What I Read Last Week

Hello April!

This last week I had a spectacular week. So many wonderful books read, characters met, settings visited. I swooned, I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw my kindle, and I loved every single moment of it. There were also so many fantastic tropes: enemies to lovers, small town, sports, second chance, age gap, college, single dad, surprise pregnancy, plus so many others. LOVED IT!

Last week I read 9, yes I said 9, books. That's ridiculous I know. I will say that I read two on Saturday, and I regret nothing. Also I had started The Edge of Forgiveness last Sunday, and finished it on Monday, so I had a jump start. Of the nine books that I read, five of them were advanced copies. The other four were either recent purchases due to TikTok, or freebies from the stock your kindle event, or just ones that were already on my kindle. 

Tell me about your week. What did you read? Any favorites? Any that you just didn't vibe with? Any recommendations for me? Have you ever read a book that TikTok recommended? I read two this week, and one I absolutely loved, while the other was just so so.

Happy Reading,
Laura

 The Edge of Forgiveness by Kristin Turnage

I'm not going to say much here as I devoted an entire post to TEOF. Hunter and Courtney's story was wonderful. It was emotional. It was intense at times. There is so much pain and heartache. There is also healing and understanding. There is family found, and a forever beginning. Could not put this book down. *please note there is no preorder for this book yet. I have linked to the author's amazon page.

Guarding Georgia by Anna Brooks

I forgot how much I enjoy books by Anna Brooks. When I started reading Guarding Georgia it all came flooding back. Of course I think the fact that this book takes place in Warrensville plays a part. After all that is where I met, and fell, for the Ryder family. Guarding Georgia was full of romance, and I loved the second chance trope in this book. Now I will be honest I struggled with everything that happened with Georgia's Dad, as well as with Tad. I was not fully prepared for that. Yet I was able to get through that with the relationship between Beau and Georgia. Plus there was Beau's family that I also adored. Also, Georgia's mom and that storyline? YES! I will definitely be returning for more of the Small Town Saviors series.

Made for Us by Natasha Madison

Natasha Madison did it again. She wrote this story that pulled m in, had me falling for the characters, and has me wanting to live in this world. I need the Grant/Horton/Stone+ family to adopt me, or at least befriend me. PLEASE! Abigail and Tristan's story was good. I loved the bond that Abigail has with Penelope, aka Tristan's daughter. That  bond was formed years ago, and it continues to remain strong. The attraction between Tristan and Abigail was good also. It's been building, enhancing, and is difficult to ignore. All it takes is a vacation for things to ramp up, and act upon needs. Of course that one night together lead to so much more. Made For Us was filled with heartache, frustration, longing, desire, and so much reality mixed in. Tristan was replaying things in his past, while Abigail was trying to figure things out and protect herself. She had imagined one thing, while he was imagining forever. Made For Us was a really good story. I loved the family interaction, the family vacation, and the bond that is there. The Grant/Horton/Stone+ family takes their friends under their wings and adds them to the mix. They've essentially adopted those who mean the world to them. I also love how the family isn't afraid to call their other family members out for their behavior/actions. Every time I finish a book, by Natasha, I find myself getting even more excited for the next. Her storytelling and characters are amazing.

Rule Number Five by J Wilder

TikTok made me read it. Seriously. Rule Number Five popped up so many times on my FYP that I downloaded it. I read it that same day, and absolutely LOVED this book. I highlighted so many quotes/scenes, and I regret nothing. This has me wanting to read more from J Wilder. The premise is simple: 2 college students meet at a bar, things are going great until she reveals her rules and he says he's a hockey player, she declines any advances because he's a hockey player, the chase is on as rules are meant to be broken, attraction, proximity, forever. While the premise is simple and standard it is the scenes (and lines) in this book that had me hooked. “You don’t wear anyone’s number but mine.” “If I can’t have forever, please don’t take away right now.” I went into a little more detail over on Goodreads if you'd like to read more of my review.

Kellan by Anna Blakely

This book took me by surprise. It had been sitting on my kindle for a while now, and I decided to give it a go. First things first, this book should have had a trigger/content warning. The prologue, what happened between Mia and her husband, I wasn't ready for it. If I'm going to be reading a book that kicks off with violence against a spouse, I want to be notified of that first so that I can prepare myself for what is going to play out.  Now obviously I continued reading, and I worked through those tough scenes that occurred. When Mia met Kellan that was when things really picked up suspense/action wise. That suspenseful storyline was what kept me reading the book. The relationship between Mia and Kellan it was good, but it was way too insta-love. Them falling was at warp speed. I get that forced proximity might have played a part, but it was too quick (for me). I went back and forth on my rating. My initial thought was 4 stars because of the suspense/action. Then as I sat with it a bit more I realized that it's more of a 3. The rapid instalove and lack of content/trigger warning is what pushed me back. I do want to continue with this series though.

Hardball by Lisa Suzanne

It's over. Cooper and Gabby's story is complete. I don't know how to move on quite yet. There was so much that happened in this book, and I adored the majority of it. I wanted to smack Troy. I wanted to shake Cooper. I wanted to hug Gabby. I found myself wanting to yell. There was so much pain and heartache in this final installment. UGH! Yet at the end of the day the right thing was done, a forever was put into the works, and the family was growing. I was proud of Cooper when he said what he said. Loved this entire series. I do still have questions though as I feel like a couple of storylines were not wrapped up, but it is what it is. I did like the setup for the next season though! Also I would love it if we could get a separate book about Troy and Joanie.

Playboy Playmaker by Maren Moore

It's the final book in the Totally Pucked series! I'm not okay with this. Not at all. Hudson's story just felt full circle in a way. Especially with Chaney being, well, Chaney. Plus all the guys being around. It was a good way to wrap things up. I fully admit that I binge read this book. The moment it arrived on my kindle, I was fully invested. I've been tortured with teasers for a bit now, and so to finally be able to dive into the book was just needed. I'm all for this secret, forbidden, age gap romance. Caroline could not be a better partner for Hudson. Add in that bit of proximity, and it just gave their relationship (that wasn't a relationship) that much more room to build. Playboy Playmaker is HOT. Hudson has a mouth on him, and oofta! I may have blushed once or twice. When their relationship (that wasn't a relationship) became public I was worried for them both. I wasn't certain how other parties would handle this news. Heck I wasn't certain how our characters would handle the news. Thankfully it all worked out in the end.  There was another relationship starting in this book though too. With the volunteer position that Hudson took on, he met Wren. This young man needed someone in his corner, and Hudson stepped up. Hudson stepped into that parent role easily, and let Wren know that this was a safe space to land. That he would be there for him any time. Wren found a family like atmosphere with Hudson and Caroline (and I'm sure with the entire Avalanche team). While I'm not ready to say goodbye to this cast of characters, I am ready to see what Maren has planned. Maren has a way with words, characters, and always brings the steam. I love escaping into her books, and look forward to the future.

Flawless by Elsie Silver

I wanted to love this book. Especially since I adored the Gold Rush Ranch series. Yet something was missing from Flawless. That same spark wasn't there. I found myself annoyed by Kip, and did not like any scene that he appeared in. I loved the protectiveness that Rhett offered. Sidney I didn't really "bond" with. She was a missed opportunity in a way. I did like the relationship and how that built. Honestly there were times that I was more interested in the bull riding scenes than the rest of the book. I am ready to return to Chestnut Springs though, especially since the other brothers have caught my attention.

That One Night by Emily Rath

I had recently purchased Pucking Around by Emily Rath, and I noticed it said to read That One Night first. So I did. There is very little plot to this story. It's mostly steam. Plus it ends on a cliffhanger. You had better believe I'm jumping into Pucking Around asap! TikTok has been recommending this book constantly, and I need to see what happens after this novella. I'll be honest, the female main character isn't my favorite, but I'm still intrigued.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

Thank you to the authors who provided me with advanced copies of their books.
(Kristin Turnage, Maren Moore, Anna Brooks, Natasha Madison, Lisa Suzanne)

What I Read Last Week

Spring break is officially over, and my kids are back to school. We had a great week together, and didn't let that little bug ruin too much of our plans. My kids did a lot of fun activities, and hopefully made some good memories. I think the highlight was bowling. We all had a good time, and bowled decently. 

When it comes to reading my week was really good. I read 6 books, and enjoyed the majority of them. Four books were advanced copies from the authors (and/or PR teams), and two were already on my kindle. There were 3 small town romances, 2 sports romances, and 1 paranormal. It was a nice little variety.

So what were the six books that I read this week? Keep scrolling to find out!

I would love to hear about the books you read, or booktubers you watched, and anything bookish. Please share!

Happy Reading,
Laura

 Yours to Take by Emily Silver

The meet cute in this book had me laughing. The setting was fabulous. I love a good small town, and it being set on a family ranch was just that much better. Our heroine was lovable. Our hero had potential. While the story was good, this wasn't my favorite. It felt lacking, and that connection between the characters wasn't strong. I'll still be returning for the next book in the series because the Winchester family intrigues me. I want to see each of them get their happily ever after. I went into a little more detail with my review over on Goodreads.

A False Start by Elsie Silver

I LOVED this story. Seriously so good. Elsie Silver is an amazing writer, and the characters she creates are some of my favorites. While I did enjoy this story, I felt like it was missing a lot of Griff's point of view. I wanted more of his history, and his struggles. Plus there was that reveal that seemed major at the time, but then didn't really amount to anything. Again, I went into more detail over on Goodreads if you're curious.

Batter Up by Hallie Bennett

Oof, this book was a hot mess. I went in knowing it was a baseball romance with a plus size female main character. I also knew it was instalove. Instalove is fine. It is. As long as there is a connection between the characters. I did not feel that what so ever. Our heroine clearly hated her body, and her self esteem was in the trash. Then there was our hero who was over the top and quite annoying. He was trying to be all alpha-ish, but it was a miss. Thankfully this book was a novella so it all went quickly. Unfortunately I still wasted time reading it. 

Captive of the Night by Meg Anne & K Loraine

The Mate Games: Pestilence continues to pull me in. Not as much as War did, but that's okay. Different characters, different storylines, same world. I still am enjoying it. Now when the second book ended I thought that someone else was taken over. So when this book started and it was a different character I was confused. That could have just been my reading though and not fully paying attention. I liked this change up though, and how the possession played into the story. Also when the one characters past was revealed that was interesting. I knew there was something "special" about the character, but didn't know what it was. So this new piece of info just has things making sense. I am curious as to what will happen in the future, and how everything will play out. If you're wanting to read this book, it will be releasing on April 10, 2023. (although paperbacks are typically available a bit before hand.)

Almost Goodbye by Nola Marie

Oh Nola! This author continues to pull me into her storytelling, and has me falling for the characters. Almost Goodbye is Henry's story. We met him in the Sons of Sin series, and while I knew his story was coming, I didn't know what to expect. This age gap romance duet ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger. It is very much a second chance romance, and it is forbidden. Plus this small town is completely against Henry. Now because of what happened the town is also against Ashleigh. I loved that we were able to get to know Henry, and see all that he had been through over the years. I wish we had a point of view from Ashleigh during the same time. I would love to know what she dealt with during those 5 years. The way the secret came out was just what I was expecting. That being said I wasn't expecting what went down with Carter. Then there is Ashleigh's dad, and OOFTA he's a lot. I'm not a fan. I need the second half of this duet ASAP, but I have to wait until May. 

The Third Baseman by Lulu Moore

I don't even know what to say about this book. It wasn't really what I was expecting. Maybe it had to do with this being my introduction to Lulu Moore's storytelling. Or maybe it was the adding in of british terms (diary for schedule/calendar being one). Or it could have been the way the high school was portrayed that felt very hollywood, and not realistic. Or perhaps it was Jupiter and Marnie that I just didn't completely vibe with. I still cannot fully understand why 18 year old Jupiter did what he did. Yes it's been explained, but it still isn't sitting right. Now flash forward 14 years, and I'm confused as to why 32 year old Jupiter did what he did. I mean yes, he wanted her back, and was using that influence to make it happen, but again, not sitting right. Then there is Marnie, and I don't understand why she accepted the job. It doesn't matter how irresistible the owner is, you can still say no if it's not something you're interested in. Now did these two have a connection? Absolutely. From day one they had that connection. I'm not denying that. They are meant to be together. That much I can see. Now don't think I didn't like the book, because I did for the most part. I'm always up for a second chance romance, add in that it's sports related, and I'll read it. Will I read another book by Lulu? Possibly. I mean now that I know what to expect, I might give her books another go. The Third Baseman releases on March 29, 2023.

Thank you Emily Silver, Nola Marie, Lulu Moore, Meg Anne, and K Loraine for the advanced copies you provided me with.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

My 12 Favorite Quotes from The Front Runner

It is no secret that I've recently discovered Elsie Silver's books. I decided to start with the Gold Rush Ranch series, and I am absolutely loving the relationships! The setting is pretty fabulous as well. Then there's those horses that just steal the scenes from time to time.

Since I just finished The Front Runner, and I had so many quotes (and character thoughts) highlighted on my kindle, I figured I'd share some of my favorites.

If you're curious about my favorite quotes, keep scrolling! Also if you've read The Front Runner, do you have any favorite quotes? I'd love to hear them.

I am eager to see what transpires between Nadia and Griffin in A False Start! My goal is to read that this coming week. Once that's read I will be able to move onto the Chestnut Springs series! The first two books are waiting on my kindle for me, so hopefully I love those stories (and characters) as much as Gold Rush Ranch. Chestnut Springs will also determine if Elsie Silver moves onto my auto-buy author list or not. My gut tells me that she will.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Thoughts I Had While Reading The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

I finished The Front Runner, and I'm over the moon happy with what I read! 

When I started reading this book, I knew I had to do a Thoughts While Reading post. You may recall that last week I posted one for Off to the Races by Elsie Silver. So let's jump into my random thoughts for The Front Runner!

Not familiar with the book? Here's the description:

Stefan Dalca is beautiful, brooding, and bossy. He’s also public enemy number one in this small town, with a murky past that’s hard to overlook. And I just agreed to three fake dates with him.

I may be a renowned veterinarian, but when I find myself in a sticky situation, Stefan is my last hope. I need his help to save a sick foal and what he wants in return is me.

Our time together starts out as a simple transaction, but the more time I spend with him, the more I wonder if he’s not quite the villain they’ve made him out to be. With every intimate conversation and lingering look, the tension between us builds. I’ve been drawn to Stefan since the first day I laid eyes on him. And now he’s downright irresistible.

I know sleeping with the enemy is playing with fire. But like a moth to a flame, I’m attracted to the mysterious man in a way I can’t explain—in a way those closest to me wouldn’t approve of or understand.

And the more he softens for me, the harder I fall.

But as his mysteries unravel, so do hidden truths. Truths that are bound to leave someone burned.

I just didn’t expect that someone to be me.

 

The Front Runner is book three in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Trope wise this book is sports romance (horse racing), as well as small town, opposites attract, a little fake dating, workplace, and forced proximity.  I guess you could even consider it a billionaire romance, as well as maybe a smidge of enemies to lovers. Personally I think it might be more hate to love than enemies, as it's really Billie who is enemies with Stefan.

Our main characters are Stefan Dalca and Dr. Mira Thorne. The setting bounces between Gold Rush Ranch and Cascade Acres. Naturally we also find ourselves at the track. 

• STEFAN? Oh, I wasn't too sure about him when he was introduced in Off to the Races. I'm curious about who he is, and how he came to be a race horse owner/breeder/all of that.
• I'm so happy that Mira is our leading lady. I've been curious about her!
• Okay so these stories are overlapping a bit. Interesting. I like that.
• Billie's dislike of this man is intense. I mean I get it after the shenanigans in Off to the Races.
• I still really like Violet. She's good people.
• Wait, what happened to that mare? I think my heart just broke. And of course her baby's sire has to be who it is. OF FREAKING COURSE.
• How is this going to bring Mira and Stefan together?
• OH THAT'S HOW! 
• My heart is breaking all over again. (and over another horse!)
• I'm liking these glimpses of Stefan's past that we are getting. It sounds like his childhood was not an ideal one.
• "He needs a name. It's important he has a name." "Why?" "Because he's going to make it. A name ties him to this world. It gives him an identity. Means we recognize his existence."
• The fact that Mira cannot classify Stefan makes perfect sense. The sides he has shown are vastly different, and which is the real him? Or is he just a mix of it all?
• Hank really is the best. Such a father figure to all the characters.
• OOFTA THAT WAS A LINE! Did it just get hot in here?
• Loki? Really? I mean I love it, but too funny.
• What's going on with Nadia? What was that call about?
• 13 years between Stefan and Nadia. So he's 32, and I think Mira mentioned she's 27. 
• I'm sorry, WHAT HAPPENED TO NADIA? I did not just read that. What the hell?!?
• This bond that Mira and Nadia have formed so quickly is wonderful. Nadia clearly needs someone like Mira in her life. That female connection, a sisterly relationship if you will. (or just a good friend.)
• That's right, Elsie did mention that there was content warnings for this book. 30% in, and Stefan just dropped some info. Oof.
• Okay that's the tie that Stefan has to Rush Creek. I was wondering about that, and it makes perfect sense.
• This has to be the dance that Stefan was referring to:
  
  
  
  
• What is Patrick up to? Seriously. He's sketchy and I don't trust him.
  
• I like learning about Stefan. This book has definitely changed my impression of him. Which was probably the point of him getting a story. The reader would feel for him, and what he's been through. I don't want to call it a redemption arc, as my initial reaction to him was based off of a brief encounter in that first book.
• Okay I guess this really is a fake dating situation. Especially with what's going on. Personally I didn't picture Stefan as blonde, but that's what Mira is saying, and he just confirmed it. So okay then. I pictured him with a darker complexion, and darker skin. Why? No real clue, it's just what I envisioned.
• Everything that happened when they visited Mira's parents was fantastic. From Nana giving her approval of sorts, to the things Sylvia said, to the way Sunny reacted to Stefan, to the "promise" Stefan made, I loved it all. Plus Stefan having Mira's back like that? SWOON!
• OOFTA THAT WAS ONE STEAMY KISS IN THE RAIN! More of that please!
• Oh my word the things that Stefan has experienced! His dad was a horrible person, that is very evident.
• WWWHHHHHAAAAT? WHAT?!? NO! NO WAY. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the ground. (p186 iykyk)
  

  

  
  
• Oh I cannot wait for that info to come out!
• Okay this little break up of sorts...I'm not here for it. Nope nope nope. Come on Mira pull your head out of the sand.
• Also this slow burn is TORTURE! (in the best way possible of course because of the tension.)
• Stefan is so f*cking misunderstood.  YES HE IS MIRA, YES HE IS!
• I wonder if Billie, Vaughn, Violet, Cole, and Patrick will be at this event? I could see Billie and Vaughn I guess.
• Of course Patrick was there, and OH MY WORD!!! DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? DID THAT SERIOUSLY HAPPEN? AHHHHHH! Oh to be a fly on the wall!
• Moving on from that ordeal with Patrick...Anyone have a fan I can use because damn that next scene was steamy.
• So it's just done. Seriously. Unacceptable. What the hell!
• Okay that's better, and YES!
• That just made me blush. Dang. I can't say I've had a book make me blush before. Stefan has a mouth on him. 
• Things are going too well, and there's still a lot left in this book. Something big is going to happen isn't it...
• I am loving that Nadia has joined the group. She fits in so well with Violet, Billie, and Mira!
• Glad it's out in the open now. Maybe now opinions will change. I would honestly love it if Billie's opinion changed. She's just holding a grudge.
• I love how much of a goner Mira is. She just hasn't realized it's love yet.
• Uh oh...here comes the drama. This is going to cause a fight, I just know it. 
• I was hoping it wouldn't come out this way. UGH!
• My heart is breaking.
• I did love the conversation that Stefan and ___ had after the fact. I think it helped clear some things up, and shed a little light.
• That person is going out to the lake to "talk" with Nora. Oh my heart!
• WOULD YOU JUST LISTEN to what's being said! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! UGH. I get it you're hurt, you're frustrated, but come on!
• Nana is so spot on with everything she said. Love that she helped Mira see what was right in front of her.
  
• OH NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! NO!
• Tears...tears are falling down my cheeks right now. I'm a wreck.
  
• Oofta that was an emotional ride. 
• Now let's work toward the happily ever after. It's time you two. It's time.
• Ahhhh the results! YAY!!
• The lake! It's happening! AHHHHH!
• So that's how it all went down with the colt. I love it.

My rating for The Front Runner:

When I discovered that this book was about Stefan and Mira, I was nervous. You see when I read Off to the Races I wasn't a fan of Stefan at all. What went down with DD just didn't sit well. Yes part of that was Vaughn's fault, and yes Billie may have overreacted a bit, but ultimately had Stefan pulled back I might not have felt like he was the bad guy. Then there was Mira who had my curiosity from the moment she was introduced. So I wanted to see her get her happily ever after, even if it was with Stefan.

I loved how that forced proximity really spurred things on between the couple. Being there for the mare and the foal was important, but it also proved to be the perfect opportunity for Mira and Stefan to bond. A friendship was forming, and the groundwork was being laid. Plus it showed Mira that Stefan isn't "Dalca the Dick" like Billie believes. There is more to this man, and she's going to like what she sees. While I wasn't too keen on the 3 dates agreement, it really did work out for the best. It allowed experiences to happen, conversation to build, and a connection to be formed. A better understanding was developed. All of that helped lead to their happily ever after.

The visit out to Mira's childhood home for that family event was an interesting one. I knew her mom would love Stefan, but her dad's reaction had me chuckling a bit. Then there's Nana who just knows everything. My favorite part though, besides that kiss, was when Stefan stood up for Mira to another family member. He shut that shit down immediately. The things he said were perfection.

I truly was not expecting The Front Runner to be a 5 star read for me. Yet here we are. I have fallen for Stefan, I like Mira even more now than I did previously, and I'm also really enjoying Nadia. Then there's that dang horse, Loki, that stole my heart too. It's the name plus a few other things.

The steam in this book? OH MY WORD. It may have started off as a slow burn but things definitely heated up. Stefan has quite the mouth on him, and some of those scenes were wow.

Now I marked this book as a sports romance, but I'm debating on it. You see there wasn't much that took place in that environment. We were only at the track once, and it wasn't a frequent conversation. So I'm struggling with my classification as sports romance.

I absolutely loved The Front Runner. It honestly is a toss up between this story and Off to the Races for a favorite. I honestly think that Stefan and Mira could come out on top of the list. That being said, I still need to read Nadia's story. She could trump them all. Only time will tell.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts, as well as my review. I appreciate you sticking around through my long-windedness. Have you read The Front Runner? If so what was your rating? Did you fall for the couple?

Happy Reading,
Laura

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

What I Read Last Week

Happy Monday my fellow book lovers!

Last week I read a lot of books that I just adored. Some were light and easy, while others were a little more emotional. I can't forget about the suspense either. Then there's the steam factor for these books, and let me tell you...the majority definitely had some good steamy scenes. Trope wise there were a lot covered. There was brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, sports romance, workplace, opposites attract, age gap, and also a college romance.

How many books did I read this last week? Six. Yep, I read six books. Three of which were ARCs, and three were older/existing titles. My average rating for this week was 4.1. I'm quite pleased with that number!  

My favorite book of the week was definitely The Front Runner by Elsie Silver. From the moment I started that book, until the very last page, I was sucked into that world. I did not want to leave those characters. Plus that dang horse tugged on my heartstrings. AGAIN! I've definitely fallen for Elsie Silver's storytelling.

this was me with a scene in The Front Runner.

Tell me about your reading week. Any new authors? New favorite books? Any books that you wish you hadn't read? I want to hear it.

Happy Reading,
Laura