Book review: MORALLY BLACK BETROTHAL

Morally Black Billionaires

Brendan & Simone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This romance swept me up with its mix of high‑stakes family drama and tender emotional beats. At its heart, it’s about Brendan, the eldest son in a ruthless billionaire dynasty, and Simone, a woman whose life is rooted in responsibility, community, and quiet strength. Their worlds couldn’t be more different—corporate boardrooms versus sourdough starters—but when fate throws them together, sparks fly in ways neither expected.

What I loved most is how the book balances the cutthroat atmosphere of power struggles with the gentleness of a slow‑burn romance. Brendan is a fascinating hero: outwardly hardened by years of competition, yet inwardly yearning for something softer, something real. Simone, meanwhile, shines as a heroine who knows her worth, even when others try to diminish her. Watching them navigate fake‑turned‑real feelings, family expectations, and the chaos of ambition was both exhilarating and deeply moving.

The story is layered with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the courage to choose love over legacy. It’s not just about romance—it’s about finding safety and joy in someone who sees you fully, even when the rest of the world doesn’t. The slow burn feels authentic, the chemistry builds beautifully, and when the relationship finally ignites, it’s both tender and passionate.

If you enjoy romances that weave together emotional healing, family conflict, and the thrill of falling for someone who challenges your world, this one will keep you hooked. It’s a tale of resilience, vulnerability, and love that feels hard‑won—and all the more satisfying because of it.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/3VC3QBK

About the author

Nicole French is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She's also a hopeless romantic, Springsteen fanatic, and total bookworm. When not writing, she is hanging out with her family, playing soccer with the rest of the thirty-plus crowd in Seattle, or going on dates with her husband. In her spare time, she likes to go running or practice the piano, but never seems to do either one of these things as much as she should.

 

Keep up with Nicole French and receive your FREE copy of one of her books when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.nicolefrenchromance.com/

 

For more information on Nicole and her books visit here

 

Connect with Nicole French:

https://www.nicolefrenchromance.com/links

Book review: IF HE HADN’T CHEATED, by Carmen Rosales

The book opens in raw despair: a woman unraveling after the ultimate betrayal. With a wedding planned, a venue booked, graduation on the horizon, and dreams of conquering the world, everything collapses like a house of cards when she discovers her fiancé in bed with another student.

The fallout is brutal. She drops out of college, numbs herself with booze, drugs, and strangers, and lives in a loop designed to erase memory and feeling. Yet every morning, she still checks her phone—hoping for a call, a message, anything—and finds nothing. The cycle begins again.

Then, by accident, she dials her ex’s best friend. He hears her break down in the street and rushes to her side. Against her protests, he becomes her reluctant savior. Slowly, their history unfolds: he was her first choice, but he didn’t want commitment. She settled for someone else—and paid the price.

The narrative weaves between past and present, showing her destructive spiral alongside his quiet determination to pull her back from the edge. What struck me most was her flicker of self-awareness: even in the darkness, she knows she wants better. She insists she doesn’t need help, but what she truly craves is hope. Knox offers that—just enough light, just enough push—for her to rediscover her strength.

I’ll admit it: cheating romances are my forbidden pleasure. I love watching heroines claw their way back from devastation, and this one is among the darkest I’ve read. I admired her resilience and the love she eventually finds. Still, the book wasn’t perfectly structured. The backstories felt hazy, Luna’s family was absent, and the timeline wavered—sometimes the betrayal seemed fresh, other times years old.

Even so, the emotional intensity kept me hooked. It’s messy, it’s painful, but it’s also about survival, hope, and the complicated ways love can heal.

Purchase links

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4p5P1Fd

Add If He Hadn’t Cheated to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/ihhccrgr 

About the author

Carmen Rosales is a best-selling Dark Romance and Latinx author. She loves to write in different genres of Romance and erotic horror under her alter ego, Delilah Croww. Beyond her writing, Carmen is a devoted mother who loves spending time with her loved ones. Join her VIP list at www.carmenrosales.com

Book Review: CHECKING IT TWICE, by Kendall Ryan

Must Love Hockey #3

Mitchell & Clare

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve been on a journey with this series—loved the first book, struggled with the second because of the toxic female lead, and now I’m back to loving it again with this third installment.

Mitchell Drake and Clare Johnson stole my heart. He’s a hockey player for the Stampede, she’s on the PR team, and their attraction simmers under the weight of professional boundaries. Both carry scars: Mitch from a fiancée who betrayed him with his best friend, Clare from a relationship that left her reputation unfairly tarnished. Trust doesn’t come easy for either of them, and that makes their slow-burn connection all the more delicious.

When Mitch’s mom guilts him into coming home for Christmas, he dreads facing the pity of his small town. His solution? A fake girlfriend. Clare resists at first, but with a little nudge from her best friend, she agrees. What follows is a holiday romance that’s equal parts tender and torturous.

In Maple Grove, Clare is embraced by Mitch’s loud, loving family—a stark contrast to her own fractured, neglectful parents. Watching her soak in their warmth while Mitch quietly marvels at how seamlessly she fits in was beautiful. The twin bed they’re forced to share becomes a nightly battlefield of desire and restraint, and every soft touch, every stolen glance, every bit of banter had me grinning.

This book shines in the details: Mitch making her coffee, Clare’s laughter lighting up his family gatherings, the way they both slowly let their walls down. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what makes it special is how safe and right they feel together.

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are moments of hesitation, miscommunication, and fear. But when they finally give in—first in stolen intimacy, later in full commitment—it feels earned. And the multi-epilogues? Pure romance wish-fulfillment: marriage, family holidays, and a baby girl.

I adored this one. Mitch and Clare’s journey is tender, funny, and deeply satisfying. Their love story is built on trust, healing, and the joy of finding someone who truly sees you. It’s the kind of slow-burn romance you savor, stage by stage, until the final payoff leaves you smiling.

Purchase links

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FF2MPRGD

About the author

 

Kendall Ryan writes contemporary romance. Her books have been featured on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists a combined total of more than 100 times. 

Connect with Kendall:

➜ WEBSITE www.kendallryanbooks.com

➜ NEWSLETTER www.kendallryanbooks.com/newsletter

➜ FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/kendallryanbooks

➜ INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/kendallryan1

➜ TWITTER www.twitter.com/kendallryan1

Book review: THE BOOK CLUB BOYFRIEND, by Kendall Ryan

This novel surprised me. At first glance, Scarlett—the heroine—comes across as sharp-edged, cynical, and downright hostile toward love. She’s a bestselling author of books that argue women don’t need men, and her biting commentary made me think she was simply a man-hater. But as the story unfolded, I realized her bitterness was rooted in heartbreak and disappointment, not hatred.

Burned out and facing a looming deadline, Scarlett retreats to a cabin on Lake Michigan. Next door is Chase, a professional hockey player on offseason, juggling a PR crisis and the weight of deciding whether he’s ready to lead his team as captain. He’s cocky, smirky, and endlessly amused by Scarlett’s sarcasm. His dog, Rip, steals scenes with his charm and warmth, becoming a delightful secondary character.

When Scarlett and Chase are forced to co-host the Stampede Book Club, disaster strikes. Scarlett’s mic picks up her unfiltered rant about romance novels being “ludicrous” and “not buying what you’re selling.” Fans, however, see undeniable chemistry between her and Chase, and the internet explodes with hashtags. What could have been humiliating turns into the beginning of something unexpected.

The novel shines in the quieter moments. Chase reveals the pain of missing his brother’s accident while away at a tournament, while Scarlett shares the scars of watching her parents’ marriage disintegrate. Later, an Instagram post about her ex’s wedding explains her bitterness—she once loved deeply, but was left behind when she refused to compromise her ideals. Chase helps her see that she wasn’t “not enough”; her ex simply couldn’t rise to meet her.

Scarlett’s journey is the heart of the book. Slowly, she shifts from writing about independence without love to embracing the idea that a woman can be strong, brilliant, and still open her heart to someone worthy. Chase proves himself to be that man—cocky yet compassionate, teasing yet deeply understanding. Their banter evolves into friendship, then love, and finally a possibility. 

At first, I found Scarlett toxic—her sarcasm felt like acid. But as the layers peeled back, I saw her pain, her defenses, and the way she used her writing to rationalize her worldview. Watching her soften without losing her spice was deeply satisfying. The humor kept the story light, balancing the heavier themes of heartbreak and healing.

Chase is the perfect book boyfriend: cocky, smirky, supportive, and most importantly, he sees Scarlett. Rip the dog was the cherry on top. Together, they created a chaotic, banter-filled love story that felt both entertaining and emotionally real.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rguH4V

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4rbG2Db

Free in Kindle Unlimited

About the author

 Kendall Ryan writes contemporary romance. Her books have been featured on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists a combined total of more than 100 times. 

Connect with Kendall:

➜ WEBSITE www.kendallryanbooks.com

➜ NEWSLETTER www.kendallryanbooks.com/newsletter

➜ FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/kendallryanbooks

➜ INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/kendallryan1

➜ TWITTER www.twitter.com/kendallryan1

Book review: MY BROTHER’S ENEMY, by Tijan

Tijan delivers another powerhouse of an angsty, emotionally charged romance that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go.

Rain, a sports psychologist with a complicated past, joins the Minnesota Grey Wolfs to help the team reach their full potential. Hockey isn’t just her profession—it’s her history, her heartbreak, and her hidden identity. Estranged from her brothers and father, Rain carries deep scars from a childhood where she was unseen, unloved, and ultimately cast out.

Enter Tyler Griffin—one of the top five hockey players in the league—who transfers to the Grey Wolfs to support his twin sister after a family crisis. Rain and Griff share a tangled past: she once crushed on him in high school, while his family’s tragedy intersected with hers in painful ways. Their reunion sparks immediate attraction, but also dredges up old wounds, rivalries, and secrets.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about invisible wounds. Rain’s journey is heartbreaking:

• Her father’s rejection and her brothers’ cruelty left her believing she was unworthy of love.

• Griff’s protective instincts toward his sister and niece mirror Rain’s own yearning for family.

• Mal’s revelation introduces the “invisible child syndrome,” a devastating reminder of how neglect can shape a life.

Rain’s vulnerability—her admission of contemplating ending her life—makes her eventual healing all the more powerful. With Griff’s love, Mal’s support, and the team’s loyalty, she begins to rewrite the narrative of her worth.

The hockey backdrop is more than sport—it’s the heartbeat of the novel. Rain’s strategies transform the Grey Wolfs into a cohesive unit, and her presence becomes the glue holding them together. The games against Boston and Montreal are not just battles on the ice but symbolic confrontations with her past. Facing her brothers—Dane with reconciliation, Daniel with defiance—cements Rain’s growth and her newfound strength.

Rain and Griff’s relationship is messy, passionate, and real. From almost-kisses on the rink to nights where she swears “just once” but opens the door again, their love story is threaded with vulnerability and fire. Griff’s declaration of forever—buying a house, choosing her despite his hatred of her brothers—feels like the ultimate triumph. Rain, once unseen, is finally loved, chosen, and cherished.

Tijan masterfully balances heartbreak and hope, weaving psychological depth with tender romance. The novel explores what it means to be invisible, the scars of family betrayal, and the courage it takes to believe in love again. Rain’s journey from gray hopelessness to vibrant belonging is unforgettable.

This is a story of second chances, found family, and the healing power of love—wrapped in the adrenaline of hockey and the raw intensity of Tijan’s signature angst.

Purchase links

Amazon: http://bit.ly/46veizZ

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/npXY05 

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited

Paperback

Amazon: http://bit.ly/3W7gmta

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3W7dtss

Special Edition

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4ol6hVu

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/42Kglzc

Hardcover 

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4n6KDmX

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3W6VEcY 

Audiobook: https://bit.ly/47zFYWj 

Narrated by @offmicandi & @tor_thom

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/46GYzPz

About the author

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable

novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of

sass on the side. Tijan began writing after college and once she started, she was hooked.

She's written multi-bestsellers including the Fallen Crest series, Ryan's Bed, Enemies

and others.

She is currently writing many new books and series with an English Cocker she

adores.

Connect with Tijan

Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4851199.Tijan

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tijan/e/B00DJG52QE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tijansbooks/

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/tijansreadergroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tijansbooks/

X/Twitter: www.twitter.com/tijansbooks

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@tijan_author

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tijan