The Worst Best Man: an enemies-to-lovers romance

The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score is an enemies-to-lovers romance. They met at a wedding. Franchesca “Frankie” Baranski is best friends with Pru, the bride, who is a doll and her maid of honor. Aiden Kilbourn is best friends with the groom, Chip, who is a perfect gentleman and the best man. The rest of the wedding party are nightmares, rich, vapid, rich and very immature. However, the one who cannot stand the most is Aiden with a big attitude. Frankie takes her maid of honor duties seriously. With every crisis, she jumps into action. Busy ruling the business world where there hasn’t been a challenge he cannot win, Aiden Kilbourn doesn’t do long term relationships as he can’t stand a woman for more than a couple of months at most. However, he meets Frankie and he soon realizes that he may have met his match with this smart-mouthed girl from Brooklyn. 

I am a new fan of Lucy Score as her books are filled with fun banter, steamy romance with plenty of drama scheming. While I have read her book series, I haven’t read any of her standalones. The Worst Best Man is everything I expect from her books. I loved Frankie’s spunk and determination. Aiden is a kindhearted man hiding behind a cold facade and it takes his relationship with Frankie for it to break through. I enjoyed seeing their growth as a couple as well as individuals. Yes, there is a third act break up; however, the grand gesture is great. I also enjoyed the supporting characters which enhanced the banter. I especially loved the sibling interaction between Frankie and her brothers which was fun and so relatable. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to more of her standalone books. If you enjoy fun banter, steamy romance, I highly recommend The Worst Best Man. 

The Worst Best Man is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days: can one woman make over a man from Not to Hot?

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days is the first book in the Chick Flick Club by Lila Monroe. Gemma Jones is in a competition for a promotion of a lifetime. As a stylist, she has to take a fashioned-backward guy and turn him into Mr GQ. Her problem? The man chosen for her is her hairy next-door neighbor she nicknamed Bigfoot. Zach Morrison has no interest in being Gemma’s dress doll. However, he does enjoy seeing Gemma get flustered; but after cashing out his tech start-up and going through a nasty break up, he just wants to wear sweatpants and lounge around. With a little push in the right direction, Gemma gets to work and finds a few surprises as Bigfoot transforms into Mr Hottie. As the walls come down, the sparks start to fly. Will Zach embrace a fresh start? Will Gemma win the promotion? 

One of my favorite rom-coms is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. So when I came across a book which seemed to pay homage to this hilarious and romantic story, I was in. From the very beginning, this story had heart, great humor, sweet emotional moments and great steamy romantic scenes. I loved Gemma and Zach from the very beginning. I loved their chemistry and their banter. I enjoyed their supporting characters. Even their villains were great and added drama and conflict. Overall, I loved this story. It had its base in the rom-com movie; however, it had its own twists, turns and grand gestures. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. If you enjoy rom-com stories with heart and great humor, I highly recommend How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days. 

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days is available in paperback and eBook

Noble Intent: a steamy friends to lovers romance with lots of fun banter and heavy emotions

Noble Intent is the first book in the Rapturous Intent series by Cadence Keys. Trent Bridger is the lead singer of Rapturous Intent, a chart topping rock band, and lives the rock and roll dream. However, something is missing. Then he runs into Becka Edmonson, a woman he knew as a child and she knows him and they easily fall back into their childhood friendship. Soon, Trent realizes that Becka is everything he has been looking for but he is not willing to sacrifice their friendship. After one night of passion, he finds himself choosing between the friend who has grounded him and the woman who lights a fire in him. Even when Becka acknowledges she has always hoped for something more, can they take that chance? Could he have both a friend and a lover? Can his noble intent to keep his distance mean he is also making a biggest mistake? 

Noble Intent is a steamy friends to lovers romance with sweet memories. The story also deals with heavy topics of addiction, parental abandonment and feelings of inadequacy with lots and lots of emotions. Connected to the author’s other series, the LA Wolves, Noble Intent grabs readers from the opening chapter and leads them on a wild ride of emotions, personal growth and romance. I loved Trent and Becka. Their playful banter was fun and the chemistry between them was undeniable. I wasn’t expecting the emotional topics but it added depth to the characters’ past and their present choices. My heart broke for both characters as they discuss their past and deal with how those events inform their present. It was definitely something I could relate to. I enjoyed the connectedness with the other series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Noble Intent. 

Noble Intent is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Enthralled: steamy romance with drama, passionate love and sweet emotional moments

Enthralled is the first book in The Tribute series by J. Akridge. Cole Barker is a rockstar who is used to having any woman he wants. He had made some bad decisions in the past, decisions that caused the deepest pain. Feeling unworthy of real love for past transgressions, Cole is determined to close his heart to all. Why does Mia fill his thoughts like no other? Mia is a florist after inheriting her grandmother’s shop. She thought she was happy. She thought she knew what the rest of her life would be like. Even if she is settling for familiarity, for comfort instead of love. She never imagined how her life would turn upside down when Cole walked into her shop. She never imagined she would discover what she has been missing. Together, they will discover that healing and forgiveness is possible and a passionate love they have only dreamed of. 

From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue, this story takes hold and does not let go. Filled with drama and sweet emotional moments, Enthralled is a fast paced story. I enjoyed Cole and Mia as individuals and as a couple. There are people and circumstances that try to keep them apart but they are destined to be together. There are a few spicy scenes. There are intense moments of danger and there are moments of shock that left my jaw on the floor. I also loved the family and found family aspect with the secondary characters. Even the villains of the story were worthy of the scorn the readers will feel and the comeuppance they receive in the story. I could not put this book down! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Enthralled. 

Enthralled is available in paperback and eBook

Story of My Life: when you hit rock bottom what can you do but move to a small town and start over

Story of My Life is the first book in the Story Lake series by Lucy Score. Hazel Hart is at rock bottom. She is being forced from her apartment in the Upper East Side by her ex-husband and her publisher gives her a final warning: write and publish or be dropped. When she sees an article about a small town rallying around a neighbor in need and a house up for action, Hazel takes the plunge and buys the house sight unseen. Taking her agent and best friend, Zoey, along, Hazel moves to the rural Pennsylvania small town of Story Lake. She hopes she can rediscover her writing mojo in the small town life. Swoon worthy inspiration hits when she meets hot but grumpy contractor Campbell “Cam” Bishop. In the name of research, she begins to fully live the small town life and a fake relationship with Cam, what possibly could go wrong? 

As a fan of the Gilmore Girls, Story of My Life was recommended to me. And after reading the note from the author, “This series is my love letter to every reader who said they wanted to move to a fictional town . . .,” I had to take a chance on this book. Lucy Score is an author I have seen all over social media and BookTok; however, I have not read any of her books before. I am so glad that I picked up Story of My Life. There was fun banter, sweet emotional scenes and spicy scenes with plenty of angst and grand gestures. At first, l didn’t like Hazel but once she arrived in Story Lake and goes head-to-head with Cam and the town, she grew on me. I loved Cam and the whole Bishop family. Their interactions were so fun. Overall, I loved this story and I am eagerly looking forward to future books in this series. I highly, highly recommend Story of My Life. 

Story of My Life is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Lies: a fake dating romance with a morally grey character

Twisted Lies is the fourth and final book in the Twisted series by Ana Huang. Christian Harper is charming, deadly and smart enough to hide it. He is a ruthless monster parading as a gentleman in a three piece suit. Morals just get in the way and love is a useless emotion, however, he can’t deny the attraction toward a woman he barely knows. He can’t afford a weakness and yet, he has one. Stella Alonso is sweet, shy and introverted despite her very public fashion blog and media presence. Busy with her career and other responsibilities, she has very little time for a relationship, despite being a romantic at heart. When a threat from her past returns, Stella finds herself turning to Christian for help. He suggests a fake dating agreement which would be mutually beneficial. However, when their relationship becomes very real that their original agreement, based on a lie and twisted with secrets, that could shatter everything.

 Twisted Lies is a steamy, medium to slow burn fake dating romance. Christian is a morally gray character who closes himself off to any emotions and the only person that seems to be able to invoke any emotions for him is Stella. Twisted Lies is my second favorite book in this series. I enjoyed Stella’s growth the most as she learns to stand up for herself and her dreams. She struggled with anxiety due to her overachieving family and I loved how Christian shows her that success doesn’t follow a certain formula. While Christian was a hard character to like, however, as he opens up to Stella, he is revealed to be deeply wounded. I also enjoyed his banter with the men of the Twisted series, especially Alex and Rhys. Overall, I loved the slow burn and the build up to Christian and Stella breaking the rules of their arrangement. If you have enjoyed the Twisted series, I recommend Twisted Lies. 

Twisted Lies is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Love: a steamy, spicy grumpy-sunshine, forbidden romance

Twisted Love by Ana Huang is the first book in the Twisted series. Alex Volkov has a stern exterior. With an icy heart, he forms no attachments, no commitments, his only relationship is with his best friend, Josh and his little sister. Ruthless and calculating. driven by tragedy and a past he can’t forget, Alex is fueled by his need for success and vengeance. Having her own childhood tragedy, Ava Chen tries to see the brighter side of life and is determined to see the beauty in the world including Alex. She knows Alex is human despite his cool demeanor and a heart of gold beneath his icy exterior. When they are thrown together, their attraction is immediate. Their love was never supposed to happen and when it does, it ignites a fire that neither of them were prepared for. Soon secrets from both their pasts are revealed, threatening everything. 

Twisted Love has been all over BookTok, Bookgram and Facebook reels that I finally gave in, borrowed it from Prime Reading and  eagerly dug in. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this morally gray character with a hidden agenda, but as Alex and Ava's relationship grew, I was hooked. The heat between them was electrifying! This story is more than a brother’s best friend/opposites attract romance. It is the ultimate grumpy-sunshine romance with spiciness that is off the charts. And if you don’t like spicy romances, this book isn’t for you. The warning given in the book synopsis is not joking (see below). However, if you enjoy a grumpy-sunshine, forbidden romance with a whole lot of spice and a hint of suspense, I highly, highly recommend Twisted Love. I could not put it down and I am definitely reading the rest of the series. 

Twisted Love is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The warning from the synopsis: This book contains a possessive, morally gray alphahole; explicit sexual content, and profanity. No cheating or menage, but if you're looking for a traditionally sweet, loveable hero, this is not the book for you. Recommended for 18+.

More Than This: a sweet and steamy romance and getting out of your comfort zone

More Than This by Shannyn Schroeder is the first book of the O'Leary's series. When she learns that her ex-husband is going to be a father, Quinn Adams is on a mission. With the help of her sister and their friend, Quinn is given a list of challenges to complete that summer, challenges designed to be life changing and get Quinn out of her comfort zone. Ryan O’Leary is the sexy bartender at their favorite hang out and he decides he is the perfect person to help Quinn with her list. As he helps her set up and complete the challenges, their friendship grows. Soon Ryan realizes that he wants more from Quinn. Can he convince her that he is the man for all her adventures? 

Wow! More Than This is a sweet and steamy romance, packed with humor and tough life lessons. Quinn is a high school teacher who plays it safe. Ryan is the sexy bartender who is willing to show her the fun in taking risks. I immediately loved Ryan and saw how perfect he was for Quinn. It takes her a bit of convincing but once she lets her guard down, the fireworks erupt! The challenges were fun and I loved seeing Quinn break from her shell and become more confident. I loved all the characters, especially the large and rambunctious O’Leary family. I loved this story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy sweet and steamy romance, I highly recommend More Than This. 

More than This is available in paperback and eBook

Off to the Races: horses, races, and romance

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver is the first book in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Vaughn Harding has taken over running the Gold Rush Ranch after the sudden death of his grandfather. He has always tried to keep a professional relationship with his employees. It has been fairly easy to keep his distance until she walked in his life. Billie Black is young but talented. She’s mouthy and takes no crap from anyone and Vaughn can’t stop thinking about her. Billie needs to prove herself as a horse trainer. When Vaughn gives her what seems to be an impossible task: training a skittish horse named Double Diablo, Billie is determined to prove him wrong. The friction between them causes a spark, a spark they can’t afford to turn into a fire. There is a lot at stark for both Vaughn and Billie. Will they risk it all for love? 

Off to the Races is a steamy romance. The attraction between Vaughn and Billie is instant but their irritation at each other overrides their desires until they can’t fight it anymore. Both Vaughn and Billie are fighting against family reputations and scandals. I enjoyed Billie’s interaction with Double Diablo as she sees what others haven’t seen or chooses to ignore. Vaughn had a lot of growing up to do as he often acted like a man child who was playing boss. I love how Billie went toe-to-toe with him and called him out. The other character I enjoyed was Hank Brandt, a mentor to both Vaughn and Billie. Overall, I enjoyed Vaughn and Billie’s story but I’m not sure if I was interested enough to continue with the series. I may pick up the other books in the future. If you enjoy a steamy romance with a ranch and horses, you might enjoy Off to the Races. 

Off to the Races is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Princess and the Player: a steamy strangers to lovers romance

Princess and the Player by Ilsa Madden-Mills is the second book in the Strangers in Love series. A masquerade ball at an exclusive club where anonymity is a must. Tuck Avery, an aging wide receiver in the NFL, celebrates his 35th birthday with his friends at Decadence, the premier club in New York. Even though he doesn’t want to be there, one particular princess catches his eye. Francesca is there to forget. Forget that that night was supposed to be her wedding day. Forget that her fiancé cheated on her. She just wants to forget. With no names, no faces, they have one amazing night together, with the promise that’s all they will have. But fate has other ideas. Francesca learns that her prince is the wealthy football player that lives in the penthouse of her building. If the tabloids are to be believed, she wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, she has one problem: she learns she is pregnant. As their paths keep crossing and their attraction to each is obvious, can the princess and the player have a happily ever after? 

Where do I start? Princess and the Player is a steamy strangers to lovers romance. As I closed the final chapter of this story, I was unsure how I felt. I enjoyed the story but I found myself extremely frustrated at the stubborn bullheadedness of Tuck and Francesca. At one point, Francesca gets upset that Tuck had her investigated DESPITE knowing his past. Any one in his position and wealth would investigate people they are trying to get close to. It sucks; however, I understand it is in order to protect himself, not just financially but psychologically as well. Tuck is a tortured person with a trauma filled past. And yet, I felt as if Francesca was constantly trying to claim her past was far more tragic. While both pasts were traumatic, this isn’t a competition. Plus there are some timeline issues that I’m sure were for dramatic effect but it didn’t work for me. That being said, I truly did enjoy this story and I look forward to reading more in this series. If you enjoy a steamy romance, you will enjoy Princess and the Player. 

Princess and the Player is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Claiming Carter: a steamy forbidden romance

Claiming Carter is the first book in the Waverley Wildcats series by Jennifer Bonds. Austin Reid has it all. A star quarterback with amazing talent, good looks and any woman he wants. The only thing he is missing is a national championship. When the team’s kicker is injured and the home opening game is three weeks away, he needs to find a replacement. He does so in an unorthodox way. He recruits one player from the women’s soccer team. Kennedy Carter is no jersey chaser. In fact, she hates football and football players. She is focused on finishing her degree. But with the possibility of a full-ride scholarship, she can’t refuse. Sparks fly between them from the get go. And the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the building fire. Can Austin convince Kennedy that he is not a typical football player? 

I love the game of football. I look forward to every season with anticipation. I also love a good football romance story. Let me say that it’s hard to find. Claiming Carter has it all. It is a sweet, steamy romance with fun, witty banter and personal growth. I loved both Austin and Kennedy as individuals and as a couple. I enjoyed a glimpse, even a fictional glimpse, of a football team behind the scenes which most football fans will never see. Even when the story was predictable, it is a romance after all, but it has the great romantic moments and the grand public gesture is so incredibly sweet. Overall, I loved this story. I stayed up well into the night in order to finish it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy a sweet, steamy sports romance, I highly recommend Claiming Carter. 

Claiming Carter is available in paperback and eBook

Love at Last: a steamy happily ever after romance

Love at Last is the second book in the Last Frontier Lodge series by J.H. Croix. The story picks up after the events of Take Me Home. Garrett Hamilton is Gage’s brother. He is THE ladies man, a sexy, wealthy corporate lawyer. After his last case, he has lost his drive to win and without a second thought, finds himself on a plane to the Last Frontier Lodge. Delia Peters is a single mother who has had a hard lesson that lust isn’t always love. She finally has a great job, money to pay the bills, and life is good. The sudden appearance of Garret throws Delia for a loop. One unexpected kiss ignites a fire that they cannot deny. Falling in love wasn’t on the horizon; however, will they take the chance to find lasting love? 

Love at Last is a steamy romance. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did with Take Me Home. One issue I had with the first book, I also had with Love at Last. The repetition. How many times do the readers need to be reminded that Garret’s presence was helping Gage as he prepared the ski lodges? Yes, we get that his help is speeding the process along. It doesn’t need to be said over and over. Even as a single mom, Delia still seemed very immature. As if she really hasn’t learned her lesson. Overall though, Love at Last is very steamy, happily ever after romance. It was a quick read with a bit of drama and a whole lot of romance. I recommend Love at Last. 

Love at Last is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Seduced by Snowfall: a sweet, steamy opposites attract romance

Seduced by Snowfall is the third book in the Lost Harbor, Alaska series by Jennifer Bernard. Dr. Bethany Morrison is used to being the responsible one, the one everyone relies on. She certainly isn’t used to needing to be rescued. Every time she has needed help, sexy, lighthearted firefighter Nate Prudhoe has been there. When she needs a fake boyfriend to deter her father’s middling, It’s no wonder she turns to him. Nate knows he is seen as the fun loving guy but he hides a deeply wounded heart. But when he discovers a mysterious injured runaway hiding inside the firehouse, there is only one person he turns to. As winter closes in, the line in their fake relationship seems to be fading into forever. Will Nate realize that Bethany is exactly who he needs to help heal his wounded heart? Will Bethany recognize that the fun loving Nate is what she needs to balance out her life? 

Seduced by Snowfall is a sweet, steamy opposites attract romance. I love fun loving yet serious firefighter characters and Nate certainly fills that role. Bethany is the uptight doctor who is trying to be as far away from her middling father as she can. But she comes to love the little community that has welcomed her with open arms. Bethany and Nate are brought closer together as they help the mysterious teen, who Nate nicknames SG, and Bethany begins to see that she had Nate pegged all wrong. Their banter was fun and flirty. I enjoyed that SG’s story isn’t quite done yet. I look forward to reading more about her and her mysterious past. I loved Seduced by Snowfall and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I loved Ms. Bernard’s description of Alaska that I would love to visit one day. If you love fun, steamy romances, I recommend Seduced by Snowfall. 

Seduced by Snowfall is available in paperback and eBook

Fatal Affair: murder mystery with a sexy, steamy romance

Fatal Affair by Marie Force is the first book in the Fatal series. Washington D.C. Metro Police Detective Sergeant Samantha “Sam” Holland needs to salvage her career as well as her confidence after a disastrous investigation that left her shaken. She needs a big case, a big win. Soon she will be assigned to the biggest case of her career.  Senator John O’Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed. Things get complicated when she discovers that O’Connor’s Chief of Staff and best friend is none other than Nick Cappuano, the man she had one memorable night together years ago and never heard from again. Nick always thought about Sam and their night together and wondered why she never returned his calls. They discover their chemistry is still hot but they need to stay focused. There’s a murderer to find. As the danger builds, can they deny their connection any longer? 

Fatal Affair is a suspenseful whodunit with the unexpected twists and turns as they get closer to the identity of the killer. From page one, the murder mystery grabs your attention and the steamy, sexy tension between Sam and Nick adds to the danger. From the political intrigue, suspects everywhere and the personal secrets that are threatened to be revealed, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the relationship between Sam and Nick as well as her relationship with supporting characters. I loved that Sam had the bravado of a seasoned cop but also hides a fear of inadequacy and self-doubt. I enjoyed that I couldn’t figure out who the killer was and the reveal of his or her identity was a great suspenseful moment. I look forward to reading the rest of the Fatal series. If you enjoy a murder mystery with a sexy, steamy romance, I highly recommend Fatal Affair. 

Fatal Affair is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook