
You end up with a lot of sleepless nights filled with guilt. Why? Because she's verboten. I should leave it at that. Yet, I can't. She has infiltrated my psyche, my mind, and soul, not to mention the old ticker. I earned her friendship, her trust, but all that did was make me want more. Alas, I am not a selfish person. In this scenario, she comes first. And I would never do anything to hurt her, even if it breaks me. And by the looks of it, I am already halfway there, especially since I have to watch from the sidelines, acting like I don't see her pain, don’t notice what he is doing to her, to that little boy who took my heart with one simple smile.

********

Stuck in a hamster wheel, going nowhere, the daily loop just keeps rinsing and repeating. I have a purpose: my family, and I live for that purpose. Somehow, I didn’t realize I lost myself on the way. One interaction changes it all, makes me question everything, shatters the rose-colored glasses, revealing the truth that is my life. 

Tropes:

*forbidden love  *personal struggle  *Autism representation (FMC son) *single mom while married

*Toxic relationship *Blue Collar MMC *Teddy Bear MMC  *MMC and FMC with difficult childhoods 

*Love triangle *Marriage in trouble  *Found Family *he falls first  *some spice  *no cheating  

*Right person wrong time

*friends --> more  *State Challenge Mass (duplicate state) *Indie Author *ARC read *Book Sirens

Thoughts:

Nora (FMC) has a heart of gold her past has shaped her present growing up she always wanted a loving family and when she met her husband Rick and they had their son Declan she thought she would finally have that.  Nora goes out of her way to please others (even when they don't deserve it) and even though she's a stay at home mom she does what she can to keep up around their home and take care of their special needs son... Unfortunately Rick doesn't notice, or maybe does he just doesn't care about Nora's efforts and over the years has built up distance between them with harsh words and actual distance (he is sleeping on the couch).

Luka (MMC) has a troubled past but thankfully was taken in by a loving woman in foster care and along with his foster brother's they have built a close family of their own.  Luka has always wanted a family of his own to love and care for he is the perfect book boyfriend kind, caring, loyal, and fierce when needed, I read the first book in this series and loved him then but love him even more in his own book he's such a sweet teddy bear! 

Nora and Luka meet by chance on Nora and Declan's walk, Luka works construction and Declan while mostly non-verbal is very into the construction vehicles a fast friendship forms between the three of them and then they continue to come together throughout the book due to having more in common than they thought their friend Ryan.  (This part might just be me but when Ryan was introduced into the story I was kind of like "Who?" but I caught on quickly enough after it was explained that they were both friends with him).  

This book continues to follow Nora as she deals with her crumbling marriage with Rick goes back and forth between feeling guilt that she made a commitment to this man that she loves deeply but feels that he is taking advantage of her at all points and her deep sadness over this has even dulled her spirit she is a brilliant musician and singer but hasn't done either in forever because Rick doesn't like it.  Nora is turning into a shell of who she used to be and while her friends have noticed she lost herself somewhere along the way and didn't even notice when it began.

Luka falls in love with both Nora and Declan over the course of the book but struggles with his internal battle to keep at least some distance, he knows it's wrong she's married to another man and she might never be able to be his... but he still can't help falling for her anyways he never acts on these feelings while she is with Rick out of respect towards Nora even though he knows that she is not being treated well in her current situation he wants to be in her life even if that will always be on the sidelines.  

Throughout the book Nora attempts to work with Rick on their marriage and discuss hard topics with him while he continues to make no changes, it's so sad to read about but felt very real as many people deal with these very real changes to their relationships where they grow apart and no longer fit like they used to. 

Don't worry if you don't like a cheating trope there is no actual cheating in this book Nora and Rick's marriage comes to a natural end as that's the way it was heading and Nora allows herself time for just herself and her son.  Nora has given herself time to basically find herself again and in that way it makes the point in the story when she finally goes after what she wants (Luka) so much better!

I did wish that the book didn't focus so much on the crumbling marriage aspect since it was clear from the start that Nora needed to ditch Rick and get her life back even if it was hard (since she was worried about losing his families support which is all she had).  Once Luka and Nora finally got together there was not much left of the book for our main couple to actually "be together" but it did feel more natural and not just she left Rick and now she's with another man the next day I appreciated that she left herself time to grow and find herself. 

Declan was a huge part of the book and you could see how much Nora loved him throughout, it's always nice if there is a kid in the book and they arn't just "taking a nap" and never in the book.  

I loved that Nora and Luka were able to find each other they were each other's missing pieces and finally becoming whole once together and they both deserved so much love after all they had both been through.  

Another great read from this author and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!  Thank you to Lena and BookSirens for this early copy.  

Kristin Cast: The Lovers

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223395162

Book blurb: 

Gemma Summers is broke, burnt out, and about three weeks from moving back in with her parents. Her career has imploded, her confidence is circling the drain, and the last thing she needs is a run in with Alder Hawke—the dangerously charming ex who still haunts her dreams and could buy her a new life with just his pocket change.

When a magickal tarot card sends them spiraling—literally—into another realm and they land in the steampunk inspired Kingdom of Cups, Gemma is forced to rely on the man who shattered her trust, broke her heart, and somehow still makes her weak in the knees.

But survival in the world of Towerfall is anything but simple, especially when she's caught between the ex who wants to own her and a roguish former king who sees through every one of her defenses.

With secrets mounting, identities unraveling, and her heart very much on the line, Gemma must decide: will she cling to the version of herself she built in the real world… or risk everything to become the woman she was always meant to be?

One enchanted tarot card. Two infuriatingly hot men. And a modern woman who refuses to be anyone's damsel.

Thoughts: 

Kristen Cast The Empress

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210484327-the-empress

Have you read this?  what did you think?