Sara Cate: The Daddy's Girl

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247321172-the-daddy-s-girl

Book Blurb:

He's the love of her life...and the one man she can never have.

Amelia Kade is ready to grow up. She’s loved the same man since she was young, and it’s time to let go of her hopeless childhood crush. Especially because he isn’t just any man—he’s her father’s best friend. Her godfather. Even if he did want her (which he absolutely doesn’t) their relationship is forbidden.

Matis Moreau is ready for something new. He’s been running a kink club in Paris for the last thirty years, and it’s time to move on. The only problem is…he doesn’t have anything to move on to. He’s a lonely fifty-three-year-old man in desperate need of a life.

Then, one day his best friend’s daughter devises a plan. Amelia will find him a real partner, and in return, he’ll help her find a man worthy of her charm and beauty. But no matter how hard they try—no matter how many dates they set each other up on—no one else can measure up. They're both falling hard for the one person they definitely shouldn't touch.

And once they give in to illicit temptation, the fire between them may prove so strong it’ll burn everything to the ground…

Tropes:

*Hambright ALC *Age-Gap *Forbidden romance *Father's best friend *friends --> More

*Godfather *MMC > 50 *secret relationship *Caretaker MMC *Neurodivergent representation

*Reformed Playboy *Spicy club *Spice *Check triggers *Voyeurism *Slow burn *exhibitionism

*"daddy"

Thoughts:

Amelia (FMC) has been in love with someone forbidden for a long time he's older by over 20 years but it's not just that he's her father's best friend and he is her godfather.  

Matis (MMC) is a man of the world he has lived a life most people would be envious of he's wealthy and he has had a lot of fun with a lot of different people and he had a thriving business he decided to retire (maybe too early) and while he enjoys passion and spicy times recently getting with a different person every night has lost its appeal, he's getting older and he has yet to have a wife/husband or children maybe it's time to find someone to spend more than one night with.

While Matis was around when Amelia was younger nothing inappropriate ever happened.

Amelia decides that it's time for her to move on from the one man she can never have... maybe the best way to do that is to help Matis find someone new, against her better judgment she decides to help him enter the dating world via dating apps, while she has a hard time deciding who she should date that's where a mutual agreement comes into place Matis will help her pick a guy while she helps him find a match... what could go wrong?

If you are not into large age gaps and forbidden relationships this might not be the book for you, Matis is 28 years older than Amelia... and their situation while starting off innocent enough with trying to help each other in the dating world soon shifts into stolen glances, stolen kisses, sneaking around and doing other things... and not even sneaking around that well at all they were doing things out where anyone could walk in on them my anxiety was high during these times and I had to actually take a break from listening to the book during certain points.

The tension between these two!  ... Matis was trying his hardest to resist Amelia but it was getting to the point where he couldn't resist any longer and it was everything.  

Matis was so supportive and knew what Amelia needed even before she did, he had always said he would keep her safe and still is even with these new feelings he has towards her. 

Matis is caring and even though he was a playboy he wants that part of his life to be done with once he realizes how strong his feelings are towards Amelia.  Matis so charming, handsome and that French accent, yes please! 

The multi-cast narration was amazing: Sean Masters, Desiree Ketchum, Samantha Brentmoor, Aaron Shedlock and Brandon Francis so good!  do yourself a favor if you like audio books and grab the audio version.  

Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for this ALC! 

If you enjoy a forbidden romance trope add this one to your list!  I didn't think I would enjoy this one as much as I did.  

Some negatives for this:

We as the readers already know this is a forbidden age-gap with him being her godfather but it was brought up multiple times throughout the book... I was hoping to just lose myself a bit more in the story without being reminded each chapter.  

Amelia even though she was in her mid twenties it felt like she was a bit younger and very naive, especially with how protective her parents were over her and she still lived with her parents so I don't think that helped with her mom waiting up for her when she was out late.  

This might just be a me thing but I wasn't a big fan of the FMC being ok with Matis continuing to get with other partners as long as she could watch... but at certain times she was jealous of people getting too close to him, so it's ok as long as she picks the person?  Then it almost seemed like she was making an exception because another repetitive theme was that the MMC couldn't be monogomous long and she wanted to please him.

Another repetitive theme throughout the book: 

Matis continues to have thoughts of how wrong his current situation is with Amelia... but continues anyways. 

Amelia continues to tell him that everything is fine and no one will find out... but they are not sneaking around well and often do things in front of people they know... so every few chapters another person they know is aware of their secret and they just hope that they won't tell her parents.

I was stressed TF out... like just tell her parents already before they walk in on you two in the coat closet and have a medical emergency from the shock!  

Have you read this one?  What did you think?  

Karla Sorensen: Floored

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55989190-floored

Book Blurb:

If you've ever had a steamy one-night stand with a British football player and then find yourself pregnant with his baby, you know how Lia Ward feels.

To be fair, Lia didn't know who Jude McAllister was when they met.

Across the ocean for a semester studying for her master's program, all she knows is that she's a little lonely and he's very charming, even as they have an epically sexy argument about which type of football is superior.

In Jude's mind, shagging the feisty American girl is exactly what he needs. He’s been fighting the clock of his long-standing football career and the younger players primed to take his position. Proving that he can feel like his old self again—something he's been trying to do with everyone in his life—should be easier after blowing off steam with Lia.

But oh baby, when a plus sign pops up on Lia's pregnancy test, that 'one night' becomes a whole lot more.

Now Lia and Jude have to navigate their impossible-to-ignore chemistry, and prepare for the parenting game, something neither of them know how to play.

Tropes:

*Sports Romance (Soccer/Futbol) *one night stand (to more) *Strangers to more

*Hot rich guys *American FMC x British MMC *Surprise Pregnancy *Studying abroad

*Close family (FMC side) *family drama (MMC Side) *age gap *emotional baggage 

*spice *miscommunication  *takes place in England and Washington State (repeat)

Thoughts:

I enjoyed the original series and I have read this book a few times as part of the Ward sisters series (Book 3) I love the close, caring and supportive family that the FMC has if you have a family like that you truly have won at life! 

I decided to get the audiobook because I do enjoy this series while the male narrator was awesome, I found myself having to take breaks from the female narrator (this may have just been a me thing) I found her voice to sound kind of robotic and it took me out of the story.

To start with we have Lia (FMC) who is feeling kind of lost as her twin sister is recently in a new relationship and moving on with her life while she feels kind of at a stand still, she's still young and in college but wants new experiences she picks up a study abroad course and travels to England but she doesn't just want to be studying while there she wants to explore one of those nights while out on the town she ends up at a local pub for the area and runs into a handsome stranger... she has a night she'll never forget and for more than one reason because several weeks later she got a surprise gift from that night she is now pregnant... and very far away from her family on the other side of the world.

Lia naturally is in a bit of a panic and she also struggles with her own feelings of self doubt throughout the book since her own mother abandoned her and her sisters with their older half brother after their father passed away (this is known from previous books).  Lia decides that it's only right to tell Jude that he is going to be a father, she's keeping the baby no matter what his decision is... but she wants to give him the opportunity to be in their life if that's what he decides to do.

Jude is a handsome famous football player, but has his own insecurities especially know that he's considered "older" in the sports world even though he's still in his early 30s but there is always someone younger, faster, and stronger eager to step up and prove themselves fighting to keep himself on top for his team he gets thrown a bit of a curve ball when the beautiful woman he never thought he would see again shows up saying she's pregnant... and he's the father!  what???

Once the surprise wears off Jude actually steps up and is there for Lia in every way she needs, he is sweet and caring he doesn't have a good relationship with his parents but he wants to be there for his own child and I loved that he was all in when it came to supporting our girl and their baby.

Naturally not everything is smooth sailing there is a lot of turbulance throughout since they both are harboring issues from their own childhoods and there is the issue that Lia lives in The US and Jude lives in the UK.  Is there any way they could be together?  Or are these issues as large as the distance between them? 

Overall I enjoyed this book (even though I'm usually not a big fan of the oops now we have a baby coming trope).  I did get frustrated (mainly with Lia) throughout the book she is younger and acts more on the immature side throughout the book.  

some negatives for this book: 

*I didn't fully see the chemistry between the couple... Lia left her number but Jude didn't reach out to her for a few weeks because he was "busy"

*Lia once she knew he was in for helping support her and the baby while she was pregnant didn't make much of an effort to hear his side of things before running back home... give the guy some time.

*Lia was upset that Jude didn't warn her about how his parents were... you two just met he's not going to tell you everything right away especially when that's a tough subject for him.  I felt like a lot of the time Jude was spending supporting Lia but Jude could have used more support from Lia as well he was having a tough time too.

*Uneven pacing at points throughout the book, some bigger issues felt rushed through in certain parts throughout the book while other parts that maybe didn't need as much time were longer.  

have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Julia Jarrett: The Game Changer

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237400006-the-game-changer

Book Blurb:

I hired a single mom to help make my small town fall in love with a baseball team. And now I’m the one falling in love…with her.

Buying a small town baseball team might seem an odd choice for a millionaire tech developer, but I welcome the challenge.

Moving back to my hometown and reviving the once-beloved Cedar Creek Thunder is an impulsive attempt to find a deeper purpose, and a life that is measured in happiness rather than dollars.

A chance encounter with the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen has my temperature rising from more than the tea she’s spilled on me. When she walks into my office for an interview later that morning, it quickly becomes clear there’s no one better suited for the job .

Isla Forrester should be off limits, but with a smile that pierces my soul, the single mom is fire wrapped up in sweet temptation.

I’ve always had thick walls around my heart, but Isla and her son are breaking them down.

Now my sole purpose is getting her to believe that loving her is no challenge at all.

Tropes:

*Hambright PR ARC/ALC  *sports romance (Baseball) *work place romance *Single Mom

*disability representation *cozy read *Boss/Employee *Age Gap *wealthy MMC

*small town romance *Spice *Forbidden Romance *slow burn 

*Green flag book boyfriend  *HEA  *low angst 

Thoughts:

Thank you to Julia Jarrett and Hambright PR for this ARC/ALC copy of the book.  

I listened to most of the book and the narrators were amazing Connor Crais & Heather Firth did a great job bringing these characters to life! 

Isla (FMC) is a single mom she has been out of work for a few months and thru a friend finds out a baseball team is in need of a marketing manager it is short term and a few hours away but she knows she can do this she loves baseball and is good at her job... unfortunately prior to the interview she runs into a super hot guy and tea gets spilled all over both of them... thankfully she has a spare shirt in the car after a change she arrives on time for her interview only to find that Mr. Handsome that she just spilled tea on is the owner and one she is interviewing with... not off to a good start.

Luca (MMC) was intrigued by the beauty who he ran into earlier and he knows she is fully capable of doing the job, the only bad part about this whole situation really is that as an employee she will be off limits... so why can't he get her out of his head?

Isla makes the move with her soon to be teenage son. She has been so focused on being a mom and making a life for herself and her son that her love life has been on the back burner... like not even a thought up until her hot boss comes into the picture but she can't go there what would everyone think if she was with the boss?  Also it's not just her own heart she would have to worry about if things didn't work out she has her son to think about.

As Isla and Luca work together to revive this small town team and learn more about each other they can't help but cross further over the line until there is no going back.

Luca is so sweet with Isla's son and it turns out they have more in common than Isla ever would have expected since they have a similar disability.  

Luca is an engineer and created a sensor chip for prostethic legs so that they fit and work better with the individuals body, selling this invention but keeping partial ownership rights in the company he has been able to support his dream of building up his home town minor league baseball team.  

Luca even though he is handsome and successful he does struggle with his own thoughts of self doubt and worries over how people will receive him and his disability. 

This was a lower stakes, low drama cozy read it was sweet to see these 2 come together, work thru their own insecurities and learn that its ok to rely on each other and let down their guard because love is right in front of them they just need to reach for it.  I really enjoyed this one and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

I liked this one but here are some negatives from other peoples reviews:

* sexual encounters are unequal between partners FMC only having had a few encounters and the MMC at least coming off a longer term relationship (more experienced).  While I also found this to be a bit on the unbelievable side it didn't bother me too much.  

* Luca knows that Isla's son is missing a limb but with holds this information from her for awhile and continues to have conversations with others about how she probably wouldn't want to be with him if she knew he was missing a limb.  --> I found this to be more his insecurities showing as he was not only older but also coming out of a failed relationship he was nervous about starting over with someone new especially knowing that he was in a position of power as her boss so perhaps this was just a way to talk himself out of pursuing her, I also don't feel there was anything wrong with him not telling her about this until he was ready they were not together at the time she was his boss.

*boring

*the couple was so mature and communicated so well there was not much angst

Alexandra Shaw: The Quarterback

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239150816-the-quarterback

book blurb:

Zoey:

My life is anything but perfect—but I’ve gotten really good at pretending it is.

My ballet career busted before it even began, all because my body changed. And my love life? That’s been doomed from the start, too. Why? Because I’ve been in love with one guy since I was a kid. And that’s exactly how he sees me.

Gary Robinson, quarterback of the Seattle (NFL team), I’ve known him since I was twelve and in love with him since I was thirteen!

He’s never said anything, thank God. I don’t even think he’s realized it. Maybe when I was little, but now he definitely has no clue. But regardless, he’s been a constant in my life—those piercing blue eyes, that easy charm. His goofy sense of humor!

He’s everything I want but can’t have… Loving him isn’t the hard part—hiding it is.

But then he walks in on me while I’m FaceTiming with my sister, being completely ridiculous while sunbathing by the pool—instead of laughing it off, he gets…angry.

And suddenly, pretending gets a whole lot harder.

Gary:

Being a professional quarterback for the Seattle Steelheads? That was always the dream.

But Zoey? I never saw her coming.

Not only is she the coach’s daughter, but he’s also my friend. His wife is my cousin!
She’s always been there—cute, talented, sweet as hell. She’s never been anything more than the cute kid that had a crush on me once.

When did she grow up?

I’ve never been in a serious relationship before, even a not serious relationship. But now, after seeing her at the pool…I can’t unsee what I saw. And—well, I don’t want to.

*High Gravity ALC  *Age Gap *Sports Romance (Football) *Best friends Daughter  

*Coach's daughter *Dancer FMC  *MH Body image struggles  *Rom-Com *Spice

*Found family  *Protective MMC  *novella  *Reformed Playboy MMC  *Banter

*State Challenge: Washington  *long time crush (FMC to MMC) *Cinnamon Roll MMC

Thoughts:

I had seen this authors books around and had a few on my TBR so when this one came available as an ALC through High Gravity I had to grab it to check it out!  

I didn't read the blurb beforehand but I checked it out after I started listening to it and I wasn't sure if I would like it or not I'm not opposed to age gap but I was concerned that the fact that Gary (MMC) is friends with Zoey's (FMC) dad and had met her when she was younger I wasn't sure how this was going to play out... turned out to be not as big of an issue as I thought it would be.

Gary (who knew someone named Gary could be so hot) is a player on and off of the field on the field though he's the star quarterback... he doesn't have girlfriends he's more of a one night stand kind of guy.  Zoey has had a crush on Gary since she was a young teenager but knows it will go nowhere he doesn't see her as a woman... moving on from her crush she starts dating her current boyfriend... now ex after she caught him in a compromising situation but he apparently hasn't received the hint that they are done.

Gary and Zoey grew closer as friends since Zoey started going to college he just likes hanging around her she's easy to talk to and fun... he knows it's wrong but very recently he's started feeling differently towards Zoey and doesn't know what to think about it... he can't act on these feelings obviously.

Zoey is home from college when Gary catches her in a compromising situation then one thing leads to another and it is fireworks!  Zoey is dealing with a lot of shame about her body since gaining some weight (it doesn't help that her ex-boyfriend and dance instructors were always commenting about her weight gain).  I loved how sweet and thoughtful Gary is towards her in helping her see she is beautiful just the way she is no changes needed.  

I appreciate how the author acknowledges the age gap but put them in a situation where the feelings they had were growing over time after she was an adult so them ending up together didn't feel forced or wrong, it felt inevitable it was meant to be. 

I also enjoyed that they were not hiding their relationship Gary once given the chance went above and beyond to be the perfect out in the open boyfriend even fessing up to his friend (knowing his friend might be livid).  

The narrators did a great job bringing these characters to life.  This story had me laughing throughout, I loved cinnamon roll Gary and how thoughtful and caring he was.  Even though it's a shorter book it doesn't really feel "insta love" there is enough build up of their relationship prior to the book starting that you can see how both leads would be having feelings for each other.  I loved watching Gary go from playboy to all in for the right woman and Zoey come to learn that she doesn't need to change who she is to please others. 

This was a spicy fun quick read and I enjoyed it!  

Have you read this one yet?  what did you think?