Monday, March 18, 2024

Blindsided by Victoria Denault [Review]

Blindsided (Moo U #2) by Victoria Denault
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 8, 2023

Moo U
1. Boyfriend
2. Blindsided - Paperback | Kindle
3. Slapshot
4. Holdout
5. Gametime
6. Overtime
7. Halftime
8. Darkroom
9. Playmaker
10. Snowballed
11. Goalkeeper

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Busy Bean
1. Sweetheart

In Vino Veritas
1. Wildfire

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

Vino and Veritas
1. Roommate

Victoria Denault
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
What if Romeo wore hockey skates, and Juliet was raised on a farm next door?

As a life-long Vermonter, there are three beliefs I’ve always held true:
1. Our family farm is everything
2. Hockey is a close second
3. The Todds next door are our sworn enemies

But this season will test everything I stand for.

I have an illicit side job that could cost me my hockey scholarship. And now Maggie Todd knows my secret. She’s waiting for the right moment to use it against me. But every time I face off against her, I learn things I shouldn’t want to know. Like how deeply her competitive streak runs, and how sexy that is. And how easy it is to make her blush… everywhere.

An Adler and a Todd cannot be lovers. Breaking that rule is like pulling a pin on a grenade--everything in my life could blow up. Can we surrender to these feelings… or will our families’ feud make us its next casualty?
Thoughts on Blindsided: Ahh. Maggie and Tate. The Todds and the Adlers. Families with neighboring farms and a long-standing feud. Feud may containing fist-fighting seniors, a slam-dunk throw at the dunk tank, a whole lot of secrets, and a whole lot of scowling.

Maggie and Tate ABSOLUTELY do not intend to end this feud. In fact, their first steamy encounter was supposed to be a one and done. Except...they couldn't seem to stay away from one another. Which is fine. I'm sure nobody in their respective families are going to notice them sneaking around. Probably. Really. It'll be fine.

To make things even more complicated, Maggie and her sister know about Tate's not-quite-approved-by-the-school side job and he's sort of on pins and needles about them revealing it. Yeah, these two have a messy, complex thing going on. But it'll be fine. I'm sure.

On the downside, things have to get worse for these two before they can get better. But once things come to a head, secrets are uncovered, lines are drawn, and there's a chance things might work out if only these two families could get out of their own way. *thumbs up*

Sunday, March 17, 2024

RtP's Week in Review (03/17/24)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review Bookish Delights
  • Books added to the pile
    • The Night Island (The Lost Night Files #2) by Jayne Ann Krentz
    • Currently reading 
      • The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

    Saturday, March 16, 2024

    Hannibal by Tasha Black [Review]

    Hannibal (Stargazer Alien Mystery Brides #1) by Tasha Black
    Format: ebook
    Source: purchased
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Date read: June 19, 2023

    Stargazer Alien Mystery Brides
    1. Hannibal - Paperback | Kindle
    2. Fletcher
    3. Spenser

    Tasha Black
    | Website | Amazon |

    Synopsis (Goodreads):
    Together they can solve any case.
    But when it comes to unlocking her heart, he doesn’t have a clue…

    Violet Locke has always been great with puzzles. Her intellect and eye for detail let her solve just about any problem. But when it comes to people, she often finds herself without a clue. When a hunky alien moves in downstairs and immediately falls for her, will she finally learn to listen to her heart instead of her head?

    Hannibal and his brothers are doing their best to assimilate to their new lives on Earth. Desperate to find mates among human women, they know their adventure will be cut short if they fail. Earth customs can be super confusing, but one thing Hannibal knows for sure is that curvy, brilliant Violet Locke is destined to be his mate. All he wants is to use his superhuman strength and powers to sweep her off her feet.

    When Vi’s latest project turns into a race against time to find a neighbor’s missing dog, the two will have to work together to track it down. Though they might be close to finding the kidnapped pooch, Hannibal is afraid Vi will fail to discover that what has truly been missing from her life is love.
    Thoughts on Hannibal: Freshly minted aliens on earth! And by that I mean we have hunky aliens in new bodies who learned all their social cues from TV shows and old movies. Which sounds like it could be a recipe for disaster, but Hannibal and his brothers did okay. Possibly because the house they're moving into is full of people who are already a little off-beat. Meaning the aliens' social issues aren't all that much of a problem.

    Which brings us around to Violet. She's quirky. In a fun way, mind you. She's trying to figure out a small business to open (as part of the parameters of an inheritance) and she's...not really loving the idea. Of a small business. Where she might have to interact with people. But she's planning it anyway. Hannibal is hunky, listens when she talks, and doesn't mind helping her with things others might complain about. Which Violet kinda likes.

    On Hannibal's end, he pretty much knows Violet's the one for him as soon as they meet. Finding your fated mate is everything for his people, so he's all in at first glance. He just has to figure out how to convey that to violet without making a mess of things.

    A rash of missing doggos, a few Scooby-Doo references, one socially awkward woman, family, friends, and two individuals who figure things out at exactly the right time. *thumbs up*

    Friday, March 15, 2024

    Boyfriend by Sarina Bowen [Review]

    Boyfriend (Moo U #1) by Sarina Bowen
    Format: ebook
    Source: purchased
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Date read: February 25, 2023

    Moo U
    1. Boyfriend - Paperback | Kindle
    2. Blindsided
    3. Slapshot
    4. Holdout
    5. Gametime
    6. Overtime
    7. Halftime
    8. Darkroom
    9. Playmaker
    10. Snowballed
    11. Goalkeeper

    Related Series:
    (find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
    The Busy Bean
    1. Sweetheart

    In Vino Veritas
    1. Wildfire

    Speakeasy
    1. Touchstone

    True North
    1. Bittersweet

    Vino and Veritas
    1. Roommate

    Sarina Bowen
    | Website | Amazon |

    Synopsis (Goodreads):
    The hottest player on the Moo U hockey team hangs a flyer on the bulletin board, and I am spellbound:

    Rent a boyfriend for the holiday. For $25, I will be your Thanksgiving date. I will talk hockey with your dad. I will bring your mother flowers. I will be polite, and wear a nicely ironed shirt…

    Now everyone knows it’s a bad idea to introduce your long-time crush to your messed-up family. But I really do need a date for Thanksgiving, even if I’m not willing to say why. So I tear his phone number off of that flyer… and accidentally entangle our star defenseman in a ruse that neither of us can easily unwind.

    Because Weston's family is even nuttier than mine. He needs a date, too, for the most uncomfortable holiday engagement party ever thrown.

    There will be hors d'oeuvre. There will be faked PDA. And there will be pro-level awkwardness…
    Thoughts on Boyfriend: Okay. I'm heading onto the Moo U campus for some hockey and dating shenanigans. I AM READY.

    First up, Abbi and Weston. They both have complicated family things going on. That said, their family issues are on opposite ends of the issue spectrum, but they both have family adjacent stumbling blocks that are causing problems for them. Also to be said, those weird family issues brought the two of them together in a roundabout way. So, there's that.

    As it turns out, Weston's flyer to be someone's date for Thanksgiving is exactly what Abbi needs. He can help her avoid her step-step brother and she gets to spend time with the guy she's been crushing on for a while. On Weston's end, he gets delicious food and he gets to spend time with the hot waitress from his favorite wings restaurant. The step-step was a bit of a complication he hadn't expected, but the big guy is used to reading the room and reacting as needed, so it's not a huge deal.

    Seeing as how Weston can't get Abbi out of his head, having her come to his family's Christmas festivities (complete with engagement party and REALLY awkward family time) is another win/win. And, as it turns out, spending time with Abbi only make Weston want her more. (Did I mention complicated family dynamics? Because WOW.)

    Fake dating, fake sexy times, real sexy times, wings, hockey players, and ...they know that fake dating only works if they don't catch feelings for one another, right? Yeah. Yeeeaaaaah. I must say, I liked this one a lot!

    Thursday, March 14, 2024

    Safeguard by Stephanie Rose [Review]

    Safeguard (Speakeasy) by Stephanie Rose
    Format: ebook
    Source: purchased
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Date read: February 21, 2023

    Speakeasy
    Touchstone
    Heartwood
    Homecoming
    Sideways
    Wildflower
    Firefly
    Starlight
    Stargazer
    Safeguard - Paperback | Kindle

    Related Series:
    (find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
    The Busy Bean
    1. Sweetheart

    In Vino Veritas
    1. Wildfire

    Moo U
    1. Boyfriend

    True North
    1. Bittersweet

    Vino and Veritas
    1. Roommate

    Stephanie Rose
    | Website | Amazon |

    Synopsis (Goodreads):
    Jilted. Living in a glorified closet. The world’s worst bar waitress. I just need to keep a roof over my head and make tuition payments until I can finish graduate school. Then my real life will start. But right now, long nights at the Speakeasy have me burning the candle at both ends and the wax melting all over my fingers.

    When a bar manager offers me a job taking care of his adorable five-year-old daughter, it seems like the perfect solution. I get a quiet place to study. Matteo gets a reliable sitter.

    There should be no complications. Except that I like my new boss a little too much. His gorgeous dark eyes humble me, and the long talks we share fill me up inside. I can’t possibly fall for him.

    But the undeniable pull between us leads to a scorching kiss I can’t ignore or forget, and suddenly I’ve fallen for them both, father and daughter.

    And now three hearts are at stake.
    Thoughts on Safeguard: Oh, ho! Matteo and his ADORABLE daughter are up and YES! I think I've been waiting for Matteo to find his special someone since we first met him. Melanie might have been a little hesitant about starting anything with him, but she couldn't resist his smolder and longing looks.

    But before that, let's look at why Melanie had to wrap her head around things before she could be comfortable starting a relationship with him. First off, Matteo was her boss at the bar. Which is workable because the Speakeasy has several people who are couples working there. Then she took him up on his offer to watch his daughter, which kind of made him her boss again. Kind of. Plus, there's Lauren. Lauren's adorable and smart and Melanie didn't want to mess anything up with her if things went sour with Matteo.

    On Matteo's end, finding someone he trusted with his daughter was huge. Meaning, he didn't want to mess that up if things took a turn. But the more time he spent with Melanie and every time he saw how wonderful she was with his kiddo just made him like her more. Soon they were both deciding that mayyyybe it would be okay to progress things to the next level. AND THINGS HAPPENED.

    A feisty kiddo, a single dad who knows a good thing when he sees it, and a lady who likes the whole father/daughter package. GOOD STUFF.

    Wednesday, March 13, 2024

    Stargazer by Wendy S. Marcus [Review]

    Stargazer (Speakeasy) by Wendy S. Marcus
    Format: ebook
    Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Date read: February 17, 2023

    Speakeasy
    Touchstone
    Heartwood
    Homecoming
    Sideways
    Wildflower
    Firefly
    Starlight
    Stargazer - Paperback | Kindle
    Safeguard

    Related Series:
    (find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
    The Busy Bean
    1. Sweetheart

    In Vino Veritas
    1. Wildfire

    Moo U
    1. Boyfriend

    True North
    1. Bittersweet

    Vino and Veritas
    1. Roommate

    Wendy S. Marcus
    | Website | Amazon |

    Synopsis (Goodreads):
    Randall Dickson is coping. Sort of. An upcoming medical eval, one that could end his military career, has him stressed and making bad choices. So when a concerned friend issues a strongly-worded “invitation” to Vermont, R.D. is all in for a change of scenery, a temporary job as a bartender, and the opportunity to shake himself out of his self-destructive routine.

    Then he sets eyes on his seriously sexy new co-worker…

    Lily Reynolds, an artist by day, Speakeasy’s favorite bartender at night, works hard to stay positive, unlike her surly new coworker. He may be a treat to look at, but that grumpy attitude and terse manner are not her type. So when Lily finds herself in desperate need of someone to share expenses, she convinces R.D. to rent her vacant room. There’s no way she’ll find herself falling for him.

    She’d like to find the secret admirer who’s leaving her secret love notes around the bar, though. But he won’t reveal himself...
    Thoughts on Stargazer: Artsy outgoing Lily and doesn't-do-small-talk R.D are up and...heh. Opposites attract, amirite? Especially when one is a really good guy who is more than willing to show his new roomie how a lady should be treated.

    Now to back up a little. Lily has some issues stemming from her mother's death that having her make a few bad choices when it comes to significant others. Being alone terrifies her, so sometimes she latches onto the most convenient option and that convenience doesn't always translate into them being a good guy. That said, R.D. IS a good guy. He's focused and competent, but he has a life he's working on getting back to. A life away from Colebury. Which means he thinks he's not the best choice for Lily since he's not planning on sticking around.

    Speaking of which, the way he handles his eventual departure is not cool. Sure, he tries to make things as easy as possible for Lily in terms of her security and her business, but...not cool, R.D. Not cool, at all. Sure, things work out in the end, but ouch.

    The Speakeasy crew, a sweet pupper, an awful ex, a guy trying to recalibrate his life, and a lady who knows a good thing when she sees it. Even if he is a little grumpy.

    Tuesday, March 12, 2024

    Dead Gingerbread Man Walking by London Lovett [Review]

    Dead Gingerbread Man Walking (Scottie Ramone Mysteries #3) by London Lovett
    Format: ebook
    Source: purchased
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Date read: November 14, 2023

    Scottie Ramone Mystery
    0.5. Banana Chiffon and Bad Deeds
    1. Heads Will Cinnamon Roll
    2. Better Off Shortbread
    3. Dead Gingerbread Man Walking - Paperback | Kindle
    4. Caught Bread Handed

    London Lovett
    | Website | Amazon |

    Synopsis (Goodreads):
    Scottie Ramone’s new bakery is up and running, but she’s in desperate need of an assistant. Jack Lucas, a stranger with a troubled past, has moved to town. He also happens to bake cakes that are nothing short of sublime. His qualifications make him the perfect assistant, but Dalton Braddock, the town’s ranger and Scottie’s longtime crush, has advised against it. So, of course, she hires the man but with plenty of trepidation.

    In the meantime, Scottie has another problem to grapple with. Someone has killed the gingerbread man the town mayor hired for the annual Ripple Creek Holiday Fair. Ranger Braddock is busy up at the Miramont Resort, so Scottie is on the case. As she goes through her list of possible suspects, she finds a name that causes her plenty of angst. It’s her new assistant, Jack. Has Scottie just hired a cold-blooded killer to bake cupcakes?
    Thoughts on Dead Gingerbread Man Walking: Things are moving forward on Scottie's dreams. Her bakery is baking up delicious goodies and she's finding her groove again. BUT...she really needs an assistant and everyone who's been applying is not quite right.

    Then someone who is right shows up and Scottie's initially a little wary about hiring him since he's an ex-con. Except...he makes REALLY good cakes. Oh, and he's possibly connected to the recent murder in town. Which, you know, isn't ideal.

    With Dalton tied up at his fiancée's ski resort (frankly, the big guy can do SO MUCH better than her, but that's probably another story for another day), it's up to Scottie to figure out who committed the crime so she can get back to baking. Hopefully with her very qualified new hire in the kitchen beside her and not behind bars. I must admit I'm really enjoying my time here in Ripple Creek!