Thursday, March 3, 2022

The Score Keeper by Gina Azzi {a review}

The day is here. Today is the day that The Score Keeper by Gina Azzi is available. I've been anticipating this book like mad, but at the same time, I am sad the day is here. If you do not know, The Score Keeper is the 9th, and final, book in the Boston Hawks Hockey series. I fell for this series immediately, and it's hard to believe that the journey is over.

That being said, the end of the Boston Hawks series DOES have me eagerly anticipating the Tennessee Thunderbolts series. You see there is a connection between the two that you will learn about in The Score Keeper. That connection has me giddy.

So what is The Score Keeper about? Scott Reland is the owner of the Hawks, and he's looking for love. A few years ago he had a moment with Noelle, and it has stuck with him. When he sees her at an event, he has to jump in to help her out. That leads to a conversation, which leads to her looking at Boston for another location for her business. She'd JUST be going there for business, no other reason. Especially since Scott and her dad run in the same circles. (you know since they both own hockey teams.) This age gap romance will draw you in, and hold your attention until the very end.

The Score Keeper was excellent. Not only was Scott and Noelle's story wonderful, it also has me hyped for the Tennessee series. Especially after reading what I did, and learning about the connection.

Scott and Noelle are both driven people who work hard to help their businesses be successful. Noelle is being groomed to take over for her father, but that isn't her passion. Noelle's passion is her bakery, Primrose. Baking is her where her heart is, and she wishes her dad could support her decisions. Unfortunately he has tunnel vision, and is not accepting anything except her working for his hockey team.

I absolutely loved the connection that Scott and Noelle had. I couldn't help but notice how they fit into each others lives so easily. They are both familiar with the hockey world, and everything that goes into it. At the same time, Scott knew he needed to back Noelle with her business. Helping her to succeed was everything to him. I think it also took him saying what he did for things to turn around. Did he overstep? Possibly, but honestly it was for the best.

These two did not have an easy path to their happily ever after, but once they arrived it was glorious. I am hoping that these two will pop up in the Tennessee Thunderbolt stories, but only time will tell.

Loved the story. Loved seeing the familiar faces. I am hyped for the next series. As much as I am heartbroken the series is over, at the end of the day this moment had to arrive. I am appreciative of the stories I read within this world, the characters I fell for, and the journey they took me on. I look forward to the future and the potential to see characters pop up in the future.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on The Score Keeper. I truly hope that if sports romance is a genre you enjoy reading, that you will pick up the entire Boston Hawks series, and fall for these characters the way I did. Kudos to Gina Azzi for creating this amazing world, and the characters in it.

Laura

 
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?


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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 Group | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page



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Thank you to Gina Azzi, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Score Keeper.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

March Anticipated Reads


February is over, and it's time to take a look at the books I am anticipating for March. Now to be fair, I have already read a few of these. Ahh, the benefits of ARCs. 


1 - Only One Love by Natasha Madison


Only One Love is the SEVENTH book in the Only One series. This time it is Franny who is destined for her happily ever after with Wilson. Now if you're not familiar with the series, Franny is Matthew Grant's daughter. So you know Matthew is going to be OVER THE TOP. So is Cooper Grant. I can see it now. I cannot wait for this story, and to see how everything plays out. Bring it on.


3 - The Score Keeper by Gina Azzi


I'm so sad...The Score Keeper is the FINAL book in the Boston Hawks series. I'm not ready to say goodbye. This story though, it's about the owner of the team finding his happily ever after. Based on the blurb, it is going to be intense. My gut tells me it's going to be emotional as well. I'm ready, but I'm not.



4 - Vicious Desires by Victoria Ellis


I originally had this on my anticipated reads list for February, but then heard the author had to push back the release date slightly. So that just means that Miller's story is now anticipated for March. If you read Shattered Desires, then you know how that book ended, and how Vicious Desires was being set up. As I read the set up, I was angry with Miller. I wanted to smack the man upside the head, and tell him to get his shit together. UGH! So I cannot wait to see how he redeems himself, and also find out who his love interest is.

10 - Tight Spot by Lisa Suzanne


It's season 3 of the Vegas Aces!! Lisa Suzanne says that Ben Olson's story is going to be a roller coaster ride. I'm here for it. I loved Luke and Jack's seasons, and I have been curious about Ben for a bit now since he was first introduced. 

14 - Big Deck Energy by Kim Loraine


Hello hockey romance, and welcome Kim Loraine to this little sub-genre. I've read the teaser for Big Deck Energy (and I mistype that every.single.time.), and I cannot wait for this British hockey player. I'm intrigued.


15 - Love on the Lake by Helena Hunting


This is the second book in the Lakeside series, and I cannot wait for this one. The setup was teased a bit in the first book, but I didn't know if those characters were going to be book 2 or not, or if they would be future books. Well Teagan and Aaron are getting their story told NOW, and I am so ready. I was captivated by these two from the moment they were introduced. For me they actually overpowered the couple from the first book. So, yeah. 


15 - Breach Point by April Canavan
**UPDATE 3/19: This release has been pushed out due to life events for the author.  Hopefully it will be released in April, but there are no promises at this point.


This book was originally planned to be released in February, but the author had to push it because of events happening in her life. I am still excited for Breach Point, and I am ready to return to the Birch County Fire Department. Let's see what happens between Ryder and Phoenix!


15 - Twisted Debt by Xavier Neal


I know almost nothing about Xavier's story within this anthology. What I do know is this:
Once upon a time, she was asked to let down her hair. Little did this princess know, the arrangement she agreed to was going to be much more twisted than the original fairy tale...

17 - Nero DeLuca by Xavier Neal


That's right, Xavier is part of TWO anthologies this month. Nero DeLuca's story is part of Savage Bloodline which tells the DeLuca family stories. I know absolutely NOTHING about this anthology except that it's mafia romance.


17 - Reap by Caitlyn Dare


Reap is the second book in the Red Ridge Sinners series, and it is a continuation from Ruin. I need to know what happens next with River and her guys.

25 - Wounded Things by Samantha Lovelock
***Update 3/19: The author has pushed the release of this final addition to the Folkestone Sins series. It will come later in 2022.


I have been eagerly anticipating this book for a while now. Wounded Things is the conclusion to the Folkestone Sins series, and I need to know how this all wraps up! Amazon lists the release date as March 25, but I haven't heard any updates from the author lately. So I'm crossing my fingers that it still happens this month!

29 - Deking the Beauty by Crystal Perkins


This is the third book in the Metros Hockey series, and I cannot wait to find out what happens between Santo and Nita. I don't know much about the book, other than what the description tells me, but it doesn't matter. 1) it's a book by Crystal Perkins, and 2) it's hockey romance!


29 - Tutoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak


This is a new series by Rebecca Jenshak, and we are returning to Valley University! 


31 - Worth Every Second by Jocelyne Soto


I loved the Flor de Muertos series by Jocelyne Soto! So when I heard about this upcoming release, I knew I had to read it. No it doesn't have anything to do with Flor de Muertos, but I do want to know about her other books. So this is a good place to start.


What books are you eagerly anticipating for March 2022? Any that I should take a look at?

Happy Reading,
Laura



Only One Love by Natasha Madison {a review}


From USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a brand new stand alone sports romance. Only One Love is the seventh installment of the Only One series. The Only One series is a spin off from the Something So series and This Is series. You do not need to read them prior to reading Only One Love, but I recommend that you do. Or at least read the Something So series so that you can get a better understanding of Matthew Grant and Max Horton. Just trust me on that.

Franny (Francis) Grant is the daughter of Matthew and Karrie Grant. Her older brother is Cooper, he was recently traded to the Dallas Oilers, and found his happily ever after in Only One Regret. Brad Wilson just happens to play for the Dallas Oilers as well, and he doesn't fully remember the night he spent with Franny. Or at least not until she mentions it. Flash forward to these two reconnecting through an interview, and a path toward a happily ever after is formed. Now their relationship isn't without issue. Drama seems to pop up occasionally, and both are terrified of commitment. That is until something big happens and one of them tries to flee. Since Franny is Matthew's daughter, you know he's involved in whatever way he can be. It's just not in his nature to not be front and center. But with what has been released, can he look passed that? Can he accept that there is a future between Franny and Wilson? Can Matthew get over himself and allow his daughter to break out on her own? At the same time, can Franny and Wilson fight for their happily ever after? Or will they give up?

If you know me at all, then you know how much I have been anticipating this book! I am obsessed with all three hockey series that Natasha Madison has released, and I look forward to every new book she creates. So it's of no surprise that I freaking loved Only One Love. From the way Matthew and Franny were butting heads in the beginning of the story, to the relationship between Franny and Wilson, to that dramatic moment before the hockey game, to Franny standing her ground, I just loved it all. Also, Franny is just as stubborn as her father, and I'm here for it. Karrie didn't disappoint either with how she pushed her child to realize her feelings, and encouraged her to act upon them. Then there's Max Horton. That man has perfect timing with his little zingers, and I love how he brings the comedic relief.

This book was SO CLOSE to being a 5 star read. Instead I went with 4.5 stars. The one thing that held me back was wanting the drama to last just a bit longer. I wanted to see if the individual behind it all came forward, or if they made another attempt. Also, it would been awesome to see the confrontation about the events.

One thing for certain is that I am hooked on this family! The stage has been set for Dylan and Alex's story, and I need that NOW! I need to know what goes down between them, and how these two make it work. Plus I know, I just know, it will be full of family bringing on the jokes while also lending shoulders when needed. AHHHH! But at the same time, I'm not ready for Dylan and Alex's story because that is, supposedly, the last book in the Only One series. I can only hope that another spinoff will occur, or even an extension on this current series. I'm not ready to give up the Grant/Horton/Stone families.


Thank you for reading my thoughts on Only One Love. If you are someone who enjoys hockey romances, and you haven't read any of the books by Natasha Madison, you need to do so NOW.  Just please trust me on that. 

Laura



Wilson
I was the bad boy on and off the ice.

I loved it — owned it.

Hockey. Women. Money.

Until she came into the picture.

Now, all I want to do is be better.

I want to prove to myself I don’t have to be the guy everyone thinks I am.

She knocked down the walls I spent my whole life building.

Franny
My last name opened the doors, but proving I was worth the title of TV producer took all of my time.

He walked in with a chip on his shoulder.

I was happy to point out all his flaws.

Falling for him was inevitable.

When scandal hits, no one expected me to stand by his side.

Not even him.

But I’ve learned that you get only one love.


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Meet


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 advanced review copy of Only One Love.

Monday, February 28, 2022

Monthly Wrap Up

Um, excuse me, where did February go? Was it not just the first day of the month? How are we already at the end of the month? WHERE DID THE TIME GO? Oh wait, that's right, life jumped up and said "hey, I'm here to cause some mayhem".


February started off a bit rough in my household. Thankfully it has all calmed down, and I feel comfortable saying that life is back to "normal". My mama heart still has the what if's playing in the back of my mind, but even that has quieted a bit.

Reading wise though, February was marvelous. This month I was able to read a few books that I was highly anticipating, and those books did not disappoint. They just made me love the characters, the settings, and the authors that much more. In February, I did have my first DNF of the year. So that put a slight damper on things. It was just one of those things where the book and I just did not vibe. It was not a fit, and I wasn't going to risk a reading slump just to say I read the book. Will I go back and try the book again? Eh, I don't know. So I'll say maybe. This book does not appear in my wrap up. I just wanted to document that I did have one.

In the month of February, I managed to read 21 books. I did the math and that equated to roughly 4,815 pages. I say roughly as I didn't have a specific page count for Roar or Trouble, as they were both free novella downloads from the authors. I had to calculate the page count using the locations. (location/15~20=page count. I use 20.)

I managed to read 8 sports romances, 2 fire fighter romances, a duet from a new to me author, and many many more. A series finale was read, I continued a few series, and I started a few. All in all it was an outstanding month.

What was my favorite of the month? This was difficult to choose. There were four books that I was going back and forth between. Ultimately though, I have to go with my gut. This book was also on my February anticipated reads list, and I kind of foreshadowed it there.  So what is it? The Edge of Redemption by Kristin Turnage! This was my absolute favorite. To say I'm obsessed with this small town romance series would be an understatement. I want to move to this community, and befriend the characters. Okay fine, I'm old enough to befriend their parents. Doesn't matter. I'd still be with these people in this small town community. My heart.


Here are all the books that I read in February. If a review has been written (and published here on the blog), it is linked.

Ruin by Caitlyn Dare
The Lies You Love by Rachel Robinson
Roar by Xavier Neal
It Went Viral by Stacy Stone
The Plan by Karla Sorensen
Mine to Kiss by Natasha Madison
The Edge of Redemption by Kristin Turnage
The Player Hater by Sara Ney
Fall For Me by JH Croix
Saving Jen by Ellie Masters
Up In Smoke by Kate Meader
Push by Sadie Rose
Pull by Sadie Rose
Trouble by Lisa Suzanne
Tight Spot by Lisa Suzanne
The Score Keeper by Gina Azzi
Only One Love by Natasha Madison
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
Sneaking Around with #34 by Piper Rayne
Tight Hold by Lisa Suzanne
All Geek To Me by Allie York

I am still working on finalizing my reviews on the books that are not linked, so those will be up in the next 10 days. If you're curious about some of my thoughts, you can go check my Goodreads!

What did you read in February? Did you have a favorite? Any anticipated reads for March? I have quite the list, and will share those tomorrow!

Laura


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