Book Review: Tight Ends & Tiaras by Lex Martin

Tight Ends & Tiaras by Lex Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book 2 in Lex Martin’s Varsity Dads series. I have not read book 1 (but it is on my TBR after reading this one), but I do not feel like I was lost when reading this one. There was mention of the characters and basic story from that one but nothing that would leave you with a “WTF?”.

I was invested from the very beginning of this book. These characters were written where you knew you wanted them together. You knew there was going to be some slow burn. But, you didn’t care because you knew the payoff was going to be worth it. {Spoiler: It was.}

Sienna had been dating the player of the college football team. She heard the rumors, but she didn’t believe them. Ben is her best friend and former roommate's brother. Things for Sienna go south when her flight to visit her family is canceled. Luckily (for her and us), Ben is there when she needs him.

Ben was hurt by his high school girlfriend and had sworn off relationships. After 2 years, he gets a call saying she needs to speak to him. Cue the innocent and adorable secret toddler. Ben wants nothing to do with Janelle (the ex) so his friends suggest he ask Sienna to be his fake girlfriend.

So, to keep track we have some crazy exes, an adorable toddler, some hilarious friends, some jerks, dysfunctional families, misunderstandings… Shew… it’s everything a good book needs. This is definitely one of my top reads from this year.

We catch glimpses of the main characters of the next book and I must say, I am excitedly waiting for that one to release.


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Book Review: Help Me Remember by Corinne Michaels

Help Me Remember by Corinne Michaels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew this was going to be a good book from the blurb. But holy smokes, it turned out to be AMAZING!

Brielle wakes up in a hospital with family and friends by her side – with the exception of her brother. She learns she has been injured and her brother killed and she has no memory of any of it. Her last memories are from 3 years ago. Everyone around her knows her life - or parts of it - but have been asked not to reveal the memories to her in fear it will jeopardize the case.

Brielle asks one of her brother’s best friends, Spencer, to help her as she tries to learn what happened the past three years. Did we mention that Spencer was the one she always had a crush on? Spencer has his own motives for Brielle to learn her past.

I absolutely loved Spencer and Brielle! I think I am really going to enjoy this series!


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Book Review: Hey Mister Marshall by Saffron A Kent

Hey, Mister Marshall by Saffron A. Kent
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Even as I type this review up prior to posting it, I am struggling with how many stars to give it. Like, I have a hard time giving something a low rating because I know that these stories are the babies of the authors. But, sometimes, one just doesn’t deserve a high rating. This is one of those times. I wanted to like this book based on the blurb but I couldn’t. At all.

I had never read any of the previous books in the series. It was noted that this was a standalone so it was the only reason I took a chance on it without reading the others first. I was lost. It made references to other couples and things that happened in their book but didn’t explain it and you were left wondering what happened during that event.

I did not connect with Poe or Alaric as a couple. I felt like Alaric was immature for his age and needed someone else as a love interest. Poe was also immature but what else would you expect from someone who had no strong role model except the housekeeper? She acted like a spoiled brat rather than a bada$$ like I was led to believe. She was going to ruin his life? This little brat was thinking way out of her league.

I got whiplash from the “I hate him. I want him. I love him.”

“I’m going to ruin my guardian’s life!” then immediately it’s “I want to rip the tweed jacket right off him and see what’s underneath!” Girl, get some life experience.

The whole situation with the “love of her life” turned ex-boyfriend was baffling. You had to keep a flow chart to keep all his lies straight. No wonder he had three different stories he told Poe – he couldn’t keep them straight in his head either.

And exactly why did Poe’s mom leave her to Alaric’s family? Did I miss it? Obviously, Alaric and Charlie (Poe’s mom) weren’t friends so why his family again? I am so confused…

I almost quit around 60-70% but realized I had so much time already tied into this that I owed it to myself to see it through. I didn’t want the time I had already spent on it to be in vain. Usually when I read a standalone in a series, I want to go back to read the others in the series. Not this one. While some of the past characters seem like their stories could be interesting, I fear that the stories in my head would be better than the actual books.

I’m sorry, but this book just wasn’t it for me.


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Book Review: Perfect for Her by S.A. Clayton

Perfect for Her by S.A. Clayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the fifth and final book in the Harbour Cove Series. I have to admit I’m really going to miss these guys.

This is Mark’s story. He was the one that was always hard to read. And this book explains why. Five years ago he was sent on a much needed vacation where he met the girl of his dreams. But, after the vacation was over, so was their fling. He had to go back to Harbour Cove and his job; she had to go back to her life.

Harlow was new in town and was opening an in home day care. When Mark heard about the new woman watching Addison’s daughter, he had to see if she was the same woman he met long ago. However, what happens on vacation doesn’t always stay on vacation. Harlow has a secret that she has been keeping.

Mark finds out about this secret, the two work to come to terms with it, and there’s a threat. This series has been an amazing short series to read. The books are shorter in length so events happen quickly. No slow burn here.


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Book Review: Ruthless Heart by Roxy Sloane

Ruthless Heart by Roxy Sloane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew I had to read the Ruthless Trilogy when I finished the Flawless Trilogy. I needed to see how Nero Barretti’s story played out from the end of the other trilogy.

Nero and Lily knew each other from the past. Lily’s father worked for Nero’s father and she fell in love with Nero as a teenager. Then her dad turned on the Barrettis and she had to leave for the Witness Protection Program. Now she’s left with nobody but her brother while Nero wants revenge on her family.

The book opens up with the current time which is 10 years after Lily’s family entered the program. Nero spots her working on the other side of the country. She makes a deal with him: she’ll help him obtain the vote he’s trying to get if he’ll spare her and her brother.

This is where everything gets complicated. Can she follow through with her end? Can she trust Nero to uphold his end? Do they still have real feelings for each other? And who else is pursuing Lily for her help? This book has everything you need. Tension, violence, secrets… I finished this in one sitting because it was that good. I can’t wait to read the second book in the trilogy because I have to know what happens after the ending of this book!


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Book Review: Marrying Hope by Vikki Jay

Marrying Hope by Vikki Jay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Of the first three Teager Family books, this is my favorite. I immediately connected with Zach and Hope. I was immediately invested in their stories - apart and together. When Zach sees Ray, he feels connected to the young boy and wants to be a male figure in his life much like Beast was for the Teager brothers. Zach is convinced he can’t be faithful to one woman so he’s definitely not looking for a relationship even if he is drawn to Ray’s mother, Hope. Then a series of events happen to Hope and Zach steps in to help her out. Eventually the help he gives becomes a contract marriage.

Reading about Hope and Zach as their relationship develops and becomes complex was some of the best and worst parts of the book. One minute you were cheering for them to just make it official and the next you wanted them apart. I loved the addition of Gigi (Hope’s mom). She is an amazing addition to the story. I also enjoyed the appearance of the previous characters as they added to the continuing Teager family story.

I’m now anticipating Zane’s story as this book ended with a bombshell announcement from him.


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Book Review: By My Side by Essie Sylvan

By My Side by Essie Sylvan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved, loved, loved this story. Bethany is a college athlete from a bad home. Bryce is a rich kid who plays hockey but doesn’t intend to pursue professional hockey. Neither are looking for a relationship when they bump into each other at a party. But, hey, here we are. We get a glimpse into their love story, their pasts, their thoughts. This story is like we are right there watching a friend navigate life. Bethany doesn’t want Bryce to know how bad her home life is. Bryce believes his high society parents will accept Bethany as she is. Let’s just say that both “meet the parents” situations didn’t go well. Add in a creepy ex-girlfriend and it’s a recipe for an angsty romance. Both Bethany and Bryce need to do some growing while apart to be successful and that was the agonizing part of the story. I loved Bryce’s sister, Petra and hope there is more for her in the future.

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