Book review: THE WAY WE WIN, by Tia Louise

The Bradford Boys #5

Jack & Allie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very entertaining, with a low level thrum of suspense.  Allie fled from her husband, after getting him drunk in order to sign divorce papers, testifying against him on drug charges, and fleeing New Orleans with her young son.  She arrived in Newhope and was embraced by the Bradford family.

She’s made a living as the public school’s librarian, waitress at the Branford’s restaurant as a second job.  She loved her life in this charming small town, and she has loved Jack Bradford, from a distance, for years.  Jack took her son Austin under his charge, coached him in football, and now Austin is starting his senior year in high school as the starting QB.  It all seems perfect until two things happened to burst Allie’s bubble.  Her ex was released from jail and she remembers his threat: he will be back.  And a new boy arrived to challenge Austin’s QB position, with a very pushy and loud spoken father who wants his son to be the star QB of the high school. 

I admired Jack’s patience and integrity as he dealt with two talented boys, gave both a chance, and dealt with such a disagreeable parent.  Also, his fortitude as he held himself back from pursuing Allie, to whom he was very much attracted.  The reason? He has specific tastes in bed and feared rejection.  And this is where this wonderful story derailed for me.  The author presents him as kinky in the bedroom and I didn’t see anything of that, it was lame compared to other books I’ve read.  I cringed when Allie would call him “Sir”. At most, he was a tad dominant, the rest vanilla.

Another point I didn’t like is when Allie let Dylan, Jack’s youngest sister, convince her to adopt a glasses and messy top knot look, as in “sexy librarian” style.  I found this to be ridiculous and contrived.  Jack was already into her, he just held back for other reasons. 

Apart from this, I liked the book, loved that it had so much of family, friends, and football, loved the hot pepper dare nights, loved Austin and little Kimmie who felt like siblings.  

Purchase links

Amazon: https://bit.ly/44105K2 

Amazon Worldwide:https://bit.ly/4l3cELL  

Audio: https://geni.us/WINaud

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4kDFXnD 

About the author

Tia Louise is the USA TODAY best-selling, award-winning author of super-hot and sexy romances. All her heroes are alphas with hearts of gold, and all her heroines are the smart, sassy ladies who love them.
 
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Book review: LEAD ME KNOT, by S.L. Scott

Peachtree Pass #2

Baylor & Lauralee

Slow, meandering, tender, passionate, nostalgic, are the adjectives that I kept thinking about as I was reading this book.  Lauralee is an enchanting character who loves as hard as she works. She’s Christine’s best friend and it feels like they’re sisters.  When Christine’s brother Baylor comes to visit, in this one instance, it hits home, how much she’s crushed on him, how handsome he is, but he’s a player and he won’t stay. And Lauralee won’t move away!

Again, this is a story of a guy who hasn’t come home in years, who swore he wouldn’t come back, and now is feeling the pull of the town where he grew up, his magical childhood, and the love for a woman. He wonders if all that will supersede the pain and sad memories of losing his beloved mother. Dissatisfaction with work and a lifestyle that lost its lustre also works in Baylor’s mind.

Lauralee has abandonment issues which make it hard to trust and commit fully to love. It’s an interesting story, a lovely depiction of small town life, ranch life, the gossip train and the sexy times. She has financial issues and Baylor’s attempts to help are clumsy and even I wanted to slap him silly. Entertaining and tenderly romantic!

Purchase links

Free in KU

https://geni.us/LMKAm

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.

Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.

 

Connect with S.L.

Website | www.slscottauthor.com  

Goodreads | https://geni.us/SLGR  

Amazon | https://geni.us/SLSAm 

Facebook | https://geni.us/SLSPage    

Facebook Group |  https://geni.us/SLScottBooks     

Instagram |  https://geni.us/IGSLS 

Bookbub |  https://geni.us/SLScottBB     

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Book review: CRAZY LOVE, by Willow Aster

The Single Dad Playbook #5

Penn & Addy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story was so lovely, like the previous ones from this series.  A group of guys call themselves the Single Dad Players and keep a notebook where they record all their thoughts, feelings, and counsel for the other dads.  However, in this last book, all the dads are married or living with their loved ones, except for Penn Hudson, playboy extraordinaire, and the running back of the Colorado Mustangs.  

Penn fits into the Single Dads group because he’s mentoring a young boy in the foster system, called Sam and aged eleven.  He has been mentoring Sam for a couple of years, and is now trying to adopt him because Sam is going through a rough time in his foster home.  As I read the story, I was enchanted by their closeness.  Especially cute is their dance routine when they go to the Luminary coffee shop and do the required “dance and you get coffee” routine.

In order to help Penn adopt Sam, Addy offers a marriage of convenience to improve his chances, because since he’s single and travels a lot, it’s not very likely.  And then our story takes off, with lots of love, laughter, some angst, funny friends who constantly chat through messages and love to roast whoever is in the hot seat.  Also Sam, who is lovable, adorable, funny and more mature than a child should be.  He’s gone through some hard times but has a lot of hope and resilience.  

I loved Penn and Addy together, they were perfect.  Initially rejected by Addy’s father because of his playboy fame, he soon wins the heart of the in-laws as they see his devotion to Sam and to Addy. We read them as they go through legal battles, emotional moments, plenty of tears on both sides.  

Apart from the emotional moments, the tenderness between Addy, Penn, and Sam, there’s a delight in their funny times, like when they start a dance party, or prank each other.  The addition of a pet is hysterical, as Penn cringes and jumps at the new family member.  Later on in the book is another surprise addition to the family, a very welcome one.  I loved how Addy and Penn’s parents add to the joy, offering support, embracing their grandparents role.

The story is full of heart, steam, and fun, a lovely read, very uplifting.

Purchase links

FREE with #kindleunlimited 

Amazon: https://geni.us/Crazylove

Goodreads: https://geni.us/CrazyLoveGR

About the author 

Willow Aster is a USA Today bestselling author and lover of everything book-related.

Although an introvert, this lifelong writer and artist is convinced that the best part of this career is meeting and connecting with readers, authors, and all of those in this community of book lovers. 

For signed books and Willow's website, go to: www.willowaster.com

You can also follow Willow on Instagram (willowaster) and her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/willowasterauthor

Book review: DOUBLE PLAY, by L.B. Dunbar

I’m loving this author’s stories about silver foxes! She presents men who have lived some, have a lot of experiences under their belt, regrets and successes, and know what they want.

In this case, Declan and India have always pined for each other but had a lot of near misses, never able to start a relation because they were in different places in their work and personal circumstances. Now, fifteen years after they had a one-week fling, which was way more than a fling and with a potential of something serious, they have a possible second chance.

“I moved. India moved. I had Montgomery. India married Malakai. She went to Vegas. I landed in Nashville. Our history was like one of those maps baseball teams project on the big screen to highlight the crazy path of a player’s journey through the league.”

The story is rife with emotion, regrets, yearning, lots of crackling chemistry and a ton of lust. They are perfect for each other but there are still obstacles. I loved how Declan always deferred to India’s career, understanding how important it is to her.

“India’s work isn’t just a job. It’s her career,” I stress. My hands land on my hips like I’m ready to physically guard India. “A job is something you do. But a career involves passion.” I glance from India to Montgomery. “Women like Indie are paving the way for girls like you. She’s the future.”

They have a constant game of truth or dare, which colors their interactions, and is brilliant in communicating their truths to each other. It’s fun and flirty and sexy. This was a page-turner, very entertaining. I was very invested in how Declan and India would turn out.

Purchase links

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱

 https://amzn.to/42UFp6N

About the author

L.B. Dunbar loves sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns. If you enjoy older characters in your romance reads, including a hero with a little silver in his scruff and a heroine rediscovering her worth, then welcome to romance for those over 40. L.B. Dunbar’s signature works include women and men in their prime taking another turn at love and happily ever after. She’s a USA TODAY Bestseller as well as #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Later in Life Romance with her Lakeside Cottage and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.

To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her monthly newsletter, Love Notes.

Connect with L.B. Dunbar:

https://linktr.ee/lbdunbarwrites 

Book review: PENN, by Sawyer Bennett

Pittsburg Titans #17

Penn & Mila

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so looking forward to Penn Navarro’s story and the author didn’t disappoint!  He’s the best hockey player in the league, so getting him to play for the Titans was a major win.  However, he’s a jerk and a loner and it’s pretty apparent he has a huge chip on his shoulder. He rejects any friendly advance and keeps to himself.  The guys are frustrated because it affects their synergy, but leave him alone.

When a woman from his past appears, he rejects her calls for help until she convinces him of the gravity of the situation. Remembering how she was the only one on his side when a scandal broke out years ago, he agrees to help her, and thus causes a series of events to happen, not the least of which is that their chemistry goes nuclear.

I loved this story and loved Penn and Milla together.  Milla was brave in the past and is brave now, but totally fears for her safety.  Her story is sad, rejected by her parents and by Penn when she needed them most.  Penn is successful and rich, but very much alone.  

I loved seeing Milla shake Penn out of his bubble, make him open up and eventually realize that not all teammates are as treacherous as the ones of his youth.  I loved seeing all the Titans party together, the wives supporting Milla, and the guys supporting their teammate in his time of trouble. 

There’s a low thrum of suspense because there is someone who wants to harm Milla.  Penn thinks they need help and protection, so Jameson Force is brought in!  Now I got to see old friends from this series!  I love it when authors do crossovers and lets us see previous characters and how they are living their life.

The story has all the feels, love, fear, sex, friendship, suspense, and keeps you going on to find how it’s all resolved.  And what I love most of all? Penn’s opening up, to friends and to love.  It was everything I wanted and more!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/SB-Penn

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

https://geni.us/SawyerBennett