Rookie Move - Sarina Bowen

" I loved you when I was sixteen, I told you when I was seventeen. When I was eighteen you cut me loose. But I never stopped."

Pages: 338

Published: September 6, 2016 by Rennie Road Books

Kindle: 3, 99 €

Paperback: 7, 15 €

Available on Audible

Plot

Georgia Worthington and Leo Trevi were the golden couple of their high school. He was the hockey team captain, she was a tennis star. Until graduation, when tragedy pulled them apart.

Five years later, everything's coming together for Leo. His dreams of playing professional hockey seem to be coming true as he's called up from the minors to play for the NHL's newest team. The only problem? The team's publicist is the woman who broke his heart.

As she tries to prove herself as the senior PR specialist for a major NHL franchise, the last thing Georgia needs is the distraction of her former flame. But when Leo arrives at the press conference that can make or break her career, Georgia realizes that the man she put her on ice might still be able to melt her heart.

Conclusion

*TW: Rape*

'Rookie Movie' is the perfect read for in between. The characters are down-to-earth, with a few exceptions for douches in the hockey team. Leo and Georgia had great chemistry and I loved the fact that they were high school sweethearts. Leo was a great character. He never pushed Georgia to do omething she would've been uncomfortable with, not in high school and not when they meet again. 

This book had just the right amount of drama, not too little but also not too much. I'm glad that everything worked out for them in the end.

I'm usually not a fan of the third POV but Sarina Bowen's writing was so good that I was able to ignore that. 

I'm super excited to get my hands on book two because apparently it's about O'Doul.

If you like sports romance, hockey in this case, second chances and good guys instead of bad boys I would recommend 'Rookie Movie' to you.

5 out of 5 stars

Dirty - Kylie Scott

Pages: 290

Published: April 19, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin

Kindle: 2, 67 €

Available on Audible

Plot

Love—on the rocks….

The last thing Vaughan Hewson expects to find when he returns to his childhood home is a broken hearted bride in his shower, let alone the drama and chaos that come with her.

Lydia Green doesn't know whether to scream or cry in a corner. Discovering the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it's with his best man is another thing all together. 

Just when this runaway bride has nowhere left to turn, a handsome stranger offers her a broad, muscular shoulder to cry on. Vaughan is the exact opposite of the picture perfect, respected businessmen she's normally drawn to. This former musician-turned-bartender is rough around the edges and is facing his own crossroads. But Lydia's already tried Mr. Right and discovered he's all wrong--maybe it's time to give Mr. Right Now a chance.

After all, what's wrong with getting dirty?

Conclusion

Kylie Scott is one of my favorite authors of all time. From my own experience I can say that she hasn't written a single bad book. This was another amazing book of hers.

Lydia, the heroine, is so entertaining because of her humor and her insecurities made her even more relateable for me. 

Vaughn, the hero, is super charming and I loved how protective and caring he is when it comes to Lydia.

The prologue had me hooked immediately. Everything from the first to the last page was absolutely perfect.

This book gets some extra points for having Stage Dive character cameos ;). 

There really isn't much to say except that it was really really good. I have re read this every single year for the past four years I think and everytime I read it again it reminds me why it is one of my favorite books.

If you need a fast paced book with great main and side characters, sizzling chemistry, funny dialogues and a HEA or if you are just a fan of Kylie Scott I would recommend this to you.

5 out of 5 stars

Dear Ava - Ilsa Madden-Mills

" You can't go because I won't get over you! I won't ever find someone like you. I won't ever kiss a girl like you. I love you!"

Pages: 376

Published: February 1st, 2020

Kindle: 4, 99 €

Paperback: 17, 11 €

Available on KU and Audible

Plot

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me. The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer? Knox, the scarred quarterback. Dane, his twin brother. Or Chance, the ex who dumped me. . . Dear Ava,Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.That’s stupid. What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL. It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you. I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall. I’ve missed you cheering at my football games. I’ve missed the smell of your hair.The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.And then everything fell apart that night.Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark. I just want to make you mine. Still.

Conclusion

*TW:Rape, Slutshaming, Bullying*

Dear Ava is one of the few books that have made me cry and it is definitely a highlight of 2021.

Eventhough Knox is a pretty popular and a quarterback he isn't depicted as cocky and mean as they are usually. I loved that he believed Ava and even helped to get her the justice she deserved. I loved the fact that he likes Star Wars and that he was so nice to Ava's little brother. He was way sweeter than I was expecting him to be. Knox was a great book boyfriend.

Ava has been through a lot. I probably couldn't go through what she did. I would've given up and although this is pure fiction I'm proud of her for staying strong. One of the best parts of the story was that, unlike in real life where many boys and girls don't get the justice they deserve, Ava got hers.

Their chemistry was off the charts. The humor in 'Dear Ava' was great and the scenes with Ava's little brother were so wholesome. 

If you don't have triggers and want to read a wholesome story with a strong female character and a nerdy quarterback I would definitely recommend 'Dear Ava' to you.

5 out of 5 stars

The Villain - L. J. Shen

 

" But what are villains my dear wife, if not misunderstood heroes? "

Pages: 395
Published: December 16th, 2020
Kindle: 2, 69 €
Paperback : not available yet (Dec. 17th)
Available on KU

Plot 

Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.
Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.
To the media, he is The Villain.
To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.
Now I need him to do me another, small solid.
Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.
What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?
Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.
The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.
Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.
To play, to mold, to break.
Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.
Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.
He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.
He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.

Conclusion

The Villain is the second book in the Boston Belles series. This was one of my most anticipated books of 2020 and I'm so glad that it didn't disappoint me.

First of all: the cover model George Alsford is hot, fire and flames. 

I loved Persy's backbone. Although she was kinda naive she still had a strong backbone. What she did to help Kill in the end was amzing.

Cillian was even more of assholish (?) than I thought he would be. I really did not expect him to be that bad. To be quite honest I am all here for it and I loved it.

Something else I really enjoyed was Persephone's sister Emmabelle. She might be my favorite Boston Belle so far. I'm so excited to read more about her. She is independent and rebellious and defiant. I really hope Shen pairs her with Sam Brennan because I want her to bring him to his knees.

This was a good Hades/ Persepone retelling with great secondary characters and friendships and strong bonds. 

The Villain is more of a slow burn romance so the build up to the first steamy scene was really angsty.

I never thought I would ever say this but I think Cillain Fitzpatrick might be my favorite L. J. Shen hero and he is extremely close to dethroning Bane and Trent. Cillian and Persephone didn't only blow my mind but they also shattered my soul and put everything back together in the end.

The Villain is just another example of how Shen's books just can't disappont me. 

5 out of 5 stars

In the Unlikely Event - L. J. Shen

" Find what you love and let it kill you." 

Pages: 338

Published: November 12th, 2019

Kindle: 4,46 €

Paperback: 14,27 €

Available on KU and Audible

Plot

Sometimes you meet people who are out of this world, so you make them a part of yours.

A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?

Conclusion

'In the Unlikely Event' was a fantastic book. The story of Mal and Rory was heartwarming and funny and it tookme on a rollercoaster of emotions.

 The characters had chemistry and it really did feel like they were destined to be together. 

This book did not only feel like a simple story. I thought about it even weeks after because it wasn't just about love. I think it was also about fate, destiny and also about how the choices we make have an impact on our lives. 

If you are into second chance romances with loveable characters then you should read 'In the Unlikely Event. I highly recommend it.

5 out of 5 stars

Dirty Headlines - L. J. Shen

 

" If there was one thing I'd realized this year, it's that sometimes we belong in the last place we thought we'd ever be."

Pages: 328        
Published: September 4th, 2018
Kindle: 4,47 €
Paperback:13,50 €
Available on KU and Kindle 

Plot

Célian Laurent.
Manhattan royalty.
Notorious playboy.
Heir to a media empire.
...And my new boss.

I could have impressed him, if not for last month's unforgettable one-night stand.
I left it with more than orgasms and a pleasant memory--namely, his wallet.
Now he's staring me down like I'm the dirt under his Italian loafers, and I'm supposed to take it.
But the thing about being Judith "Jude" Humphry is I have nothing to lose.
Brooklyn girl.
Infamously quirky.
Heir to a stack of medical bills and a tattered couch.
When he looks at me from across the room, I see the glint in his eyes, and that makes us rivals.
He knows it.
So do I. 
Every day in the newsroom is a battle.
Every night in his bed, war.
But it's my heart at stake, and I fear I'll be raising the white flag.

Conclusion

' Dirty Headlines ' is an enemies-to-lovers office romance that I just could not stop reading. I was glued to it. Well, at least my eyes were. 

I freaking loved Jude. She's smart, compassionate and driven. I also really enjoyed the parts with her dad.

Célian was a typical a-hole. Insensitive, cocky and INSANELY hot. 

I was amazed by Jude bringing out the goodness in Célian. They were a perfect match.

This was an intense read with a great plot twist and some really hot scenes.

5 out of 5 stars

The End Zone - L. J. Shen

 " No matter what happens in my life, you're the constant thing I can always count on. The shelter in the storm, the calm in my chaos. "

Pages: 86
Published: December 14th, 2017
Kindle: 2,99 €
Paperback: 8,52 €
Available on KU

Plot

Jolie Louis is a smart girl. She knows that her best friend, Sage Poirier, is a bad idea. He's a walking, talking cliché. The Adonis quarterback with the bulging biceps and harem of fangirls trailing behind him on campus like a stench you can't get rid of. Sadly, that's also the reason she can't stay away from him. Well, that and the fact that they're roommates. Jolie is already straddling the line between friendship and more when Sage comes to her with an offer she cannot refuse: Be his fake girlfriend and live for free for the rest of the semester. She tells herself that she can handle it. He's just the boy she saved 10 years ago, right? Wrong. So very wrong. He is a man now, and she is his captive, heart, body, and soul....

Conclusion

' The End Zone ' was a cute novella about two best friends in a fake relationship with a HEA (happy ever after).

I absolutely adored Jolie and Sage. The moment I read their first scene together I knew that they were meant for each other. Their chemistry was undeniable.

It was a fun and playful read with a couple of steamy scenes. I also loved the extended epilogue. 

If you like a good best friends-to-lovers and fake relationship story I highly recommend ' The End Zone ' to you. 

5 out of 5 stars

Tyed - L. J. Shen

 " I don't want someone to like me. I want someone who'll drag me out of my comfort zone and introduce me to new things. " 

Pages: 222

Published: July 1st, 2015

Kindle: 4,41  €

Paperback: 11,75 € 

Available on KU and Audible

Plot

Rock bottom has built way more champions than privilege ever has. Blaire, an underachieving college student with zero prospects and a ton of issues (hey, being the less-successful twin of a gorgeous supermodel would totally do that to you) needs something from Ty. Mixed Martial artist Ty, a soon-to-be Welterweight champion of the Xtreme Warrior League and the hottest guy in the Bay Area, wants something from Blaire. But Ty has a secret. And Blaire can barely even handle his truths. Life is about to throw a few knockout punches at both of them. Can they handle the pain?

Conclusion

' Tyed ' was an easy and funny read. Eventhough the hero Ty is a MMA fighter he's still kinda charming. And hella attractive too. 

I mostly kept reading because I loved Ty and to be quite honest with you I wasn't the biggest Blair fan because I just couldn't warm up to her. Ty and Blair did have chemistry and their banter was funny. There was also a  very good twist that I did not see coming. 

4,5 out of 5 stars

Midnight Blue - L. J. Shen

 " You look at me with dynamite in your eyes, waiting for me to light the match and finally set you on fire. "

Pages: 338
Published: February 25th, 2016
Kindle: 4,41 €
Paperback: 11,75 €
Available on KU and Audible

Plot

It should have been easy. I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death. I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent. The worst part is that I should have known better. Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes. “Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.” Guess what? I didn’t listen. I signed the contract. World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows. My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god. Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too. Then he took my heart. Then he took my all.

Conclusion

' Midnight Blue ' was a beautifully written and touching story. I pulled an all nighter for this and it was so worth it. 

The main charcters were beautifully written. Indie was amazing. Not only her name but also that she was grounded, smart and that she put the people she loved most before herself.

Alex deserved so much more. He deserved better. I esepcially  hated his family. He is the typical broken  and broody hero I love to read about.

The chemistry between Alex and Indie was undeniable. The same thing can be said about the sexual tension between them.

If you are in the mood for a very well written rockstar romance with a broken hero please read ' Midnight Blue'. You will not regret it. At least I hope you won't because I loved it so much.

5 out of 5 stars

Defy - L.J Shen

" You're my someone. Always and forever."

Pages: 165

Published: January 31st, 2017

Kindle: 2,45 €

Paperback: 9,04 €

Available on KU and Audible

Plot

My name is Melody Greene, and I have a confession to make.I slept with my student, a senior in high school.Multiple times.I had multiple orgasms.In multiple positions.I slept with my student and I enjoyed it.I slept with my student and I’d do it all over again if I could turn back time.My name is Melody Greene, and I got kicked out of my position as a teacher and did my walk of shame a la Cersei Lannister from the principal’s office, minutes after said principal threatened to call the cops on me.My name is Melody Greene, and I did something bad because it made me feel good.Here is why it was totally worth it.

Conclusion

'Defy' is a novella you can read if you are a fan of the Sinners of Saint series. I'd advise you to read it before you read Vicious.

I usually don't like teacher / student romances so I just ignored that part. 

Jaime was so cocky. I loved it. The sexual tension between Jaime and Melody was super intense.

As always L.J.Shen's writing is great. The characters were hot and the story was cute. 

The only thing to criticize is that it is so short. :(

5 out of 5 stars

Bound by Love - Cora Reilly

 

" In the darkest hour you are my light."

Pages: 393

Published: May 20th, 2020

Kindle: 3,99 €.

Paperback: 15,12 €

Available on KU

Plot

Nobody expected them to fall in love.

When Aria was given to Luca in marriage, people were sure he’d break her.

Aria feared the worst from a man like him.

A man without mercy.

But somehow she gained his love.

Love - a weakness a Capo like Luca shouldn’t risk.

When Aria betrays Luca by going behind his back for her family, she realizes too late that she might have lost what she’s fought so hard to get in the first place: Luca’s trust.

The trust of a man who never allowed himself to trust someone unconditionally before.

Can their love survive in a world of betrayal and death?

Conclusion

'Bound by Love' is the sixth installment in the Born in Blood Chronicles. It is set about two weeks after 'Bound by Honor' finishes.

 

Reading 'Bound by Love' was like going down memory lane. It was way more intense than I was expecting. Cora Reilly kept this book interesting until the very end. 

'Bound by Love' was a great addition to Luca's and Aria's story. By the end I was emotionally drained. When a book can do that to me I know it's good.

I also really loved the epilogue. 

This was a great dark romance mafia book. I highly recommend it if you are fan of this genre.

5 out of 5 stars 

Bound by Temptation - Cora Reilly

 

" Love was worth every risk. "

 

Pages: 259

Published: August 25th 2015

Kindle: 3,99 €

Paperback: 13,64 €

Available on KU and Audible

Plot

Liliana Scuderi has been in love with Romero from the moment she first saw him. After her sisters were married off for tactical reasons, she hopes she might be allowed to choose a husband for herself, but when her father promises her to a man more than twice her age that hope is crushed. No begging can make him change his mind.

Romero has always ignored Lily’s flirting. Her age and status made her off-limits but even someone as dutiful as him has only so much control. Wanting her when she’s supposed to marry another man could mean war between New York and the Chicago Outfit, and Romero has always put the Cosa Nostra first.

Lily suspects her sisters and Romero would risk everything for her, but is her happiness worth that much? Is love worth a war between the Cosa Nostra and the Outfit?

Conclusion

Bound by Temptation was waaaaay sweeter than the last few books in this series. Eventhough Romero is a soldier in the mafia he is still a very gentle, caring and sweet person. I loved that we got to see Romero and Lili fall in love with each other and that we also got to see Lili grow from a little naive girl into a beautiful young woman. They were adorable together. 

5 out of 5 stars

The Play - Elle Kennedy

" - So what are you saying? We're going to be together forever?- That's exactly what I'm saying."

Pages: 422

Published: October 4, 2019, by Elle Kennedy Inc.

Kindle: 3,99 €

Paperback: 15,75 €

Available on Audible

Plot:

What I learned after last year’s distractions cost my hockey team our entire season? No more screwing up. No more screwing, period. As the new team captain, I need a new philosophy: hockey and school now, women later.  Which means that I, Hunter Davenport, am officially going celibate…no matter how hard that makes things.

But there’s nothing in the rulebook that says I can’t be friends with a woman. And I won’t lie—my new classmate, Demi Davis is one cool chick. Her smart mouth is hot as hell, and so is the rest of her, but the fact that she’s got a boyfriend eliminates the temptation to touch her.

Except three months into our friendship, Demi is single and looking for a rebound.

And she’s making a play for me.

Avoiding her is impossible. We’re paired up on a yearlong school project, but I’m confident I can resist her. We’d never work, anyway. Our backgrounds are too different, our goals aren’t aligned, and her parents hate my guts.

Hooking up is a very bad idea. Now I just have to convince my body—and my heart.

Conclusion:

'The Play' was a slow burn romance with lots of sexual tension between the protagonists, Hunter and Demi. 

They had great chemistry, their banter was funny as hell and I liked that they actually tried to communicate with each other. 

Demi was an independent, smart, and funny heroine. I'm glad Hunter treated her the way she deserved to be treated. 

Hunters celibacy was kinda funny to read about because I have never read a new adult book where the guy was celibate for most of the book. 

I really liked how their characters developed with each other. They built each other up. 

Pablo Eggscobar was a hilarious addition to the story. Almost every scene he was in made me laugh.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sports romance, hockey, and friends who turn into lovers.

PS: Chapter 39 might need a trigger warning for some people.

5 out of 5 stars

The Chase - Elle Kennedy

" We live in a society where too many woman tear each other down instead of raising each other up. "

Pages: 372
Published: August 28, 2018, by Elle Kennedy Inc.
Kindle: 0,00 €
Paperback: 11,54 €
Available on Audible

Plot:

Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother. And that his best friend has a crush on me.And that I just moved in with them. Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates? I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing? He knows where to find me.

Conclusion: 

'The Chase' is the first book in Elle Kennedys' new book series 'Briar - U'. I read it after reading dark romance books for like four weeks so this was very refreshing and I really enjoyed it. 

I loved that Fitzy was an athlete but at the same time he was an introvert and a double major in computer programming and fine arts. That differentiated him from other male protagonists.

Fitzy's' and Summers relationship was really adorable. I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance.

There was a perfect amount of angst and drama. Not too much and not too less. 'The Chase' is a great start to a new series and it really hyped me up for 'The Risk', which is book number two in the 'Briar - U' - series.

Elle Kennedy is a queen in the sports romance genre and she has a great writing style. 

If you like sports romance books, especially hockey romance, and adorable relationships I would recommend this book to you.

5 out of 5 stars