First Love by Xavier Neal {a review}

Xavier Neal is back with a heart-wrenching second chance romance that is going to blow you away. First Love is the first book in The Love Duet, and it is simply amazing. This book will tug on your heartstrings, and you may find yourself trying to figure out how these two are going to get back together. I know I am!

Ooh did I fall hard for Presley & Ryder's story! Their story is filled with passion, and with a connection so deep that you just know they are soul mates. Of course their story is also filled with heartache and pain. This first half of the story dives into their past, and also shows us where they are current day. We see them as adults, and how they are trying to live their lives. For Presley life seems a bit easier, but Ryder is dealing with a lot and has someone walking him through how to heal, how to cope, and how to return to a "normal" life. 

From their high school romance, to their soul mate like connection, I just could not get enough. Ryder has this dark element to him that brought on conflict, heartache, and drama. Presley is more of the quite person who tries to blend in, yet her relationship with Ryder made that difficult to do. These two opposites held my attention throughout the book, and I cannot wait to see how their story concludes in Last Love.

Xavier Neal did a fantastic job of taking us from current day back to when they were in high school. We were able to witness everything that happened, and see how it is still affecting Ryder and Presley to this day.

These deeper books, the ones that hit a bit harder, are some of my favorites of Xavier's. They are what keep me coming back for more.

I need Last Love immediately so that I can find out how their story concludes, and to see just how they reconnect. My gut tells me it is going to be explosive, passionate, but also filled with a lot of hate to love moments. I hope that Presley does not make it easy for him to work his way back into her life. So make sure to pre-order that one, or at least mark the release date (5/26) on your calendar.

Thank you for taking the time to read my random thoughts on First Love. I wish I could have gone into more detail about what was going on, but I also didn't want to ruin anything for you. Also, if substance use (/addiction) is something you struggle to read about, maybe sit this one out. It isn't over the top, but it is featured.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Ryder Collins wasn't always this broken.

This bitter.

This miserable.

Once upon a time he was whole.

Happy.

Excited for what his future held.

So, what happened?

His soulmate walked out of his life.

Forever.

(First Love is the first half of The Love Duet. It does end up on a cliffhanger that is concluded in part 2, Last Love)

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About the Author

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible). 

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.

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Thank you to Xavier Neal, and DS Promotions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of First Love. 

Hot Shot's Mistake by Gina Azzi {a review}

It's the day I've been waiting for since the Boston Hawks series ended! Today the first book in the Tennessee Thunderbolts series is released! That's right, Hot Shot's Mistake is officially available. If you've been missing Gina Azzi's hockey romances, then run to your favorite book retailer and grab it. You're going to enjoy Mila and Devon's story.

So if you read The Score Keeper, you know who bought the Tennessee Thunderbolts organization. You also know who is the coach, and we see the coach appear a few times within Hot Shot's Mistake. I love that tie back to the Hawks. The only way this book could have been better is if it was a Hawks player who had been traded to the Thunderbolts. But Devon was a good starting point too. There is no real need for me to recap this book, as the teaser does an excellent job. So let's dive into my thoughts.

I have been so excited for this series to begin, and immediately dove into Hot Shot's Mistake. Mila and Devon's story was so good! I did not want to put the book down, and when the story ended I definitely wanted more of them, as well as the team. So that's a good thing since this was the first book in the series.

Devon has a chip on his shoulder, and is not thrilled to be in Tennessee. First chance he gets, he's out. Devon's goal is to get back to New York, or even California. He just does not want to be here, and his attitude shows it. Getting out is his plan until he meets Mila.

Mila is healing from heartache. She's grieving not only the loss of her parents, but the loss of the relationship she had, and the job that she loved. She has lost so much. Especially since that relationship loss, and job loss also had her losing close friendships. This new opportunity with the Thunderbolts is just what she needs to restart. Here with this organization, she can focus on her work, and show the higher ups that she's a perfect fit. Never was she expecting to fall for Devon.

Their road to their happily ever after was not an easy one. It was filled with drama, heartache, and outside noise. But in the end everything worked out just the way it was supposed to.

I did find myself confused by the uneasy feeling between the football team and the hockey team. That just felt weird. You would think that there wouldn't be that rivalry. Especially since they play different professional sports. I mean a state can have (and often does) multiple professional sports, and be able to support them all through the good and the bad. But what do I know...

All in all this was a good start to the new team. I will say that as much as I enjoyed Devon and Mila's story, I was more intrigued by Axel. From the moment he was introduced in the story, he grabbed my attention, and did not let go. Thank goodness his story, Brawler’s Weakness, is next! Oh, and there's Axel's daughter...my gut tells me she's going to wind up with one of Axel's teammates, and that it is going to be drama filled. I'm here for it.

Bring on the Thunderbolts!

Thank you for taking the time to read my random thoughts on Hot Shot's Mistake. I am hooked on Gina Azzi's hockey romances, and for good reason. So many amazing tropes are covered in these books, and I find myself wanting to escape into these worlds often to reconnect with these fictional friends. Go pick up Hot Shot's Mistake. Also, if you're looking for another hockey romance where the player fall for the physical therapist, check out Boarding by Elise Faber!

Happy Reading,
Laura

Tangling up with my new physical therapist, Mila Lewis, is a mistake. One I can’t seem to stop making.

 

When I sign with the Tennessee Thunderbolts, I have two goals: prove my injury hasn’t benched my career and get back to New York. 

But then, I meet Mila, the enigmatic therapist tasked with rehabbing my shoulder. 

With her long ponytail, professional demeanor, and girl-next-door look, Mila is nothing like my usual type.

She’s better—a good girl with sad eyes and a tragic past our small-town loves to dissect.

With the entire town up in her business, our budding connection is far from simple. I’m not staying, and Mila will never leave.

Deep down, I know I should walk away and let her find the happily-ever-after she deserves.

But I can’t. Not without showing her that it could be me.

And that may be the biggest mistake of all. 

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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

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Thank you to Gina Azzi, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Hot Shot's Mistake. Also, I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program, so any Amazon links clicked may lead to a commission earned.

A Greene Family Vacation by Piper Rayne {a review}

If you're like me, and have fallen head over heels with the Greene family, then you need to read this novella! A Greene Family Vacation has us catching up with the family while we wait for Xavier and Clara's story to be released. The family has packed their bags, and SOME of them are headed to Hawaii. There are a few people staying behind, and once you read the book, you'll understand.

Recapping this book is near impossible. There are so many people involved, and so many various storylines. I am almost positive that if I were to even attempt to recap this book that I would unintentionally provide spoilers.

Here's what I can say...we were provided a bit more information about the three upcoming stories. We see bits and pieces of Clara and Xavier's story being revealed, and that book is going to be explosive. There is so much pain and heartbreak involved, as well as a friendship that has been decimated. Right about now, Xavier is making me angry. Uh, that man.

Then there was a piece of information about Mandi's love interest thrown in. Which leads me to believe that another spin off is coming, and we will be headed to Graywall. This also goes hand in hand with another key player. Oh, and have you seen the cover for My Fake Fianceé? LOVE.

Finally there is the storyline between Cam and Chevelle. Ooh, hello brother's best friend trope. I see you. I can't wait to read you. Hawaii was good to them both, and ooooooh there story is going to be steamy.

So while we learned those future book tidbits on vacation, we also caught up with the majority of the Greene family members who have had their happily ever afters. There is at least one secret being kept. My gut tells me there is more, and I was just too focused on the one. A re-read might be in order to see if I missed anything.

Honestly, for me, the only thing this vacation was missing was more chaos from the Grandmas. Ethel, Dori, and Midge bring the hilarious moments where ever they go, but they also push buttons. It is those moments that have me loving the story that much more. However their interactions weren't as grand as usual. So that was a bummer. I also found myself really frustrated with the Greene "kids". The way the Grandmas were "handled" irritated me. Just no. NO. Grrr Argh.

Speaking of those Grandmas...I would seriously read a book solely about them and their antics. Not only that, but origin stories. How they met their husbands, and that whole romance scene. I'm here for it. But that's just me, and my love of those 3 ladies.

I loved everything about this novella. If you enjoy The Greene Family series, then this is a must read for you. Come catch up with everyone, and find out what is going to happen in future books. It's completely worth it.

Now my pipe dream would be for the Baileys and the Greenes to have one large get together. We'd get to catch up with both families, and witness all that interaction. Maybe that will happen when Rylan and Calista finally get their story. We all know that story is coming at some point.

Thank you for taking the time to read my random thoughts about A Greene Family Vacation.

Happy Reading,
Laura

 

A Greene Family Vacation by Piper Rayne is now live!

 

Greene Family Vacation Itinerary…

Ticket holders:

17 adults. 5 children.

Departs from Anchorage, Alaska

Arrives in Maui, Hawaii

Reports of arguing with the TSA’s at the airport, three drunk grandmas, siblings fighting, a tooth fairy, two celebrities, one sunburned redhead, a wild blonde running the halls and one unexpected layover in San Francisco.

Enjoy your trip!

 

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

Audio book is narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell

 

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Meet Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

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Thank you to Piper Rayne, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of A Greene Family Vacation.

The Wrong Boy by Ashley Munoz {a review}

The Wrong Boy, a swoon-worthy small-town second-chance romance set in The All American Boy Series from bestselling author Ashley Munoz, is live now!

Imagine owning a little B&B in your small town, and it's in dire need of renovation. But the only general contractor in town is your ex. What do you do? Besides go to different towns and try to get quotes from those companies. If that fails, then what? Can you set your feelings aside, and go hire this person who destroyed you? Well that's what Tilly is dealing with. All while still not being over the relationship. Even though it's been years.

This little small town romance had my curiosity. 

Right from the beginning I found myself wondering what went down between Tilly and Oaks. It had been 5 years, but the heartache was still strong for both of them. 

I loved getting to see them bicker, and trying to resist the pull that they clearly had toward each other. The road back to forever wasn't a simple one. It was filled with pain, longing, anger, frustration, and love. It was so worth it to see these two find that happily ever after.

I do find myself curious about the inn. What is the history there? What happened in the space we don't talk about? I don't have closure on that, and my mind is whirling. (Plus what happened to Grandma and Mom?)

Even without the closure on that storyline, I fully enjoyed the book and seeing Oaks and Tilly get their second chance together.

The Wrong Boy was a great read. It is a novella, so it doesn't take overly long to read. But what Ashley Munoz puts in that space is wonderful. I love the characters she creates, and the worlds that she builds.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I highly recommend picking up this new release, as well as checking out other books in the All American Boy series.

Happy Reading,
Laura

He was the wrong boy for me then and he’d be the wrong boy for the job now.

Having a bed and breakfast with just one communal bathroom wasn’t working, and it was past time to bite the bullet and upgrade the inn.

There was just one small problem: In the small town of Deacon, Texas, there was only one contractor.

Yep, just one: Jonathan Oaks.

But it didn’t matter how skilled he was at building things when all I knew about him was how good at breaking my heart he was.

Five years could put a lot into perspective, but it wasn’t enough time to make me forget that he was the wrong boy for me then and he’d be the wrong boy for the job now.

I should have known better.

Jonathan Oaks wasn’t about to lose the chance to renovate my inn, or to rub in my face that he’d been right about us all along.

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Meet Ashley Munoz

Ashley resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her four children and her husband. She loves coffee, reading fantasy, and writing about people who kiss and cuss.

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Thank you to Ashley Munoz, and Social Butterfly PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Wrong Boy.

Powerful Deception by Jocelyne Soto

 

Love in Blood and Lies.

 

The world that we live in is a very dark place. Everywhere you look there is blood looming. 

There are powerful individuals waiting for you to take your last breath. 

Powerful individuals that would strap you to a chair and let you suffer. 

It’s those powerful men and women that took my father from me, the ones I’m going after. 

Starting with Dante Rossetti. He called the hit that took the most meaningful person in my life down. 

I will take him down, watch every inch of his life burn to a crisp, even if I have to pretend to be someone else entirely and lie my way into his life.  

I will destroy the man that everyone calls the devil and he won’t see a thing that is coming his way. 

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Meet Jocelyne Soto

Jocelyne Soto is a romance author  born and raised in California. 

She started her writing journey in 2015 and in 2019 she published her first book. She is an independent author who loves discovering new authors on Goodreads and Amazon. 

She comes from a big Mexican family, and with it comes a love for all things family and food.

Jocelyne has a love for her mom’s coffee and writing. In her free time, she can be found reading a romance novel off her iPad or somewhere in the black hole of YouTube.

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