Book review: KNIGHTS LIKE THESE, by Kendall Ryan

Off the Ice #3

Archer & Sydney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would just like to say this book was beautiful. Of the whole series so far, this one touched me the most. It had layers, feelings, quiet heartbreak, and the kind of slow‑burn love that stays with you long after you finish.

This is one of the best friends‑to‑lovers stories I’ve ever read. Sydney has loved Archer since she was fourteen, and you can feel that history in every page. She loved him from the moment he walked into her ballet class as a quiet, intense teenager. Their lives stayed intertwined through college, relationships, marriage, heartbreak, and parenthood. All that history made their story feel rich and lived‑in, earned.

The twins were a delight. Lily with her wild energy and tiny‑litigator attitude, and Luke with his quiet seriousness and love for marine life. They added so much heart to the story.  And I loved how much they loved Sydney!

Archer’s journey was emotional. He’s a man who hides behind “safe choices,” and watching him finally face his truth was powerful. Sydney’s growth was just as meaningful—finding her purpose, her joy, and her place in Archer’s world.

I should also mention Lauren, Sydney’s friend from back home. Initially I didn’t love her because I found her too meddling, too bossy—but by the end, she surprised me. She showed real compassion when Sydney was unraveling, and her kindness mattered. And I think we’ll see her in a future book, too!

This book had nuance, tenderness, humor, and a whole hockey family that made everything richer. A gorgeous slow burn with a payoff that felt earned. Five stars, easily.

Purchase links

Kindle: https://amzn.to/4nH9QGy

Goodreads: https://geni.us/grknights

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 FOREVER GIRL, by Laura Pavlov

Blue Sky Bay #1

Cutler & Gracie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so excited to finally read Cutler’s book. I’ve loved this kid since the Magnolia Falls days, when he was the adorable nephew with all the charm and swagger. I still remember him as that sweet, confident little boy with the black leather jacket, and hair slicked back like he owned the world.  Watching him grow through Magnolia Falls and Rosewood River series, shaped by two families who claimed him as their own, made him feel like family.  And now seeing him as a grown man, a successful architect, honestly made my heart proud.

And then there’s Gracie. His best friend. His person. The girl he once swore he’d marry someday when he was just a kid. Their connection in this book is so warm and natural, full of years of shared memories and constant devotion. They move around each other with this ease that only comes from a lifetime of choosing each other, even when they didn’t realize that’s what they were doing.

There was a moment in the story that made me hesitate — a choice Gracie makes that I wasn’t sure I would like. But the author handled it with so much tenderness, humor, and genuine affection that it ended up deepening their bond instead of hurting it. Every scene between them feels rooted in love, even when they’re trying so hard to pretend it’s just friendship. Their kisses, their laughter, their soft moments… all of it carries the weight of two people who have been in love far longer than they’ve been willing to admit.

What touched me the most was how selfless Cutler was. He wanted Gracie to find her mojo again after Paris, even if it breaks him. Gracie quietly loving him, and being conflicted about her life choices, because he is home to her. That kind of love — patient, loyal, willing to hurt if it means the other person grows — is what makes these books so wonderful to read.

The side characters bring so much heart and humor, especially the godfathers who show up exactly when Cutler needs them. The chat among friends is a standard with this author, and I love the comic relief they bring to the story. That plus the support from these friends, and allows the reader to know them before it’s their turn to have their story. This book is tender, funny, sexy, a beautiful, heartfelt romance about realizing that the person who has always been by your side is the one your heart has been waiting for.  Easily five stars!

Purchase links

FREE with #kindleunlimited 

https://bit.ly/4tAcvEF

Paperback: https://geni.us/Ybk1p

Audible: https://bit.ly/3R5dzl6

Amazon Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4uiop64

Narrated by: @connorcrais & @savannahpeachwood

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

About the author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569734.Laura_Pavlov

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c1xKZX

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3eSvEdp

Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2OKU6T5

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2TKf5Zs

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurapavlov2

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurapavlovauthor

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp

Book review: FOREVER FIGHTING, by J. Saman

Forever Boston #2

Roman & Braelyn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A beautiful, emotional friends‑to‑lovers story! Starting this book feels like returning to a beloved neighborhood and catching up with people you’ve missed. I love the Fritz family, and Roman and Braelyn’s story pulled me in right away.

They’ve known each other forever, tied together by family and childhood memories, but life has left them both with heartbreak and guilt. When Braelyn’s world falls apart, she runs straight to Roman, and that moment changes everything. Their connection grows inevitably — tender, funny, emotional — especially during their trip to Vegas and Mexico, where their relationship finally shifts into something real. That couples massage scene had me laughing (poor Roman!).

There’s drama waiting for them back home, including a messy ex and a stalker‑level “Corporate Barbie,” but through all the chaos, Roman and Brae choose each other. Their families rally, their friends support them, and Roman finally lets go of the guilt he’s carried for years.

In the end, this story is warm, dramatic, romantic, and full of heart. I loved their banter, loved that feeling of being secure in each other, like they know, in a cellular level, that the other one won’t ever hurt them, and that true confidence that goes deep inside.  There’s friendship, family, drama, it was funny and emotional, everything that I loved in a book. I loved every minute of this saga — the family bonds, the loyalty, the heartbreak, the healing, and the love that was always meant to be.

Purchase links

http://geni.us/ForeverFighting

About the author

J. Saman is a USA Today and Amazon top 40 bestselling author who writes sassy, swoony, and scorching contemporary romances. She is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has a penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).

J. is an admitted lover of second chance romances, enemies to lovers, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing funny and emotional romances filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side—especially for their women.

Connect with J. Saman

Website: https://www.jsamanbooks.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14923699.J_Saman

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Saman/author/B01FOIUR46

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jsamanbooks

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jsamanbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jsamanbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-saman

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

Book review: LOST IN OVERTIME, by Claudia Burgoa

This book follows Vesper, Monty, and Cally — three people who grew up together during three summers, loved each other deeply, and then broke apart after one night they weren’t ready for. Years later, life pulls them back into the same place, with old feelings still burning and old wounds still hurting.

Vesper returns home because her father and the family hockey camp need help. She hasn’t been back in years — the camp holds too many memories of her mother and of the boys she loved and lost. Monty and Cally show up immediately, ready to support her, even though they can barely stand being in the same room. Their rivalry is strong, their chemistry is stronger, and their love for Vesper is the thing they can’t escape.

The story becomes a slow, emotional rebuild of their connection. There’s a lot of caretaking, a lot of tension, and eventually a lot of honesty. Monty and Cally’s relationship is the standout — their push‑pull, their fear, their attraction, and the way they slowly let themselves trust each other again. The throuple dynamic grows naturally, with real tenderness and communication.

Vesper is complicated. She’s loyal and stubborn, but she also refuses help even when she desperately needs it. She hides behind sarcasm and insists she’s fine while falling apart. The guys adore her, but I sometimes struggled to see the version of her they see — she spends a lot of time complaining or shutting down instead of showing the spark they love.

My biggest issue was the pacing. There’s a lot of internal monologue — pages and pages of feelings repeated in different ways. I wanted more action, more dialogue, more moments where the characters show who they are instead of telling me over and over. When things actually happen, the book shines. When it slows down into emotional babble, I found myself skimming.

Still, the romance pays off. The throuple feels real and committed, the hockey moments are fun, and the final stretch gives them a future that feels earned.

Final thought:

A heartfelt, emotional triad romance with amazing chemistry between the men and a satisfying ending. I just wish the story had been tighter and relied more on action than repetition.

Purchase links

https://loom.ly/OHQQYYY

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: DAMAGED GOODS, by L.J. Shen

All Saints High #4

Lev & Bailey

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I finished this book, I had to take a moment to sort through my thoughts and feelings.  This book really affected me so much, it was heartbreaking and beautiful!

Bailey and Lev were childhood sweethearts until their goals and dreams took them apart. Bailey wanted to attend Juilliard, Lev wanted to attend the Air Force Academy. Both were bound by the love they had for their parents, and were living a reality that didn’t really fit their innermost dreams.

The story of Bailey as she suffers through her addiction was so heartbreaking and it was causing so much suffering to all her family and Lev, and most of all, herself.  I felt for her, because she knew what she was doing but she was prisoner to her cravings and her desire to be good was overcome by the addiction.  The author did an excellent job as she depicts Bailey’s struggles to overcome her addiction and her pain as she disappoints her loved ones when she fails.  It broke my heart to see Lev try to hard to help her, to see his frustration at not being successful, his yearning to have his girl back with him, the old Bailey.

The story was tumultuous and passionate, full of recriminations and guilt, and in the end redemption.  The love Bailey and Lev had for each other was so strong and forever, it was beautiful to witness.  Through all their travails, they love was front and center, even when they were at odds with each other.  

All of the Saints families are involved in this drama with various levels of involvement.  But through it all, the support of this made family is strong and present.  I loved seeing the Totholes  with their own kids, loved the little side plot of Dean and Dixie.  The author called it right and it evolved exactly as it should. Another detail I love about this author is that she includes this little moments of humorous comments that give just the perfect balance to the angst as we’re reading it.  In my case, the story was so intense that it felt like a little moment of relief amidst the angst.  Superb! I couldn’t wish for a more perfect end to this group of beloved characters!

Purchase links

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/47NYlUe

About the author 

L.J. Shen is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and young adult romance. Her books have been sold in twenty different countries, and she hopes to visit all of them.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three rowdy sons, and rowdier pets and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and reading to her heart’s content. 

Connect with her on her website at www.authorljshen.com or on Instagram (@authorljshen), or join her Facebook group at http://goo.gl/QZJ0NC. Sign up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb, and text SHEN to 313131 to get new release alerts (United States only).