The Player Hater by Sara Ney {a review}

Hello my fellow book lovers! Happy Tuesday. Oof it's been a few days since my last post. Completely not planned that way, it's just the way things have worked out. I'm back though, and today I want to fill you in on The Player Hater by Sara Ney.

The Player Hater is the first book in the new Accidentally in Love series, and it just released today! This first book in the series kicked it off wonderfully, and I am definitely anticipating The MRS Degree (which is book 2).

Okay how to recap this book. Juliet is tagging along on a weekend trip with her best friend Mia and her boyfriend Thad. She's not thrilled about it, especially since she isn't too keen on Thad. There is something about him that just doesn't sit well with Juliet. Maybe it's the fact that he's a professional football player. Anyways, they arrive at the destination, and Juliet finds out that she is sleeping in a camper. Not a luxury hotel like she was imagining. A CAMPER. Thad is taking them camping. WHAT? Oh but it gets better. You see, Juliet doesn't get this camper to herself. Oh no. Davis will be rooming with her. Davis happens to be Thad's best friend, and he was invited as well. Obviously these two get off on the wrong foot, and it's awkward. But this weekend has the potential to change everything. Or at least it will if Juliet lets her guard down. Could Juliet find her happily ever after at this weekend getaway? Could these two find common ground?

If you follow me on Goodreads, then you know my general thoughts on The Player Hater. You know that I said I struggled with Juliet in the beginning. There was something about her character that just rubbed me the wrong way. Add in her disdain for Thad, and I wasn't happy. She came across as judgmental and a bit high maintenance. Of maybe that was just my grasp on the character. You could also tell though that Juliet was struggling with her best friend's relationship. Call it jealousy, envy, or even desire, but there was definitely an undertone there. Once they arrived to the campground, my opinion still hadn't changed. It really wasn't until the boat scene, and then the campfire scene that I started to change my tune. It was in those moments that you could see Juliet's mask slipping. You could begin to see the woman who wanted a relationship. She wanted a partner in her corner. She wanted a happily ever after.  It was after these two scenes that I found myself wanting to know more. I wanted to find out how Juliet and Davis were going to get to their happily ever after.  I was starting to root for them. I will say that I immediately liked Davis. He came across as a down to earth guy who was easy to like. 

I truly did end up enjoying The Player Hater. Rating wise I gave it 4 stars, and I am so glad I stuck with the book. Was the book perfect? No, but no book truly is. This book though had my curiosity. The storyline caught my attention. Juliet and Davis drew me in, and had me staying to the end.

Speaking of the end of the book...that set up for The Mrs Degree? OH MY WORD! Is it May 3 yet? Because I need to know how that story unfolds. Holy buckets.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Player Hater. If you happen to enjoy forced proximity stories, as well as extreme slow burns, then you need to go read The Player Hater. Just keep that slow burn aspect in the back of your mind.

Laura

Cover Design: Okay Creations

I would do anything for my best friend.

 

Well. Almost anything.

 

When she begs me to come on a weekend getaway so I can bond with her new boyfriend, I can’t say no—no matter how badly I want to. After all, who will keep an eye on the guy; he’s your stereotypical, professional football player (emphasis on PLAYER) and I don’t trust him with my friends heart.

 

Worse? He has the nerve to bring his single best friend Davis on the trip, too. Davis is too handsome, so funny and smart he can’t possibly be human. Grandma’s, babies and kittens all fall for his smile.

 

In fact, everyone adores but me **narrows eyes** What’s he hiding?

 

I refuse to fall for his act; at some point he’ll will drop the Good Guy act and show his true colors: he’s a player, too. He must be.

 

You know the saying: if he seems too good to be true, he probably is.

Grab Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

Meet Sara Ney

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. 

Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced lattes, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British. 

Connect with Sara Ney

Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Book+Main | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub | Ney's Little Lattes

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Thank you to Sara Ney, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Player Hater.

Deking the Beauty by Crystal Perkins {cover reveal}

From author Crystal Perkins comes an all new fake relationship, older brother's best friend romance set in her Metros Hockey Series. Come find out what happens with Santo and Nita when Deking the Beauty releases on March 29, 2022.

Cover Designer: Kari March Designs

Santo

I'm the"beauty" of the Seattle Metros. The nice guy who always has a smile for the media and the fans. Until I have an "off day" at an event. Coupled with some on ice accidents, I go from fan favorite to pariah. To help my image, it's suggested I tone down my playboy ways and at least pretend to be in a serious relationship. Even if that fake relationship is with my best friend's little sister.

Nita

I've been in love with Santo since he was the boy next door when we were growing up. He's never seen me as more than his best friend's little sister, but now he needs my help. Being his girlfriend is all I've ever wanted, so a few months with him is like a dream come true. But, the dream turns into a nightmare when things become real between us, and he walks away.

With more than just the two of them to consider, can the Saint overcome his fears about relationships? And can Nita trust him to stay when she needs him the most?

Preorder your copy today!

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo

Add Deking the Beauty to your Goodreads TBR! 

Meet Crystal Perkins

Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she sat down in 2014 and did it. She's now published over 40 books, and has been featured in several anthologies as well.

She lived in Las Vegas for over a decade, where you could find her running author events and winning bookseller. After moving to ND for over a year, she’s back in Vegas again. When she's not reading a few hundred books a year or chasing after her grandson, you can find her watching hockey (Go Knights Go!) and trying to find the perfect shade of lipstick. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the world looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. Poutine research is also conducted regularly on her trips.

Crystal loves hearing from her readers, so please feel free to send her an email, Facebook message, or Tweet! She's also on Instagram, where you can see her monthly reads!
Crystal@crystalperkinsauthor.com
 

Connect with Crystal

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

Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher {cover reveal}

 

Lauren Asher has revealed the cover for Terms and Conditions!

This is the second book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, and I am so excited for it to be released! Ahh, cannot wait to return to this setting, and catch back up with the characters.

Releasing on February 24, 2022

Cover Design: Mary, Books & Moods

Declan
I'm destined to become the next CEO of my family's media empire.

The only problem? My grandfather's inheritance clause.

Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.

Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.

But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.

Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.

Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.

Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.

Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.

We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.

Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.

But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?

Falling in love was never an option.

At least not for me.

 

Pre-order your copy today!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

 

Meet Lauren

Plagued with an overactive imagination, Lauren spends her free time reading and writing. Her dream is to travel to all the places she writes about. She enjoys writing about flawed yet relatable characters you can't help loving. She likes sharing fast-paced stories with angst, steam, and the emotional spectrum.

Her extra-curricular activities include watching YouTube, binging old episodes of Parks and Rec, and searching Yelp for new restaurants before choosing her trusted favorite. She works best after her morning coffee and will never deny a nap.

Connect with Lauren

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | BookBub | Pinterest | Newsletter

The Plan by Karla Sorensen {a review}

The Plan by Karla Sorensen is the age gap, falling for your bodyguard romance you didn't know you needed! It was so good, and I could not put it down.

In this book we have Lydia. She is a social media influencer, and her parents are also well known in the NFL. So she has a following from that as well. Lydia was recently in a car accident, and she's definitely feeling some social anxiety, and is just really uncertain. Enter Erik Wilder. Erik is a former professional football player who is currently working as a bodyguard. Lydia's dad approaches him about the potential of guarding her. Erik isn't so certain on this, but goes for it anyway. Lydia finally gets wind of what is happening, and she is LIVID. This isn't going to happen. Erik will not be her bodyguard. That is until Erik asks her to walk him out, and he convinces her to take his card. He knows this bombshell has just been dropped on her, and so he isn't surprised by her reaction. Fast forward a little bit, and after an early morning conversation with her dad, Lydia decides to go for it. She wasn't expecting to feel comfortable around him. She wasn't expecting it to be fun to push his buttons. She definitely wasn't expecting to fall for him.

I went into The Plan knowing what the description told me. I knew football was involved, and I love me a sports romance. So obviously I went into this book feeling good. When I discovered it was a grumpy-sunshine romance, that just made it even better.

I so enjoyed reading this book. I found myself really enjoying who Lydia is, and the passion she has for football. Not only that, but the fact that she is so willing to help others expand their social media presence just felt so good.

Now don't get me wrong, there were times that Erik annoyed me a bit. I don't fully understand why he was holding back his story. Especially since it seemed like he and Lydia were getting closer. So it would be natural to share that info. I understand he has been hurt in the past, but you can tell he is falling for her, so you think he'd be comfortable opening up.

Doesn't really matter though because these two characters roped me in, and had me unable to put the book down. I had to see how they achieved their HEA, and how Lydia's dad would handle it all. Plus I really wanted the scoop on Ian, and what the issue was between him and Erik.

Also, I freaking loved Erik's family. They just seem amazing. I'd love to have a series that just focuses on all the Wilder family finding their happily ever afters. Speaking of series, this one isn't tied to the Washington Wolves series, but it definitely could fit in there. Especially since Lydia's parents were the main characters of The Bombshell Effect, which is book 1 in the Washington Wolves series.

So dang good! Highly recommend. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. It maybe could be a 4.5, but right now I'm sticking with my solid 4. Whether you like age gap romances, sports romances, bodyguard romances, or the grumpy-sunshine trope, you need to go grab this new release! Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.

Laura

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Design
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Interior Design: Champagne Book Design

Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it. 

 

Especially if he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump. 

 

To be clear, I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be. 

 

He’s suspicious, never talks about his past and has the comfort skills of a cactus. I’m a happily ever after kinda girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life. 

 

Erik’s words might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of his? They tell another story when he looks at me. 

 

He’s just as stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real, it's only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing down.  

I just have to hope my heart doesn't get buried in the rubble.

 

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet Karla Sorensen

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job.  

I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. 

If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. 

I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever. 

Connect with Karla Sorensen

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub | Reader Group

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Thank you to Karla Sorenson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Plan.

It Went Viral by Stacy Stone {a review}

It Went Viral is the brand new book from Stacy Stone! This romance story starts off with a viral incident, and we witness how that affected Isla and Bryan. If you're looking for a best friends sibling romance, then consider picking up It Went Viral. 

I am opting not to recap this book for you, as the description that Stacy Stone wrote is perfection. It tells you everything you need to know about the book. So let's just jump into my thoughts.

If you follow me on Goodreads, then you already know my general thoughts on It Went Viral. Let's dive into a bit further though. I truly did like the premise of this book. The fact that there was this viral social media event surrounding them, and how it affected their lives. THAT was what interested me. For me though, while I liked the premise, the story left a lot to be desired. I feel bad saying that, and you may feel differently about the book. This is just my take away. If you know me, you know that the best friend's sibling is one of my top 3 favorite tropes, so that was what really sold me on this book. Add in the frenemies to lovers trope, and I should have been all in.

I felt absolutely zero connection to the characters. They weren't relatable. Bryan came across as indifferent. Isla came across as a hurt woman who hadn't healed from the situation in college, and she was a bit bitter. Then there was Bryan's marriage troubles that just felt weird. Yes, divorce happens. Yes, infidelity happens. Yes, communication issues happen. BUT both Bryan and his soon to be ex wife were just immature. It was ridiculous, and frustrating. In an ideal world, Bryan's divorce would have been finalized before Isla even agreed to help with the event. Then that character could have been eliminated from the story. For me, it was an unnecessary storyline. It Went Viral was supposed to be about Bryan and Isla reconnecting, but here was this third party with a foot still in the door. In my mind, and how I thought the story would play out, I fully believed the video would resurface, and THAT would have been the cause of their moment of conflict. I mean it makes sense if you go off the book cover. But It wasn't. Was the moment of conflict still drama filled? Oh absolutely. It just wasn't what I wanted.

Now here's the thing. I generally believe this is a decent story. I gave it 3 stars. Was it everything I wanted? Absolutely not. But there's potential. There were bits and pieces of this story that I did enjoy. When both Isla and Bryan shared about how the viral video affected them, THAT I was all about. I wanted to see how it affected them. How it affected their relationships, and their future. We did get to see bits and pieces of that. It wasn't enough though for me to rate this story higher though. I needed to feel the connection between the characters. I needed to find myself rooting for them in their times of trouble. I needed to not be able to put the book down.  Part of me wishes there wasn't that time gap written in. I think it would have been interesting to walk the walk with Isla, and Bryan, and had them reconnect when the event was still fresh. It is what it is though. It Went Viral was a decent story, and I stand by what I've said. I will say, the concept was so good. It had so much potential. Especially since social media is such a large part of our daily lives. 

Do I recommend It Went Viral? I do. It is very rare that I don't recommend a book I've read. I've said it before, and I'll say it many more times, book ratings are so personal. So while a book may not be ideal for one reader, another may absolutely love it. (and vice versa) When I go into reading an advanced reader copy, I go into it prepared to tell my true feelings. I'm not one who will rate a book high because I received an early copy. NO. That's not how it's supposed to be. A review is your true feelings about a book, and that should  be shared.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. If you choose to read It Went Viral, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Laura

She’s about to work with the man who ruined her college years…

Event manager Isla James still burns with shame over her college infamy. . Climbing naked out of the window, just to have it filmed by some fratbrothers was embarrassing to say the least. The fact that the video went viral made it so much worse. And though her professional star has risen since reinventing herself in a new town, returning to her old stomping grounds is not on her bucket list. But when her best friend asks her to promote her family’s charity ball, she relents despite fearing she’ll get stuck working with the last man she ever wants to see again.

…but he’s determined to change her mind.

Bryan Hunter’s biggest mistake was letting Isla go that fateful day. He was a stupid college boy back then, but he’s a changed man now. He’ll do whatever it takes to win her back. Now he just has to convince Isla that she can trust and maybe even love him.

She fled humiliation. He’s a changed man. Can they make a happy ending out of a bad beginning and get a second chance at love

Buy Your Copy Here

Meet Stacy Stone

Stacy Stone made her debut in Belgium with
her Verlangen series under her Dutch name Stefanie Van Mol.

 She loved writing so much, she kept writing. Say You Want Me, the first book of her Full Moon series.

 She won the Brave New Book of the year Award in the Netherlands in 2016 and decided to translate the book to English.

For more information about Stacy Stone, visit:

Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Website

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Thank you to Stacy Stone, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of It Went Viral.