Pucking Feral by Lenore Rosewood

 

4 Stars

For two months, I've been hiding in the last place my NHL ex-fiancé would ever look.

The home arena of the Ghosts, his team's fiercest rivals.

And it's working. No one knows I'm here.

Until Wraith—the mute, scarred "monster" power forward fans whisper about—discovers me sick and weak in the maintenance tunnels that are his sanctuary.

Instead of turning me in, Wraith helps me hide. And when the team's new winger, Valek, discovers me, my feral-alpha-turned-personal-guardian-angel attacks him to protect me.

I finish the job with a fire extinguisher.

Now Valek's recovering in the Ghosts' pack house with a concussion, and I’m hiding in Wraith's loft.

The Ghosts are offering me a choice. A home. Protection from my ex without strings attached.

The problem? I don't know how to trust anymore.

Not when the last alpha's promises ended with me burning off my mark.

I LOVED this book if not for the cliffhanger ending. The ending was surprising and I can’t wait for book 2. The characters were well developed. I loved that FMC was all in with the one mate who everyone was scared of. I enjoyed her interactions with the rest of the mates.

Book 1 Ghostverse

Amazon

Misfit Monsters by Eva Chase

3 Stars

Three delinquent monsters with fearsome powers. One girl made of pure sunshine. Can she save this team of misfits?

My past? Let's just pretend it never happened. All I want is to spread enough joy to make up for the pain I've caused.

So it'd be nice if my unexplainable powers would stop going haywire.

When I start blitzing my fellow monsters as well as mortals, the authorities of the supernatural world give me a final chance to avoid banishment.

I’ve got to join three monstrous criminals on a dangerous mission no one wants to take. Strange creatures are attacking innocent humans, and we have to stop their rampage.

It’s up to me, a frigid winter fae, a brutal basilisk shifter, and a chaotic kitsune to figure out what’s gone wrong—and fix it. Which would be a lot easier if my teammates didn’t see me as a ditzy pipsqueak.

And if they weren’t so distractingly, deliciously handsome.

Um, don’t tell them I said that part.

I’m sure my cheerful optimism will win them over so we can get home in one piece. That is, as long as I don’t blow us all up along the way...

I was irritated with reading this book and not sure if I will continue the series even though it ends on a cliffhanger ending. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story and there wasn’t a lot of explanation as to the world development.

Book 1 Pack of Outcasts

Amazon 

The Brawl by Devney Perry

4 Stars

On Ronan Thatcher’s first week in Montana, he spots the most beautiful woman in the world. Love at first sight? Nah. He doesn’t believe in love. But he wouldn’t mind a date or two with the local beauty. Ronan is the type of man who gets what he wants, and he wants Larke Hale.

Except Calamity’s sweetheart has sworn off men. The last time Ronan was rejected was, well . . . never. Yet Larke dismisses him without even batting those pretty brown eyes.

Bruised ego in check, he’s about to walk away when a teenager marches into his office and asks to hire Ronan as her lawyer. Something about a bad grade and a ruined grade point average that will inevitably destroy her future. He’s about to lecture the kid for being melodramatic until he learns that the teacher she wants to sue is Larke.

Suddenly this frivolous lawsuit seems like a bright idea. Ronan wants Larke’s attention and this is guaranteed to snag it. So let the brawl begin.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I loved Ronan and Larke. I really wanted them to take in the kids but how it played out was still nice.

Book 5 Calamity Montana

Amazon 

Catch her Heart by Julia Jarrett

4 Stars

I’m the oldest virgin in major league baseball. And I’m in love with a woman who’s about to marry someone else.

Listen. It’s not like I planned to still be a virgin at twenty-eight. Or to fall in love with the team trainer, who apparently would rather date a guy who wears polo shirts instead of baseball pants.

But life doesn’t always go according to plan.

When I first laid eyes on Lark Miller, I knew she was something special. Unfortunately, so did her boyfriend.

For years I kept my feelings hidden. I accepted my role as best guy friend, and focused on my career. My priority needs to be securing another contract with the Vancouver Tridents so I can help my parents retire. I can’t afford any distractions.

But then the day comes that Lark shows up at my door, and tells me she’s ended her engagement. Not only that, but she’s broken up with polo shirt guy.

And then she kisses me.

My fantasy becomes my reality. Lark wants me. Me. She’s perfect, we’re perfect, everything is perfect. I’ve got the woman of my dreams, and the best part is she understands how important baseball has to be for me right now.

But remember what I said about life not going according to plan?

My name is Dan “Monty” Montgomery: Formerly the oldest virgin in baseball, and now the newest expectant father.

I loved this book. Dan being a virgin and yearning for Lark made the book. I loved when they got together and his reaction to her saying she was pregnant. It was so sweet and he was all in.

Book 3 Vancouver Tridents

Amazon 

Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young

3 Stars

When a mysterious time capsule leads a Toronto teacher to England, she discovers some loves are worth crossing oceans—and decades—to find, from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Bonam-Young.

When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs.

Cute and quick read. Narrators were amazing.

Book 2 The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances

Amazon 

The Bully by Devney Perry

3 Stars

Nellie Rivera is trading traffic for tranquility. When the quiet streets of small-town Montana beckon, she leaves Denver behind and moves to Calamity. It would be the perfect adventure if not for Cal Stark.

When her archnemesis dares to show his face one Saturday morning, declaring he is moving there too, she vows to make his life a misery. The town isn’t big enough for the both of them and besides . . .

She was here first.

Cal has been a thorn in her side since high school. He might have bullied her back then, but she’s not a modest teenager anymore and has learned a few plays of her own. If all goes to plan, she’ll run the former pro quarterback out of town within a month.

There’s only one problem. Cal has the same plan. He wants Calamity bad enough to pull out all the stops. And after one kiss, she realizes that he doesn’t play fair.

This was my least favorite book in the series so far. I was irritated by the main characters. I didn’t like them and it never got better.

Book 4 Calamity Montana

Amazon 

With You by Harper Lawson

2.5 Stars

A billionaire on TV just offered 10 million dollars to anyone with information on his missing daughter. And she's sitting next to me on my couch.

Yesterday, I barely had enough money for food. I was just fired from my job, and I have thirty-three dollars to my name.

Tonight, I heard a small knock at my door, and when I opened it, a little girl was standing on my porch shivering in the rain.

When I asked where her parents were, she looked down and said,

"My aunt told me Daddy doesn't love me and he wouldn't care if I disappeared."

She asked if she could stay and have dinner. I only had two cans of soup, but she said it was her favorite.

After dinner, we curled up under a blanket on the couch, and I turned on the TV.

Suddenly, the news cut to a live press conference. It was a billionaire offering a 10 million dollar reward for anyone with information on his missing daughter.

Immediately, she pointed at the screen and yelled, "That's my daddy!"

A number flashed on the screen, and my hands were already shaking as I grabbed my phone and started dialing.

The rain was still tapping against the windows while she leaned her head on my arm and smiled at the screen.

The operator picked up, a deep male voice came through the line, low and strained,

"This is the emergency line for Mr. Sterling. Who am I speaking with?"

I froze, my throat tight, then said,

"Umm… hi… I'm Claire. I think I have your daughter."

This was an interesting concept. However, the insta love and other issues distracted my interest in the story. It also wrapped up way too quickly. 

Book 1 You, Only You

Amazon 

The Brazen by Devney Perry

4 Stars

Kerrigan Hale’s personal life is about as exciting as a bucket of tar. With hard work and hustle as her steadfast companions, who needs romance or adventure? Her empire in Calamity, Montana, isn’t going to build itself.

For years, her mentor—and investor—helped make her dreams come true. Until his unexpected death put her fate in his grandson’s hands. A brazen billionaire, he seems intent on ruining Kerrigan’s life.

But if Pierce Sullivan thinks she’ll go down without a fight, he’s sorely mistaken. Pushed to the extreme, she drives to his ritzy mountain lodge to force the arrogant You Can Call Me Mr. Sullivan to hear her out.

No sooner does she arrive than a snowstorm traps her with Pierce. Stranded together for days, she’s in for the battle of her life. Pierce is nearly irresistible by candlelight. Without his suits and fancy cars, he’s almost human.

Except only a fool would let down her guard. And Kerrigan can’t risk her future. Not when she doesn’t know if he’s out to pilfer her dreams . . . or to steal her heart.

WOW! The drama was a lot. MMC was an idiot for his secrets. I loved FMC and she needed that HEA. Her family frustrated me.

Book 3 Calamity Montana

Amazon 

Little Bird by Alisha Williams

2 Stars

I’ve been content with it just being us for a while, but it's my last year of high school, and I’ve missed out on so much. Parties, girl friends and dating.

If I can’t have them in the way my heart wants, I may as well start having fun right?

Wrong, because they don’t seem to like my new life choices.

But they’re not the same boys I grew up with. Sneaking out at night, disappearing for hours. Keeping secrets.

The closer I look, the more I’m starting to realize that the boys I thought I knew better than anyone else are hiding something from me. Something dark and sinister.

Someone runs our little town of Black Ridge, and I think I just might know who they are.

I wanted to like this book so much as I love other books by Alisha Williams. The guys just irritated me so much. They acted like they knew best about how to handle FMC. FMC was made to feel unloved because of them. It does end on a cliff and I was so not in love enough to continue the series.

Book 1 Black Venom Crew

Amazon 

Model Behavior by Kelsie Rae

2 Stars

When you reach rock bottom, the only place to go is up…

Or, for me, apparently it’s straight into the arms of the one person who’s off-limits.

My brother’s good friend and my new roommate.

It wasn’t supposed to happen.

The one rule set when I moved in with them was no sexy shenanigans. Period.

Which should have been easy since the last thing I wanted after catching my boyfriend cheating on me was to start up a forbidden romance.

Especially not with the cocky, arrogant, too-hot-for-his-own-good River.

But when he needs a favor that ends up with us half naked and all over each other…It lights a spark that soon erupts into an inferno.

And sneaking around only adds fuel to the fire.

After all, River is a sucker for things he can’t have.And now he wants me.

But when the past catches up with our present…Old wounds and new secrets will be exposed.

Ones that might send me right back to where I started.

The book was a bit convoluted, but the idea was there for a good story. It just needed to be edited a bit more.

Book 1 Wrecked Roommates

Amazon 

The Bachelor and the Break-in by Elise Faber

2.5 Stars

I loved him…

And he destroyed me.

Five years ago, Brooks Saxton left me at the altar. Now I’m breaking into his billionaire fortress in the dead of night, desperate enough to steal from the man who once owned my heart.

He’s ruthless. Powerful. Untouchable.

I’m broke, disposable, and still haunted by the way he said I don’t.

When he catches me with my hands in his safe, I’m suddenly trapped between the man who destroyed me and everything I tried to forget—hate, need, and secrets sharp enough to draw blood.

He thinks I’m a mistake he buried. I know he’s my downfall.

But the man who ruined me still wants me.

And this time, walking away will cost us both everything.

I wanted to like this more but it felt like we were dropped into the middle of the story. Characters were ok I just didn’t love this one. I haven’t really enjoyed any of the books in this series.

Book 3 Eagles Hockey: Oak Ridge Vineyards

Amazon 

Ice Darling by Lia Bevans

3.5 Stars

Withdrawal episodes.

That’s what the therapist says when my six year old starts disconnecting from everyone and it destroys my entire world.

When I gave up professional hockey, signed my divorce and determined to raise my baby girl on my own in Lucky Falls, I swore I’d be everything my daughter needed.

But Gordie needs more than her dad right now.

For some reason she connects with the town biker chick... Cordelia Davenport.

The female mechanic is the only one who can reach my daughter during her withdrawals.

There’s just one small problem.

Cordelia hates my guts – ever since I rejected her request to be her fake boyfriend and… well let’s just say the feeling is mutual.

But my daughter is more important than my pride and if we're doing this, I'll be the best fake boyfriend Cordelia's ever seen.

Sure, the woman makes me stutter like a toddler on a sugar rush. And maybe I notice how good Cordelia looks in those leather pants a little too often.

It doesn't matter. I’ll put up with the stubborn, mysterious, ridiculously beautiful woman in my house.

And around my dinner table.

And even in my lap.

Somehow, I'll get my daughter back to herself, keep my small-town hockey team from falling apart and avoid falling in love with my fake girlfriend in the process.

I was very confused by the hockey drama in this book. The characters were amazing though. I loved the interactions between Viking, Cordelia and Gordie.

Amazon 

The Wrong Husband by Maya Alden

3.5 Stars

Her Sister's Ex = Her New Husband = A Complete Disaster!

When Damian Archer finds out his girlfriend is cheating on him, he devises a cunning revenge plan: seduce and marry her unsuspecting sister, Emilia, the Invisible Miss Winters.

Emilia has always secretly liked Damian, so when he turns on the charm in Las Vegas, she's easily swept off her feet. By the end of the night, they are married and have spent the night together. She thinks Damian married her in a drunken haze and offers an annulment. But when their Vegas wedding hits the gossip sites, Damian suggests staying married for a while to avoid a PR mess.

At first, Damian ignores Emilia, but his sweet and artistic wife slowly works her way into his heart. Emilia starts to believe in fairy tales, only to find out Damian married her to hurt her sister.

Heartbroken, Emilia wants nothing to do with her wrong husband, regardless of the media fallout. But Damian has finally discovered what it means to be truly in love, and he's not going to lose his wife, not when she holds his heart

My god there were so many characters I hated in this book. So many were irredeemable and I wanted all of them to pay for being so horrid to Emelia. I did love that FMC made them all wait after she found out the truth. She deserved so much better than her husband and all of the family members.

Book 1 Marriage by Contract

Amazon 

Broken Beginnings by Clio Evans

3 Stars

You’re Next.

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time—and that moment changed me forever. After walking in on a masked man murdering my neighbor, I went back to the one place I swore I’d never step foot in again. Citrus Cove.

The sleepy town hasn’t changed much, but the people have. Including my old high school bully, Cameron Harlow.

He’s the last person I want to see. He should be the last person I want.

But Cameron Harlow has been dreaming of the day he’d see me again, and wants to set things right. Our history makes me hate him, but he’s sinfully hot, has that sexy southern charm, and calls me sunshine. How can I resist him?

When the danger I’ve been running from shows up in my hometown, Cameron becomes my sole refuge. Someone is watching me. Following me. They want me dead.

From the ashes of our broken beginnings, all we want is our happy ending. But the killer has other ideas and the only way Cam and I have a future together is if we live to see it…

This book was so slow in the middle. I loved the beginning and the ending thirds but the middle third just slowed the book down. It was a struggle to get through because of this. I did get through it and did love the ending.

Book 1 Citrus Cove

Amazon 

The Bluff by Devney Perry

4 Stars

As Calamity’s newest resident, Everly Christian thought life in small-town Montana would be dull and tame—and she needs a little mundane after the last few chaotic years. But one night, boredom drives her to the local bar, where she finds herself sitting beside a handsome and mysterious artist. The man is anything but dull and tame, especially in the bedroom, and when she steps out of his shower and overhears his conversation, life gets interesting again.

Reese Huxley needs a wife. And why shouldn’t Everly be the bride?

She’s got her reasons for agreeing to the hasty nuptials—reasons she’s keeping to herself. As long as she can stop herself from falling in love with her husband, she’ll make it out of this sham marriage in one piece. But Everly has a weakness for wayward men, and the more Hux pushes her away, the more she realizes this bluff is anything but a lie.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I loved how FMC thought she could keep her feelings away from their relationship. She was determined to not fall for her husband and his daughter. I loved how that did not happen. The switch from fake marriage to all in was awesome read.

Book 2 Calamity Montana

Amazon 

Break my Bones by Grace McGinty

4 Stars

Andrei Ludokov

A drunken promotional after party involving unlimited vodka, several social media influencers, puck bunnies for miles, and the goalie from an opposing team, leads to a massive mistake.

No, not a surprise pregnancy. I was drunk but not that drunk.

No, this mistake was worse because even months later, I can’t get it out of my head and it’s effecting my performance. My coaches are on my case because I’m dragging ass on the ice. My friends are all worried because I holed up in my hometown for the entire off season.

There’s only one thing to do, and there’s only one person who can help me. Juniper. My best friend and the social media manager for the IceCaps. Sure, she’ll give me her disappointed face. That sighed, “Dammit, Ludo,” that I’ve heard at least once a month since we were fourteen. But in the end she’ll help me, because she’s my Juniper Berry and she wants me to be happy.

I just needed her to commit to it before I had to face “The Norse God” on the damn ice again and all my carefully controlled mistakes spiral out of control.

If Rigby Engman and River Cooper can have some kind of polyamorous lifestyle in the NHL, why can’t I?

Really enjoyed the story and the characters. I wish Juniper was more the focus versus Ludo and Eric’s relationship and hiding that relationship. It also read as Ludo wasn’t truly interested in Juniper but Eric pushed it so he went along with it. I still enjoyed the reading.

Book 2 Penalty Box Players

Amazon 

Wicked Girl by AJ Merlin

3 Stars

The murders may be over, but my heartache is back in full force, thanks to my mother and my own misgivings.

When I return to Winter Grove early and end up relying on the pack to help me out, I’m sure it’s a new form of torture. Instead, I find myself growing closer to August and Foster. I can’t help but think they’re dragging me deeper underwater, with no intention of letting me up for air anytime soon.

To add to the confusion, a new arrival at the university has a grudge against the pack, and she knows that getting to them is easier when she’s targeting anyone who’s more vulnerable than the boys.

And that might include me, despite how much I want to stay out of it.

But when she goes after my place at Winter Grove and the pack that I might be willing to call my own, will I just let her? Or will I take a few lessons from my vile boys and show her I’m not so quick to surrender?

Picks up rightish where the last ends. You get more info about each of the guys. The struggle Mercy has with her new roommate is something everyone can relate to. The secondary story behind the romance was better in this one. It fleshed out the guys' past. I loved that they came together to help Mercy. Overall, a good duology. 

Book 2 Knot Their Toy

Amazon

Dragon lover by Donna Grant

3 Stars

She is the one fire I can’t extinguish…

I have sworn to protect. To endure. To survive.

Peace has always been just beyond my reach. Betrayal and war follow the Dragon Kings, and I no longer expect anything else. When I hunt an enemy threatening more than one world, I am prepared for battle.

I am not prepared for her.

Esha is disciplined. Fierce. Untouchable. An elven warrior bound by duty and hiding a fire she refuses to claim. She challenges me in ways no one ever has. I want her—not only her body, but her trust, her strength, her heart.

Desiring her is dangerous. Needing her could be fatal.

She fascinates me. Consumes me. And for the first time in centuries, I question the cost of resisting what burns between us.

I have faced numerous enemies and survived. I fear nothing.

Except losing the one woman who has awakened something I thought long dead.

You need to have read previous books to read this one. Writing was good but got a bit lost in details. It is a short story and was quick to read.

Book 5 Dragon Kings

Amazon

Love Laugh Lich by Kate Prior

3 Star

Some people have monsters for a boss, but not everyone has an undead Necromancer Lord at the office.

Lily has been the Lich's secretary ever since his evilness took over the company. She loves her job, but she's got some questions about her boss. Like what's under that cloak of ever-billowing.

Her wondering intensifies when one day the Lich needs something from her that isn't just scheduling appointments-- but a shiver. He needs it for a spell, but it feels like it crosses a line from their usual workplace banter.

After her contributions to his dark rituals become more than OSHA compliant, she starts to contemplate whether the Lich Lord returns her feelings, or still only sees her as his secretary. Lily may have given him her body, but he never asked for her heart.

Another quick and easy read. It is a story that makes me want more information. I needed more world and character building because I have questions about how the world is run. It is a very well written monster love story that has some very interesting smexy scenes. I enjoyed the writing enough to not care about any of the issues and will be checking out other books.

Book 1 Claws and Cubicles

Amazon 

Vile Boys by A J Merlin

3 Stars

Nothing says welcome to your dream University like dead bodies and a warning to stay in my lane.

It’s almost impossible to get into Winter Grove University, so when I’m accepted on scholarship, I know my life will change for the better. Or will it?

When an alpha starts harassing me to join his pack, I’m left with no choice but to tell him I belong to another. The thing is, I name drop the richest, most notorious pack on campus.

Dorian, Foster, and August aren’t happy when they find out, and the tension between us grows. These vile boys know how to hold a grudge, but when I’m forced to spend time with them, I can’t stop the connection that’s growing between us.

With a killer closer than we thought, will I lose everything I’ve ever wanted or will I become the omega I never thought I could be?

I did love this book. It was a good story but there were issues with the secondary plot. Mercy is both strong and weak. She is on her own and is somewhat sheltered. She isn't willing to put up with the alphas being dicks but also caves to Dorian, Foster, and August. If the entire story was about what the Vile Boys do to Mercy throughout the story would be a solid 4 stars, but it wasn't. There is a murder on campus that they get dragged into. This part of the book isn't well developed at all. Mentioned in passing until they all get dragged into it. It didn't really add to the story. Overall good "bully" romance. Can't wait to see what book 2 has to bring.

Book 1 Knot Their Toy

Amazon