The Mistletoe Bet by Maren Moore {a review}

I hate the holidays. Actually,  I loathe them. Call me Scrooge. The Grinch. The Girl who hates Christmas.

Maren Moore just released an adorable, yet steamy, holiday novella! The Mistletoe Bet proves that a lot can happen in a week, and Quinn is about to find that out firsthand. Especially since she just agreed to a bet with Parker. Who wins the bet? You'll have to read the story to find out.

My rating for The Mistletoe Bet:

It should be known that I have absolutely enjoyed every book that I have read from Maren Moore. So I went into The Mistletoe Bet with high expectations. Maren did not disappoint. I enjoyed every single minute of this novella, and have found myself wishing it was a full length book.

Not only did it feature one of my favorite tropes, but I just loved how the heroine was this grinchy grump who suddenly despised Christmas. Then there was the bet that was made, and I just fell hard. I wanted to see how Parker would have her rediscovering her Christmas spirit, and of course what it would take for these two to fall head over heals in love. 

I loved every single date/adventure that they went on. Those moments together definitely set the stage for a relationship. Oh, and that night at the Parker's office?

Then there was that moment when I literally gasped because two characters from the Totally Pucked series made an appearance. I may have been a little giddy about that, as I love when previous characters make appearances in other books. It's like a little easter egg.

The Mistletoe Bet is an adorable story that is filled with our heroine returning home for a week with the family, our hero trying to change the heroine's mind, plenty of dates, and not to mention, a lot of steamy moments. I don't know how Maren squeezed all of this into a novella, but she did. 

This book is one to read this holiday season. I highly suggest either downloading a copy immediately, or at least adding it to your TBR. If you've set a reading goal for 2022, and are a bit behind, grab some novellas to catch up!

Happy Reading,
Laura

 

Amazon | Goodreads

Everyone says “there’s no place like home”… well not for me.

When I’m forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how I’m even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holiday… Christmas.

That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brother’s best friend, Parker Grant.

Now, he’s the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago.

While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more.

Well, other than a good bet...

Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe.

A bet that changes everything.

He asks for the next seven days to change my mind about Christmas.

But seven days alone with Parker is more than either of us bargained for.

He gives the season of giving a whole new meaning…

Maybe home really is where the heart is.  

Thank you Maren Moore for providing me with an advanced copy of The Mistletoe Bet!

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I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

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No Mistake by Lisa Suzanne {a review}

"That's all I've ever wanted. A lifetime of laughter, of peace and harmony." 

Oh, this freaking series! Lisa Suzanne continues to lure me in, have me falling for the characters, and then torturing me with cliffhanger after cliffhanger. I don't put up with this from just anyone. Yet I do for her as the stories are like a miniseries that used to air on TV back when I was little. Tristan and Tessa's story is only 5 episodes long, but I cannot wait for the next "episode" to release. I'm a bit obsessed. Thankfully the next book, Favorite Mistake, is the finale, so all my questions should be answered!

My rating for No Mistake:

Friendly reminder that Vegas Aces: The Wide Receiver is a continuing storyline. So that means 2 things; 1) if you haven't read the other books in the series don't read this review, and 2) I have to be careful with what I say, so that I don't spoil anything. Believe me when I say that holding back is difficult, as there is so much I want to say! Especially with how No Mistake ended. My lips are sealed.

When Honest Mistake ended the way it did, I immediately had a couple thoughts going through my head. Obviously I can't say them, because spoilers. BUT in No Mistake we find out what happened with all of that. I am thankful that the scenarios I had playing out in my head were 100% wrong.

This book was a major turning point in Tristan and Tessa's story. We find out things about Stephanie. We find out more about Coax. We find out more about that social media account that is impersonating one of our main characters. There is so much revealed in this book. It's mind blowing.

We may have found out a lot of information, but that doesn't mean it was drama free. Oh not by any means. Especially if that ending was any indication. And of freaking course that cliffhanger had to involve that trio. UGH.

I need to read Favorite Mistake immediately so I can see Tristan and Tessa FINALLY get their happily ever after. Also so help me if Savannah doesn't get what's coming for her...UGH THAT WOMAN!

Have you read this season of Vegas Aces? Or are you being smarter than I am, and waiting for all 5 books to be released? If you like football romances, a surprise pregnancy, second chance romances, or just books filled with drama, then add this entire series to your TBR. 

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

All I want is my happy ending with the boy next door.

Every time we get close, something threatens to break us. Half-sisters, town gossips, and jealous exes throw punch after punch, but we hold on tight to each other as we attempt to navigate the chaos.

With his life in the spotlight as a professional football player, I start to feel like it might always be like this.

All I can do is pray there’s no mistake so big we can’t overcome it together.

NO MISTAKE is the fourth book in the VEGAS ACES: THE WIDE RECEIVER series. This series must be read in order.

Thank you Lisa Suzanne, and Wordsmith Publicity, for providing me with an advanced copy of No Mistake.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!

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

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

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!