Rookie Season by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner review

 Title: Rookie Season 

Author: Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner 

Ch: 43 plus epilogue 

Pg: 330

Series: 3b 

Genre: Rom com, Hockey Rom Com 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: indie 

 

Grumpy sunshine has always been one of my favorite tropes and I love it even more when paired with hockey. Noah’s in his rookie season and is determined to not let anything distract him. Allegra or Ally is looking to start over. After watching Noah grow up a bit in the DC Eagles series 

 and meeting Ally in the Donovan family series I new that I needed to read about them as adults. I have to say I loved grumpy Noah. But even more so protective Noah. And  of course my heart broke for Ally. And just like both authors’ previous books I love that found family is so important in the one. The friendship between Fisher, Noah and Penn was like the friendship between the eagle’s teammates in the DC Eagles series.

And who can forget Harry Styles, the third who is indeed a typical cat. 

 

And while this one is the first of a new series, I would recommend reading both the DC Eagles series by Leah and  Katie’s books to get both Noah’s and Ally’s backstory as well as not be spoiled. But the book can easily be read on its own. One of my favorite scenes happened towards the end of the book and to me sums up Noah in a nutshell across two series. 

 

For those that have read Leah before this one has more language than previous books and is indeed more fade to black than earlier books. But it’s still a good read. I also recommend having tissues handy for some parts. 

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

You and Me, For Real by Hayley Elliot review

 Title: You and Me, For Real

Author:  Hayley Elliott 

Ch: 42 plus epilogue 

Pg: 368

Series: Hollywood Hills series book 1 

Genre:  Rom Com 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: Indie 

You and Me, For Real is the debut novel by Hayley Elliott and I loved it. I'm normally not a fan of the celebrity troupe in rom com but with this one the troupe worked. I loved Ashton from the start, I mean what's not to love about someone who wants to start an animal rescue. I wasn't a huge fan of Griffin at first but I quickly fell for him when he rescued a dog.  My heart broke for Ashton after learning the past she was running from. I loved the banter between Ashton and Griffin and of course the doggie side kicks. And secondary characters are great some of which I would love to see a book about them. This debut novel is indeed a sweet closed door rom com. I can't wait to see what Hayley gives readers next. 

Relasees August 14th 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz Review

 

Title:  A Fierce Devotion

Author: Laura Frantz

Ch: 33 plus epilogue

Pg: 221

Series:

Genre: Christian Historical, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: story Architect

Bleu Galant

Brielle Farrow



I'm not going to lie. I have wanted Bleu's story since I finished The Seamstress of Acadie, he was only a secondary character in that one but I could tell he needed a story. And with A Fierce Devotion we get his story. And it was indeed worth the wait. I loved seeing Bleu's growth from the end of The Seamstress of Acadie and this one.  Without giving anything away Bleu became a favorite  hero because of a heroic choice he makes early in the novel. I have to say that Bleu might just be Laura's most Boaz-like character yet.   Brielle despite what she's lost she holds tight to her faith. Now Brielle gets a chance at a future she never thought possible and Bleu is also considering a different future than he once thought. Their adventure will take them from the Shenandoah Valley, to Virginia's Rivanna River and to France. Both Bleu's and Brielle's faith will be tested as the journey has the ability to change both their futures.



 Bleu and Brielle's story may be my favorite love story that Laura wrote. I love a good slow burn romance not something found often in historical romance and even more so when he falls first one.    This one touched my heart in ways that only a Laura Frantz novel can. I always know Laura's novels will make me cry and this one was no different. At least I wasn't crying by the end of the first line this time. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

July Wrap Up

 I read or listened to a total of 11 books across 2,165 pages  and 39.37 hours . My average rating was And my total of unread 96 . DNF'd  2

1. Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith 

2. The Secret Life of a Cemetery: The Wild Nature and Enchanting Lore of Pere Lachaise by Benoit Gallot 

3. Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws (audio)

4. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn (audio)

5. You and Me, For Real by Hayley Elliott (ebook) (review book) 

6. A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber (audio) 

7. To Love A Beast by Karen Witemeyer (Kindle Unlimited) (review Book) 

8. The Double Play by  Annah Conwell (audio) (Kindle Unlimited) 

9. The Veteran’s Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain 

10. Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods 

11. Love is a War Song by Danica Nava 

Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington review

Title: Perfectly Grumpy

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre: Hockey Romance

Publisher/Indie: Indie

Publication Date: June 17

 

I think Tate may be my favorite Carolina Crushers player. Apparently, I have a thing for fictional nerdy hockey players. But I have to say that Lauren was the character I related to the most. I could relate to her grief. I loved seeing the other crusher players. And Perfectly Grumpy was the perfect read for this time of year. A summer hockey rom com. 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

May wrap up

  I read or listened to a total of  15 books across 3,023  pages  and 41.62 hours . My average rating was 4.10 And my total of unread 99. DNF'd  4

1. Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey (review book)

2. So That Happened by Katie Bailey (audio) 

3. My  Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner (audio) 

4. Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates (ebook) (review book) 

5. The Man who Died Twice by Richard Osman 

6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (reread) 

7. The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel (audio) 

8. Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Estrom Courage 

9. Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant (audio) 

10. The Hero and the Hacktivist by Pippa Grant (kindle) (auido) 

11. Attempted Mountain Abduction by Jessica R Patch (Review book) 

12. Kentucky’s Packhorse Librarians by  Nicki Jacobsmeyer 

13. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (reread) 

14. As you Ice it by Emma St. Clair (kindle unlimited) 

15. The Love Haters by Katherine Center (owned)

Unfinished Series Update January- March 

Finished 2 series 

Made progress on  1 Serires

Started 1 series

Attempted Mountain Abduction by Jessica R Patch

Title:  Attempted Mountain Abduction 

Author: Jessica R Patch 

Ch: 14 plus epilogue 

Pg: 208

Series: Elite Protectors book 1 

Genre:  Christian Romantic Suspense 

Rating: 4.5 stars 

Publisher: Love Inspired 

 

Bridge Spencer

Wendy Dawson 

Molly 

Texas Crime Scene Cleaners 

Attempted Mountain Abduction is the first book in the Elite Protectors series by Jessica R Patch. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would as, I'm not a huge fan of second chance romances. Because I don't find them believable nor is the reason for the break up a good one. However with the romance in this one it is a romantic suspense with an equal balance of suspense and romance though it leans more to the suspense the heroine Wendy   had very good reason for ending things with the hero Bridge Spencer whom readers will remember from the Texas Crime Scene Cleaners.  The suspense and Molly the little girl in the story who is very much on the spectrum.  And written well. As Autism is a spectrum and if you know one person whose Autistic you know one person.  And the romance grew on as I read on.  I will say I do prefer the author's romantic suspense to her thrillers. I loved getting to know Bridge more and Molly and even Wendy and I look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Stick to me by Marion De Re reivew

 

Title: Stick to me 

Author: Marion De Re

Ch: 36 plus epilogue 

Pg: 322

Series: New York Raptors book 1 

Genre:  Rom com hockey rom com 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: indie 

Aaron Miles 

Marissa Martin 

Not going to lie friends to more hasn’t been a favorite troupe in the past. But Aaron and Marissa changed that. And the fact that it includes hockey made it even more enjoyable.  The reasons the two had for just staying friends made perfect sense and actually enhanced the story.  The only thing more dramatic in a hockey romance than teammates sister is coach’s daughter. And I’m a sucker for a bookish hockey player. And after Stick to me I think also like fictional hockey defenseman. Can’t wait for the next one in this series. 

Thank you, Partner, @bookedwiththeemilys  @marionderewrites  or #gifted @bookedwiththeemilys  @marionderewrites

Synopsis: 

Have you ever heard of a guy who’s nice, funny, cooks like a chef, boasts a six-pack, and is the best player in the NHL?

Well, let me introduce you to Aaron Miles—aka the biggest test of my self-control.

Aaron and I have been friends since sixth grade, sharing everything from school and vacation to helping me start my business. But one thing I did on my own: falling in love with him.

It’s hopeless. He’s already rejected me once, and besides, as the coach’s daughter, I’m off-limits to everyone on the team, especially Aaron, who has a father-son relationship with my dad.

Yet, the more I try to suppress my feelings, the deeper my attraction grows. It’s hard to resist when he plans the best surprise birthdays and drops everything to be there for me. Oh, and did I mention we’re roommates? And that he loves parading around the apartment with his abs on display?

Yeah, I’m doomed.

I’m trying to get over him—trust me—but lately, there’s something in his eyes I’ve never seen before. An intense glint that mirrors the fire inside me. Surely, it means nothing, right?

It’s my heart playing tricks on me. As a romance reader, I’m prone to jumping to conclusions.

And if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that the Friends to Lovers trope is the less realistic of them all.

There’s way too much at stake. 

What You’ll Find:

Hockey Romance

Friends to Lovers

Roommates

Coach's daughter

Body Positivity

Secret Dating

Closed Door/Kisses Only

The Other Sister by Jessica Patch

 Title: The Other Sister 

Author: Jessica Parch 

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The other Sister is the darkest book I’ve read by the author. And while I didn’t enjoy aspects of the book. I liked the sister swap. As it’s a reminder that the other side isn’t always what it seems.  I did like the suspense and thriller aspect. This one is perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and those of who liked her strange crimes series. But if you didn’t and only like her romantic suspense then this one might not be for you. There is just like all of her books a faith thread throughout. And even though I didn’t love this one I am glad I read it. 

I received a copy of this book from the author  as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

March Wrap Up

 I read or listened to a total of  15 books across 3,749 pages  pages  and 26.85 hours . My average rating was 4.10 And my total of unread 99. DNF'd  2

1. Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner (Kindle) (Review book) (owned) 

2. An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon (review book) 

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4. A Ghostly Mortality by Tonaya Kappes (audio)

5. Over the Edge by Irene Hannon (audio) 

6. Cold Case Double Cross by Jessica Patch 

7. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths 

8. The Bromance Bookclub by Lyssa Kay Adams (owned) 

9. Sin with me by Brooke Montgmoery (kindle) 

10. Promise me Sunshine by Cara Bastone (audio) 

11. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (owned) 

12. The Do over by Sarah M. Peterson 

13. Kate Landry has a Plan by Rebekah Millet (owned) 

14. Sunrise at the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (owned) 

15. Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel (owned) 

Unfinished Series Update January- March 

Finished 3 series 

Made progress on  9 series 

Started 3 series

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner review

Title:  Secret or Shutout 

Author: Leah Brunner 

Ch: 42 plus epilogue 

Pg: 338 

Series: DC Eagles 

Genre:  Rom Com Hockey Rom com 

Rating:  5 stars 

Publisher: indie 

I thought Wes and Mel’s story was sweet, Mitch tugged out my heartstrings. Colby made me swoon. Ford melted my heart. But Bruce, well Bruce stole my heart. And at the beginning of the series, I didn’t see the goalie being my favorite or that he’d still my heart. Bruce was easy to see as the friend but not the love interest. However Secret or Shutout changed that.  I started falling for Bruce in the first chapter when I realized that my high school French hadn’t little me down and I knew what he was calling her. And that tidbit a lone made me realize there’s more to Bruce than meets the eye. The dual chapters make the story so much better. As you get to see them get to the same page. And watching Bruce fall was so sweet. Though Bruce did break a big hockey rule when it comes to teammate’s sister. 

 

Now I knew Farrah was going to be my favorite heroine when I meet her in Betrothal or Breakaway. But it was in Secret and Shutout that I saw how much I related to her. Farrah was the first time I’ve seen a heroine with PCOS on the page. And as someone with PCOs I loved seeing a heroine with the condition in a rom com. There was plenty of times in this one where my heart broke for Farrah. But there’s literally a moment in the book that Bruce not only starts healing Farrah’s heart and starts her trusting but I think a fictional hero started mending mine. And it’s this quote, “Farrah, I don’t want to build a life with you because of what you can give me someday. I don’t cherish you for your ability to have children or not. And I don’t love you based on any conditions.”  All I can say is where’s the real-life Bruce’s at?  

 

Bruce and his old truck remind me of something my grandma use to say if a man drives an old truck he knows how to stay when things get tough because he’s got patience and he’s stubborn. Which I think sums up Bruce perfectly. 

 

I loved that even though it’s Farrah and Bruce’s story we still get closure for the DC Eagles.

 

I will say Leah’s books on the steamy side of clean as there is some language, innuendo  and a fade to black scene with married couple. 

 

#secretorshutout #dceagles #hockeyromance #closeddoorromance #pcosrep #booktour

#bookedwiththeemilys

@bookedwiththeemilys @leah.brunner.writes

 

I received a copy of this book from the author  as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

Tropes:

Hockey romance

Teammate’s sister

Reverse age gap

NHL goalie

Curvy heroine