Book review: MY KIND OF GUY, by Sarina Bowen

Hockey Guys #4

Beck & Forest

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book made me so happy I don’t even know where to start. It’s funny in that soft, adorable way that sneaks up on you, and the characters grabbed my heart from page one. Sarina Bowen always writes amazing M/M hockey romances, but this one felt extra special.

Beck absolutely stole the show for me. He’s quirky, sweet, a little chaotic, and somehow the most lovable human ever. Every time he put himself down, it hurt, because he’s such a bright light. Watching him fall for Forest—and for Forest’s whole little world—was beautiful.

Forest broke my heart in a quieter way. He’s a single dad, tired, scared, and carrying a lot of old hurt. His backstory is painful, and it explains so much about why he keeps Beck at arm’s length. But seeing him slowly realize how much Beck means to him, and how much Beck already fits into his life, was incredibly moving.

The humor in this book is perfect. The beer‑league hockey scenes, the bar antics, Charlie bonding with Beck, the naked‑chest cheering moment—everything had me smiling. And the emotional beats hit just as hard. The Covid scene, the heartbreak, the big NHL moment… all of it landed.

I loved every page. The banter, the warmth, the found family vibes, the slow healing, the way these two men finally choose each other. Beck and Forest are the kind of characters you want to hug and protect. This story reminded me why I love romance: it’s about hope, second chances, and finding someone who sees your worth even when you can’t.

A total delight. Five stars, easily.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://geni.us/MKOG-Kindle
Apple Books: https://geni.us/MKOG-Apple
Kobo: https://geni.us/MKOG-Kobo
Nook: https://geni.us/MKOG-Nook
Google Play: https://geni.us/MKOG-Google
Audible: Coming soon!

Books page: https://sarinabowen.com/my-kind-of-guy
Series links page: https://sarinabowen.com/hockey-guys-links

ADD TO GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245204597-my-kind-of-guy

About the author

Never miss a new book or sale! Subscribe to Sarina's newsletter at: http://geni.us/SBsignup

Sarina Bowen's contemporary and LGBT romance novels have hit the USA Today bestsellers list twenty times. Formerly a Wall Street derivatives trader, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University. She lives in New Hampshire with her family, nine chickens, and far too much hockey gear.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com

Book review: THE DEAL MAKER, BY Louise Bay

This romance starts off a little rocky—not just in tone, but in how the characters come across. Everyone feels prickly, defensive, or downright irritating at first. But that’s exactly why the story works: as it unfolds, you start to see the cracks, the insecurities, and the old family baggage that shaped them. And suddenly these people who seemed impossible become genuinely relatable.

The heart of the book is the growth. Both leads have spent years trying to live up to expectations that were never fair to begin with. Watching them slowly step out of those patterns—setting boundaries, choosing themselves, and learning to trust someone else—is what gives the romance its weight. Their connection feels earned because it comes after real internal work, not instead of it.

The family dynamics add tension, the friendship moments add warmth, and the romance builds from friction into something solid and supportive. Once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes surprisingly heartfelt.

A satisfying, character‑driven romance with two people who learn to stand on their own so they can stand together. A strong four stars.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4rn5ncd

About the author

International, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes contemporary romance novels that make you laugh - the kind she likes to read.

Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.

Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

 

Keep up with Louise Bay and subscribe to her newsletter: https://louisebay.com/newsletter/

 

To learn more about Louise Bay& her books, visit here!

 

Connect with Louise Bay:

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Book review: THINGS THAT BREAK US, by Michelle Heard

A beautifully devastating, tender, cathartic punch to the heart, Michelle Heard apparently wanted to give my tear ducts a strong workout.  She delivered a story that cracked me open in the best possible way. This book isn’t just emotional—it’s the kind of emotional that settles into your bones, squeezes your heart, and somehow still leaves you grateful for the ache.

Nova is the kind of heroine I always root for: bruised by life but still soft, still giving, still showing up for the people she loves even when she’s running on empty. Her loyalty to Rachel is the beating heart of this story, and watching her drop everything—literally everything—to be at her best friend’s side felt so raw and true. Their friendship is the kind of love story we don’t talk about enough.

And then there’s Easton. The best brother, all he ever did was work to give Rachel the best life. Grieving, and suddenly thrust into the kind of pain that strips a person down to their most vulnerable self. The way he leans on Nova, the way her presence steadies him, the way their connection shifts from long‑buried affection to something tender and inevitable… it’s slow-burn perfection. Not flashy. Not dramatic. Just two people finding solace in each other amidst the desolation.

Rachel’s storyline is heartbreaking, yes—but it’s also full of warmth, humor, and those tiny, luminous moments that make grief bearable. Her love for Nova and Easton and Lainie radiates through every page. Her “go out with a bang” funeral request? Somehow both devastating and delightfully her.

Lainie is a scene-stealer in the best way—a little girl crying for her mother, and me crying with her. Her bond with Nova is precious, and the cookie‑sale‑turned‑seizure scene absolutely gutted me. This book captures the way grief and joy can coexist in the same breath, the same day, the same family.

Nova and Easton’s romance is gentle, moves softly. It’s built on shared loss, shared history, and the quiet ways they take care of each other. The attraction simmers under every touch, every lingering look, every moment Easton reaches for her because she’s become his safe place. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional intimacy that makes this love story unforgettable.

By the time the proposal rolled around—cheesy, sweet, and exactly what these characters deserved—I was fully gone.

This book is for readers who want found family forged in grief, a heroine who loves with her whole heart, a hero who is not afraid to be soft, a romance that grows out of shared healing, and yes… a full box of tissues

Things That Break Us doesn’t just break you—it puts you back together with tenderness, hope, and a love story that feels like a warm hand held through the dark. Absolutely five stars!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/k5ova

About the author

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

Connect w/Michelle:

 

Website: https://michelleheardauthor.com

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

FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118971435201074

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Book review: LYRICS REMAIN UNCHANGED, by Claudia Burgoa

Heartbreak Mixtapes #2

Eddie & Cleo & Barret

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A tender, riveting, emotionally intelligent throuple romance, Claudia Burgoa delivers one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. Lyrics Remain Unchanged is a beautifully layered, emotionally charged romance that balances darkness, healing, and devotion with remarkable care. It’s the kind of book where every interaction hums with tension—not the loud, dramatic kind, but the intimate, silent kind.

Cleo’s journey is written with such compassion that you feel every tremor of fear, every flicker of hope, every inch of her reclaiming herself. Eddie and Barret? They’re a masterclass in devotion—messy, flawed, fiercely protective, and learning right alongside her. Their dynamic isn’t just spicy (though trust me, the chemistry is volcanic); it’s thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in genuine emotional work. Therapy, boundaries, communication—Burgoa doesn’t just sprinkle these in, she builds the entire relationship on them.

What I loved most is how the story honors Cleo’s pace. She’s never pushed, never rushed. She’s given choices—windows or doors open or closed, lights on or off—and those small freedoms become monumental. Watching her inner backbone strengthen is incredibly rewarding.

Eddie and Barret are messy, protective, vulnerable, and absolutely devoted. Their dynamic with Cleo is sensual, intentional, and grounded in real emotional work. Therapy, boundaries, communication—this relationship is built on all the things that make love sustainable, not just swoony.

And the Wilder family moments? Pure gold. The tenderness, the protectiveness, the humor—it all adds warmth to a story already rich with feeling.

This book is riveting, sensual, and full of heart. But above all, it’s a story about reclaiming your voice, choosing love that feels safe, and building a future with people who see every fractured piece of you and stay anyway.

My only frustration—and the reason I kept going back to the beginning to search for clues—is that a few plot threads never quite get the closure they deserve. The book hints at deeper motives and machinations behind Cleo’s captivity, Arthur Bradley mentioned how Dorian took control over all aspects of Cleo’s life but we don’t get any information on what he aimed to achieve, and those answers never fully materialize. I also found myself wanting more clarity on how the rescue was carried through. These aren’t deal‑breakers, but they did leave me wishing for just a bit more connective tissue.

A beautifully resonant read that left me full—even if I’m still side‑eyeing those unanswered questions.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/LyricsRemainUnchanged

About the author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watches shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.

Connect with Claudia Burgoa:

https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/links/ 

Book review: A THOUSAND PERFECT LIES, by Monica Murphy

A twisty, addictive dark‑academia ride, Monica Murphy absolutely surprised me with this one. I knew she could write great romance, but I didn’t expect her to deliver such a gripping, atmospheric mystery on top of it. This book hooked me from page one and never let go. It’s the kind of story where every character feels like a suspect, every conversation feels loaded, and you’re constantly second‑guessing yourself—in the best way.

Billie Vale is the beating heart of the book, and I adored her. She’s tough, vulnerable, and so deeply loyal to her baby sister that you can’t help rooting for her as she steps into a world that was never meant for her. The elite boarding school setting is deliciously tense—full of secrets, privilege, and the kind of toxic dynamics that make you want to scream warnings at the page. Murphy builds that environment so well that you feel the pressure closing in on Billie right alongside her.

And then there’s the slow‑burn connection that develops along the way… tender, aching, and exactly the emotional counterweight the story needed. It never overshadows the mystery—it enhances it.

What impressed me most is how layered the plot is. There are so many moving pieces, but they all click together in a way that feels logical. The reveals land. The tension builds. And by the end, I was fully invested not just in the truth, but in the characters’ healing.

If you love dark academia, messy secrets, complicated families, and a romance that sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely worth your time. A standout read.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4sLPBtj

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/4pRaKzI

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/49AXMRW

Kobo: https://bit.ly/4sWuLYs

Purchase the deluxe limited edition hardcover today!

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

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4kTF2Rr

Books A Million: https://bit.ly/49HpxZ7

Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3NunaQB

Target: https://bit.ly/3ZpQsCu

Walmart: https://bit.ly/3Lrlsip

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4qxEDpJ

About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/monicamurphyreadergroup/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/msmonicamurphy/