State of Us Book 3: Exposing Colorado by Bree Wiley

 

State of Us Book 3

Every mile takes us further from who we used to be.

Logan

I've always lived a structured life.

Every box was checked, every decision planned, right down to the color-coded polos in my closet.

Neat, orderly, by the book—just like I was raised.

It's what made Salem and me so good together.

But it didn’t stop her from hating me.

It didn’t stop the news about my adoption from shattering everything I thought I knew.

And it sure as hell didn’t prepare me for the questions rising from the truth; about who I am, what I want, and who I’ve been pretending to be.

I don’t even recognize the man in the mirror anymore.

But maybe I never really knew him at all.

Salem

I see the world in snapshots.

Shadows and light, moments I can control or manipulate with my camera—unlike everything else.

My mother always said I was heartless, yet the one person I let myself love left me behind in Vegas with a ring on my finger and no goodbye.

I’d rather be alone than use a man as a crutch like she did. I thought staying away would save us both the heartache.

He's no longer the guy I knew, and I'm no longer naive.

But the universe has a way of crashing all my plans, and sometimes, the only path out of the wreckage...is through it.

Exposing Colorado is a full-length MF enemies-to-lovers romance containing themes and situations not intended for readers under the age of 18. Both characters are consenting adults. This story features a reluctantly married FMC, second chances, a queer awakening and a non-monogamous HEA.

This is book 3 in the State of Us series and must be read AFTER Crossing Arizona.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238716536-exposing-colorado

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

And I thought the last book was an emotional rollercoaster, this one was definitely chaotic and messy in its own way. And in a good way considering I couldn’t put the story down. It had some crazy twists and turns. And I was constantly trying to guess how this was all gonna end. There is so much hurt going on. Betrayal, love, and just this growing need for everyone to stand on their own and figure themselves out. Logan and Salem have been complicated for a while. We’ve seen things blow up for them several times. And the last time was the biggest. So if you haven’t read the previous books, be prepared for spoilers! We last saw Salem and Logan get drunk and married in Vegas and wake up filled with regrets and hurt and longing. Add to Logan finding out that so much of his life has been a lie. Logan has pushed down who he was for a very long time. And when he gives in to certain bits of him, he just feels shame and guilt. Even when he truly has no reason to be. But finding out all these things: he is adopted and Devon who he thought was his uncle, is actually the son of Logan’s parents. Then add in that Salem slept with Devon when Logan and her broke up, it’s a lot. And for Salem, she is just determined not to be her mom. Never letting a man be everything to her and hurt her. So she keeps her guard up. Both of them have hurt one another in a lot of ways. And now they are forced to go on this tour with their friends and see one another. And Devon who is stirring up his own chaos in the group. It’s A LOT. A lot of more chaos has to occur and healing between anyone is a long process. I don’t want to give away any of these twists and turns, but I did end up liking the ending and how everything settled when said and done. This story also just made me want Devon’s book to come soon because that guy has definitely earned something after everything that went down. Overall, I really enjoyed the story considering I couldn’t put it down. Get ready for that emotional rollercoaster like the past books!

Foster Bro Code Book 4: Problem Child by DJ Jamison

 

Foster Bro Code Book 4

I'm the problem child...

I'm the youngest foster brother. The one with the most potential. 

My brothers have plans for me. Plans that involve going to college and leaving my family and job at our auto shop behind.

Plans that definitely don't include getting involved with a big, sexy ex-con like Flynn Donovan. 

He's older than me. Bigger than me. And the man looks hard all over. But I know he's soft inside. Soft for me. If I can just get him to admit it.

I'm adrift at Thurston College, and when Flynn offers a big, strong shoulder to lean on, I seize the lifeline.

There's a spark between us, but Flynn resists it. I'm too young, too innocent, too much a "little brother" for him. At least, I think those are the reasons until he confesses the real one.

Flynn's got secrets. Guilt about his past and fears about the future. Worries that make my problems look like, well, child's play. 

But I'm not a child anymore, and it's time to step up.

I want to be strong for Flynn. To fight for the right to love him, to keep him, to care for him the way he deserves. And if I can fight for him, then maybe I can also learn to fight for myself.

Because I've got my own plans, and my brothers aren't going to like them...

Problem Child is Book 4 of Foster Bro Code. Trigger warning for references to abuse, criminal activity, and death. Some violence on-page, mostly as a result of Bailey pool-hustling the wrong men.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235151731-problem-child

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s finally Bailey’s turn! I’ve been looking forward to his story and to see if he finally gets his chance with Flynn. Bailey loves his brothers. He knows the sacrifices they have made for each other and especially for him. So there is not much he wouldn’t do for them. Even if that means going to college when he very much doesn’t want to and leaving the guy he has a major crush on behind. But he doesn’t want to disappoint his brothers and Flynn has yet to give in to Bailey’s flirting. But college is turning out exactly how Bailey thought it would but there is an upside… things are changing between him and Flynn. And the more they spend time together and open up to one another, the harder Bailey falls. Flynn has been working hard in the Redemption Program to turn his life around after spending the last seven years in prison. He doesn’t want to do anything jeopardize it. And falling for the boss’s youngest brother is definitely not a good idea. But he can only resist Bailey for so long. Flynn knows Bailey deserves better but even when he does to push Bailey away, Bailey won’t let him go. Not without a fight. It makes him realize just how much he cares for Bailey and that fighting for him is worth everything. I loved these two! They were perfect for one another. These two have been through a lot in their lives, very different things, but still things that really tested who they were. Flynn is always so hard on himself and I loved that Bailey could be the one to reassure him that him and his brothers care about him and have his back. And that Bailey wasn’t letting him go. And for Bailey, Flynn never treated him like a kid and was there to listen to what he wanted. I loved that their foundation was friends and how they were able to eventually let themselves be more than that. Such a satisfying way to end this particular series! But I can’t wait to get the stories we got a small peek of. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of these guys at all! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Leave Me Behind by KM Moronova

Nell Gallows is the sole survivor of an elite dark forces squad, Riøt, after a detrimental attack two years ago. Unsurprisingly, she’s being put up as the top candidate for the special ops team: Malum. The squad that goes where no one else will or can. There’s only one problem: Malum blames their one casualty from the Patagonia mission on the Riøt squad.

So what is she to do when she finds herself on a plane to California and on her way to a sure death sentence? A one-night stand. At least, that’s all it was supposed to be—one last night to be free. Only, she finds out too late that the dark and mysterious man she solely wanted as a fling is not only her new comrade but also the one she dreaded meeting most—her immediate superior and untouchable devil in the field. Bones.

He’s hell on earth—cruel and unforgiving, but most of all, he hates her, and he makes sure she knows it. And yet, she finds herself unwilling to leave his side when he’s unable to get to the evac point when their mission goes awry.

She stays behind with the devil and the secrets he keeps. They only have one another to trust when no faith is left.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221287780-leave-me-behind

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I don’t know what it was about this cover (and I mean the original not the newer one), but the artwork intrigued me a lot to pick it up. Well first, I had to track it down since it was about out of print. And I just had a feeling that this story was gonna be one I liked. So I finally had a moment to read it. And I devoured it. It was a great military dark romance. Intriguing characters and setup. I just had to know more about Nell and Bradshaw. So Nell is part of dark forces. An elite force that is buried so deep no one knows about it. If you are in it, you did something pretty terrible to gain their attention and be put it in. There are three forces. And two years ago, Nell walked out of a mission the sole survivor of her force. Now, she is set to go join another, Malum. Who holds a grudge against Nell since her force was supposed to meet with theirs and because Nell’s mission failed, Malum lost a soldier. And if there is one thing these forces are, it is loyal to their force. The night before, Nell decides to have a final night of fun before she is back to being the weapon she is. It’s too bad she and Bradshaw realize too late that they are about to be squadmates. And worse? Bradshaw is Bones. Basically the boogieman of the dark forces. They have every reason to hate one another, mostly they do, but there is also this dark attraction between them that they can’t seem to fully fight. On top of that, Nell knows that she was brought to Malum for a reason that has to do with what their squads went through two years ago. And she is determined to find out the truth of what happened and bring justice. But the truth is something she never sees coming. Like I said, I devoured this story. Took me by surprise and I just loved getting to know Nell and Bradshaw and watching these two fall hard for one another. Weapons, monsters, broken, they are many things. And they’ve been through hell many times. If anyone deserves some peace it’s these two. I will say, like a lot of others, I have some strong mixed feelings bout certain parts near the end, but with how we actually end the book, I think that made it all worth it. 

The Fae Spark Trilogy Book 1: The Curse of the Frost King by Jen L. Grey

 

The Fae Spark Trilogy

He’s the dusk-crowned villain I should fear and the pull I can’t outrun.

King Kairos, devastatingly handsome and as cold as carved ice, names me a trespasser and locks me in an icy dungeon. Whatever he plans for me, I’m not meant to walk away.

I risk an escape.

But when the Night Court attacks Dusk, everything erupts into chaos, shattering my chance.

Suddenly, I’m a pawn between two ruthless kings. And despite everything, the pull between me and Kairos feels older than choice.

Now I must decide—stand against the king who could destroy me, or stand with him and burn everything else to the ground.

Either way, I won’t be the girl who bows.

No matter the cost.

One-click this dark royal fae romantasy packed with fated mates, villain-gets-the-girl energy, forced proximity, found family, political intrigue, touch-her-and-die devotion, “who did this to you?” rage, burn-the-world-down love, and a brutal war between two courts.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223206286-the-curse-of-the-frost-king

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

After losing her aunt, Hannah can’t help but wonder about the secret Aunt Maureen had kept from her. Unable to resist the call in her head, she digs out what her aunt buried years ago. Never expecting a mirror and a knife to open a portal to a new world. All Hannah wants to do is return home but looks like King Kai of the Dusk Court is determined to keep her there. Well, not if Hannah can help it. She makes a plan to escape but with any escape plan, chaos follows. And when the Night Court comes to attack the Dusk Court, things go from bad to worse. And what is this pull she feels toward Kai? Kai is doing his best to protect his people. But when his mate appears, he knows he is in trouble. But he can’t let Fate intervene now. Not when things are so dire. But resisting his mate is harder than he expected. This was a great start to this new series! I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for Hannah and Kai. Hannah is a sassy kick-ass heroine. I loved her wit! And Kai is definitely are broody king who will burn down the world for those he cares for. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wilde Men Book 2: Ziggy’s Voice by Saxon James

 

The Wilde Men Book 2

Kennedy

I’ve always been the relationship guy.

I love big, hard and fast … but unfortunately for me, that’s the quickest way to make a new romance crash and burn.

Moving to Wilde’s End, our not-so-abandoned town, is exactly the fresh start I need. What’s better than a town in the middle of nowhere and long days of hard work to swear off relationships? At least that’s what I think, until I meet Ziggy.

He’s the town electrician who has a weird habit of making sparks fly whenever I’m around him. He’s cute, snarky, and his piercings are hot as hell.

Too bad I don’t trust myself not to make the same mistakes I always do.

Ziggy

I’ve always been the weird loner. The strange kid who doesn’t talk.

So when Kennedy shows up in my life, with his big energy and sunny personality, I don’t know how to take him. I’m used to being the invisible shadow that goes unnoticed in the Wilde.

Kennedy makes me feel seen.

He doesn’t expect me to talk when the voices in my head get too loud, he doesn’t expect me to be funny or witty or anything that I’m not. He’s happy just to be around me, and that’s not something I’ve experienced before.

He’s sworn off dating. And I’ve never so much as been kissed.

But with the sunshine he brings to my life, it’s impossible to feel like a shadow anymore. I’m determined to win him over, no matter what it takes.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241397541-ziggy-s-voice

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When it comes to love, Kennedy’s problem is he is falls too fast. He always thinks he finds “the one” but then scares them away when he comes out too strong with his feelings. So when his brothers make this crazy plan to buy Wilde’s End and fix it up, he promises himself he is taking a break from dating. No more heartbreaks and no more jumping into things. He just never saw Ziggy coming. And that’s in the best way. Because at first he is making friends with the town’s quiet electrician. And he likes it. He likes that he can be himself and Ziggy has no problems with it. And when Ziggy kisses him for the first time, he realizes that everything about their beginning was different from his past relationships, so could it actually work out this time? Especially when how he feels about Ziggy is so different than what he has felt in the past? When Ziggy first meets Kennedy, he is smitten. Kennedy is sunshine and Ziggy can’t help but want to be close to him. His feelings grow every day and with that becomes the determination to speak. Childhood trauma has really messed with his ability to talk out loud. But he wants to. And with Kennedy it becomes easier and easier to say what he wants and feels. And what he wants is Kennedy. I adored these two! I loved that they really started off as friends because it laid a great foundation for them. And I love that Ziggy was able to really go for what he wants for once and how he treated Kennedy. Kennedy might be the one who always gives in relationships but for the first time, someone was there to shower him with love and affection first. Wilde’s End is such an interesting place with super intriguing characters. I’m excited to see the rest of them get their own books!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Comebacks Book 2: Scoring Chance by AJ Truman

 

The Comebacks Book 2

A totally fake marriage… with very real feelings.

I'm a carefree bachelor who never wanted kids. But it seems life has other plans.

When my best friend and hockey teammate Tanner Chance finds himself jobless with four kids to support, I suggest a wild marriage. My health insurance can cover Tanner’s family, but to keep nosy coworkers from sniffing out the scheme, the whole Chance clan moves in. Together, we pretend to be one big, happy family.

Suddenly, my sleek apartment is overrun with sticky fingers, loud giggles, and chaotic bedtime routines.

As I stumble my way through parenting, I start to realize the kids and Tanner are finding a permanent place in my heart. But when our fake marriage risks exposure, I risk losing not just my job, but the unexpected family I've grown to love. Will this sham marriage turn into something real before our secret unravels?

Scoring Chance is a single dad, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience MM hockey romance. It's book 2 in The Comebacks series, which revolves around a group of former hockey champions recapturing their magic in a local amateur league, but can be read as a standalone. Whether they win or lose, there's always a post-game beer.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229031133-scoring-chance

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Des and Tanner have been best friends for a very long time. They’ve been there for one another at the worst times of their lives, like when Des went through chemo and when Tanner lost his wife. There is nothing these two wouldn’t do for one another. So when Tanner unexpectedly loses his job and is worried about how he is going to take care of his four kids, Des comes up with a bit of a crazy plan. Getting married. If they are married Tanner and his family will be on his insurance in case something happens while Tanner finds a new job. So that is what they do. But things get complicated quick when Des finds out that he is up for a promotion and the person promoting him learns he is recently married and likes to see him settled. He can’t tell him the marriage is a sham to help his best friend. They’ll have to fake it. Even if it means moving in with Tanner’s family. But the lines begin to blur between what is real and not real. And they’ll have to figure out if crossing the line from friends to more is worth the risk. For Des, he never imagined settling down. Not with how he grew up. He was so sure that being with one person, having a family, it wasn’t for him. But being with Tanner? Spending time with his kids who he has known their entire lives? It hits him different and for the first time he wonders if this is what home feels like. And for Tanner, losing his wife and raising his four kids alone has been the hardest thing he has had to face. But he’s doing it. And now falling for his best friend? As scary as it is, it also feels so right. Des and Tanner were so good together. These two had a genuine friendship and that has stood strong for so long. And while the thought of getting together crossed their minds more than once in their lives, neither would risk it. But it’s all about timing for them. And now is their time and they both deserve so much happiness after what they’ve been through. I loved seeing them go from friends to more. A fun story all around and I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chicago Thunder Book 5: Rebound Control by Jodi Oliver

 

Chicago Thunder Book 5

Elliot

How is it possible to be surrounded by people who love me, yet I still feel alone?

Everyone is falling in love, and it’s like I’ve been left on the outside.

I want that for myself, but the thought of putting myself out there is terrifying.

Growing up being told you’re ‘too much’ puts a dent in your confidence, no matter how hard you try to hide it.

Until one day, Lieutenant Hunter Bowen finds me trapped in an elevator.

His kind words and gentle smile only heightens the crush I have on him, and when he asks me to join him one night, I push my fears aside and say yes.

I’m great at controlling the rebound on the ice, but when it comes to bruised hearts?

I guess we’ll find out.

Hunter

When I became a widower seven years ago, my entire world was flipped upside down.

I needed a fresh start, so I left the military and moved across the country, and vowed never to fall in love again.

That was until I met Elliot Olsen.

The guy who has the brightest smile, the biggest heart, and a whole heap of unspoken emotions.

I try to keep my heart at a distance, but the fire burns too bright between us to ignore.

The only problem is I’ve been here before, and I don’t know if I can risk having my heart torn apart again.

Rebound Control is a sports romance featuring a hockey goaltender and a firefighter. It includes ADHD rep, a protective mc, late night ice cream drives and all the Thunder found family vibes.

It is book five in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229289458-rebound-control

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

We finally get Elliot’s story! And it’s with the mysterious firefighter we’ve seen a bit in previous books. I’ve been so excited to read Elliot’s story and this story was probably my favorite of the series. Elliot has watched not only his close friends, but his twin brother fall in love and has yet to come close to finding someone from himself. Elliot knows he is different and has been told so many times in his life that he is “too much”. His brother and his close hockey friends are the few that tell him he is fine just the way he is. And when he meets his person, that person will love him just as he is too. The moment Elliot meets Hunter he knows he is in trouble. Hunter is patient and kind and just feels safe to Elliot. And he wishes more than anything he would have the courage to ask Hunter out. But never that he imagines getting stuck in an elevator, his absolute nightmare for someone who is claustrophobic, would be the start of something between them. Hunter didn’t think love was on the table for him. Not after losing his husband years ago. Losing another person he loved would break him completely. He just never saw Elliot coming. The moment they meet, he can’t stop thinking about him. And when Elliot gets stuck in that elevator, all Hunter’s protective instincts kick in. And when they keep running into one another and spend time together, Hunter knows he is danger of falling hard. And maybe that is okay. Because he cares about Elliot and the way he feels around him? It’s worth fighting the fear of losing him. I absolutely adored these two. Hunter was exactly what Elliot needed. Someone who was patient and kind and loved him exactly the way he was. Never looking to change him or tell Elliot he was too much. And Elliot was the sunshine that Hunter needed after being so alone after withdrawing from everyone. I loved their story and couldn’t put it down! You definitely don’t want to miss this one. It’s just so sweet!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.