The Faceoff by Cali Melle {a review}

He tastes like a bad decision and that's exactly why he's in my tent right now...

She tastes like the worst decision I've ever made and I know there will be hell to pay for it.

The Faceoff by Cali Melle is the fourth book in the Wyncote Wolves series. This college romance is hate to love, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, and of course sports romance. What started as a one night stand is about to evolve into something that looks a lot like forever. That is if Hayden and Eden can get over their issues.

My rating for The Faceoff:

Ever since Hayden burst on to the Wyncote campus, he's had my attention. I could not wait to find out who he was, his history, and find out who he would fall for. I immediately knew that he was going to fall hard once the right person walked into his life. Eden is the perfect fit for him.

Loved this line in the book:

When guards are let down and the ice around our hearts melts, how do we fight the fire that burns between us?

I KNEW that Hayden's story was going to be one of my favorites, and turns out I was correct.

• The meet cute was good.
• The reintroduction was better.
• Loved the banter.
• The hate to love was fantastic.
• Absolutely loved how these two fell for each other when they were both so firmly against relationships.
• The conflict/drama was not what I was expecting, but it really was perfect.
• These two are my favorite couple of the series!

I loved how both of them eventually lowered their masks. They finally got to a place where that honesty, and openness was necessary for their relationship to push forward.

Cali Melle has created this amazing family within the Wyncote Wolves organization. I cannot wait for the next two books to see how these characters continue to grow, find love, and ultimately find themselves.

If you are someone who enjoys college romances and/or sports romances, then go pick up The Faceoff. Figure skater + hockey player + hate to love = wonderfulness.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

Eden

After experiencing a nasty break-up during my freshman year, there is one type of guy that I refuse to get involved with.

Anyone from the university’s hockey team.

Hayden King is arrogant, cocky, has a reputation for being a playboy and there isn’t a single thing about him that I like.

One drunken summer night turns into a bad decision with Hayden. One that I swear that I’ll never make again.

But once senior year starts, I can’t seem to get away from him. He’s everywhere I go, everywhere I turn.

He’s under my skin and I find myself making mistake after mistake with him.

We better learn from our mistakes before our hearts get involved…

Hayden

Eden Finley is as cold as the ice that she skates on.

She’s the best figure skater at Wyncote University and I don’t know how I missed her when I first came here.

After one night with her over the summer, I can’t get her out of my head.

She has a chip on her shoulder, a nasty attitude and she hates my guts.

Which all only makes her more appealing.

I live for the chase, for the challenge.

And Eden Finley has no idea what she’s gotten herself into….

Thank you Cali Melle, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Faceoff.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!

The Marriage Arrangement by Kim Loraine {a review}

"There's nothing wrong with falling in love, Becca. When you find the right one, it'll happen and you'll see."

The Marriage Arrangement is the third book in the Anything for Love series by Kim Loraine. In this latest book we get to know Becca Barnes and Taylor Savage a bit better. We find out about the day they met, how a romance about to blossom, and then we are in current day. If you are looking for a marriage of convenience story (fake relationship) that is also grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, hate to love, and a sports romance, then consider picking up The Marriage Arrangement when it releases on November 14, 2022!

My rating for The Marriage Arrangement:

I loved the majority of this book. I'm going to do my review stream of consciousness style!

• That meet cute was adorable!
• Becca and Taylor seem like they would be fabulous together. They definitely have chemistry.
• Tinkerbell and Hook
• Cardamom? Oops.
• Aww, she's taking care of him.
• Ugh. So it's going to be like that.
• Hello Taylor showing back up!
• Dang, that was an offer! But I can see Becca's point. She's obviously going to go for it. (otherwise the story would end here)
• LOVE all this banter!
• Scarlett has my curiosity
• OOH Scotland! Bring it on!
• Taylor's mom is THAT mom, and I am here for it.
• Granddad is pretty spectacular.
• Major shift happening in this faux relationship!
• Taylor's dad is an ass. Plain and simple.
• SCARLETT!?!
• Ooooh that's gonna hurt.
• Love getting to see more of Mav and Clara
• And they lived happily ever after.

Other random thoughts that I had while reading.

• I fully enjoyed the hate to love trope. It fit in so perfectly.

• So much happened in Scotland that I cannot even begin to touch on it. One of the last scenes had me feeling a tad worried. 

• I did not like Taylor's dad. Not one bit. Also, I will say that felt like a storyline that wasn't completed. I still have questions regarding that character, and the shenanigans that he was causing.

• One thing I know is that as Becca and Taylor's story was winding down, the groundwork was being laid for Scarlett's. I am beyond ready for that story!

I continue to enjoy this hockey romance series from Kim Loraine. I fell hard for Mav and Clara, and everything has just continued to snowball. Bring on Scarlett's story. (especially knowing what I know)

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

I need a wife. NOW.

With this hockey season on the line, I can’t afford any distractions. And a dating reality show is one huge distraction. But there's a surefire way to get out of this dating show contract. All I have to do is get married.

Even with a reputation like mine–the Scottish bad boy of hockey–I'm confident I can find someone to play Mrs. Taylor Savage for a year.

Like Becca Barnes. The one who got away. Too bad she hates me. But that's why she’s perfect for this arrangement.

My contract is dissolved. She gets the bakery of her dreams.

Win-Win.

She just has to live with me and pretend she loves me in public for a year. No strings. No touching (unless there’s a camera). No messy heartbreak.

It’s sure to be a challenge because with the way I crave her, keeping my hands to myself might be harder than I planned.

But I can handle this. Being married to her will be easy. As long as I don't fall in love with her along the way.

Thank you to Kim Loraine, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Marriage Arrangement.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!

Favorite Mistake by Lisa Suzanne {a review}

This time, I didn't just lose the girl. I lost f*cking everything. I was planning my life around someone who couldn't be honest with me.

Favorite Mistake by Lisa Suzanne is releasing on November 17, 2022! This final book in the Vegas Aces: The Wide Receiver series ties up all the loose ends, and chances are you'll walk away with a smile on your face. Are you ready? I don't think you're ready. Hold on to your hats my reader friends, you're in for a wild ride!

My rating for Favorite Mistake:

Okay I'm doing my review for Favorite Mistake slightly different. I am going more random thoughts/stream of consciousness while reading versus being my usual long winded self.

Let's dive in.

• It's the final book, so Tristan and Tessa are about to get their happily ever after!
• I understand why Tristan ran, but it still breaks my heart.
• Coach and Mo are amazing.
• SAVANNAH!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH THAT WOMAN!
• Brandi and Tiffany both need to take a seat, preferably far away from Tessa and Tristan.
• HOW DID SAVANNAH GET THAT INFO?
  
• I'm sorry, WHO is their kid? WHAT?!?
• WOAH! Who was behind the impersonation account? I mean it tracks, but damn.
• I hope Russ is going to be okay.
• YES! I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY THAT HAPPENED!
• Loving that Tessa has found a great group of friends.
• Ooooh, the steam in this book!
• AWWW...Fallon 😍!
• Tell me more about Travis.
• I'm sorry...a baseball team? LISA SUZANNE WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME! I NEED IT IMMEDIATELY!
• T 'N T are dynamite!

Seriously my reader friends, run and grab this series. Tristan and Tessa's story is emotional, it's heartbreaking, it's steamy, it's dramatic, it's filled with amazing moments. The cliffhangers are torturous, but oh so worth it in the end. I am in love with Lisa's storytelling, and cannot wait for next two sports romance series that she has coming up for 2023.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

The boy next door isn’t next door anymore.

He’s in Vegas, preparing for the upcoming NFL season, and I’m still stuck in the small Midwestern town where we grew up.

We should be together, but people wanted us apart. They won. Secrets are uncovered and lives are forever torn apart.

Maybe it was a mistake to try to recapture what we once had after everything we’d been through.

But of all the mistakes I made in my life, he was my favorite, and I will never stop fighting for us.

FAVORITE MISTAKE is the final 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 Favorite Mistake.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!

Prince of Hawthorne Prep by Jennifer Sucevic {a review}

Revenge.
Austin doesn't want me.
He wants vengence.
I'm just the instrument he'll use to achieve it.

Jennifer Sucevic is back with another installment in the Hawthorne Prep series! King of Hawthorne Prep and Queen of Hawthorne Prep both focus on Kingsley and Summer's story. Now though it's time to officially meet Austin Hawthorne, and see what happens with Delilah. I should mention I haven't read Kingsley and Summer's story, so I don't know everything that happened there. What I can tell you is that to fully understand everything that is about to go down in Prince of Hawthorne Prep, it might be best to pick those two up. I did not. I chose to go in not knowing anything, and I still enjoyed the story. But believe me when I say I will be going back to read the previous two books.

My rating for Prince of Hawthorne Prep:

4.5 stars

Wow, what a story! In the beginning I was livid. Jasper immediately rubbed me the wrong way. His mask was slipping, and you could see the villain starting to appear. The fact that he can so easily switch between personalities is a bit scary. One minute he's showing his true self to Delilah, and the next he's putting on the charm with adults and friends. 

Every scene with Jasper and Delilah had me on edge. It wasn't that it was making me uncomfortable, it's more so that I could tell the person who he truly is. Yet some how he's at the top of the food chain. When Austin begins to come around, you can feel the pull that he and Delilah have. You can also feel the pure rage and jealousy vibrating off of Jasper. You can also feel the shift that is about to happen.

I was proud of Delilah for standing up for herself, and also getting herself out of that situation. I liked that Austin was her protector in that moment.

The scene at the fundraising event really ticked me off. I could not believe when all of that happened, and how it affected both relationships. Then to have it turn even darker. As I was reading that scene I was expecting something to go down, but I wasn't expecting that. Then add on that it was marked as no big deal? WHAT? HOW? What sort of blackmail does this person have on the powers that be? UGH.

So much happens in this book that I can't even put it into words. I could not put the book down though. I wanted to find out what happened next. And before I knew it the book was over. Let me tell you, I was not prepared for this book to end with that cliffhanger! I knew a cliffhanger was going to take place, but I did not expect that!! Now I need to google and find out when Princess of Hawthorne Prep releases. (psst: it's February 10 2023)

Here are my random thoughts as I was reading Prince of Hawthorne Prep: 

• Jasper just needs to go away!
• Delilah's mom...WHAT ON EARTH?!? I mean that about a few things. I just can't with her.
• Things with Austin didn't really start the best way, but dang has their story grabbed hold of me.
• Hawthorne Prep is an interesting place, and definitely not a safe space for outsiders.
• Everything that happened at that party? OH MY WORD! I can't. If what happened is what I'm imagining, NO!
• I need Princess of Hawthorne Prep ASAP, as I need to know what happens next!

I went through a wide variety of emotions as I read. I still can't get over it. That cliffhanger is going to haunt me until I read Princess of Hawthorne Prep.

Now before you decide whether or not to read this book, and get invested in the world, I do want to mention that there are content warnings for this story. The author doesn't specifically call them out, but in my opinion, you will find emotional and mental abuse, attempted sa, and drugging through a beverage. If those are not something you feel comfortable reading, then I suggest passing on this book. 

Prince of Hawthorne Prep pulled me in, and I cannot wait to return to this world. Not only to find out what happens next with Delilah, Austin, and Jasper, but also to read Kingsley and Summer's story. Oh I also feel that there is another duet in the works, or at least an additional standalone. Once you read the book, you'll know which characters I'm referring to.

If opposites attract, bully romances, sports (football) romances, enemies to lovers, high school setting, and/or love triangles are tropes you read, then add Prince of Hawthorne Prep to your TBR!

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

Betrayal. Blackmail. Revenge.

How is it that those three words now rule my life?

Welcome to the world of Hawthorne Prep. A seemingly idyllic school where ivy clings to the thick stone walls and a wrought iron gate keeps out the townies who can’t afford to foot the hefty price tag.

Except…I’m one of those townies.

I don’t belong here.

Most of the time, I feel like an outsider with her face smashed against a windowpane while staring inside. It’s a lonely feeling. One I’ve gotten used to. There are times when I secretly wonder if I’ll make it through senior year intact.

But then someone comes along and turns my world upside down and inside out. He makes me feel things I never dreamed possible. There’s a possessiveness to the way he watches me, and it sets my nerves on edge.

Especially when it’s in front of my boyfriend.

The one I desperately want to break up with.

The very same one who will make my life hell if I try to pull the plug.

Steering clear of Austin Hawthorne is my only option. A little attempt at self-preservation. For both our sakes.

One night changes everything between us and has me believing in the possibility of something more.
Just as swiftly as I’m given hope, it all comes crashing down around my head, making me a pawn in a game between two boys who will stop at nothing to take each other down.

Prince of Hawthorne Prep is book one in a duet and not a standalone novel. The completed duet is a standalone story within the Hawthorne Prep series and will conclude with Princess of Hawthorne Prep. You do not need to have read the previous books in this series to enjoy this duet.

Thank you Jennifer Sucevic, and Wordsmith Publicity, for providing me with an advanced copy of the Prince of Hawthorne Prep.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!

Lukas, Sometimes by Tempest Phan {a review}

"He tasted like torture. He tasted like sin. He tasted like everything I shouldn't have, he tasted like my downfall."

Lukas, Sometimes is the second book in the Art of Sinners series from author Tempest Phan. 

My rating for Lukas, Sometimes:

As I started reading Lukas, Sometimes I debated on whether or not it was the right book for me. It was just starting off so slowly, and I didn't feel anything for these two characters. Now maybe if I had read Damien, Forever things would be different. It wasn't until about 25% through the book that things began to pick up. Yet there was still that thought in the back of my mind that I should walk away. I still wasn't sold. 

Still I pushed through, and was determined to see the book to the end.

I have mixed feelings.

On one hand, I really enjoyed the suspense that was written in. That was an unexpected surprise. At one point I thought I knew who was behind it all, but I was wrong. It happens. When it was revealed though, it all made sense. Had I been paying closer attention I would have figured it out. But I was so focused on other parts of the storyline that I kind of glossed over the "proof".

As for the romance between Lukas and Lily, it was decent. Personally I didn't feel their connection. Lukas came across as an ass, and quite pushy. Whereas Lily was quieter, uncertain, and eager to please. It all felt a bit forced to me.

The pacing of this book was slow. For me there was too much explanation, filler moments, and internal dialogue. The description of the book is what appealed to me, and I thought for sure I would enjoy it. Did I enjoy it? Kind of. I feel like Saint might have been a better fit of for Lily. But Saint doesn't have the billionaire lifestyle happening, so there's that.

All in all the story was decent. I might give the author another try, but as of right now, I can't guarantee that.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads

A billionaire romance with a touch of angst, a hint of forced proximity, and a whole lot of heat.

LILY
There once was a prince, in a bungalow by the sea…

He’s the ocean roaring into my life, an ocean whose depths I can’t resist even though I must. I want him, but I’m not supposed to want more. And yet, when I look at him, this damaged artist, this kindred soul who paints my dark world with his laughter and his pain, I want to give in…But I can’t, not when I’m not the one he sees, not when doing so would mean losing my voice all over again.

There once was a prince, in a bungalow by the sea.
But he's not my prince; he never was for me.


LUKAS
Along came a pixie, in a faded hoodie…

She’s the wave crashing through my world, the wave that brought me to my knees and threatens to sweep me under. I want her, but I’m not supposed to want more. And yet, when I look at her, this paperbag princess, this impossible minx who dances her way into my dark, I start to lose control... But I can’t, not when I have nothing left to give, not when doing so would mean digging into the wounds of my past all over again.

Along came a pixie, in a faded hoodie.
Just a minx, a pixie… and she’s all that I see.

The ART OF SINNERS Series... An exquisite fall from grace.

Thank you Tempest Phan, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Lukas, Sometimes.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!