An Unexpected Everything by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

He left me with a note.

Weston Caldwell and I had two months together. Two months of intense heat and plans for our future. Then one day he left me sleeping with a note and never turned back. I closed off my heart and my dreams after he left and promised to take care of my family, never trusting love again.

So when I am forced to head to my family’s small town for protection, I never expect to turn around and see the man I loved.

I want to walk away and never look back, but when I find out he left for a heartbreaking reason, I’m not sure what to think. The chemistry between us hasn’t gone away—if anything it burns even brighter.

But my life is in the city and his is in this small town that draws me. Between his siblings, the town itself, and my new found family, walking away might break me.

Only Weston isn’t the only secret from my past. And it turns out, if Weston and I aren’t careful, we could lose everything before we find our second chance.

I enjoyed this one but Weston was an idiot when they were younger. I get the stress and everything but he made a decision that changed the course of both his and Isabella’s life. Now that they are older and they are both at a crossroads of life it was interesting to see them figuring things out. I did have issues with Phoebe’s name being misspelled a couple of times. Other than that it was a good book.

Book 2 The Cage Family

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Jackass in Class by Amy Award

4 Stars

He’s the campus king with a no girlfriends rule.

But he’s about to break it for the most irritating, sassy-mouthed woman he’s ever met.

Flynn Kingman’s senior year plan is simple: class, getting drafted in the first round, and no romantic complications. Until he chases a rogue baby donkey across campus and meets Tempest Navarro—the one woman immune to his charm.

Tempest Navarro is hiding her bestselling romance novels, anxiety, and a baby donkey in her sorority house. Nope, nothing to see here. Especially not for a jock that’s too hot for his own good. Why does he have to be in her Shakespeare class, saying smart things, and driving her insane?

When they’re forced together by a university tutoring program, verbal sparring turns to undeniable attraction. Especially when Tempest’s emotional support donkey, her meddling sisters, and a whole lot of Kingman siblings are all conspiring to push them together at every turn.

This was such a good story. It had serious parts but also so much humor. It is built on the previous 4 books but does hold up as a stand alone. I loved how nice Tempest’s family was with Flynn….Well most of her family.

Book 5 The Cocky Kingmans

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Rejected Omega by Sara Sellers

4 Stars

I hated Connor Masters as much as it was possible to hate someone.

I hate the smiles he so seldom gives. The carefully uncareful swoop of his hair. The soft tone of voice he uses on the select few he cares about. The stretch of his shoulders beneath his shirts, broader every year.

I hate him because it makes loving him easier.

I hate him because he doesn't know I'm his.

He should know. Even through the suppressants that give me horrible migraines, even beneath long sleeves and leggings that keep my irritated mating gland and injection bruises hidden. We've been drawn to each other since we were children. He should know.

But he barely looks at me these days.

He looks at her.

The plot and characters were well created. The first half of the book flowed nicely but the second half felt really rushed. I also didn’t think Connor did enough after everything he did.

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Taken with You by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

It all started at a wedding. Beckham didn’t mean to dance with Meadow. And he really didn’t mean to kiss her. But now, she’s the only thing on his mind. And when it all comes down to it, she’s the only person he can't have.

He'll just have to stay away from her, no matter how hard they’re pulled together.

Running away from her friend's wedding isn't the best way to keep the gossip at bay. But falling for the mysterious and gorgeous bartender at her friends’ bar will only make it worse. Beckham has his secrets, and she refuses to pry.

Once burned, twice kicked down, and never allowed to get up again. Yet taking a chance with him might be the only choice she has. And the only one she wants.

I liked the story but felt like it needed slightly more for a fully fleshed out book. I felt it was missing some things to be a completed story.

Book 3.5 Fractured Connections

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Game Plan for Love by Nicolla Cubba

4 Stars

Declan Monroe is searching for his zing.

For years, the tight end has hunted for a place to belong. His teammates have all found the loves of their lives, and after Declan loses the person closest to him, he’s left wondering if he’ll ever have a family of his own. Dozens of failed first dates and fizzled-out relationships have left him hopeless and alone.

 

Right when he’s ready to give up his search, he finds it—his elusive zing. Only, he didn’t expect to zing with Addie Gardner, the Seattle Mavericks beloved nutritionist. But when he saves her from a horrible first date, she offers him a trash can full of snacks, and the grief clouding his life fades, one thing becomes clear: he’s found his person.

When Declan discovers Addie is a single mom to a five-year-old daughter, Nora, the missing pieces of his heart click into place. Suddenly, he can picture the life he’s dreamed for himself—with them. However, family dynamics are messy and complicated, and when Addie’s estranged parents want back into her life, Declan learns first-hand how the people you love the most possess the greatest power to hurt you. But the zing is never wrong, and if he’s going to convince Addie and Nora to stay forever, he’ll need to lean on his friends to pull off a game plan for love.

I loved Declan so much and the fact he was looking for his forever was just so sweet. And when he finds it he’s all in even though Addie is a single mom. Addie was way more cautious about going into a relationship. The flow of the book was good and I loved the characters and how the world was set up.

Book 4 Seattle Mavericks

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He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Atta Hensley

3 Stars

Why choose between naughty or nice in this steamy, suspenseful Christmas-themed stalker romance that’s perfect for dark romance readers seeking a spicy, festive read.

It’s the night before Christmas and I’m alone in the house…

Popular jewelry influencer Chloe Hallman is steeling herself to spend another holiday on her own. Instead, she finds herself drawn to two different guys… a smoldering hot fan of her secret, seductive online persona, and a sexy fireman named Jack who looks out for her in their NYC neighborhood.

She has no idea that I know her better than she knows herself. Her deepest secrets, her darkest desires—she's careful, but I’ve been watching, never leaving footprints in the snow outside her home.

Jack was the first responder to the accident that stole a beautiful young woman's family two Christmases ago, and he's been quietly guarding her ever since. When Jack uncovers Chloe’s secret account, his obsession only grows. Both he and Chloe are drawn to the darkness that mirrors their own.

She’s my Christmas wish come true. And I'm hers. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Will Chloe’s Christmas be a tale of fiery passion...or a dangerous game with a man whose love knows no bounds?

I liked this but not loved it. There was humor throughout the book with the stalking. The other man drama was just meh. I am still questioning how Jack finds Chloe when Chloe was in danger. I liked it enough to check out book 2.

Book 1 Naughty or Nice

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Wilder Brothers Collections by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

When the Wilder brothers return home after leaving the military and the lives they fought to build, they’ll have to start from scratch and create roots when they had none before. They’re moving to a new state, a new town, and with a new set of problems they never expected. Falling in love along the way isn’t in the cards, but the Wilder brothers should know by now—you don’t choose your fate, fate chooses you.

This set includes:

A Night for Us

One Way Back to Me

Always the One for Me

I loved these stories will draw you in and deal out trauma and love. Each brother has their love interest that they have to win over and get through some trauma. Some of them have their own trauma they have to work on. I loved listening to them and can't wait to listen to the rest of the books.

Book .5-2 The Wilder Brothers

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