Tutoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak {a review}

Tutoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak is now available! This is the first book in the Campus Wallflowers series, and based on what I've read, I am going to be obsessed with this series. The heroines are relatable, and it is giving me flashbacks to the Hockey Gods series by Xavier Neal. (geeky/quiet/shy/introverted female + popular collegiate athlete)

Are you ready to head back to Valley U and meet up with a new cast of characters? I absolutely am. I first discovered this university when I read the Campus Nights series. It is from that series that the Wildcats Hockey series was born. And, well, I'm a bit in love with that series. Okay fine, I'll admit it, I love the Wildcats Hockey series because it's set in Minnesota. There, I said it.  Not the point. Not the series I should be talking about. ANYWAY...We are back at Valley U. We have a group of 4 friends who are living together. All of them would be classified as wallflowers, and to me that's relatable. Next door to these ladies, is a party house, where a very popular person resides. The person who lives in the "white house" also happens to be the enemy of one of the wallflowers. But that info is for book 2.

As Tutoring the Player begins, we have Daisy watching the party happen, and wishing she could be there. But she's not part of that crowd, and she knows she wouldn't fit in. Daisy also knows that her crush, Liam, is at that party. So that really has her attention. That being said, Daisy doesn't think there is a chance for her and Liam to be together. Different worlds and all that. HOWEVER, they are in a class together. And things are about to get interesting, as Daisy is partnered up with Liam and Jordan. Jordan is Liam's roommate, as well as his teammate on the hockey team. Daisy has zero interest in Jordan, but is absolutely smitten with Liam. One day though feelings begin to change. Maybe it's the "forced" proximity, but dang if Jordan isn't drawing her in. Then Jordan has the idea of how to spend even more time with Daisy. Jordan has decided that he needs a tutor, and Daisy is the perfect person to help him out. This friendship is about to evolve. But can their relationship handle the confession that is about to happen?

I ABSOLUTELY loved this story! From the opposites attract trope, to the shy girl as the main character, I was so intrigued. I see so much of myself in Daisy (and her friends). So I think that is what drew me to this book. Then there was the potential of the love triangle with Daisy, Liam, and Jordan. What started as a crush on one, quickly turned into a crush on the other. I was here for it.

Watching our characters develop, and their feelings intensify was so good. I was rooting them on. The situation with one character had me wondering what was going on. I had a suspicion as to what was going on with them, and I was spot on.

The moment of conflict was interesting. Part of me saw it coming, but at the same time I didn't think it would happen like that. Then there was everything that was going on with Violet, and the conflict between the cousins. That was it's own whole thing.

As much as I loved this book, I am eagerly anticipating the next. The set up is perfect, and I am ready for the hate to love.

If you are someone who enjoys college romances that feature the opposites attract storyline, with a little love triangle mixed in, then you need to go grab Tutoring the Player.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about Tutoring the Player. Please read the book. It truly is wonderful.

Laura

Cover Design: Lori Jackson Designs

I have a type.

I love the good guy.

Responsible and stable. Safe.

So when a beer-drinking, quick-witted, tattooed hockey player asks me to tutor him, I'm suddenly thrust into the world of bad boys and bad decisions.

Jordan is a renowned player on campus.

He doesn’t take anything seriously, except hockey and partying.

But he gives me butterflies.

I’m a wallflower tutoring Valley University’s hottest player.

 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Coming Soon to Audible!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

 

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca Jenshak is a USA Today bestselling author of new adult and sports romance. She writes sexy, feel-good stories with lots of swoon-worthy moments.

Rebecca lives in Arizona. When she isn’t writing, you can find her cheering on local sports teams, hanging out with friends and family, or curled up with a good book.

Sign up for her newsletter to be notified of new releases.

Connect with Rebecca

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

Thank you to Rebecca Jenshak, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Tutoring the Player.

Deking the Beauty by Crystal Perkins {a review}

From author Crystal Perkins comes an all new fake relationship, older brother's best friend romance set in her Metros Hockey Series. Deking the Beauty tells the story of how Santo and Nita's fake relationship became real.

Brother's Best Friend is one of my absolute favorite tropes! Add that in with hockey romance, and I'm a goner. So is it of any surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed Deking the Beauty? I didn't think so.

Now typically I would recap the story, but when it comes to these fake relationship stories that's a bit more difficult to do without dropping spoilers. Honestly, the description that Crystal Perkins has (see below) tells you exactly what you need to know. So I'll just leave it to her!

On to my thoughts...

Santo and Nita (Ani/Anita) may have started off as a fake relationship, but we know Nita has always had feelings for Santo. For her, this relationship wasn't completely fake. It was showing her what they could have been if he had only been open to being with her. But Neal (Rock) is his best friend, and he just can't look at Nita in a romantic way. Of course Santo's parents breaking up has also skewed the way he looks at relationships. So that has impacted his desire to ever enter a relationship, and even think about a happily ever after.

Witnessing these two fall further for each other was so good. Realizing that they are the only two who don't see their love, was also good. The moment of conflict wasn't over the top. If anything it fit perfectly. It showed the vulnerability of our characters, and how actions can change everything.

Fully enjoyed this book, and have continued to fall for the characters. Cannot wait to see what's next in the Metros Hockey series. And there better be another book in the Metros series, as I'm not ready for it to be over.

If you are a hockey romance fan, or just a fan of Crystal Perkins (seriously, have you read Corrigan and Co?), then you need to read Deking the Beauty. No you don't need to read the others in the series to fully enjoy this one, but it does help to understand the characters a bit more.

Thank you for reading my thoughts. Go pick up this book, or any from Crystal's catalog, and fall in love with her storytelling. I am hooked, and will read it all.

Laura 

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?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Nook, or Kobo!

Add 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!

 

Connect with Crystal

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

Thank you to Crystal Perkins, Lady Boss Press, and Grey's Promotions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Deking the Beauty.

Fool Me Thrice by Lizzie Morton {cover reveal}

Back in August 2021 I had the opportuntiy to read Fool Me Once, and the Fool Me Twice by Lizzie Morton. I was absolutely taken by this series, and I still think about it to this day.

So when I heard that Lizzie was releasing another book in the series, Fool Me Thrice, I knew I had to add it to my TBR list.

Well, she has just recently revealed the cover, and I wanted to share that here, as well as the blurb for the book. Now this is a series, and while this third book is about Josie (instead of Michael), it is best to read them in order. I promise you that it is worth it, and you will have a much better understanding of the storyline if you do. 

Fool Me Thrice is slated for an April 28 release (Happy Birthday to Me!), and you know I will be reading it asap.

Run, Josie, Run. Those are the words he wrote to me and that's exactly what I'm doing.

I thought I was saving all of us, I thought I'd fooled him thrice. The only person I fooled was myself. Trapped in the darkness, I wondered if losing would be the easy way out.

Until Evan.

Off limits. Dangerous. Everything I should stay away from.

The end was coming, I could feel it. But just when the odds were in my favour, the tables turned, taking me right back to where it all began, wondering who I could trust.

If any one.

Only one thing is certain in this game of cat and mouse: there can only be one winner.

I'm determined to make sure it's me.

Pre-order now!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

More Than A Passing Shot by Tomi Tabb {cover reveal}

Tomi Tabb has just revealed the cover, and the blurb, for her upcoming novel "More than a Passing Shot". This new release has a tentative release date of June 22, 2022.

Also, I did ask Tomi if this is part of the Unexpected Royals series, or if it is a new venture. More Than A Passing Shot will be marketed as a standalone, as it really falls more into the sports romance category than royal romance. That being said, it does tie in to the Unexpected Royals series, as Olive is a former roommate of Clara and Amanda!

Check out this cover though! Let's head to Greece to get to know Alex and Olive.

Olive Nakamura is ready to put her past and her ex-boyfriend behind her. When one of her closest friends invites her to be a bridesmaid in her London wedding, Olive jumps at the opportunity to tour Europe and reinvent herself.

Unfortunately, Olive’s first stop in the gorgeous city Athens, Greece is met with a worker’s strike and an embarrassing coffee spill in front of the most handsome man she’s ever met, Alex Georgiou. Why does Alex’s name sound so familiar? And what secrets is he hiding?

As Olive attempts to unravel the mystery of Alex, Olive learns that leaving the tennis world behind will be harder than she thought and must decide if opening herself up to love is worth the risk.

If you have previously enjoyed following the stories and adventures of Clara, and Amanda than you will enjoy reading about their one time roommate, Olive.

Pre-order Now

This will be on KU once released

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Tight Fit by Lisa Suzanne {a review}

Tight Fit, the third book in the Vegas Aces: The Tight End series from Lisa Suzanne, is now available! If you've read the Tight Spot and Tight Hold, then chances are you've been anticipating this release! Or maybe that's just me. I am beyond excited for this entire series.

Now this is a continuation, so I can't say much about the premise of the book. What I can say is that there is plenty of drama, even more steam, and a trip to Montana. That's all I can say. I know! I KNOW! I'm sorry!

I will lead my review/thoughts with this: Tight Fit is my favorite of the series so far!

Ben and Kaylee were spectacular in Tight Fit. Getting to see Ben relax a bit, and Kaylee find a place that feels like home was just the best. It was also nice to see Ben let his guard down a bit, and reveal some things to Kaylee. Escaping to Montana was just these two needed. Not only did they draw closer to each other, but they learned about each other also. I could see these two making that house their forever place.

"When you love somebody, you love all of them. Past and present, history and scars and all. You know how I feel about a lot of things, but sometimes it's hard to read you  because you're so afraid of letting anybody in. It's okay to let me in, Ben."

Oh, and Grandma Jean? LOVE HER! She definitely dropped some truth bombs on the couple, and it was things they both needed to hear. She spoke with love. She spoke with experience. She spoke to both of them in the ways that they needed. Grandma Jean knows Ben in and out. She knows his struggles, his demons, and his past. But she can also read Kaylee perfectly, and was able to get into her thoughts a bit regarding her dreams and wishes.

Of course there was also drama in this book, which is to be expected. The one piece of drama I wasn't surprised about who was behind it. I saw that one coming. The other though had my jaw drop ever so slightly. BUT I can see the motivation behind why it all went down the way it did.

Here in my home, we find peace. We make up after we fight. We're open and honest with one another--with what we want and with what we need. We're isolated in solitude, and when it's just the two of us, everything is pretty damn near perfect.

But as soon as we leave this sanctuary, reality storms back in.

I feel like a set up for an announcement will happen soon, and it will rock our characters causing even more drama. I need to read Tight Laced to see if I'm correct! I'm not talking about the announcement that was hinted at either. That one I see happening. The other though, if it is what I think it is, is going to be a forever situation.

I gave Tight Fit 5 stars over on Goodreads, and on BookBub! Maybe it was the fact that this story is continuing to build, and I can see how things will play out. Maybe it is the fact that I am so drawn in, and feel connected to the characters, that I am just that hopeful. In all reality, it's Lisa Suzanne's ability to write a story that has captivated me. Her storytelling feels like a tv mini series, and I'm here for it. I want to tune in each and every "week" to see what happens next with our characters. To see how they work through their issues, through the drama, and ultimately find their happily ever after.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Tight Fit. I truly hope that you will pick up the entire Vegas Aces collection, and fall for these characters the way I have. It truly does read like a soap opera at times. (Especially seasons 1 and 2 with the Michelle drama.)

Laura

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

It’s okay to admit I’m scared.

Outside forces are working hard to tear us apart, but we’ve teamed up against them. It’s the internal struggles we’re battling that could spell the ultimate end.

When Ben makes a public show to prove how committed we are, I’m left confused as I struggle to figure out whether his feelings for me are real or if they’re part of the act.

As we spend time at his secluded estate in Montana, I start to question whether there’s really an expiration date stamped on our relationship or if we could actually find a way to make this work.

We were all wrong for each other from the start, but together we’re a tight fit. As he lets me in on the secrets of his past, I fear it’s those very secrets that have the power to tear us apart.

TIGHT FIT is the third book in the VEGAS ACES: THE TIGHT END series. This series must be read in order.

🏈One Click Tight Fit NOW!🏈

Add Tight Fit to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Lisa Suzanne

Lisa Suzanne is a romance author who resides in Arizona with her husband and two kids. 

She’s a former high school English teacher and college composition instructor. 

When she's not chasing her kids, she can be found working on her latest book or watching reruns of Friends.  

Connect with Lisa Suzanne

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

Hosted by: 

Thank you to Lisa Suzanne, and Wordsmith Publicity, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Tight Fit.