Promises, Promises Book 4: Promised Chance by Rye Cox

 

Promises, Promises Book 4

Why start something when there’s an expiration date looming over our heads?

I knew from the start that our paths in life were just meant to be a brief connection with a set ending. Atlas was heartbroken by his bastard of an ex, and I was there to comfort him in his time of need.

He might think he’s in love now, but he’ll wake up one day and realize he’s too good for someone like me.

An ex-con.

Town outcast.

The person nobody really kept.

My ex-wife left, and it’s only a matter of time before he does too.

But Atlas is persistent. He asks for a chance. A chance to show me he’s serious about me and the life we could create together.

Even if it means I’m the one who ends up with a broken heart, I agree. I’m hopeless against him.

Being with him makes me feel alive, and for the first time in a really long time, I can say that I’m happy. The feeling is foreign to me, that it makes me even more scared of losing it.

Then Atlas tells me he has a stalker. Someone who’s been following him around for months, and now I’m terrified of losing him in more ways than one.

Promised Chance is book 4 of the Promises, Promises series set in a small town with meddling neighbors and a tight-knit community of friends and family. It can be read standalone, but is better read in a series. This book features age gap, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, and a skittish black cat.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247895261-promised-chance

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Atlas thought this move to Kither Springs was going to be great. Until he arrived and found out his boyfriend was a cheater and a liar. Fleeing the scene, he ends up at The Diner where he meets the keeps to himself owner, Hector. Hector lends a listening ear and even a place to stay. Now months later, Atlas is way happier and that has a lot to do with Hector. His crush has evolved into so much more and no matter how bold he is, Hector won’t make a move. But Atlas is patient and sees how Hector looks at him. He knows this man is meant for him and if given a chance he can show them just how good for one another they could be. But there is one problem, Atlas has a stalker. Hector finds himself as a bit of an outcast in his own home. Though it comes down to no one bothering to get any truths from him. So he does his best to keep to himself. Which becomes impossible with the ray of sunshine that is Hector coming into his life. He never imagined someone like Atlas caring for him. And his feelings only grow stronger. There are a lot of reasons why they shouldn’t be together, but Atlas has a way of making Hector forget and more importantly remind him that those aren’t real reasons. And just when he gives them a chance, Hector learns that someone is stalking Atlas. Hector will do whatever he can to make Atlas feel safe. Loved these two! They were utterly adorable together. Atlas truly is a ray of sunshine and Hector is just this big teddy bear. They complimented one another so well. I loved how Atlas never let anyone talk bad about Hector and was quick to set them straight. Even when Hector was hard on himself. And I loved that Hector was such a safe space for Atlas and had such a huge heart. These two were just so sweet! If this was the end of this series, it was a perfect way to go!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Boneyard Key Book 2: Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

 

Boneyard Key Book 2

Clashing ghost tours lead to a sizzling romantic rivalry in the second romance in the new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was.

But there's a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.

When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222419292-ghost-business

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Sophie loves her home in Boneyard Key, Florida. It’s supernatural history makes the town unique and its community is like a family to Sophie. And one of her favorite things to do is give ghost tours. She gets to tell the history of the town, while also giving the stories of the local ghosts. But when Tristan arrives, her business is in a bit of danger. Not realizing what one another does, they hit it off at first. But then Tristan reveals that he is bringing his own ghost tours to Boneyard Key. And suddenly, it doesn’t feel like the town is big enough for two of them. So a deal is struck. They have until October to see who does the best. And the other tour must go. In Tristan’s defense, he didn’t realize Sophie had a tour. His research showed nothing and it wan’t until he arrived did he realize that Sophie’s tour existed. But he can’t back down. He made a business he’s been running in several places and his father’s timeline is coming to an end. He has to be successful. But he never expected to truly love the town and realize that while his ghost stories are fake, Sophie’s…may just be real. And there is Sophie. Who he can’t get out of his head. Ans same with her. Can there be anything really between them when they both have so much to lose? It was fun being back in this town! All the ghosts are so fun to see and I really loved getting to know Tristan and Sophie. They had plenty of fun banter and watching these two fall for one another was super sweet! Another fun ghost story and I hope for more!

Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 24: Lover Enthroned by JR Ward

 

Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 24

In #1 New York Times bestseller J.R. Ward’s newest Black Dagger Brotherhood installment, star-crossed lovers face the battles of their lives…in the midst of war with the Lessening Society.

A Hidden Past

Allhan, a computer genius who works for the Brotherhood, has a deadly secret. Torn between what he must do, and his increasing attachment to Vishous, he’s not looking for any more complications in his life. He’s not going to survive the one he has.

A Royal Future

Princess Dennesha, heir to the throne of the Shadows, is a live and let die kind of female. At least until she finds herself tangling in the destiny of a human—even though it goes against every instinct of hers and all common sense.

A Terrible Choice

When Allhan and Denne meet by chance, their passion is undeniable. But a rare astrological event triggers a crossroads for the Princess. Either mate a male she doesn’t love and assume the throne, or stay true to her heart and condemn the Territory to destruction. With Allhan fighting his conscience—and a lesser who’s after Wrath and the Brothers—can the two find a way out of their fates? Or are they doomed to grieve a love that could never be for eternity…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248337056-lover-enthroned

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Was so happy to get my hands on an ARC of this! Especially because it was the first time I even saw this title and realizing it was coming out this year. So naturally, I read it in a day. So good! It’s Allhan’s story, basically the adopted son of Vishous, and oh man there was a lot more than meets that eye with that guy’s story. Allhan’s past has been close to the chest and for some good reasons. But he knows he is running out of time. He just hopes he can do the right thing. And we meet Denne! The daughter of iAm and Catra. We haven’t gotten much with the Shadows lately, so it was fun to get back there and see what was going on with them. And apparently not much good at the moment. When Allhan and Denne meet, well the circumstances aren’t exactly the best, but for them? It was like a wake up call on who they were and their lives and the future they could have. But first, they need to fight for it. I really loved their story. As always, we are catching up with others in Caldwell, and things are getting pretty crazy there. For our members of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, we focus a lot of V due to his connection with Allhan and that is always amazing because V is always entertaining. I also just loved that we really get to see V accept his fate into fatherhood, despite some ups and downs. Overall, great story in this series. And I’m always looking forward to seeing who is up next.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray

 

In this dark and sultry romantasy a mermaid battles hatred—and lust—for the wretched warlock who saved her life.

Mermaid Zephyra of the Syl dreams of freedom. On the run from a dangerous captor and years of abuse, she’s shed her tail, grown legs, and hidden herself on land in the merrow-loathing kingdom of Mortia, left to steal and barter on the dirty streets. But her freedom is short-lived when she’s caught and sentenced to death by the brutal warlock, Arion Stone.

Arion is as beautiful as he is cold and deadly, only interested in punishing the merrow he views as evil. He has grown as strong as any warlock might, but at great personal cost…which can only be remedied by the heart of the God of Death, lost to a fabled kingdom beneath the ocean’s treacherous depths.

So Arion offers Zephyra a deal she can’t refuse; help him find the mystical heart, and he’ll spare her life. With no other options, Zephyra agrees, entangling their souls and forbidden desires in a magical bargain until death do they part. But Zephyra's past is catching up to her, and the enemy she fled seeks vengeance. If Zephyra and Arion can't learn to fight together--and trust each other--there are worse things awaiting them than just death.

Of course, in the wicked sea, everyone has secrets, and no one should be trusted.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239680445-the-wicked-sea

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I had hoped that this story was going to be a good one, and I’m glad to see I wasn’t wrong! Finding mermaid stories is always fun, especially when they are good. And this seems to be a promising start to what I think is gonna be a pretty great series. Zephyra is a mermaid on the run. She has been trying her best to run as far as she can from something pretty awful. But being a mermaid is a death sentence on land. And the freedom she so desperately wants is taken from her when she is captured by king’s brutal winged warlock. Arion doesn’t have much time left. Every time he uses his magic, he knows it is bringing him closer to death. His only hope is to find the mystical heart of the God of Death. And when he realizes he needs the help of his enemy? Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. Saving Zephyra leads to a deal to help one another, though add in some life debt magic. Tied together, they really must call a truce in order to survive what comes next. And let’s just say, Zephyra’s enemies are way worse than Arion. A really get enemies to lovers story for sure! A favorite of mine and I really adored these two as they bantered and bit by bit definitely fell for one another hard. We have a world of different types of magic and gods. Twist and turns, and an ending that of course has me demanding when the next book is coming out! Really loved this story all around and I’m very excited to see where this world takes us. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

North Shore Titans Book 5: Ruthless Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Book 5

I never imagined the ruthless Titan would choose me as his rebellion, or that I’d become his shield.

Hockey was supposed to be my ticket to stability, earning me a scholarship for an education I could never have afforded on my own. Until Connor Walsh, the ruthless star of the Crestwood hockey team and my captain, corners me with an ultimatum that changes everything.

Marry him, or watch my scholarship—and my entire future—disappear.

It's blackmail, pure and simple. A calculated move in whatever twisted game he's playing with his equally ruthless father. And I'm just a pawn he's willing to sacrifice.

Now I'm trapped in their war, shielding the one person who should be my enemy and learning all over again that safety is just another thing people like me don’t get.

I keep telling myself to hold back, that getting close only leads to hurt. But every day I spend with Connor pulls me in a little more.

And falling for my husband is worse than anything the ruthless titan can threaten me with.

Because love—family—well, they never last.

Grab your copy of this steamy MM featuring an over the top possessive hockey player and his teammate. This is a forced marriage college hockey romance with a bi-awakening, two broken MCs, and first times.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/225803565-ruthless-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Connor’s relationship with his parents is not exactly good. They try to control and use him at every turn. And when their latest plans for him includes forcing him to marry for their business, he takes matters into his own hands. He’ll get married, just not to who they want. Instead, he grabs his teammate, Ryan. Blackmailing Ryan to marry Connor or lose his scholarship. Safe to say Ryan isn’t exactly happy but doesn’t exactly have a choice. But though Connor can be ruthless, Ryan starts to see a lot more to him. And protect him when he finds out just how awful his parents are and how far they are willing to go to hurt Connor. But Ryan hasn’t had it easy. He lost his family in a car accident and following that other bad things have happened to the point where he can’t stand anyone touching him or being near him. But instead of using it against him, Connor actually protects and takes care of Ryan in the ways that matter. Neither imagined that this fake marriage could lead to something real. But with Connor’s parents hanging over their heads, well they aren’t safe by any means. And it’s only a matter of time until they strike back. Great end to this series! Connor definitely lived up to his ruthless title in the beginning but I liked seeing him let his walls down with Ryan and actually start to care. And Ryan has been through so much and it was a delightful surprise that Connor was the one to actually get Ryan to opening up and heal bit by bit. A surprising duo, but a great one nonetheless. These last few books of these series really stepped up and I’m sad it’s over. But! It looks like another series is coming that will connect us. Can’t wait to see how that goes down!

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 4: Forbidden Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Book 4

"The devil wears many faces. Today, he wore the one I've been running from for five years."

Five years spent running, reinventing myself at every turn, until my stepbrother finally caught up to me.

Zach Knight is cold, dangerous, and determined to make me pay for almost destroying his hockey career. But beneath that icy exterior burns something far more intense than revenge.

Now I'm back home, trying to build a future while dealing with the fierce attraction between us. Every touch, every heated glance draws me deeper into dangerous territory.

My stepbrother may be broken in ways I'm only beginning to understand, but so am I. His darkness calls to mine, and when he claims me as his, I can't resist falling.

They say the opposite of hate is love, but with Zach Knight, the line between the two threatens to consume us both.

Falling for the forbidden titan was never part of the plan.

But neither was becoming his salvation.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215358332-forbidden-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Zach and Merci have a…complicated history. One of pain and blood and brokenness. Five years ago, Merci ran. Ran from his mother and new stepdad. And his new stepbrother. After what had happened… he felt like it was better to just leave. Little did he know that Zach has been searching for him ever since. And now that he found him? Well things get complicated. Zach believes that he wanted to find Merci for revenge after what happened, but even though he may have had a few chances to act on it, he didn’t. And now he can’t, but truthfully, he doesn’t think he could have. He may have some issues he has been dealing with for a long time, but even he can sense that there is something about Merci that gets to him. One that turns into much more than hate. Merci never thought coming home would lead to him and Zach acting on the attraction between them. It’s fine they finally talked. Cleared the air. Because they both had secrets from one another and if they had opened up even just a little bit, things could have been different for them. But they won’t make that mistake this time. Great story with Zach and Merci. Both have been through so much and they deserved some happiness. Especially with each other after they finally shared some important things. It made their story so much better as they opened up and fought hard for one another. I’ve been speeding through this series and I have one more to go! Can’t wait to see what happens next.

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3.5: A Merry Brutal Christmas by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3.5

Tis the season to be naughty...

College hockey rivals turned lovers Jackson Reed and Killian Blackwell are about to face their toughest match Christmas with both their families at the Reed mansion.

Between sexual tension to melt the estate's ice sculptures, and a shared future that's anything but certain, this holiday season is bound to be unforgettable.

The only question is whether the mansion-and their families-will survive their particular brand of Christmas spirit.

**This story features the couple from Brutal Titan and is an extension of their story. It is recommended to read Brutal Titan first.**

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223000360-a-merry-brutal-christmas

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

A short Christmas story that follows Jackson and Killian. The two of them are spending their first Christmas together with their families. Both are pretty nervous about it but they are also nervous about their future with so many changes coming. But no matter what happens, they aren’t letting one another go. This was a fun and very on-brand way for these two to spend their holiday and with hints of the next book coming, sounds like something big is about to go down with the Titans.