My 3 Favorite Antagonists

Every so often when you read a book, you'll come across that ONE character who you just love to hate. These characters stand out with their actions, their words, and so much more. There is just something about them that has you hoping they do not get a redemption arc in any future books from the author.

Who are the characters that I have a love to hate relationship with? I'd love to tell you.

One Last Chance by Gina Azzi {a review}

In December I read My Christmas Wish by Gina Azzi. This was a seasonal read, but it was also the beginning of Daisy and Finn's story. I have since finished the Kane Brothers trilogy, and it is time to dive into One Last Chance. I need to see what happens once Daisy is in Scotland, working at the same company as Finn, and see how friendship blooms into a happily ever after. I have a feeling Finn isn't going to be able to resist her for long.

My rating for One Last Chance:

Before we dive into my thoughts, let's go over the tropes. In this book we have friends to lovers, a workplace romance, a second chance of sorts, and an age gap (roughly 7 years).

Okay on to my long winded thoughts...

In all of the Kane Brothers books, I had a feeling that Daisy was a strong woman. One Last Chance proved that she is, and that she can do anything she puts her mind to. Her big brothers were just overprotective, and wanted to support/care for her. If you've read Reclaiming Brave, then you know that Sierra was on Daisy about submitting her resume to the family company. Daisy was against it at first, but ultimately gave in. Thankfully she did, and it allowed her to take on this new journey. Plus she had a pseudo-family waiting for her in Scotland, as Sierra's family considered her one of their own. Also when Daisy accepted the position, and was gearing up to leave, the conversation she had with Jax brought tears to my eyes. He understood what it meant to leave to an unfamiliar setting where you know virtually no one.

I was so glad to finally read Finn and Daisy's story. Especially since it seems so long ago that I read My Christmas Wish. (it wasn't that long ago, but I read so much that it just feels forever ago.) Now though here we are getting to see Daisy move to Scotland, reconnect with Finn, and have this new adventure. She's on her own without her brothers or her best friend, and it's a major change. Thankfully she has Finn, Aaron, Callum, and Lachlan nearby for support.

Things with Daisy and Finn started off slowly. He was fighting it for so long with really no explanation. It was honestly frustrating because you could see their mutual attraction. Yet he was still dealing with his past relationship issues, and perhaps doing a little projection. When it came to the point where I thought things were going to advance, it was actually the demise. I wasn't expecting it quite yet. When all of that went down it was a little much. I was shocked by the response, and how everything was handled.

After all of that went down I was even more grateful that Daisy had found a good group of friends shortly after arriving in Scotland. That sense of community was just what she needed, and she had someone other than Sierra's family. Of course there had to be one creeper in that first year group, and honestly that man was a walking red flag. At first I thought he was just a bit awkward, until the true colors were shown. That part of the book broke my heart, even more so than the break up, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Now I'll be honest, I debated how to bring this trigger/content warning to light as it is a bit of a spoiler for the story. I don't feel right though not disclosing it especially if it is something another reader has been affected by. So TW/CW for attempted SA and physical.

The work situation was really interesting to read about. I love the challenge that James came up with as a way to test out the new hires. The passion that these characters put into their work was impressive. I was honestly thankful that the competition didn't work out the way I envisioned.

I want to talk about how Daisy and Finn got back together! I do! But I can't because of spoilers. Just know that he is by her side when she needs him.

One thing I know from reading One Last Chance, as well as all the Kane Brothers books, I am absolutely loving this family! I do wish I had closure for one storyline that took place in Denver's book, but maybe one day Gina Azzi will address that. 

Have you read the Kane Brothers trilogy or the Finding Love in Scotland series? These books have been out for a while now, but I just discovered them and really enjoyed the stories. 

Happy Reading,
Laura
 

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5 of my Favorite Fictional Characters

It takes a lot for a character to stand out for me. I need them to grab hold of my attention, and wish for more of their story, or wish to see them appear as major side characters in future books in the series. I want to celebrate their happy moments, I want to cry with them during their sad moments, and I want to be by their side during the difficult times. When that happens these are often the characters that I wish I could befriend in their fictional worlds.

I read a lot of books. A LOT. Therefore choosing favorites is always a difficult task. However there are some characters that stand out more than others. It's these characters who are just screaming "I'm your favorite", and "don't you forget about me". Believe me when I say there are quite a few that stand out. Today though I'm only going to share five of them. Maybe I'll revisit this in the future and do a secondary post. Time will tell.

Who are some of your favorite characters? Any specific reason they stand out?

Happy Reading,
Laura

What I Read Last Week

It's a new week! My kids are off from school two days this week, and honestly if the weather forecast is right, they could be off all week. It's looking like we could get hit with over a foot of snow. Let me tell ya, I am not excited about the snow. It seems like we had so much this winter, and it was just starting to melt. I told my husband that I'm fine with winter hanging on, but I'd like to unsubscribe to the snow and ice. If only it worked that way.

This week I read 6 books! Quite honestly they were all pretty fabulous. Broken Love Story by Natasha Madison was my favorite of the week. There was just something about those two characters, and all that they had been through, that hit me so hard. Between baseball romance and hockey romance, I read 3 sports romance books. It really is my favorite thing ever. Ever so slowly I am working my way through Gina Azzi's backlist, as well as Natasha Madison's. Their storytelling, and characters, are some of my favorites.

Fill me in on what you read last week. Did you have a favorite? Any duds? What's the reading plan for this week?

Happy Reading,
Laura

Brother's Best Friend Hockey Romance Recommendations

I feel like a broken record when it comes to the brother's best friend trope, but it truly is one of my top 3 favorite tropes. I can't help it. It's just so good. Plus I think a lot of people have their favorite tropes, so why not lean into it a bit.

Now when I posted my Brother's Best Friend Romance recommendations post the other day, I had mentioned that I could probably do an entire post just based on hockey. So here I am. 

I went through all of the hockey romances that I have read, with the exception of a few where tropes weren't crystal clear (ahem: Aven Ellis), and compiled a list. Turns out I have read 12 that feature the brother's best friend, or best friend's sibling, trope. Three of these I mentioned in my other post, therefore I won't repeat what I said about those. I will however still list them. 

What is your favorite trope? Or are you like me and have a top 3? Also, have you read any of these hockey romances? Any books that I should read? I'd love to know all the things.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Let's start with the three books I had previously mentioned. They were:

The Risk Taker by Gina Azzi

Something So Irresistible by Natasha Madison

Maxim by Samantha Whiskey

Now for the new recommendations!

Wheeler by Samantha Whiskey

I loved the Seattle Sharks series from Samantha Whiskey! I cannot think of a single book that I didn't enjoy. So many various tropes, and the characters were all amazing. Lukas and Faith's story was no different. Lukas hired Faith as his personal assistant after her brother suggested it. Well Lukas has had a thing for Faith for a while now, and this is going to make working in such close proximity interesting.  The goal is to keep things platonic and maintain that friendship. Well that is until the sparks fly.

Change on the Fly by Maren Moore

Change on the Fly was an emotional read. Not necessarily because of the relationship between Reed and Holland, but because of the situation with Reed's nephew. That storyline gutted me. But witnessing Holland assist Reed with caring for Evan was everything. Then Reed stepping up and taking care of the issues Holland was having as well? Yep, so good. Reed is a protector through and through, and this story just solidified that. These two characters pulled me, and I loved getting to know them, as well as all of the friends and family.

Sneaking Around with #34 by Piper Rayne

Oh Warner! This man has quite the past, and he tried to keep his upbringing a secret. Part of his past has to do with Imogen. Who is Imogen you ask? Ford's sister. Yes the same Ford who Warner is now teamed up with. This second chance romance was my favorite of the Hockey Hotties series. I loved how we learned about the past, how it was affecting the present (relationship/teamwork with Ford & Warner), and then witnessing the happily ever after in progress. This book had it's emotional moments, it's tense moments, and some passionate ones as well. 

Scoring to Win Duet by Maren Moore
The Scorecard & The Final Score

Oh what to say about this duet. Graham and Emery's story will take you through the wringer. Graham and Reed are good friends, and Reed is Emery's big brother. So things are tense in that situation. But when a night together leads to a pregnancy, their lives are about to flip upside down. Not only that, but they are now in a fake relationship. The problem with that is they don't get along. They are constantly butting heads. Yet somehow they end up falling. The Scorecard does end on a cliffhanger of sorts, so make sure to have The Final Score ready to go. Their story is going to take you on a ride. It will be emotional. You will want to smack one or both of them upside their fictional heads. Yet at the same time you may just fall for this couple, and find yourself cheering them on as they get their happily ever after.

Cross Checked Hearts by Cali Melle

Cross Checked Hearts is the very first book in the Wyncote Wolves series from Cali Melle. What better way to kick off a series than with the brother's best friend trope! Or maybe that's just my opinion. Anyway, Logan and Isla have known each other for years. That goes to show how far back Logan and August go. Now though Isla is starting college, and her brother is having her move into the apartment he shares with Logan. Surely nothing will happen with these two living in the same space. No way will they act on any feelings. Yeah right, of course they will. 

Splintered Ice by Cali Melle

Splintered Ice is the sixth book in the Wyncote Wolves series, and we are revisiting the trope! Except this time it is Sterling falling for his sister's best friend. Olivia just transferred to Wyncote, and she knows no one. So her bestie contacted Sterling, and told him to make sure Olivia has a good time, and finds some friends. Olivia's had a crush on Sterling for a while now, and all this time together might just cause the friendship to blur a bit. Even if Sterling thinks he should avoid at all costs. After all that crush might not be so one-sided. 

Covered by Elise Faber

If you know me at all you know that I am OBSESSED with the Gold Hockey team. It is seriously one of my favorite hockey series, and I will devour every book that is released. I will also devour every spin off (see: Rush Hockey). Ben is falling for his best friend's sister. Jordyn is a recently single mom, and Ben is stepping in to help her out. After all that single mom aspect is something he's familiar with, since it's how he grew up. I loved their relationship. I loved how the team surrounded Jordyn with love and community. Then there is Jordyn's kids who were adorable. One of my favorites from the series.

Bad Crush by Rebecca Jenshak

Oh look it's another college romance! This was my introduction to Rebecca Jenshak's storytelling, and it hooked me. Adam and Reagan's story tugged at my heartstrings. I went through a variety of emotions. I loved the setting, I loved the characters, and everything that happened in the book. Reagan falling for Ginny's big brother was so good.

Charming As Puck by Pippa Grant

This is the fourth book in the Copper Valley Thrusters series from Pippa Grant. If you're unfamiliar with Pippa's writing style, it is pure rom-com. The male characters are always an interesting group, and the females are typically smart, strong, and independent. It's a unique mix to say the least. Now it's been a few years since I've read this book so I can't remember much about it. What i do remember is that it was funny, it had a good storyline, and I put on Goodreads that it was my favorite of the series. Also when it comes to the trope, it's actually a version of that trope. Our heroine is falling for her best friend's brother. I always love how the best friend reacts, and the majority of the time I feel that they are all for it. 

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

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

Thank you!