The Secret by Max Monroe

 

Mr. Hot Professor, the man I’m determined to resist, is challenging me to a competition—a playful, secret game, so to speak—where the winner takes all.

The Secret, an all-new hot as sin romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe, is available now!

Dear Fellow Bookworms,

I need your help.

I, Rachel Rose, am in quite the pickle with a hot-as-sin English Lit professor by the name of Ty Winslow, and I don’t know how to get out of it.

Let me break it down for you:

Girl meets Guy.

Girl gives Guy her underwear on a dare but nothing else identifying (like her name or number) because she plans to never see Guy again.

But Girl does see Guy again, in a very professional setting, where she is to be the Teaching Assistant to his Professor for an entire semester.

Girl would like to ignore all events of the past, but Guy is a whole list of tempting things that are hard to resist. (See below:)

#1: Insanely attractive.
#2: The most fun a girl could ever have.
#3: Successful and intelligent.
#4: He can quote Walt Whitman at the drop of a hat—which I’m sure you know is a dangerous thing for a literature-lover.
#5: Smooth with a capital S. He could charm the panties off a woman WITHOUT the help of a dare.

And now, Mr. Hot Professor, the man I’m determined to resist, is challenging me to a competition—a playful, secret game, so to speak—where the winner takes all.

My plan? Play the game long enough to win—long enough to walk away with the upper hand—without doing something stupid like falling in love.

It’s possible . . . right?

If you have any advice, please reach out to me soon—before it’s too late.

XOXO,
Rachel

I loved this book. I need you to know that first and that I'm not just saying that because I got an advance copy. I have also loved the other books in this series, The Bet and The Pact. Those Winslow brothers are just... wonderful. This book was fun and despite the fact that I do not like forbidden type romance books, this didn't feel forbidden. It helped that Rachel wasn't his student so there wasn't a weird age gap. Ty was super loveable and I was rooting for things to work out (as all good romance novels do). The humor in this one made it even better. I can't wait for Remy's book, The Redo to come out in July! I've been waiting to read more about him since Winnie Winslow & Wes's book (Scoring the Billionaire) and Charlotte & Nick's (Dr. NEURO). They're not required to read but give a little more insight into the Winslow family.

Read your copy today, exclusively on Amazon and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
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About Max Monroe
A duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far. ​

Connect with Max Monroe
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Flipping Love You by Erin Nicholas

 

He's the tattooed bad boy her mama warned her about.
She's his hot mess--but mostly hot--next door neighbor.
Until a two-night-stand gives them the surprise of a lifetime...

Flipping Love You, an all-new STEAMY and laugh-out-loud, surprise baby standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

Jillian Morris is a workaholic who forgets to watch the time. And to eat. And to change her shoes. And to keep even a house-plant alive. And to have any kind of a personal life.

Now an eccentric millionaire has left her eight million dollars. And eight penguins. Yes, real live penguins. She's a wildlife vet who specializes in penguins, so that makes sense. Kind of. She can, and does, keep penguins alive and well. She now just has to move them cross-country to her friend's new animal park.

So if anyone deserves a one-night (or two) stand with a hot, younger, tattooed bad boy on a motorcycle, it's her. Or so Jill tells herself when Zeke Landry flips his bike in front of her motel.

If only she'd known who he really was.
And that he was the fall-hard-and-fast type.
And the protective type.
And that one night would turn into more like nine-months of being ...sigh...very personal.

My Review

I have to be honest... I wasn't sure what to think of Jill. When someone crashes in front of you and you act like you don't care? She lost me for a bit at that point. She was great in terms of animals but selfish in terms of people. Once you get to know her though you see that it is in response to her upbringing and what her mother gave up in terms of her career in order to be a mom. Zeke I loved right away. He took this realization that he cared about Jill and ran with it.

This is a surprise pregnancy book even though you don't see that until later on in the book. They have a cute relationship and Zeke taking care of Jill even when she doesn't take care of herself is really sweet. 

It looks like Griffin's brother Donovan could be next based off the end of the book and I can't wait to read that one. I'm also really looking forward to Zander's book to see who he ends up with. He was getting a kick out of messing with Zeke and I'd like to see Zeke mess with Zander in return when his time comes. A great read, especially over the holiday weekend we're about to have!

Keep reading for an excerpt below!

Fall in love today!
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Excerpt

He lifted a hand to run it through his wet hair.
Her eyes followed the motion, seemingly riveted on his arm. He wasn’t sure if it was the tattoo or what exactly. But he did know that Jillian was fascinated with his ink. She had traced all of it with her fingers and tongue last night more than once. And he had a lot of ink.
“I’m the guy who’s remodeling your house.”
Her eyes widened. “We’re going to be neighbors.”
He let his grin grow slowly. “Yup.”
She tipped her head back and groaned.
But it wasn’t one of the hot oh-my-God-yes groans she’d been giving him last night. This was more of oh-crap groan.
“You’re clearly not as excited about that as I am,” he said dryly.

Her head came up and she met his eyes. Now there was no roaming over his half naked body. She shook her head. “It just feels complicated to live next door to the guy I’m hooking up with once a month.”
He was confused. “We’re hooking up once a month?”
“Well, that was what I was going to propose anyway. Friends with benefits, you know? After last night I thought that could be kind of fun.”
“That would be fun. Very, very fun,” he said. “But why only once a month? I’m up for that kind of fun way more often.”
“Sure. But then it turns into more like dating or a relationship or something rather than just getting together for hot sex.”
“And I take it the relationship and dating thing is something you’re trying to avoid?”
“Very much so. And living next door to you means that we’ll see each other occasionally and since you’ll be saving me from alligators on a regular basis, we could potentially turn into actual friends. And that makes the hooking up even more complicated.”
Having the sun up hadn’t made him feel any less attracted to, slightly confused by, surprised by, and definitely amused by this woman. “But friends with benefits has friends right in the title.”
This all sounded good to him. Having a neighbor he could get naked with whenever the urge struck, who didn’t want anything else from him, sounded pretty great.
“I’m just really not interested in a relationship,” Jill went on. “I’m not good at them. And I don’t really have time for them. And I don’t put the effort into them, which ends up bothering the other person after a while. Which is understandable. I’m not blaming anyone. I just really like to have everything laid out and everyone on the same page. And I like sex. It would be really perfect to be able to have amazing sex, but only when it’s convenient.”
Zeke gave a soft snort. Convenient hot sex. It really did sound pretty amazing.
“If you just want to walk through my door, only wearing a robe and nothing underneath to save time, I’m not gonna kick you out, cher,” he told her. He was half-teasing. But only half.
She finally gave him a hint of a smile. “I can just show up on your front porch anytime I want?”
He reached up and cupped the side of her head. He brought her in close and put his mouth against hers. “Any freaking time.”

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
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Heavy Petting by Erin Nicholas

He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.

Heavy Petting, an all-new heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy in the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild Series by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!

He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.

Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry have been best friends since they were six. He's always been The Guy. When she needed picked up, cheered up, or lifted up--like literally, to see the stage at a concert--Fletcher was the guy.

So when her boyfriend dumps her--on national TV--Fletcher immediately gets on a plane and comes to her rescue.

And when she ends up in a Vegas wedding chapel and needs someone to say, "I do"...yep, Fletcher's the guy. Of course.

But being The Guy 24/7 is a lot. He just wants everyone to give him a freaking minute to get this marriage thing right. Including his sexy, sweet new wife who he's wanted for three years. Who is exasperatingly, temptingly all-in from minute one.

Jordan knows what she wants. A life in her hometown. A job with alpacas. And Fletcher. Not necessarily in that order.

They've said the vows. They'd told the world. They've told their grandmas. Forget taking things slow. Forget just heavy petting. Forget any chance of backing out when things get tough. They're going to have to go all the way, in every way.

After all, friends becoming lovers should be the easiest thing in the world. Right?

Review

Fletcher has been in love with his best friend Jordan for a while. Jordan, however, has been in a relationship for years. When she is finally single again, I loved that his first response is to go to her; not necessarily to make his claim right away, but to make sure that she is OK.

That kind of gets thrown out the window when they get married before leaving Vegas to head back home. Fletcher ends up getting freaked out by how quickly things changed so they have some work to do. That said, I loved their relationship and getting freaked out by things suddenly changing isn't unexpected or unreasonable.

Experience all the feels today!
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Excerpt

“I also think that I need to—”
“Marry me.”
“Date you.”
They spoke at the same time.
Then stared at each other.
“What?”
“What?”
They spoke simultaneously again.
“I was trying to give you some freaking space before I said anything.” He seemed very annoyed suddenly.
She leaned in, bracing her hand on the seat between them. “The last person I need space from is you, Fletcher. I mean, we’ve basically been dating for twenty years. If dating is about getting to know someone and figuring out how well you fit with them and figuring out if you want to spend the rest of your life with them…we’ve done that.”
He shook his head. “You have got to be one of the most exasperating people in my life.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Considering your twin brothers are Zeke and Zander, being one of the most exasperating people in your life is pretty huge.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely exasperating. To think I could’ve kissed you when we were standing next to a king-sized bed and you were only in your bra and panties and you would have been all in.”
Jordan felt her cheeks flush, but she grinned widely. “I really am a pain.”
“You really are.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Jordan felt a zing of excitement go through her. She really wanted him to kiss her.
“I think you dating me is a great idea,” he said after a moment.
Thank God.
“You’re sure you’re done dating other people? Having fun with all those girls? All the casual relationships?” she asked.
“If it means I get to be with you? Absolutely.”
Her stomach swooped, harder and faster than before. “This isn’t crazy?”
“It makes a hell of a lot more sense than anything else. Like you dating other men. Or either of us being with anyone else.”
“We’ve never talked about this before.”
“You’ve been taken,” he said simply.
Right. That was true. And Fletcher was too good of a guy to go after another man’s girl.
She still felt compelled to say, “It’s been three years since anything happened.”
“Again, because you’ve been taken.” His voice dropped. “Only because you’ve been taken, Jordan.”
Her heart skittered at that and she wet her lips. She thought about her next words carefully. Several seconds ticked by. Then she said simply, “Prove it.”
Fletcher reached out, wrapped his big hand around her wrist, and tugged her close. He cupped the back of her head and brought her in until they were nose to nose. “This changes everything,” he said. Almost as if it was a warning.
“I know.”
“I’m the last frog you’re ever going to kiss. So be sure you want it now.”
That was exactly what she’d wanted to hear without even realizing it.

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
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Call Me Crazy by Melanie Harlow

It was the perfect plan. I needed a wife--temporarily--in order to inherit the family business. And she needed a favor--the kind that takes nine months to deliver.

Call Me Crazy, an all-new steamy and heartfelt small-town romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is available now!

Blurb

We had it all worked out, from the no-touching policy on our wedding night (her rule) to the no-falling-in-love decree (mine). She’d marry me, I’d give her the means to have the baby she’d always wanted, and one year later we’d amicably part ways with no hassle, no demands, and certainly no regrets.

After all, Bianca DeRossi and I are experts at infuriating one another--we’ve been doing it since we were kids. Trouble is, she grew up gorgeous and feisty, and she still knows exactly how to get under my skin.

And that wedding night? Well, it doesn’t exactly go down hands-free.

Then she moves in with me, and I really start to lose my mind. From her sexy little pout to her wicked sense of humor to those meatball sandwiches she makes just because she knows they’re my favorite... I find myself wanting to break every rule we put in place.

Our story was never supposed to end with happily ever after.
But call me crazy, I just might be in love with my wife.

My review

These are two stubborn people. Now don't get me wrong, I love an enemies to lovers trope, but the fake marriage one not so much. I've been interested in Enzo and Bianca's relationship since we see them argue in the 2nd Bellamy Creek book, Make Me Yours. Enzo wants a wife so he can take over the family business and he's getting pressure to settle down. Bianca really wants a baby but has fertility issues and no current boyfriend. Their solution? Get married!

I don't want to get spoilery here, but things don't go as planned, they have trouble sharing, and they have to figure out how to be together. These people needed to learn how to maneuver a relationship and found the past they had was built on misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It was nice to see them grow and realize they actually liked and cared for each other. Cute ending and I can't wait for the next book in the series! While reading it you get an idea of who the next couple will be.

*Possible trigger warning* Bianca's being emotionally distraught after not getting pregnant right away. Fertility issues are involved in the book.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
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Read Chapter One: http://bit.ly/3seA4lF

About Melanie

USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Schitt’s Creek, Homeland, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

Connect with Melanie

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Website: www.melanieharlow.com

Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke

   

Like You Love Me, an all-new marriage of convenience standalone romance and first book in the Honey Creek series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is available now!

Two childhood friends are playing house—and maybe playing for keeps—in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s

funny, sexy, and unpredictable marriage-of-convenience romance.

To save her Tennessee bed-and-breakfast, Sophie Bates needs a fast-cash miracle. Holden McKenzie, her childhood best

friend, needs to prove to a prospective employer that he’s a committed man. Their fortunes on the line,

Holden proposes…a solution.

He’ll take care of Sophie’s bills if she agrees to a temporary marriage of convenience. And why not? They’re comfortable

together, they have fun, and they trust each other. It’s as simple as saying “I do.” But the off-the-cuff wedding has all of

Honey Creek talking—and Sophie and Holden realizing that their perfect arrangement is working too well. If they’re not

careful, this marriage could turn into a love story.

My review:

I got an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. I wasn't sure what to expect because I'd never read anything by her before and I'm not really a fan of the friends-to-lovers OR fake marriage tropes and this had both. Also, I tend to get frustrated by characters that have walls up, and BOY DOES SHE. I get that Sophie has been hurt before and wants to protect herself, so watching her keep those walls up around Holden was rough for me. She also knows that he isn't planning on staying so it is justified.

That said, this story was cute! Sophie and Holden have a good relationship and the choices they make aren't selfish. Nobody is out to purposefully hurt the other person to create distance (I hate when that happens), which makes the HEA more believable. Worth the read!

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oWWqXM

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LikeYouLoveMe

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3qw68Rd

About Adriana

USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books.

After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her

own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her

kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her

pocket. 

Connect with Adriana

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Website: https://adrianalocke.com

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Real Fake Love by Pippa Grant

 NEW RELEASE!

Make sure you stick around for the end of the post where you'll see an excerpt from the book and a giveaway for Pippa swag!

Blurb

If people have polar opposites, Luca Rossi is mine.
His butt is in the baseball hall of fame. Mine’s comfortably seated in the hall of lame.
When he’s not snagging fly balls out in center field, he’s modeling in shampoo commercials. I once jammed my own finger while stirring cookie dough, and sometimes I forget shampoo is a thing.
He’s a total cynic when it comes to love.
I make a living writing love stories.
But after my latest broken engagement (no, I don’t want to talk about how many times that’s happened), it’s clear he’s exactly the man I need.
If anyone can teach me to be the opposite of me, it’s him.
The first thing I want him to teach me?
How to not fall in love.
And as luck would have it, he’s in desperate need of a fake girlfriend to get a meddling grandmother off his back.
We couldn’t be more perfect together, because the last thing Luca Rossi will ever be is the next man to leave me at the altar.
Or will he?
 
Real Fake Love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I can't even tell you how much I loved Henri. I should probably just quit doubting Pippa's books when I read the blurbs but COME ON! Her name is Henrietta BACON and she's trying to not fall in love after being left at the altar AGAIN, her cat is dressed in costumes, and she's in a fake relationship with a baseball player to help teach her not to fall in love while he tries to keep his mom and grandmother out of his love life. It sounds crazy... and it is. In the best way.

This is a standalone within the Copper Valley Fireballs series, the first was Jock Blocked (link below). I can't wait for Cooper Rock's book (please write it, Pippa) and the there were multiple parts where I laughed out loud. I didn't know that I would, but I really like Henri. She's so happy despite what she's gone through. Anyone could have been bitter about love after that many fails, but she just keeps trying. Meanwhile grumpy hot baseball player has himself closed off. Luca is a bit of a jerk, but once you learn his backstory you understand why. Also, poor Henri is allergic to alcohol which seems extra painful that she can't even have a drink after another wedding fail.

This is definitely a book I will read more than once. Also, if you were a fan of Jamie Farrell (Pippa's other pen name) and the Misfit Brides books, you get a nice tip of the hat to Bliss with it's giant wedding cake monument. Not gonna lie, I was probably overly excited to see the reference but it happened... what can ya do? Also, I thought that the stuff Henri wrote about was like a Kimmie dream, so I enjoyed that was well.  Overall, a must read if you love a rom com and sports romance!

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52714963-real-fake-love
 
 
PURCHASE LINKS
 
US: https://amzn.to/34IbeSI
UK: https://amzn.to/2YI3pbM
CA: https://amzn.to/2QLF3tH
AU: https://amzn.to/3gC9FZ4
 
Free in Kindle Unlimited
 

Below is an excerpt from the book. Enjoy (and then check it out)!

EXCERPT
 
Henri, in the middle of Chapter Four...
 
It's probably weird to be sitting on the doorstep of the man I cyberstalked after his whole love sucks speech after my failed wedding. But I won’t apologize for waiting for Luca here at what I think is his house, because you don’t get what you need in life if you don’t go for it.
 
Still, maybe Dogzilla and I should be waiting in my car instead? At least that way, I could turn on the radio while we wait. And the air conditioning.
 
I’m about to move to the car when a clunker chugs around the corner, one headlight out, and turns into the driveway.
 
This is definitely the wrong house.
 
I’m sitting on the porch of a stranger’s house, hoping that’s a woman driving, because if it’s a woman, at least I know I won’t be in danger.
Of falling in love with her at first sight, I mean.
 
The engine shuts off, and while I don’t often trespass at midnight, I have this feeling that jumping up with Dogzilla and making a run for it right now is exactly the wrong move. A well-timed, "Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else," will give us all a laugh, I’ll take my cat and leave, and then two complete strangers will have a weird story to tell their friends over margaritas—or an iced tea, in my case—and huh.
 
This would make an excellent meet-cute for my friend Dorothea’s next steamy romance novel. I’ll have to drop her a note too.
 
The occupant of the car is still sitting in it, and the figure illuminated by the street light looks too big to be a woman.
 
Dang it.
 
He also seems to be—
 
Is he hitting his head against the steering wheel?
 
Uh-oh.
 
If I picked the house of a nutjob, all bets are off.
 
"Be ready to run, Dogzilla," I whisper.
 
My lazy cat doesn’t move, and instead snores in my lap.
 
Easier this way anyway, since it’s not like I can count on her to follow alone when I take off running at full-steam.
 
Which doesn’t happen all that often, if we’re being honest here. I’m a writer, not a runner.
 
But—wait.
 
The way his hair is moving—
 
That is Luca Rossi.
 
I rise, cradling Dogzilla, and when Luca looks my way, I give him a finger wave and a smile.
 
The light isn’t bright enough for me to see what he’s saying, but his lips are definitely moving, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s wearing the same long-suffering expression my father usually has when I tell him I’m engaged.
 
Again.
 
It might also be remarkably similar to the expression Luca was wearing when he recognized me at Duggan Field earlier today too.
 
Not my intention to ambush him at work, I swear. I was curious about the ballpark—I’m curious about a lot of things—so when I caught wind on social media of a writer organization that was touring the park, it was easy enough to get here in time today to join the group.
 
And it was fascinating to see where the players work out, to smell the chairs the announcers sit in, what it feels like to stand in the dugout, and hear how many light bulbs have to be replaced every day.
 
There’s a pop and a creak as the car door swings open, and I suddenly desperately need to know why Luca Rossi, millionaire sports star, lives on a grocery store clerk’s salary.
 
For research.
 
I swear.
 
I like to do research.
 
It’s one of the things my ex-fiancé Kyle liked about me.
 
"Henri," Luca says.
 
My brain hears what the hell are you doing here, and why are you between me and my bed, and I’m not asking out loud because I don’t honestly want to know.
 
I either have a lot of experience understanding people because I write good characters, or I have a lot of experience with frustrating men after five failed engagements.
 
Plus my lifelong relationship with my father.
 
"Hi, Luca! Great game tonight. That catch you made in center field was like—"
 
"The one where I didn’t move, the one where I stepped three feet to my left, or the one where I had to take two steps back?"
 
Okay, yeah, he had an easy game. "How did you know where the ball was going to be? That’s like—it’s like you’re psychic."
 
"It’s called being a professional." He squeezes his eyes shut briefly, opens them, eyeballs Dogzilla in my arms, and then sighs again. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight?"
 
Wow. He’s cranky.
 
Not gonna lie.
 
I know it’s probably me.
 
But that’s no excuse for not forging ahead. I didn’t come all this way to chicken out. "You remember the last time we saw each other?"
 
"This afternoon in the clubhouse?"
 
"I liked your hat, but I meant the time…before that."
 
He closes the distance between us with three casual steps. "Nope."
 
And I go momentarily speechless as a waft of something delicious teases my nose.
 
But only momentarily. A quick recovery is a gift. Or possibly a defense mechanism. "The time we were together…in that town…with that big monument…and the event thing…"
 
No answer.
 
"The event thing that didn’t—"
 
"I’m trying to block it from my memory."
 
"Oh. Oh! Thank you. That’s very kind of you. Sorry. I didn’t realize—"
 
"That I wouldn’t want to remember your ruined wedding, that you like to redecorate people with dessert, and that your ex-fiancé is the first man that my mother’s dated in three years and I might have to start calling him Stepdad?"
 
I wince.
 
My heart also weeps because yeah, still not over seeing Jerry lock lips with a woman who could’ve been my mother, and hearing that it might actually be going somewhere is salt in the wound.
 
"So, no, Henri, I don’t remember the last time we were together. At least, I won’t, once I get inside and pour myself a large enough vodka tonic. Care for one?"
 
Once again, I’m momentarily speechless. "Um, I’m kinda allergic—"
 
I cut myself off when one of his brows rises infinitesimally, and then I gasp. Of course he knows I’m allergic. We had an entire conversation about it. "Are you trying to send me to the hospital?"
 
"No, but I am trying to get into my house. Alone. Preferably without the sad panda thoughts I’d finally managed to shake before you showed up today."
 
"Oh. That was a hint."
 
"It was."
 
"I’m bad with the subtle."
 
He swipes a hand over his mouth and looks up at the sky, and I’m certain he’s not stifling a smile.
 
Probably the exact opposite.
 
Time to forge ahead. "I’m here because I need your help."
 
"And now I pay the price for my sins," he mutters.
 
I’d ask what his sins are, but my google searches were very thorough.
Normally, he really would be the last person on earth I’d turn to for help.
 
"I don’t want money or anything like that. And I’d rather no one know I’m here, so I’m not after your fame either, though I wouldn’t mind some tips on how to get my hair as good as yours always is. I’ve tried Kangapoo before, and—wait. Sorry. Off-topic. I need you to teach me how to not fall in love."
 
 
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Liar, Liar, Hearts on Fire (Bro Code Book 3) by Pippa Grant

Description

The lies will come back to bite you every time...

Never borrow pants from your brother. Especially if he’s a size smaller than you are, because all that pressure in the junk will short-circuit your brain.

And you’ll lie to a woman in a club about your real name.

Leave her unsatisfied after making out in a bathroom.

Then find out that she’s the one thing standing in the way of your dreams. And she very much doesn’t like being lied to.

Now I have to convince Lila Valentine—the woman I can’t stop thinking about, my biggest regret, and my new boss—that I’m what’s best for the baseball team she’s inherited.

If we can’t work together to save the Fireballs, the commissioner’s forcing a sale and moving them across the country.

I’ll do anything to save my home team.

But the one thing I can’t do?

Keep my hands to myself.

Which would be fine, if she hadn’t been telling me lies this whole time too.

This book is the third in the Bro Code series and I loved it so much I read it and then automatically read it all over again. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and I still pre-ordered the book which is OUT TODAY if that tells you anything about how much I loved it. Tripp and Lila meet-cute (if you want to call it that) in a club after she has a drink thrown in her hair and he gives her his brother's name (I can't wait for Levi's book BTW) and they officially meet for the second time in a business meeting that... let's just say it doesn't go as planned.

This book is centered around a baseball team that Lila inherits (GO FIREBALLS) and I really love baseball so this got me. And it is so hilarious that I laughed out loud at multiple points (the ducks!). What I liked most about it is that they are so flawed and yet so wonderful. Tripp is a major germaphobe because of his wife's death and he has a lot of issues revolving around it. Lila has a hard time trusting anyone because of how she grew up. They have some animosity because Tripp wanted to buy the Fireballs but Lila wants to turn the team around and they have some very different ideas on how to do that.

Beyond the humor, we get to see two people connect and even though they make some mistakes (no cheating or anything, don't worry) you truly see the beauty in these characters. I loved them and I wanted to give them both (and Tripp's adorable kids) so many hugs. We also see their strength. Tripp's strength lies in taking care of his kids and moving on from his wife's death, while Lila's strength lies in everything she has gone through since she was a kid.

I heart this book so hard. I loved it so much I put aside doing stuff for my classes and stayed up way past my bedtime so I could finish reading it in one sitting. I have a 5 year old, this rarely happens. Plus, have you looked at the cover? His eyes alone make me swoon. Also, if you read Stud in the Stacks (also where we first meet Lila) we finally find out more about Buck Tickle and those ridiculous books Knox's grandma loves. It. Is. Amazing. If you like rom coms and, like me, basically love anything by Pippa Grant, do yourself a favor and get this book.

Free on Amazon KU.

Humbugged by Pippa Grant and Lili Valente

"A mall Santa broke my heart, stole my coffee mug, and killed my reindeer dreams."

Description

He’s the world’s most alpha Marine and the last man I should be letting jingle my bells this holiday season. 

So why does Clint O’Dell keep running through my thoughts wearing nothing but a Santa hat? And why do I stupidly agree that we should be Christmas friends with benefits?

Someone must have spiked my eggnog. 

I don’t do Marines. 

Or Santas. 

I learned my lesson about both the hard way. 

But when Clint steps in to rescue me—from a murderous goose, a rogue reindeer, and the ghost of Christmas Right Now causing trouble in my bakery—I can’t help but wonder if we’re meant to be more than friends. 

If maybe Clint is the holiday miracle I’ve been praying for…or if all the magic will disappear with the season.

Humbugged is a laugh out loud holiday romp featuring a Marine with a heart of gold and a baker in need of a hero. Complete with the world's most awkward Christmas caroling, a photoshoot with furry friends, and more naughty baked goods than is good or decent.

This is the 4th book in the Happy Cat/O’Dell brothers series that I've reviewed previously.

I have to start out by saying that Clint is my favorite O’Dell brother. He’s a cute (HOT), funny marine who protects Noelle from animals and possible ghosts. Noelle has had a hard time since moving to Happy Cat between being a magnet for animals and with her cakes and cookies having trouble staying in one piece.

We first see Noelle in Blake and Hope’s book (Hitched) as she delivers an unfortunately broken cake and later is swarmed by hungry raccoons. They are super cute together. Based on how she appeared in Hitched, I wasn’t sure that I was going to like her, but Noelle is a brave woman who made the choice to move forward and try to be happy despite some struggles. Clint calls her Cupcake and it is adorable. Seeing their relationship progress gave me the feels in all the best ways. I got an early copy for a review and I can’t recommend this book (and series in general) enough..

Like the other books in the series it is full of humor and animal fun. There is also a running theme of Chuck Norris type memes and jokes that cracked me up throughout. Some of my favorite quotes include these gems:

"Have you tried one of Noelle's chocolate chip cookie bars yet? Not to meme myself or anything but I baked them with a single smolder."

 "Though how we got on this subject, I have no idea."  "You threatened my carrot. My carrot was unafraid. Flirting ensued."

Plus many more... but if I put in that many in I would no longer be quoting, I would just be copying and pasting the entire book and if I recall correctly that is illegal. A funny, cute, holiday cheer filled read.

You can get your copy on Amazon! You have to buy it when it first comes out but it should be on Kindle Unlimited soon! Maybe just buy yourself a Christmas gift and buy the entire series? They're all so good and cute and funny that you'd really be doing yourself a favor and if you can't treat yourself at Christmas are you really doing the holiday season right?