Thursday, February 29, 2024

Release Blitz & Review: Player Problems (Westbrook Wolves #1) by Samantha Bee



Title: Player Problems
Series: Westbrook Wolves #1
Author: Samantha Bee
Release Date: 
February 17, 2024


Baylor

Torryn Gray is bold, brash, and has a reputation that rivals even mine.

She should be terrifying, but I’m only intrigued, captivated by the way she doesn’t need to be the center of attention.

Coming off a season where my past exploits haunted me, I’ve vowed to be more careful about who I let into my bed. Someone who won’t distract me. Who won’t attempt to manipulate or take advantage. Someone like Torryn, who isn’t easily impressed. Who doesn’t care about falling in love or what I can do with a puck.

All I have to do is convince her I’m more than capable of giving her what she needs. Hint–it starts with o and ends with her screaming my name.I guess it’s a good thing I’m well known for my talent but even better known for what I can do on a mattress.

Torryn

There are three things that are important to me

My family

My best friend

My future

If it doesn’t help me protect or serve those things, I don’t have time or energy for it. I’ve barely managed to find time for fleeting moments of pleasure. But even those hookups are starting to feel like more effort than their worth.

Until my best friend drags me to a hockey house and I meet Baylor Levine.

Charming, outgoing, and playful, he’s convinced he can give me exactly what I need–all the rewards and none of the risks.

It’s all fun and games and twisted bedsheets until an unknown player enters the arena, making demands and following them with threats. As my stalker grows bolder, Baylor grows more and more protective. We grow closer until even our friends are starting to look at us sideways.

But haven’t they ever heard of friends with benefits before?







Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own. 

This book was delightfully addictive! I was totally on board for a friends-with-benefits hockey romance. 

The author had an engaging writing style that I connected with easily. The plot was exciting and kept me wanting more. All the drama and twists had me hooked. 

This book has squad goals for days! I loved all the friendships and bonds. The dynamics between the characters were so entertaining. The characters were original and complex. They were relatable with distinct voices. I loved how fleshed out the characters were. The main characters had backgrounds that added depth to the story. I adored the secondary characters and just wanted more of them. 

Torryn and Baylor have similar reputations on campus and end up together for a night of fun. That only ends up turning into a friendship which turns into more. The relationship grew as time went by but the attraction was there from the start. I loved Baylor's protective nature when it came to Torryn. Their chemistry was undeniable and the steam was fantastic.

Overall, this was a brilliantly written college sports romance. The characters were memorable, the plot was compelling, and the romance was hot. If you enjoy your romance with a balance of emotion, smut, and humor then this book should be your next stop. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series!



Spicy Dark Romance Author.
I like chaos, coffee, & character banter.




NOTE: Posting late due to illness.

Release Blitz & Review: The Wallflower (Oakmount Elite #1) by J.L. Beck



Title: The Wallflower
Series: Oakmount Elite #1
Author: J.L. Beck
Release Date: 
February 16, 2024


She needs me, because she needs money.

I don’t need her. Just her complete submission…

Maybell Jacobs is the Wallflower, quiet, shy, socially awkward and hell-bent on hiding even from herself, that is until a chance encounter takes place between us. Instantly she hates me and for good reason. I'm a walking-red-flag. Filthy rich jock, short tempered, and violent. I can have anyone and anything I want.. except her.

Little does she know her disgust, anger, and hate for me fuels my obsession to own her, completely in every single way.

Maybell resists, predictably... but her fight only makes her more desirable and I have plans that will lead her right into my lap and never want to leave.

When she joins the sinful tradition put on by the elite of the town, the Hunt, I’m shocked. The pretty little thing has no idea how much danger she’s in if she decides to become my prey.

Sweet, innocent, and fragile like a flower. I'll have to be careful or risk breaking her.

Because I’m the ultimate predator and when I play there are no rules.

I don’t chase. I capture.

And I like to own my bait.

★ Tropes include: secret society, college, touch her and die, CNC & chasing bait fantasy ★








Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own. 

The premise for this book drew me right in. The dark and mysterious blurb hinting at an obsessed male main character and mentioning a hunt of some kind? Sign me up!

I have always loved J.L. Beck's author voice. She has an easygoing and relatable writing style that I have always gravitated towards. The plot work in this book is outstanding. There were so many twists and turns and layers that I was floored. The story was addictive in the best sense. I couldn't put the book down to save my life. I was hooked. Beck really brought the world-building to life. Everything was vivid and very atmospheric. I loved the dark vibes. 

The characters in this book are fleshed out incredibly well. Each character is complex and full of depth. A lot is lurking under the surface when it comes to these characters. I loved how relatable these characters were. Sometimes it can feel like you are on the outside looking in when you can't connect with a character but that wasn't the case with these characters. The dynamics between the characters made things very entertaining. Each character felt distinct and stood apart from the other characters. 

This is definitely one of those books that can be spoiled if too much is given away so I will refrain from spoilers. I will say that Drew and Maybell had fierce chemistry that could not be ignored. Their relationship was toxic but so expolsive. I am really looking forward to the next book to see how things unfold. 

Overall, this was a thrilling opposites-attract dark-ish bully romance. This book will draw you in and keep you hooked. This one ends on a cliffhanger so I am eager for the next book! 



J.L. Beck writes steamy romance that’s unapologetic, meaning it makes no apologies for the way it rips you open and makes you crave more. Her heroes are alphas who take what they want, and she pairs them with heroines that bring them to their knees.
She loves writing about darkness, passion, suspense, and of course, steam.
Leaving her readers gasping and asking what the hell just happened is only one of her many tricks.
Her books range from morally grey to dark and spicey but always end with a happily ever after. She loves to write across numerous tropes, but her favorite is enemies to lovers.
She started her writing career in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Wisconsin and is a mom to two, a wife, and likes to act as a literary agent part-time.




NOTE: Posting late due to illness.

Release Blitz & Review: Wicked Minds (Halston U #2) by R.A. Smyth



Title: Wicked Minds
Series: Halston U #2
Author: R.A. Smyth
Release Date: 
February 17, 2024


I may have escaped their house but there is no running from Grayson, Royce, and Logan.

Not when Royce knows my most precious secret, Logan refuses to let me go, and Grayson hates to see me remotely happy.

As if I don’t have enough to deal with already, between worrying about my daughter and dodging my sleazy boss, not to mention keeping up my grades, now I have to worry about what Royce might do with my secret while attempting to get over Logan and avoid Grayson at all costs.

Except Halston is a small campus, and at least one of them keeps showing up in my life. It makes forgetting they exist impossible.

However, when shit hits the fan, they’re the ones I end up turning to. The only ones I can trust.

Who knew my life would only get more complicated second semester?








Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own. 

This is such an intense series that hits in all the right spots. There is something about this author's writing that draws you in. The plot is so compelling and the twists and turns keep you glued to the pages. The characters are so complex and there is so much going on. I love that each character had a distinct voice that sets them apart from other characters. The connections and dynamics between the various characters are so entertaining. Reverse Harem romance is hit or miss with me but this one delivers a believable poly-style romance. I loved the plethora of emotions that this book put me through. That ending has left me yearning for the next book with a fierceness. Overall, this was an emotional story brimming with dark themes that had me hanging on every word. If you are a fan of Reverse Harem books then you should snap this series up! 



My name is Rachel. I live in the UK with my husband and two golden retrievers, and I am an author of dark, contemporary reverse harem romance.

If you love a story with a well thought out plot and good character development that will give you all the feels, then why not give one of my series a go?




NOTE: Posting late due to illness.

Release Blitz & Review: Back Against the Wall (Lindell #1) by Marie James

 



Title: Back Against the Wall
Series: Lindell #1
Author: Marie James
Release Date: 
February 15, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Small Town/Single Dad/Enemies to Lovers



A small town, single dad, enemies to lovers romance.


Crawling back to this small town was never in hockey star Chase Woodson’s plans.

From hitting hockey pucks in front of thousands to selling urinal pucks at his father’s hardware store, coming back home is his worst nightmare.

But being a (newly) single dad of twin boys means making sacrifices. His boys need stability and his dad needs his help in the store.

Now he needs her.

Except, Chase has been the bane of Madison Kelly’s existence since high school. 

She just so happens to be the only available nanny in town.

Besides, high school was ten years ago. 

People don’t hold grudges that long, right?



US: https://amzn.to/3qXq3yk
UK: https://amzn.to/3sGqUnP
CA: https://amzn.to/3LdE0iz
AU: https://amzn.to/3L6PBzO
Universal: https://bit.ly/3sxqPT5

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Also available in audio: https://amzn.to/3HNdIlh 


Read now on Kindle Vella: https://amzn.to/44yQF6A
(US only)








Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own. 

The tropes in this book really drew me in. The combination of small-town, single dad, and enemies-to-lovers was too great of a mix not to pass up. 

Marie James knows how to craft a great story. Her writing style was easygoing and fresh. I felt an instant kinship with her storytelling. The plot of the story was exciting and riveting. All of the tropes in the story were executed brilliantly. I was hooked to the pages the entire time. 

These characters were entertaining. They had complex backgrounds that gave them a lot of depth. They had distinct voices that made them stand out. I loved the dynamics between the characters. Chase's twins added something special to the story. The secondary characters were so compelling. 

I loved the angsty tension between Madison and Chase at the start. Their history together made things interesting. There was a lot of miscommunication between the two of them but their chemistry was intense. In the end, they fit perfectly. 

Overall, this was a satisfying and well-crafted small-town romance that brightened my day. The characters were memorable, the plot was addictive, and the storytelling was polished and relatable. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!





Marie James is a full-time author, mother of two boys, and wife of 18+ years. Dog Mom to four great danes: Maximus, Sassy, Kiki, and Hargid

She has spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. She is currently residing in a sleepy little town in East Tennessee.

Writing is her passion, and she absolutely loves being able to sit down and put all of her thoughts and emotions into her stories.

She loves dogs, coffee, making handmade cards, and reading steamy romance novels!




NOTE: Posting late due to illness.
 

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