Thursday, May 6, 2021

The Offer {a review}

If you know me at all, then you know I am a bit obsessed with sports romance. My typical reads are hockey, football, and baseball, but recently I've gotten into auto racing. Well I've branched out again, and just read a sports romance featuring rugby. I know nothing about the sport, but The Offer by Becca Steele has me wanting to learn!

The Offer by Becca Steele was originally included in the Love is in the Air anthology, but now it's been expanded, and it's been published on it's own! Not only is this novella a sports romance, but it is also has the opposites attract and fake relationship tropes. So if any of that appeals to you, I highly suggest downloading the book.

In this book we meet Victoria and Jake. Jake is a professional rugby player, and he has a bit of an image issue with the press. Meanwhile Victoria is dealing with her mother trying to fix her up with any available bachelor. This is due to the fact that Victoria is divorced (marriage annulled) after her husband was caught with another on their wedding day. Anyways, Jake is looking to fix his image and keep his place on the team. It is decided that a fake relationship might work in Jake's favor, and Ethan knows just who to ask. Victoria. Jake and Victoria could not be more opposite, and it looks like this "relationship" is doomed to fail.

Chances are you know what happens next. 🤣

I loved this novella, and I look forward to reading more of the London Players series. I mean if this is how it kicks off, then just hand them all over. Loved the opposites attract aspect. Loved the banter between the two. And of course I loved the HEA. I will say, I do wish it had been a full length book versus a novella, but I can't have it all. It is looking like Alex will get his story told some time in 2022. So I'll have to keep my eyes out for that one!

So now that I've delved into my first rugby book, who has another to recommend to me? 

Before you go, be sure to head over to Becca Steele's facebook page to enter her giveaway for a signed paperback!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,


If you'd like to read the teaser for The Offer, please scroll a bit further. You'll also find links to connect with Becca Steele, add The Offer to your Goodreads TBR, and there are links if you'd like to purchase a copy of the book.


💚 ℍ𝕆𝕋 ℕ𝔼𝕎 ℝ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝔸𝕊𝔼 & 𝔾𝕀𝕍𝔼𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐 💚

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘! 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴/𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮!

#𝟭-𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!



One offer.

A few fake dates.

What could possibly go wrong?

All I have to do is pose as the girlfriend of London Hawks player Jake Savage. The bad boy of rugby, he has a reputation both on and off the pitch.

Neither of us are interested in a relationship, so our arrangement is perfect. We just have to go on a few dates and pretend to be into each other while we’re photographed for the tabloids.

We’re not attracted to each other, so it should be easy.

Or so I thought.

After one hot night, things change. Now, when he kisses me, it doesn’t feel like we’re pretending anymore. 


The Offer is a standalone, fake relationship sports romance novella. 

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚. 

PURCHASE LINK 
💚 Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/offer 

 


GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of The Offer, Becca Steele has a signed paperback up for grabs!
Head to her Facebook page to enter:



About the Author

Becca Steele is an international bestselling romance author from the south of England, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and a whole horde of characters that reside inside her head. When she's not writing, you can find her reading or watching Netflix, usually with a glass of wine in hand. Failing that, she'll be online hunting for memes, or wasting time making her 500th Spotify playlist.

Author Links


Thank you to Becca Steele and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an ARC of The Offer.
A positive review was not required. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

The Heartbreaker {a review}


When I read the teaser for The Heartbreaker, I immediately knew that I would enjoy the book. Seriously. I just knew. So when it came time to finally read it, I was all in. I was ready to escape into this new adult romance.

Jagger and Josephine (Jo) have known each other for most of their lives. After all their parents are very close friends, and are frequently together. So it is of no surprise that Jagger and Jo are attending the same college. One night they both attend a party, and it is at that party where everything changes. Their friendship is over. Jo begins dating Lawrence, and they are together for 3 years. Meanwhile Jagger becomes all about the casual hookup, and avoids relationships all together. Not to mention he is focused on football and school. Fast forward a bit and Jo and Lawrence's relationship is over. Jo is also looking for a new place to live, and has found a great spot. Too bad Jagger has also found that spot, and it is looking like they are going to be roomies.

The Heartbreaker was just so good. So good. I marked this as 4 stars on Goodreads, but really I'd say it's more of a 4.5. Honestly, I probably would have given it a 5, but that whole situation with Jo and Lawrence with the car just didn't sit right with me. That was enough for me to say no to a 5. Actually that whole situation had me a little ticked. Like WHY? Why would you do that? Seriously? Moving on from that. Loved the relationship that Jo had with Jagger. Loved the connection that both had with their families. I also really appreciated how Jo's family had her working off some of the cost for the car situation. And of course I loved the ending, and how that all happened. The one thing I do wish had happened was Lawrence stepping up to right the wrong. That would have been amazing.

If you like sports romance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, roommates, and/or the college setting, then I highly suggest picking up The Heartbreaker by Claire Contreras. I loved just about every moment of it.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,


Please scroll a bit further to read the teaser for The Heartbreaker. There are also links to connect with Claire Contreras, a link to add the book to your Goodreads, and an Amazon link should you want to purchase.

They say you never forget your first.
Falling for my roommate is a terrible idea.

The Heartbreaker by Claire Contreras is now live!

Jagger Cruz, the popular, gorgeous, athletic, heartbreaker, was my introduction to college flings.

Over the years, I’ve tried to pay no attention to every wicked rumor I heard about him, even though deep down I knew they weren’t just rumors. Unable to face the consequences of what we’d done, if we were ever in close quarters, I ran in the other direction. If we were coincidentally put in the same class, I dropped it. Avoidance was the name of the game and so far I was winning.

That is, until we’re assigned the same co-ed apartment.

Living with Jagger during my last semester was definitely not in my plans, but I’m determined to make it work. As long as I don’t look at him for too long or let his innuendos get under my skin, I should be fine, right? I have to be.

They say hooking up with your roommate can be messy, and losing my heart to Jagger would be disastrous.


Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dbRcE9

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/TheHeartbreakerCC

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3w220MD

 

Meet Claire

Claire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages.

She was born in the Dominican Republic, raised in Miami, and now lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, two adorable boys, and French Bulldog. When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book.

Connect with Claire

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads


The Brentwood Boys

This sports romance boxed set is on my "want to buy" list, and I think today is the day I purchase.

      

THE BRENTWOOD BOYS by Meghan Quinn

Box Set of The Locker Room, The Dugout, and The Lineup

Release Date: May 6th

ON SALE- $3.99- FOR A LIMITED TIME!

The Brentwood Boys have come together in a three book box series, WITH an extended epilogue!! Over 300,000 words of delicious baseball players with a mouth-watering epilogue of where they are now. Marriage? Maybe. Babies? Possibly. Abs? Oh yes, they still have abs.

            

THE BRENTWOOD BOYS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN BOTH EBOOK AND AUDIO!

Universal Link: mybook.to/TheBrentwoodBoys

The Brentwood Boys have come together in a three-book audio collection for the first time ever! More than 30 hours of delicious baseball players brought to you by your favorite narrators including Sebastian York, Savannah Peachwood, Stephen Dexter, Rock Engle, Felicity Monroe, and Maxine Mitchell.

Audio Universal Link: https://amzn.to/33gWpEM

AVAILABLE NOW FOR ONLY $3.99! FREE in KU!

On sale for a LIMITED TIME!

Amazon US | UK | CA | AU | Universal

(Narrators included are Sebastian York, Savannah Peachwood, Stephen Dexter, Rock Engle, Felicity Monroe, and Maxine Mitchell.)


The Locker Room

Have you heard the rumor around campus about the locker room?

Legend has it if you bring a girl into the sacred after-game domain of the baseball locker room, it will end with a walk down the aisle.

So when the girl I've fallen for brushes me off, I start to question if I need to switch my way of thinking. Maybe it's time I finally hand out a coveted invitation to the locker room.

The only question is, will she accept?

The Dugout

Let me ask you a question:

If someone is vying for your spot on a team and just so happens to injure you during practice, would you believe it was on purpose?

Word around campus is . . . it was no accident.

That injury has cost me everything. Now, I’m a senior fresh off recovery, struggling to find my groove, until the day I run into The Baseball Whisperer, Milly Potter.

Little do we both know, she’s about to become more than just my fairy ballmother.

The Lineup

Want to know a secret?

That boy over there, the one with the spectacular backside, yeah, I first saw him in college, talking to his friends. Tall, broad, sculpted by his many hours in the weight room. His personality was larger than life and I was too shy to approach him.

Now he’s a professional baseball player, I’m a confident CEO, but my crush is still strong. yup, massive crush.

I have a chance at winning a date with him.

Should I enter?

The Brentwood Boys have come together in a three-book audio collection for the first time ever! More than 30 hours of delicious baseball players brought to you by your favorite narrators including Sebastian York, Savannah Peachwood, Stephen Dexter, Rock Engle, Felicity Monroe, and Maxine Mitchell.

Audio Universal Link: https://amzn.to/33gWpEM

         

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Connect with Meghan:

Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | TwitterWebsite | BookBub | Amazon | Tiktok


 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Love To Hate You {a review}



Hey romance readers, I have another work place romance for you! It is so much more than that though. In Love to Hate You, you'll not only get a work place romance, but also a friends to lovers story, a best friends sibling story, it's set in a small town, AND there is a bit of suspense. I guess, technically it is also a billionaire romance. So yeah. If those are things you enjoy, then keep on reading.

Love to Hate You is the second book in the Fillmore Siblings series by Melissa Schroeder, and this time we are getting the full story on Travis Fillmore and Nancy Howard. We witnessed little tidbits of their story in Hate to Love You, but in this book, we get it all. 

I have the teaser posted below, but to give you the basics about the story, Travis and Nancy work together on the tv show Flipping Texas. Nancy is the designer, and Travis handles the construction. I should mention that Flipping Texas was Nancy's idea, and she also chose Travis to be the co-host. Up until this past season, they had worked wonderfully together. Something changed this season though, and Travis was a gigantic ass. Constantly poking Nancy with little barbs here and there, and it was just too much. These two friends were quickly becoming enemies. And that didn't sit well with Nancy. It was becoming such an issue, that Nancy decided not to re-sign her contract. This was it. Nancy was leaving the show. 

Now you may be thinking, Laura you said there was a bit of suspense in the book so why haven't you mentioned it? Yes, I did say there is suspense, and there is. You see Nancy has a stalker. This just started happening recently, and things are building. Who is it? Well there's a few possibilities. You'll just have to read the book to find out who was behind it all!

I also mentioned that the book could be considered a billionaire romance, but didn't explain that any further. Well Nancy is part of the Howard family. They have more money than they know what to do with, and quite frankly Nancy could live off her trust fund if she so chose. But that isn't the life Nancy wants. Plus her family is quite horrible, so she doesn't want to rely on them. At all.

Love to Hate You captivated me. I was all in, and did not put my kindle down until the last page of the book. I found myself once again loving the characters (main and side), was obsessed with the setting of Juniper Falls, and also quite enjoyed the fact that this book was set on a home improvement show that has similar goals as Fixer Upper. Now I can't lie, while I was cheering for Nancy and Travis to get their HEA, I was also waiting for Travis to give a good reason for why he has been an rude pain in the ass. That didn't really happen, so that was a bit disappointing. (sorry if that's a spoiler) Still though, that didn't stop me from enjoying the story, and wanting to take up residence in Juniper Falls.

Oh, and I need Wild Love now. Please. The set up for this book was a side story in Love to Hate You, and I am so ready for Quinn Hawthorne's story! 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,



I mentioned it above, but I'll mention it again, the teaser is posted below. As per usual there are also links to connect with the author, a link to add the book to your Goodreads, and of course links should you want to purchase the book.

Fillmore Siblings Series
Author: Melissa Schroeder
Genre: Friends/Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy



LOVE TO HATE YOU

Join USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Schroeder for a frenemies to lovers romantic comedy with a sexy, tool belt wearing hero who is on a mission to get his woman.

I’m taking a stand. I’m done with him, our show, and my stupid heart. I want nothing else to do with Travis Fillmore. Or maybe I’m lying.

No, really, I mean it.

Ugh, I need help when even I don’t believe me.

Travis is my best friend’s brother and the object of my infatuation. He’s also my co-host for our home improvement show, and we are zooming to the top right now. Unfortunately, I can’t work with him anymore. He’s pushed me too far with his antics, and I’m walking away. Only, he just realized how much he needs me on the show, and he wants me back. He just pops into town and thinks I’ll forgive and forget.

At first, I refuse to even consider returning, but he won’t go away. He tells me that he’s changed, that he can be professional. And I believe him. Until he kisses me…and then does a whole lot more. Soon, we can’t keep our hands off each other. But even as I think we might be building something beautiful, someone threatens our happiness. An overzealous stalker…I can deal with that. What scares me is the man who could shatter my heart and leave me broken.

Warning: This book includes breaking and entering, donuts, sarcastic friends, a woman with many trust issues, a man who doesn’t realize what he wants until he almost loses it, a weirdo who doesn’t understand boundaries, nosey neighbors, a trip to the Juniper Jail again, and a happily ever after for two people who finally admit they are in love.





PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


From an early age, USA Today Bestselling author Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.

Since her first published book, Grace Under Pressure, Mel has had over 90 short stories, novellas, and novels published. She has written in genres ranging from historical to contemporary to futuristic and has worked with 8 publishers although she handles most of her publishing herself. She is best known for her Harmless and Santini series.

After years of following her military husband around the country and world, Mel happily lives with her family in horse and wine country in Northern Virginia.


AUTHOR LINKS



Thank you to Melissa Schroeder and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an ARC of Love To Hate You. A positive review was not required. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

Hate to Love You {a review}



Hello my romance reading friends!

Do you happen to enjoy a work place romance? How about the enemies to lovers trope? Billionaire romance? If any of those are your go to reads, then I have a recommendation for you!

Hate to Love You by Melissa Schroeder is the first book in her Fillmore Siblings series. 

This book follows Sydney Fillmore and Grady Hawthorne. Sydney is the executive assistant for Grady, and so they are constantly together. These two keep the At Home network running as smooth as possible. Plus they are working on the launch of a new channel, and that is just adding to their busy schedules. Things are going just fine until one night when Grady goes to the same bar that Sydney is at. Sydney is there for a bachelorette party, and she's having a blast. It is at that bar though where Grady is realizing his attraction. She's captivated him, horrible dancing and all. From that point on, things start to change. 

Hate to Love You was a quick, easy read. I was absolutely drawn in from the very beginning, and could not put the book down. Their story was good. They come from opposite sides of the financial world (poor vs rich), and Sydney mentions that a few times. Never really to Grady, but just in general when talking about her upbringing, and how she has had to work for what she has. Hate to Love You also mentions workplace issues that Sydney has had to deal with at prior companies. While I like Sydney and Grady, I was really more interested in the side characters. I mean, Sydney and Grady just fit together. They just make sense. That being said, they did need to work on their communication skills a bit. Or at least for a good majority of the story they did. 

I am so glad I read this book. I love a good rom-com, and this one did not disappoint. I found myself loving the characters (main and side), was obsessed with the setting of Juniper Falls. I want to spend more time in that little community.

Have you read Hate to Love You? How about any other books by Melissa Schroeder? I'm jumping in to Love to Hate You next, and I have a feeling it's going to be FANTASTIC. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

If you scroll just a bit further, you'll find the teaser for Hate to Love You! There are also links to connect with Melissa Schroeder, a link to add the book to your Goodreads list, and also links if you would like to purchase the book. I'll give you a little spoiler, as I write this review, Hate to Love You is currently a free download on Amazon. I don't know how long it is going to last, so go grab it!


Fillmore Siblings Series
Author: Melissa Schroeder
Genre: Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy



HATE TO LOVE YOU

Dive into this sizzling romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Melissa Schroeder.

He is absolutely, completely, and undoubtedly the one man I shouldn’t fantasize about.

Other than being my boss, he’s too rigid, a workaholic with a checkered past when it comes to women. Knowing all that, I shouldn’t think about how his hands would feel on my body, or how his voice would sound when he whispered my name in the dark.

But I can resist him. Mainly because he can’t stand me, and he’s the kind of boss who makes me think about murder on a daily basis. That’s until he shows me his softer side and ignoring my need for him becomes impossible.

No, softer side or not, I have to resist the lure of Grady Hawthorne because if I don’t, I’m pretty sure I won’t survive the fall.

Warning: This book includes a smack-talking executive assistant, a workaholic boss who has the most amazing…mouth, irritating siblings, a drunken night that ends in jail, and a happily ever after that will make you sigh. Author assumes no responsibility for overheated readers.





PURCHASE LINKS

FREE for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Always free in Kindle Unlimited







AUTHOR BIO


From an early age, USA Today Bestselling author Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.

Since her first published book, Grace Under Pressure, Mel has had over 90 short stories, novellas, and novels published. She has written in genres ranging from historical to contemporary to futuristic and has worked with 8 publishers although she handles most of her publishing herself. She is best known for her Harmless and Santini series.

After years of following her military husband around the country and world, Mel happily lives with her family in horse and wine country in Northern Virginia.


AUTHOR LINKS






Thank you to Melissa Schroeder and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an ARC of Hate to Love You. A positive review was not required. All thoughts/opinions are my own.