Sunday, December 19, 2021

Cocky Hotshot by Anne Marsh {a review}

Cocky Hotshot by Anne Marsh is the brand new addition to the Cocky Hero Club! The Cocky Hero Club is original works from various authors whose stories are inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.

Cocky Hotshot is a forced proximity, opposites attract, hate to love story. In the beginning we met Peony Bloom. She is a programmer who created a unique code that could calculate the probability of a couple staying together. From that code she started a business called The Odds of Us. She ran the business with her boyfriend Chris. They had planned a romantic getaway at a remote cabin in the Klamath moutains in California. As Peony was enroute, Chris called. He wasn't coming. He was ending their relationship. He had moved on. But the real kicker was that he was selling her company! In two days! Peony was on this mountain, and had to get back down. It is then that she notices smoke up the mountain. A fire. Shortly after that, while in a panic, she meets Bane Wilson. A hotshot firefighter who offers to guide her back down the mountain in exchange for her taking him to San Fransisco. The smoke is getting closer so they need to get a move on. These two are destined for a whirlwind romance, but can it survive when reality sets in?

When I read the description for Cocky Hotshot, I was immediately intrigued. A road trip and whirlwind romance with a hotshot firefighter who rescued you from the mountain? Um, yes please.While there was a romance and a road trip after being guided down the mountain, this just didn't feel like what I was being sold on based on the description.

What happened to Bane being a firefighter? Even if he was a firefighter, his crew would have known he was separated from the group. Yet it was no big deal that he just wandered off with this random woman. Since it took a few days for Peony and Bane to make it back down the mountain, how long was she hiking up to the remote cabin? How did she not realize she was so far away from her vehicle. She seems like a smart woman who would have researched the crap out of the location of this "romantic getaway". In regards to Peony's business, and former partner, um what? Can that even happen? My gut tells me no.

The steamy moments between Peony and Bane, were definitely steamy. That being said, I felt no connection, no spark, between them. Peony was high maintenance and annoying. Bane was at least a bit likable, and he definitely had the alpha-hole persona going. I did find myself curious about him though, especially since he was dodging questions regarding his job.

This hate to love, opposites attract, forced proximity story had so much potential. Yet at the end of the day, it was a miss for me. Were there parts that I enjoyed? Yeah, there were. I enjoyed their banter on the mountain. I enjoyed how Bane pushed her out of her comfort zones. On Goodreads I gave this book a rating of 2 stars.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on Cocky Hotshot.

Laura

What do you do when your cheating business partner/boyfriend (bad, bad idea) announces he’s selling your software company on Thursday to fund his new life with his other girlfriend?

You hurry back to stop him, of course. He’s not getting rich on my dime! Or that would be the plan, but I’m currently lost in the Klamath Mountains, access to my car cut off by a California wildfire, and there’s no way I make it back in time.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I come up with a backup plan: putting the six-plus feet of hot, sexy, mountain man who crash-lands at my feet to good use (no, no that).

Bane Wilson is a very cocky hotshot firefighter with a dirty attitude. He never shuts up and he always jumps in feet-first. We clash over life choices, the value of having a good plan, and who’s the boss of who, but it turns out we both sing loudly when no one’s listening, love junk food, and have really lousy exes.

We make a deal. He’ll be my guide down the trail, and I’ll be his chauffeur back to San Francisco. Traveling together disrupts all my carefully laid plans—and no matter how many times I tell myself I don’t even like this guy, the California wilderness isn’t the only thing on fire. Bane and I have serious chemistry. He’s not Mr. Forever. He’s just Mr. Fun. There’s no future for us and we’re supposed to part ways as soon as we reach San Francisco, exactly as I planned. We’ve both been scarred by our pasts and I don’t take chances. Turns out, I never should have let him into my car, let alone my life—or my heart

Cocky Hotshot is a road trip/forced proximity romantic comedy inspired by Cocky Bastard.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

DECEMBER RELEASES

Visit the Cocky Hero Club Website

AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh writes funny, sexy romantic comedies and paranormal romance.

AUTHOR LINKS

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

COCKY HERO CLUB

Thank you to Anne Marsh, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Cocky Hotshot.

Friday, December 17, 2021

The Joker by Ashley Munoz {cover reveal}

🖤🖤 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟 🖤🖤

The Joker is the third, and final, book in the Rake Forge trilogy from Ashley Munoz!

You will not want to miss this friends to lovers to enemies romance.

Save the date for January 28!

Kyle James cashed in my V card and then disappeared like I was the finishing act in a magic show.

I vowed to hate my best friend, turn the longing and secret obsession with him into toxic hate and maybe a poorly chosen tattoo.

But as the years passed, I let go of any notions I'd ever see him again...until he sauntered on campus my senior year as a new transfer student.

All of Rake Forge was obsessed with his inked skin and that darkness that seemed to seep out of every methodical step he took.

I wasn't.

I knew the boy underneath, and while I wanted to know where he'd been...I would never ask.

Until my dad needed a favor.

His team required a way in with my ex-best friend and his contacts.

I knew Kyle would see through it...but I went anyway.

Suddenly, my world, made of black and white was bleeding color...and he was at the center, daring me to trust him.

My heart, blind and foolish chose to not only trust but to love him too.

I really should have known better.

I was merely a way in for my father, and for the man, I loved...I was just a way out.

Pre-Order Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Ashley Munoz

Ashley was born in Nebraska, but raised in Oregon where she lives with her four children and husband. If she's not helping her husband with DIY projects around the house, she's writing or sneaking off to a corner to read.

Author Links

Thursday, December 16, 2021

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting {a review}

Back in 2019 I read my first Helena Hunting book. It was Pucked, and I absolutely loved it. I immediately fell for Helena's writing, her characters, and these stories she was creating. I could not get enough. Soon enough I read 2 additional books in the Pucked series, her Shacking Up series, her Clipped Wings series, her All In series, as well as her standalones that were out at that time. Have I worked my way through all of her titles? No. Absolutely not. Am I working on it? You betcha.

I had heard about When Sparks Fly earlier this year when Helena was starting to do promo for it, and I was intrigued. It's by Helena so, naturally, I have to read it. It's friends to lovers! I really enjoy friends to lovers, so hand it over. Then my schedule became a bit busy, and I delayed reading the book. It is now December, and I put When Sparks Fly on my list of books I want to read before the end of 2021. Well I can officially cross it off my list, as I've read it!

Avery Spark works with her sisters at the family business, Spark House. It is an event hotel, and it takes up ALL of her time. It is her sole focus. One morning she is driving to a meeting, it happens to be raining outside, and she's a nervous wreck. Ever since her parents died in a vehicle accident, she gets on edge while driving in these conditions. Declan, her roommate, calls her while on the road, and he's apologizing because he was supposed to drive her to this meeting. As he's talking on the phone with her, she begins mentioning another vehicle driving recklessly. Next thing we know there's a loud noise, and Avery isn't responding to Declan's voice. Declan stays on the line, manages to get ahold of Avery's sisters to relay what's happening, and is able to relay information to the first responders about Avery. From this point on it is all about Avery's healing. Declan is determined to do WHATEVER he can to assist her. So much so that he's working from home until she's good to be on her own. Eventually this friendship begins to turn into more. Will this work? Can these friends become lovers? Can trust be built when a person from the past reappears?

I loved witnessing Declan and Avery realize they had feelings for each other. I loved watching their relationship progress. Declan caring for Avery. Avery caring for Declan. Neither wanting to ruin what they had, just making it more. I'll admit that when the car crash happened, I gasped. Legit gasped. Pretty sure my hand flew to my mouth too. Yet, if I'm completely honest, I struggled with this book. I didn't feel the connection between the characters. It wasn't there. Yes they were friends, but I didn't feel the chemistry. Was it still enjoyable to witness them catching feelings? Absolutely. Then there's Avery's business. What even is the Spark House? I mean I get that it's a hotel and event center, but it was odd. I was really confused by the events they were hosting, and their clientele. What is the deal with the fountain that they are trying to save money for it? Why does it need to be done before Grandma returns? I'm just so confused, and I feel a bit lost regarding bits and pieces of the story.

I wanted to love this book. I did. I went in thinking it would be a 4 star, or even perhaps a 5, but at the end of the day it was a 3. It was still decent, but it was lacking at the same time. I'm sorry to all my fellow Helena Hunting fans out there. I don't like not giving her books 4 or 5 stars, but I just couldn't.

Also, I'm noticing that this is going to be a series/trilogy. It's looking like the next book is going to be about London. I can't lie, I'm curious about it. Her character rubbed me a bit wrong in this book, but I'm guessing there is a reason for that. So yes, I will be reading Starry-Eyed Love.

Did you read When Sparks Fly? If so, what were your thoughts?

Laura

Avery Spark is living her best life. Between her friends, her sisters, and Spark House, the event hotel her family owns, she doesn’t have much time for anything else, especially relationships. She’d rather hang out with her best friend and roommate, Declan McCormick, than deal with the dating scene. But everything changes when she is in a car accident and needs someone to care for her as she heals.

Declan avoids relationships, giving him a playboy reputation that he lives up to when he puts a one-night stand ahead of a promise he made to Avery. While he may not have been the one driving the car, he feels responsible for Avery’s injuries and is determined to make it up to her by stepping into the role of caretaker.

Little did they know that the more time they spend in compromising positions, the attraction they’ve been refusing to acknowledge becomes impossible to ignore. When they finally give in to the spark between them, neither is prepared for the consequences. Their love is fragile and all it will take is a blow from the past to shatter it all.

Purchase When Sparks Fly

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My Five Star Reads of 2021

I know 2021 isn't over yet, so making this list is a bit tentative. After all I could still add a book or two to the list. Believe me when I say I will update this list if I do.

Now for me, a 5 star read is absolutely mind blowing. I find myself falling head over heels for the characters, the setting, and the storyline. Often times it will have me wanting to dive into other books by the author. A 5 star read also means I am recommending that book frequently.

At this point in 2021 I have had seventeen 5 star reads. I would say that the majority of them I have spoken about A LOT. Maybe a bit over the top with my recommendations. But that's just it, that is the pull of a 5 star read. You want to recommend it. You want others to fall in love like you did.

So what are my 5 star reads? Let's dive in.

Brogan by Samantha Whiskey {a review}

Samantha Whiskey did another surprise book release! When I read the text, and spotted the post on Facebook, I was absolutely giddy. The timing was perfect too because I had just finished reading a book, so I could immediately jump in. And that I did.

Brogan is the ninth book in the Carolina Reapers hockey series, and prepare yourself for this single dad and the nanny story. It also has the forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, and surprise baby tropes.

As the story kicks off, we have Brogan out running with his teammates. Upon arriving home he spots a car seat sitting at his doorstep. He immediately panics. Brogan fully believes he is not meant to be a dad. Especially not with the upbringing he had. When he sees the baby waiting in the car seat he's nervous, anxious, and confused. A quick phone call to Silas (the owner of the Reapers) results in a meeting at his office. Silas quickly orders a paternity test, and they decide not to get law enforcement involved. Should Brogan not be the father, then they'll make the call. With the season getting ready to begin, Brogan doesn't know how he will handle raising a baby on top of his job. Thankfully Langley is there, and she has a nanny headed to them now. Fiona recently earned her doctorate in psychology, is trying to figure out what she wants for her future career, and needs to start paying her student loans. She had met Langley while interviewing to nanny her baby, but they went another route. Langley knew her qualifications though, and knew she'd be perfect for Brogan and Skye. Fiona had grown up taking care of her siblings, and had no problem jumping in to help with Skye. What started off as a nanny job for Fiona, quickly turned into falling for her boss, and being scared of the future. Could Fiona get over the commitment issues she had? Could she finally understand that she won't end up like her mother?

First things first, I have loved all of the sports romances that Samantha Whiskey has written. I have. Yes I've had minor dislikes with one or two, but overall those didn't affect the storyline, or my enjoyment of the book. That is the case with Brogan's story as well. Yes there are a few things that I didn't particularly care for, but I still enjoyed and devoured the book. It was like coming home, and seeing those friends who you've been missing. That is the Reapers, and their significant others. I've read quite a few nanny and the athlete/single dad romances lately, and I'm here for it. No matter how many I read, I still fall for the characters and their lives.

So let's talk about the book. Brogan comes across as someone with a tough guy exterior, but is a teddy bear for the woman he loves, and his kids. He thinks he is scarier than he is. My gut also tells me he has a bit of confidence issues when it comes to relationships because of the death of his parents. Somehow I think he hasn't completely properly grieved that, even though it has been years. The moment he found Skye, you could see his tough guy shell start to crack. This little gal was quickly wrapping him around her finger. Skye did not make it an easy transition for Brogan either. Whether it was the change in environment, or her age (2-3 months), she was frequently upset. I loved when the team stepped in to get the house ready for Skye, and all that they did for Brogan. The Reapers are a family, and the team definitely showed that. Same with Silas and what he did for Brogan after finding Skye on his doorstep. Then there is Fiona. Fiona had the potential to be an amazing character, yet I don't think she was well thought out. Her she had all this experience with kids because of practically raising her many siblings, and then was her education. I cannot figure out why she chose to be a nanny versus finding a career that would utilize her doctorate! But once I look past that, I see how she was able to bring light into Brogan's world. She showed him love, she showed him compassion, she was caring, she was not just there to take care of Skye, Fiona jumped in to help Brogan as well. I enjoyed their relationship, and the stolen moments they had. Fiona's commitment issues I struggled with. You could see her wanting forever with Brogan, but then thoughts of her mom would creep in, and poof those HEA thoughts were gone. Had her backstory been a more active part of the book, I think this could have been a 5 star read. I also wish that Samantha Whiskey had explained WHY Brogan is referred to as Demon. Why he thinks he's this big scary guy. That wasn't answered. Who he might be on the ice, isn't who he is off the ice. My last issue was regarding Tiffany. She could have been better utilized in the big dramatic moment between Fiona and Brogan. There was the potential for so much tension, frustration, and heartache, but it wasn't. Now I'm not saying the dramatic moment wasn't, well, dramatic, because it was. It was just a bit soft. I did enjoy their reunion, and how they found their way back together. And of course I enjoyed seeing them get their HEA, not to mention seeing them a bit later in the epilogue.

While Brogan and Fiona were not my favorite couple, I still fell for their story. On Goodreads I rated the book as 4 stars. I am sticking with that rating too. I know myself, and I know that I will be recommending Samantha Whiskey's books for other sports romance fans. I'm not letting those few tidbits alter my rating. (although the book should be sent back through proofreading because there were a few typos/grammar issues.)

Is it time for Maxim's story? Because as Brogan's story was going on, I noticed snippets of that story being built. I love me a good best friend's sibling romance, and I have a feeling it's going to be a doozy. Also, is Silas going to get a story? Because that man deserves it. I'd love to see him find his person like Nico in Only One Touch was able to.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Brogan. If you'd like to discuss it further with me, please reach out! I'd love to chat.

Laura