Ready or Not by Elizabeth Hayley (The Love Game #4)

 

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A wonderful addition to The Love Game series! Ready or Not is a book you won't be able to put down until the very end, and even then you'll want to binge-read the series all over again.

Taylor is running from her stalker ex and is determined to be independent, while watching for the signs she missed in him, in those around her. When she finally lets her guard down enough to let someone in, she has to fight the urge to push him away.

Ransom will win your heart, even with his secrets, you can't deny his generous heart, especially with youth. He genuinely cares for Taylor and will make you swoon with each page.

Elizabeth Hayley is an amazing writing duo that knows just how to draw the reader in with entertaining characters, and just a hint of suspense. You'll definitely be coming back for more!

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Taylor Peterson is hoping for a fresh start. With her best friend, Sophia, and the rest of their little gang by her side, she's confident she can shake off the problems that haunted her last semester and move forward. The only thing standing in her way of total happiness is an inconvenient new crush.

Ransom Holt has had to work hard for everything he has. With enough family drama to inspire a soap opera, he's thankful to have met new friends he can count on. Now if he could only convince Taylor she can count on him back, life would be perfect.

The more they get to know each other, the deeper this unlikely pair falls. But Ransom doesn't know everything, and when Taylor's past comes calling, they'll only have each other to depend on.

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Hard to Score by K. Bromberg (Play Hard #3)

 

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Old friends and family secrets unfold! Hard to Score is the third book in the Play Hard series and it does NOT disappoint!

Throughout most of the story, you're kept on your toes guessing what really happened 10 years ago. It caused such a rift between two close families that they never spoke again, even when they needed each other the most.

Brexton still remembers the day Drew broke her heart and stomped the teenage crush she harbored to the ground. When their paths cross and she finds those feelings have only deepened, she tries to keep her distance...

Drew's sole focus is on his football career and his family that's been torn apart over the years. He doesn't have time for a relationship, nor the patience, but the chance to have his friendship back with Brexton is an opportunity he can't miss.

Watching this story unfold was extremely cathartic for me, especially the way Brexton slowly broke down Drew's walls and opened his heart up to love. If anything, it just makes me love Brexton's dad even more than before!

The dynamics in the Bowman family will have you wanting to reach through the pages and slap someone upside the head, but it definitely helps you understand what makes Drew tick.

My favorite in the series so far, as I've enjoyed watching each of the sisters find their other halves, I can't wait for the next book to release. A wonderful sports romance with all the feels, and a few douche-canoe players that you'll love to hate!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

I've signed numerous players to my family's agency -- I assumed winning over my next client would be just as easy.

The last thing I expected was to run into the boy who took my first kiss and broke my heart: only now Drew Bowman is all grown up.

Sexy. Scandal-tainted. Second-string. The crush I never got over.

I tell myself work is the reason I can't get him out of my head. I tell him his talent far outweighs his position, and I know I can help. I lie and lie, because admitting that I want a second chance at my first love is impossible.

Some lines cannot be crossed, and ours was drawn in the sand years ago.

***

I'm supposed to hate her.

I've been told so time and time again for ten years - her father ruined our family, smeared my name before my career even began.

But that's not what I'm feeling now.

Brexton Kincade just strode out of my memories and onto my field.

Driven. Determined. Grown up. The Capulet to my Montague.

Being with her would be an unforgivable sin against my father, but I can't resist the pull between us. Even if it means hiding what we have. Even if it means confronting the secrets I've always feared were lies.

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The Secret One by Ruth Cardello (Corisi Billionaires #3)

 

💙💙💙💙

This is the 3rd installment in the series, if you haven't read the first two, STOP now and go read them!

Each book in the Corisi Billionaires series has lead to what unfolds in this story. Full of unending secrets, lies and romance -- you can't help but be swept away into the drama as you watch it all unravel.

I loved the chemistry between Christof and McKenna from the start, even though they had a rocky beginning. The story line was a little choppy at times, how it goes between more than just the two main character POV's, but hang in there, it's worth the wait.

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

When Christof meets a beautiful mechanic on the side of the road, he knows they're meant to be. His family, however, needs him and his mediation skills in Italy, where decades of secrets and betrayal could cost them everything. His mother is convinced a fiancée would help smooth things over. But he'd be nuts to ask a woman he just met to participate in such a farce.

Men always find something about McKenna they want to change -- her independence, her success, the grease that clings to her after a satisfying day in the garage. So when she starts falling for a handsome billionaire, she doesn't believe it will last. Their engagement is fake, but the sparks that fly when they're together are too real to resist.

If Christof and McKenna trust themselves and each other, Italy will jump-start a love as intimate as it is intense. If not...their relationship isn't the only one on the line.

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Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey (Hot & Hammered #2)

 

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A true second chance romance! Love Her or Lose Her is guaranteed to captivate you from the start, make sure to clear your schedule until you finish the book.

Rosie and Dominic have explosive chemistry, but beyond that, they've grown apart and turned into strangers passing in the night.

I admire Rosie for her strength in finally taking a stand and fighting for her own happiness, as well as her marriage. Dominic is the alpha I never knew I wanted in a book boyfriend!

I can't remember the last time I read a story with the main characters starting out together, but my heart sure enjoyed their journey back to themselves and each other. A wonderful addition to the Hot & Hammered series, this is a definite must read in my book!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be, anyway. Now, Rosie's lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with 10 years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp.

Never in a million years did Rosie believe her stoic, too-manly-to emote husband would actually agree to relationship rehab with a weed-smoking hippie. Dom talking about feelings? Sitting on pillows? Communing with nature? Learning love languages? Nope. But to her surprise, he's all in, and it forces her to admit her own role in their cracked foundation. As they complete one ridiculous - yet surprisingly helpful - assignment after another, their remodeled relationship gets stronger than ever. Except just as they're getting back on track, Rosie discovers Dom has a secret....and it could demolish everything.

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Southern Sunrise by Natasha Madison (Southern series #4)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A second chance romance w/the next generation! Southern Sunrise brings us the second generation of the Southern series. Ethan has been the center of each book and he finally gets to tell his own story.

After receiving life-changing news, Ethan leaves everyone he loves behind, in order to find out who he really is and come to terms with the truth he must face.

Emily has tried to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and move on, but she's never been truly happy since Ethan left, even trying to find happiness again with someone else.

This story has multiple views of heartache and trials. I've loved watching all the characters grow and develop through each book, and I love how the author beautifully breaks the readers heart, just to put it back together again!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Emily
I fell in love with him when I was fourteen. Under the stars, he told me he loved me, and under the stars we promised to love each other always. But under the stars, he broke my heart by walking away.

He left me without a second glance. I was just an afterthought. Now he's back, but this time, I'm not falling for his Southern charm.

Maybe.

It's time I get my happily ever after, even if part of me wishes he was still mine.

Ethan
I found out on my twenty-first birthday that everything I thought I knew was a lie, and the man I had grown up thinking was my father wasn't.

The pain I felt blinded me, making it impossible to hear what anyone said.
I left them all behind, including her, my best friend and the woman I was going to marry.

Five years late, I'm back, only to find the woman I still love has another man's ring on her finger.

She's going to marry my best friend unless I stop her. And this time, I only have until sunrise to change her mind.

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Innocent Princess by Lauren Helms (Modern Princess Collection #2)

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A journey of self-discovery and romance! Innocent Princess introduces us to a sheltered girl whose life is turned upside down, causing her to re-evaluate everything she thought she knew.

Zella finds out by mistake that she's actually adopted and is determined to find out where she comes from. Being sheltered her whole life has caused her to miss out on so much, but when a handsome stranger enters her world, she'll never be the same.

Ryker isn't your typical hero, but he isn't necessarily the bad guy either, just a man trying to make the best of what life has offered him.

This was a charming romance about first love and finding out what you truly want in life. I adored Zella and all her innocence, but Ryker is what really stole my heart. The perfect pairing and a happily ever after, I couldn't ask for more!
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Zella
This year is all about discovering who I really am. A road trip to a place seven hundred miles away, might not seem like much, but to me it means freedom. I set out looking for adventure, I never expected Ryker would help me find it.

Ryker
I'm no prince charming, but I may just be her knight in shining armor. First, captivated by her ridiculously long blonde hair, I soon find out there is so much more to Zella than her hypnotizing locks. Turns out those hacking skills I've been practicing are about to come in handy.

A straight-laced princess meets a bad boy is this modern fairy-tale retelling full of first love, music, and just a little illegal hacking.

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Southern Storm by Natasha Madison (Southern Series #3)

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You're going to need a strong seatbelt for this ride! Southern Storm is the book I've been waiting for since this series began and I was NOT disappointed.

Savannah was introduced in the first book as the home wrecker who got herself knocked up and convinced the town's golden boy to cover up her mistake.

Beau is the man who's loved her nearly all his life, but could never do anything about it since he believed his best friend was the father of her child.

When the truth comes out, it's a tangled web that runs deeper than anyone could've imagined, also revealing some disturbing truths about Beau's father.

This book was beautifully written and the story unfolded perfectly. I couldn't put it down until I knew how everything panned out and even then, I couldn't get enough.

For an author to be able to write a character that you despise SO strongly in one book, then they turn it around and open your heart to them later...that's a true achievement and a testament to their writing skills, but that's exactly what happened with Southern Storm!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Buried secrets never stay hidden in the South.

Savannah
I'm the one who broke up the golden couple. The woman people still whisper about, point at, and give dirty looks to.

Did I sleep with the prom king? No. Did I sleep with the town's golden boy on vacation from college? Yes.

Did I believe that he was going to marry me? Wholeheartedly.

Did he? Not even close. He got engaged right in front of me and then his father threw two hundred dollars at me and told me to take the trash out.

So, I raised my son in a town where people love him because they think that his father is the sheriff.

It was going great, everything was working out till my lie got out.

Beau
I was getting ready to take over the mayoral office from my father, who was my hero.

Until I heard the secret he hoped would stay buried forever.

My brother has a son, not just any son but a son with the woman who was my best friend.

The woman I secretly have loved from the moment she stood up to me and broke my nose in kindergarten.

I need to protect her and in order to do that, we need to get married.

Too bad her nightmare is my dream come true.

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Carpentry and Cocktails by Nora Everly (Green Valley Library #5)

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My favorite so far from Nora Everly! I'm astounded every time I read a new book from this author and I kick myself for not discovering her writing sooner.

Carpentry and Cocktails ties perfectly into the Green Valley Library series and will dive into the lives of a few characters you've met in the previous books, but can be read as a stand alone.

Willa is the kind of character who makes the most out of a bad situation, but pushes people away to protect them, even if it's at the expense of her own happiness.

Along comes Everett who refuses to take no for an answer and sees more than just the immediate possibilities with Willa. This man will sweep you off your feet and create some high expectations for men in reality, lol.

A beautiful story about not giving up and overcoming what life throws at you. If there's one book you don't want to miss out on, it's this one! Full of compassion, romance, humor and strength - this has it all.

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Everett Monroe can't keep his eyes off his gorgeous tenant.

He'd like to put his hands on her too, but she's prickly, closed-off, and gives new meaning  to the word disgruntled. In other words, she's his perfect match and he'll do anything to make her see it too.

Willa Hill has finally left her teen runaway past behind and wants a fresh start -- alone. Men are nothing but trouble and she's had enough man-trouble to last a lifetime. Too bad her irresistibly sexy, nerdy-hot landlord doesn't agree.

When their mutual yearning becomes a white-hot fling and passion crosses carefully drawn, albeit one-sided boundaries, Everett finds himself in love and Will finds herself in a pickle.

Because, unfortunately, when she returned to Green Valley, her problems came too. When the past she escaped crashes into the future she finds herself wanting more than anything, will Willa stay in Green Valley?

Or will she run away again?

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A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting (All In #3)

💜💜💜💜💜

Queenie and King are royalty in my heart! A Secret for a Secret is my favorite in the All In series so far. A great sport romance that introduces you to your new favorite pairing.

After Queenie loses her job, she drowns her sorrows and ends up having a one-night stand. Names are exchanged, but she leaves him with a momento and a note, but nothing else.

Kingston's entire world turns out to be a lie, so he does what anyone would do, turns to alcohol to numb the pain for a few hours. What he doesn't expect is the one girl who rocked his world, to appear in his life again.

Queenie is determined to make her father proud and be the best assistant she can, but her world is turned on its axis when she discovers "Ryan" is really the newest goalie for her the NHL team her dad manages.

The one thing Queenie had to agree to was not to date any of the players on the team, so she's adamant about keeping her distance from King, even though their chemistry is off the charts and he's very persistent.

This story has minimal drama (ex's and family), plenty of romance, and the best banter! A delightful romantic comedy that you won't be able to put down.

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

My name is Ryan Kingston, and I'm a rule follower. I've never been in a fistfight. I always obey the speed limit. I don't get drunk, and I definitely don't pick up random women at bars.

Except the night I found out that my whole existence has been a lie.

I got drunk. And I picked up a stranger.

Her name was Queenie, and she was everything I'm not: reckless, impulsive, and chaotic. We did shots and traded secrets. And ended up naked at my place.

She left me a thank-you note in the morning and her panties as a parting gift. But no way to contact her.

Six weeks later I'm sitting in the first official team meeting of the season, and there she is. I neglected to mention that I'm the goalie for Seattle's NHL team.

And Queenie? Turns out she's the general manager's daughter.

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Fashion Jungle by Kathy Ireland & Rachel Van Dyken

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Fashion Jungle is a cutthroat look at the world of fashion! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with suspense, drama and romance. I'm incredibly blown away by and can't wait to read it all over again.

The story revolves around the 4 main people left behind after the death of their friend and sister. Four very different lives, with secrets behind them all.

I could NOT put this book down once I started it, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I even ugly cried at one point. Such a tragic and beautifully woven tales of love, loss and lies.

This is my top recommended book of 2020 so far, and it'll be hard to beat! Such a powerhouse duo of talented writers, I'm still reeling even days later.

**Fair warning: It could contain some triggers for some (it did for me), so just be aware going in.

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance
🙈 Suspense

Summary:

Four women...Four very different paths. One incredibly cutthroat world.

Welcome to the Jungle.

As America's sweetheart, Brittany is perceived as the "good girl." The sort to bring her Bible to a photoshoot...only to garner the attention of a most unlikely suitor. Until one mistake irrevocably changes both of their lives forever. Fortunately, both now and then, Brittany has wonderful support systems, including her tribe.

The leader of the tribe and a model who's fought every battle and obstacle in the industry, Zoe, knows her worth. Until a sex tape scandal rocks her world. She sees no choice but to put her trust in the one man she shouldn't, to make it all go away and help her succeed. Unfortunately, not only is he mired in New York's underbelly, he wants repayment...with interest. Namely, her hand in marriage.

Despite her seemingly perfect life, Everlee has problems of her own. Not only has her world-renowned photographer husband been cheating, but it's actually much worse than that. The things surrounding what he's done are so dark and dangerous, Everlee's life may actually be in jeopardy.

And then there's Danica, cold, dead in the ground Danica. Some secrets stay hidden while others are just waiting to be discovered - hers has the power to alter the industry forever.

In the world of the Fashion Jungle, it's easily eat or be eaten...but, if you make it out alive, you just might have a story to tell - though it will likely be one of secrets, lies, deceit, and loss.

Strap on your stilettos, it's about to get wild.

Based on true stories and events.

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Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis (Wildstone #4)

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Almost Just Friends will warm your heart! This story dives right in to the family drama and pulls at your heart strings with every chapter.

Piper Manning had to grow up at a young age, raising her two younger siblings the best she knew how. Now that they've all rejoined under one roof, secrets slowly come to life and the world she thought they existed in, is shattered.

Camden Reid has a promise to keep, and although it's the last thing he wants to do, he's determined to make the best of it...even if it includes keeping secrets from his gorgeous neighbor.

Camden and Piper both have tragic pasts, but that's what ties them together. Their chemistry is undeniable, but there's also a kinship from the start that enables them to open up to one another, while weathering the storms that come their way.

This book definitely had me crying more than laughing, but it was so worth the emotional ups and downs. Each character pulls you in a different direction, whether it's through loss, drama, or addiction. Such a beautifully told story, I can't recommend it enough!

Almost Just Friends can be read as a stand alone, but you'll find yourself wanting to experience everything in Wildstone, and coming back for more!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

Summary:

Piper Manning's about as tough as they come, she's had to be. She raised her siblings and they've thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she's free.

When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There's a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can't deny, making her yearn for something she doesn't understand. And her siblings...well, they need each other.

Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself...and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks -- just as the new life she craves may have already begun.

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Snowbound Squeeze by Tawna Fenske (Ponderosa Resort #8)

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Snowbound Squeeze will heat you up this winter! This quick and steamy read is perfect for those cold nights when you're curled up with a comfy blanket and some cocoa.

After a chance meeting and a shared kiss, Gable and Gretchen both go their own separate ways, only to end up snowed in at the same cabin.

With secrets between them, this steamy romance will have you laughing with Gretchen's quirky names for objects, and swooning from Gable's charm. A delightful addition to the Ponderosa Resort series!

💋 Romance

Summary:

Gable Judson needs a hideout. A safe place to escape the shambles of his Hollywood life. When college pal James Bracelyn offers a secret cabin an hour from Ponderosa Resort, Gable's got the car pointed toward Oregon faster than paparazzi pouncing on a nip slip.

Gretchen Laslo needs a retreat. Not just to work on her PhD dissertation, but to flee the messy breakup that left her inner critic shouting "duh, girl." Meeting sexy, mysterious Gabe the night before she leaves is just another reminder to stay focused on her brain, because her heart's kind of a dumbass.

When a Bracelyn family mix-up collides with the worst storm to hit Central Oregon in years, Gretchen and Gable end up accidental roommates. Roommates without internet or TV or -- God forbid -- an ice cream maker. With both hiding secrets they'd rather not reveal, whatever will they do to pass the long winter nights?

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My Bare Lady by Piper Sheldon (Scorned Women's Society #1)

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

My Bare Lady is the story you won't see coming! Trying to make the best of a life or death situation, Suzie and Ford are forced to work together, bringing them both out of their comfort zones.

My heart hurt so bad for Suzie and the situation she's found herself in, although out of her control. She has been through a lot in her short life, causing her to lash out, leaving her stuck with the aftermath, as well as taking care of her father.

Clifford comes off as the uptight professor, but the moments where his past comes out, will leave you breathless and in awe.

Jack was my favorite side character in this story, and always provided great comedy relief. Ford and Suzie only grow closer, while trying to navigate how to get out of the mess they're both stuck in.

I spent most of the book trying to think of how Suzie could get out of the life she's trapped in and live a life that would make her happy. My attention was captivated and held throughout the entire story and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. A great start to a new series and I can't wait for more! 

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

Summary:

My Bare Lady, a funny and heartwarming romantic comedy standalone from Piper Sheldon and Smartypants Romance is available now! 

Suzie Samuels is the only thing standing between Clifford and his life’s work. All he has to do is change everything about her. Perception creates reality and Clifford Rutledge needs the irascible stripper to prove it.

Suzie Samuels is set to prove once and for all she’s more than Short Fuse Suze, stripper for the Black Demons and renowned motorcycle arsonist. If all it takes is hard work, then Suzie knows how to work it hard.

But Suzie’s scandalous spirit tests Clifford's resolve. And Clifford’s buttoned-up bullying is driving Suzie bonkers.

Can Clifford move past their differences long enough to pull off the impossible task of changing the bare lady into a fair lady?

More importantly, as perceptions shift and priorities change, will he want to?

'My Bare Lady' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the Scorned Women's Society series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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