Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 7: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 7

Percy Jackson, now a high school senior, needs three recommendation letters from the Greek gods in order to get into New Rome University. He earned his first one by retrieving Ganymede’s chalice. Now the goddess Hecate has offered Percy another “opportunity”—all he has to do is pet sit her mastiff, Hecuba, and her polecat, Gale, over Halloween week while she is away. Piece of cake, right?

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover settle into Hecate’s seemingly endless mansion and start getting acquainted with the fussy, terrifying animals. The trio has been warned not to touch anything, but while Percy and Annabeth are out at school, Grover can’t resist drinking a strawberry-flavored potion in the laboratory. It turns him into a giant frenzied goat, and after he rampages through the house, damaging everything in sight, and passes out, Hecuba and Gale escape. Now the friends have to find Hecate’s pets and somehow restore the house, all before Hecate gets back on Saturday. It’s going to take luck, demigod wiles, and some old and new friends to hunt down the animals and set things right again.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199190261-wrath-of-the-triple-goddess

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s so nice to fall back into the Percy Jackson world. Filled with laughter, adventure, and lots of mythology. Percy has a new assignment to get his second recommendation letter in order to get into New Rome University. It’s Halloween time, so there is only one goddess who could make suggest a request. Hecate. The goddess of sorcery and witches, she has a special task for Percy. Pet sitting. Yep, the all powerful and terrifying guidance needs a house and petsitter while she travels around the world to celebrate her holiday. Should be easy enough to watch a hellhound and a polecat. But nothing is ever easy when Percy gets involved. Even with the help of Annabeth and Grover. When Hecuba and Gale escape while Percy and Annabeth are at school, they will all have to work together to find the missing pets before Hecate gets back. As always, I adore any Percy Jackson story. You will laugh the entire way through, learn lots of Greek mythology, and watch how far Percy has come since book one. He’s grown up a lot and it shows. There is something so special about this series that you just get sucked right into the story and won’t be able to put the book down until you are done. This was definitely a fun one of the series and perfect for the Halloween season!

Hockey Rules Book 1: Never Accidentally Marry Your Teammate by Portia Blake

 

Hockey Rules Book 1

Finn

I might have a reputation for partying, but I’ve outdone myself. After drunkenly proposing to my new teammate, Noah, during a wild night out in Vegas, I wake up with a ring on my finger, a husband by my side, and a colossal PR nightmare.

The team’s management is furious, and the only way to salvage our careers is to pretend the marriage was intentional. Noah plays along like a pro, and I move him into my Boston penthouse. He just got called up from the AHL, and I might cost him everything.

We’re stuck together for at least a year, navigating public appearances, playing hockey, and living together. In fact, this so doesn’t feel like pretend. But obviously, that’s we’re both straight. Aren’t we?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220281460-rule-1

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

When Noah’s dreams of being called up to the NHL, he thinks this is it. Especially when the team has someone he looks up to on it. Finn. But his start isn’t so great. Not when his teammates throw a party for him and one drinks causes him to be sick the next day on game day where he plays horribly. Things can’t get worse right? Finn feels terrible. He knows it is his fault that Noah was hungover. And the thing is, he really likes Noah. So his protective instincts come out and eventually leads them to another mistake. Getting a little too drunk in Vegas and getting married. But they can fix this, they just have to…well turns out they aren’t quick enough. And telling the truth is out of reach after everything that has happened. They’ll pay the happy couple for a year then divorce. Simple. But then feelings start to rise between the two. And they are learning about more about themselves than they ever thought could happen. For Noah, he has to start admitting to himself that he may have always liked men, but growing up where he was didn’t exactly give him a safe place to find out for sure. But what he has always felt toward Finn? It was definitely a crush and now it’s something more. But he worries that Finn won’t ever feel it toward him. Finn may have never found a guy to turn his head but Noah certainly has. And that’s fine with him. Because the more time he spends with Noah, the more he falls. But will Noah believe him if he admits this feels real? These two killed me on their communication! You just want to tell them to admit how they really feel toward one another and be happy! Because as a couple, they were adorable and just so sweet. A fun story to read and I’m looking forward to the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hockey Rules Book 0.5: Never Crush on the Captain by Portia Blake

 

Hockey Rules Book 0.5

Vinnie

The unwritten rule in hockey? Never crush on the captain.

Too bad I’m failing at that.

Single dad Evan McAllister is our adored team captain, attractive, and my all-around amazing former best friend. Oh, he’s straight too. That’s less of a positive for me. I’ve been distancing myself to smother my feelings, but that’s only confused him and totally hasn’t worked.

When a concussion leaves Evan needing care, I step in to help him and his daughter Stella. Evan’s not thrilled with me barging back into his life after I ghosted him, and the more we’re thrust into intimate circumstances, the harder it is for me to keep from blurting my secret.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220280801-rule-5

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Vinnie has been in love with his best friend, and hockey captain, for a while now. But knowing that his best friend will never feel the same, becomes too painful. So he felt he had no choice but to pull away. Evan doesn’t know what he did to cause Vinnie to stop hanging out with him. But he does miss his best friend underneath the bit of anger still lurking. And when Evan gets a bad concussion on the ice, Vinnie can’t help but volunteer to take care of him and his daughter, Stella. Because even if it hurts to be near Evan, he still can’t help but want to protect him and care for him. Their time together begins opening Evan’s eyes to how he sees his former best friend. That there is a connection to him that is deeper than just friendship. And when Vinnie finally admits the truth to him, Evan knows what has been missing. But will they be brave enough to truly open themselves up to one another? And the world? These two were very sweet. This was a great way to kick off this series. It’s clearly how much they mean to one another and you are just waiting for them to take that leap of faith. I think this is going to be a fun series!

King Sports Book 1: The Backup Plan by Eden Finley

 

King Sports Book 1

Thad

Failing to make it in pro ball left me absolutely devastated. Baseball has been my life, my dream, but it’s time to move on.

Becoming a sports agent was always my backup plan, and now that I’m interning at the biggest queer-focused firm in the country, I’m doing my best not to let my bitterness toward baseball affect my future.

That’s really difficult when I’m assigned to babysit Kelley Afton, hotshot rookie pitcher for Philly. He has everything I ever wanted, and he doesn’t even appreciate it. I didn’t become an agent so I could soothe the ego of diva athletes.

His constant need for validation from others frustrates me to no end, but that’s probably a good thing. Because if he didn’t have that, I’d find him irresistibly my type.

Attraction could lead to crossing lines which would put my position at King Sports in jeopardy, and I can’t have that.

I don’t have a backup for my backup plan.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216832670-the-backup-plan

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Thad has only ever had one goal. To play pro in baseball. But when he realizes that his dream isn’t going to come true, he knows it’s time for his backup plan. Becoming a sports agent. He knows this opportunity at King Sports is one he should be grateful for. But the bitterness of losing the dream is hard to deal with when he watches others succeed. Like Kelley. The hotshot rookie player seems to have it all. So when Thad and his fellow intern Brady are asked to babysit Kelley for two weeks to keep him off social media, he can’t help but feel like he is wasting his time with a spoiled kid. But he soon realizes just how much he has let his anger blind him. Kelley deals with a lot of anxiety and it’s hard to maintain it when it feels like he is getting attacked on social media after coming out. And though he doesn’t get Thad’s attitude toward him, they eventually come to an understanding. But things don’t end there because in burying the hatchet, they are left to acknowledge the attraction between them and just how much they have in common. Sparks fly. And they know that Thad’s future could be in jeopardy if they continue to see one another as more than friends. But can they do that when it is clear they are falling hard fast for one another? It’s finally the King Sports era! So glad to be back in this world with so many favorite characters like Damon and Brady. I remember Thad and Kelley from Brady’s book, so I’m glad to see we finally get their story. A fun story for sure and one I couldn’t put down! I loved their dynamic and how they changed and helped one another as they fell in love. Great story and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

King Spots Book 0.5: Rival by Eden Finley

 

King Sports Book 0.5

Xavier

Interning at the ever-growing and reputable sports agency, King Sports, has been my dream job. This is what I want to do with my life. And I have one chance to impress my boss, Damon king, that I’m perfect for one of the coveted full-time junior agent positions up for grabs at the end of the summer. I’m hoping I can get some one-on-one time with him at the upcoming King Sports corporate retreat.

The only problem is, Camden Wheeler. My nemesis. My rival. He also wants the job.

College was four years of Camden being king on campus, while it was four years of torture for me.

Being a sports agent is all I’ve ever wanted. Being a sports agent is Camden’s backup. Camden couldn’t make it in major league baseball, so now he’s trying to weasel his way into my spot, and I’m not going to let him walk all over me like he did in college.

It’s game on.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208452856-rival

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Xavier and Camden have been rivals all throughout college. Their sports teams were rivals that pranked one another throughout the years and took every opportunity to one up the other. Xavier thought he would finally be free of Camden when they graduated. That is, until Camden showed up at his internship with King Sports. Now at their corporate retreat, they have a few days to impress the boss to land a full time position. But underneath the rivalry, there be a lot more feelings than Xavier wants to admit. Camden has always had feelings for Xavier, but didn’t realize that what he thought was always in fun was not what it appeared. But he wants to show Xavier that he deserves a chance. They could be friends and more if allowed. And he’ll do what he can to prove it. Enemies to lovers is always a fun trope and these two were another great example! I really liked both of these characters and their story. We had some great laughs and sweet moments too. It’s a perfect opening to this series and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Royals and Romance Book 1: The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

 

Royals and Romance Book 1

Nicholas “Coal” Claus used to love Christmas. Until his father, the reigning Santa, turned the holiday into a PR façade. Coal will do anything to escape the spectacle, including getting tangled in a drunken, supremely hot make- out session with a beautiful man behind a seedy bar one night.

But the heir to Christmas is soon commanded to do his duty: he will marry his best friend, Iris, the Easter Princess and his brother’s not-so-secret crush. A situation that has disaster written all over it.

Things go from bad to worse when a rival arrives to challenge Coal for the princess’s hand…and Coal comes face-to-face with his mysterious behind-the-bar hottie: Hex, the Prince of Halloween.

It’s a fake competition between two holiday princes who can’t keep their hands off each other over a marriage of convenience that no one wants. And it all leads to one of the sweetest, sexiest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206101578-the-nightmare-before-kissmas

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Have you ever seen a book, picked it up, read what it was about and knew that you were going to love it before you actually read it? That was this book for me. The moment it was announced, I knew I was going to love it. It had too many elements that I loved to not be great. And with a great author writing it? I knew it was going to meet my expectations. And I’m so happy to write that it really did! I adored this book. From beginning to end, I was laughing and smiling. You get happiness and tears and just so much laughter and sweet swoony romance. The book follow Nicholas “Coal” Clause. The Christmas Prince. When we meet Coal, he has accidentally messed up in trying to do a good thing. Because that is what Coal does. He tries so hard to do good but it just never seems to work out. And their magical world where holidays have royals, he is seen as this guy who screws up and uses humor to cover. But he is so much more. And when he pours his heart out to a stranger in a back alley after his epic screw up, the stranger actually sees and listens to him. Then there is a kiss so quick, he is gone the next moment. Until a few years later. To his brother, Kris, and their best friend, Iris, the Easter Princess, he comes off as not caring about his holiday. But it’s the opposite. He has always cared but has watched his father change drastically over the years and turn Christmas into something it shouldn’t be. And when his dad takes it a step too far and announces he is courting Iris, Coal decides he has to do something. But the game changes when Halloween sends their prince to try and win Iris’s hand. And Coal comes across the stranger he hasn’t been able to forget. Hex. Coal teams up with Hex, Kris, and Iris to get out of this terrible situation and find a way to fight for their holidays. And at the same time Coal and Hex are falling in love because Hex never forgot about their moment either. Like I said I adored this book. I adored Coal and Hex and their relationship. They were so adorable and hilarious and so so sweet. I just could not put this book down. And I am so glad to see there will be another book to this series! We got so many great characters and such an interesting world, we need as many as we can get! You definitely don’t want to miss this fun romantic comedy holiday adventure!

Faeries Never Lie: Tales to Revel in by Various Authors

 

Faeries Never Lie, the next young adult collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, is filled with fourteen short stories to revel in, that center faeries of varying genders and cultures!

There’s something to be said for starting your first day in faerie boarding school, for chasing a faerie through Chang’an during the Tang Dynasty, for searching for the missing part of your throuple who may have run away with a faerie prince, for descending into madness after spending countless nights plagued by the same faerie dream—and much more.

Fly into this revelry filled with tricksters, lovers, monsters, and the like, in this exciting collection for those who love faeries and those who are experiencing them for the first time!

Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Faeries Never Lie features short stories from beloved authors Nafiza Azad, Holly Black, Dhonielle Clayton, Christine Day, Chloe Gong, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Ryan La Sala, L.L. McKinney, Anna-Marie McLemore, Kaitlyn Sage Patterson, Rory Power.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200982368-faeries-never-lie

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My Review: 5/5

The Honest Folk by Holly Black 

I wanted this book for one reason and that was to read Vivi and Heather’s reunion story! This short story didn’t disappoint. We follow Heather as she realizes she is missing a week of her memory and is missing an ex she can’t remember. She knows something is off but can’t figure out the specifics. Then she meets Vivi and the quest we know Vivi has taken to win Heather back, this time with the truth, has begun! I actually really liked this short bit. We get the clever tongues of the fae but i adored how smart Heather is. A perfect match for someone like Vivi. And who is going to handle the truth of magic all over again. It was nice to see this beginning of how they got back together!