All’s Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes

 

A bake-off between enemies…what could go wrong?

Mateo

Can you believe this? Haverton’s football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and he’s selling—wait for it—pizza bagels. The nerve!

And this guy isn’t above using his fame to attract clients. It’s annoying and yes, I’m feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza bagel war? This is a first. 

I’m gonna crush him.

Rob

After years of playing in the pros, I’m beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. I’d love some peace and quiet too, however, I won’t be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door.

Geez, I can’t believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, he’s still incredibly good-looking, but he’s a grouch. And while I like my business partner’s idea to settle our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I can’t be in the same room without fireworks going off.

Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem.

Or is all truly fair in love and pizza…and bagels?

All’s Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for. 

*A portion of All's Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in size to 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249747978-all-s-fair-in-love-and-pizza

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

After retiring from the NFL, Rob moves back to his college home town to open up a bagel shop. The bagel shop is something his family has done for many years and Rob felt it was his turn to pick up the legacy. And next door to his new business is Mateo and his family’s pizzeria. Mateo and Rob played college football together and while they weren’t close then, they weren’t unfriendly either. But when Rob tries to make a joke about making pizza bagels, Mateo doesn’t take it well…or realize it’s a joke. After heated conversations and instigating one another left and right, they soon find themselves in a pizza bagels war. And the only way to settle is to have a town bake-off. It blows up larger than either wanted or expected, but when their teams work together to take advantage of the hype for their businesses, Mateo and Rob realize that have to play along. And soon they find themselves spending more time together where their heated conversations spark into all out attraction where neither of them can keep their hands off the other. These two were a lot of fun! They both knew they were being ridiculous with their war but were also stubborn enough to keep it going. And it soon just turned into more of a reason to be around one another. I also loved that they were able to open up to one another on some deep personal levels as well. It really turned their relationship to so much more. A sweet and fun story you don’t want to miss for sure!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Fae Spark Trilogy Book 2: The Steel of the Wicked Heart by Jen L. Grey

 

The Fae Spark Trilogy Book 2

I was under the Dusk King’s protection… until the Night Court proved it meant nothing.

Kai left me behind in his perfectly guarded castle safe, contained, and more alone than ever.

Then I woke up bound, trapped, and deep in Night Court territory.

They didn’t ask questions.

They didn’t make threats.

They already knew what they wanted from me.

I wasn’t a prisoner.

I was a sacrifice.

Too bad for them… I don’t break that easily.

I escaped.

And when Kai found me, something between us had changed.

The way he looked at me like I was his to protect.

The way my body reacted like it already knew him.

Like whatever was pulling us together wasn’t something either of us could stop.

Now we’re racing back to the Dusk Court with enemies closing in, secrets unraveling, and a bond neither of us is ready to face because the moon is breaking.

Whatever is coming with it won’t just destroy kingdoms…

It will destroy us.

Read this fated mate, dark romance with a sassy Southern heroine and a vicious stoic king who killed for his throne and will kill for her. Perfect for readers who love touch her and die, grumpy sunshine, who did this to you, found family, and antagonists to lovers.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245908933-the-steel-of-the-wicked-heart

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Picking up where the last book left off, Hannah has found herself kidnapped and on the way to the Night Court. They are keeping her alive…for now. But what could they want with her? But the last thing Hannah is is a victim. And she’ll save herself before letting anyone hurt her. Doesn’t mean someone isn’t coming after her though… Kai may be trying hard to push down the feelings that come with the mate bond, but it’s harder to justify why. For what he feels for Hannah is very strong. And he knows he will have to tell her soon what she is to him. But first, he needs to go after her. As the two of them fight their way home to the Dusk Court, they start to realize there is a lot more going on here than they realize. And can they stop it before it is too late? The story continues! Hannah is still a sassy strong heroine who won’t make anything for Kai. And I love it! She’s fearless and not afraid to stand up for herself. She’s definitely not afraid to pushback. And Kai has definitely found his match. But can he finally tell her what he feels toward her? Another crazy cliffhanger and I’m excited to see how this series ends!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

State of Us Book 4: Forgiving Utah by Bree Wiley

 

State of Us Book 4

Sometimes you have to break before you can rebuild yourself.

Devon

I learned my worth a long time ago.

From the moment I was born, I was taught to believe that love is conditional. I’m only kept around as long as I’m useful.

Christian is no exception.

He needs a distraction, a new project, and who better to play with than someone who pretends to feel nothing at all?

The hot shot wants to save me, but I'm beyond redemption. And the moment he decides I'm worth something is the moment I have the power to destroy us both.

Christian

I've been chasing adrenaline my entire life.

The rush of a loud engine, that moment my feet catch air at high speed. My bike and my friends are all I ever needed.

At least, until they moved on without me.

Now nothing feels the same.

When a ghost from the past drops into my lap, I tell myself it's temporary. Just something slow and steady to keep the loneliness at bay.

Trusting Devon burned me once—I'd be a fool to do it again.

The more I get to know him, though, the more I see beneath his mask.

I just hope it's not too late to love him the way he deserves.

Forgiving Utah is a full-length MM second chance romance containing themes and situations not intended for readers under the age of 18. Both characters are consenting adults. This story features a bi-awakening, dirt bikes stunts, messy found family and a guaranteed HEA.

This is the final installment of the State of Us series and must be read AFTER Exposing Colorado.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247715211-forgiving-utah

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Finally! It is Christian and Devon’s story. And the way I have been longing to read this is unreal. So naturally, I devoured it. It’s probably my favorite of the series and was just a great to end to this series as a whole. There are so much between Christian and Devon. And after the last book, things were super bad between them and just everything that happened the group. Devon left has been following a pretty destructive path since. And just when things seem to go from bad to worse, Christian is there. He may be still angry about the past, but he won’t see Devon hurt. It’s time these two figured out what their feelings are for one another once and for all. And it’s time for the two of them to start healing in general and move on from the past. Rebuild themselves and the future that has been changing for quite a while. And they finally, finally do in this story. Are there some rough patches? Of course, but I loved how these two by the end found exactly what they’ve always wanted in their partner. Throughout the series, you knew there was just so much more Devon than he was letting you see. The poor has been hurting for a long time. And all he ever really wanted was for someone to choose him and not let go of him. Having Christian finally be that guy was everything! And for Christian, he is watching so many of his closest friends move on with their lives with their partners and his fears of guarding his heart against Devon hold him back until he realizes just what Devon means to me. Loved these two. Loved that they got their happy ending at last. Definitely gonna miss this series!

Assistant to the Villain Book 3: Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 

Assistant to the Villain Book 3

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire―or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219209774-accomplice-to-the-villain#SocialReviews

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Loving this series! This is probably my favorite so far. And I’m super excited to read the last book in the series after that ending! Too bad I have a bit of a wait. Things are getting quite interesting for Evie and her friends. The magical prophecy is unraveling and when they learn the missing pieces, they are set on a new mission. A mission that includes freeing Kingsley from his curse. In the meantime, they still have a traitor to find, assassins to avoid, and just so much more obstacles to overcome. But the humor is still killing me in this series. You just end up smiling and laughing the whole way through with everyone’s wits and antics. The slow burn romance between Evie and Trystan is finally making way more progress in this book! The wait was well worth it. And we still have another book to go! That ending was pretty great too. We got a lot of reveals, some of which I think to say we all knew was coming, but I think there are plenty of surprises left as we head into the final book of the series. And I can’t wait to see how it all comes together!

Assistant to the Villain Book 2: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Assistant to the Villain Book 2

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. -Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome, evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat . . . out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in trouble, and all signs—Kingsley's included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom's magic, and it's made The Villain's manor vulnerable to their enemies . . . including their nemesis, the king.

Now it's time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain's lair, his nefarious works, and maybe the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It's time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It's all so . . . so . . . delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203147386-apprentice-to-the-villain

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Lots of revelations in this latest book in this series! Picking up shortly where we left off, Evie has quite the plan to set The Villain free. And in doing so, they soon realize that the King is on a mission to fulfill a prophecy. And anything to do with the king’s plan means something is coming. Lots going on in this story! The mysterious Knight is revealed. All signs point to finding Evie’s mother if they have hope in defeating the king. And magic is on the fritz… including The Villain’s. I think I enjoyed reading this book more than the first now that I had the world figured out. The humor is still fantastic. We meet some new characters who I loved. And then this slow burn of Evie and Trystan’s love story makes you want to shake them. But I loved that it developed more in this one. It’s definitely a fun story all around and just when you have some questions answered, many more appear! I can’t wait to dive into the next one!

On Thin Ice Book 2: The Call-Up by KC Carmichael

 

On Thin Ice Book 2

I’ve been in love with Ryan Christianson since I was fourteen.

Eight years ago, he was my brother’s teammate, billeted in our home, and completely off-limits. Now, as I’m called up to the NHL for the first time, the moment I discover Ryan is my new linemate is also when I realize I’m still hopelessly gone for the man who calls me Baby Bouchard.

As rookies go, I’m doing well; hat-trick-in-my-third-game, heading-to-the-playoffs well. But I’ll always be just a kid to Ryan, who makes it clear there’s a line we’re not crossing. He says I’m too young, too new to the league, that getting involved would be a disaster. He’s probably right. But he’s also the one fixing my hair before media interviews, teaching me his signature backhand shot, and looking at me like he’s one second away from forgetting every reason we shouldn’t do this.

The smart thing? Finish the season, keep things professional, protect our careers.

But I didn’t make it to the NHL by playing it safe.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246634473-the-call-up

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Brandon has been in love with Ryan since he was a teenager. Not that Ryan knows. Ryan billeted in Brandon’s house and it really opened Brandon’s eyes to a lot about himself. Now, eight years later, Brandon’s dream of playing in the NHL has come true when he is called to play for St. Louis. But he can’t decide if playing on Ryan’s is the best thing ever or if his feelings are going to expose him to not just Ryan but to everyone that he is attracted to men. What shocks him the most though is that Ryan seems to be looking back at Brandon. Their chemistry isn’t just on the ice and it makes stronger the more the two of them reconnect. They know starting something as teammates probably isn’t a good idea, but it’s only a matter of time until they give in. And it may just be the best thing they ever do. I loved these two! I loved going back to this world and getting to know Brandon and Ryan. They were so fun and adorable as they fell hard for one another. Being themselves in the hockey world may not be easy, but things are slowly changing and their team was a great place to be. This is looking to be a great series and I can’t wait for the next book!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For Puck’s Sake Book 14: Penalty Shot by Crea Reitan

 

For Puck’s Sake Book 14

You miss all the shots you don’t take.

Denny

My world turns upside down when I’m thrust into single parenthood to my day-old son. Coming from a home where hatred and resentment thrived, I’m terrified of messing up my kid. Just when I’m at my lowest point, on the brink of drowning, a stranger shows up at my door and somehow, he makes it a little easier to breathe even as he makes the guilt in my chest a little louder.

Tyler

My world turns inside out with the loss of my sister - my best friend. I’m hours too late to say goodbye and by the time I get to the hospital, her newborn has already left with her fiance. Tracking them down isn’t as difficult as not falling for him. Everyday this man makes me fall a little harder as I search for the answers my sister took with her to an early grave.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250146395-penalty-shot

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Denny has been struggling for a while. When he learns that he is going to be a father, he panics in a number of ways. The days are ticking by closer and closer to when his child will be born. He has to decide what is best for his child’s future, even if that includes him not being in it. But before he can figure it out, the mother of his child, Sally, passes away shortly after childbirth. There is no more figuring out because the moment he sees his son, he knows he loves him. He’ll take care of him. But Denny can’t help but wonder if he is still doing right by him. Then Tyler shows up. Tyler is Sally’s brother. He was on his way to move in with Sally and demand some answers about who she was marrying when he learns she is gone. Tyler always felt like there was something Sally wasn’t saying about her relationship with Denny. And when he tracks Denny down, he has even more questions, because neither of them seem to be in the other’s lives. But that’s something he’ll have to examine later, because all he wants is to be in his nephew’s life. And in doing so, Tyler and Denny realize they need one another in more ways than one. Oof, this story hits you right in the emotions! Both of their lives are turned upside down in many ways. Denny has so much to work through but I loved that he took his responsibilities for his child so seriously in all the ways that mattered. He proved to his friends and himself that him wanting to be a dad now after believing it was something he never wanted, was his own choice because the love he feels for his kid. And for Tyler, he was willing to fight for his nephew and to keep the last bit of family in his life. He never wanted to take his nephew from Denny, he just wanted to be in their lives. And I just loved that together, the three of them, became their own family. It was just really sweet. And even sweeter when you see that Dennis and Tyler are actually definitely made for one another. They get each other in so many ways and have great chemistry. I also loved getting to know these characters and seeing some familiar faces! Another great book in this series for sure!

I received an ARC in exchange or an honest review.