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.