Vanessa Gayle

This series has taken me by storm. I read the first book in this series right before the release of this book and I have been catapulted into such a delightful series.

I mesh so well with Thea Guanzon's writing style. I immediately fell into a rhythm with it and it spoke to me instantly. It is easy to read but feels complex at the same time. I was impressed with the involved plot, which unfolded beautifully. The story kept my attention from start to finish. The world-building is atmospheric and beautifully detailed. I would have loved a little more explanation regarding the magic in this world but otherwise, I have no complaints.

I am wholly in love with these characters. They are vibrant and stand out distinctly. I love their personalities and seeing their character growth is riveting. The side characters are also very intriguing and add so much depth to the story.

I am so on board with this romance! What I love best about Alaric and Talasyn is their banter. There is an ignitable energy between them that bounces off the other and keeps burning hotter each time. I can't get enough of them every time they are together. I am so pleased with the progression of the romance in this enemies-to-lovers story. The author relays everything in such a believable and compelling way. Talasyn and Alaric have an undeniable connection and the attraction between them is irrefutable. The spicy scenes between them were the perfect balance of hot and heartfelt. These two may be denying all feelings toward each other but the tender moments they share give them away every time.

Overall, this is an exciting and unique series that is diverse and so addicting! Romantasy fans will love this one with its to-die-for enemies-to-lovers romance between a shadow daddy and a heroine that shows no quarter. War, politics, secrets, and magic abound in this series. Sometimes the hype is warranted and this book will certainly win your praise. I am so excited for the next book after the cliffhanger we had to endure in this one.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

Kasie West has written some of my all-time favorite young adult romance books so I was so thrilled when I saw this book announced. Throw in that it revolves around football and also has a breathtaking cover? I was floored.

Kasie West has a writing style that is easy to connect with. Her stories flow smoothly and the pacing is just right. I fell right into this story from the very start. The plot of this book was very compelling. I was all-in with this revenge plot and was so compelled to know how it would turn out. I also loved the secondary story surrounding Finley's grandmother. It was adorable and so enchanting.

I loved the diverse cast of characters with unique personalities. Finley's character drove me up the wall at times with her decisions and behavior but I never disliked her character. She was still relatable. I enjoyed Theo's character but would have loved a deeper dive into his background and thought process. All of the secondary characters were delightful. I loved Finley's friend group and how supportive they were. There was so much character growth in this story and it was so glorious to see. Both main characters go through a transformation.

This romance was just so darn cute. It was so obvious that Theo had a thing for Finley from the start. They had the best banter and their chemistry was palpable. I loved how their romance was so organic and natural. Theo's grovel at the end of the book was pretty epic and it melted my heart a bit.

Overall, this is an adorable story full of betrayal, revenge, and personal growth. The main character goes on quite a personal journey in her quest for revenge and finds closure and love along the way. The secondary characters were a delight and the plot had me completely hooked. Pick this one up if you enjoy sweet young adult sports romance with compelling characters and a riveting premise.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I don't know how every single new release from Meghan Quinn gets ten times better than the last (when they are already god-tier) but they do.

Quinn's writing prowess blows me away. She dominates so hardcore in Romancelandia. Her storytelling is unmatched. I love her trademark humor that she weaves into all her stories. I mesh with her writing style so completely. It's like she is writing these books just for me. It's like she gets me and I love that. I am sure I am not the only person who feels this way about her writing. The plot of this book kept me engaged and salivating for more. I couldn't put this book down. The world-building is lovely and puts the reader smack dab in the middle of this quaint small town.

I love all of the characters in this series. They are all distinct and have such unique personalities. The main characters were so relatable and I connected with them easily. This series has major squad goals, which is one of the things I love to see in a story or series. It adds so much depth to the story. I loved all the relationships and character dynamics.

The romance in this book is one of the best that I have read in a while. It ticks off all the boxes for me. The main characters had glaring chemistry which was palpable. If you lit a flame around the two of them, everything would go up in flames. I loved the emotional aspects of their romance. It was easy to ship their romance because it was so obvious that they were perfect for each other. They shared the same passions and interests and had similar backgrounds. They just clicked in all ways. The sexual chemistry and tension were off the charts. I love how Quinn can write a sexy scene that is super hot and also has an emotional component that just makes it feel hotter.

Overall, this was a heartfelt story with spice that hits all the marks. If you are looking for a series to sink your teeth into that has memorable characters that you will absolutely form an attachment to then this is the series for you. A lot is going on in this book despite the general lightness of it so it will hit you in the feels at times. I definitely recommend this, especially if you love addicting plots, scorching romance, and impeccable writing.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I was so intrigued by Henry's character when I read the first book in The Nest series. Henry was a single dad who adopted his son and was a professional hockey player. I wanted to know his story. Plus, Bodhi, his son, was so adorable!

Piper Rayne have a writing style that draws the reader in. It is easy to read and flows perfectly. I mesh with it so well. The plot of this book really hooked me. Second-chance romance isn't my top favorite trope but this one really intrigued me. The authors kept me enchanted from start to finish. I loved how the authors executed the plot. This story is more character-driven, but the world-building was easy to imagine and kept me rooted in this story.

These characters were everything! I formed such an attachment to all of the characters in this book, which started when I read Mr. Heartbreaker. These characters grew on me so quickly that they didn't take long to win me over. The addition of secondary characters in this book further solidified my fangirling over these characters. I loved Jade's family so much and paired with Henry's hockey family I was overflowing with glee. This series has some of the best found family and squad goals. The characters have such close relationships and they are ride or die for each other, which I am here for all day long. One of my favorite tropes is found family and Piper Rayne know how to write families that I wish I could be a part of. They write characters that I feel so attached to. All of the characters were distinct and had unique personalities that stood out. I loved the character growth of the main characters.

The romance in this book was absolutely heartwarming. This is a romantic couple that you will want to cheer for from the rooftops. Jade and Henry had intense chemistry that stemmed from knowing each other for so long and from deep-rooted feelings. Their love was entirely genuine and everyone knew that they belonged together.

The audiobook narration was excellent for this book. The narrators and the production were perfect.

Overall, this is a second-chance romance that delivers in every way. This book will get you in the feels. I highly recommend this series for folks who love found family in their stories. If you are a fan of close-knit friend groups then this series should be next on your TBR. Also, if you love seamless writing that draws you in, a strong plot, unforgettable characters, and a swoon-worthy romance then give this series a go.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

Helena Hunting hockey romance is like my own brand of designer drug. I am perpetually ravenous for her hockey stories and this one gave me such an incredible high.

Only a few authors can write a hockey romance that I go gaga for, but Helena Hunting is at the top of that short list. Most people know her for her hockey romance stories specifically and there is a good reason why. This book showcases that to a T. Hunting is a hockey romance prodigy and you know that you are always going to have a good time with her books. Her writing style is relatable and easy to read. The plot of this book sucked me right in and held me hostage from start to finish. This story was addicting! I seriously couldn't get enough of this couple. The world-building was wonderful. I was transported into this college setting with ease. The imagery was vivid and complete.

My one and only hang-up with this book was the length and pacing. It was way too fast-paced for my liking and I felt that it should have been longer. The believability of character and relationship growth is diminished when the pace is too quick and/or there isn't enough time to satisfactorily build those relationships. Everything else was *chef's kiss*.

I cannot express the utter joy I experienced at the start of the book when I realized that this book was in the same world as her Toronto Terror series. There are so many overlapping characters and I was on cloud nine the entire time. There were so many cameos as well and I lived for them! I loved seeing characters that I have already loved in her other books and how they connected with the new ones in this book. I hope with all of my being that this standalone turns into a series and we get more stories from more characters. I could see some of the setups for other potential couples in this world and I was so dazzled by it all! Bring on the hockey boys and the girls that bring them to their knees, please!

Okay, now that my fangirling is (momentarily) done, let's get into the brand-new characters. I truly enjoyed all of them. Each character was distinct and had a unique personality that I couldn't help but gravitate toward. I was so intrigued by each of the secondary characters and, again, I am so hoping they all get their own stories. I loved the depth that all of the secondary characters lent to the story. This was a very character-motivated story and the side characters really worked their magic to make the reading experience superb. Hunting writes excellent relationships in her stories, especially friendships. I was so on board with and ecstatic about the strong female friendships in this book. I also loved how Cammie was a strong female lead. She was a wallflower but knew how to stand up for herself when the occasion arose which made me so happy. Chase was the epitome of a boy-obsessed. He was such an adorable golden retriever hero. I adored him. He had it bad for Cammie and pulled out all the stops for her. He also wasn't afraid of his feelings for her and went all in.

The romance in this book was literally all the things, okay? I was just smitten with this couple. I loved the jock/wallflower dynamic. Cammie and Chase had incredible chemistry from the get-go. Their attraction was out of this world. I loved that their romance breached so many levels in this book. The spice was scorching and the building of the relationship was so organic. It was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The heartfelt moments were impactful and made some of the spicy scenes feel even more intense because of it. Cammie and Chase were truly a pair that was meant to be and it shows in the pages of the story so expertly.

Overall, this is a college sports romance with memorable characters, an unputdownable plot, and so much spice! I would strongly recommend reading the Toronto Terror series before diving into this one, though I will add that this book is marketed as a standalone and could definitely be read as one. However, it will be a better experience if you already know some of the side characters coming into this story. Take a hit of this story and you'll soon realize that Helena Hunting books are habit-forming. You won't be able to stop reading her masterful stories. I'm on this train for the long haul and can't wait for the next stop!