False Start by Piper Rayne {a review}

I’d love to say I’m above it all, but the truth is, I admire him too. I just do it from afar.

Did you hear that Piper Rayne has a new football series kicking off later this year? It's true! The series is called Kingsmen Football Stars. We've already met one of the members of the team in My Scorned Best Friend. Yep, Xavier Greene is on the team, and we are about to meet his teammates.

But did you also know that Piper Rayne has released a prequel novella to set the stage for You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows? They did! That novella is False Start. Now do you need to read this prequel before the full length novel? No, but it might be a little helpful to have the backstory of Lee and Shayna.

My rating for False Start:

 
In False Start we are headed back to college. It is there that we find out Lee is struggling with one of his classes, and he needs a tutor. It is then that Shayna and Lee officially meet, and a schedule is set to work on catching Lee up in class. From that point on a friendship of sorts builds, and then comes the attraction. There's more though, and it involves a bet. Sigh. 

Lee rubbed me wrong in this book, and I found myself wanting to smack him upside the head. Along with a few of his teammates. But here he is this amazing football player who is doing what needs to be done to stay on the team, and secure his future. As for Shayna, I related to her in a lot of ways. She's quiet, but she's passionate. She loves with everything she has, but when you've done her wrong, she won't put up with it. 

This prequel has me even more ready for You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows! Getting to see how Shayna and Lee's story began? YES! Bring on the second chance romance with the hate to love, and enemies to lovers tropes. I am freaking here for it.

Is it the end of December yet so I can see how these two find their way back to each other?

Are you going to read the Kingsmen Football Stars series? You know I am! After all it's sports romance, and it's a series written by Piper Rayne. That duo knows how to write a steamy rom-com that also has emotional moments added to the storyline.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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The start of Lee Burrows and I was a college girls' biggest fantasy.

Campus' most popular guy, the starting quarterback, the same guy I've crushed on forever, notices me—the quiet introvert.

Although, he never would've noticed me if he didn't need my help passing our biology class. I didn't think I had a chance with him until he started flirting with me and asking me questions like, "Who was the guy you were talking to?" and "Do you have a boyfriend?"

It took a few tutoring sessions before we ditched the library to "study" at Lee's apartment.

It was a fantasy come true until I found out the truth and vowed that Lee Burrows would never get another chance with me again.

A note from me:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. Any purchases made through links in this post allow me to earn a small commission. So thank you for that.

November Anticipated Reads

Fear not November’s challenge bold

We’ve books and friends,

And hearths that never can grow cold:

These make amends!

Alexander Louis Fraser, November

Can you believe November is only days away? As per usual I am in denial about this. November brings election day, my oldest daughter's birthday, and of course Thanksgiving. This month will be filled with family, friends, and memories. I can't wait!

November also means a new month of anticipated reads! I have a long list, and I am giddy.

What's on my anticipated list? Allow me to share with you!

Honest Mistake by Lisa Suzanne {a review}

I want to be with Tessa. They say when you know, you know, and I've always known it was her.

Today's the day! Honest Mistake by Lisa Suzanne is available! That's right, it's time to pick up with Tristan and Tessa, as well as Savannah and Stephanie. What sort of shenanigans will happen this time around?

Honest Mistake picks up right where Hidden Mistake left off. It was quite the ride, and this season just keeps getting better. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next!

My rating for Honest Mistake:

Honest Mistake is filled with passion, emotional moments, revelations, a fresh start, and heartache. Tristan and Tessa have their eyes set on forever, but there are obstacles in their way. Namely Savannah and Stephanie. It's not just them though, there's another who is going to throw a curve ball in TNT's journey toward happily ever after.

I want to say more about the storyline, but since this is a story in progress, it would involve spoilers. Just know that our duo moves forward toward a happily ever after, but naturally there is road blocks in the way.

Oh and there was at least one time where I found myself tearing up. Maybe it was personal experience, maybe it was hormones, or maybe it's just me being me. Then there was the scene that made me gasp out loud. Not to mention the scene where I literally said "UGH" out loud. (and yes, that last scene had to do with Savannah.)

No Mistake needs to appear on my kindle immediately so I can find out what happens next. Because that cliffhanger is playing on repeat in my mind.

Have you started reading this fourth season of the Vegas Aces? Trust me when I say this entire series has me hooked! It's a must read for football romance fans. So steamy and drama filled.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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He’s not the boy next door anymore, and I’m not the girl I used to be, either.

His life is in the spotlight as one of the most popular professional football players on the Vegas Aces, while I can’t afford to have my secrets exposed. But as we work together on a project benefitting our small Midwestern town, we easily slip back into the friendship we once shared.

He introduces me to the people he’s closest to now, and I find myself fitting into his new life as he works to fix the mistakes of his past. But somebody’s digging into my history, threatening to break us before we even get started.

It’s time to be honest about my mistakes.

HONEST MISTAKE is the third book in the VEGAS ACES: THE WIDE RECEIVER series. This series must be read in order.

Thank you to Lisa Suzanne, and Wordsmith Publicity, for providing me with an advanced copy of Honest Mistake.

Also, I am an Amazon Affiliate. Purchases made from links above allow me to earn a small commission. So thank you!

Sideline Infraction by Emily Silver (a review)

Earlier this year, Emily Silver kicked off her Denver Mountain Lions series with the book Roughing the Kicker. I happen to love sports romance, so naturally I checked it out. I was immediately hooked on her storytelling, as well as the characters she created. Needless to say I stuck with the series, and recently read an advanced copy of Sideline Infraction, which is book 3. 

My rating for Sideline Infraction:

Sideline Infraction is by far my favorite of the series! There was just something about Alex and Carter that drew me in. These two are absolutely fantastic. Their chemistry is superb. Loved their shared interests. Fully enjoyed how when they were together they just felt at peace, as though they could finally relax and be their true selves.

Carter's past relationship definitely had him looking for the red flags, and trying to protect himself. As for Alex, he was all about continuing to keep this secret, as well as spend every moment he could with Carter. It was definitely love at first sight, but I don't care. This book was so well written, the characters are likable, and everything just felt right.

The moment of conflict...I knew it would have something to do with Alex not being out. I did. I just wasn't fully expecting it to unravel the way it did. I wasn't expecting the blow up. Nor was I expecting how it was resolved, and everything that went with it. The conversation between the coach and Alex had me in tears. You could feel the love pouring off of the coach, and his understanding of the topic. Coach stepped out of his professional role, and into the role of a parent in that moment. I absolutely loved it.

Emily Silver has created a marvelous football series, and I cannot get enough.

If you are looking for a m/m romance then you need to read this one. Plus it's sports romance, it's instalove, and a bit forbidden. (considering who Carter's dad is.)  

Have you checked out the Denver Mountain Lions series yet? Do you plan on reading Sideline Infraction? I promise the series, and this book, are absolutely wonderful.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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What happens when I find the right guy at exactly the wrong time?

I’m Alex Young. Star quarterback for the Denver Mountain Lions. Captain of the team. Son. Brother. Teammate.

And I’m gay.

No one can know. My secret could destroy everything. I lock myself up in the closet and throw away the key. It’s better this way. I can focus on football and being the best quarterback I can be.

Until him.

With that first look, I’m a goner. I’ve never met anyone like him. With each touch, he’s breaking down the walls I’ve worked so hard to build.

But what if someone finds out? What if I’m outed to the world and cut from the team I love?

I can’t risk it.

But when Carter kisses me like that?

I just can’t resist.

I’m in so much trouble.

Thank you to Emily Silver, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Sideline Infraction.

Also, I am an Amazon Affiliate. Therefore purchases made from links in this post allow me to earn a small commission. So thank you!

Seducing the Playboy by Amanda Usen {a review}

“Love is everything. Without love, life is nothing but work and sleep.”

Seducing the Playboy by Amanda Usen originally released in May 2014, and has been on my kindle since April 2022. The description had caught my attention, and so I downloaded it. Then it sat on my kindle just waiting for me to pick it up. This weekend I was caught up on ARCs, and didn't know what to read. As I scrolled through, I realized NOW was the time for Amanda's book. So I immediately loaded it up.

My rating for Seducing the Playboy:

I went into the story knowing what the description relayed to me, and knowing that it featured one of my favorite tropes. Which obviously is brother's best friend. That being said, while that trope was there, it wasn't front and center. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Cole lives on the opposite side of the US from where Jenna is visiting Roman. Had all parties been local to one another, I think that influence of big brother would have been stronger.

I did love the way these two reconnected at the Beach House. Jenna knew what her plan was, but had yet to spring it on Roman. Then there was the way their relationship began, and I have mixed feelings on that. Yes, a friends with benefits relationship can work, but it was obvious from the start that it would be extremely short lived. It was in Vegas where I started to see a future for these two, but things happened in Sin City, and that future was crumbling quickly.

Jenna's character was one that I really liked. She came across as genuine, and her reasons for going to Roman truly started off as needing help. Then that childhood crush came back fast, and while the reasons didn't dissipate they were thrust to the back burner.

Roman I didn't vibe with as much. He was arrogant, and it truly seemed as though he was stringing Jenna along. He was also only in it for himself. But I get it, he's this big name doing amazing things in the business, and she's just this reminder from the past.

The reunion scene had me smiling. It may seem simple to some, but I loved how it played out. Including the conversation between Roman and Cole. I also loved the family conversation in the kitchen prior to Roman's arrival.

All in all Seducing the Playboy was a decent story, and I plan on picking up another book by this author to see what else they write. Especially since Seducing the Playboy was my introduction to Amanda Usen. Have you read any of Amanda's books? Is there a specific book I should read?

Happy Reading,
Laura

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A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

The best desserts are worth the wait…

Pastry chef Jenna Cooper crushed hard on playboy chef Roman Gallagher when her older brother brought him home to share their family Christmas six years ago. Now she’s old enough to do something about it, and she won’t take no for an answer—for anything.

Out of the frying pan into the fire…

Roman has one hard and fast rule—don’t sleep where you eat. But he can’t say no to Jenna’s plea for him to help her save her family business. Soon she's working for him, and their scorching chemistry melts Roman’s resistance.

If you can’t stand the heat…

Jenna knows Roman has reservations about enjoying the heat between them, but she’s got a plan. She’s going to keep this sexy man so satisfied in—and out—of the kitchen, he won’t regret a thing. But Roman has his own ideas. He wants more than a few hot nights, and he's going to teach Jenna a lesson about playing with fire.

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program, and purchases made through links above can allow me to earn a small commission. Thanks!