TEST OF TIME by Harlow James is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

Falling for the single dad next door wasn’t part of my plan when I moved to Blossom Peak.

I accepted the teaching job for a fresh start, far away from the controlling ex I left behind.

But Rhonan Hart is everything you could ask for in a man. Strong, dependable, helpful, an amazing father to his daughter, Ellis… and looks beyond sinful in his sheriff’s uniform.

Except his daughter is my student, and he’s determined to pretend like our connection doesn’t exist.

(I’m determined to pretend he didn’t see me naked when my shower blew up, and he tried to save me.)

But soon, he’s sneaking over to my house at night—warming my bed, tearing down his walls, and making me want something I knew I couldn’t have.

My life is a mess, one I’m still trying to clean up.

But this man and his child give me a glimpse of a future I want, no matter what the cost.

Just when I think I’m on the path to moving on, fate decides to give us the test of time.

I just hope this is a test we both survive.

Buy Link:

https://mybook.to/testoftime

Available in KU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

I loved this book so much! I was hooked from the prologue, right up until the very end. Grumpy/sunshine is one of my favorite tropes, and then add to that a grieving single dad, an adorable little girl and Vienna being Rhonan’s daughter’s teacher and this book was perfection.

Both Rhonan and Vienna had some issues that they brought into the relationship, and I loved the growth from both characters. From having read the other books in this series, I knew a little bit about Rhonan’s backstory, as far as his wife having died when his daughter was a newborn. But getting to know him better and getting the full breadth of his backstory… my heart broke for the guy!

Little Ellis is a trip, and I love the way she has everyone wrapped around her little finger. I loved how she and Vienna develop a bond all on their own — and outside of the classroom. Then there’s an element of suspense in this story that has Rhonan’s worst fears coming true.

Aiden Snow and Ava Erickson did a fantastic job in their dual narration.

The Blackjack Brotherhood are a tightknit bunch, and I love the way they show up for one another. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Harlow James:

Steamy Romance Author

Harlow James is a pen name I use to protect my identity as a high school teacher. Keeping those two roles in my life separate is necessary, but also fun! It’s like a live two lives, and anonymity gives me the opportunity to be bold and take risks in my stories.

I stumbled upon romance novels in 2018 when I picked up Driven by Kristy Bromberg, and I was obsessed. I had just lost my grandmother too, so reading offered me an escape from reality and a chance to grieve on my own terms.

About a year later, I got an idea for my own book and started writing. I researched self-publishing and jumped in with both feet. I had no idea what I was doing!

But now I’ve built a business and hobby that I LOVE! I have an outlet that’s just for me. When I write, I’m not a mom, a wife, or a teacher…I’m a woman who gets to tell stories that no one else can.

My books are the perfect blend of heartwarming moments, full-bellied laughs, and PLENTY of steam to melt your Kindles 😉 And there are always elements of me sprinkled in to every character and story that I write.

When I’m not writing you can find me reading or spending time in my kitchen. I love to cook and feed my family and friends. Otherwise, you can find me watching comedy specials with my husband, camping with our kids, or taking naps. I live for naps 😉

Connect with Harlow James:

https://linktr.ee/harlowjamesauthor

CAN’T SHOOT WHISKEY by Zoe Forward is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

Josh Hurst was supposed to be my forever. Instead, he became the villain in my origin story.

I gave him my heart. He broke it without flinching. So, I did what any self-respecting, heart-shattered girl would do—I declared war.

Our revenge game? Legendary.

Until I left for college and swore I’d never look back.

But life doesn’t care about vows made in the dark.

When my father dies unexpectedly, I’m dragged back to the hometown I outgrew, handed guardianship of my grieving kid brother, and forced to take over my father’s struggling veterinary clinic.

And waiting for me—like karma with a smirk—is Josh.

Not as a memory.

Not as a ghost.

But as my new business partner.

Avoiding him? Impossible.

Forgetting what we were? Laughable.

He still looks at me like I’m his. Like we’re a story paused instead of over. Like one spark is all it would take.

And God help me, the spark is still there.

But we don’t do soft. We don’t do safe.

We do oil and fire. War and wreckage.

Whatever we once were—

Whatever we still could be—

We’re enemies.

And this time, nobody’s walking away unburned.

Buy Link:

http://books2read.com/cantshootwhiskey

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Can’t Shoot Whiskey was an enjoyable childhood sweethearts/enemies-to-lovers/second-chance romance.

Years ago, Josh broke Erika’s heart, and she left town and never looked back. Now, she’s come back home in the wake of her father’s unexpected death to become her younger brother’s guardian and run her dad’s vet clinic, only to discover that Josh is the co-owner — and her new business partner.

Underneath all of the hurt feelings and hatred, a fiery spark still remains between Erika and Josh, and as they work side by side, it’s clear that there’s a fine line between love and hate. This slow-burn, second-chance story was full of witty banter between the two main characters, oodles of sexual tension, and likable side characters. It’s a lovely story about grief, healing, loss and reconnection.

The story pulled me in right from the start, and as a first-time reader of Zoe Forward’s, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Zoe Forward:

USA Today bestselling author, parent, wife, veterinarian, chocolate lover. Author of spicy paranormal and contemporary romances. Zoe Forward brings readers the perfect combination of action adventure, romance, humor and a bit of magic.

Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden

Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

You can find her residing in the South with a menagerie of four-legged beasts and two wild kids.

Connect with Zoe Forward:

https://linktr.ee/zforward

Ryder by Jessica Peterson is now live!

One hard fall in the rodeo ring.
One maddeningly gorgeous cowboy.
One chance at love she swore she’d never take.

Billie Wallace has spent her whole life trying to prove she’s more than the Wallace Ranch’s “wild” only daughter. All she wants is a shot at barrel racing—and a purpose beyond crunching numbers in her daddy’s office. But when her very first run ends in disaster, Billie lands flat on her back with Ryder Rivers—her childhood crush, her brother’s best friend, and the town’s notorious heartbreaker—hovering over her.

In all the years she’s known him, Ryder has never entertained Billie’s shameless flirting. But after her fall, he’s suddenly everywhere—showing up to help her when she’s hurt, staring at her across the honky-tonk when she’s trying to move on with a bronc rider, and encouraging her to explore her dream career.

Before either can really register what’s happening, their partnership sparks into much more than just dust and arguments.
Late nights turn into stolen kisses. Stolen kisses turn into something that feels dangerously like forever. Ryder swears he’s not the staying kind, but the way he looks at Billie like she’s the only woman in the world makes everyone start to wonder if he’s ready to stop running…

RYDER is an interconnected standalone book in the Lucky River Ranch Series.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/4oCMSQo

Purchase the deluxe edition paperback!

https://bit.ly/4v0GrdE

The Deluxe Edition is available in North America with designed edges and spot gloss!

Amazon Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4bWoEwE

Audible: https://bit.ly/47fLIUu

Narrated by: Lila Winters & Stephen Dexter

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/489QyDr

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

The Lucky River Ranch series comes to an end with Ryder and Billie’s romance.

As Duke’s twin, Ryder is the youngest of the Rivers brothers, and he felt the hit of their parents’ death the hardest. He has pretty much shut down emotionally, but he’s always had a soft spot for Billie, his best friend Colt’s little sister. Meanwhile, wild child Billie has always had a crush on Ryder, but he’d never seen her as anything more than his best friend’s flirty sister. But when her dreams of barrel racing fall apart, Ryder is there to be Billie’s white knight. Through their friendship, Ryder begins to open up a little more with Billie in ways that he never has with anyone else.

I really loved this story, and how the big feelings for Billy suddenly overtook Ryder. I love it when a playboy is brought to his knees, and that’s exactly what happened with these two characters, one stolen kiss at a time. Billie is a carefree spirit, and she really pushed him out of his comfort zone. They complemented each other well, and I loved the slow sizzle between them that led to a full-on explosion when they finally got together. Ryder was kind of emotionally stunted, and he goes through so much growth through their relationship.

This book also served as a lead-in to Jessica Peterson’s next series, the Double U Ranch, and I can’t wait to see what goes on there! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

CAPTIVATION CREEK by Claire Kingsley is AVAILABLE NOW

He’ll help her solve a mystery, but they can’t risk their hearts.

A devastating injury ended Theo Haven’s pro-football career, but he’s made a good life for himself in his hometown. The high school teacher and football coach might be single, but that’s by choice. And his work bestie, Penelope? She’s one of the best parts of his job, but they’re just friends.

No, really. Not the sort of friends who are secretly pining for each other or destined to hook up. Just… friends.

Art teacher Penelope Fallbrook is stuck in a rut. When a locally renowned artist dies suspiciously, she channels her restless energy into amateur sleuthing. Who better than her best friend Theo to help her search for the truth?

When Penelope’s life comes crashing down, Theo is there, picking up the pieces and offering a place to stay. Best friends become roommates, and living one room away might be too much temptation.

As they dig deeper into the mystery of the artist’s death, secrets unravel. Are they searching for a murderer? Or uncovering the work of a serial killer?

And Penelope might be in danger of becoming the next victim.

Author’s Note: a fun twist on friends-to-lovers with work besties turned roommates turned lovers. A murder mystery, small-town shenanigans, feuding senior citizens, page-turning suspense, and a charming couple who will steal your heart.

Captivation Creek can be read as a stand-alone.

AVAILABLE NOW ON Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and paperback!

Order the eBook here → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G62QTKCS

Order the audiobook here → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKQ3XTDZ

Order the paperback here → https://www.amazon.com/dp/1464239231

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Another great Haven brothers book from Claire Kingsley! I really loved the slow burn between best friends/coworkers/roommates Theo and Penelope as they did some amateur sleuthing around Tilikum to solve a murder mystery. It was a refreshing twist on the heroine-in-danger microtrope, and it was so much fun to watch these two characters fall in love along the way.

As always, there are some great cameos from other CK characters, and I adored the Haven family scenes. I’d totally forgotten that Penelope was Levi’s dating-app date from Rewriting the Stars, so that was a fun Easter egg! There’s also a fun subplot with Penelope’s grandmother, Colleen, and one of the other residents at her assisted living facility that had me laughing.

Penelope and Theo were just so much fun. I loved their easy connection, and the slow burn as they both began to realize they were developing feelings for their best friend. I read the book in tandem with the audio, narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Alastair Haynesbridge. I believe this was the first time I’ve listened to a book with Alastair, but I thought he did a great job in bringing Theo to life. And Vanessa is always a rock star.

Now… bring on Reese, because I can’t wait to see what that brother’s deal is!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

STICK AROUND by E.M. Lindsey is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

“Would you slap a teammate for twenty-five grand?”

“Uh, yeah. There are a few I’d slap for free. Just point me in the right direction.”

Problem number one: My personal life is falling apart.

Problem number two: My public life is also on thin freaking ice.

Problem number three: The ridiculously hot NHL D-man with the inability to remove his head from his ass has decided I’m his number one target.

And that last one is a bit of an issue since his idea of targeting me is to have absurdly hot hate-hookups with me in the locker room. Which I don’t necessarily mind…

Except there’s one tiny snag in his plan: I don’t like guys.

Or, well, I didn’t think I liked guys.

But when Alexio Zeki drops to his knees and, uh, gets to business, I realize my very narrow view of my own sexuality needs some adjustment.

And that’s ironic coming from a blind man.

Admitting I’m bisexual is the easy part.

Admitting I’m kind of, sort of, ridiculously into the man I claimed to hate is something else entirely. But the more he insists that I’m worth keeping, the more I start wanting to believe him.

Stick Around is the first book in the Punk as Puck spin-off series, Legends and Fury. It’s a high heat, enemies to lovers rom-com with a snarky NHL goalie who has a lot of big opinions and doesn’t care if they’re unsolicited, a PPHL goalie with a mountain of problems and no way to reach the top, locker room hookups, praise, swoony romance, a low-stakes bi-awakening, hockey bro banter, tons of chirping, and the swooniest happily ever after.

Buy Link:

https://mybook.to/lafstickaround

Available in KU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Stick Around is the first book I’ve read by E.M. Linsey, and I quite enjoyed it. I understand that this book is the first in a spinoff series about players in the professional para hockey league. I thought that Jonah and Alexio’s story was pretty self-contained, even though Jonah apparently had been a side character in the previous series. For that reason, I’m sure frequent readers will love the continuation of the series with this new couple, but I had no problems diving into Jonah and Alexio’s romance without having that background.

I really liked Jonah. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders when it comes to the family drama surrounding his sick father (who has Alzheimer’s) and his brothers, who have written their father off. And I have to admit, finding out how horribly the dad treated the three brothers when they were young… yikes! No father of the year award there! But that really made Jonah’s plight resonate more with me, and I appreciated how far he’s come in his life.

With Alexio, I thought he came off a bit brute-ish at times and arrogant when it came to the disabilities of Jonah and his teammates. I get that there’s this “us” versus “them” mentality because Alexio plays for the NHL team that is more or less forced to share their arena with the PPHL team, and I was glad to see that after being called out on more than one occasion about how insensitive he was being, Alexio began to change his tune. Otherwise, I would have really struggled with this enemies-to-lovers story. But I thought that all came together nicely, and I really enjoyed this story and the disability rep with the para athletes.

Overall, Jonah and Alexio’s journey was messy and emotional, just what I love in an enemies-to-lovers story. And even though Jonah is blind, he “sees” Alexio and vice versa; these characters had a lovely connection. There is a great friend group that shows up for one another when the going gets tough. I also really enjoyed the tease at the end of this book for Jonah’s brother, Micah, and Vanya, as the couple in the next book!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet E.M. Lindsey:

E.M. Lindsey is a Romance author, an ancient historian, and avid lover of nerdy things.  EM lives on the East Coast of the United States. 

Connect with E.M. Lindsey:

https://linktr.ee/emlindseyauthor

AVAILABLE NOW IN AUDIO CHARMER: The Charmer Tour Edition by Kayley Loring in multicast duet narration by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder with Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton! This is the MULTICAST DUET version of Charmer by Kayley Loring, narrated by Jason Clarke, Emma Wilder, Erin Mallon, and Teddy Hamilton. The content is the same as the original Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright dual-narrated version, which is still available. Jason Clarke sings all of the song lyrics in this multicast version and he plays guitar for most of the songs. Charmer is a standalone story, but if you listen to SLEEPER: The Palisades Edition first you’ll be familiar with most of the characters. NICO She serves me coffee late at night when I come around to write lyrics, but it’s not the caffeine I’ve gotten addicted to. We’ve got the spark, but she’s the only woman in town who seems to be immune to my charms. When it’s time for me to leave for my cross-country tour, I just can’t imagine not seeing her for months. So I offer her a job on the road with me. KAT Everyone in LA knows that Nico Todd has a way with songs and with the ladies. What he doesn’t know is that I would love to let him have his way with me. But my life can only revolve around one infuriatingly cute guy—the six-year-old that I live with. Imagine my surprise when Nico finds out about my little boy and tells me to bring him and my mom on the road too. And imagine Nico’s surprise when he realizes my son is the biggest charmer of them all. Audible:https://adbl.co/4s87gtV Ebook – Available in KU: https://a.co/d/0fncD6SP

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

I fell in love with Nico back in 2020 after reading Sleeper, and I was thrilled to listen to this new special edition, full-cast audio!

Singer/songwriter Nico Todd has a rep for being a ladies’ man, but from the moment he saw sweet waitress Kat serving coffee in his favorite late-night diner, he was smitten. She’s brushed him off for months, despite feeling a flicker herself whenever she’s around Nico. But as a single mom, Kat knows that her lifestyle and Nico’s lifestyle would just not gel.

But when Nico learns that Kat is a gifted photographer, he offers her a job documenting his upcoming music tour, and takes her son and mother along for the ride. And as it turns out, little Tate is just as charming as Nico! Although Kat tries to keep things completely professional between them when they are on the road, that plan quickly goes by the wayside. They get to know each other well in their close quarters, and Nico not only wins over Kat, but Tate and her mom as well.

Charmer is an absolutely charming story. I love the way Nico breaks down Kat’s walls, and she makes him want the life and family that he never thought he wanted before. He totally steps up as a dad for Tate, and their relationship is heartwarming. Low on angst, big on all the feels, Sleeper is a perfect love story to get lost in! Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder bring Nico and Kat to life in a wonderful duet narration, with Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon voicing the supporting characters. What a fab foursome! And Jason Clarke singing Nico’s songs and playing guitar? Holy smokes!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Then There Was You by S.L. Scott is AVAILABLE NOW

Synopsis:

I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to smile, to laugh, and to really live. Until I met him.

Heart-stoppingly handsome.
Totally forbidden.
Keats Matthews looked at me like I was something special.

He was escaping his past. I wanted to escape my present. Together, we fell hard and fast and knew we had found forever. Or so we thought …

Six years later, his shoulders are broader than I remembered, his charming smile thaws my frozen heart, and it’s so tempting to run my fingers through his hair like I did years ago. But it’s the tenderness and warmth in his brown eyes that remind me of the forever we almost shared.

It’s magic when we’re together again. Our chemistry has only magnified. Seeing him, confident and more irresistible than ever, has me falling for him all over again and hoping for a second chance.

But he still believes our timing was off before. He’s wrong. It was the secret I kept hidden that was our undoing. Time hasn’t healed old wounds, and not everything hidden has come to light. When it does, we’ll stand together or fall apart. Either way, we must find out.

Then There Was You is NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon & KU: https://geni.us/TTWYAm

Audio is live on Audible: https://geni.us/TTWYAudible

Right Person Wrong Time

Forbidden Romance

Star-Crossed Lovers

Narrated by Erin Mallon & Tor Thom

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Then There Was You was full of angsty goodness.

Keats and Sosie are the quintessential opposites attract story: She’s a society princess, raised in a gilded cage by parents who parade her around like an accessory, and he’s a struggling student, raised by a single mom who didn’t quite know what she was doing and he’s had to fight for every scrap he has. They meet one night when he’s a cater waiter working her parents’ annual holiday party, and the connection between them is off the charts. They spend one beautiful night together before her father intervenes, and they are torn apart.

This book has a six-year time jump, and during that time, neither one of them has ever truly moved past their one night together. So when they reconnect, will they still have the same combustible chemistry?

If you love star-crossed lovers, forbidden romance, it’s always been you, the one that got away, etc. — then this story is definitely one worth getting lost in!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

BEYOND THE PAGES by K.H. Oakes is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

He found me during the best time of my life.

Okay, it wasn’t exactly the best time of my life. I was on the side of the road, a flat tire on my

truck, but I digress…

He was the man I never saw coming.

Which explains why I aimed my pepper spray at him when he approached. Honestly, a girl can

never be too careful, especially when her daughter’s involved. Still…

He was everywhere in my new hometown.

No, he wasn’t a stalker. Just my knight in denim-clad armor, full of Southern charm, with rugged good looks…he even called me ma’am.

And, when it mattered most, Cameron Brown was there on the worst day of my life. But

will my pain bring back the trauma of his past?

Please check the author’s trigger warnings. Your mental health matters.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/5BzGb89

Available in KU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Beyond the Pages by K.H. Oakes was an impressive debut novel!

Rosalie and Cameron are both single parents, and they have the cutest meet-cute when she gets a flat tire as she and her young daughter are moving to a new town. This book is slow-burn perfection! The banter between the characters was amazing. I loved the supporting cast of characters, the cozy feel of this small town, the growth between Cameron and Rosalie (especially Cameron, a widower), the connections with their kids, and the range of emotions (especially grief and healing) in this story.

Beyond the Pages is definitely a book I am placing on my re-read list. I can’t wait to see what this author gives to us next!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review

Meet K.H. Oakes:

K.H. Oakes lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband and two kids. She is an occupational therapist by day, a parent by night, and an author in her “free” time. She enjoys hanging out with her family, traveling, reading a variety of romance books, playing tennis, and anything to do with animals. Sarcasm is her love language.

Connect with K.H. Oakes:

https://linktr.ee/authorkhoakes

The Last Great Almost by Quintana McConnell is now available on Amazon and KU!

What to expect:

Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers

Second Chance

Small Town

Found Family

Mental Health Rep

Second Coming-of-Age

Black Cat x Golden Retriever

BLURB

Phases fade. Eras echo.

You don’t always know you’re in one, until it’s gone.

When thirty-three year old Nora Lowe unexpectedly returns to her small Midwestern hometown, she must confront the ghost of her past: Elliott Ashby, the best friend and secret love she abandoned fifteen years ago. Nora never intended to go back to the boy who knew her better than she knew herself, but now the old feelings—and old secrets—are clawing their way out of the shadows.

Face-to-face for the first time since she fled, Nora and Elliott must decide if they can move beyond their troubled backgrounds, rumor mills, and wounds to embrace a future they never named. The alternative is the unraveling of everything they’ve built in the interim, and Nora’s continued struggle to break free from her past and find the love she feels worthy of.

Told in dual POV across layered timelines, The Last Great Almost is a slow-burning meditation on emotional imprinting, chosen family, and the quiet ways we carry each other—long after the moment has passed.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3.5 Stars

Childhood best friends Nora and Elliott haven’t spoken in a decade; not since everything changed between them and she left town and never looked back. Now, following a breakup, Nora returns home to lick her wounds, and she and Elliott are thrust back into one another’s lives… and the opportunity presents itself to heal some of the old heartbreak.

The story is a sweet, clean, second-chance romance, told in dual POV and in past and present. There was a lot of miscommunication between these characters, and I was kind of surprised at how not-that-big-of-a-deal Nora’s reason for leaving town was. I feel like it could have been settled much sooner had these two actually talked about it. But I did appreciate the always-been-you microtrope, and how Elliott never really moved past Nora’s leaving.

The Last Great Almost is the first book I’ve read by Quintana McConnell. Overall, I liked it; I didn’t *love* it. Will I come back to re-read it? Maybe.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.