Only One Touch {a review}

Fellow book lovers, today is the day that Only One Touch releases! It is the fourth book in the Only One series, and we follow the relationship between Nico and Becca. Having read the first three books, part of me always wondered if Nico and Becca might end up together. It just seemed like the natural progression since they were both prominent side characters.

If you haven't read the description for the book, well let's start there:

Nico:
When I inherited the Dallas Oilers from my father, I became one of the youngest owners in hockey history. Even though the team was at the bottom of the hockey standings, I had big plans to change that and bring the Cup to Dallas.

Falling in love was something I never believed would happen to me.

You'd think I was getting everything I ever wanted with the girl and the winning record, but I still have a promise to fulfill to my childhood best friend.

Becca:

Never let them see you sweat has been my life motto since I decided to make a name for myself as the most sought after sport agent.

I know what it takes to close a deal, and only want one thing -- to be the best.

Until I felt his touch one night, and everything I thought I knew was forgotten. Nico is everything I've never let myself want.

But all my cards came crashing down the minute I read the headlines.

It only takes one touch to change everything!

Oh friends, I don't think you're fully ready for this book. You will go through ALL the emotions. You'll love Becca and Nico, and you'll hate each of them too. You may even feel like throwing the book at some points. I'm going to be a bit vague in my post here as I don't want to unintentionally spoil anything.

If you read Only One Night, then you know how that ended. That jaw dropping moment. Flash forward to Only One Touch, and we find out what happened, and why. 

For those familiar with the series, you already know Becca. She is our kick ass agent. She handles all the contracts for Manning, Miller, Ralph, and numerous other athletes. Becca is the woman you want in your corner. She goes above and beyond. Then we have Nico, the owner of the Oilers. This man is all about his work, and has little time for anything else. 

These two see each other frequently due to the nature of their jobs, but suddenly something has changed. They find themselves thinking about the other, and realizing they want to pursue this. Whatever "this" is. Of course Becca is hesitant because they do work together so often. She doesn't want to mess that up. But ultimately the heart wants what the heart wants.

Becca and Nico are amazing together. They balance each other. Through this relationship they are finally figuring out that there is life to be had outside of work. They're learning that they can have a successful relationship, and still run a business that has a crazy amount of responsibility.

That whole situation with Nico and Lauren had me screaming at my kindle. Why, just why? And yes, I wanted to smack a fictional character. Nico fully deserved the heartache and sleepless nights that happened. (I say that but my heart still went out to him.) I mean, I was prepared for this to happen. It's right in the description, and it was mentioned at the end of Only One Night, but still! My heart cannot take this. Sigh.

My heart totally broke for Becca, and I found myself shedding a few tears on her behalf. (okay fine more than just a few.) I don't blame her one bit for running. She needed to focus on her work so that she wouldn't be thinking about Nico constantly, and everything that happened. The way her brothers protected her warmed my heart. The way Ericka was by her side during her most painful days, just had me saying YES. Ericka may be Becca's right hand person, but she's also her friend, and that is what Becca needed. She needed someone in her corner. 

The way this book wrapped up though. Ahhh. It was what my heart needed after being ripped out and trampled on. Even the situation with Lauren made sense. We fully understand why she had to do what she did, and she too is getting the ending she deserves. It just made my heart happy. I may have gave a contented sigh as I finished the book.

Well that is until the ending of the second epilogue. SERIOUSLY NATASHA MADISON! Are you trying to kill me? Geez woman.

One last thing, I love how Natasha brings back those familiar faces from her other two hockey series. Getting to "see" Matthew Grant made me smile. I did find myself getting greedy though and wishing more of the group would appear. Now I can only hope that is the case in Only One Regret. (is it October yet?)

So tell me, have you read Only One Touch? If so, what did you think? If you haven't read it, are you going to? If you've read the series, which book is your favorite? Mine is still Manning's. I don't know if his story can be topped. It very well may stay as my number 1.

Happy Reading,

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3chsakQ

Apple: https://apple.co/2RMZ1om

Nook: https://bit.ly/3hXFXyp

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hPQETB

Meet Natasha Madison:

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

Connect with Natasha Madison:

Website: https://www.natashamadisonauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNatashaMadison/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natashamauthor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashamauthor/?hl=en 

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152112081478827/ 

Thank you to Wildfire Marketing and Natasha Madison for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Only One Touch. A positive review was not required, but if you know me, you know it was going to happen for this book. I truly adore the Only One series, as well as Something So and This is.

Weekly Wrap Up

Why hello there my fellow book lovers! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It's the start of a new week, and that means it is time to share what I read last week!

Last week I read 3 books, and listened to an audio book. That's right, an audio book. If you read my February Book-opoly post, then you already know I landed on "go to jail", and landing there is a punishment spot. My punishment is to listen to an audio book. So I dealt with that. 

Of the books that I read, 2 were ARCs that I received, and the other was my Amazon First Reads pick for February. So my Kindle and I spent a good chunk of time together. Like always.

So what audio book did I choose?

I went with The Date Swap by Lydia Westing. It is narrated by Maggi Mayfield, and this book is a Scribd exclusive. Now full disclosure, I chose this book because 1) it sounded like a cute rom-com, 2) it's a fake dating trope, and 3) it was only 2 hours. 

Quick description of the book in my own words: Two strangers meet at an airport, realize they are headed to the same destination, and are both in need of a fake relationship to appease their parents. They never expect to fall for each other.

Here's the full description from Scribd:

Vivacious and forthright, Lyla Taylor is honest, except when it comes to her family. It’s self-preservation, really; she doesn't want to give her judgmental mother any more ammunition than she already has. But there’s no lie that will cover up the fact that Lyla is attending her cousin’s Hawaiian destination wedding alone. Until she meets the recently single, straitlaced, and handsome stranger Daniel Dugray in the airport. 

Since they both need a date to their Hawaiian wedding weekend, Lyla convinces Daniel they can be each other’s dates. Among all the secrets she keeps from her family, what’s one more? Tripping through bad weather, ex-lovers, and convincing their families they’ve known each other more than a few hours, Lyla and Daniel struggle to keep up the ruse. As their families pry into their fake love-life, Lyla and Daniel work to last out the weekend until they can part ways forever. At least that was the original plan. Of all the lies Lyla is keeping up, denying her growing feelings for Daniel is the one she needs to last.

Overall it was a cute story, and I was fully interested in how it would play out. Would I have preferred for it to be an e-book or a physical book? Absolutely. But that wasn't an option, and the challenge was to listen to an audio book, so I did it. Still not my preferred way of reading. Maybe I need to find a full cast audio book? Rating wise, I gave The Date Swap a 3/5.

The first e-book I read this week was Only One Touch by Natasha Madison. That's right, I scored an ARC of this book! I was so giddy when the notification appeared in my email. SO GIDDY! Only One Touch was/is one of my anticipated reads for the month, so the opportunity to read it early? Yes please!

Only One Touch was everything I was hoping it would be. Nico and Becca together is just so right. Their chemistry is amazing. 

So that I don't ruin the book, here's the description:

Nico

When I inherited the Dallas Oilers from my father , I became one of the youngest owners in hockey history. Even though the team was at the bottom of the hockey standings,

I had big plans to change that and bring the Cup to Dallas.

Falling in love was something I never believed would happen to me.

You’d think I was getting everything I ever wanted with the girl and the winning record, but I still have a promise to fulfill to my childhood best friend.

Becca

Never let them see you sweat has been my life motto since I decided to make a name for myself as the most-sought-after sport agent.

I know what it takes to close a deal, and only want one thing—to be the best.

Until I felt his touch one night, and everything I thought I knew was forgotten. Nico is everything I've never let myself want.

But all my cards came crashing down the minute I read the headlines.

It takes only one touch to change everything!

I loved the book. I loved the characters. I wanted to smack them both at times, as well as Lauren. I screamed. I cried. I want to read it all over again. I gave Only One Touch a 4/5. 

Next up was The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn. This was my Amazon First Reads pick for the month, and it was just okay. Now I say that, but I also should say that it picked up about 40% of the way in. Once we got to that point, I was all in. It was just getting there (hello slow burn) that was not my favorite. I know, I know, we need that build up and we need the "world/setting" built. I get that. 

Once the story picked up for me, I was invested. I needed to know how this relationship was going to play out. I needed to know who won the freaking game. I needed closure. And I got that. All in all it was a cute story. I will say I had a different ending to the game imagined in my head, and that was based off of what Thad "said" in the beginning of the book.  Speaking of Thad, he drove me up the wall. UP THE WALL. My rating for this book was 3/5.

My final book of the week was an ARC of Rookie Move by Samantha Lind. When I requested this ARC, all I paid attention to was the fact that it was 1) romance, and 2) it involved hockey. What I didn't pay attention to is that Rookie Move is the 9th book in a series. Yes, it's a standalone series, so it isn't that big of a deal, but it pains me to read out of order. It is what it is, and I can't go back and change it.

Curious what Rookie Move is about? Here's the description from Goodreads:

Dylan

My future was all mapped out.
Graduate high school.
Get drafted. 
Make a professional hockey team’s roster.
Marry my high school sweetheart.

I had it all within my grasp; 
Everything was falling into place.
Except for the distance,
And our conflicting schedules. 

How can we both follow our dreams when the roads keep taking us in different directions?

Hailey 

My future was all mapped out.
Graduate high school.
Graduate Med-School.
Land my dream residency.
Marry my high school sweetheart. 

My dream took me to the opposite coast, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

Could I find a new path to my goal and still find happiness?

Was thinking we could make this work just another rookie move?

Rookie Move is a high school sweethearts romance story. It was a sweet story, and I liked how it flowed. While I enjoyed the story it was missing something. Maybe this is how the author's books are, and I just don't know it as this was my introduction to their writing.  I'm used to reading other books where the couple has a conflict that they have to work through, and I was missing that in this book. Now yes, you could argue with me that the opposite coasts and conflicting schedules could be the conflict I'm looking for, but it wasn't.  Everything about Dylan and Hailey's relationship seemed too perfect. Overall it was a cute story, and I gave it a 3/5.

There you have it. Those are the 4 books I read this week. All in all, it was an okay week. Only One Touch was definitely the high light of the week, and by far my favorite book that I read.

Want a sneak peak of what I'm reading for this week? Here you go:

What did you read last week? What's on tap for this week? Any favorites? Any duds?

Happy Reading,

The Edge of Happiness {a review}

Now you may be thinking, Laur you've talked about The Edge of Happiness before! You're correct, I have talked about it in my February Anticipated Releases, in my January Top 5, and also in my most recent weekly wrap up. 

So why am I talking about it again? Well in those posts I just focused on the book description, and telling others to read the book! Here I can at least share a bit more about the book, as well as quotes I loved, while also doing my best to avoid spoiling the book. Plus when you find a book you love, you talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam. Sorry, not sorry. 

First and foremost, we need to discuss the fact that The Edge of Happiness is the debut novel by Kristin Turnage, and it releases TODAY! Oh, and also, there are four more books coming in The Edge series.  You already know I'm giddy about that. I get to stay with these amazing characters! Now I just need to be patient as Kristin writes the books.

After reading the book, I feel that there should be a content warning for bits and pieces of the story. There are sensitive subjects related to mental illness that occur. So know that going into the story. If you want specifics, please send me a message on instagram or facebook.

Also, if you are an emotional person (like me), have tissues on hand. Just trust me on that. I mean I went through quite a few in the first five chapters, so yeah. 

If you've read the description of the book, then you know that Cassie is struggling with events that have happened in her life. We don't know the full story of what sent Cassie into this spiral, but she's hurting. And now, her Dad is sending her to stay with family that she doesn't know. At least it's better than the alternative that his Dad's girlfriend (Jennifer) was proposing. 

Upon arriving in Oaks North Carolina, Cassie is immediately introduced to her Aunt and Uncle. It's a bit overwhelming, but with her dad by her side it's a bit more manageable. Which is understandable because we're always most comfortable with those we know. We can let our shield down a little bit.

The hug scene with Aunt Katie, in chapter 2, warms my heart. And yes, it may have made me tear up a bit.

Her arms wrap around me and squeeze me in all the right places, a true mother's hug. I feel my muscles relax and my heart fill with warmth.

We all need that sort of hug from time to time. A true mom hug just feels different. It's as though you feel the love coming through. It's everything.

More introductions are made, and Cassie now knows her cousins Tyler and Josslyn. I also like how Josslyn and Cassie immediately bonded, and that Josslyn felt that she could be herself around her new cousin. It was an instant connection between the pair, and Cassie's circle started to take shape.

Josslyn convinces Cassie to run to the grocery store with her, and it is there that she meets Ryan (and Mac). There is an immediate attraction for Cassie and Ryan. Probably more so on Ryan's part though. More than that attraction though, there is an immediate connection. It's like two missing pieces finding each other.

That meeting, at the grocery store, set the stage for everything that happens next.

A few days after Cassie arrived in town, she finds herself at a birthday party for Mac. After a little time passes, all these new faces become a bit too much, and Cassie goes to find a quiet place. Ryan finds her, and asks "Are people too much sometimes?" He understands her. He sees her. 

This group that Cassie now has, is amazing. They've all connected in a deep way. Even though Cassie hasn't told them her past, they love and accept her for who she is. Cassie in turn repays that to them. Whether it is helping with a wedding, making their favorite foods, being a shoulder to cry on, etc, it's her way of giving of herself.

Another thing that I love his how Cassie wants to learn. She doesn't want anyone to do things for her. She wants to learn how to do it. Whether it is setting up a fishing pole, baiting the hook, working at the farm, working in her Aunt's store, whatever. Teach her, and she's good to go.

After a particularly rough day for Ryan, Cassie plans a surprise for him that she pulls off with the help of their friends. She doesn't want anything from Ryan. And this quote sums it up nicely.

"We all have shitty days. We all get in moods where we don't want to be around people, and just want to be left alone. But we also have those days where sometimes it's nice to know there's ice cream and spaghetti waiting for you. It's nice to know someone sees you struggling, and doesn't try to bombard you with questions."

Once that Ryan realizes she doesn't want anything from him (except for him to be happy), he relaxes a bit. They spend time just hanging out and watching movies.

Eventually Cassie finds herself going to the farm with Ryan. There she meets his parents (Caleb and Cora), and gets to help out around the place. While it's hard work, Cassie is enjoying it. When a storm rolls in, and the two are essentially suck in the barn, Ryan asks Cassie to "tell me your story". 

"It's not pretty."
"I don't want pretty. I want yours."

That reply of Ryan's had me nodding my head in agreement. If we want a true relationship with others, we have to be vulnerable and let people know where we are hurting. If we let them know our past, our struggles, together we have the option of overcoming it, of working through it. So yeah, that line was perfection.

You want to know what thought of Ryan's damn near broke my heart? It was this one:

I know that I'm going to be the one that's going to shatter her soul. It kills me but I have no other choice. She deserves more than the asshole I am.

Then later in chapter 28, he thinks this:

I need her to hate me because I can never hate her. No matter how hard I try. It's hard to hate the sun when it shines so beautifully. 

That last part happens after everything that's revealed in chapter 27. So just when Cassie needs Ryan the most he pulls this garbage. UGH. 

Things happen, and I want to smack Ryan. But I can understand why he did what he did.

The conversation between Jace and Cassie, in chapter 34, wrecked me. We got to hear just a snippet of Jace's story, and I can tell already that once he gets his turn, I will need a box of tissues. I'm positive that a couple tissues won't be enough.

"Everyone's broken, sweetheart. We all have our demons that we battle every day. The key to winning isn't about making them disappear. Winning is about knowing what you were and changing for what you want to be."

"Everyone feels fear when they are faced with what they can't forget. You're always going to feel this. It's never gonna go away. The memory will be with you forever. It doesn't matter how much you grow as a person. Your demons will always be there. Always knockin' on the door, but you have the choice if you open the door or not."

So a whole lot of more stuff happens, that I can't discuss because spoilers, and Jennifer appears in town ready to take Cassie home to her Dad. Jennifer drives her back to Trent and Kate's to grab her stuff, but there is a crew waiting to protect Cassie. Time passes and it is at Trent and Kate's house that Cassie and Ryan finally have it out. She gets all of it off her chest. Does she feel better? No. But she feels a bit lighter. She's been holding all of this in.

After some conversation, Cora tells Cassie that "even on the darkest days, we always look to the sky, Sunshine." That line triggered a memory for Cassie, and that opened up information that we didn't have prior. 

I literally gasped when everything came out. GASPED. (okay and teared up because emotions.)

Oh and after that, Ryan made me want to smack him again for his actions with Kayla. Stupid stupid man.

Prepare yourself friends. Because Cassie wrote Ryan a note, and left him a flash drive with videos to watch. My heart. OH MY HEART. I was prepared, but I wasn't. 

I want to talk about what happened in chapter 37, I really do. More so about how sneaky Cora is. Of course I also love that she wasn't the only one in on it. I love this group.

In chapter 38 we get to find out Ryan's story, and why he had everything bottled up. It was interesting to hear everything he's been through, and it helps me to understand him a bit better.

I want to tell you so much more, but spoilers. Just know that this book is worth reading. It's worth the emotional roller coaster that we go on. I hope you do read it. If you do, please come tell me your thoughts.

Please accept my apology for being long winded. It's who I am, and I just truly love this book. Thank you Give Me Books PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review. Congrats Kristin Turnage on publishing your first book! I look forward to reading more of your books in the months and years to come.

Happy Reading my friends,

The Bookish A to Z book tag

It's been a while since my last book tag. I found the Bookish A to Z book tag through the FNM Book Blog (courtesy of Google), and it sounded interesting. After looking at the questions on Ann Marie Swaim's blog, I decided I would participate. No I wasn't tagged, but that doesn't stop me.  Plus these book tags allow you all to get to know me a bit better. 

Author you've read the most books from:

This is a tough one. Id say it is a toss up between Aven Ellis, Natasha Madison, and Nora Roberts.

Best sequel

I went back and forth on this one. Ultimately A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas won out.

Honorable mentions to: Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend and Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

Currently Reading

The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn. It was my Amazon First Reads selection for February.

Drink of choice while reading

Diet Coke

E-reader or Physical Book

Prior to Christmas 2019, I would have said physical. Now though my answer is 100% e-reader. I love my paperwhite.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school

Oh gosh I have no clue. (and do you know how long ago high school was for me? egads!)

Glad you gave this book a chance

Fragile Things by Samantha Lovelock

Hidden Gem

On The Edge by Dani Collins

Important moment in your reading life

I really think it goes back to my introduction to books. It was all because of my paternal Grandpa, and those amazing pop-up books he gifted me.

Just finished

I received an ARC of Only One Touch by Natasha Madison, and it was amazing. (review coming soon)

Kind of books I wont read

Horror or anything that is extremely gory.

Longest book you've read

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

Major book hangover because of

The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage

Number of book cases you own

2 for me, and 3 half sized for my kids.

One book you've read multiple times

Everyones a aliebn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun

It's amazing, and everyone should read it.

Preferred place to read

My couch in our downstairs living room

Quote that inspires you, or gives you all the feels, from a book you've read

Reading regret

I don't have any. 

I mean are there books I wish I wouldn't have given my time to? Yes, I'm looking specifically at you Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks.

Series you started and need to finish

I'll just mention one since most of the series I'm currently reading are works in progress. So with that, I'll say the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend. I still need to read Hollowpox. (and I really want to buy the series vs borrowing it from my library.)

Three of your all time favorite books

Excuse me? Choose favorites? How very dare you! Okay fine, I'll toss out a few titles.

• Everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun
• The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage
• Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet

Unapologetic fangirl for

Hockey romance novels. Especially those by Natasha Madison and Samantha Whiskey.

Very excited for this release (more than all the others)

At this very moment, I would say Restless Things by Samantha Lovelock. I need to know what happens after that bombshell at the end of Fractured Things.

Worst bookish habit

Reading too fast, and not cherishing the book. Maybe? 

X marks the spot: start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book

Vision in White by Nora Roberts. It's the first book in the Bride Quartet series.

Your latest book purchase

Oh just call me out why don't you. You know I've been buying books when I don't need to be.

I pre-ordered Only One Regret by Natasha Madison. It is the fifth book in the Only One series. Now I just need to wait until October. (unless I can get my hands on an ARC in September. Wishful thinking.) I'm so giddy that Natasha Madison decided to expand the series from 4 books to 8. 

ZZZ-snatcher book (aka the last book that kept you up way too late)

Geez, what did I do to you? I can't help it if I read late at night, and then get so absorbed into the book that I say up until 1 or 2 in the morning. 

There you have it, my bookish a to z.  Have you read any of the books I mentioned? How about the authors? Are you familiar with them? 

Happy Reading,

January Top 5

Hello my fellow book lovers!

Now that January is officially over, I want to take a moment to take a look back and recap my month. I will also be sharing my top 5 reads for the month, and believe me it was very difficult to make that selection.

Let's start with the stats.

In January, I read:

• 19 books, all of which were e-books
• 5,776 pages
• 8 advanced reader copies 
• 1 library e-book
• 10 books I own and/or purchased

My average rating was 3.95 out of 5.

Speaking of ratings, my breakdown looks like this:

• 3 books received 5 stars
• 12 books were 4 stars
• 4 books were given 3 stars

Not too shabby!

The longest book I read was One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London, and it was 424 pages.

The shortest book I read was One Night with the Rebel by Kendall Ryan, and that was 67 pages.

I also read 8 new to me authors! So that's pretty darn amazing.