Monthly Wrap Up {October}

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

*Poof* Just like that October has come and gone!

One thing is for certain, my family and I had quite the month. We went to see a play at our local high school that was based on video games, we went to a corn maze and pumpkin patch at a local farm, and then also did pictures at a county park. October was also full of baking, and jumping in the leaves. Oh, my kids and I watched The Masked Singer too! I've loved that show since it's second season, and within the last couple my kids have joined my tv time. They have no clue who the majority of the celebrities are, but between the music and Ken, they are all in. Then naturally we ended the month with trick or treating. I stayed at home handing out candy, and in about 2 hours we had 150 kids. We're not back to our pre-pandemic numbers, but it's getting close. I think if Halloween hadn't fallen on a school day we would have had more kids. (and I would have been in trouble.)

Aside from all of that, and reading, I also have been listening to Midnights by Taylor Swift on repeat. Constantly. It's pretty much the only thing I listen to. I freaking love this album.

When it came to reading, I took this graphic to heart this month!

Mine to Love by Natasha Madison {a review}

"All I wanted was you. I would have taken you any way I could have you. I would have given you whatever it is you wanted."

It's time for Presley to get her happily ever after!!! If you've been reading the Southern Weddings series, then you know Presley has been anti-relationship. She's quite vocal about it. So who exactly is going to flip her world upside down? Why her brother's best friend of course! Prepare yourself for this emotional rollercoaster of a story.

My rating for Mine to Love:

Do I need to say much more than "it's a Natasha Madison book, so naturally I loved it"? Every single book that Natasha writes I seem to love. It's why she's an auto buy author for me. There is something about Natasha's storytelling, characters, and settings, that appeal to me. She creates these worlds that I want to live in, and befriend all the characters. I can't help it.

Presley and Bennett's story was spectacular. From the brothers best friend trope, to the surprise pregnancy, to the history that these two share, I couldn't get enough! I love that they found their happily ever after together. (and no that's not a spoiler, you already know they did!)

I loved the banter between the sisters. I loved the openness between Bennett and Travis when it came to Presley. There is nothing but love between this group, and I adore it. I wish I understood their mother a bit more, but she has her reasoning for being the way she is.

Mine to Love was filled with steamy moments, emotional moments, raw & honest moments, and all of that together created this wonderful story that I couldn't put down. I loved seeing Presley go through all of her mental roadblocks, and realizing what she stood to lose.

The road to happily ever after wasn't a simple one by any means, but after everything they went through, it finally happened.

Natasha Madison has created yet another series that I am obsessed with. Then she had to go and announce the next book is a crossover of sorts between hockey and southern? GIVE IT TO ME NOW! I don't want to wait until July 2023! Excuse me while I go pout in the corner.

If you have yet to read a book from Natasha Madison, please do. My introduction to her storytelling was Something So Right, and that quickly lead to me binging all the hockey series available, and then moving on to others. If you're not into sports romances, give the Hollywood Royalty trilogy a read. I really enjoyed those as well. I mean then there's the Southern series which I'm obsessed with. I regret nothing, and I will eventually finish her backlist of books.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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Nothing says forever like two pink lines!

Presley
After my sisters’ disastrous weddings, I’m never going to get married.
I’ll just stay single forever.
It doesn’t matter that I’m in love with my brother’s best friend.
Or that Bennett and I shouldn’t even be friends with benefits.
Until the positive sign tells me I’m pregnant.

Bennett
I fell in love with Presley when she was eighteen and asked me for a favor.
She didn’t want to go to college a virgin.
I said no, but she kissed me, and I was lost in her.
Years later, I’ll take her with any rules she gives me.
She thinks this is just a fling. She’s wrong.
Because she’s always been mine to love.

Thank you Natasha Madison, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Mine to Love.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

So Pucking Over It by Elise Faber {a review}

My heart hadn't actually beat until I'd met Bailey. I hadn't truly lived, not until I'd been lucky enough to love her.

I have been waiting for this moment since July! That is when I first met Axel and Bailey in Big Puck Energy, and I was instantly captivated. Elise Faber has a way with words, settings, and character development that I absolutely love. Knowing that Rush Hockey was a spin off of Gold Hockey had me even more excited. Especially since there would be a crossover. Those Gold Hockey players are some of my favorite fictional players, so I always love it when they make appearances.

If you are not familiar with the Rush Hockey trilogy, know that they MUST be read in order. It is a continual storyline, and there are cliffhangers involved. Thankfully So Pucking Over It is the finale, so all the books are available to read. No need to be like me and wait for the next installment.

My rating for So Pucking Over It:

OH MY WORD! WHAT AN ENDING TO THIS TRILOGY!!! I seriously thought I would go through October with no 5 star reads, and then this book happened. I laughed. I literally cried. I felt all the feels, and may have found myself biting my finger nails. I KNOW OKAY, I KNOW!

So Pucking Over It had so much suspense, heartache, pain, and healing. My heart was beating rapidly during the first part of the story. Then it just piled on. I could not put this book down, as I had to know what happened next. I couldn't help it. I'm obsessed, and I needed answers!

So Pucking Over It was a fabulous read. Bailey and Axel FINALLY get their happily ever after. The journey to that HEA though was a rollercoaster ride. As though these two hadn't been through enough! Elise Faber just kept adding to it. This book was a bit emotional at times, and I loved every minute of it.

Then there was the fact that we were getting to hang with the Gold team, and I loved the way they were a part of this story. Brit and Stefan hold a special spot in my reader heart. Love those two.

I will say I was a bit surprised with that new storyline. That being said Veronica was a great addition to the story, and I am hopeful that she'll get her story told with a certain Rush player. (ahem, pretty please Elise!)

I am also hopeful that we'll get to see more of Bailey and Axel in future Gold Hockey stories. They would make fabulous side characters, and I'd just like to visit with them again while with the Gold players/family. I'm greedy!

When I had read Filthy Puckboy, I made a comment to Elise Faber that I hoped Billie Rose would get her story told. Elise confirmed that is happening! That story was set up throughout So Pucking Over It, but that teaser at the end? UGH! Now I have to patiently wait until January 24 for Love, Pucks, and Other Stories. So excuse me while I add that to my calendar, preorder the book, and add it to my anticipated reads list.

Have you dove into the Rush Hockey trilogy yet? If you're a fan of hockey romance and/or small town romance, I really hope that you'll read it. I started off strongly disliking Axel, but found myself changing my tune. He and Bailey are simply amazing.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

I had everything I had ever wanted…

And it meant nothing.

Because the love of my life had lost everything.

My career was exactly where I’d wanted it—I was on a great team, getting lots of playing time, and I’d finally won the ultimate prize.

But Bailey was hurting, and I couldn’t live knowing that.

I loved her more than my life, my job, my dreams.

She was my dream now.

And I would do anything to save her so that she could live out hers.

So Pucking Over It is the final book in Axel and Bailey’s story!

Thank you Elise Faber, and Elle Woods PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of So Pucking Over It.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

All I Need by JH Croix {a review}

If anyone had told me I would go up to Haven's Bay for a week and fall in love, I would've scoffed.

All I Need is the second book in the Haven's Bay Holiday series from JH Croix, and it just released on November 1, 2022. This best friends sibling, single mom story was just what I wanted. Actually it was everything I wanted All I Want to have been, but you can't have everything. Right? Right. Plus All I Want wasn't a single mom story, but more of a second chance romance. STILL THOUGH!

My rating for All I Need:

I fully admit that I went into All I Need fresh off of All I Want. If you read my review for Dallas and Audrey's story, then you'll know I struggled a bit. So I was a bit apprehensive, yet I tried to remain positive and open. I'm glad that I did. As this book was vastly different than the first. 

I will say I wasn't expecting Noah to fall for one of Thea's friends! I mean Dallas had just done that, so I wasn't expecting that trope again. I'm not complaining one bit either. It was a pleasant surprise, and now I wonder if Ian will fall for another one of Thea's friends. Only time will tell.

As I said above, All I Need had a much different feel than All I Want. All I Need has that bit of suspense built into it, and I was LOVING that. Absolutely loved it. I actually would have liked that part of the storyline to have delved a bit deeper.

I really liked how the meet cute occurred. Obviously if you've read the description, you have a general idea. But it still stood out, and then there was that recognition and familiarity of two people who used to know each other. I also really enjoyed our duo exploring Haven's Bay. While they both spent a lot of time there when they were younger, it was nice to see them out and about.

When the time came for Noah to meet Quinn, I think I was as nervous as Sasha. That be a "mom" thing. I don't know. Quinn really tested Noah, and he had to earn her trust. She wasn't giving that for free by any means. Quinn had me smiling frequently, and that teenage attitude had me laughing. The bond these two established came into play later in the story, and how that all played out tugged on the mom heart strings a bit.

Can I just say...Sasha's neighbor is a hoot! Loved the scenes that she was in. She definitely was a scene stealer. And I appreciated those light hearted additions to the story.

Honestly, there was very little about this book that I didn't enjoy. It was the JH Croix writing that I have come to enjoy. I fell hard for the characters, and I was drawn into their world. All I Need gives me high hopes for the next two books in this series.

What will you find in All I Need? Well according to JH Croix you'll get:
✔️ A broody FBI agent
✔️ A smart, sassy heroine
✔️ Off limits no more
✔️ An accidental break in
✔️ Swoony holiday romance
✔️ Small town shenanigans

I agree with 5 of those. While this story originates in Haven's Bay (the small town), we also spend a lot of time in Boston. So to call this an outright small town romance, I don't agree. Had the entire book taken place in Haven's Bay, then yeah, small town romance. You can decide for yourself though.

Have you read any wintertime holiday series? Any recommendations that I should check out? Are you going to give the Haven's Bay Holiday series a try? I think you should.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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Break in for benefits?

When a friend offers me a week at her family’s home in Maine for the holidays, I say ‘yes’ so fast I forget to say please. As a single mom, time to myself is impossible to come by.

I’m barely in the house when I’m mistaken for a burglar. When the lights come on, I discover the broody FBI agent who found me is Noah Tate, the off-limits older brother of my best friend from high school.

Noah was tall, dark, handsome, flirty, and popular back in high school. I kept my secret crush on him under wraps. I was above all that now. Except the chemistry burns so hot between us the air crackles with it.

We’re snowed in, so maybe we can make the best of it.

Noah & Sasha’s story is perfect for readers who love: friends to lovers, slow burn, broody FBI agents, small town gossip, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of swoon and all the feels, and a protective hero who’s more than ready to prove a sassy heroine wrong.

*A full-length, standalone romance.

Thank you JH Croix, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of All I Need.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

Rescuing Broken by Gina Azzi {a review}

Even though I don't want him to, Jaxon Kane has a claim on me I'll never be able to shake.

Back in January 2021 I read my first book written by Gina Azzi. That book was The Sweet Talker, and I was instantly hooked. Yes, part of that may have been due to the fact The Sweet Talker is a hockey romance. However, it was Gina's storytelling, and characters who truly pulled me in. It was that combo that had me returning time and time again. In May of 2021, I downloaded Rescuing Broken. It sat unread on my kindle until now. This weekend I finally picked it up, and I didn't put it down until the story was over. Curiosity got the best of me, and I dove into this 2018 release.

My rating for Rescuing Broken:

Rescuing Broken was not at all what I was expecting. I had been expecting a standard romance with steamy moments, as that's what I've experienced with other books by Gina. 

Rescuing Broken is a second chance romance that has our couple reconnecting after 7 years apart. Except during those 7 years, life has not been easy on either. Jax is healing from his physical combat wounds, and also working through the mental wounds. All that while trying to adjust to being out of the military, and returning home. As for Evie, she never left town, and isn't the same woman that she was. She gave up so much after Jax left, and not necessarily by choice. She wants to move forward but feels stuck at the same time. Jax returning home isn't helping matters at all. Jax might just give her the push she needs.

There was so much that happened in this book, and so many revelations made. I could tell almost immediately what had happened with Evie after Jax left. But it wasn't until later in the book that my suspicions were confirmed. That build up just made it all the more emotional.

The way Jax "handled" Evie, and worked toward being in her life again was something I appreciated. He was watching her body language, figured out that something happened, and was making sure she knew he was by her side. Jax knew that with time Evie would tell him, and that he would do anything to protect her.

I loved the way trust was reestablished, and their bond was rebuilt. I adored these two characters, as well as the Kane siblings. Evie's big brother also caught my eye, and I find myself wondering if he doesn't have a book as well. Now I'll have to search Gina's backlist of books to find that answer.

Speaking of those characters...I cannot wait to check out the rest of this series. I do wonder if they'll all cover the sensitive subjects, or if they'll be what I'm used to with Gina's storytelling. I mean, the Kane brothers have some history to them. Those histories make for interesting stories. So no matter what, I'm in.

Also, while the author does not have a content warning on this book, I do feel that it would be beneficial. Especially for those who have experienced what Evie did, or if it just isn't a subject matter that you'd prefer to read about. I will say that everything is carefully handled. 

The ending of Evie and Jax's story had me smiling. These two have been through so much separately, and have managed to find their way back to each other. Together these two are going to have an amazing future, and continue to work through their traumas.

While I don't feel that this book would be the perfect introductory novel for Gina's storytelling, I do think that if you're a fan of her writing it's worth checking out.

I'm always up for a good second chance romance, and Rescuing Broken was just that.

Happy Reading,
Laura

 

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

Jax enlisted to protect my future. But I never escaped my past.

After seven years of silence, Jaxon Kane barrels back into my life like he never left. He’s a hot, confident, fearless soldier, bearing new scars on top of old hurts. Jax isn’t the same man I fell for in high school. But I’ve changed too.

Now that our paths have crossed again, I can’t avoid him or dodge his questions. The harder he pushes to understand me, the more I resist.

Too broken for second chances, I know better than to let him in. If he learns why I never left Georgia, will he forgive himself?

If he discovers my secret, will he forgive me?

Note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!