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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Beastly Crown by Ines Johnson

2 Stars

She was only meant to make the royal wedding gown, not wear it.

Belle never dreamed of ballrooms or crowns—she dreamed of seams and silks, of becoming the most sought-after dressmaker in all of Solmane. But when the fae princess flees her arranged marriage, Belle is left holding the wedding gown. As the fearsome Beast Prince prowls towards her looking to collect his bride, it's either pretend to be the fairy princess so her dress gets a chance to be seen by potential new clients or get sent back home poor and empty handed. She only has to hold the lie while the guards hunt down the runaway. But standing before the Beast Prince with his powerful form and disarming mix of gruffness and vulnerability, Belle discovers something she didn’t bargain for: a heart that might finally understand hers.

Born cursed in a partial shift between man and beast, Prince Adom of Pridehaven has resigned himself to a marriage he never wanted. Marrying the fae princess chosen by the moon god is the only way to break his family's curse and rid the land of the trolls that plague them. Love has no place in his life. But the woman standing before him is nothing like he imagined—spirited, sincere, and entirely captivating. Against all odds, Adom’s frozen heart begins to thaw.

Too bad secrets have a way of unraveling even the most carefully stitched plans. Belle isn't the real princess, and marrying Adom won’t break his curse leaving the fate of his kingdom and both their futures at stake.

OMG this was so slow and there are more books to get to the HEA. There was also a log of repetitiveness in the book. Overall, not investing in more books to see how the couple get their HEA.

Book 1 Lunaterra Chronicles

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Runaways by Devney Perry

4 Stars

Londyn McCormack didn’t have a typical childhood. She ran away at sixteen and spent her youth searching for a place to call home. She’s built a good life for herself through hard work and a little luck, but after a devastating divorce, she’s running away again. Her life collides with Brooks Cohen, a small-town mechanic who gives her a reason to stop driving on that runaway road.

Gemma Lane built an empire. Not a small feat, considering her home as a teenager was a makeshift tent in a California junkyard. She’s dedicated her life to turning pennies into millions. And she’s leaving it all behind. She’s headed across the country in her best friend’s Cadillac when a detour in Montana reunites her with Easton Greer, a man who hasn’t changed. A man who still owns her heart.

Katherine Gates has been in love with Cash Greer since the moment he saved her life from a runaway goat. But she’s learned to shove her feelings for Cash down deep. They’re friends—best friends. Until the day they take an impulsive road trip to the Oregon coast. And she learns that Cash has some secrets of his own.

Aria Saint-James went to Arizona for a vacation with her sister. Instead, she’s stuck at a wedding with her nemesis, Brody Carmichael. She blames the champagne for falling into bed with him that night. Enemy or no, the billionaire is irresistible in a tux. Except Aria gets a surprise a few weeks later—she’s pregnant. When he learns that she’s carrying his child, Brody offers Aria the chance of a lifetime. The catch? She has to live under his roof until the baby is born.

Clara Saint-James is completing a journey. She’s returning a Cadillac to California, a place she’s avoided for more than a decade. It’s time for closure and to put ghosts to rest. And it’s time to find out if there’s still a spark to an old flame. She fell in love with Karson Avery when they lived as runaway teens in a junkyard. That love stayed with her for more than a decade. Either it’s finally their time to be together. Or it’s time to let him go and surrender to the dotted lines that have always kept them apart.

Book 1 Runaway Road – I loved this one so much. Londyn was so strong and just wanted to find her HEA with or without a man in her life. Brooks just wants to take care of her and they were so sweet together.

Book 2 Wild Highway – This one builds on book 1 and is just as good. I loved Gemma and Easton. The issues they have to overcome to get their HEA is amazing to read.

Book 3 Quarter Mile – I think this was my least favorite book in the series. It was mostly because Cash was such an ass throughout this book. He never redeems himself but Katherine ends up with him.

Book 4 Forsaken Trail – I loved the fights between Aria and Brody so much. The give and take between them was fire. I loved seeing them get to their HEA in the end.

Book 5 Dotted Lines – Also one I wasn’t a huge fan of. Karson was dating someone when Clara came to town. Yes he broke up with her before starting something with Clara but it was just an ick for me.

Books 1-5 Runaways

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Accidentally Forever by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

In the world of romance, Aria Montgomery knows two things for sure:

She’s not in love with the man everyone thinks she is.

And she refuses to let herself love Crew McTavish.

Her former best friend is spiraling, and her photography career seems to be standing in her father’s shadow. Aria knows she needs to find her way out of the darkness. Yet she’s afraid if she allows Crew inside, he’ll not only take over—but he’ll get hurt in the process.

Crew McTavish enjoys being the mysterious friend of the Montgomery’s. They may joke that he’s dating his way into their family one-by-one, but in the end, it’s only one Montgomery he wants: Aria.

Their pull to one another is inevitable and once a line is crossed, the heat between them ignites.

Only his family’s dark secrets threaten to pull him down and when Aria is threatened, Crew will stop at nothing to protect her.

Even if it means watching the world he’s built burn.

I loved Crew and Lex so much. They work so well together and I wanted them to get their HEA. You want to knock some sense into Lex with how much she doubts herself and her art and her constantly comparing it to what her dad. Knock both of their heads together with all the secrets they keep from each other under the guise of keeping the other one safe. The book just worked for me.

Book 8 Montgomery Ink Legacy

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What Hides in the Shadows by Allie Santos

4 Stars

She was always meant to be his.

Whispers haunted her for years, but before her thirtieth birthday, the truth emerged—something ancient had been waiting. A deal struck before she was born had bound her to a being older than time itself, a predator who claimed her soul was always his. No matter how she resisted, he slipped through every defense, watching, forcing . . . tormenting.

He was the monster destined to be her doom.

Countless souls had vanished into his shadows, leaving death in his wake—but her light was different. He didn’t want to destroy her. He wanted to possess her.

But want had never mattered. The bargain had been struck. Her soul marked for the taking.

To survive, he would have to consume the one thing he couldn’t bear to lose.

This was a dark and smutty book in the best way possible. I do think there could be some better world building but still a good read. Love the Lord of Shadows.

Book 2 Monsters of Darkness

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Pack Down Bad by Drea Denae and Cassie James

2 Stars

The search for Mr. Right is over…

Until my new “boyfriend” walks into a bar and my best friend gets fate-induced heart-eyes at first sniff.

So, I bow out with grace and maturity… by running from the bar and jumping behind the wheel of my car in the middle of a snowstorm. When I find myself lost on an unfamiliar road outside of town, everything suddenly goes blank.

Luckily, three alphas that smell a lot like mine come to my rescue. I can’t remember anything except my name, and we’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal or internet, but I feel… safe.

Rhys is carefree and exciting, even if his skills in the kitchen are lackluster compared to what he offers in the bedroom. There’s kind, quiet Percy, who shows me just how much he wants to take care of me in every way. And there’s Knox, the head alpha of the pack, an aloof artist who isn’t ready to welcome me with open arms. He isn’t throwing me out, either, so there’s still hope.

My fantasies of happily ever after and multiple orgasms suddenly don’t seem so far-fetched. But I should know better…

There were so many pacing issues. I also had issues with the BFF stealing her boy friend and she’s just supposed to be ok with this. Which she wasn’t which leads to Belle being too stupid to live when she runs away from them and ends up in the middle of no where. The new guys were also making stupid decisions in this book. It ended up being a meh book.

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His Second Chance by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

The rules were simple. Protect the woman I love. And try to stop loving her along the way.

Kane Montgomery Carr and Phoebe Dixon’s romance went from a fiery temptation to a fizzled out heartbreak.

Only Kane has no idea why. All he knows is that he has to keep her safe when a stalker sets Phoebe in their sights.

Yet as the two of them are forced once again into each other’s lives, the truth behind their breakup surfaces and they are forced to face the facts: the feelings and heat they buried aren’t quite as gone as they’d like.

If they give in, they’ll have to face the demons that broke them up in the first place—including a startling secret that shocks them both.

Yet if they don’t, they might lose the chance of a life time.

That is, of course, if they can survive what lurks in the shadows for them both.

This was such an amazing second chance romance. I love that it builds on all of the other stories and adds to them.

I loved the narrators as well. they did a good job bringing the people to life

Book 6 Montgomery Ink Legacy

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Knot Enough by JP Sina and Allie Santos

4 Stars

Read the warnings for this book as this book handles some very dark topics.

I’m the daughter overlooked. In a world where omegas are valued, I’m tossed aside when I never present. My daily routine is mundane—until my father tells me he got me a pack meeting, something strictly for omegas. It’s ludicrous, and I have no choice.

But that’s the least of my worries when a bag is thrown over my head. Rath may be my captor, but Kane, Oak, and Axel don’t stop him. They are set on exacting revenge—but on the wrong woman. I haven’t committed any of the crimes they accuse me of, and when their scent drives my instincts crazy, I’m forced to face the truth: the ones who were meant to love and protect me would become my ruin.

I loved Lena and the guys. I do question the ones actions and not confirming anything but what fun would that be. The guys do so much groveling to make up for what they did and it was nice. The book was well written and flows nicely. I would love more in this world.

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Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

2 Stars

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone and above all…no falling in love.

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is most definitely not on her to-do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy, right?

Football has been good to Drew—two National Championships and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turn him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she’s shut him down. Completely.

That is…until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives. Anna wants it to remain a hook up, but Drew sees the possibility of something great. Now it’s up to him to persuade her. It’s a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

As the saying goes, All’s fair in love and football… Game on.

The book had a pacing issue which made me hate it. It took forever to get to the plot and the HEA. It just didn’t work for me.

Book 1 Game On

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Savage Mates by Allie Santos

3 Stars

I thought I was damaged—a werewolf without the ability to shift. I melted into the shadows, unloved and overlooked, as I served a pack that didn’t care for me.

The ability to call my wolf forward was always present, but I hadn’t known, since my kind were hunted to extinction before I was born. I wasn’t any run-of-the-mill wolf; I was an Omega. Revered. Cherished. Hated.

When I shifted, I got what I always wanted. My true mates. Plural.

But they didn’t want me.

I refused to stand around, pitied as their cast off, so I left, yet being an Omega put a target on my back for any random pack to claim as theirs. So, I molded myself into human society because rejection wouldn’t break me… until they sought me out.

Their excuses were just that, excuses. They had a fight on their hands if they thought they’d get away with hurting me, because I refused to submit my heart to my savage mates.

Rejected Mates are so good. I enjoyed this read but wanted more world building and character development. Liana has a nice arc from beat down to luna and I loved how it all played out.

Book 1 Omega Heat

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One Night with You by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

Never fall for your best friend.

That’s the rule. The code.

Claire Harlow always follows rules—except this one.

However, when an attack leaves both of their worlds shaken, she decides to walk away from what could have been and hide within her own shadows. Kingston Montgomery is the man who saves the day.

At least that’s what he’s always told himself—until one day he was too late.

Now he’s trying to find his purpose while also ignoring the heat between him and Claire.

When a chance blizzard changes their plans, one night turns to two…and then there’s no going back. Only the two must overcome what they thought their relationship should be and realize what it could become. Because if they don’t figure it out quickly, the spark that ignites them could burn them both.

 

After the last book this was so less dramatic in a good way. I enjoyed these two coming together and finding their happy. The epilog for the next couple makes me want to go and read that book immediately.

Both narrators did an excellent job with the character voices.

Book 7 Montgomery Ink Legacy

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Hex Around and Find Out by Molly Harper

3.5 Stars

As the middle sister in a trio of sea witches, Cora Seaworth has spent most of her life hidden away at her family’s magical cottage on Moonshadow Cove. She’s claimed her own corner of the library, cozied up with her favorite novels and a ghost cat named Nicodemus. She’s the deep thinker among her more tempestuous sisters, so she isn’t prepared to be swept up in a real-life romantic adventure in the form of sexy local baker Iggy Galinsky.

Iggy is tired of his reputation as the Island’s unreliable charmer and a man of many talents but no true calling outside his family’s bakery. Sure, it’s mostly true, but it still hurts his feelings. His carefree life gets serious fast when he meets the beautiful, mysterious Cora Seaworth. Before long, they’re working together with Cora’s sisters, various ghosts and the unfathomable creature lurking at the bottom of the cove to defeat an ancient enemy. If they don’t prevail, it’s not just their love that’s at stake, but Starfall Point’s entire magical community.

I enjoyed listening to this book. Cora and Iggy worked well together. The over arching storying progressed nicely. Things are revealed that were interesting. The romance itself was a bit minimum but I still enjoyed it.

Book 2 Moonshadow Cove

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Wilder Wedding by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

The Wilders know their weddings and this time it’s for one of their own.

Naomi and Amos have been the secret backbone to the Wilder Brothers’ Retreat and Winery for years.

They’ve also loved and hated each other along the way.

Their on and off again relationship has always worked for them, but now it’s getting in the way of the next Wilder Wedding.

If they don’t figure out what they want, one of them will have to do what they feared: leave the Wilders.

But if they take that leap, they might just break.

Or finally have what they’ve always wanted.

Each other.

This was a short and sweet story. Just a little glimpse of a secondary character from the winery. it was nice seeing the couple get their HEA. Narrators were OK.

Book 7.5 The Wilder Brothers

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Meows and Murder by Nicolette Pierce

4 Stars

Murder, magic, and cuckoo clocks—just another day in Forgotten Falls.

When a vampire turns up dead in the peculiar town of Forgotten Falls, it’s up to Wren to crack the case. All that’s left behind? A pile of ashes and a house crammed with hundreds of cuckoo clocks.

As Wren digs deeper, a century-old case reemerges could be connected to her investigation. With secrets surfacing and suspects popping up like angry gnomes, Wren must race to stop a killer before the past repeats itself.

More information is added to the overall plot from book 1 and 2. The mystery was interesting and engaging. I still loved all the characters. I can’t wait for the next book.

Book 3 A Black Moon Mystery

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