Bold by Hope E Davis

 

4 Stars

Deep in Sidhe, a fantasy world hidden within Ireland, Sierra and Aodhan find themselves separated, facing different challenging situations that could cost them everything…

Sierra

Sierra’s life has been upended and changed in ways she could never have imagined. But will her newfound confidence and belief in herself be enough to help her escape the clutches of evil and bring much-needed government change to Sidhe?

Aodhan

Captured by the last person he expected to become his enemy, Aodhan is faced with a choice: stay in prison and wonder what became of Sierra and his friends, or make a deal with the devil himself, which could change his life forever.

Finally the conclusion of Sierra and Aodhan story. It was interesting to see it play out. I liked some of the threads started in book one were tied up nicely. There are still some that needs to be tied up but there is a third book coming out in 2025. It will be interesting to see how everything concludes. I liked how things played out between Sierra and Aodhan. I am still upset about a character death that happened but it made sense. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. I am curious about how Sierra’s family is doing since they aren’t mentioned at all. Can’t wait for the next one.

Book 2 Modern Legends of Sidhe

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Sleigh Me If You Can by Cheryl Terra

3.5 Stars

Nellie has three good reasons for why falling in love with her best friend’s brother is not a Christmas miracle:

She never wanted to fall in love in the first place

She especially didn’t want to fall in love with him

It didn’t happen at Christmas

Because sure, after months of trying to convince themselves that they weren’t perfect for each other, JP and Nellie finally gave in to their feelings, but that happened barely a month before the holidays began.

Which is why Nellie absolutely refuses to bring her new boyfriend home to her mother’s house for Christmas.

Faced with the pressure to make up for her decision by finding JP the perfect Christmas gift, Nellie starts to wonder if the unsolicited opinions that come from being in a new relationship are worth it. But when JP is roped into bringing his Big Nick Energy to the office Christmas party, will Nellie step in and don her elf apparel so they can jingle all the way through a wild evening of spreading Christmas cheer to his quirky coworkers?

Short and spicy read. I felt like I was missing something event though this one said you didn’t need to read any of the other books to read this one. It probably should be read after the other books in the series. I do intend to read the other books as I did like the writing and the rating may come up with reading the previous books. Loved the characters and how spicy it was.

Book 3.5 If You Can

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Knotted Laces by Elise Faber

4 Stars

I fell for the woman who’s in love with my brother.

As a professional hockey player, there’s no shortage of women who want me.

Just…not the woman I want.

Because she’s in love with my older brother.

Until a freak summer rainstorm means that we’re stuck together. In the mountains. With the road washed out and only one hotel room to share between us.

And suddenly, all of her focus is on me.

Suddenly, I’m in the most important game of my life—

Trying to win Attie’s heart.

I loved these two. The struggle Attie had excepting Cam was into her and would work as a relationship was fun to read. I never understood where the part that Attie was in love with Cam’s brother. She never indicated she wanted him. If it was in another book I don’t remember it. I still think they were so cute together and it just works.

Book 2 Eagles Hockey

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Sugar Daddy Arrangement by Mimi Francis

2 Stars

Daphne Barnes is struggling to keep from drowning in debt. Desperate to build a better future for her young daughter and herself, Daphne registers on a website for people willing to pay for companionship. Before she knows it, her inbox is flooded with offers. But only one man catches her eye.

Zander Ashford is a wealthy and successful architect with time and money to burn. He doesn’t want the complications a relationship would bring to his life, but he desires a beautiful young woman to show off to the world. Curiosity leads him to Sweet Connections, a website for sugar daddies looking for someone to spoil. When he finds Daphne, he knows he has to have her.

The chemistry between Zander and Daphne is electrifying, but they are torn between the expectations of the people in their lives and their growing infatuation with each other. They soon discover that sometimes forbidden love is the one worth fighting for.

Daphne and Zander work well together but the book didn’t work for me. Some of the things about custody didn’t make sense to me. Which led me to question the plot. I get why the author chose to have the conflict for Daphne but you need to pick something that makes sense. The idea of the book was interesting, but it needed some work to flesh out the story.

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Puck and Make Up by Elise Faber

3.5 Stars

My life is full of secrets.

She's the woman who's discovered them all...

Dessie and I have a love-hate relationship.

But it’s mostly that I love and she hates.

As a member of the Rush hockey team, I don’t have a problem finding women who are willing to date me, but Dessie isn’t just anyone.

She’s a mystery, an obsession, a woman I need to claim as my own.

Only, she’s not going without a fight.

Good thing I’m a hockey player…

And fighting is what I do best.

I loved seeing Dessie and Fox get their HEA. At the end of the last book I had so many questions and several of them were answered in this book but I still have so many more. This one was a quick read and it was nice to revisit the characters.

Book 7 Rush Hockey

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Brewing Up Christmas by Emily Campbell

3 Stars

Eli, Bayshore’s charming bartender and notorious ladies’ man, has always shrugged off the holiday spirit. But when a mysterious woman strolls into his brewery, everything changes. What starts as a whirlwind night of passion quickly transforms into something far more magical when Eli finds himself at the center of a Christmas mission he never asked for.

Angelina isn’t just passing through—she’s Santa’s Chief Spirit Officer, tasked with restoring the town’s dwindling Christmas cheer. And now, she’s enlisted Eli to help her. With pointed ears and a magical Christmas spirit meter tracking his every move, Eli must decorate, spread joy, and reluctantly embrace the season if he ever wants to return to his old self.

As they deck the halls of Bayshore, sparks fly between Eli and Angelina, blending holiday cheer with undeniable attraction. But with each magical encounter, Eli finds himself questioning whether getting back to normal is really what he wants—or if Angelina has given him something far better than any gift under the tree.

The description said sparks fly between Eli and Angelina, but I didn’t see it. I never felt a connection between them. Overall, it was a meh book about Christmas spirit. It was a short story and might have been better if it was longer as there could have been better development of the story and the characters.

Amazon 

Icebreaker by Elise Faber and Kat Mizera

4 Stars

She hates me…

I’m going to make her fall in love with me anyway.

As captain of the SoCal Vipers, the last couple of seasons haven’t been going well. My stats are slipping, and I’m at risk of being traded.

So, I’m not in the mood for a case of mistaken identity with the woman playing bouncer at the arena door.

But when I find out she’s come to town to escape her controlling family and make a fresh start, I know I can’t just let her walk away.

I’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe.

And if that means claiming her forever…then all the better.

Because she’s mine.

Even if she doesn’t know it yet.

Two of my favorite hockey romance writers wrote an amazing story. Loved Aspen and Banks. Seeing Aspen grinding to succeed and prove her family wrong made for a lovely read. Banks needed to grovel a little bit more after his mess up but I still love him. Would love to see the rest of the friend group and the little sister get a story.

Book 1 Gamebreakers

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Bold by Hope E. Davis

4 Stars

Deep in Sidhe, a fantasy world hidden within Ireland, Sierra and Aodhan find themselves separated, facing different challenging situations that could cost them everything…

Sierra

Sierra’s life has been upended and changed in ways she could never have imagined. But will her newfound confidence and belief in herself be enough to help her escape the clutches of evil and bring much-needed government change to Sidhe?

Aodhan

Captured by the last person he expected to become his enemy, Aodhan is faced with a choice: stay in prison and wonder what became of Sierra and his friends, or make a deal with the devil himself, which could change his life forever.

There are so many twists and turns in this book to get to Aodhan and Sierra’s HEA. Fair warning there are some character arcs that will be upsetting. I am still mad about the one and want to change the outcome. This is less romance and more fantasy as Sierra and Aodhan spend most of the book apart. I am curious if Sierra ever goes back to the human world and visits her family but that is a personal want. Overall, a really good conclusion of the duet and I will definitely be picking up book 3.

Book 2 Modern Legends of Sidhe

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Demure by Hope E Davis

4 Stars

Recent college graduate Sierra Lopez has no idea what she wants to do with her life. With a degree that’s useless on its own, Sierra decides to complete a one-year master’s program at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Alone in a new city, Sierra downloads Tinder, expecting to go on a few casual dates during her study of human aging and fragility.

But then she meets the mysterious and brooding Aodhan De Thuaidh, who doesn’t seem to be at home in Dublin either. When he’s 30 minutes late for their first date, however, Sierra writes him off as just another jerk, intending never to see him again.

Except Aodhan keeps showing up. First around campus, then at a bar, and during Sierra’s work hours at the campus library. He claims it’s just a chance they keep running into each other, which annoys Sierra to no end, but something about Aodhan just isn’t adding up…

I really enjoyed this one but didn’t realize it was a cliffhanger ending. I was so mad when I got to the end and it just ended. Can’t wait for book 2 which will be out shortly. FMC and MMC work well together once FMC was willing to let MMC in. FMC handles his secret really well and probably better than I would have. I loved the give and take between them throughout the story. I can’t wait for them to get their HEA.

Book 1 Modern Legends of Sidhe

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Who Invited the Demon to Tea by Marilu Moser

4 Stars

When I inherited my uncle’s old house, I expected the chipped paint, dust bunnies, (sort of) and a sprinkle of nostalgia. It was the sweet escape from a parent’s house every thirty-something year old woman needs. What I didn’t expect was the charming, pleasant, and tea loving force that would turn my world upside down.

The force in question came after reading a seemingly whimsically innocent nursery rhyme I found from a book long forgotten from childhood. A demon, who I unknowingly helped jailbreak.

What else was I supposed to do when faced with a handsome demon, but invite him to tea? I didn’t anticipate the fast friendship that blossomed between us. When the demon asked for my help to break his contractual obligation, I couldn’t resist. Except I didn’t realize agreeing to be his fake girlfriend would blur the lines of pretend and reality.

His freedom is on the line … but so is my heart.

Loved this book. It was sweet how Mendax fell for Davina. The book made me want all the tea bar one and you will know it when you read it. I’ve tried something that sounded like that and just … nope. The overall story was sweet and an easy read. I want more in this world and with the characters in it. The secondary characters were just as fun to read as Mendax and Davina.

Amazon 

Fumbled into Love by Nicola Cubba

4 Stars

Deon Adams doesn’t date.

It’s a rule that keeps the quarterback’s heart safe. But, his rules change when a reporter digs up the past Deon has fought hard to leave behind. Now, he has to find a woman to take to a charity auction who will help him sell his lie. It can’t be hard to find a fake girlfriend, right? Realizing he’s in over his head, Deon's teammates help conjure a grand plan: Ask Nathalie Morales to act as his fake girlfriend.

It’s the perfect play. They have the history to weave a convincing lie, but Deon’s play call begins to crumble when Nathalie brings the light back into Deon’s life. How is he supposed to pretend their relationship is fake when his feelings are real? As the charity gala looms closer and with it, the end of their fake relationship, Deon is left with the most important play call of his life: Does he play it safe or risk it all and potentially fumble into love?

I loved this story and will be reading the other books in the series. One of the best things in this book was about the different kinds of love. Deon and Nathalie may have started fake dating but the slow move into friends with benefits into all out love was amazing. I loved that there was no big drama between them just both refusing to admit they love each other. When they finally do it was perfect. The marriage proposal was also the sweetest thing in the world. One of the best reads I had for the month.

Book 3 Seattle Mavericks

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Promo Yve Vale

💫 2 DAYS UNTIL DESTINY UNFOLDS! 💫

The moment we've all been waiting for is almost here! 🤩 In 48 hours, witness Tessa's journey through an alternate universe where choosing isn't necessary... 

𝑰 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑻𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝑶𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆, 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒇𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆.

Her path to happiness isn't what she expected – it's so much more. Ready to discover what fate has in store? 

Preorder your copy here:⬇️

https://books2read.com/mykarmicdestiny

What you can expect to find:

What you can expect from My Karmic Destiny:

💜 Paranormal Why Choose Romance 

💜 Sassy, Curvy, Grown FMC 

💜 3 🥵Love interests

💜 Guys fall first and “All In”

💜 Divine intervention 

💜 Workplace romance with a supernatural twist 

💜 Karma with a capital K!

Get ready for a steamy paranormal why choose romance that will leave you begging for more. 🔥✨

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Lemon Cake by Tanja Longoria

3 Stars

Rider

Rider had one sole focus: football. The game demanded his attention, which was why he hadn’t allowed himself to date anyone since he went pro.
Then in walked Gemma. The moment Rider had laid eyes on her he’d known she was special—his kind of special. Suddenly, he had something else commanding his heart.

Gemma

Gemma knew far too well what it meant to be obsessed with the game. She’d played herself—until an accident had taken that away from her. Though Gemma loved to watch Rider, sitting on the sidelines as an amputee had a bittersweet feeling to it.

Will the two find comfort in each other? Or will their insecurities rip them apart?

This was an ok read for me. It was just to insta love for me and I wanted more development of why Rider loved Gemma. He seemed all in just because she played football. Gemma lost a limb and that seemed to be what Rider focused on. It was an interesting story just not my favorite read for the month.

Amazon 

Christmas with the Monster by Sabrina Cross

4 Stars

He's Got a Package for Her...

Devynn expected her first holiday without her kids to be difficult. But nothing could have prepared her for what she found under the tree just after midnight.

With the help of his magic sack, the furry, green giant promises Devynn all kinds of pleasure. But would one night with the Christmas monster ever be enough?

I loved this take on the grinch. Super short and spicy read. I loved every minute of it. Really wish there was more with these two characters just because I loved them.

Amazon 

Worth the Chance by Clara Mott

4 Stars

Eliza Mills has gone through a lot in the past few years. Her boyfriend dumping her? Check. Her best friend ghosting her? Check. Getting sick and eventually diagnosed with celiac disease? Check. Despite everything her hopeless romantic heart stays firmly intact. Eliza is excited for her fresh start as she transfers into Watertown University her junior year with a space of her own. There’s only one problem - a roommate she never expected.

Garrett Moore is determined to never fall in love. After a rocky upbringing he believes it’s the safest path for him in life and so far, so good. As his senior year starts he finds himself in a surprising living situation and despite his new roommate being incredibly gorgeous, kind and somewhat sassy, the NHL bound hockey star refuses to let that phase him. His plan is going well until one day he sees her looking uncomfortable on campus and he ends up claiming her as his own.

The two decide to form a mutually beneficial, fake, relationship but what happens when the line between what’s fake and what’s real gets blurred?

I really liked Eliza and Garrett. I hadn’t read book one and don’t feel like it’s necessary to read it. Loved the disability rep with Eliza and the struggles of flare ups when things go wrong. The one big detractor for me was Garrett’s secret. It was revealed late and not thoroughly enough for me. It was still a good read.

Book 2 Watertown University

Amazon

Kittens and Kidnappers by Nicolette Pierce

4 Stars

As a witch with subpar magic skills and dings on my personnel record with the Forgotten Falls Police Department, I must work hard to keep my position. I get a chance to prove myself when I’m pulled into a missing persons case.

Chasing down leads, I quickly realize this case is not ordinary. Something mysterious is happening to the inhabitants of Forgotten Falls and causing havoc to the town.

Delving deeper into the investigation, I uncover a dark secret that threatens not only the creatures I promised to protect, but the fate of witchcraft. With limited magic abilities, I continue my search even though I know I might not be able to save them or myself.

If you love magical mysteries, epic failures, secret societies, and misadventures, you’ll love Kittens and Kidnappers. Warning: Things are not always as they seem in Forgotten Falls, and my wolf boss is about to bite my head off. Save me.

Wren is back with another mystery to solve. We see her connecting more with people in town. Uncovering more secrets and hints of things to come. The story itself flowed nicely and the characters were more fleshed out in this one. Can’t wait for the next book.

Book 2 Black Moon Mystery

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