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

Sweetened {teaser}

Sweetened 𝐛𝐲 Annie Dyer is coming April 14th!!   

Winning will never taste so sweet...

Lainey Green has got exactly what she wants--the dream location for her equine therapy centre and a place to settle down and call home.

Unfortunately for Jake Maynard, that home is the farm he desperately wanted, and the alpaca owning, farm running, town Romeo isn't about to be on the welcoming committee for Lainey anytime soon.

Irritation turns into rivalry, which morphs into something else entirely.

And pretty soon Jake Maynard is well on the way to hanging up his playboy ways for good. Lainey is the only prize he's interested in winning.

Now all he has to do is persuade his feisty, independent neighbour to feel the same about him.

𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! mybook.to/Sweetened

Add to your Goodreads TBR ➜ https://bit.ly/2RdHzfB

     

About the Author: 

Annie lives in the north of England, not too far from the amazing city of Manchester. She is owned by several cats and many hens, narrowly avoiding being a mad cat woman by enslaving a very understanding husband. She’s an avid reader of many genres and if she’s not writing a book, she’s usually reading one.

Where to find Annie:

Website  Instagram  Twitter  Goodreads

Facebook Page  Facebook Group  Bookbub  Amazon

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

Southern Heart {a review}

It's no secret that Natasha Madison is one of my favorite authors. From the characters to the setting to the storylines, she just hooks me each and every time.

So when I had the opportunity to read an early copy of Southern Heart, I was all in. I was obsessed with the first four books in the Southern series, and cheered when she announced there would be an additional four books.

Now the question is, did Southern Heart top my love of Southern Sunrise? I mean, I gave Sunrise 5 stars, so it's not like I can go any higher than that. 

Fellow romance readers, I FREAKING LOVED Southern Heart. I want more of Chelsea and Mayson. Also, there is a scene with Savannah that darn near had me in tears. When she said what she said, my heart was feeling it. AHHH!

If you've read any of the Southern series books, then you already know that there is a bit of a suspenseful element to the stories. That suspense in Southern Heart was WOW. I kept wondering when the big showdown was going to happen, and when it did, my heart broke. OH NATASHA MADISON! She tortures me. (in all the best ways of course.)

Chances are you're thinking, but Laura what's the story about? Well I can tell you this much. Chelsea has just returned to town after finishing nursing school, and has accepted a job at the local clinic. She doesn't start for a month though, and so tonight she is babysitting at her brother's (Ethan) house. Chelsea has put the kids to bed, and there is a storm happening outside. The power is threatening to go out, and suddenly there is a thump at the door. Chelsea is hesitant, but she opens it up and a man stumbles in. He's been brutally beaten, and he is bleeding. He collapses on the floor and says Ethan's name. Turns out the man is Mayson, a military friend of Ethan's, and he is in need of major help.

From there the story continues, and I will say NOTHING more, because loose lips sink ships.

Earlier I questioned whether Chelsea's story could top Ethan's, and while I want to say yes, for me it didn't. Oh it came close! But there is just something about Ethan and Emily that tugs a bit more on my heartstrings. 

I will say, I did give Southern Heart 5 stars as well. 

Oh, and um that last little bit before the epilogue. Say what now! Oooh, is it June 1 yet? Because inquiring minds need to know what the heck is going on!

My fellow reading friends, go grab Southern Heart. Just trust me, it's wonderful. Yes, you can jump right in at Southern Heart, but I highly suggest starting from the beginning with Southern Chance. 

Let me know i you read the Southern series!

Happy Reading,

PS: I think my birthday gift to myself will be physical copies of the first five books in the Southern series.🤣

Oh and because I know it will be appreciated, below is the teaser for Southern Heart!

Release Date: April 6

Some secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them.

Chelsea
Coming back home was supposed to be normal.
Not that my life had ever been normal, but it was getting there.

Then I opened the door and found a man—broken, bloodied, and fighting for his life.
I don’t know why, but I said I would take care of him. I had to. Needed to.

He was a mystery, showing up from out of nowhere. But he might have already stolen my heart.

Mayson Carey
The only thing I have ever wanted in my entire life was to forget who I was. Joining the military helped me do this.

Keep your head down and glide through life was my new motto. No strings, no relationships. Nothing.

Everything was working until a knock at the door had me face-to-face with the reason I was running.

So I ran—I fell into her arms, and she fell into my heart, but I know better than to think it’ll last.

Some secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them.

Grab Your Copy Here:
Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo

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

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Thank you to Natasha Madison, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an early reader copy of Southern Heart. A positive review was not required. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

Weekly Wrap Up

 

Hoping you all had a wonderful weekend. Here in Minnesota it was GORGEOUS outside. I was out pretty much all day yesterday.  It was perfection. I will welcome these temps with open arms. Yet in the back of my head I'm not foolish enough to believe winter won't try to make a small comeback.

Last week was a busy week of reading, and reviewing. Really though I can't complain. Reading is my hobby, and I am passionate about it. Writing reviews, and this blog, well that's just for fun.

Let's talk stats for last week.

• Books Read: 5
• Kindle Books: 5
• ARCs: 3
• Pages Read: 1,869

My average rating was 4 stars. Not too shabby.

My favorite book of the week was Southern Heart by Natasha Madison. My review for that will be posted tomorrow. Seriously, so good. Then again I think I say that about every Natasha Madison book I read. (and I'm perfectly okay with that. There's a reason she's one of my favorites.)

With all that being said, let's move onto the books!

(if I've already posted the review, it is linked in the book title.)

1) Brightly Burning Bridges

by Ivy Wild

Rating: 4 Stars

Oh this book! Brightly Burning Bridges was SO GOOD! It was frustrating at times, which had me wanting to throw my kindle. But this story line, it sucked me in and held me hostage until the very last page. I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT!

2) Royally Pucked

by Pippa Grant

Rating: 4 Stars

Royally Pucked is the second book in Pippa Grant's Copper Valley Thrusters hockey series.  This book brought together two of my favorites: Royal romance and hockey romance. And Royally Pucked did not disappoint. I loved seeing Manning and Gracie together. Then add in Loki, and it was just so good.

3) Southern Heart

by Natasha Madison

Rating: 5 Stars

Do I really need to say much about Southern Heart? I mean, if you've read the Southern series by Natasha Madison, then you know what you're going to get. But I suppose not everyone has read the first four books, so there is that. If you like romance with a little suspense, then ooh you'll like this one. I mean the suspense starts pretty much right away. Chelsea has just returned to town to start a new job, and has decided to watch her niece and nephew for the night. A storm rolls through, and it sounds like someone is hitting the door. Chelsea eventually opens the door, and a man (who has been beaten to a pulp) falls inside. Chelsea doesn't recognize him, she just sees the injuries. Before the man passes out, he says "Ethan". (Ethan is Chelsea's brother)

And that's all I'm going to say. Just trust me on this. You'll want to read it.

4) Ruthless Monarch

by Ava Harrison

Rating: 4 Stars

Calling all mafia romance fans! Ava Harrison has a new one for you to read. I was torn with Ruthless Monarch. On one hand I enjoyed the story. The concept was fabulous. On the other hand, I think it could have been executed a little better. 

5) Beauty and the Beefcake

by Pippa Grant

Rating: 3 Stars

I was so excited for Beauty and the Beefcake! No, not because of the title as I'm not a fan of it. I was excited because it was Ares's story. I had such high hopes. Especially since I was coming off of Royally Pucked. Beauty and the Beefcake though was underwhelming. Well until about the last 25% of the book. It was that last quarter that I was saying YES, THIS IS WHAT I WAS WAITING FOR. It was just a little too much slow burn and filler for my liking.