The Hot Shot((Smash Point Social Club,#3)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    

 

 Thank you to the author,Cynthia Gunderson and BookSirens for E ARC, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

His son chose her first. 

She should’ve known she was playing with fire. 

Rachel never teaches outside of her pickleball club, but when a determined eight-year-old walks in wanting lessons, she makes a mistake. His dad, Jake, won’t commit to their schedule, plus the fitness app she works for is desperate for competitive content. 

Now she’s teaching pickleball at a firehouse court, getting way too attached to this kid, and being dragged into late-night poker games with Jake and the rest of his crew. The worst part? She’s starting to like it. She’s starting to like him.
But Rachel doesn’t play games she can’t win. Unlike Jake, she doesn’t take risks with her life or her heart, and when she finds out the truth about Jake’s last three years? About why he became a firefighter and why he battles for his son?

  🌷

 
What a heartwarming story! 

I’m officially in love with this series. I read the first book, The Big Dink, last year, followed by the second book earlier this year. It seems that I can’t get enough of this series. I didn’t think I could fall more in love with the series until I read Rachel’s story in Hot Shot. The chemistry between Rachel and Jake was instant – even if the two of them tried to deny it. I understood why Jake was the way that he was, considering what happened in his past. However, I hoped that he would realize that it’s okay to move on. 

Rachel, you couldn’t help but love that girl. The way that she was with Jake’s son, Colton. Also, the way she knew how to stand up for herself. I loved the description of pickleball when Rachel was teaching. I felt as if I was there, as if she was teaching me. Since starting this series, I have felt like I learned so much about pickleball, and I have become fascinated by it. 

There were some hard topics in the book, and I liked how the characters handled them. I also enjoyed the bond that Rachel created with the rest of the firefighters. I couldn’t get enough of this book; I couldn’t put it down. I do wish these books were a little longer, only because I get so attached to the characters and don’t want to let go. Highly recommended for sports romance fans.

Road Trip.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   4.5★ 

  Thank you to publisher, St.Martin's Press for Earc via Netgalley, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

07.02.26    

 

Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters—but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more Maeve, a rule-follower and Therese, a rebel. But when their mother's death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting—one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way the can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip—to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. 

Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.

 🌷

 
From the moment that I picked up my first Mary Kay Andrews book in 2024, I fell in love with her writing. From the books I have read so far, there wasn’t one I didn’t like. I was excited when I found out that she was writing a new book. What I loved about Road Trip was the book's description, especially when the sisters were in Ireland. I had always wanted to visit Ireland, and after reading this book, I wanted to visit Ireland even more. I felt I was in Ireland, along with Therese and Maeve, while reading the book. I found myself going on adventures with two of them, and, of course, I was curious to see what they would discover about the painting. 

The relationship between Maeve and Therese was strained, and I loved how it grew throughout the book. Even though the two of them would banter, I could tell that they care about each other. What I loved about this book is that there was so much happening; it kept me turning the pages. As a reader, you can’t help but wonder how it would all end, and what it would mean for the sisters. I love reading books about siblings, especially sisters, and Road Trip is one of my favorites. 

The title Road Trip fit the book perfectly, although I felt it was so much more than that. I believe it changed both sisters in ways they didn’t expect. The setting was another one of my favorites about this book; I still can see it so clearly in my mind. I would highly recommend checking this book out! Be prepared to escape to Ireland!

Never Say Never(Battles In Love,#3)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 

 

 Thank you to the author,Kylie Skye and Luna Literacy for letting  me be part of ARC team!

 

AVERY
As the #1 WNBA draft pick, I expected to be embraced by sponsors and the media. Instead, I’m being told to act more ‘cheerful’ in front of the cameras, or it will cost me millions in endorsements. And I don’t want to use my father’s NBA legacy to be more popular either. 

Now I’m being offered an opportunity to change the narrative on my own terms - pretend to date the other rookie in town, Orlando’s new wide receiver, and create a fresh story for the public to obsess over. 

Can this football party boy really be the answer to my problems?

 
RAWLEY

 
All I wanted for my first year in the NFL was a fresh start. Yet, the sports pundits are fixated on my so-called character issues and I can’t shake my bad reputation. 

Then I meet her, this smoking hot, raven-haired goddess of basketball. By some miracle, weeks later our teams concoct a fake dating arrangement to help improve our media coverage. 

But that’s not enough for me. How can I convince her to give me a chance, for real?

  🌷

 
I didn’t think I could fall more in love with this series; I was wrong. Rawley and Avery, there is so much I could say about those two. I think that they are my favorite couple from the series- for now. You can’t help but root for Rawley and Avery from the beginning. I think this is one of my favorite fake dating storylines. There was something about this one; it was different. I like the premise of how fake dating was set up in the story, and the way Rawley and Avery formed a connection. I think their ‘fake’ relationship became real even before the two of them realized it. It seemed that Avery was in denial about her feelings, but I hoped that she would come to her senses. 

You can’t help but love Rawley, but then all the Battle siblings, you get attached to them. Rawley is the type of guy that every girl wants. I loved the way he was with Avery, and the way that they supported each other, and were there for one another. I loved that this story featured a basketball player, the one sport I played, but in middle school. I loved reading the descriptions of the game; they were so vivid that I felt as I was at the game. 

I love Avery and Rawley’s stories and found myself reading when I couldn’t sleep. I’m still thinking about their story; it had a big impact on me. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about this story. I’m so glad that I came across Kylie Skye. I can’t wait to read Connor’s story in September! Highly recommended for sports and romance fans.

Worst Faking Idea(Babes Of Brewing,#4)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

  

Thank you to the author,Angela Casella and The Author Agency for providing me with E-ARC, in exchange for honest review.  

 

 

 

 

 05.14.26 

  

 

Their secret fake relationship began with a little white lie...

 
Nora

 
My ginger beer brewery is, quite literally, my life. 

Unfortunately, my male business partner's new fiancée is insanely jealous. It's only a matter of time before she forces him to quit, which means we'll both lose the business we love. So I ask him what will get her to back down. A boyfriend. I make one up, telling her it's too early to introduce him, which works right up until she walks in on a heated private conversation between me and Cormac, my soon-to-be stepbrother. 

She comes to a wild the reason I'm keeping my boyfriend secret is because it's him.
I know I should set her straight. Cormac is the last person I'd ever date, and not just because our parents are about to get married. He's awkward, introverted, and has the people skills of a houseplant.
But I'm desperate enough to tell the worst lie ever.

 
Cormac

 
Nora makes me an offer any sane man would refuse. 

She wants me to be her secret fake boyfriend–an act that only has to work on two people.
In exchange, she promises to help me brush up my dating skills. 

It doesn't seem like much of a bargain, to be honest. She's been prickly since high school and isn't much of a charmer herself, but I agree because I've promised my father I'll try to get along with her. 

But the more time Nora and I spend together, the more I realize that I'd like our secret fake relationship to be real.

 🌷

 
I’m officially in love with this series. The only one I haven’t read yet is Sophie and Rob’s story. Worst Faking Idea had me falling in love with the characters, just like in the other books. I loved Nora and Cormac from the beginning, their interaction when Nora was apologizing to Cormac, and the way he reacted, you could tell that there was something there. Although Nora seemed to be in denial, at least at first. I did wonder if part of that was because Cormac was about to be her stepbrother. Once their fake relationship began, I had a feeling that there was going to be tension between the two of them. I was curious if Jose would believe that the two of them were dating. The way that he reacted, it had wondering is he still had feelings for Nora. 

I found it impossible to put this book down; every page had me wondering what would happen next. Most of all, I was eager to see what would happen between Cormac and Nora next. I was curious to see how long the two of them would be able to pretend. The scenes between the two of them were my favorites. I loved the way that Cormac took care of Nora, and the way that Nora worried about Cormac. I adored Cookie and the bond that she seemed to create with Nora. I couldn’t help but smile at those scenes. I loved the humor in this book, especially the banter between the characters; it made the book so much more fun to read. 

One of my favorite things about Angela Casella’s book is the way she portrays characters, including minor ones. I loved the way the friendship between Nora, Briar,Sophie  and Hannah grew; they reminded me of a few of my best friends. Also, the way she described everything made me feel all the emotions the characters were enduring. I didn’t want this series to end. Now, I need to go back and read Sophie and Rob’s story. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this series, and I cannot wait for the next one!

First and Forever.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

 

  Thank you to publisher, Harlequin Berkley for Earc via Netgalley, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

 05.12.26 

Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end. 

When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted. 

The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.

  🌷

 
I adored this book; the characters, the story, I couldn’t get enough. 

I’ve heard of Lynn Painter before; however, I haven’t had a chance to read her books-until now. I love sports romance, so I decided to check it out, and I’m so glad that I did. Sometimes you need a romance story that isn’t spicy and focuses on the main character's connection. First and Forever was that book. I wasn’t fond of the reason why Connor asked Duffy out, but it didn’t take long to see how much he cared about her. I loved the banter between the two of them, some of which had me laughing out loud. I also loved the connection between Duffy and Connor, and how Connor didn’t just take care of her but her family, too. Who doesn’t want a guy like that? 

I think this book would make a very cute romcom movie. It didn’t take long to see that what Connor and Duffy had wasn’t fake. I don’t think that I seen Duffy as happy as she was when she was with Connor. Plus, the way that he included Duffy’s family? If that’s not love, then I don’t know what it is. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Connor; he’s the kind of guy that every girl dreams about. I knew that all of that could fall apart if Duffy found out the truth of why Connor asked her out. Part of me hoped that Duffy wouldn’t find out. The two of them belonged together. 

I liked that the book was written from both Duffy's and Connor’s perspectives, giving readers a better view of each character. The story felt so realistic, I saw it so vividly playing in my mind while I was reading. Now that I have read Lynn Painter's book, I can’t wait to check out her others.