Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 1 of 86)

BOOK REVIEW: The Red Zone (Summerville Sports #1) by Amie Knight

January 17, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Red Zone by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
They say the red zone is the hardest place to score.
But for me, those last twenty yards were my sweet spot.
They didn't call me Lukas "Last Minute Lucy" Callihan for nothing.
I was at the top of my game...until life sacked me harder than any linebacker ever could.
Losing my mom was devastating and left me as the sole person responsible for my little sister.

Taking care of Ella and juggling my career was like playing the hardest game of my life.
My only saving grace was Scarlett Knox, Ella's sexy, red-headed, no-nonsense teacher.
She loved Ella. She hated me.
She thought I sucked at this parenting thing, and she wasn’t wrong.
But whenever she was around I got the same earth-shattering, heart-stopping feeling I did when I was only twenty yards from the goal line.
She made me feel like I was back in the red zone, a place I’d never fumbled.

Review:

The Red Zone was an adult sports romance that tugged at my heart and made me laugh. I listened to this story and it was so much fun and completely swept me away! I was so hooked, I binged the rest of this series in a matter of days.

Good ole Ms. Lettie and I were on an even playing field and even though the spawn of Satan didn’t know it yet, I always played to win.

Lukas came back home to raise his sister, after their mother passed away. I loved how he would do anything for Ella! So while life on his new football team was a struggle, at least he knew that his sister was being taken care of at school. With Ms. Lettie. Their meet again was one of my favorites ever, I was laughing so hard! She’s still awkward. He’s still forward. And again, sparks fly!

“I’m calling dibs, Scarlett.”
I shook my head back and forth, trying to clear it. “Dibs?” I questioned. “Dibs?”

Scarlett had the hugest heart. I loved her passion for teaching and that we got to see moments of her with her kids in the classroom. Some of those scenes had me laughing so hard. But what I loved most about it, was seeing how much she cared for Ella. And just wanted the best for her. So with Lukas being back in her life, Scarlett wasn’t going to make it easy. There was a past there and I loved learning about it!

The girl with the Skittles. The sassy redhead who was terrible at ballroom dancing. The loving woman with her arms wrapped around my sister. She owned me. Heart. Body. And soul. She just didn’t know it yet and I was done waiting on her to realize it.

Lukas and Scarlett had a little bit of a bumpy road. I loved their hate texts! And that pull that was always there between them. When you mixed that in with emotional moments and watching how they helped each other out, sigh. I loved them! Especially when they crossed the line to more. But within their story, we also got their past.. I loved seeing them in high school, and watching their friendship bloom. Lukas was such a carefree, sweet boy, who had a heart of gold. And Scarlett and her unconditional love for his sister and her heart filled eyes for Lukas was so adorable.

We spent the next two hours eating brownies with ice cream on top and watching old reruns. But really, I spent those two hours learning that family wasn’t always the one God gave you. It was also the one you chose.

On top of everything, there were also side characters that you couldn’t help but love too. Her brother and bestie, and then Mason, one of Lukas’ football teammates was hilarious. I loved how he force wiggled himself into Lukas and Ella’s life! And this book made me sob my eyes out. There’s a beautiful moment that just shows what a perfect found family they have become and I couldn’t stop crying when Ella asked one of them a question. So if you adore adult sports romance, and books that will tug at your heart, definitely put this one on your tbr!

PS The after bar scene had one of my favorite micro tropes ♥!

PPS The skittles and calling dibs, I loved it!

BOOK REVIEWS: Cole & Mistletoe by Sadie Rose & Elfemies to Lovers by Jennifer Chipman

December 30, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Cole & Mistletoe by Sadie Rose
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Fired from her corporate motivational speaking job just weeks before Christmas, Sloane Morozov makes the decision to spend Christmas at the same lakeside cabin resort from her childhood. But soon her winter wonderland is invaded by Cole Mansfield, a grouchy workaholic, the last thing you should hope to find in your stocking, but who might turn out to be the only gift she needs.

This is a standalone novel.

Review:

Cole & Mistletoe was a grumpy sunshine Christmas novella that had all the charm. Set in Lake Tahoe, they were surrounded by a Christmas wonderland. I loved how the characters were so easy to like. Even if Cole got off on the wrong foot and his grumpiness couldn’t help but come out time and again. I adored watching Sloane try and win him over! His nice, caring, thoughtful side was so beautiful! And while I predicted where this story was going, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. With baked goods, steamy moments, a memorable Christmas tree and so much more, this romance was so much fun! I’ll definitely be reading a full length novel by Sadie Rose next!

Maybe, just maybe he isn’t the worst cabin neighbor or grump.

Elfemies to Lovers by Jennifer Chipman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The daughter of a runaway Christmas Elf. The son of Santa Claus. A whole lot of Christmas Magic. What could go wrong?

Ivy Winters

As the head elf at Santa’s Christmasland, I never expected to be butting heads with the new executive—or going on a date with him. But when he asked me to go home with him for Christmas, I surprised myself by saying yes.

Oh, and he’s from the North Pole.

And apparently, I’m an elf.

Teddy Claus

Training to take over the family business was no small undertaking, but for the last few years, I’d been working my way up through the ranks, mastering each branch of our enterprise.

But everything was different when I arrived at our Christmas themed amusement park and met her.

Maybe that was why I invited her home with me for Christmas.

It felt like I’d been searching my whole life for something, and I’d finally found it.

Maybe, what I’d needed all along was Ivy by my side.

Review:

Elfemies to Lovers had so much potential! With the magic of Christmas, and the background of characters feeling unique for a holiday romance, I thought I would fall head over heels in love with this story. Yes it had some insta love, but I don’t mind that with my holiday reads. The issue was that my feelings towards this book veered off course when we hit about 23%. I started to lose sight of why Teddy liked Ivy, the story-line had a few holes, and I found myself skimming the latter half of this book. I desperately wanted to love this steamy Christmas story more, but the execution wasn’t for me.

It felt a little like fate that Teddy had walked into my life, swept me off my feet, and brought me home for Christmas.

BOOK REVIEW: That Christmas Kind of Feeling by Hannah Bird

December 28, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

That Christmas Kind of Feeling by Hannah Bird
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Amelia Lawrence is not a Scrooge.

She is, however, tired of spending Christmas with a family who doesn't seem to care that she's even present. When the hot coworker she's been fawning over says he needs a last minute house sitter to watch his cute pup Finley, Amelia jumps at the chance for an excuse to stay in town. Making a little money to pad her solo vacation fund is just a bonus.

What neither she nor Levi Abner could've predicted was a blizzard of epic proportions leaving them snowed in together for Christmas.

For anyone else, it would spell disaster. But not Levi. As an overgrown former college football player with a major holiday obsession, he's determined to remind Amelia that she's worth a little Christmas magic.

The problem? He's only got until the snow clears to do it.

Review:

That Christmas Kind of Feeling was a forced proximity, steamy and sweet Christmas novella! Amelia Lawrence was to pet sit her coworker’s dog during the holidays, so she wouldn’t have to go home. Yet Levi Abner found himself stuck at home with Amelia, when a blizzard struck. With snow swirling, the cutest dog ever, all the Christmas feels, and love in the air, I adored this book!

I wished for him, for this feeling, in the quietest parts of my heart for as long as I can remember. Someone to listen and really care about what I say. To show me I’m wanted and adored.

Levi was the most thoughtful and kindest man, who had a deep love for Christmas. I also loved his commanding presence, and how he could take control of a situation *side smirks*. Amelia was so easy to like. I got her internal struggles, and was rooting for her happily ever after. So with quiet yet memorable moments, like their talk by the fire. To baking cookies, sledding, and snow angels, this little novella had all the holiday charm! If you’re looking for a quick, emotional, and spicy holiday read, I can’t recommend this one enough! I can’t wait to read a full length novel by Hannah Bird next!

BOOK REVIEW: Rival (Fall Away #3) by Penelope Douglas

December 19, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Rival (Fall Away #3)
by Penelope Douglas
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Two estranged teenagers play games that push the boundaries between love and war....

For the two years she was away at boarding school, Madoc had no word from Fallon. Back when they lived in the same house, she used to cut him down during the day and then leave her door open for him at night. Now he's ready to beat her at her own game....

Fallon can tell that Madoc still wants her, even if he acts like he's better than her. But she won't be scared away. Or pushed down. She'll call his bluff and fight back. That's what he wants right?

As long as she keeps her guard up, he'll never know how much he affects her....

Review:

Rival was a steamy, new adult, bully romance that I devoured. Madoc and Fallon’s parents were married, yet they didn’t live under the same roof anymore. Something happened in the past, and Madoc and Fallon were supposed to stay away from each other. So, while mystery swirled through the pages, there was a world’s worth of hurt and anger too. Madoc was the ultimate asshole to Fallon. He easily tormented her in front of others without a second thought. I didn’t understand what happened for him to want to treat her that way. It was horrific. And harsh. Yet at the same time, you could see glimmers of light in Madoc. Even if I didn’t want to.

“You’ve always wanted me. You know why? Because I don’t try to kill your demons. I run with them.”

I listened to the audiobook, and the storyline flew by so quickly. There was drama on top of drama, but underneath it all was the most fabulous angst. With sexual tension simmering between them. But Fallon kept secrets from us, the reader. We didn’t know her whole past. So, as she slowly let us in and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, my heart hurt for Fallon. And Madoc too.

“The thing is, Fallon . . . I told you before to lock the door if you wanted me to stay out. Funny thing is . . .” I leaned in. “You. Never. Did.”

With those we loved from previous books having no problem stepping in and forcing certain situations lol, to all the drama, blackmail, karaoke, parties and more, this book was so hard to put down. It was a lot mixed together, but at the same time it was effortless to listen to and had a wonderful ending. It felt like a bag of chips, you can’t stop until you consume the whole thing ha. So, if you’re looking for a series that you won’t be able to put down, definitely check this one out if you love bully romances.

BOOK REVIEW: Heated Pursuit (Alpha Security #1) by April Hunt

December 18, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Heated Pursuit (Alpha Security #1)
by April Hunt
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
TROPICAL HEAT

Penny Kline didn't come to Honduras on a pleasure trip. She's here to rescue her kidnapped niece, the only family she's got left. What she didn't plan on was walking into a covert ops mission-or being wrapped up in the hard-muscled arms of Rafe Ortega. The cool-as-ice operative's touch may get her all hot and bothered, but no man can have a hold on her heart until her niece is home where she belongs.

Even in the tropics, Alpha Security operative Rafe can take down the bad guys without breaking a sweat. Hostage extractions. Clandestine missions. Those are the things he's been trained to handle. Relationships? Not so much. But one look at this strong, sexy redhead and he's seized by a fierce urge to protect her at all costs. Now Penny and Rafe will have to up their game because they're about to go into a master criminal's lair without backup, and the danger---and passion---is about to explode . . .

Review:

From that first chapter, I was hooked! Heated Pursuit kept me on the edge of the seat and I desperately needed to know what happened next. The characters came alive and the storyline was so much fun! I’m not a huge romantic suspense person, but April Hunt has me sold!

Penny went to Honduras to rescue her kidnapped niece from a drug lord. And I love how she landed with Rafi and tried her best to insert herself into his covert ops mission. From that first moment, there was the most fabulous sexual tension between the two of them.

Penny was determined, strong willed, and I loved how she wouldn’t back down. And then there was Rafe, who was everything. He was the silent yet deadly type who worked beautifully under pressure. Rafe was someone who would go to the end of the world to protect those he loved and cared for. So watching them wiggle their way into each other’s hearts was smile inducing. And the situations they landed themselves in led to non-stop action!

With life and death situations, to steamy moments that were scorching hot, to a found family that was heartwarming, this book had it all! I’m excited to see where the rest of this series takes us. I listened to the audiobook of this story, and I was completely transported away! If you’re looking for a steamy romantic suspense book, definitely put this one on your tbr!