ALWAYS HEATED by Irene Bahrd is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

“You’re not sunshine after it rains. You’re the f*cking storm, Cass. But you’re my storm.”

Ten years after making a marriage pact with her brother’s best friend, Cassidy Rogers is finally engaged. Except, it isn’t Travis Harrison on one knee. Cassidy’s sweet veterinarian boyfriend, Zack, pops the question before Travis has a chance. While she loves Zack, there’s no passion, no fireworks. Still, she agrees to marry him, unknowingly breaking Travis’ heart.

Doing everything in his power to break them up, Travis is unwilling to accept Cassidy’s love for Zack. When all of his plans fail, he’s left with one final option—admitting his feelings for her have nothing to do with their pact. If Zack is out of the picture, does Travis have a chance with the one woman he’s always loved, or will everyone get burned in the process?

Always Heated is a sort-of spicy, romantic comedy-ish love story, intended for mature audiences. Just because it has funny moments, doesn’t mean you should forget to check your content warnings… There are a LOT with this one.

Buy Link:

https://mybook.to/alwaysheated

Available in KU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Irene Bahrd is a new-to-me author, and I really enjoyed the depth she gave to the friends-to-lovers trope in Always Heated. Travis and Cassidy grabbed my attention from the beginning, and I loved seeing how much was actually behind this marriage pact that they made a decade ago.

Travis and Cassidy have been pining for each other since they were kids — he’s best friends with her brother, Caleb, and the three are close in age. Travis never made a move on his feelings for Cass, and instead dated everyone else in town. The book opens on his birthday, when instead of going forward with a one-night stand, they instead make a pact to marry each other if they are both still single in ten years.

Flash forward 10 years later, and just as Travis, having realized that he has bona fide feelings for Cass, is about to propose, her current boyfriend pops the question. And that spurs Travis into action to try to win her over. At first, Cass is convinced he only wants her because of their pact — despite all of their friends and family telling her otherwise.

The chemistry between them is intense, and Travis is a swoony boyfriend. It’s a bumpy road for these two, and Cassidy goes through some major events along the way. But Travis never falters in his faith in their relationship or his assurance that he wants to spend his life with her. I loved that dedication, and how he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable and show his feelings to her.

Always Heated is a standalone, but there are lots of references to Ingrid and Caleb’s story, Never Yours (Cassidy’s best friend and brother). I felt a little lost at times because I didn’t know the details, which was a minor inconvenience. I didn’t think that Travis’ guilt over losing his dog Blaze was explored enough, or *why* he was so depressed that night of his birthday when they made the marriage pact — so I was kind of surprised when those plot points came back into play at the end of the book. I appreciate the mental health rep portrayed by both characters, but I thought that Travis’ could have been explored better. And I’m still not sure how Ashlyn fits into the friend group.

Overall, this is the first book I’ve read by Irene Bahrd and I enjoyed it! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Irene Bahrd:

Irene Bahrd is a Gryffindor Capricorn and one of the most avid readers you will ever meet.

She started her writing journey as a dare from a friend, after recounting dating stories from her early twenties. They inspired her to write spicy parody and romantic comedy novels that feature a variety of book boyfriends—from growly alpha heroes to cinnamon roll golden retrievers.

Her favorite genres to read include fantasy romance, romantic comedies, and contemporary dark romance. You’ll find some of her favorite books and authors referenced by main characters in her own books.

Irene can be found on Instagram and TikTok under @irenebahrdauthor

Connect with Irene Bahrd:

https://linktr.ee/irenebahrd

𝐼’𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝐵𝑙𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑒.

TWICE IN A LIFETIME by Jessica Prince is AVAILABLE NOW

When I moved away from Hope Valley at eighteen years old, I told myself it was for good. There were too many unpleasant memories, too much history, and too many reminders of the boy who had broken my heart.

Years passed and I built a life and a family with a man I loved. Then, in the blink of an eye, that life was ripped away from me, and the secrets he’d kept from me refused to follow him into his grave.

Now I’m back in my hometown, a shell of my former self, trying to pick up the pieces of my shattered life and fit them back together. My heart has been broken for the second time in my life, but I have to put on a brave face and fake it for the sake of my kids and the people I love.

I thought I was doing a pretty good job of hiding the pain, but there is one person I’ve never been able to fool. One person who was always able to see through the masks I tried to wear, and he is determined to chase my shadows away.

Rhodes Bradbury is all grown up now. The boy who had been my first love is now all man. And to make matters worse, my body still reacts to him the same way it did all those years ago. My heart still races in his presence, and a single look from those deep, dark eyes is enough to make my skin tingle. The voice in the back of my head is screaming at me to steer clear, but there’s just one problem.

The boy he was might have broken my heart, but the man he is now wants a second chance. He isn’t afraid of my baggage. In fact, he wants nothing more than to carry it for me.

I’m trying my hardest not to repeat the mistakes of the past. But he’s doing everything in his power to convince me that most people aren’t lucky enough to have what we had even once, let alone twice in a lifetime.

𝑭𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅

● AMAZON ➜ https://geni.us/TIALeBook

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Having read the OG Hope Valley series made me love Rhodes and Blythe even more because I’d seen them as younger characters in his sister Gypsy’s book and her mom Nona’s book.

This story was full of second-chance goodness between two characters with a long history between them. After Blythe’s husband passed away and she discovered her entire life was a lie, she headed home to Hope Valley and tried to avoid Rhodes, the first guy who broke her heart. But when she needs assistance from the Alpha Omega guys — to investigate her late husband — she is shocked to see that Rhodes is Lincoln’s new partner.

Twenty years ago, a much-younger Rhodes threw their relationship away — but now he is determined to make things up to Blythe and make up for lost time. I loved these two together. The symbolism of the angel wings tattoo, how sweet he is with her kids, how it has always been her… this story checked off all the boxes that I want to see in a second-chance romance.

I am really enjoying this next-generation of Hope Valley books, and love that the kids are just as much of a tight-knit bunch as their parents are! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Baby Cakes: The Complete Bite Series by S.J. Tilly is now live! 

When a holiday baking competition goes incredibly wrong. Or right…

Michael –

I’m starting to think I’ve been doing this for too long. The screaming fans. The constant media attention. The fat paychecks. None of it brings me the happiness I yearn for.

Yet here I am. Another year. Another holiday special. Another Christmas spent alone in a hotel room.

But then the lights go up. And I see her.

Alice –

It’s an honor to be a contestant, I know that. But right now it feels a little like punishment. Because any second Chef Michael Kesso, the man I’ve been in love with for years, the man who doesn’t even know I exist, is going to walk onto the set, and it will be a miracle if I don’t pass out at the sight of him.

But the time for doubts is over. Because Second Bite is about to start – “in three… two… one…”

Read now for the full three-part series!

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://a.co/d/hUaOhkX

Audible: https://bit.ly/4iiG6Na

Narrated by: Gomez Pugh & Callie Dalton

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3YE6XLH

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Baby Cakes: The Complete Bite Series is three novellas in a single edition, so the story of all three parts flows nicely.

I loved the instalust connection between Michael and Alice — he’s a sexy silver fox, a celebrity chef judging the reality show where she’s a sweet plus-size baker. The first novella (Second Bite) is when they meet on the show, the second (Snowed In Bite) is when they are snowed in while filming a special, and the third (New Year’s Bite) takes place during the New Year’s special.

There was a great connection between these characters. I loved how growly and alpha Michael is, and how that complements Alice’s shy side. She really blossoms into a different person while she’s with him, his confidence in her inspires her to really open up and come out of her shell.

*Chef’s Kiss* for Michael & Alice! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet S.J. Tilly

Like all her books, S.J. Tilly resides in the glorious state of Minnesota, where she was born and raised. To avoid the freezing cold winters, S.J. enjoys burying her head in books, whether to read them or write them or listen to them.

When she’s not busy writing her contemporary smut, she can be found lounging with her husband and their herd of rescue boxers. And when the weather permits she loves putting her compost to use in the garden, pretending to know what she’s doing. The neighbors may not like the flowery mayhem of her yard, but the bees sure do. And really, that’s more important.

Connect with S.J. Tilly

Website: https://www.sjtilly.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21212705.S_J_Tilly

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/S.J.-Tilly/author/B08WPK79SN

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beanbagbookclubsjtillyreadergroup/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjtillyauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SJTillyAuthor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@s.j.tilly.author

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-j-tilly

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SjTillyAuthor/

THE NIGHT BEFORE GRUMPMAS by Kendall Hale is AVAILABLE NOW

Blurb:

An all new holiday grumpy-sunshine rom-com with banter, delicious tension, and plenty of festive spice from Kendall Hale.

Life doesn’t go according to plan, but sometimes it brings you exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

I’m Noelle Holiday, lover of all things cozy and festive. I thought moving into my grandma’s rent-controlled apartment in New York would be a fresh start. What I didn’t expect was sharing a wall with Jacob McCallister, my grumpy, Grinch of a neighbor who hates joy, cinnamon candles, and any music with jingle bells.

He’s broody, blunt, and allergic to holiday cheer.

I’ve never met someone so bothered by a string of twinkling lights or the scent of freshly baked cookies. Naturally, I made it my mission to thaw his frosty exterior.

The problem is that the more time we spend together—whether it’s bickering over decorations or sharing late-night conversations through the walls—the more I realize there’s more to Jacob than scowls and sarcasm.

And when Grumpmass Eve arrives, we’re both faced with a choice: keep things the way they are or risk it all for a love worth unwrapping.

Buy Link:

https://geni.us/TheNightBG

Available in KU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

I have really been enjoying Kendall Hale’s Mishaps series. I loved this holiday book with Jacob and his neighbor!

My goodness, Noelle Holliday is the perfect name for this Christmas-loving character! BUT… the names of these characters kinda gave me the ick because my kids have the same names LOL \

Anyhoo… The Night Before Grumpmas was entertaining, charming, sexy, and sweet, topped with a candy cane! The banter between these two was hilarious, and the chemistry was sizzling. Jacob and Noelle were about as opposite as you can imagine. She’s cheery and eternally optimistic; he’s broody, sullen, and eternally annoyed. I loved seeing Noelle get to that softie hiding underneath all that grump.

I think this book may be my favorite out of the Mishaps bunch! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Kendall Hale:

Kendall Hale is a daydreamer and a bookworm with a dangerous addiction to chocolate and wine.

At night, she’s a fiery wordsmith with a penchant for creating romantic mayhem with a lot of heat. She believes in the power of laughter, love in its messiest form, and the magic of happily ever afters.

When she’s not crafting swoony, steamy stories, Kendall can be found at home with her family, including her adorable furry companions. She loves experimenting with new recipes, watching movies, and losing herself in her favorite books while music plays in the background.

Connect with Kendall Hale:

GROUCH-ISH by L.B. Dunbar, Author is available NOW! Grab it in KU!

https://a.co/d/55DnlRm

Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…

silver fox

single dad

fireman x boss’s daughter

snowed-in

holiday romance

Let’s start here. The twelve days of Christmas are actually after the holiday.

And my dad, being the great guy he is, and the fire department’s battalion chief, signs up one of his rebellious firefighters for a retreat because of his bad behavior.

The guy is a total grouch.

But when the grumpy silver fox misses the bus for the adult redemption camp, Dad sticks him with me for twelve days.

Alone.

So, on the dozen days some mysterious true love—which I have yet to experience—should be bringing me gifts, like French hens and golden rings, I’m in charge of this firebird on our pear farm. Being the city man he is, he doesn’t have a clue how to can fruit, mend fences, or milk cows.

But he knows how to kiss . . .

Not that we should be doing such a thing. Only his silver beard is sexy, and his crooked smile kind of sweet. He has this alpha energy vibrating around his well-honed body but underneath the grumpy exterior is a man lonely for something more in his life, like me.

And instead of gifting each other random birds, leaping lords, and piping pipers, the gift we give one another is time . . . and our bodies.

But what about our hearts?

Maybe true love will strike after all.

A lot can happen in twelve days.

+ + +

In a new tradition from L.B. Dunbar comes another holiday hottie certain to heat up your holidays.

🎧🎧 Sunny Shelly’s Audio Review: 5 Stars 🎧🎧

Grouch-ish was a delight! This grumpy hero, forced proximity, boss’ daughter romance is low on the drama and high on the witty banter and swoony feelings!

Brock and Pear had the best meet-cute when he quite literally misses the bus on a rustic retreat his chief was making him take after Christmas. He gets off on the wrong foot with Pear (aka Snowflake), and the last thing either of them want is to be stuck together for 12 days at her dad’s farm. Both of these characters are divorced, and feeling lonely around the holidays. Little by little, they let down their guard and get vulnerable with one another. I really enjoy LB Dunbar’s later-in-life romances, and how her characters aren’t afraid to communicate openly and have tough conversations.

Teddy Hamilton is one of my all-time favorite narrators. I loved the grit and vulnerability he brought to Brock. Stella Hunter is another favorite of mine, and she perfectly captured Pear

Props to LB Dunbar for all of the 12 Days of Christmas puns — some of those were really brilliant! And this cover… it fits Snowflake and Fireman so well!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

INDIGO SKY

Kelsey Kingsley

Release Date: November 22

From the praised author of Saving Rain and Warrior Blue comes a thrilling love story between a pink-haired dancer and her half-blind protector …

I never knew how to stick up for myself.

I never had to.

That’s what Nate Manning, my best friend, was for.

After an accident left me disfigured and half-blind, I took the torment and bullying while Nate fought my battles for me, as unhinged and questionable as his methods were—and I let him.

But that was before I bumped into the confident and strong Indigo Sky.

Suddenly, I had something to fight for, something to defend—something more important than me … especially after taking a job as a bouncer at the club where she danced.

I made a vow to protect her at all costs.

And I will do anything to keep that promise … even if it means burning bridges with my best friend—or risking my own life to save hers …

Grab Your Copy HERE!

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

I love Kelsey Kingsley’s male-POV stories. Her last two (Spider & Saving Rain) were gut-wrenching tragedies… I don’t want to say that Indigo Sky is a lighter story — because it’s not — but it didn’t make me cry the way those other two did.

Revan did not have an easy childhood. He was disfigured after an accident, leaving him blind in one eye. He was bullied relentlessly at school, until bad boy Nate stepped up to be his protector. For as young as he was, Nate operated in the gray, and over the years, Rev got dragged into some situations he probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

There comes a point in time where Rev needs to distance himself from Nate, and that’s when Rev meets Kate. Well, rather, reconnects with Kate. And as their relationship develops, and Kate’s life is in danger, the guy who once needed protecting becomes the protector.

This was a really lovely story about friendship, forgiveness, family, and the power of love — both romantic and of friendship, because Nate and Rev eventually come back into one another’s lives. I thought I had this story figured out, but wow, I really didn’t. Kudos to Kelsey for those plot twists1

I would *love* to see a book from Nate’s POV. The dude went through some seriously awful things. I love that he eventually got his own HEA, but I would love to see KK expand on his backstory and fluff that out!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Kelsey Kingsley:

Kelsey Kingsley is an author of twenty novels. She lives in New York with her family and a cat named Ethel. She loves music, makeup, tattoos, and watching Frasier reruns. Kelsey is a Slytherin. She also curses a lot but won’t apologize for it.

Keep up with Kelsey and subscribe to her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c3K409

To learn more about Kelsey Kingsley & her books, visit here!

Connect with Kelsey Kingsley:

https://kelseykingsley.com/contact/

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