Blackwater Pack Book 1.5: Broken by Hannah McBride

Blackwater Pack Book 1.5

A beta in denial

Rhodes DeWitt has always known he was a lost cause. The Blackwater beta embraces the bad boy label with open arms, praying that the girl next door will never know that the one thing he wants is the one girl he can’t have.

A heart that’s breaking

After spending years in love with the boy next door, Larkin Dawes is ready to move on. Her head knows this is for the best. Her heart hasn’t quite gotten the memo.

The storm of the century

Trapped and isolated together as a blizzard rages around them, Rhodes will finally have to decide if he’s going to watch Larkin move on with or without him.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53330706-broken

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Loved this story! After reading Sanctum I could not wait to get a story about Rhodes and Larkin. If anyone deserved a happy ending story it was those two. In Broken, Rhodes and Larkin are home for winter break. It's becoming harder for Rhodes to stay away from Larkin but he truly believes that he is doing this for her. And that she would be better off without him. Meanwhile, Larkin realizes that trying to move on from Rhodes is simply not working. She tried to go out on a date, but at the end of the day it was Rhodes that she wanted to be there. Luckily for them a blizzard and being home alone is just what the two of them need. With Larkin's parents away and Rhodes's father finally trying rehab (again), it is just the two of them. A perfect time to finally have a conversation that has been a long time coming. This story was just so great all around. With both of their points of view we got to see what was going on with Rhodes and Larkin. Rhodes's family is a mess. His dad was never the same after Rhodes's mom abandoned them. Instead he just drank and gave up. And the bright spot in Rhodes's life was always Larkin. Larkin has been in love for years. He is her best friend and she will do whatever if it means never losing his friendship. They truly are a great couple together. Definitely a satisfying story after meeting them in Sanctum and it got me very excited for Prey! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Crave Series Book 2: Crush by Tracy Wolff

Crave Book 2

Everything feels off—especially me. I’ve returned to Katmere Academy, but I’m haunted by fragments of days I have no recollection of living and struggling to understand who, or what, I really am.

Just when I start to feel safe again, Hudson is back with a vengeance. He insists there are secrets I don’t know about, threatening to drive a wedge between Jaxon and me forever. But far worse enemies are at our doorstep.

The Circle is caught in a power play and the Vampire Court is trying to drag me out of my world and into theirs. The only thing Hudson and Jaxon agree on is that leaving Katmere would mean my certain death.

And not only am I fighting for my life, but now everyone else’s is at stake—unless we can defeat an unspeakable evil. All I know is that saving the people I love is going to require sacrifice.

Maybe more than I’m able to give.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52778479-crush

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Wow. So much to unpack after reading that book. So much happened. And so many questions are still running through my head. Gonna try and do this review with the least amount of spoilers possible, but I will still mark the review with spoilers because even though key things are revealed early, I don't want to not warn anyone. Gonna be tricky cause dang this was a lot. So Grace returns to Katmere and when I say returns, I mean she finds a way to turn back into her human form after being a gargoyle. But there are some unexpected things for Grace. The first being that she has been gone for months and she has no memory of her time being gone. She still thinks it was two days since the incident with Lia. So the girl has lost some time. And the other thing everyone is wondering, what happened to Hudson? And (sorry spoiler!) turns out Hudson is now stuck in her head. Yep, he is just chilling there talking to Grace. And she is the only one who could hear and see him. So the story really centers around finding a way to get Hudson out of her head. And together with Jaxon and her friends, they have a plan that involves finding some magical objects. The objects aren't easy to obtain and that is just one layer of the story. Another big thing that goes on is Grace trying to figure out her gargoyle side. That was definitely neat to see the the author play with gargoyle mythology. But one of the most intriguing threads to this story is Hudson. In the last book we knew him as the villain. But as one of my favorite quotes goes, there are three sides to every story. Two sides and the truth that lies somewhere in the middle. And as Grace and Hudson interact with one another, you can't help but wonder what his side is. 

So, I will admit I had a lot of ups and downs with this book. Getting a little annoyed at some things but was still intrigued. Ugh, there are just a couple of things I wasn't a fan of but by the end and maybe the next book can change my mind about these things. This I definitely won't spoil. I had some theories as I was reading the story and some proved right. But I was still left with a ton of questions. And of course, there is yet another bit of a cliffhanger. Overall, I really did like the book. I mean I finished the 700 page monster in barely two days. I appreciate it being super long and that there are going to be two more books. I really need to know how certain things will play out. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!

Well Met Series Book 2: Well Played by Jen DeLuca

Well Met Book 2

Another laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring kilted musicians, Renaissance Faire tavern wenches, and an unlikely love story.

Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it's been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she'll even find The One.

When Stacey imagined "The One," it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she's not sure what to make of it.

Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey's shock, it isn't Dex—she's been falling in love with a man she barely knows.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50089191-well-played

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I love this series. It is just so fun! Well Played follows Stacey as she gets into an internet relationship with whom she thinks the person on the other side is her summer Renaissance hookup, Dex. Little does she know, that the man on the other side of the email and texts is Dex's cousin Daniel. After a drunken message to Dex through social media, she is super surprised after that horrible mistake that she gets a reply. And the tender words that come in the reply is the total opposite of the Dex she knows. But perhaps this is a different side to him. As the year goes on and she gets ready for Will Creek Ren Faire to start up again, she finds herself falling for pen pal a little more each day. And by accident she finds out that the man she has been taking is Daniel! Who she knows but never really talked to him much the last few summers. As she confronts him she realizes that she is glad it is Daniel that she fell for. And when Ren Faire begins they fall into a happy relationship. But where can it go? At the end of Faire Daniel will be back on the road and Stacey will still be in Willow Creek. She struggles with the idea of leaving home though she has always wanted to. But can she leave her family behind? The reason she stayed so long in Willow Creek in the first place? I loved this story. It was so fun to get to know Stacey. And of course seeing Emily and Simon and everything leading up to their amazing wedding! This book had plenty of laughs and of course twists and turns. I couldn't put the book down. Great story! Can't wait for the next one!

Him Series Book 2.5: Epic by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Him Novella Book 2.5

They're back! Epic is a novella about your favorite hockey duo!

Jamie and Wes are having a blast living and working in Toronto. Until a scout for another team swoops in to make one of them an offer that might complicate the life they've built together.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51148636-epic

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Loved this little novella about our favorite couple WESMIE! In this short novella, Jamie gets the offer to play back up goalie for a team in Canada. Though it is a bit tempting, he still wants to coach. And he really wants to be Head Coach one day to these kids. Surprises in that department but what is even more surprising is when Jamie flies with Wes and the team for a game in California and because he is listed as a back up goalie for the NHL he gets pulled in to play! Such a fun twist and it's always nice to see more about Wes and Jamie after their books. You don't want to miss this sweet novella!

 

WAGS Book 2: Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

WAGS Book 2

Can you fall in love with someone you've never even met?

Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch--an anonymous virtual assistant service--is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.

Although it's against the rules for her to check his file, she's 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting...until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.

Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He's still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth--that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won't show her pretty face.

But it's nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can't fix. Hailey can't resist the offer. Matt can't resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn't have to. Fire up the kiss cam!

Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34080660-stay

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My Review: 5/5 Stars 

So glad Matt got his own story and happily ever after! Poor guy has been through a lot in the last few books and totally deserved his own happy ending. When Matt isn't in the rink playing hockey is is dealing with the aftermath of his divorce and the issues is ex is causing that is keeping him from seeing his kids. Nothing is easy and he just wants something that makes him feel less insane. Hailey runs a company that is basically a delivery service for anyone and at any time. You need something? They'll find it for you. Hailey has had a suspicion that one anonymous client is none other than Matt Eriksson, the hockey star for Toronto. And when a request comes in from Matt that she needs to do personally it gives them a chance to cross paths in real life rather than just the exchange of messages. They are great for one another. Both dealing with divorce and how that killed their confidences, they learn together what it means to date again and fall in love with someone who will appreciate you. Loved this story! Both are such great characters and of course there are a ton of cameos from our favorite characters from this world/series. 

WAGS Book 1: Good Boy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

WAGS Book 1

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody - absolutely nobody! - can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor, and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30747137-good-boy

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My Review: 5/5 Stars 

Cheezus! If that word wasn't added to your vocabulary by the end of this book, you are a liar! I loved this book. Spin-off from the Him series that features Jamie and Wes. Good Boy follows Blake Riley, neighbor and teammate of Wes, and Jess Canning, Jamie's sister. The book starts with Jamie and Wes's wedding that Jess has been planning for the last several months after deciding that she wanted to be a party planner. By the time the wedding comes, she decides that once again that career is not for her. But she also realized that she has to see Blake again who she had hooked up with when she visited Jamie a few months before when he was sick. Her mind tells her that she cannot have a repeat but her body has other plans. And Blake too for that matter. Blake wants another night with Jess. Once wasn't enough and he believes the chemistry between them is too strong to ignore. Jumping to a few months later, Jess's new plan for a career is to be a nurse, so off to nursing school she goes! And she swears that this time will be different. She's thought long and hard about this one and believes in her gut that this is the right path. And that path takes her to Toronto. Toronto where Jamie and Wes live and of course Blake. As Jess works hard at school, Blake is determined to prove to Jess that they could be more than just friends. But what starts off as a casual hook up here and there turns more for Blake. And Blake hasn't let himself think of a girlfriend since the disaster that was 5 years earlier. But for Jess, he knows it is worth it. It's just making her realize that they can be great at something more. This book was of course great especially because Blake has got to be one of the most hilarious characters ever. You never know what it gonna fly out of his mouth but he loud and friendly and just an overall great guy. It was so fun reading his story and having him find his happily ever after. Great story and I can't wait to read the next one!

Him Series Book 2: Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Him Series Book 2

Can your favorite hockey players finish their first season together undefeated?

Five months in, NHL forward Ryan Wesley is having a record-breaking rookie season. He’s living his dream of playing pro hockey and coming home every night to the man he loves—Jamie Canning, his longtime best friend turned boyfriend. There’s just one problem: the most important relationship of his life is one he needs to keep hidden, or else face a media storm that will eclipse his success on the ice.

Jamie loves Wes. He really, truly does. But hiding sucks. It’s not the life Jamie envisioned for himself, and the strain of keeping their secret is taking its toll. It doesn’t help that his new job isn’t going as smoothly as he’d hoped, but he knows he can power through it as long as he has Wes. At least apartment 10B is their retreat, where they can always be themselves.

Or can they? When Wes’s nosiest teammate moves in upstairs, the threads of their carefully woven lie begin to unravel. With the outside world determined to take its best shot at them, can Wes and Jamie develop major-league relationship skills on the fly?

Warning: contains sexual situations, a vibrating chair, long-distance sexytimes and proof that hockey players look hot in any shade of green.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29475332-us

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Another Jamie and Wes story! A few months after the last book Jamie and Wes are living their new lives in Toronto. Wes is having a kick ass career on the ice and Jamie is loving his new coaching job. But it isn't so easy hiding their relationship from the world. Wes wants to keep his rookie season only in the spotlight for hockey. Not for anything outside of it. He's afraid of the consequences of having is private life aired not only for him but for Jamie. Jamie thought he could manage keeping things quiet but every day it proves a little bit harder. His love for Wes is stronger than ever but he doesn't want to hide his love for him. Jamie and Wes struggle to maintain their happiness with crazy schedules and the stress of laying low. But then after an unfortunate turn that gives them no choice, they have to navigate these new waters. And surprisingly to Wes, it doesn't go nearly as bad as he imagined. Though there are always some challenges that are out of their hands. Loved this follow up story! So great and now I need to read the rest of the stories that spin off from these. Plus the follow up novella. Can't wait!