Ascend by Swati M.H. (Elements of Rapture #2)

 💙💙💙💙

Garrett is an amazing book boyfriend! All the great tropes in this book had me hooked from the start.

I love a protective Garrett, especially his bond with sassy little Meena. Children are my weakness in romances, and once G gave her a nickname, I knew he owned my heart.

If you love a good single parent, friends to more, marriage of convenience story - I promise you'll adore the connection between Bella and Garrett.

While you don't need to read Adrift first, the character development and side characters are completely worth devouring both books.

**Fake Relationship
**Marriage of Convenience
**Single Mom
**Witty Romance

SUMMARY:

Did I plan to marry the single mom I've wanted for years on a drunken whim in Vegas? No.

Do I regret it? Heck no!

Bella Patel might think we're just friends, or that I'm nothing but a playboy pilot, or even that this marriage is only a temporary charade...but I'm hell-bent on proving her wrong.

If she's skittish and stubborn, then I'm dependable and determined.

So, when her scumbag baby-daddy threatens her and she asks me to double down on our ruse, I'm only too eager to comply.

My condition? For her and her daughter to move in with me. You know, for 'optics' sake.

Because by the end of this marriage contract, the only jackpot I want to win is a chance at forever with her.

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Kissing the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox (Circle B Ranch #5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐🌠

A great example of a genuine friendship! 4.5 stars - Kissing the Cowboy is the story of two best friends that are always there for each other, no matter what, but the last thing they want to do is risk the friendship they both cherish more than anything in the world.

Harper is trying to keep her growing business afloat, while staying true to her followers and customers, but when she feels pressured by her rival that loves to copy everything she does, she needs a rescue from her best friend.

Ethan Bishop has loved Harper from afar, but has never wanted to say anything and risk losing her as a friend. When the opportunity arises for him to pretend to be her fiancé, he doesn't have to think twice about "acting" like he's in love with her.

This friends to lovers romance is the perfect summer read. There's plenty of steam and laughter all the way til the end and I can't wait for more in this series!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

After drinking a bottle of wine, Harper tells her business rival that she recently got engaged. Once the hangover wears off, Harper realizes she now needs a fake fiancé or to admit she lied. Wanting to avoid the backlash, she asks her childhood best friend for a favor.

She can pretend she's not in love with him, but her traitorous body reveals otherwise.

Ethan Bishop will do anything for Harper, even if it's crazy and means risking his heart. Pretending to be engaged to the woman he's always loved proves to be difficult -- especially when repressed feelings bubble to the surface.

He only wants to help, but everyone in his life sees through his facade.

It's hard to know what's real or fake when their private moments turn intimate. When they cross the line and fall between the sheets, the truth is undeniable.

Just as they feared, their friendship's no longer the same. However, one thing's certain -- there's no going back now.

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Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (Bromance Book Club #3)

 

📘📘📘📘📘

This one hit close to home for me. Crazy Stupid Bromance is probably my favorite book in the series so far, but I'm also counting down the days until Isn't It Bromantic? releases on July 20th.

In the span of a day, we watch Alexis's life get turned upside down when she discovers she has siblings by the father she never knew. Luckily she has Noah to confide in and help give her advice as she sorts how to proceed.

Noah has a past of his own that he's been fortunate enough to put behind him, but he's willing to do anything for the woman he secretly loves, especially if it means keeping her safe.

***So here's where we get personal:

I know who my birth father is and that I have two half-siblings through him. The problem is he never told his wife about my existence, so the fear of being rejected if I reach out to my siblings is extremely high, especially since I had my mom reach out to him over a decade ago for medical history, and he said not to contact him again. I have the Ancestry test to take, but I'm terrified of possibly breaking someone's heart when they learn the truth.***

There were a few scenes that had my heart lodged in my throat. I listened to the audio on Audible and that hit me on an even deeper level. Beefcake the cat will have you rolling in laughter and is the scene-stealer of the story. I can't recommend this book enough!

😄 Comedy

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Alexis Carlisle and her cat café, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef's sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they're sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts -- her best friends, Noah Logan.

Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert. Now he only uses his old skills for the right cause. But Noah's got a secret: He's madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush.

Noah's pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved "manuals" to help him go from bud to boyfriend. But he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he's ever had.

A hacktivist and a cat café owner decode the friend zone in this romantic comedy from the author of Undercover Bromance.

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Pushing You Away by Kennedy Fox (Ex-Con Duet series #3)

 

💜💜💜💜💜

Another epic duet from Kennedy Fox! Pushing You Away was over way too soon for me, but that could also be due to the fact that I've been anxious for Noah's story ever since reading Tyler & Gemma's duet.

Every time I go into book 1 of a KF duet, I know I'm in for a roller coaster ride, and this one was no different. With plenty of character building and trying to correct past wrongs, you'll fall in love with the Katie and Noah along the way.

I'm still questioning how everything ties in, cuz I'm a nut like that, and try to figure the villain out. I'm just proud that I called the crazy right away in one instance, but extremely nervous how everything is going to pan out in the next book.

Definitely counting down the days until Holding You Close releases, and I'm sure #@$% will hit the fan then! Don't miss this heart-stopping, romantic series that will leave your head spinning.

**While this duet can be read as a standalone, the previous duets are not required, but it's more enjoyable if you've read Gemma & Tyler's story in books #1 & 2.

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

I've been in love with my best friend Katie Walker for as long as I can remember. We may have shared our deepest, darkest secrets but that one I've kept to myself. Before I got the courage to confess my true feelings, my cousin Gabe moved to town and swept Katie off her feet.

I should've admitted how I felt but I couldn't -- especially once they got married.

When I caught Gabe cheating on his pregnant wife, I snapped. A deadly fight erupted and before I could comprehend what happened, I was charged with his murder and sent to prison.

The day I'm released, I go straight to Katie's house. But after pushing her away for a decade while I was behind bars -- she slams the door in my face -- wanting nothing to do with me.

While she's determined to pretend I don't exist, this time I'm not going anywhere.

PUSHING YOU AWAY is a slow burn, angsty friends to lovers romance with lots of small-town, Southern drama. It's book 1 in the Noah & Katie duet and must be read in order.

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Decidedly with Luck by Stina Lindenblatt (By the Bay #6)

 

🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼

A beautifully woven fairy tale! Decidedly with Luck has one twist after another that will keep you on your toes until the last page.

Keira is hoping to move on from losing her husband, but after she's left with the consequences from her unknown one-night stand, the lies start spiraling out of control.

Logan has always harbored feelings for Keira, without her knowledge, so he can't pass up the opportunity to have one magical night with her, even if he has to keep his own identity a secret from her.

When their lives intertwine, Keira and Logan both fight their growing feelings, and avoid revealing the truth for as long as they can, which only makes the tangled webs of deception even more complicated.

I enjoyed being able to see this story from both POV's, and it was hard at times not to yell through the screen of my Kindle, but I truly enjoyed their journey. A great addition to the By the Bay series!

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Masquerade ball rule #1: what happens at the ball doesn't always stay at the ball.

Oops.

A chance encounter with a masked stranger at a charity ball led to an incredible kiss and a night of hot sex. The kiss was my goal for that night, a baby step forward after my husband's death a year ago. The hot sex? Not so much.

You know what else hadn't been my goal?

To be knocked up by a man whose identity is a mystery to me.

So now I'm preparing for my impending motherhood and planning a fundraiser to provide books for foster kids.

The latter is where hot hockey player Logan Mathews comes in...

****

The last time I saw Kiera Ashdown was the night of the Jingle Balls masquerade ball. She'd wanted her first time with a man after her husband's death to be with a stranger.

After my NHL team trades me to San Francisco, where my daughter and ex-wife live, I'm determined to be a better father and not repeat past mistakes. My hockey career and my daughter come first.

The last thing I expect to discover is that Kiera is my seven-year-old daughter's teacher. The last thing I expect to learn is that she's pregnant with my dead best friend's child.

And the last thing I want to admit is that I was the one who made love to Kiera--several times--the night of the ball.

Because if she ever found out that I'd lied to her, I could lose her friendship. I could lose so much more.

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Love Thy Neighbor by Teagan Hunter (Roommate Romps #2)

 

🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

Karaoke will never be the same! Love Thy Neighbor is just how a best friends to lovers tale should be.

Cooper and Caroline's friendship is so genuine and honest, you can't help but fall for them. This was the first friends to more story that even as a reader I was hesitant for them to risk their friendship in the hopes of something more.

This story is the perfect escape from reality with plenty of romance and laughter from start to finish. I loved every moment and definitely listened to Olivia Newton-John during the end.

🎜Hopelessly Devoted To You🎝

😄 Comedy

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Don't fall for your roommate...especially when he's your best friend.

Cooper Bennett is my best friend.

That's all he is and all he ever will be.

Nothing will change that.

Accidentally seeing him naked? Please. So not a big deal.

Having less-than-tame thoughts? I mean, have you seen this guy? Who could blame me?

Kissing him? It was a one-time mistake, and it will not be repeated.

Falling into bed with him? Uh-oh...

It's fine. We're fine.

We're Caroline and Cooper. Best friends until the end. Nothing has ever come our way that we couldn't survive together.

Surely, we can handle this too...

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Just A Little Bet by Tawna Fenske (Smokejumper #2)

 

💜💜💜💜💜

A fun, flirty romance you can bet on! Just A Little Bet is filled with witty banter, romance and will warm your heart full of laughter.

On a road trip for Kayla's latest photography assignment, she takes Tony along with her. Along the way, they decide to reach out to his former flames to get some insight as to why their relationships failed. Nothing can prepare you for some of these women, but grab some popcorn, cuz it's quite the show!

This story is hilarious and filled with one outrageous moment after another, keeping you enthralled with each page. I adore a feel-good friends to more romance and this one truly hit the mark!

😄 Comedy

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

After a night of too many drinks, smokejumper Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, come to the realization that they're both bad at love. They even tried dating each other, but that crashed and burned, too. Now he's got the hangover from hell and the certain conclusion he's just a shit boyfriend. But Kayla thinks he's a straight-up commitment-phobe.

So they make a bet -- they're going to hunt down his exes and decide once and for all why he's so unlucky in love. Terrible boyfriend or commitment-phobe. Why does either answer feel like he's still losing?

But between roadside burgers and late night detours, they discover some fires never burn out -- like the one slowly smoldering between them. And suddenly losing feels a whole lot like winning again.

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Kiss My Putt by Tara Sivec (Summersweet Island #1)

❤❤❤❤❤

This RomCom was a hole in one! Kiss My Putt is an amazing friends to lovers romance, with a slow burn that will keep you laughing through each page.

Palmer and Birdie have been best friends since they were teenagers. Due to an immense lack of communication, neither of them know their feelings are returned. After a misunderstanding, a wedge is formed between them, leading to further separation.

The witty banter among family and friends will have you in stitches, and possibly tears. A light-hearted romantic comedy with plenty of steam and golf puns. Another hit from the always entertaining Tara Sivec!

🏌 Sports Romance

SUMMARY:

After spending my entire pro golfing career being known as the quiet, controlled, no-nonsense golfer on the tour, there's nothing more humiliating than throwing all of that down the drain -- or into a water hazard -- on national television. Needing some place to hide, to lick my wounds and figure out what I even want to do with my life once this blows over, I can only think of one place I need to be. Summersweet Island, where everyone treats me like one of their own, and they'll all be happy to have me home again.

Well, except maybe one person. It's been two years since I last set foot on Summersweet Island or spoke to anyone there. But I'm sure Birdie Bennett, my best friend since I was 15 and the clubhouse manager of my favorite golf course, has had plenty of time to forgive me for that tiny little misunderstanding where I blocked her on social media and blocked her in my phone. Oh, and I guess I kind of, sort of accused her of being a stalker. It's fine!

Once my sexy, spunky, former best friend gets over the shock of seeing me again and stops trying to drive a 9-iron into my skull, I can finally let her know I've also kind of, sort of always been in love with her...

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Test Drive by Samantha Chase (RoadTripping #3)

❤❤❤❤❤

My favorite book in the RoadTripping series so far! Test Drive is the perfect feel-good romantic comedy to get you in the summer mood.

Willow is in a pickle when she gets invited to her Gammy's birthday party, where they expect to meet her boyfriend. Trouble is, she's made up the guy she told everyone about, and named him after the handsome bartender she flirts with on occasion.

When Levi hears about Willow's need for a pretend boyfriend, he's hopeful this is the chance he's been looking for to finally make a move on her...

This was the perfect book to get me out of my reading funk. Levi's witty banter and Willow's clumsy nature (she's my kindred spirit in that aspect) make for one wild ride that will have you laughing along the way.

😄 Comedy

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Willow Andrew's life is a hot mess.

Coming from a family of successful professionals, the fact that at twenty-seven she still doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up doesn't sit well. Desperate not to disappoint her grandmother, she invents a fake boyfriend so Gammy won't worry so much. It seemed a victimless lie...until Gammy announced that Willow AND her boyfriend needed to be present at her 75th birthday party. Or else. Out of time and options, Willow turns to the sexy bartender she's been secretly crushing on for help.

Levi Sullivan has his life in order and thrives off helping others.

In fact, he would do anything to help out a friend. But he's angling for far more than friendship with Willow. Entranced by the clumsy beauty since the first time he watched her trip over nothing, he happily agrees to a chance to spend more time with her. Fake romance or not, he's determined to use their long-distance road trip to turn a game of pretend into something more.

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Right Princess by Autumn Archer (Modern Princess Collection #3)

👑👑👑👑

Fairy tale with a twist! Right Princess will have you cheering for the best friend in this classic retelling of The Princess and the Pea.

Ada has been brought up in wealth and once she learns that she has to marry into that status in order to earn her inheritance, she sets her mind on Cicero.

Theo is clearly in love with Ada, but she's friend zoned him to look for someone with a higher social status. There are times you want to shake him after some of his "fits", but he's still the one you'll be rooting for!

This was a sweet friends to lovers story, with minimal drama and a whole lot of romance. It's a good thing it wasn't a film as I would've been chucking popcorn at the screen for my annoyance with some characters, and their blindness at what was right in front of them, lol.

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

She has an epic crush...on the wrong guy.

Her father is demanding she marry a wealthy man, but Ada wants mad love and belly flutters. Her roomies big brother Cicero, is rich and fits the bill for a Daddy-approved husband. Her crush on him grows each time he swings by the dorm, turning her butterflies into flutters. Problem is, he is dating someone else.

Ada's best friend, Theo, is a simple guy. A talented man who manages the student bar, and also happens to be her boss. He's the all American guy every girl dreams of. Super hot, muscular and rides a motorcycle. But they're friends and nothing more.

A VIP pool party changes everything. Ada wakes up the next morning with a guilty conscience.

Who did she kiss?

And why is Theo leaving town?

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Imperfect Princess by Sonya Jesus (Modern Princess Collection #1)

👑👑👑👑

A heart-breaking second chance romance! Imperfect Princess is a beautiful tale of overcoming abuse, to fight for what you want in life.

Thorn absolutely broke my heart with everything that poor girl has been through. She's lost the one person that mattered the most to her and has suffered both physical and emotional abuse by the person she should be able to trust.

Kai has never forgotten her and is determined to be with Thorn no matter the cost, after believing she had died he's not risking losing her again.

This was an emotional roller coaster ride that will throw a few twists and turns in to keep you on your toes. A wonderful start to the Modern Princess Collection and I can't wait for more!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

It started with fire.

Not the kind that burns inside you and melts your heart into a mess of happy feelings. A real one. One that rips through wood and disintegrates brick and bone, leaving ashes and orphans in its wake.

Death would have saved me from a rocky family life. There would be no cigarette burns on the soles of my feet, no vicious words engraved in my mind, and no Kai Madison. The friend who saw past the scars and offered me pennies for my secrets. The guy who stole my heart with a single kiss in the middle of a rose garden on a snowy winter day.

Nothing would have been easier to leave behind -- to vanish from -- but for the past four years, I've been isolated from the world, living in a hospital room and helping the Feds build a case against my foster-dad. Now I'm free and willing to risk my life to see him again.

There's only one problem. I'm no longer imperfect. I have the same heart, but a different face.

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Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas (Hot Cakes #1)

🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥

Sugarcoated will have you craving cake pops for days! After reading Zoe and Aiden's story I'll never be able to look at frosting quite the same way again, in the best way possible, and I'm more than okay with that.

I don't even know where to begin with this book...I loved it SO much that I couldn't put it down. Erin set up the characters perfectly to amp readers up for rest of the Hot Cakes series, and you'll find yourself falling for the other characters as well.

The rivalry between the local bakery, Buttered Up, and the factory in town, Hot Cakes, will have you cheering for both sides, all while craving a Little Debbie treat, lol.

The best part is the chemistry between Zoe and Aiden that burns so hot it rivals any kitchen fire. This was a slow burn, brothers best friend romance at it's best and one you should immediately add to your collection!

😄 Comedy
💋 Romance

Summary:

A hot, funny brother's best friend rom com...with sugar on top!

She's his best friend's little sister. He's known her all his life. He's practically part of the family. There is nothing either of them could do to surprise the other at this point.

Then she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her v-card.

Okay, that was a surprise.

Aiden is pretty sure Zoe was equally surprised when he told her no.

To say that he didn't handle it well would be a massive understatement. Almost as massive as the amount of work he's going to have to do now to convince her that he wants her. Forever.

Right after he tells her that he's bought the company that's her bakery's biggest competitor.

Maybe if he tells her he's in love with her first, that will help sugarcoat the whole we're-rivals-in-business-now thing.

So, first "I'm in love with you", then "take off your clothes", then "I'm now your business adversary."

Piece of cake.

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You're The One by Layla Hagen (Very Irresistible Bachelors #1)

❤❤❤❤❤

You're The One will have you adding NYC to your bucket list! You won't be able to help falling for Hunter, and especially his family.

Everyone has that one friend that they'd do anything for - and Hunter is that person for Josie. So when he runs into a problem that neither of the lawyers can solve, there's only one clear solution...marriage.

My heart ached for Josie during this story, as she's the typical woman who's always dreamed of her perfect wedding to the dream guy.

Hunter knows he's asking a lot from his best friend and doesn't want to lose her. I love how open and honest they are with each other throughout the story, it gives the characters a genuine feel.

Beautifully written, with a family of supporting characters that will have you in stitches from laughter. I adored this book, as I do everything from Layla Hagen, and can't wait for more in this series!

 💲 Billionaire
😂 Comedy
 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

Summary:

Hot. Flirty. Romantic.

It all started as pretend...

My best friend, and one of the most powerful men in New York, needed my help.

Our first kiss was unexpected -- but it still made my skin sizzle, my knees go week.

The next one was in front of his tight-knit family. We had to be convincing. But it was so wicket hot, it almost convinced me too.

On our first night together, he told me that I had to keep us both in check, because he didn't know how to keep the lines from blurring...

He touched me like I was precious, and held me close...barely stopping his fingers from pushing down the straps of my dress...

On our second night, our banter turned to flirting. Hunter -- my best friend was now Hunter -- the man. Intense. Alluring. Sexy as hell.

How was I supposed to not fall in love?

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Crossing the Line by Kendall Ryan (Hot Jocks #4)

🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒

Crossing the Line is a friends to lovers dream! Making the best of a tough situation has never been so hot, especially when doing a favor for a friend, turns into so much more...

I loved that this had the typical characters in a role reversal, where the guy wanted more from a fling, but the girl is focused on her career and doesn't have time for anything serious.

Bailey and Asher will have you laughing til you swoon. Let alone the rest of Asher's lovable family, since they're entertaining enough just on their own! Such a great addition to the Hot Jocks series - a charming, quick and steamy read!

🏒 Sports Romance

Summary:

Recovering from a pulled groin muscle isn't exactly how I planned to spend my much-needed summer vacation.

But I'll admit, being nursed back to health by my gorgeous friend Bailey, who's just graduated from medical school, doesn't exactly  sound like a hardship.

We spend a week together at my family's beach house, a week of swimming and barbecues, a week of entertaining my little cousins and sleeping right across the hall from each other. A week of watching Bailey grow closer with my mom and sisters, and my wacky but lovable grandma. A week of enjoying Bailey tending to me -- which is saying something, because it involves a lot of shoving ice packs into my underwear and taping up sore muscles.

She's funny and kind, and after being myself for the first time in a long time, I find my walls come tumbling down. But when Bailey says she's not looking for a relationship, I'm bound and determined to be more than just the fun hookup who sprained his groin a second time -- this time with her.

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Always Mine by Kennedy Fox (Roommate Duet #5)

❤❤❤❤❤

Always Mine is the perfect slow burn! If you've ever read ANY of the duets by Kennedy Fox, then you know full well what you're in for, and you'd gladly do it again. If this is your first time, buckle up and hang on for the ride of your life.

Maddie and Liam's story is the one I've been waiting for since the beginning of the series, and I loved every moment. Being able to see their backstory and how they've gotten gotten to where they are in the story, makes the ride so much more enjoyable.

The witty banter between the main characters is off the charts, as well as the perfect mix of danger with Liam's job and undeniable chemistry that makes it a story you won't be able to put down.

No matter how prepared I think I am to start a new duet, and ready for whatever Kennedy Fox dishes out, the have the perfect way of drawing you in until your begging for the next book. I absolutely loved this story and can't wait to see what happens next in Always Yours!


 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

Summary:

College parties, beer, and one-night stands - that was my life.

Now, I hunt down criminals, ethically or not, but if no one's asking, then I'm not telling. Drinking and women are still included, though I can't seem to forget the girl who almost gave me her virginity. She would've until I realized she was too young, and I wasn't looking to get thrown into jail.

In a twist of fate, we're reunited, except she's no longer underage but still equally off-limits. After ignoring her relentless advances, she starts to wear me down. I only have so much willpower when she's around, running her smart mouth and showing off her impeccable dance moves.

Just when my restraint starts to crumble, my poor choices finally catch up with me, putting us both in danger.

There's no easy way to explain why I betrayed her, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe - even if it means breaking her heart.

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