New York Gods Book 3: The Penalty by Andi Jaxon & JR Gray

 

New York Gods Book 3

I’ve been kept away from my destiny as long as I’ve been alive.

I'm the bastard, banished from Manhattan, and forbidden from my dream of playing college hockey for the Gods because no one can find out about me.

But now Dad's dead and guess who's in the will? So my dream of playing for the Gods can finally come true, but I have to find my place in my half brother's shadow while dealing with my rival Teddy, who's been a thorn in my side since juniors.

He’s cocky, infuriating, and the biggest himbo I’ve ever met.

Half the time I think he hates me. But it all comes out after a drunken night and now I can’t get him out of my head.

Exile is over, and I’m here to make their lives a living hell.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217390576-the-penalty

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Rhys has spent his life basically in the shadows with his mom. His father is a very powerful and rich man in Manhattan and his affair with Rhys’s mom led to him. Now his dad is gone and the truth comes out to his dad’s real family. His has two half brothers and now money to support his mom and attend college at the New York Gods and play hockey for them. But nothing is easy. Like getting to know his brothers. Owen is definitely easier than Oliver but maybe they can find a way to get to know one another. But the real big change? Being away from his best friend, Tobi, and his old brother, Teddy. Rhys has had some feelings for Teddy and it comes oh so clear there are some feelings for him too when they hook up one night. They try to forget it happens, but they play hockey at rival schools and forgetting Teddy isn’t easy. The guy is sweet and genuine and he makes Rhys laugh. But dating your best friend’s brother isn’t a good idea. Right? Teddy has had feelings for Rhys for a while. But he knows he shouldn’t act on it. His brother already dislikes him and sleeping with the enemy is bad, isn’t it? But when Rhys needs help with his new brothers, Teddy won’t let him go through things alone. And the more time they spend together the harder it is to pretend there isn’t anything between them. I loved Rhys and Teddy! Teddy, our himbo of the story, is just so sweet and genuine. I love his view on things. I was constantly laughing in this story because of his antics. But I also loved that Rhys was so patient with him and understood him and let him be himself. He wasn’t mean or calling him dumb. He appreciated Teddy for who he was and was given a new perspective on so many things. They really were just so sweet. It’s clear how much they care for one another. I also loved Rhys getting to know his brothers and their husbands! Such great banter with all of them as they learned about one another and became a family. I really enjoyed this story. And with the sneak peek of the next book, I’m gonna need that one asap!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Comebacks Book 1: Gross Misconduct by AJ Truman

 

The Comebacks Book 1

As a high school hockey star, I was on track for greatness. Until an opponent attacked me on the ice, leaving me half blind.

For the past twenty-seven years, I’ve avoided hockey and its painful memories. But when my old teammates get back together to play in a local recreational league, I realize it could be a chance to rewrite history. The only person standing in my way is Jack Gross.

Hockey isn’t complete without a rivalry, and ours comes courtesy of the they’re younger, faster, and fronted by Jack, a former professional hockey player who hates my guts after a rooftop hookup gone wrong.

His cockiness and penchant for pranks make me hate him right back. But Jack has a special way of getting under my skin that makes me want to get into his pants. And well, I only have so much willpower.

As our teams get closer to a showdown on the ice, Jack begins shedding his armor of confidence. Despite getting to live the life I dreamed of, maybe Jack is as messed up as me.

The championship game could redeem the past for us both. But there can only be one winner. Will victory taste as sweet if it costs me Jack?

Gross Misconduct is a rivals to lovers, age gap, single dad, gay romance with no cheating and an HEA. It is book 1 in The Comebacks, a series about a friend group of single dads who were hockey all-stars in high school and looking to recapture the magic in their forties. Whether they win or lose, there's always a post-game beer.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222816623-gross-misconduct

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

After a terrible injury on the ice that left him no vision in one of his eyes, Griffin has avoided the ice. His future in the NHL was gone in moments. And he has avoided the ice ever since. Now in his forties, he is divorced and raising his young daughters. But his old teammates are more determined than ever to get him on the ice and on their team for the local rec league. At first it is a hard no, but eventually he is persuaded to get back on the ice. Just in time to see Jack. The young, hot guy who right now doesn’t like him after a bit of a misunderstanding. Jack was forced to retire from the NHL after only four years, now at twenty-four, he has no idea what to do next. And he is struggling to find a job and keep a roof over his head. And after an argument with his dad, he finds him giving in to his friends to join the local rec hockey team. Where he runs into Griff. Who he is still a bit mad at. Their chemistry is intense and in this game of push and pull until eventually the two of them just snap. But there is pressure and complications all around them. And it will be up to them to figure out what to do with this intense connection between them. I really enjoyed reading Jack and Griff’s story! It seems like we had a lot of interesting characters and couples, that made me realize this was part of a bigger world. But lots of fun banter in this one along with hockey and romance. There was a lot more to Griff and Jack and I loved getting to know them and see how they fell for one another. Overall, it was a fun read! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

IOU Book 6: Ferocious by Leslie McAdam

 

IOU Book 6

When a scrawny, pink-haired ragamuffin tries to rob me at knifepoint, I respond the way any sensible person would and invite him to dinner—where he proceeds to threaten my entire ten-year plan simply by being his effervescent self. Much to my annoyance.

There’s no room in my life for a gorgeous criminal named Rowan. I need to check off the next item on my list: Find the right, respectable husband. I can’t be an accessory to a life of crime.

And yet, my perfect plan’s been a bust. Yes, I have millions of social media followers, a prestigious job, and an expensive car, but I’m realizing I want more from life. My casual hookups aren’t making me happy. I’m … lonely.

While Rowan’s a tattooed menace, he does something to my heart, and I can’t seem to stay away from him. Let’s not get started on how I like seeing my marks on him. Everywhere.

Rowan isn’t who I’m looking for, but it seems he’s not who we think he is, either. Which creates an entirely different set of problems with much, much higher stakes.

I’m in way too deep to get out. If I even want to.

Ferocious is a stand-alone contemporary M/M romance about Rowan, a rideshare-driving twink with a penchant for violence, and Charlie, a grumpy lawyer. It features first times, primal play, kidnapping and other crimes, and a philodendron that likes to ride in the car. HEA? Definitely.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230633738-ferocious

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I’ve been looking forward to Rowan and Charlie’s story since we met them in the previous book and they did not disappoint! This story was even better than what I imagined for them. Everything is about to change for Rowan. He hasn’t had the best life. An orphan who never knew his parents and never had a real home, it’s been rough being on his own. Barely scraping by, things take a bad turn when his car is stolen right from under him. He’s had a pretty bad night and a bit of crazed desperation, he thinks mugging a guy much bigger than him is his best bet. Yet, he never expects for Charlie to turn around and offer to buy him dinner. It’s just the beginning of what becomes a chaotic and yet super sweet relationship between them. Meanwhile, Charlie is nearing the end of his ten year plan. A plan he thought would make him not just successful but happy. But happiness is not that easy. Yet, how can a menace like a pink haired Rowan who just held him at knife point, suddenly become the key to being happy? Nothing about their meeting should promise them love and a happy ending. But together they just work. They bring out the best in one another and become what the other has been searching for all along in life partner. I loved their banter and playfulness as they navigate this new sweet thing between them. And with plenty of more surprises in this story, together they can face it all. Loved this story! Definitely a favorite of mine in this series. I loved how different these two were yet they were exactly what the other needed. The love and connection between them was so clear and sweet. A great story all around!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Portland Evergreens Book 3: On Thin Ice by Beth Bolden

 

Portland Evergreens Book 3

Finn has lived with the pressure of hockey’s expectations since he was old enough to understand his father was one of the greatest the sport had ever known.

He’s changed positions. Changed plans. Changed colleges. But he’s never managed to outrun the pressure.

When it starts ruining his performance on the ice, he knows he needs to find a way to conquer it once and for all.

Desperation sends him running to the one man he thinks can help him. Jacob Braun, a goalie who played against his father.

It doesn’t matter that they hated each other, Finn will use him—use everything—to figure out how to beat this mental block. Even seduce his father’s greatest enemy.

What Finn wasn’t expecting was that they don’t just burn hot in bed, but on the ice, too. And that, ultimately, it isn’t Jacob’s brain he wants to pick apart, it’s his heart he wants to own.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215538359-on-thin-ice

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

The pressure that Finn carries for hockey expectations is one that has become heavier every day. And he is about to break. So he throws out a Hail Mary to see if he can save himself and his future in hockey. And that is to ask (or beg just a bit) former NHL goalie, Jacob, to coach him. He is also the one guy that Finn’s dad hates for being so good because he was never able to score on him. They had a rivalry and who better to teach him to tune out his father and everyone else on the ice than the man who seemed to do it with ease? Retiring earlier than planned, Jacob hasn’t really taken it that well. While he has some ideas now for what comes next, he didn’t expect to step back on the ice anytime soon. Especially when Morgan Reynolds’s son comes to him asking for help. At first it’s a hard no. But when he comes back, well Jacob’s willpower is only so much. There is a strong attraction between them but he won’t cross the line. It has bad idea written all over it, especially if he is agreeing to coach Finn. But their connection is so much stronger than either expected and it’s only a matter of time before they can no longer resist. Really loved Finn and Jacob’s story! Loved how these two formed this really strong connection and knew that being together would be tough but worth it. It was clear how much they cared. And it only got stronger the more they got to know one another and be there for one another through some tough things. I also was delightfully surprised that though it seemed like Finn and his dad had a tough relationship, Finn’s dad wasn’t a total jerk to the point where you hate him. I actually was rooting for them to figure out how to be a better father and son duo. And how everything was gonna turn out once Morgan found out about Jacob and Finn. Gotta say, pretty entertaining everyone’s dynamic. Another great book in this series! Can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Scarlet Veil Book 2: The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin

 

The Scarlet Veil Book 2

In the thrilling conclusion of the duology set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Serpent & Dove series by Shelby Mahurin, a vampire and the woman who tried to kill him prove that true love can conquer anything, even Death. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass.

Célie’s life is over. She took her final breath trying to save the people she loves—including the powerful and enigmatic vampire king, Michal, who refused to let her go. When Célie wakes, she cannot walk in the sun; she can hear her friends’ heartbeats and she craves their blood. Michal has cursed her to the eternal existence of a vampire.

But Célie isn’t the only dead roaming the earth. Her sister, Filippa, has returned as a shadow of her former self, and other revenants are rising from their graves intent on revenge. The fragile balance between life and death has broken, awakening an even darker force—and he is coming for Célie, ready to claim her as his Bride. With the fate of their world at stake, Célie and Michal must set aside their searing attraction to mend the veil and right the balance, once and for all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199635112-the-shadow-bride

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Célie and Michal’s conclusion to their story has finally arrived! And it was a fantastic way to close their story and this world. Everything has changed for Cèlie. Desperate to save her, Michal does the one thing Célie never would have wanted: turned her into a vampire. Now, she must face her new reality while also facing the new threats that have arrived. The world is out of balance. Her sister has returned as a shadow of her former self, revenants have been created and terrorizing all, and someone has come for Célie. Everyone is in danger and it up to Célie, Michal, and their loved ones to save their world. Loved, loved this story. Everyone has come so far, especially Célie. I’ve loved her character growth. She has struggled to figure out her place and despite it, she still fights for those she loves. We had interesting enemies, twists and turns, and just a satisfying ending to this series. We got to see lots of past favorite characters that are always a joy on the page. I just couldn’t put this story down. I had to find out what happens and if everyone would get their happy ending. A great end to Célie and Michal’s story. If you loved this world and these characters, you definitely don’t want to miss this!