Thursday, December 9, 2021

17 Books that made me ugly cry


If you've read my reviews, whether here on my blog or over on Goodreads, chances are you've heard me talking about crying while reading books. Now it doesn't happen with EVERY book, but it does happen a lot. Tears are easily triggered for me if our characters get injured, or someone dies, or it's just a heightened emotional scene in the story. I can't help it, it's how I'm wired. The tears just flow. I own it. I accept it. I always keep a box of tissues close by.

In 2021, there were 17 books that had the tears flowing. There was one book in particular that had me sobbing almost the entire time. Just the way it kicked off, and then everything that happened in the story, and the big reveal. I was just a mess.

(now, just because these books had me sobbing, doesn't mean they will you. we all express our emotions differently.)

 


So since I like to share...Here are the 17 books that had me ugly crying. 

(as always, please check for any content/trigger warnings.)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The 8 Duets I Read in 2021


We've talked about my love of series, but another thing I enjoy are duets. Especially when they are well written, and there isn't too much time between release dates.

In years past I haven't read a lot of duets (duologies), but in 2021 I managed to read 8. Technically Chase by Kacey Shea could be considered a series, but the author considers it a duet, so I am too. Then there is the Bennett Duet. While Beni and Chantal's story is complete, I am still holding out hope for a novella or spin off featuring Miko. If you know, you know.  

Here are the 8 duets that I read in 2021.

The Score Keeper by Gina Azzi {cover reveal}

 

 Release Date: March 3

Boston Hawks owner Scott Reland is my father’s biggest rival and the last man who should catch my eye. But when he does, I don’t look away.

 

We’ve circled each other for years, two outliers in a small club of NHL owners. We know the rules, manage similar pressures, and understand that this lifestyle — hockey over everything — isn’t for everyone. 

 

Which is why I want out. 

 

To prove to my father that I have a future beyond the New York Sharks, I score one for me and open a bakery in Boston, the city that reveres Scott. 


It isn’t long until the dynamic and perceptive Hawk pursues me. And I’m entirely unprepared to be swept off my feet, cared for and supported after so many years on my own. Scott easily draws me back into the hockey life I thought I didn’t want. 

 

But can our relationship survive the demands of this industry? Or will I always be keeping score, second to the game that dictates everything?


Pre-Order Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Google Play 


Add to your Goodreads TBR List!



Meet Gina Azzi


I’m Gina Azzi, a book-obsessed, coffee-drinking, globetrotting, mama of soon-to-be three! I write sweet with a dash of spicy New Adult and Contemporary Romance full of good men putting in work to win the hearts of even better women.

A total Jersey girl at heart, I struggle with insatiable wanderlust and currently reside in Ontario, Canada with my family. 

 

When I’m not dreaming up storylines or writing all the words, you can find me hanging with my littles, attempting to bake, or planning my next adventure.

 

Connect with me on social media or at ginaazziauthor@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Happy Reading!

Xo,

Gina


Connect with Gina

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Reader GroupTwitter | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page



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Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The 25 Series I Started in 2021



2021 was clearly the year of series for me!

As I said yesterday, in my series I completed post, I LOVE series. They are my obsession. They are the best thing for me. It's no different than watching a favorite tv show. You get involved into the world, form opinions about the characters, and decide whether you want to continue or not.

In 2021 I started A LOT of new series! And I'm good with that. I have enjoyed every moment of it. I think I've read quite the variety. That being said, one thing all these series share is that all they are contemporaries. Which if you know me, you know that it my preferred area of romance.

What series did I start reading in 2021? Let's find out. (and grab a snack, because it's a long list.)

1. Bergman Brothers by Chloe Liese




2. The Edge by Kristin Turnage



3. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade


4. Folkestone Sins by Samantha Lovelock


5. Wonderland Novellas by Samantha Lovelock


6. Unexpected Royals by Tomi Tabb



7. Boston Hawks by Gina Azzi



8. Sons of Sin by Nola Marie



9. Paradise Alaska by Barbara Dunlop



10. Hockey Hotties by Piper Rayne


11. Metros Hockey by Crystal Perkins


12. Sin by Aleatha Romig


13. Birch County Fire by April Canavan


14. Reckless Desires by Victoria Ellis


15. Better Love by Brit Benson


16. Heartbreak by Brittany Taylor


17. Mooseheads Hockey by Mary Morano


18. Fool Me by Lizzie Morton


19. Wildcat Hockey by Rebecca Jenshak


20. Rake Forge University by Ashley Munoz


21. Greene Family by Piper Rayne


22. Wilde Horse Ranch by Kim Loraine


23. Ryder Ranch by Anna Brooks


24. Nanny Love Match by Krista Sandor


25. The One I Want by Ellie Masters



WOW! I mean, I knew I started a lot of series in 2021, but I was not expecting THIS!

25 series were started, and I know for a fact that I'll be able to move three into the series completed in 2022 category. Sadly Folkestone Sins, Rake Forge University, and Ryder Ranch will all conclude in 2022. Sigh. I don't want them to end...Yet I know they have to at some point.

What series did you start in 2021? Any you'd recommend? Have you read any of the series on my list?

Happy Reading,
Laura

Monday, December 6, 2021

Off the Bench by Alley Ciz {cover reveal}

 

❤️ ℍ𝕆𝕋 ℂ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝔸𝕃 ❤️

𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗶𝘇 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵! 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨 𝗼𝗳 𝗝 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀!

𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!


What you can expect:

  ✔️ Friends-to-lovers 
  ✔️ Roommates/Forced Proximity 
  ✔️ Jock/Nerd 
  ✔️ Love Coach 
  ✔️ Rom-Com Romance 

𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 your Goodreads 𝗧𝗕𝗥! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
Alley Ciz is an internationally bestselling indie author of sassy heroines and the alpha men that fall on their knees for them. She is a romance junkie whose love for books turned into her telling the stories of the crazies who live in her head…even if they don’t know how to stay in their lane. This Potterhead can typically be found in the wild wearing a funny T-shirt, connected to an IV drip of coffee, stuffing her face with pizza and tacos, chasing behind her 3 minis, all while her 95lb yellow lab—the best behaved child—watches on in amusement.