Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts

Review // Where Good Girls Go to Die, In Deep, and Part of Your World

December 25, 2022

Where Good Girls Go to Die by Holly Renee


Standalone - Good Girls #1
Release - April 13, 2017
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat 4 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 340 pages

It was a bad idea from the beginning.

He was my brother's best friend and the definition of unavailable.

But I didn't care.

I had loved him for as long as I could remember.

He was worth the risk. He was worth everything.

But then he broke my heart as easily as I fell for him. He watched me fall, spiraling out of control, and as I reached for him, he wasn't there to catch me.

So I ran.

Four years later, I never expected to see him again.

He was still my brother's best friend, and he was more unavailable than ever.

He looked every bit the bad boy I knew he was, covered in tattoos and a crooked smile.

Guarding my heart from him was top priority because Parker James was where good girls go to die.

Unfortunately for him, I wasn't a good girl anymore.


My Review (3 stars) ~ I still don't know how I feel about this book. If you don't like cheating, stay away from this book. It's messy. Really messy. One girl becomes a stripper because the boy broke her heart. The boy doesn't know how to be a good guy. He constantly cheats on others with this girl. Constantly. Liv was annoying. Parker was a tool. The end.

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In Deep by Callie Harper


Standalone - All In #1
Release - August 5, 2016
Genre - Sports Romance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 256 pages

Chase is an Olympic swimmer going for gold.
Focused.
Driven.
Intense.

Emma is a blogger going for the scoop and she has the perfect in.
She’s gotten herself hired as his physical therapist.
With all that intimate time together -- the secrets
from his past don’t stand a chance --
And neither does she ...


My Review (3 stars) ~ I found it hard to get into this story, which was surprising because I'm a fan of this author and her writing. I just didn't like either Emma or Chase. They kinda felt plastic to me. I know that explains nothing, but I missed the usual sparks that are familiar to me. Emma turned out to be a liar, even if by omission, but the big reveal still didn't touch me. It could be that contemporary feeling romance isn't really my jam anymore.

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Part of Your World by Liz Braswell


Standalone - A Twisted Tale
Release - September 4, 2018
Genre - Young Adult Fantasy
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 0 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 475 pages

What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula?

Five years after the (twisted) events of the film, Ariel is now the queen of Atlantica, and Ursula is running Eric's kingdom on land. But when the sea witch threatens Atlantica once more, Ariel finds herself returning to a world (and a prince) she thought she'd left behind forever.


My Review (3.5 stars) ~ This was such a cute read and I believe that it should be listed as a book for all ages. If you would allow your child to watch the movie, The Little Mermaid, then they would be absolutely fine reading this. It wasn't as dark as the movie.

Ursula has always been one of my favorite Disney villains and the author only made me love her more with the way she was re-imagined. She had Eric and his entire kingdom under her thrall while she waged war with everyone else. She was hilarious!

Obviously the good guys won and the journey was such fun!

Review // Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey

October 02, 2022

Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey

I've been falling since the day we first met.
And I'm fully in it now.

────── ♔ ──────


Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey

Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey


Standalone - Boys of Winter #11
Release - October 11, 2022
Genre - Sports Romance / brother's friend / forced proximity
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3 out of 5 / a couple of semi-descriptive scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 181 pages
Publisher - Indie

I, Alex Hartwell, just screwed up big-time.

Now the hockey team I was traded to, the Las Vegas Wolves, have me on a short leash.

You’d think a hotshot defenseman like me would have known better.

Guess not.

But I’m trying real hard to behave now.

Why else would I agree to stay at my teammate’s house for the next three months in order to keep the team happy?

It should be a breeze, as Sebastian Alderman is cool. Only problem is I didn’t count on his hot sister, Kelsi, staying there too.

FML, as Hockey Code 101 says sisters are off-limits.

Yeah, I can’t take the risk. Even if Kelsi and I are wildly attracted to each other. Not to mention, she’s pretty effing cool.

But I better behave.

Or not only will the Wolves be breathing down my neck, but Sebastian will be too.

My Two Cents

4 "Easy Peasy" stars

You want sweet? It doesn't really get sweeter than this story.
You want smooth? The love that blossomed between Alex and Kelsi couldn't have been easier.

The author made these characters seem genuine and realistic. What happened between them felt organic and necessary. There was absolutely no muss and no fuss. Imagine a story that is about what the couple shares, without the drama.

Risk on Ice was a sweet and beautiful story. It won me over with how utterly simple and natural it was.

So if you're looking for an adorable couple who do adorable things... look no further than this!

Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey

About the Author

S.R. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the popular Boys of Winter hockey books and Men of Fall football novels. Both series can be read in any order or as standalones. Other New Adult and Romantic Suspense works of hers include the Judge Me Not books, the Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas.

Ms. Grey resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams, sometimes all at the same time.

Check out https://www.srgrey.com for more information

Review // Unbroken II by Aaron L. Speer

March 19, 2022


“I’m not ashamed of being trans. I was, for too long. Not anymore. I told you I shouldn’t have to hide. I changed my face, my chest, my voice and my groin—everything I can physically change— for myself. Not for anyone else. For me. But even if I hadn’t , I would still be a woman. Let them dig up dirt about me. Let them say what they want. I know who I am and now so will they.”

────── ♔ ──────


Unbroken II by Aaron L. Speer


Undisputed #3
Release - April 30, 2022
Genre - Sports Romance / MMA / FF Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - a couple of descriptive scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - TBD (approx. 300)
Publisher - Indie


Ava Beckinsale is living her dream. She's the new World Champion and determined to defend and honour the belt she worked so hard to win.

As soon as she thinks she has a handle on her reign, out of the shadows comes Tanika Taniela. An undefeated fighter held down for years, hidden away with a secret she was told to keep buried.

But Tanika is done hiding, and she's craving a chance to claim Ava's belt.

When the unknown fighter unleashes her rage, revealing her secret to the world on international TV, the fighting world erupts, battle lines are drawn, and Ava is dragged into the last place she wants to be, once more a pawn in the MMA machine.

Now, the new champion's emotions and principles are getting in her way, but allies emerge from the unlikeliest places, and Ava has to return to a lesson she thought she'd already learned: sometimes your greatest opponent is yourself.

My Two Cents

4 "Unbreakable" stars

Ava's the female MMA Champion of the world and as you can imagine, she's on top of the world. However, being so high only means that the fall could hit harder. And yet, she's determined, fierce, and simply so amazing that life's hurdles and the politics of the game are going to have a hard time getting her down.

She's a freaking badass! The author did an incredible job of bringing Ava to life for me and I found it so easy to like her. Her heart... this woman's heart was beautiful!

To be honest, I'm not the best at perfectly imagining what a character would look like in real life, but for Ava, I did find myself constantly picturing one real person...


Paige VanZant

Athletic, beautiful, competitive, generous, kind. loyal, relatable, and smart. She was my kind of heroine. She outshone almost everyone in this book. Almost.

Because it was IMPOSSIBLE to not see Tanika. She was loud, she was proud, and she definitely wanted to be seen.


Seriously. She was a hot mess, but for some reason, all of her mad schemes, yelling for attention, controversial behavior, and randomness worked. I can't imagine being trans and trying to fit into a world that doesn't want to accommodate you, but that's just what she did. And not only did she do it, she succeeded. And the way it was captured for us to read... utterly captivating.

Even when it got really messy.


And don't even get me started on the romance between the champion and the former champion. Can you imagine getting it on with someone who not only kicked your ass, but you kicked her ass right back?

I truly enjoyed these characters and their journeys. They were so different and yet not so much. Their trials, their tribulations, their support teams, their yearnings all forced them to face exactly what they wanted. For Tanika, that was acceptance. For Ava, it was more about feeling complete. Aside from a bit of yuri anime back in the day (or a lot lol), I haven't read girl love before. At least not in a contemporary way. However, it's Aaron L. Speer and I trust him. Good call on my part because this story... it just works!

About the Author

Are you new to Speerzie? Come get Fanatical with our Favourite Aussie Bloke, and get your FANG BITE. Good Neck Action isn't just for Vamps… MMA fighters like it too:
➡ FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Speerverse/
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If you’re ever caught needing a Speerverse Fix and can't find your FANG BITE, No worries! Just remember:
https://www.aaronlspeer.com
Want to drop Aaron a line? Buy a signed book or have a question? He loves to hear from readers:
➡ teamaaronlspeer@gmail.com

Bad Choices & Heartaches by Casey Diam

September 12, 2020

I wasn't the guy girls ended up with, and I was okay with that.
I was okay with being the f--king experiment.
I was okay with not being perfect.
I was okay with not being the son my father chose.
I was okay with being alone.
Not everyone had someone who accepted them with all their glaring flaws, and I had a shit ton of them.

A LIE FOR A LIE by Helena Hunting

October 23, 2019

A LIE FOR A LIE by Helena Hunting

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.

FAIR CATCH by S.R. Grey

September 22, 2019

FAIR CATCH by S.R. Grey

Find your copy of Fair Catch here:
Goodreads | Amazon

CAN YOU HEAR IT by Casey Diam

July 16, 2019

CAN YOU HEAR IT by Casey Diam
Standalone
Release - August 1, 2019
Genre - NA Sports Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author

Order your copy today!
iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google

KICKIN' IT by Rachel Van Dyken

May 31, 2019

Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance.

Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.

Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.


Add to Goodreads
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ILLUSION ON ICE by S.R. Grey

May 19, 2019

Illusion on Ice by SR Grey

Boys of Winter #7
Release Date: May 28, 2019
Genre: New Adult Sports Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Format: eARC provided by author

About the Book

Confession time:
My name is Noel Sandlund and I play professional hockey—defense to be exact.
I lead a pretty good life. I’m not hurting for money and the ladies seem to like me.
And now things have gotten even better—I think I may have fallen in love.

See, while I was in Sweden playing in the world hockey championships this off-season, I met Maisie Troy.

And, man, she’s it for me.

Review: Casper's Ghost by Kerri Ann

January 27, 2019

Casper's Ghost (Crashed, #1)Casper's Ghost by Kerri Ann

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After re-reading this book, I had to change my review. I don't know if I was going through something the first go round or what, but I actually enjoyed it this time. I'm leaving my previous review below as a reminder that some books DO deserve a second chance. This was definitely one of them.

Wyatt - a championship racer, he took advantage of all of the perks his lifestyle offered. His days were filled with women and the fame brought him everything he thought he was looking for... until Circe.

Review: Hoops Holiday by Kennedy Ryan

December 15, 2018

Hoops Holiday by Kennedy Ryan
A jock, a journalist and a second chance . . .

MacKenzie Decker was a question Avery never got to ask, much less answer.
They met when she was a young reporter fueled by ambition, and the ink on Deck's first NBA contract was barely dry. Years later, they've climbed so high and lost so much, but one thing hasn't changed. The attraction that simmered between them in a locker room before is still there. With success like theirs, everything has been possible . . . except them.

That was then.
But what about now?

REVIEW: UNDISPUTED BY AARON L. SPEER

November 12, 2018

Owen Gasnier is a gentleman even inside the Octagon. As much of a gentleman as one can be having an undisputed record with every win by a knock out. People LOVE him.

Overworked barista Tegan Holland doesn't know he exists. Not until ten minutes before her friend Fiona drags her to the biggest cage fight Sydney has ever seen.

By the time he heads back to his training camp in the States, she'll never forget him. But should she let him forget her? He's chasing his dream. He doesn't have time for her. Does he?

For Owen, the hits just keep coming. Trash talking opponents, sensationalist media, and someone's out to ruin him for good. He can't put Tegan in the middle of it. Can he?

Soon, will any of it matter? Cause life has other plans, and NOTHING hits harder than life.