Showing posts with label Copper Valley Thrusters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Copper Valley Thrusters. Show all posts

Thursday, April 8, 2021

I Pucking Love You {a review}


If you've been reading my reviews for the Copper Valley Thrusters hockey series this week, you know that I had a wild idea to read ALL the previous books in the series prior to the release of I Pucking Love You. Seriously, who does that? Apparently I do that. But I needed the backstories!

Well today I Pucking Love You is
 available!  I am all caught up on the series, and thanks to Give Me Books PR I was able to read an advanced copy of I Pucking Love You.  

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I Pucking Love You is the fifth book in the Copper Valley Thrusters series by Pippa Grant. She just did a cover reveal earlier this week, and has been sharing graphics/teasers on her Facebook page. So you should go follow Pippa Grant's Facebook page and subscribe to her newsletter! (links are down below)

Here are my thoughts about I Pucking Love You.


If you've been during my Copper Valley Thrusters readathon, you'll know that I adored two of the books, and the other two were just okay.  And that's perfectly okay as you're not going to like every book you read. That being said, I was nervous about I Pucking Love You. Especially after coming off Charming As Puck. I mean could Tyler and Muffy make me as happy as Nick and Kami? 

Well my friends, I am happy to report that I Pucking Love You was a very good read. I literally was laughing out loud at times, and I can relate to Muffy. No I didn't leave medical school and tell no one the reason why, only to then open a match making service that has more failures than successes. But being a more awkward person, oh absolutely I can relate to that. Not having what the world deems an ideal body size, oh yep I relate to that too.

If you've read Charming As Puck, then you were able to witness the beginning of the friendship between Tyler and Muffy. In I Pucking Love You, we find out that things happened at a bunny bar, and that encounter didn't live up to the expectations Muffy had (it was just okay). A while after all that happened, Muffy finds herself needing to go back to her college town for a funeral. Knowing what awaits her back there, Muffy is obviously nervous about the situation and decides she needs a date. Who offers up his companionship? Tyler. You see after the night at the bunny bar, Tyler has an issue, and to "fix" it he needs to spend time around Muffy. 

ANYWAYS

The funeral is just a small part of this story. It is more so what happens afterward that made me fall for Tyler. The way he stood up for Muffy. The way he builds her up. The way he doesn't let her get away with saying negative things about herself or her business. Tyler isn't putting up with it. I know it sounds like Tyler is doing all of these things for Muffy and getting nothing in return, but that's not true. These are just the things that stood out to me.

Tyler and Muffy together is just amazing. It makes my heart happy. Oh so happy. I am so glad that she is getting her HEA. Muffy found someone who loves her for who she is. Muffy also has found a great group of friends to be a part of her life. And those two things are everything.

I am so glad that I read I Pucking Love You. No it wasn't my typical hockey romance read, but I'm okay with that. Pippa Grant's writing style is much more rom-com than traditional contemporary romance, and while it doesn't always mesh with me, it does on occasion.

Do I recommend reading I Pucking Love You? Absolutely.  Do you need to read the entire series before doing so? No you don't, but it definitely helps for the backstories. The only thing I have to say, knowing my history/feelings with the series, is to go into it with an open mind. Don't go into it with my view points in mind. Just give it a chance, and if one book doesn't quite hit the mark try another. It worked for me, and it might for you too.

Happy Reading,


Keep scrolling to read the teaser for I Pucking Love You! I've also included a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR, as well as a link to Amazon should you want to buy a copy. That being said, if you're a KU subscriber, this book is included in your subscription.






Title: I Pucking Love You
Series: Copper Valley Thrusters #5
Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: April 8, 2021


BLURB

You know those stories where an adorably misunderstood clumsy girl needs a fake date to a wedding so she asks her brother’s best friend and they accidentally fall in love?

I wish that was the kind of life I lead, but it’s not.

I don’t need a date to a wedding. I need a date to a funeral.

Clumsy sometimes fits, but then, that’s true for all of us, right? But adorable? No. Misunderstood? Nope again. I’m just your average girl, standing in front of a funeral invitation, asking it to be a winning lottery ticket instead.

And I don’t have a brother, or a best friend with a brother available, which means I’m stuck with Tyler Jaeger.

Sure, he’s a professional hockey player who also knows advanced calculus, but let’s say we’re not compatible and leave it at that. I should know. I am a matchmaker.

Not a very good one, but that’s beside the point.

I know a mismatch when I see one.

Still, Tyler’s what I’ve got, and I am not going to this funeral solo, so he’s what I’ll take.

After all—what could go wrong at a funeral?

I Pucking Love You is a hilariously wrong romantic comedy about the world’s worst matchmaker, a hockey player with a problem he doesn’t want to talk about, and an awkward date-of-convenience that everyone would prefer to forget. It comes complete with a cat working his way through his nine lives, all the sexy times, fish and chips, and a swoony happily-ever-after.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited







EXCERPT

Tyler

We all have to be at practice tomorrow morning—check that, this morning, as it’s shortly after midnight—but I don’t want to go home.

I don’t want to drink. I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to screw.

I want—

Dammit.

I want a bucket of greasy fried fish and chips, because it’s what my big brother used to take me to get every time he came home on leave from the Marines and got annoyed at being hen-pecked by the four sisters between us.

My car’s cold, thanks to the early November weather, and no, I’m not telling you what kind of car I drive, because yes, it very much feels like compensation tonight.

It gets me where I want to go.

That’s all that matters.

That, and getting my ass to Cod Pieces before they close for the night.

Could I stay at the bunny bar and get fried fish and chips?

Yes.

Will I?

No fucking way.

I’m still stewing in my own misery when the bright neon sign with the armored cod and the storefront that looks like a medieval castle comes into view at the edge of a strip mall four miles the wrong direction from my downtown condo. I roll the window down, letting in a blast of chilly air and the scent of fries.

Just in time.

I holler my order over the sound of my engine, then pull around to the window to get my fish.

Debate calling my brother in Miami.

It’s one AM. He and his wife recently celebrated their kid’s first birthday, and I think they’re working on baby number two.

If I call him in the middle of the night to bitch about how I can’t get it up, he’ll probably hang up on me, then tell our sisters.

And Mom.

She’s a professional comedienne with her own popular Netflix special. There’s no damn way I’m bothering West in the middle of the night for this.

I’ll talk to the fried fish and call it even.

Has as much personality as West had before he married Daisy.

The window swings open. “That’ll be fourteen seventy-three, please.”

My car lurches forward before I remember to put it in park, and I gape up at the woman staring down at me. “Muffy?

My brain is playing tricks on me.

It has to be.

Because there’s no way the curvy, clumsy, smart-mouthed goddess who’s haunting my dick is standing there wearing a Cod Pieces polo and hat.

But she is.

And I swear to god, her long brown braids are recoiling in horror as her whole face twists, her lip curling, her left eye squeezing shut, before she snaps herself together. “For the hundredth time today, I have no idea who this Muffy person is. My name is Octavia Louisa Beaverhousen.”

Fuck me.

There are two of them? She looks exactly like Muffy. I’m not seeing things, and I’m not projecting just because I want my dick to work again and the bunnies made me think about screwing Muffy in the walk-in fridge at the bunny bar.

“Fourteen seventy-three, please.” She turns away as she holds out a hand, twitching her fingers like she’s waiting for cash or a card.

And that’s when I see the tattoo.

Rufus.
Her cat’s name. It’s on her wrist.

Octavia Louisa Beaverhousen, my ass. This is Muffy.





Read the Copper Valley Thrusters
from the beginning!

The Pilot & the Puck-Up


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE


Royally Pucked


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE


Beauty and the Beefcake


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE


Charming As Puck


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE






AUTHOR BIO

Pippa Grant is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she's not reading, writing or sleeping, she's being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Charming as Puck {a review}

 


As we lead up to the release of I Pucking Love You, I had the wild idea to read the first four books in the Copper Valley Thrusters series in preparation. I Pucking Love You is the fifth book in the series and it releases on Thursday, April 8 2021!

Charming As Puck is the fourth book in the Copper Valley Thrusters hockey series, and features the best friend's sibling trope! In this book we follow the relationship between Nick Murphy and Kami Oakley. You may recognize those names, as both characters appeared in Beauty and the Beefcake! You may also remember that Kami is on of Felicity's best friends. So Kami is worried about Felicity finding out about the friends with benefits relationship that she has going with Nick. Especially since we know how Felicity was telling Kami not to go there in Beauty and the Beefcake.
 

As it turns out, Nick and Kami have been in their friends with benefits relationship for about 8 months. On Kami's birthday though, she's had enough and calls it off with Nick. The fact that he forgot her birthday didn't help matters either. What's been revealed thus far in the book is that Nick pretty much only cares about Nick, whereas Kami is the person who sees the best in every person (and tends to be a doormat).

Now here's the thing, I went into this book with low expectations. I wasn't expecting to like it. I thought it would be just okay, and my time with the Copper Valley Thrusters would be just about over. My reader friends, Charming As Puck was my FAVORITE of the series!

There was just something about Nick and Kami that I really enjoyed. Maybe it was the whole cow situation in the beginning of the book, and how Kami reacted about it all. Maybe it was how Nick realized he is a bit self absorbed. Maybe it's how he couldn't function without Kami. I could go on. Also, Kami utilizing Muffy's match making business, that was so good. (plus it sets up for the next book) I guess for me, it came down to watching the characters grow and their relationship deepen. I'm here for it.

Seriously though my fellow romance readers, I loved Charming As Puck. I hope that Kami and Nick make an appearance in I Pucking Love You, because I need more of these two. 



Happy Reading,


Keep scrolling to read the teaser for Charming As Puck. I've also included the link to add the book to your Goodreads. Also, if you want to buy it from Amazon, I have that link for you as well. For those who are KU subscribers, Charming as Puck is FREE with your subscription!


The man could charm the panties off a nun...

Nick Murphy. Hockey god. My best friend's big brother. My friend-with-mindblowing-benefits. The best thing to happen to my nether regions since my subscription to the toy of the month club. The man I've been secretly in love with for years.

And total ass.

I am so done with him.

Except there's one small problem.

Now that I've cut him off, his hockey game is in the toilet. He's convinced I'm his good luck charm, and he wants me back. But only for his game.

I'll be strong. I will. I'll resist.

Asses don't change their stripes.

Or do they?

This plan would be so easy if the man wasn't Charming as Puck...

Charming as Puck is a romping fun romance between a hockey player and his sister's best friend, complete with farm animals, epic birthday presents, and Berger Twin sightings. This romantic comedy stands alone with no cheating or cliffhangers and ends with a pucking awesome happily ever after.


Add to Goodreads: Charming As Puck

Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fFIr6L

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Beauty and the Beefcake {a review}

 


As we lead up to the release of I Pucking Love You, I thought it would be fun to read the previous books in the Copper Valley Thrusters series. I've already read The Pilot and the Puck Up, as well as Royally Pucked. In each of those books I found myself curious about Ares, as there was just something about him that drew me in.

When I learned that Beauty and the Beefcake would be his story, I was intrigued. My hope, going into the book, was that there would be an explanation behind Ares's selective mutism. Would Ares have conversations with his friends and family within this book? Would he communicate (verbally) with Felicity? Or would he just skate through life with no communication other than throwing out the occasional one word answer (that made no sense with the question asked)?



If you read Royally Pucked, then you know the large cookie order that Nick Murphy had placed. You also know that it was going to Felicity's ex-boyfriend. In the beginning of Beauty and the Beefcake, we learned that Felicity had been living with the ex, and was now living at the house she inherited from her Grandma. Anyways, the ex wasn't too fond of the cookies, and he delivered them to the front lawn of Grandma's house.

For reasons I cannot remember, Nick shows up at the house and brings Ares with him. Nick then tells Felicity that Ares needs a new place to crash, as he can't live with Manning and Gracie any longer. Plus Ares was just placed on the injured reserve list, and he needs to stay off his ankle to let it heal. There could be no better place than with someone who is currently training to be a physical therapy assistant! Or so thinks Nick.

Ares moves in. He is still giving grunts as answers, or using a lot of facial expressions. Occasionally he will mutter a few words, but that's really it. The explanation given, as to why he doesn't talk, is for the first six years of his life he couldn't hear. Then once he had tubes put in his ears, things improved but he still chose not to say much of anything. Ares is simply a man of few words.

Then there is Felicity. She is a ventriloquist, and her characters come out to talk frequently. Felicity just can't help herself, she easily slips into those voices/personalities. Felicity is more than just a ventriloquist though. She is extremely intelligent, and has numerous college degrees. Yet for some reason she struggles to find (and keep) a job.

Let's get down to it. The first half of this book was aggravating. Felicity drove me bonkers, and Ares wasn't much better. I was finding myself frustrated, and contemplated DNF'ing the book. I pushed on though, and am somewhat glad I did. I will say the last 25% of the book was what I wanted. It showed the relationship between Ares and Felicity, but it also showed the sibling issues between Felicity and Nick. Honestly, that last 25% of the book, is what I wanted the entire time. Yet I had to go through the slow burn, and deal with the character voices first. 

Overall I marked Beauty and the Beefcake as 3 stars on Goodreads. The last quarter of the book is what helped to garner this rating. What I've been learning through reading the Copper Valley Thrusters series, is that not all of Pippa Grant's books are for me. Out of the three Copper Valley books I've read so far, I've only truly enjoyed one. Let's keep an open mind, and see what happens when I read Charming As Puck.

Have you read any books by Pippa Grant? 

Happy Reading,


Keep scrolling to read the teaser for Beauty and the Beefcake! I've also included the link to add it to your Goodreads, as well as  a link if you want to grab it on Amazon. If you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, it's FREE for you!



There are two kinds of women in the world - those I can bang, and those I can't.

My teammate's sister?
She's a can't.

I moved in with her to protect her from a nasty ex, not to be the next guy in line.

She's the brains.

I'm the brawn.

She's the fruit.

I'm the sausage.

She talks too much.

I don't talk at all, if I don't have to.

Should be easy to resist her.

But every minute I spend with Felicity is another minute she gets under my skin. She makes me feel like something more than a dumb puckhead with a big Zamboni pony. And it's getting harder to remember why I need to keep my hands to myself.

Beauty and the Beefcake is a vegan-friendly standalone romantic comedy featuring a hockey player whose vocabulary is the only thing smaller than a hockey puck, a book smart but aimless ventriloquist with too many voices in her head, a dilapidated old house that may or may not be haunted, and no cheating or cliffhangers.

Add to Goodreads: Beauty and the Beefcake
Purchase via Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wsAckq



Monday, April 5, 2021

Royally Pucked {a review}


I finished off the month of March by reading Royally Pucked by Pippa Grant. Royally Pucked is the second book in her Copper Valley Thrusters series. This is a sports rom-com, and Royally Pucked features a Prince who has been banished to America where he falls for the person he shouldn't.


Now I can't lie, I was hesitant about picking up this book. Especially since The Pilot and the Puck Up was not my favorite. I struggled with Joey and Zeus's book. But while reading that one, I was intrigued by Manning. There was something about him that had me knowing I would read his story. Plus knowing this has the accidental pregnancy trope, that helped seal the deal.


And you know what, I enjoyed Royally Pucked. I was actually a bit bummed when it ended.

Did it have me laughing out loud? Well no, but I did chuckle a few times.

Plus I was so invested in the storyline with Elin. Seriously, that was interesting. I still have a couple questions regarding that. I'd also really like to know what was going on with that monkey!

Also, Gracie's side hustle that she's running out of her bakery? LOVE IT! Now THAT had me laughing a bit.

All in all, this was a cute story. I ended up giving it 4 stars on Goodreads, and I have decided to continue with the series. After all it is looking like Ares might be getting his story told next. So I can't call it quits! I HAVE to read Ares's story! I have to. That man has my curiosity piqued.

Have you read any of the Copper Valley Thrusters books? If so, which was your favorite? Did you know that there is a 5th book releasing this month? It's called I Pucking Love You. Have you read any books by Pippa Grant? I think her Stud in the Stacks book my have been my favorite that I've read so far.

Happy Reading,


Keep scrolling to read the teaser for Royally Pucked. I've also included the link to add it to your Goodreads, as well a link if you want to grab it on Amazon. If you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, it's FREE for you!








A hockey-playing prince, a most improper lady, and one accidental pregnancy...

When you're an heir so spare that getting attacked by a shark is more likely than you ever wearing the crown, you're allowed certain liberties. Yet still, those liberties can bite you in the ass.

Good thing I'm such a charming devil.

Even then, I've been banished to America for a year under the pretense of playing professional hockey while my father cleans up my latest mess. But trouble follows me wherever I go.  Generally trouble of the beautiful female variety, and Gracie Diamonte is no exception. Or possibly, she's the best exception.

Until the dinosaur suit. The cookie incident. And the accidental pregnancy.

Of course I'll do the right thing.

Just as soon as I solve that pesky problem of my royal betrothal.

I'm about to be the biggest scandal to rock my country and there's a good chance my father may throw me to the sharks after all. The funny thing is I've heard that raising children may not be so different from swimming with the sharks. So no matter how you look at things I am Royally Pucked.

Royally Pucked is a hilariously wrong romance between a spare heir and the lady least likely to ever wear a princess crown, complete with dirty cookies, an emotional support monkey, and lots of pucking around. This romantic comedy stands alone with no cheating, cliffhangers, and ends happily with a family of...more than two.


Add to Goodreads: Royally Pucked

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Weekly Wrap Up

 


As you know I took the last two weeks off from my blog. While I took a break from writing here, I did not take a break from reading. 

Here are my stats for the first week in March.

    • 6 books read
    • 1 ARC
    • 5 e-books
    • 1 library book
    • 1,365 Pages Read

Average rating of 3.5 stars.

On to the books I read.

1) The Pilot and the Puck-Up

by Pippa Grant


I don't know what to think about this book. It had such potential. Hockey players + RomCom = WONDERFUL. Right? Yet for me this book missed the mark. The humor was there, but yeah no. Yes there were good parts, but the way the heroine was portrayed just rubbed me wrong. Again, the potential for greatness was there. Sigh. Why is it anytime there is an intelligent female, that always gets pushed to the side?

In the end I gave it a generous 3 stars.



2) Recovery

by Nicole Dykes

I wasn't certain what to expect when I started reading Recovery. Especially since Recovery was my introduction to Nicole Dykes. All I knew was what the description told me. I didn't know what sort of loss Mya was dealing with. I didn't understand why she left town. I didn't know any of that. Maybe had I read Clarity and/or Redemption prior to reading Recovery, then I might have more of a backstory.



All I knew was that Mya was hurting, and leaving town was the best option for her. Mya is also fortunate to have friends who are willing to help. I want to say I was surprised about how Mya kept everything close to her chest, but at the same time I wasn't. It's what she grew up doing, so it was habit.

Overall I liked the story. The bonds that Mya created with everyone was amazing. Especially since she was trying her best to keep everyone at a distance. The only thing I wish had been different was Mya's reaction to what Jase told her. Personally, I think she overreacted. Maybe had she told Jase (or anyone for that matter!) a bit more about her past, he might have understood where she was coming from. But that wasn't the case.

Recovery was a good book, and I am definitely considering going back to read Clarity and Redemption. I want to know more about Rhys, Logan, and Quinn. Also, I'm hoping there is a book coming for Charity, because that last little bit in the epilogue has me intrigued.


3) The Risk Taker

by Gina Azzi

The Risk Taker is the second book in the Boston Hawks series, and it gave me everything I wanted. Easton and Claire's relationship was what I imagined it would be with everything we learned in The Sweet Talker. I will say I cannot imagine living with my crush and trying to keep it platonic. Is that even possible? Especially when both parties are interested?

I am loving the books in this hockey series, and am ready for The Faker!  

Four stars all the way!


4) Already Written

by Xavier Neal


If you know me, you know that I adored Xavier Neal's Hockey Gods series, and that I freaking loved the Bennett Duet. I am also hoping to get my hands on an ARC for her upcoming release, Aleatory. (if not, I will be buying it.)

I went into Already Written with high expectations. A celebrity romance with a romance author? HECK YA, bring it! I will read that anytime. That being said, Already Written was just okay. Nothing special.  Knowing what I know about the characters Xavier Neal creates, I was expecting more. Minka and Pierce had the connection. They had the passion. Yet something was missing. 

5) Snapped

by Alexa Martin


Since I had read the first three books in the Playbook series, there was no way I was going to miss Snapped. While my county library didn't have it on hand, I did take advantage of the inter-library loan program, and had it brought in from another location. I am so glad that I did. 

Snapped was a phenomenal book. I loved how it touched on kneeling during the anthem, and protesting for change within the league. I loved how the team came together to support Quinton's cause (CTE & past players receiving better care/payment). Yes some people might find issue with the subject matter in the book, but that's on them. 

Now this book wasn't perfect. There were definitely areas where it just didn't feel finished. Primarily in the relationship between Elliot and Quinton. Then there was also the explanation of Quinton's causes. They were not really explained until later on in the book. The owner of the team though, damn. He's horrible. I will say that Snapped wasn't my favorite of the series, but I still appreciate it immensely. 

I gave Snapped 4 stars

6) Hockey Hunk

by Kat Obie


Imagine my surprise when I randomly commented on a post in a Facebook group, only to then be tagged as the winner of a book. This is actually the second time that has happened. I'm perfectly okay with that too!

When I saw that I had won a hockey romance book, I was all in. It is my favorite after all. 

I went into Hockey Hunk knowing nothing about the book. Occasionally it's a thing I do, and 90% of the time it works out wonderfully. 

Let me just say I liked the idea of the Hockey Hunk storyline. The execution, well it left a little something to be desired. This isn't a spoiler, as it is written right into the description, so keep that in mind. Who in their right mind would choose a fake pregnancy as a prank to get other pranks to stop? WHAT? I might expect something like that from high schoolers or MAYBE college students, but from a man in the NHL? NO, just no. That was a big miss for me. Now that I said that, let me say, I did like the romance between Renee and Matt. I love the best friends sister trope, and so in that regard I was good to go. It's the prank that I didn't appreciate. They could have faked an engagement instead. That would be fitting. But for Matt to automatically go with fake pregnancy? No.

When all was said and done, I did give the book 3 stars. 


Those are the books I read the first week in March! Have you read any of these books? If so, tell me which one and I'd love to hear your thoughts.



Happy Reading,