Scoring Chances Book 5: Cheap Shot by Brigham Vaughn

 

Scoring Chances Book 5

The last thing Luke Crawford needs is to fall in love with anyone …

He’s got a good thing going as the Boston Harriers’ enforcer, and he likes his classic rides and quiet house to himself. Getting off with strangers is fine, but nobody is going to come in and mess up his hard-won peace. 

Least of all Vintage Jersey Guy, who comes to every home game to chirp Luke in the penalty box.

Sebastian Breckon left a thriving business in New York to help his sister, a single mom struggling to manage a demanding job and a kid with a chronic health condition.

However, Sebastian’s new flower shop in Boston isn’t taking off like he planned. Thankfully, he can blow off steam by chirping Crawford for the cheap shot he laid on Sebastian’s best friend and captain of the New York team.

Then Luke unexpectedly lands on Sebastian’s doorstep for a hookup and hatred turns to heat.

As injuries pile up, the team struggles to clinch a playoff spot, and Luke’s upcoming contract is suddenly on the line, Sebastian feels like the only solid thing in Luke’s life.

Except Luke doesn’t do romance. Especially not the white-picket-fence type.

But when Sebastian’s family’s struggles worsen right as the Harriers need Luke to play his best, he’ll have to decide if he’s ready to take the leap and convince Sebastian to build a future together.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244947845-cheap-shot

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

We made it to Luke’s story! Was definitely looking forward to his story to find out how who exactly would be a match big, tough Luke. And who better than the guy who loves to wear NY jerseys to a Boston game and sit right near the penalty box to chirp at Luke all night? Yep, Sebastian and Luke are the last guys you would think would get together, but they were actually a pretty great pair. Luke has never pictured himself in a relationship. Whether it was the way he grew up or just something that is just part of who he is, he isn’t sure, but no one has really tempted him. But when these two come face to face for an anonymous hookup, you don’t know who is more surprised at the fact that they met on an app or the fact that neither are opposed to the idea. Their verbal sparring is basically foreplay for them and they learn quickly they have pretty good chemistry. And from there begins a really slow build up from hook ups to friends to eventually something more. Sebastian wasn’t looking for a relationship either. He is busy expanding his business in Boston and is always ready to help his sister and his niece when they need it. Specifically because his young niece has a chronic illness and Sebastian wants to be there for them with whatever they need. But the moments that Luke spend time together, the more they really get to know one another and realize that maybe they don’t really hate each other after all. I really loved these two. It was this slow burn emotional build up but it was so right for them. And it made it so much more satisfying by the end when they realize just how hard they have fallen for one another. Just another great addition to the series and with enough hints that have me super excited for the next book!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All An Act by Leslie McAdam

 

Lachlan Doyle’s biggest problem seems to be which girl to invite to prom. Everyone thinks the golden boy of Royce High, captain of the football team and senior class president, has a charmed life.

Everyone except me.

To me, he’s the sad-eyed boy next door. All my life, I’ve overheard what goes on at his house and wished I could save him from it. I know that underneath Lachlan’s smiling, flirty exterior is a very broken human being.

One who has to fake interest in cheerleaders and so desperately wants to escape his horrible home life that he auditions for the school play just to be out of the house in the offseason. He’d rather spend hours rehearsing with the weird drama kids than deal with his family.

Except Lachlan didn’t know when he accepted the lead role that he’d have to kiss a guy—me—in front of the entire audience. And he didn’t know that I’ve had a crush on him forever. Although he might be suspicious, given what we get up to when no one else is around.

Regardless, there’s no chance we’d ever be together for real. The only time the popular jock and the emo goth make sense as a couple is when we’re both acting like someone else.

All an Act is a steamy gay romance about two high school seniors. All spicy scenes feature characters who are 18+ years old. This is a stand-alone MM romance about the one person who sees who you really are. Expect confessions in the dark, fake kisses that turn into more, and raw courage. HEA.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239986554-all-an-act

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Isak and Lachlan were inseparable as kids. Until the day Lachlan walked away with no explanation that Isak could understand. Now, they enter senior year of high school and suddenly everything changes. Because turns out the feelings Isak has for Lachlan just may be reciprocated. Lachlan wears a mask at all times. He walked away from his best friend when it became very clear in his house that being friends with Isak wasn’t okay and there would be really bad and painful consequences. He is doing what he can survive this final year of high school before he can leave for good. But it becomes harder and harder each day being this miserable. Until finally, he has had enough and wants something from himself. And that’s Isak. It may start off as a secret hook up but then when Lachlan needs a reason to be away from home in the spring, he finds himself auditioning for the spring musical where he ends up cast opposite Isak. And suddenly, keeping feelings to themselves may just be impossible. I adored these two. Lachlan is going through so much and I hated that he had to face so much of it alone. And was so happy when he started to finally open back up to Isak. These two were best friends for so long and in order to protect himself, Lachlan had to let him go for a while. But I loved that he was slowly finding his courage in this story to be himself and love who he wanted. And for Isak, he was finally seeing what Lachlan had hidden for so long and refused to let him go again. A really beautiful story all around! You don’t want to miss this one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Into Darkness Book 3: Game On by Navessa Allen

 

Into Darkness Book 3

Book three in the No.1 New York Times bestselling Into Darkness series, following the dark rom-com sensations Lights Out and Caught Up . The game is on for these enemies-to-lovers with laugh-out-loud banter and scorching-hot brat play.

I hate that woman.

Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he'll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge. 

Including Stella McCormick. She's everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it's time she finally paid the price. Whether she's ready to or not.

I hate that man.

Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight - no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he's the devil planning to make her life hell.

Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family's glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler's ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn't know which is being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

Game On is an enemies-to-lovers dark romance with morally grey characters. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240382002-game-on

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Tyler’s story has arrived! I’ve been looking forward to his because we’ve gotten so many hints that there is a lot more to Tyler than meets the eye. And we finally find out what has been going on with him. And turns out, a lot. Tyler has been hellbent on revenge for a long time and all the pieces are finally coming together. And the key to that plan is Stella. He needs Stella to bring him to the events of the wealthy and elite. Because in doing so, he will finally be in a position to destroy his father. Tyler has made all the calculations and plans but he just never expects Stella to be the exact opposite of what he thought she should be. Stella can’t stand Tyler. Blackmailing her to help him in his quest that he is only giving her smalls parts of, she just wants to be free of him. Too bad they can’t keep their hands off one another. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin is exactly what these two represent and it was so much fun to see them fall hard for one another. First off, their banter was hysterical. They match wit for wit at every turn and I couldn’t wait to see what argument they would have next. We also got some pretty good twists and turns in this one too. Definitely keeps you on your toes. And some great surprises as well. Overall, I really enjoyed their story!

The Darling Brothers Book 3: Saddle to Sunup by Emmy Sanders

The Darling Brothers Book 3

He gave me my first kiss. I never expected he might be my last.

Lawson

Ever since Oakley Beaumont skipped town, it feels as if my life has gone off the rails. Even worse than my divorce and moving back into my childhood bedroom at the Darling Ranch is the fact that I’m learning there’s a whole lot about myself I simply don’t know.

Like whether or not I’m straight.

And why the sudden absence of my best friend left a hole in my chest I haven’t been able to fill in the three years he’s been gone.

First things first: I need to bring Oakley home.

Then maybe I can tackle the matter of my love life. After all, I’m ready to get back in the saddle.

And who better to help me than the cowboy who once promised me forever?

Saddle to Sunup is a friends-to-lovers romance set in small town Montana, with a queer awakening for a single dad in his forties, a reunion that feels a lot like a second chance, playful banter, a bit of rope, and one very HEA. It’s book 3 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231431993-saddle-to-sunup

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Nothing has felt right to Lawson since his best friend, Oakley, left town three years ago. The pain is worse than the divorce Lawson just went through and having to move back home. And he has had enough. So he drives twenty hours to bring him home. Refusing the outcome any other way. And once they are both back where they belong, everything between them is going to change. Oakley is shocked to find Lawson at his door and dragging him home. But the truth is, he doesn’t mind. Deep down, he knows that he needs Lawson just as much as Lawson needs him. But he is even more shocked when Lawson tells him what he has been going through and that he wants something to happen between them that crosses the lines of friends. After years of never letting himself wonder if there could be anything romantic between them, Lawson opens that locked door Oakley tried so hard to keep shut. Changing everything between them. Lawson has done a lot of thinking and has only realized so much later in life things about himself he didn’t know. That he is still learning. But what has never changed is Oakley. And it’s time to finally be what they were always meant to be with one another. Absolutely loved these two. Best friends. Soul mates. They are truly one another’s person. It just took them a long time to realize that it was so much more than platonic. That they could be so much more if they opened their eyes and realized it was an option. Really beautiful story of these two finally figuring out that they could just be so much more. Three out of the four Darling brothers stories are done and I’m definitely looking forward to Remi’s story!

The Darling Brothers Book 2: Brim Over Boot by Emmy Sanders

 

The Darling Brothers Book 2

He may be a King, but I’ll never kneel.

Colton

If asked to list all the folks in Darling, Montana I can’t stand, I’d have a single name.

Noah King.

He’s the second-best farrier in town (me being the first). A royal pain in my behind. And an all-around smug pest I wouldn’t mind knocking down a peg or two.

It’s no surprise after so many years, our animosity has come to a head. I just never in my wildest, hate-fueled fantasies expected Noah’s attack to involve his lips on mine.

It was a mistake, no question. But apparently I still have some things to figure out about myself.

One thing I do know? Noah King and I have been bitter rivals from the start. And nothing, not even the fire he lights under my skin, makes a lick of difference in the end.

Surrendering to my enemy isn’t an option.

Brim Over Boot is a small town, enemies-to-lovers romance between rival farriers, with a double bi-awakening, tension and banter galore, scorching encounters, a slow fall from hate to love, and one very HEA. It’s book 2 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220080166-brim-over-boot

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Colton Darling can’t stand Noah King. It’s been that way for a long time. There is something about Noah that drives Colton crazy. But Colton just never understands what it was that he did to make Noah look at him like he was the worst. And lately, Colton really just can’t sit still about these strong feelings when it comes to Noah. Noah tries to keep Colton at a distance to avoid the accusing looks and verbal sparring, but Colton always seems to find Noah. And when their businesses clash a bit more, it just ups the ante. Things are about to boil over with these two and nothing surprises them more when instead of a fist to the face, it’s a kiss. A kiss that changes everything. There is confusion and wary trust and just slowly realizing that they may have been looking at one another in the wrong light. And when they actually get to know one another? Well, things could be different. But there is a lot to still uncover about themselves and one another and maybe that is exactly what they need. Oof! The tension between these two were insane! You were just waiting for the snap. ANd boy was it a snap. Loved their banter and their constant fights that turned steamy quick. They were truly playing with the lines of love and hate and it is so satisfying to see these two realize that falling for one another was a lot better than hating. Another great story in this series! And I’m off to grab book 3!

The Darling Brothers Book 1: Sweet Like Whiskey by Emmy Sanders

 

The Darling Brothers Book 1

The only thing worse than letting him in is the thought of letting him go.

Jackson

If there’s one thing I don’t need upsetting my quiet and comfortable routine in the small town of Darling, Montana, it’s newcomer Ash Alcott crash landing on my family’s ranch like some sort of blonde angel.

I don’t need his flirting. Or his smile. I don’t need the way he makes me question whether or not I’m truly happy being alone at forty. I certainly don’t need to be giving him riding lessons or appreciating the meals he cooks for the ranch.

The man is dangerous for my equilibrium. And he could up and leave at any given moment, tiring of this way of life. It’s happened before.

No, I’m better off ignoring the way he looks at home in a new pair of boots and how my family and the ranchers all adore him. Ash may have brought some sunshine into our lives, but it’s best he learn sooner rather than later…

Ain’t nothing sweet about being saddled with a cowboy like me.

Sweet Like Whiskey is a grumpy/sunshine, small town romance between a stubborn cowboy and the optimistic out-of-towner who’s determined to win him over. There’s ranch life, close-knit family dynamics, gorgeous mountain views, moonlit shenanigans in a hayloft, and one very HEA. It’s book 1 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214574116-sweet-like-whiskey

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Ash knew he needed a change and that he needed to leave Maine. And when his friend offers for him to stay with her in Montana while he figures out what he wants, he jumps at the chance. And even when his car breaks down just outside the town, the moment he sees the mountains and the small town of Darling, he knows that he made the right choice. And when he starts working as a cook for the Darling Family on their ranch, it’s even more confirmation that he is in the right place. Especially when he meets Jackson. Ash knows he is in the trouble the moment he sees Jackson. He sees past that tough exterior to the heart of gold and Ash just knows that Jackson may be the who of what he was searching for. Jackson has gotten used to the loneliness and comfort of his ranch with this family. Especially after a break up a few years back that had him closing himself off. But he never expects the optimistic and flirty man that is Ash. And he knows he too is in trouble with this man. His fears may circle in the back of his mind, but he knows that he will regret it if he never tries. Because Ash is worth fighting the fear every time. Adored these two!! They were so sweet and cute and just that perfect sunshine and grumpy couple. I loved getting to know these two and watch them fall in love. This was a great start to this series and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Darling Brothers’ stories!

Royal Elite Book 0: Cruel King by Rina Kent

 

Royal Elite Book 0

He's no fairy tale king.

Levi

Here, little princess. I'm your king.

You have three rules.

Bow. Break. Bend the knee.

Fight me all you want, but soon enough, you'll be chanting long live the king.

Astrid

One day I'm Royal Elite School's small fly, the next I'm hunted and left to die.

He doesn't only shred my life to parts, but he's also coming after my heart.

He thinks he broke me, but the new princess will bring the king to his knees.

Cruel King is a complete standalone in Royal Elite world. No book should be read prior to this

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/225085537-cruel-king

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

So I started with the kids’ books, opps! But now I’m finally circling back to the beginning of this universe and in doing so, it’s time to see what the parents were like as kids. And it will surprise no one when I say their kids are exactly like them LOL. And it starts with Levi and Astrid. Astrid has done her best to stay invisible at Royal Elite School. She has one year to go and then she’s free. But when she goes to a party before school starts, nothing goes to plan. And she ends up being the victim of a hit-and-run. And on top of that? She let’s the literal King of the school notice her. Big mistake. Because once Levi has his eyes on you, he won’t let go. Especially when it comes Astrid. Astrid is determined to figure out what happened that night and bring them to justice. Levi wants her to forget that night, especially because accident wasn’t the only thing that happened. She stands up to him and fights him every step of the way. Whatever move he makes, she counters it. And no one does that. It only intrigues Levi. And turns out, there is more to these two than anyone knows and they have more in common than they think. But this is a dangerous world they live in and they have to play smart if they want to come out of it alive. I was definitely looking forward to reading this story after reading about their kids and seeing them adults. It was fun to see what they were like before that and it didn’t disappoint. Their love story is exactly what you would expect and I can’t wait to see everyone else’s stories!