Katherine Lyons: The Truth Serum

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240499038-the-truth-serum

book blurb: 

Lady Rebecca has spent ten years trying to forget the boy who stole her heart—and destroyed her family. Now Lord Nathaniel is back, still recklessly charming and absolutely forbidden. A man who cares for nothing but his own pleasure.

Or so it seems. Beneath Nate’s carefully crafted façade are secrets that could tip the war against Napoleon. Nate is a spy, and he desperately needs Rebecca's help. But can she trust a feckless rake in defiance of their family feud and her brother’s mysterious plans?

When a marriage contract could bind her to a traitor, Rebecca turns to the most dangerous weapon of all—a mysterious truth serum that reveals not just lies, but the most inconvenient desires of the heart. And when the serum goes awry, half-dressed barons and ballroom scandals are the least of Rebecca’s problems.

In a world where trust leads to betrayal, can two childhood sweethearts overcome a decade of deception to save regency England—and each other?

Tropes:

*High Gravity ALC *Historical Romance  *2nd chance for Romance *Enemies --> more

*Forbidden Romance *hidden secrets *Spy/Espionage *Family Feud/Opposing Loyalties

*Scandal *Magical Potion (truth Serum)

Trigger Warnings: Gaslighting, animal Cruelty (mentioned not on page), DV --> some other things check your triggers 

Thoughts:

This story picks up where book one ended, while it can be read as a stand alone read them in order to get an idea of what happened prior to these events (not a problem if you don't it's not hard to catch up).

Lady Rebecca is considered "past her prime" being in her later 20's many of her friends have been married for years and have children... while she's been stuck in the country taking care of her ailing mother or her season has been cut short because her eldest brother is a hermit and doesn't want to leave his home for London and her 2nd eldest brother Fletcher is all about one person's needs... his own he can't be bothered to cart her about to different society functions he has manly things to do.  

When Lady Rebecca arrives to London this time for the season she is determined to at least have a full season before settling on someone she doesn't want to jump into anything she's been burned before and it cost her a lot.

Nate and Rebecca used to spend summers together in secret their family were rivals it started out as a friendship, then young love as they were both teenagers... only things came crashing down badly when Rebecca's father caught them in the hay loft the shock of it led to his early demise... or that's what her family like to tell her that her actions caused this tragedy.  Sadly since this event 10 years prior her family has been treating her as the help and she's tired of it... if only she could get access to the property that is in her dowry and the funds as well then she can live on her own away from everyone and be her own person.

Naturally her older brother Fletcher has other ideas as he introduces her to an odious man with less than proper intentions... now Rebecca just needs to find out what these intentions are, hearing about a shop that provided a love potion that caused the match of a duke his lovely bride to be... Rebecca needs to know what's going on if a love potion can work why not a truth serum?

Nate has been living with the Duke while recovering from an attack and when he finds that Rebecca is visiting with Kynthea (FMC from book 1) he can't help himself he has to see her again he knows that things ended on bad terms but he's always cared for her and he would marry her today if she would have him... upon seeing him she makes it clear that she does not feel the same way.

Rebecca and Nate continue to run into each other at different events and while out in town, it's easy to see early on that both still have feelings for the other but after so many years and all that has happened is it possible to forgive and move on?  Especially when her family would never approve of this match? 

Nate has a reputation as a care free rake but he's more than what people think of him... it's too bad that Rebecca can't see that too.

Once Rebecca uses the truth serum on her target it leads to some big truths the too good to be true man that her brother wants her to pair with is a womanizing brute... but this does make for a funny scene in the garden where the Baron begins to shed his clothes to discuss how impressive he is (he is not)... how can her brother expect her to marry this guy seriously he's the worst.  

This story has truly unlikeable characters that had me rooting for our lead characters to be together and have their happily ever after once and for all... since it was lost to them years ago this is a true second chance. 

There is a mystery as well of who is smuggling items to the enemies... they are at war and this is treason.  Nate who we know works for the government as a spy was already involved but Rebecca soon becomes closer than she ever thought she would be to danger... will they both be able to find who is behind these crimes?  

Both now older and wiser have lived and learned and Rebecca is no longer just willingly going to fall for Nate's charm... he really has to work for it (as he should).  This leads to a push/pull, will they or won't they that lasts a majority of the book especially since we know that her family is against this relationship even years later over some old family feud.

I listened to this as an ALC and the narrators did a beautiful job bringing this story to life!  Looking forward to the next in the series. 

Have you read this one?  what did you think? 

Meghan Quinn: Till Summer Do Us Part

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227081370-till-summer-do-us-part

Book Blurb

I got what I wanted. I became buddy-buddy with my boss in an instant. But the cost will be hefty . . . finding a husband by tomorrow.

Scottie Price just started a new job, and it's a real sausage fest. She's the only woman on a team filled with Brads and Chads. Expecting a bachelor pad atmosphere, she is quickly corrected when she finds out everyone is happily married.

In an effort to impress her boss, Scottie mentions her non-existent husband in a company meeting. But eagle-eyed Chad points out her lack of wedding ring. Panicked, Scottie creates a story about her unhappy marriage. Unfortunately for Scottie, her boss has a solution - a one-on-one session with the best marriage counsellor in the Northeast, who happens to be her boss's husband.

With no way out of her lie, Scottie agrees to see him. Frantic, she calls in help from her best friend who sets her up with his brother, an improv-obsessed millionaire.

Enter Wilder Wells. More than happy to take on the job, he teaches Scottie the main rule of always say yes. But the rule backfires during the session when Wilder signs them up for an eight-day summer marriage camp with all of Scottie's co-workers where she'll have to share a cabin with her way-too-handsome fake husband.

Tropes:

*Rom-Com *Fake Relationship *Best Friend's Brother *Strangers --> More

*Camp Vibes *Marriage counseling *Work trip *Cute Nickname *Forced proximity *one bed

*Spice  *Divorced FMC *Wealthy MMC *Pierced 👇 MMC *Summer Romance

*Spice *State Challenge New York (Repeat) *emotional baggage from prior relationship

*Golden retriever MMC *Reverse age gap

Thoughts:

Scottie (FMC) has started her life over in NYC after moving across the country, newly divorced and finding it hard to fit in at her new job with a bunch of adult frat bro's but... what's worse is that they all are all happily married.  Feeling bad about her failed relationship and looking to grasp onto anything when everyone is talking about what they are doing in their world of love... she brings up that she will also be doing "Coupleish" things with her husband.

Thinking that people will just drop it after it's said... she ends up in a bad situation after she doubles down on her lie and says that she's not wearing her ring because her and her husband have been having a rocky time,  next thing she knows her boss is pulling her into the office and saying that she's in luck her husband is sought after to help marriages in trouble... and he can fit her and the hubs in the next day.

Now Scottie needs to just find a husband... a real live guy to go with her to this appointment.  In comes her best friend to the rescue he happens to have a single, hot, wealthy younger brother who has been looking for "experiences" and just might be the guy for the job since he has been taking improv acting classes and looking to enhance his skills.

So next thing Scottie is meeting Wilder... why didn't her friend tell her how hot his brother was?... and then he goes totally off script at their "counseling appointment" next thing she knows he has them signed up for an 8 day counseling session retreat, which apparently her whole office is going to... why didn't her friend mention how his brother is unhinged?  

This is terrible how are they going to hold it together for 8 days pretending to be married when they just met 2 minutes ago... this is going to be a disaster.

Was this book over the top ridiculous?  Yes and there were some definite unethical things happening at this counselor's camp.... But as our couple continues to get into situations and learn more about each other as a "couple" you truly see them begin to develop feelings for each other based on trust, honesty and understanding... well honest with each other anyways.

Scottie has a lot of emotional baggage from her toxic relationship with her ex and Wilder is a fun and free spirit that helps her come out of her shell and shows her throughout the whole book how she should have always been treated in a relationship.  Scottie has been through it she deserves a sweetheart like Wilder.

I really enjoyed this book it had me laughing so hard.  I switched back and forth between reading and the audio book but I truly enjoyed the narrators and they did a great job with the humor and heart of this book.  

I enjoyed this book but have put together some Negatives from other peoples reviews:

*too much cringey spice

*no chemistry between the main characters

*MMC is immature, FMC is too uptight

*Too many tropes, trying too hard to be funny --> feels forced

*Whole Marriage counseling trip was an HR nightmare

Elysia Wages: Fall To Me

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233994011-fall-to-me

Book Blurb:

River

Carter Graham has been after me for a year now; leaving my favorite coffee on my desk every morning, showing up when I think I’ve successfully avoided him. I don’t want to find him attractive. God, I really don’t. Every time he pierces me with those glacier-blue eyes, it feels like he sees right down to the depths of my soul. I become confused, my pulse races, my cheeks warm, and tingles spread throughout my body. It literally feels like the ground shifts under my feet. Usually, that’s when I run. Running is something I’ve become very good at.

Carter

River Hendrix. Man, I’ve had it bad for that woman since the day I laid eyes on her. She took my breath away. But it wasn’t only her beauty that shook me, it was how she looked at me like I was an idiot when I held out my hand to shake hers. Since then, that girl has lit me up and torn me down in the same breath. Chasing her is a high that makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life. Every glance, every time she brushes me off, or pops off with one of her smart remarks, only makes me crave her more. The more she turns me down; the more determined I become. I’m not one to give up easily. I don’t quit . . . ever. Mark my words. One day, she will be mine.

After a painful divorce, River is still piecing herself back together, wary of letting anyone in. Carter is relentless, determined to win her heart. When a wild night in Vegas ends in an accidental marriage, they’re forced to confront what they truly want. Will River’s past destroy their chance at happiness?

Or will Carter prove he’s worth the risk?

Tropes:

*High Gravity ALC  *Hockey Romance *Workplace Romance *Forced Proximity

*Slow Burn *spice *Accidental Marriage *Drama *Green Flag MMC *Fierce FMC

*Protective MMC *humor *Golden Retriever MMC *mental health representation

*Found family  *State Challenge New York (Repeat) 

Trigger Warnings: *Toxic Ex *DV  *Check for other triggers 

Thoughts:

I received this ALC from High Gravity and was really excited to start this one after finishing up the first book especially since the ending of the first book set us up for the 2nd book.

Carter (MMC) is hot (he knows it, we know it) he's a Hockey superstar, wealthy and has charm for days he can get any woman he wants... or at least he thought he could until he ran into River (FMC) but he knows they were meant to be and he'll wear her down eventually he just needs to be patient.

River has a bad history with men since getting away from her awful ex it will be a long, long time before she wants anything to do with men... especially Carter, he's handsome (yes) but he's also got a temper which she's seen on the ice... she can't deal with that again.

Carter and River are in Vegas for their best friends wedding and when they get thrown together for the night to do a pre-wedding game, maybe have a few too many drinks and wake up the next day with a rotten hangover and evidence that their night might have been a bit too much... of everything since now they are married and it will be a bigger PR nightmare to get this annulled... I guess they are doing this.

Carter was surprising to me in all the best ways in the first book I saw how sweet he was towards River... but just when I thought he was just a hot, goofy party boy hockey player... he shows up and steps up as the man River always should have had he's caring, supportive, protective, he's truly kind, he even teaches her self defense techniques, he's everything that she didn't even know she was missing with a man in her life.  

River is unsure of herself after the end of her last relationship and still trying to figure out who she is now by herself without adding another person to the mix... but Carter is so easy to love. 

Their love is not over night it happens slowly and I appreciated that it was a slower progression and not an instant situation especially since River had been fighting any feelings she might have towards him for the last year.  The longer they were together the harder time she had staying away from him and the closer they became throughout the book the harder time she had wondering why she was putting up so much fight against him... he is nothing like her ex and showed her day after day that he was one of the good ones. 

Just when things are going so well between our couple a wrench gets thrown in the middle... will they ever be able to have a happy ending or will her past keep coming back to haunt them?

When this ALC popped up I downloaded it immediately and I wasn't disappointed it has a full-cast of amazing narrators: Teddy Hamilton, Andi Eloise, Corvin King, Stella Hunter, Aaron Shedlock, Lauren Beck, Brandon Francis, Leanne Blade, and Audrey Obeyn.  

I was drawn in from the first chapter and truly felt like I was going on an emotional journey with our couple if you enjoy a hockey romance with humor, a green flag protective book boyfriend, a fierce FMC (and like I said some more emotional/harder moments too) add this one to your list... and do yourself a favor if you are an audio book lover and get the audio version too!  

Have you read this one?  What did you think?

Katherine Lyons: The Love Potion

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231432999-the-love-potion

Book Blurb:

One splash changed everything!

Poor relation Kynthea Petrelli never dreamed she’d have a Season, but she is getting one…even if only as a companion to her younger, wayward cousin Zoe. Though Kynthea loves the girl, keeping up with her wild ideas is difficult, especially when Zoe sets her cap for England’s most eligible bachelor, and decides a love potion is the way to win his heart.

Unfortunately, it isn’t Zoe who trips and spills the potion on the oh-so-perfect Duke of Harle, but Kynthea. And before long, she finds herself the center of a scandal—and unexpectedly, the object of his desire.

As Kynthea’s reputation unravels, the duke can’t resist acting as her unlikely champion. But society expects him to marry for advantage and his mother is demanding a proper alliance. Yet the duke finds himself increasingly bewitched by the one woman he's forbidden to pursue.

It’s an impossible situation. But then, love potions aren’t for the faint of heart….

Tropes:

*High Gravity Productions ALC  *Historical Romance *Duke MMC  *Cozy read

*Companion to cousin FMC *slow burn *Spice *forbidden romance *Protective MMC

*Green Flag MMC 

Thoughts:

I saw this ALC pop up through High Gravity Productions and I jumped on it, I'm a big historical romance fan and this one did not disappoint! 

To start with we have Kynthia (FMC) she is smart, beautiful, mature and kind but due to her current lot in life after her parents passed away and her father left her in a great amount of debt she had no other choice but to ask for help from a relative, thankfully her uncle was willing to take her in as a companion to his daughter (her cousin) Zoe as she comes out in society.

The goal is for Zoe to marry by the end of the season both of her parents are older and want to see her settled... the sooner the better.  The biggest problem being that she is on the younger side of coming out to the ton at 16 and still prone to big dreams and bigger schemes.  She loves horses and is very knowledgeable when it comes to raising them and she knows that the Duke of Harle will fit her needs well he's a lot older... but he has beautiful horses and she knows with her help his stable can be the best in all of England.

Zoe getting an idea from her mother that she can gain Ras's (the Duke's) attention the best way by having a love potion created for him but finds when she goes to have the potion made it's going to be more difficult than she originally thought... no worries she'll come up with something. 

Only the plan gets of track when Kynthea ends up spilling the potion on the Duke instead of Zoe... then quickly ends up in a scandal when the local gossip newspaper prints about Kynthea and the Duke's encounter... What is she going to do now?  This could ruin not just herself but Zoe's chances at a match.

Ras is all about fair play and doesn't like that a gossip column can have such an effect on a bright young lady... in a sea of sharks (the ton) he protects Kynthea and her cousin Zoe from the worst of it but to do that he needs to continue to be seen with both of them.

There is a side story with something going on with Ras's friend (which I beleive will be picked up more in the next book and I'm looking forward to it). 

Zoe is immature (as expected for a 16 year old) and the Duke is fully against any kind of match with her he is far too old for her... and he doesn't want to wed for the size of his stables.  Kynthea while at first focused on helping her cousin get the guy she wants... finds that harder and harder to do once she gets to know Ras and the more she gets to know him she doesn't think she'd be able to handle them being together because she is falling for him.

This story was a sweet romance which starts with our leads building a friendship and it growing towards more, While Kynthea believes that there could only be one way for them to be together Ras knows that will never do and he's a Duke after all shouldn't he be able to have more of a say in who he marries?  

This was a great start to this new series it was funny and heartfelt I'm looking forward to the next in the series and I'm hoping that there is a story for Zoe.  If you enjoy Historical romances like I do don't miss out on this one! 

I was able to receive the ALC for this and narrators Persephone Lee & Christopher Tester did a beautiful job bringing this story to life!  

A.L. Richards: Blocked & Bewitched

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254455293-blocked-bewitched

Blurb:

The moment Lachlan Fraser walked into her shop, Calla Brighton knew he was going to be a problem.

Calla liked her life predictable. Her herbs are organized, her wards are maintained, and her emotional entanglements are kept to an absolute minimum.

Then a cursed hockey goalie walks into her shop.

As the starting goalie for the Victoria Seawolves, Lachlan "Lock" Fraser is used to pressure. He's even gotten used to the bad luck that's followed him for years. What he isn't prepared for it discovering that his bad luck isn't bad luck at all.

It's a curse.

When a magical accident binds Calla and Lock together, staying apart isn't an option. Distance tears at the magic. Closeness keeps it stable. But, while proximity buys them time, it does nothing to stop the curse from escalating.

As the danger grows, so does the connection between them.

The longer they remain bound together, the harder it becomes to ignore what's growing between them - and the more there is to lose if they curse wins.

Because this time, the curse isn't just threatening Lock.

It's coming for both of them.

Blocked & Bewitched is a paranormal hockey romance featuring a cursed goalie, a sarcastic witch, forced proximity, found family, magic, humor, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Tropes:

*ARC Read 2026 *Hockey Romance  *Goalie MMC *Reverse Grumpy x sunshine

*Black cat FMC with a black cat familiar  *curses *magic *strangers --> more

*Golden Retriever MMC *Witch FMC *found family *Slow burn *spice *Sassy FMC

*paranormal elements *Banter *Forced proximity *opposites attract *Mystery 

Thoughts:

You could say that Lachlan Fraser (MMC) leads a charmed life he's living many peoples dreams as a starting hockey goalie on the Victoria Seawolves and he's a pretty happy guy usually but lately things have been more off than usual and it's making his job to catch these fast flying pucks harder when he's losing focus and there have been disturbances around him.  Being superstitious as any other hockey player he decides to go into a local shop for something to help with this issue... maybe a potion?  Or a charm? 

Calla (FMC) has been living a very ordered life, everything has its proper place and she likes her guards up... around everything especially her heart... she's a bit on the broody side and when Lock stumbles into her shop she knows it will lead to trouble... she's just going to help him and hopefully he won't come back(?)

Only Lock keeps coming back he needs her help especially since she straight up told him he is cursed... what can he do about it?  Lock by accident messes with an object not meant for him... Calla was trying to strengthen her bond between herself and her Cat familiar "Hex"... but the second he touches it their worlds collide and now they are bound together.

What happens when a closed off broody witch and a Sunshine hockey goalie are bound together?  Actually it's straight up magic.  Lock is a big personality on ice and he storms into her life, forces her to get out and socialize and see that she can still be orderly and let her hair down from time to time, she on the other hand shows him that love can be shown in many ways like comfort and support even when his job has him on the road a lot of nights.

As our couple that started out as strangers learn to work together as they are now both dealing with being tied to Lock's curse they quickly find themselves falling for each other... but will they ever get to the bottom of the curse?  What did he even do and how can they fight the unknown?  

Things that were a bit off for me involved the time line I was never sure at any given time how much time had passed, and I think that a lot of things maybe happened off page and just told to us later.  I also wish there might have been a better explanation of the magical system there was a lot of speak of "Magical" wards/barriers, tugging/straining on magical lines but without further explaining what Calla knew about her magic and curses it was hard for me to follow, there is a bit more explanation later on in the book though so that helped to clarify things a bit but until then I kind of just felt it was magical filler words without much background knowledge, that could be a me thing though.

Calla's brought into the WAG group and forms fast friends with most of the other ladies but this was part of what I feel was more off page as they only met up a few times and had a group chat but we were more told than shown how close they were.

Overall this was a cute cozy read and I enjoyed it.  This is a fun take on a hockey romance with a bit of a paranormal element thrown in I loved seeing Lock and Calla go from strangers to inseperable and Lock's team mates and their girlfriends made for a fun found family addition to this story.  I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Riley Paige: Kiss Me First

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242868907-kiss-me-first

Book Blurb:

Joining the insomnia thread at PCU was supposed to be harmless, a place to burn through the quiet hours with strangers who'd never know my name. A way to take my mind off the NHL scouts breathing down my neck.

Just honesty at 2 a.m. with a girl I only know as LittleTooMuch.

I didn't plan to fall for her. But somewhere between the late-night confessions and the things I'd never say out loud, I did.

Then Harlow walks into my life—guarded, beautiful, and my team captain’s little sister.

The more time I spend with her, the harder it gets to ignore the feeling that I already know her.

And if I'm right, I'm in a lot of trouble.

Tropes: 

*Hambright PR ARC/ALC  *Hockey Romance *College Romance  *Mental Health rep

*Check your Trigger warnings *Brothers Best friend *Brothers Team Mate *Anonymous Penpals

*He falls first *Slow Burn *spice   *Long term Grief  *You've got mail vibes *Golden retriever MMC

*Toxic Ex  *Found family *friends to lovers  *State Challenge California (Repeat)

Thoughts:

To Start with I would like to thank the author and Hambright PR for this ARC/ALC Copy, I'm a big Hockey romance fan and when I saw this pop up in my email I was right on top of submitting my request!

Grayson (MMC) is a hockey star on the college team and even though many might think he has it easy he is battling performance anxiety, high expectations that have been placed on him and long term grief over the loss of his brother which has led to long nights as he struggles with Insomnia, thankfully he has found a kindred spirit online a girl (so they say) on the schools forum for their Insomnia thread that calls themselves "LittleTooMuch" even though he's never met her in person he spends late nights chatting with her and looks forward to the next time they talk.

I appreciated the online friendship portion of this book it was sweet and reminded me of You've got mail where they are falling for eachother's personalities first and even though they've never met they already have a strong bond, they talk about anything and everything late into the night and are building that trust that sometimes takes years to form.

Harlow (FMC) has struggled with mental health over the years after the decline of a high school relationship sent her spiraling since then everyone checks in on her (possibly too much) but she's finally doing ok even though she spent some time taking online classes she feels this is her time to join people her age and get out and start living her life again, while she loves her older brother he is towards the over protective and over bearing side, but she has been getting to know a few of his team mates better including Grayson, and she has an online friend that she really can't live without they talk every night and maybe part of the reason things are so great is because they haven't met in person.

The more time Grayson spends with Harlow the more he sees the similarities between his best friends younger sister... and the online girl he's never met but dreams about... this is possibly too big to be a coincidence but at this point things are going well she's opening up to him as herself in person and what if it's not her?  But if it is her will she feel betrayed like he's keeping secrets? 

Harlow is relatable to anyone who has gone through school bullying she's a beautiful girl but struggles with self doubt due to things toxic people have said in the past, it was moving to see her pull herself from the darkness and come out on top.  

Grayson is the ideal green flag book boyfriend he's patient, kind, caring he knows that Harlow has had these struggles in the past and he is there for her without being an overbearing presence, he's very mature for his age (such a sweetheart, I love him!) 

Their relationship didn't feel rushed and the longer they spent time together it felt more inevitable it was meant to be.

If you are a hockey romance fan and enjoy the above tropes add it to your list!  This was a sweet story of two college aged kids who were struggling but found safety in each other.  

some negatives for me:

There were a few side plots that were picked up occasionally but just got dropped so I don't know if those will pick back up in the next book or not, It might be interesting to check out the next in the series.  

I did listen to the ALC for part of this book and the narrators did a great job but I just struggled with the way the book was written at times it was repetitive, I felt like some character in the book asked Harlow if she was "Ok" every other paragraph I found myself getting irritated for the girl everyone is walking on eggshells treating her like she's super fragile it's hard for her to have progress when she's being so sheltered.  

Could just be a me thing but her being in a constant state of stress/anxiety was causing me to have stress and anxiety... I'm reading to relax.   

The other thing that took me out of the story was sometimes there were so many analogies I was wondering if we would ever move towards more actual plot, it was a lot of filler and led to nothing much happening for many pages/chapters but the same stuff.

There was a big build up to the game against her ex then it happened and ended so quickly we don't even fully know what happened after discipline wise, like what!?