There are three words most men can’t resist—I dare you.
So as you can see, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I had no choice when my buddies said “I bet you can’t get that brunette beauty to kiss you before the night ends.”
I proved them wrong, and oh how good it felt to be right when I swept the quick-tongued woman into my arms and kissed the breath out of her at the party.
But, I made a slight miscalculation.
Turns out she’s my brand new enemy.
And soon I’m locked in a fierce battle of wits with my sexy-as-sin nemesis. I’m determined to show the whole city that my company is offering the best new path to romance, and she’s dead-set on knocking me down. Publicly.
It’s the hottest game of one-upmanship I’ve ever played, punctuated by fiery kisses, dirty letters, and, after a heated argument, hate s-e-x.
You know what they say. Keep your enemies closer.
I keep her so damn close to my favorite body part.
Everything is fun and games…until I gamble something I can’t afford to lose.
He is back!!! Sebastian York narrates this hot tamale!
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
Return to the Big Rock world with Lauren Blakely’s male POV romcom Come Again. Easton runs a successful elite matchmaking service dedicated to capitalizing on real-life chemistry between people when they meet up at his swanky parties — even though he is one of Manhattan’s biggest playboys. Bellamy is a romance podcaster who believes in online dating apps. They first cross paths at a masquerade party where they are dressed as Jay Gatsby and not-Daisy Buchanan, when Easton’s friends dare him to make a move on her. Their chemistry is undeniable and they share a searing kiss neither one of them can forget, but things don’t quite work out the way Easton wanted them to when his mystery woman takes off and leaves them hanging.
Bellamy, meanwhile, knows exactly who Easton is. When they cross paths again, he does not want to let her slip through his fingers again — and they set off on a friends-with-benefits relationship that is full of steam! (He’s been burned by a past relationship and is quite happy with the casual.) Bellamy and Easton have very different viewpoints on how to find romance, however, and their casual fling gets complicated when feelings get involved. I loved Bellamy as a heroine, and her confession to Easton — and his subsequent reaction — was heartbreaking. After she’s gone, Easton realizes what he had and let go and sets out on one hell of a grovel tour.
There is a lot of great snark and banter between Bellamy and Easton, and then on the flip side are these super sweet emails and messages as they fall in love. These characters are so well-written, and the hot scenes are as captivating as the vulnerable ones.
I enjoyed the cameos from some of the other Big Rock couples, and Grandma Coco was one of my favorite characters in this book! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
About Lauren Blakely:
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible
Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s
sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.
With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York
Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with
more than 55 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
Protecting You, an all-new emotional second-chance romance from Lena Hendrix, is available now!
One moment of hesitation and I lost Maggie forever. Since then, we’ve spent the last 15 years in this small town circling each other and pretending neither remembers how right it felt when we were best friends. Now she’s a single mom and she doesn’t need a “broody, grumpy cop” like me complicating her life. No matter how many times her heated gaze scorches my skin, I can never have her in the way I want. Completely. So I push her away—but it’s for her own good. Because if she knew the truth of what I did, she wouldn’t just have hurt feelings, she would truly hate me. She has a guarded heart and it’s all my fault. But I don’t have a heart at all. I gave it to Maggie O’Brien a long time ago.
I couldn’t. Maggie hadn’t released her arms from around my neck, and I couldn’t
As we inched closer toward Maggie, I could see her partner was getting bolder, pressing his hips into her ass as they swayed. She pulled away, turning to push her palm against his chest. A low rumble vibrated within me at seeing him completely oblivious to her discomfort. The song faded, and I thanked Casey Mae for the dance, effectively dismissing her and ignoring the pout she clicked into place.
Two steps forward and I was pressed against Maggie’s back, my hand wrapping possessively around her trim waist. “You okay, doll?” My voice rumbled low against the shell of her ear.
“There you are!” Her eyes were wild as she turned and threw herself around my neck. Instinct took over, and I wrapped her in my arms. For a moment, I pulled her close to me, drowning in the warmth of her body, the delicate scent of floral perfume and her skin. My cock thickened at the closeness of Maggie’s body pressed against mine.
I’ve waited fifteen years for this.
Maggie still clung to me as I shot her dance partner prick a murderous glare. He took one step back, both palms in the air. Shaking his head, he backed away and wound himself around the next girl who smiled in his direction.
I should stop touching her. Let her go.
I couldn’t. Maggie hadn’t released her arms from around my neck, and I couldn’t force myself to peel my arms off her. Instead, I took a deep inhale of her sexy, floral scent and filed it away in my memory for later. Around us, the mood shifted. The lights slanted, and the low bass of a slow country song reverberated through the speakers.
Instead of releasing my shoulders, Maggie’s plush hips began to sway. “I think he’s still watching,” she whispered against my skin.
“Definitely,” I said. That douche had all but forgotten about us, but if that was what she thought, I was going with it.
One hand ran up her back, settling between her shoulder blades, and I pulled her chest against mine. I knew it was a mistake. My carefully crafted detachment was the only way I knew how to protect her from all my bullshit. Her heart hammered through the delicate fabric of her top, and I could feel the diamond tips of her nipples press against me.
I swallowed a groan as we swayed and moved to the music. Slow, practiced breathing was the only thing that kept me from completely unraveling in her arms. Up close, Maggie was even more beautiful than I could stand.
She was everything I needed but had no right to want. Not after what I had done. I shoved my demons down and focused on the fact that Maggie O’Brien was swaying in my arms, humming along with the band.
“You smell nice,” she said quietly. Her voice was barely audible above the noise in the bar.
“Mmm,” I harrumphed, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone actual words. A thousand thoughts tumbled through my head, but I couldn’t seem to find a way to give voice to a single one.
You smell nice too.
I miss you.
This feels too good.
The song faded, melted into a new one, and my ability to form a singular thought returned. My back stiffened as I pulled to my full height, causing her fingers to untangle from my hairline. The cold left behind by the absence of her hands prickled down my spine.
What the fuck are you doing? You’ve done nothing but ruin her entire life.
Dread pooled in my stomach as I thought back to all the choices that brought us here, all the things that I had done. I thought of David. I had no right to enjoy the feel of Maggie’s soft breath tangling with mine.
Steadying her on her feet, I held her at arm’s length and leveled my breathing. Her long fingers curled around my wrists, pushing against my pulse points as they hammered against her fingertips.
I’d let it go too far. How had I let her creep past my defenses and seep into my bones? The swirling greens and amber of her eyes burned into me. Everyone around us melted away.
I could do it. I could pull her into me and crush that full mouth against mine and finally claim her.
“Cole . . .” Maggie took the tiniest step toward me.
I swallowed past the gravel in my throat.
“You need to be more responsible.” I pushed past the undulating crowd, fleeing before I could do something epically stupid, like finally caving to my deepest desires. Bitter self-loathing washed over me as I caught the disgusted look that marred Maggie’s gorgeous face. I’d hurt her with the very words I knew would cut deep. But I had to protect her, and her heart.
Even if it cost me everything.
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
This series keeps getting better and better! We’ve gotten hints of Maggie and Cole’s backstory in the previous Chikalu Falls books, and Lena Hedrix did not disappoint with the emotional second-chance romance she delivered in Protecting You!
Protecting the people of Chikalu Falls is engrained in Cole Decker as a third-generation police officer. But protecting Maggie, the best friend he’s been in love with since he was a teenager, just about ruined him. There is so much history behind the estranged relationship between Maggie and Cole, and I loved how these two went from him (seemingly!) hating her to getting the HEA they both deserved. This emotional, heartwarming, heartbreaking story was captivating from start to finish.
LH also did a really great job of writing Cole’s relationship with Maggie’s daughter, Lottie. And of course, there’s the tight bond between Deck and the other guys, Lincoln and Colin. When things blow up between Cole and Maggie, when the weight of his secret is crushing him and destroying him from the inside out, the bond between these friends really shines as they tell him what a dope he’s being! One of my favorite scenes was between Deck and Lincoln! I’ve thought that the secondary characters were excellent supports from the very first book in this series, and I was thrilled to see that LH continues to write them that way.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
About Lena Lena Hendrix is the author of steamy, contemporary romance novels. Her love of romance started with her grandmother’s Harlequin paperbacks and now Lena’s stories are full of heart, humor, and plenty of strong Alphas with marshmallow insides-she likes her coffee hot and her heroes hotter!
Lena lives in the midwest with her husband, three children, and two derpy Australian Cattle Dogs. When she’s not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
At least not until my fiancé betrayed me, turning my entire world upside down.
Unsure of how to move on, my luck seemed to suddenly change. My estranged mother’s last gift to me before she died landed on my doorstep, giving me the opportunity to start my life over.
I snatched up the chance to leave my life behind in Minnesota, opening my arms up to the hot, sunny weather of Texas.
It was easy to start over in unfamiliar territory, my unofficial rules of heartbreak worn on my chest like a badge of honor.
But along with the house my mother left came a new neighbor. An obnoxious neighbor with dangerous glaring eyes and a set of abs that should be considered illegal. He was mysterious and full of secrets, a story hidden behind his hard exterior.
Before I knew it, Dallas Beckett was about to break all my rules.
I just didn’t realize he had his own set, and I was about to put every one of them to the test.
The Rules of Heartbreak is the second book I’ve read by Brittany Taylor — and it was as beautifully full of angst as Paper Hearts! At first meeting, Sloan and Dallas can’t stand one another. But their hate-to-love relationship turns into a no-strings fling since they have both been burned by past relationships and neither is looking for a commitment. But as these two spend more and more time together, feelings get involved, and the carefully-constructed rules they both put in place to protect their hearts seem to matter less and less.
This story is messy and heartbreaking, and it was so, so good. Sloan and Dallas had wonderful banter and sizzling chemistry. Underneath that gruff and grumpy exterior was a guy so broken by the secrets he’s keeping but still had so much love to give. There is a wild twist to this story that just amplified all the angst. Both Sloan and Dallas had a lot of issues to work through on their own, and I loved the journey that they went on as they fought their way to be together.
The Rules of Heartbreak is a fantastic start to a new series, and I hope that the rest of the books to come are just as good — because this was angsty perfection!
I read an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet Brittany Taylor
Brittany Taylor grew up all over the world including places such as California, England and Texas. Today she resides in Connecticut with her husband, son and two cats. She loves reading, but loves writing even more.
Her favorite things in life are her family, binge watching Netflix, and tacos.
Brittany Taylor has been obsessed with reading since kindergarten. She followed her lifelong dream in 2017 when she published her first novel, Without You. Ever since, she’s been hooked and can’t write the stories in her head fast enough.
If Only in My Dreams by Carrie Aarons is now live!
‘Tis the season to … be freshly divorced at twenty-six and moving back into your parents’ house?
Because that’s my reality this Christmas. As if it isn’t bad enough that my entire hometown is buzzing with the news of my failed marriage, who is the first person I bump into at the grocery store? The guy who treated me like his personal booty call in high school just happens to be looking at spices while I’m trying to pick up cinnamon for my mother.
And get this; Porter Kelly, the broody, mysterious recluse who exposed his own secrets to the world by writing a book about his family years ago, is the one who acts like I wronged him. His rude remarks on aisle nine are the final straw as my exhausted unhappiness breaks, and I’m officially calling off the most wonderful time of the year.
Too bad it’s literally impossible for the woman whose parents own a railroad that specializes in Christmas train rides to ignore the holiday season. Because I’m back under their roof, it’s mandatory to work in the middle of the red and green merriment, Santa himself, and wait for it …
Porter serenading us with the greatest festive hits of all time. That’s right, apparently my teenage heartthrob turned nemesis not only works for my parents, but can strum a guitar like he’s trying to get every soccer mom on board pregnant. As we’re forced to spend more time together than ever, his past baggage and my marital rejection make their way to the surface, bonding us in ways neither of us knew possible.
I thought I was heartbroken about my ex-husband wanting to end our marriage, but that pain is nothing compared to what Porter could inflict. He seems like a changed man, one on the precipice of a new chapter, which is exactly where I find myself. Would it be crazy to think we could turn the page together?
Returning home was the only option I had. But as I come dangerously close to counting on the first man who broke my heart, I wonder if all of my future dreams are too good to be true.
If Only in My Dreams is second-chance, small-town, coworkers perfection wrapped up in all the good tidings of a Christmas story. Porter and Madison’s romance had me hooked from the first page right up until that feel-good HEA epilogue.
That’s not to say that this story is all rainbows and unicorns, because it is not! Madison is back home in her small hometown a few months after her divorce, helping out her parents at their themed Christmas train business while juggling her own job. And one of her coworkers is Porter, none other than her former high school fling, the guy with a huge chip on his shoulder who smashed her heart into smithereens.
Porter’s childhood wasn’t the best, so I get why he is such an angry, grumpy guy. He is downright cruel to Madison at times because he refuses to let himself be vulnerable around her at first. Madison, meanwhile, has zero self-confidence left after her husband just ditched her. She’s struggling with healing emotionally from her divorce when she’s forced into close proximity with Porter, and all her insecurities from high school come bubbling up to the surface again.
As they spend time together, Porter and Madison begin to reconnect, and he finally admits that he didn’t hate her at all — just hated that he loved her and didn’t know how to handle that. But is Madison ready to fall in love again?
I really enjoyed the story arc between the main characters in this book. After Madison’s life imploded, she got a second chance with her first love and it was better than anything she ever expected it to be. I also really liked the side characters — her mom and dad were wonderful, her best friend is super supportive, and there’s a lovely reconciliation subplot between Porter and his mom.
If Only In My Dreams is the kind of book that I’d love to see brought to life as a TV movie!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet Carrie Aarons
Author of romance novels such as Fool Me Twice and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.
When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She’s a Jersey girl living in Texas with her husband, daughter, son, and Great Dane/Lab rescue.
Avery Fletcher makes a better friend than a lover—at least he thinks so. Well, him and every woman he’s ever dated. Now his encounters are brief and satisfying. There’s really no need to complicate things.
Though, when he sits alone on his porch listening to the cicadas, he has a brief lapse in judgment and yearns for someone to talk to.
Helena Davenport doesn’t need a man—nor does she want one. As heiress to her late father’s fortune and business, she’s here to impress. But apparently, you can’t get away from societal expectations—even in the twenty-first century, and the board of directors wants this queen to crown a king.
When she finds herself being tattooed by none other than bad boy Avery at a bachelorette party, she hatches a plan. He’s perfect—tattoos, unruly beard, and a sharp wit. Oh, and incapable of falling in love with her. He makes the perfect fake boyfriend.
She’ll get the company board off her back by giving them exactly what they asked for, and watch them eat their words. What could possibly go wrong?
Social events put the pair to the test, forcing them to get cozy—a little too cozy. The situation soon turns red hot and a little worrisome.
As the plan to stay platonic starts to fall apart, can the two keep their cool or will they succumb to the heat between them?
Each one of these Bird’s Eye books outdoes the last — and I have rated them all highly, so that tells you how much I love this world that Kat Savage has created! Avery has been the strong, silent type in the background of Hawk and Will’s books, and now he gets to shine like the tattooed superstar that he is in this fake relationship story.
Helena and Avery are magic. There is such an easy connection between them from the get-go. Avery is all rough and gruff on the outside with the heart of a giant teddy bear. I loved the different version of herself that Helena portrayed to everyone else in her life, but got to really relax and be herself around him. Underneath the CEO powersuits, Helena was a totally different person, and she really blossomed as her relationship with Avery grew. There’s no doubt that these two come from different worlds — but will their connection be enough to withstand the scrutiny that comes from a tattoo artist dating one of the most important financiers in the world?
I knew that the fake relationship between “the simpleton and the socialite” was going to be epic, and it really met all of my expectations! I need to track down Blythe’s novella and get the backstory on Helena’s sister and her husband! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet Kat Savage
Kat Savage resides in Louisville, Kentucky with her three beautiful children, her hunky spouse, and two spoiled dogs. She secretly has hope of getting chickens one day.
By day, she’s an office manager, pushing paperwork and daydreaming. When she’s not at her nine-to-five, she’s writing. Or thinking about writing. Or preparing books and book stuff. Or quite possibly, designing stuff for other people’s books.
She was driven to writing out of a need to distraction and self-preservation after the death of her sister in 2013. Since then, it’s snowballed into a full blown passion she can’t escape. Even on the toughest days, she wouldn’t want to.
She writes poetry packed with real, raw, and sometimes ugly truths. She won’t lie. Her goal is to make you ache, in that perfect delicious way we often secretly crave.
Shortly after putting her poetry and prose out into the world, she turned to novel writing. Savage is a natural storyteller, getting better with each book. She tries to give the characters in her novels depth, whether they’re serious or comical, she builds them in layers with the hope that you see a little of yourself in some of them.
I have never read anything by this author before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect… Better Than You was a wonderful story of love, betrayal, family drama, illness, death, parental expectations, and so much more!
Riggs and Bailey had insane chemistry from the start. This fling-turned-enemies-turned-lovers story has so much heat, but so much heart, too. The family issues that they are both struggling with added a huge layer of depth to this college romance. Brit Benson beautifully wrote their relationship with witty banter, and lots of betrayl then groveling. I get why Riggs was so torn about his feelings for Bailey due to the situation he’d put himself in. And Bailey had been through so much, and despite the crappy situation with her parents, tried so hard to rectify a wrongdoing to another family member. She was so strong, yet allowed herself to be vulnerable with Riggs. I was so glad that he ultimately did the right thing and worked to get her back.
This book is the second in a series, and I feel like some aspects of Bailey’s relationships with her friends would have been better understood had I read Book #1 first. But that didn’t affect the way I fell for Bailey and Riggs and was rooting for them to get their HEA!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet Brit Benson
Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.
When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading.
When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.
Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.
My new neighbor is a firefighter—and a scorching hot single dad—but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.
Ignite, an all-new smoking hot, single dad romantic comedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow, is available now!
My new neighbor is a firefighter—and a scorching hot single dad—but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.
(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)
Nothing happened, of course—because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.
Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.
Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.
(Also my underwear.)
He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.
He’s wrong.
Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.
How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?
Audio Coming Soon, narrated by Stephen Dexter & Kirsten Leigh
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
“I don’t love you.” “I don’t love you, either.”
Oh my goodness, I was so excited to return to Cloverleigh Farms and see Mack and Frannie’s daughter Winnie fall in love with the grumpy single dad next door in this next-generation story! Winnie and Dex had AMAZING chemistry, and Ignite is the most perfect title I could think of for this fantastic, steamy, age-gap romance!
Winnie and Dex’s no-strings relationship is hot and steamy. She’s on a man-fast, and he’s just trying to muddle through life as a single dad to his adorable daughters, Hallie and Luna. He’s kind of disturbed by his attraction to Winnie when they first meet, but he figures a no-strings fling will suit them both. Unfortunately for Dex, he falls hard and fast for the girl next door… but he’s too afraid to really put himself out there and be the man that Winnie needs. Not the man that he thinks she wants.
These two go on a wonderful journey together, from friends with benefits to so much more. The connection they have right from the start is amazing, as is Winnie’s rapport with the girls. A family situation forces Dex to face his demons and makes him decide what, in the end, he really wants out of his life.
I loved all of the cameos by the OG Sawyer sisters, and getting to know Winnie’s best friend, Ellie. I loved the original bonus scene that tied together the Cloverleigh series and the Bellamy Creek series, first introducing us to Chip and Mariah. I would love, love, love to see those two get a full book someday!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Excerpt
She looked a little nervous, not that I blamed her, as she held out a small pink box of Band-Aids. “I had these lying around and thought Luna might want them for her knee. Band-Aids sometimes come off in the shower, so . . .”
I reached out and took them from her, noticing she was careful not to let our fingers touch this time. “Thanks.”
“That’s it—I just wanted to—um, okay, have a good night.” She turned to leave, and I probably should have let her.
“Wait a second.”
She faced me again, her expression still wary.
“I’m sorry about that.” I gestured over my shoulder with the pink box. “My ex-wife—the girls’ mom—knows how to get a rise out of me.”
“Oh, that’s okay. It’s none of my business, and I didn’t really hear anything.” It was obvious she’d heard everything.
I nodded slowly. “Well, thanks for the Band-Aids. Luna will appreciate it.”
Her smile was back, along with that stutter in my chest. “Good. Enjoy your night.”
“You too.”
She turned around and went down the steps, cutting across the lawn to her place with that same youthful bounce in her step. Glancing down at the box, I shook my head—of course she had a whole thing of pink princess Band-Aids. I shut the door and trudged up the stairs to get the kids cleaned up.
Hallie went first, after a brief attempt to get me to let her wear socks in the shower. As usual, I refused, explaining again that the entire house had been thoroughly cleaned before we moved in, and I’d been here yesterday to make sure of it.
While she was getting dressed, I made sure Luna washed her hair and used soap, then helped her get dried off. After hanging up their towels, I double-checked that they’d chosen appropriate clothing and was just about to get in my own shower when I heard a series of high-pitched beeps.
“What’s that?” Hallie said, scrunching up her face.
Instantly on high alert, I put my hand up. “Shh.” I heard it again, and recognized it as a smoke detector going off, but not in our house—we were hearing it through the walls. “Stay here.”
I raced out of their room and took the stairs down three at a time, jumping to the bottom with five to go. Barreling out my front door, I ran over to Winnie’s and knocked. The alarm was clearly coming from inside her unit, and when she didn’t answer the door, I made a split-second decision to bust in.
Fortunately, the door wasn’t locked.
I shouldered it open, relieved when I didn’t see or smell smoke right away. Winnie’s townhouse was laid out exactly like mine, and I immediately realized the detector going off was upstairs. Racing up the steps three at a time, I reached the master bedroom doorway just in time to see Winnie climbing onto a suitcase, one hand reaching toward the ceiling to disconnect the unit.
My jaw dropped.
She was totally naked and dripping wet.
One hand was clutching a small towel to her chest that didn’t fucking hide anything . Behind her, steam from her shower billowed from her bathroom, which must have been what set off the alarm—some detectors are that sensitive. Behind me, I heard clamoring on the stairs, and a second later both Hallie and Luna rushed into the bedroom.
Startled, Winnie looked over and saw us. Her eyes went wide as she screamed, lost her footing, and toppled backward off the suitcase. She landed hard on her ass, arms and legs flailing like a rag doll.
Averting my eyes, I strode over and disconnected the unit while she scrambled toward the bathroom on her hands and knees, presumably in search of a bigger towel.
But then she slammed the door . . . and didn’t come out.
The eighty-five decibel alarm had ceased, but the sirens in my head continued.
I looked at the girls. Luna had her hands over her mouth. Hallie’s eyes were wide, and she pointed to the bathroom door. “Winnie was naked,” she whispered. “We saw her bum.”
“Quiet,” I scolded angrily. “You two were supposed to stay at our house. You didn’t follow my orders.”
“But Daddy, we were scared,” Luna said. Her hair was still wet and tangled. “We came to find you.”
“We’ll talk about it later, but when I tell you to stay put, you stay put-especially in an emergency. Understand?”
They nodded.
“Now go back to our house, both of you.”
“But what about Winnie? Is she okay?”
I went over to the bathroom door and knocked, trying not to picture her naked. The shower wasn’t running anymore. “Winnie? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!”
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine!” she repeated in the same false, bright tone.
A tiny smile inched onto my lips. “Are you sure?”
About Melanie Harlow USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Title: Knockout Series: Whiskey Dolls Author: Jessica Prince
Contemporary Romance; Small Town Romance
It wasn’t fair that the man I hated with a passion was so freaking gorgeous.
Things in Layla Fox’s life were going great. She had a fantastic job, amazing friends, and a killer apartment. There was just one tiny glitch in all that perfect. Her upstairs neighbor was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome . . . and she hated the man with every cell in her body.
Jude Kingsley was the most arrogant jerk she’d ever met, making the fact that she was attracted to him more than a little inconvenient.
When the two of them are forced together by Jude’s meddling grandmother, the bitter rivalry between the two feuding neighbors suddenly turns into something very different. And a raw, intense chemistry like theirs is bound to explode if they aren’t careful.
**Whiskey Dolls is a series of interconnected, standalone, small town romances.**
The doors of the elevator slid open and the good mood I’d been in all day evaporated like a single drop of water falling onto desert sand.
“Of freaking course,” I grumbled sullenly as Jude Kingsley stepped into the elevator.
He returned my glare before stopping beside me and turned to face the front. “And I’d been having such a good day up to this point,” he muttered bitterly.
I let out a snort and fluttered my eyelashes. “What, did you pop a little kid’s balloon? Maybe cut in front of a pregnant lady in line at the coffee shop?” I snapped my fingers. “Oh, I know! You kicked a poor, innocent puppy on the sidewalk. That’s what had you so chipper, isn’t it?”
He gave me a smirk, and damn it, why did it have to look so good on him? The son of a bitch.
“I woke up happy,” he stated, and it would have been a lie if I claimed I didn’t find that admission somewhat intriguing.
Turning to face me, he took a step toward me, closing some of the distance between us. The move was unexpected, and my heartrate spiked at his closeness. The small elevator car suddenly felt even tinier, like the walls were closing in. The air was filled with his scent. Something like cedar and sun mixed with a spicy musk that reminded me of the outdoors. My chest stuttered on a choppy inhale when I tilted my head back to look up at him. In all the months we’d been enemies, this had to be the first time we’d been so close to each other.
With hardly any space between us, I was able to see that those midnight blue eyes of his also held flecks of golden honey. He blinked slowly as he stared down at me, those long, sooty lashes lying across his sharp cheekbones before he opened them again.
“I had the best dream last night.” He stopped, waiting for me to ask what he dreamed about, like he knew that statement and his proximity had left me way off-kilter, my curiosity piqued.
Stupid intuitive jerk.
Unable to help myself, I arched a questioning brow. “Oh?”
His voice dropped lower, taking on an almost velvety soft quality. “Yeah. You were in it, princess.”
My skin felt tingly, my mouth was Sahara dry. I didn’t feel like myself all of a sudden. It was almost as if he’d cast a spell, and I was just along for the ride, unable—or maybe unwilling at that point—to take control back. It was those eyes, man. Those freaking dark, alluring, sexy bedroom eyes. There wasn’t a woman in the world who’d be able to resist their power up close. Not even me.
I tried to swallow past the cotton taking up residence in my throat and croaked, “What—what was your dream about?”
He started speaking in a tone that could only be described as intoxicating. “Well, you see, it was a beautiful, sunny day, and we were standing on the sidewalk outside the building. You were in these jeans that made your ass look incredible.” His tongue peeked out and swiped across his plump bottom lip. “I couldn’t stop staring. Then . . . ”
I was straight up enraptured at that moment.
Oh my God. What is happening right now? “Then what?”
“Then . . . you stepped off the curb and got hit by a bus.” It was like a bucket of ice water being dumped over my head. Whatever voodoo he was working broke right then, and I remembered instantly that I wanted this man to die by a thousand papercuts—preferable by my hand.
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
I fell hard for Jude and Layla in Knockout! This enemies to lovers romance is one of the best I’ve read, and Jessica Prince adds her special brand of small-town, slow burn goodness to this story.
I loved the slow burn of Jude and Layla’s relationship, and how wrong he realized his assumption was of her once he really got to know her. It takes some meddling from his awesome Grandmother Sybil, but once these two stop fighting the sizzling chemistry that is behind their wicked bickering, it is explosive.
There is a whole lot of family drama on Jude’s side, which is what leads to the conflict between them. When Jude is ready to walk away rather than let his toxic DNA hurt Layla, will she be able to help him see that they really are stronger together?
Knockout is an amazing addition to the Whiskey Dolls series, and I binged it in a single sitting!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet the Whiskey Dolls a series of interconnected, standalone, small town romances
Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.
Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.
In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.
Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.
Santa for the holidays? Yes, please! JJ’s Knight’s SECOND CHANCE SANTA is an absolutely delightful (and seriously steamy!) holiday rom com that will have you wanting your very own Mack under the tree! ~ NYT Bestselling author J. Kenner
This endearing romance is the funny, feel-good romance of the holiday season you’ve been looking for, where nice girls get their naughty happily ever after. ~ USA Today bestselling author Blair Babylon
I never thought the love of my life would turn out to be — a mall Santa.
What has happened to Mack McAllister?
We were law school rivals.
Absolutely insane in bed.
Our two-year fling ended when we graduated.
He had his ambitions. I had mine.
We were going to slay the competition.
Now he’s sleighing it?
When I stalk him at Riverside Mall, he looks like Santa in every way. White beard. Rosy cheeks. Kid on his knee.
But I know better. That bowl full of jelly is hiding ripped abs.
I’ve been inside that suit.
Something’s happened to the Mack I knew ten years ago.
I don’t know how he feels about me now, but there’s only one way to find out.
Get in there and jingle those bells.
___________
Second Chance Santa is a holiday romantic comedy about the one who got away, the perils of resting Grinch face, and all the delicious ways to unwrap a candy cane.
Rory’s tone is tough as she says, “It’s been a long time since I saw you last.” She pokes my belly pillow. “You’ve gone soft.”
“Maybe I’ve had a lot of milk and cookies lately.”
She shakes her head. “I never thought I’d see you like this.”
“Like what?”
“You were the best of the best! What happened?”
“You act like being Santa is the worst thing that I could do.”
She hesitates. My mind floods with images of her from a decade ago. Tousled hair in the morning. Sleeping in my bed. I’m not sure I ever got over her. “Are you in town long?” I ask.
“I live here.”
I control my expression. Rory’s back in L.A. and I didn’t even know. I used to know everything about her, including the exact spot that made her scream. I swear it’s the memories talking when I hear my own treacherous voice say, “Meet me this weekend.”
Rory’s about to answer when a sharp-eared kid yells, “What about Mrs. Claus?”
I don’t even hesitate. “She wants to see my North Pole,” I call out, enjoying the snort-laugh I get out of Rory.
The kids chorus, “Show her! Show her!”
Rory is losing it. She keeps trying to straighten her expression, but she can’t hold it. “You’re terrible,” she squeaks out.
“Same as I always was.” I lean close to her ear. “By the way, there is no Mrs. Claus.”
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
Second Chance Santa was hilarious. Rory and Mack’s second chance at love was everything I wanted to read in a feel-good rom-com, all wrapped up in loads of Christmas puns and presents and halls decked with boughs of holly.
Don’t read this book in public, because I found myself snorting on more than one occasion. It is set in the Pickle world, so there are lots of appearances by characters from previous books, which I loved, but it is a true standalone so you don’t necessarily have to have read those books to enjoy Rory and Mack’s story.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
JJ Knight is the USA Today and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic comedy including Tasty Mango and Big Pickle.
I hate Christmas. As CEO of my company, I’ve banned decorations from the office, festive music from the lobby and any kind of secret Santa gifts between employees are strictly forbidden. I’m heading to the airport, away from the Christmas lights and the mulled wine, heading for sunshine and margaritas when I get a call from Granny. She’s sprained her ankle and needs my help filling in for her as head of the village Christmas Committee. Snowsly is the Christmas Capital of England and the last place I want to be in the lead up to Christmas. But there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Granny. When I arrive in Snowsly, I’m introduced to Celia Sommers who is Christmas’ biggest fan and therefore my own personal nightmare before Christmas. Worse than that, I have to work with her to make Snowsly’s Christmas market a success. Celia is determined to get me in the festive spirit. It’s not going to work. It doesn’t matter if she’s smart and funny and easy to flirt with—if she doesn’t stop looking at me with her sparkling eyes and pouting her completely kissable lips, Celia is going straight to the top of my naughty list.
Reading The 14 Days of Christmas, I could vividly see this story playing out on the screen as one of those feel-good made-for-TV holiday movie. Except with lots of sexy times. I am a sucker for those cable movies where the Grinchy hero falls hard for the chipper heroine who loves all things Christmas and develops his own love for the holiday — and got exactly that with Sebastian and Celia.
I loved everything about this story, from the picturesque town of Snowsly to Sebastian and Celia’s insane chemistry and witty banter, the charming villagers and hilarious Granny. I love how she put Sebastian in his place!
The 14 Days of Christmas is a lighthearted opposites-attract romance filled to the brim with lots of holiday cheer, a perfect indulgence to escape into while you sit by your own Christmas tree with a cup of eggnog!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Meet Louise Bay
USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Nights Collection, The Royals Collection, and The Gentleman Collection (these are series of stand alone books each following different characters). Louise’s most recent novel is Mr. Mayfair which is available now!
Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.
Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.
Sunny Shelly Reads 