Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Showstopper by Regina Kyle [Review]

Showstopper (Vino and Veritas) by Regina Kyle
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 12, 2024

Vino and Veritas
Roommate
Featherbed
Headstrong
Heartscape
Aftermath
Undercover
Booklover
Flipcup
Hideaway
Unguarded
Turnabout
Daybreak
Insatiable
Heartsong
Limelight
Undone
Showstopper - Paperback | Kindle
Unforgettable
Stronghold

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

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

Regina Kyle
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
I swore I wouldn’t do this again. Mix sports, school, and sex. But right now the only thing standing between me and the NHL is six feet of frenemy packed into a pair of form-fitting jeans that have me thinking all kinds of things I shouldn’t. Mostly how to get him out of them.

I don’t just want Kolby. I need him. Because I’ve got to pass this theater class--yeah, I said theater--if I’m going to keep my spot on the team. When tutoring sessions turn into dates-not-dates over Shipley Cider at Vino and Veritas, I realize it’s going to be harder than I thought to keep my hands on my stick and off of Kolby. Worse, I think I might be falling for him. But I’m not ready for that. I want to keep this thing between us on the down-low for now.

But Kolby hates secrets. Especially his own . . .
Thoughts on Showstopper: We're back at V&V (life and other occurrences forced me to take a small reading break from Burlington) and (to my utmost delight) we got to spend some quality time with the hockey players at Moo U this time around. Adam is big, focused, and trying to find his place after transferring to the university.

But as focused as a person can be, sometimes love just smacks you upside the head and forces you to take notice. Even if the person you end up focused on isn't exactly what you think your ideal is. That said, Kolby has layers. He's smart, driven, and perfectly flirty. Soon he's getting under Adam's skin and the two are spending more and more time together.

That said, they both have secrets. Adam had REASONS for transferring to Moo U and Kolby's family is...not great. It takes time and trust before things get smoothed out between them. That said, Adam's teammates are pretty great. They have his back in a big way when things come out.

Secrets, snark, family dynamics (of both the complicated and supportive variety), friends, the hockey house, a man who isn't afraid to be himself, and another who loves hard when he gives himself the chance to. *thumbs up*

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Monday, April 22, 2024

Undone by Leslie McAdam [Review]

Undone (Vino and Veritas) by Leslie McAdams
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 7, 2023

Vino and Veritas
Roommate
Featherbed
Headstrong
Heartscape
Aftermath
Undercover
Booklover
Flipcup
Hideaway
Unguarded
Turnabout
Daybreak
Insatiable
Heartsong
Limelight
Undone - Paperback | Kindle
Showstopper
Unforgettable
Stronghold

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

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

Leslie McAdams
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
My new roommate has the worst taste in men.

I mean, Murph’s special. He’s funny and flamboyant and full of life.

While I’m straight, even I can tell these guys aren’t good enough for him.

I had to yell at one date, toss another one out the door, and throw a beer in another’s face.

Kind of embarrassing, really. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

I ask my sister what’s wrong with me and she says I’m jealous.

Jealous? Please. Me?

Come on.

Only thing is, I hate the thought of Murph kissing any guy. Ever.

Except, maybe ... me?

Undone is a contemporary m/m romance about a dreamy insurance agent that might not be as straight as he thinks, an adorable bartender who adds sparkle wherever he goes, and maybe one or two jokes about swords.
Thoughts on Undone: Ahh. Murph. The sweet, sparkly, over-the-top (in a good way) bartender who brings light wherever he goes is up and he's found himself a hunky guy who doesn't realize he might be into men. Which could be a recipe for disaster, but really just gives us a super protective man who needs a little outside intervention to understand that dudes do it for him as much as ladies.

Or maybe more than ladies when it's Murph we're talking about. Seriously, the guy shines. Jason's not really a grump or anything, but Murph is definitely the sunshine between the two of them.

Speaking of Jason, he's kind of lacking in self-awareness. He's not bothered by Murph's flamboyant gayness, but he's never considered himself swinging toward the male end of the spectrum in a romantic sense. Considering how overbearing his father is, that's a little understandable. Fortunately, Jason has his sister who prods him into giving the idea some thought. And once he starts thinking about it, he realizes that YEAH, HE LIKES MURPH.

On Murph's end, he's sunny and genuinely kind, but he's carrying more than a few scars from a past relationship gone wrong. It takes time and a metaphorical kick to the pants for him to accept that maybe he really is a good choice for a guy like Jason. (To be fair, Murph's fabulousness seems like a good choice for pretty much anyone and he's not afraid to tell people that, but it takes a while for that to really sink in.)

Relationship woes, a Ren Faire, dates gone awry, a lot of sparkle, and two people who fit together nicely.

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Sunday, April 21, 2024

RtP's Week in Review (04/21/24)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review Bookish Delights
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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Have Tail, Will Travel by Nancey Cummings [Review]

Have Tail, Will Travel (Tail and Claw #1) by Nancey Cummings
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 30, 2023

Tail and Claw
1. Have Tail, Will Travel - Paperback | Kindle
2. Pulled by the Tail
3. Tail, Dark and Handsome
4. Tattle Tail
5. Tail Me No Lies

Nancey Cummings
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Wife Wanted: Single Alien Dad Needs a Mate

Tragedy left Merit as the guardian to two young kits and he’s in over his head. He needs help. He has no time for romance and doesn’t think he needs it. He applies to Celestial Mates, willing to take the first available female, even a flat-faced, ugly human.

What he gets is a woman whose mind challenges him and patience humbles him.

He brought her to his planet under false pretenses. Now he hopes he can make it right before she leaves for good.
Thoughts on Have Tail, Will Travel: Merit joins Celestial Mates so he could find someone to help him with the day-to-day stuff he's getting buried under after suddenly becoming guardian to his brother's two children. The romance side would be nice, but he's tells himself he won't be upset if it doesn't happen. Uh-huh. Right.

Kal, on the other hand, is hoping her "perfect match" is just that. She doesn't mind that he has two children. She doesn't mind that he lives on a distant planet. She really just wants someone who wants her, the rest can be dealt with. Except...Merit has secrets and his sister is constantly poking at Kal and, while she likes the children, she wants to be more than a nanny and housekeeper.

Not going to lie, while I kind of get why Merit didn't spill all his reasons and secrets from the get-go, he put Kal in some not so great situations by not explaining things. That said, everything worked out in the end. It only took a little danger and Kal being understanding enough to not walk away to make things work.

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Friday, April 19, 2024

Nun Too Soon by Lissa Sharpe [Review]


Nun Too Soon (Bad Habit Book Club #1) by Lissa Sharpe
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 6, 2024

Bad Habit Book Club
1. Nun Too Soon - Paperback | Kindle

Lissa Sharpe
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Helen is just your normal, everyday librarian who writes romance novels on the side… except she also happens to be a former nun, new to life outside the order and to the dating scene. Helen isn’t just a virgin in her 30s– she’s never had a boyfriend, never kissed anyone, never even so much as held someone’s hand. Becoming a nun was always her path, until it wasn’t anymore, and trying to forge a new path in life has been…tricky.

What isn’t tricky? Her unrequited crush on the handsome library patron that Helen and her friends have affectionately nicknamed ‘The Red Unicorn’ -- a man who loves to read, looks great in glasses, and has red hair, aka Helen’s dream man. But the idea of dating is still intimidating, so Helen prefers to daydream about Thad from afar, turning him into her perfect romance novel hero.

Thad is far from perfect, not like the smart, sexy librarian he’s been surveilling. Thad is a bounty hunter who’s determined to find Helen’s brother, Dean, and he’s certain Helen is the key to tracking Dean down. Thad never plans to approach Helen or insert himself into her life–until it becomes clear he’s not the only one looking for Dean. The other people after him are bad news, and Helen’s going to get caught in the crossfire if Thad doesn’t intervene.

As Thad and Helen work together to find Dean, they actually get to know each other, soon realizing that the perfect, ideal versions they have of each other couldn’t be more wrong…but that who they are together might actually be just right.
Thoughts on Nun Too Soon: We're back in Chicago with a former nun and the bounty hunter on the trail of her brother. Which sounds complicated, but Helen's a forgiving sort, so the fact Thad is looking for her brother doesn't faze her nearly as much as how much she's attracted to Thad. Seeing how Thad really does want to do what he thinks is best for her brother, the fact he misled her with the books and the pretend reading (which is just a CRIME in my book, thankyouverymuch) is just a drop in the bucket to Helen.

That attraction, though. HOO-BOY.

Yeah, Helen likes a lot of things about Thad. Coming to terms with her wants and desires outside the church? That's kind of the thing that trips her up. When you've been told you're one thing your entire life, it's hard to change gears and realize you can be your version of you when you hardly know what your version is. That might sound complicated, but Helen has some figuring out to do and I am here for it. (Also, the mental picture of Dan and Quinn not knowing what to do with themselves when they see her thanks to the aforementioned previous sister-hood is one I'm going to hold close because HA.)

On Thad's end, he's a genuinely good guy, but he's wary. Given the family issues and general dynamic he has to deal with there, it's no surprise that he saw Helen in a very different light before he got to know her. His wariness made him suspicious of her actions when, in truth, Helen is pretty much an open book. Once he realized that, THINGS HAPPENED.

A little subterfuge, a road trip, a few dangerous moments, a party bus full of friendly co-eds, a man who doesn't know what to do with the open, honest Helen, and a former nun trying to find herself in a big way. *thumbs up*



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Limelight by E. Davies [Review]

Limelight (Vino and Veritas) by E. Davies
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 3, 2023

Vino and Veritas
Roommate
Featherbed
Headstrong
Heartscape
Aftermath
Undercover
Booklover
Flipcup
Hideaway
Unguarded
Turnabout
Daybreak
Insatiable
Heartsong
Limelight - Paperback | Kindle
Undone
Showstopper
Unforgettable
Stronghold

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

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

E. Davies
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Save the bees, ride a rock star.

Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.

After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, it’s working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I can’t help rescuing him. He’s as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I can’t tell him my secret, or I’ll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.

Everyone warns me he’s too good to be true.

I can’t believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bed… not necessarily in that order. I’m falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.

When lies are revealed, though, someone’s going to get stung . . .
Thoughts on Limelight: I feel like I need to preface this review by saying I didn't hate this book. BUT...there was one thing in it that is sort of a pet peeve of mine and once I see it, I can't unsee it. So, yeah. The book itself was okay. I just happen to not love one little thing that started giving me an eye twitch early on.

As an aside, I'm aware of how lame and petty this sounds. Completely. But again, once I see it, I can't unsee it and here we are.

I kind of loathe when characters giggle incessantly. Once or twice I can handle because it's a legitimate expression of mirth. But giggling on every page or every other page? It grates on me. Then I start waiting for that next giggling moment and kind of stop caring about what's actually going on with the plot.

Tag and Caleb were fine as a couple (excluding the incessant giggling). Their issues were understandable because who wants to spill all their darkest secrets on their first date (or during their first week of dating, even), amirite? I didn't hate the book, I just got caught up in that one little issue that derailed my pure enjoyment of their story.

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Stage Smart by Aly Stiles [Review]


Stage Smart (Work For It #8) by Aly Stiles
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 4, 2024

Work For It
1. Street Smart
2. Heart Smart
3. Book Smart
4. Smart Mouth
5. Play Smart
6. Look Smart
7. Smart Move
8. Stage Smart - Paperback | Kindle

Aly Stiles
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
My record label had one rule… and I broke it.

In my defense, “don’t fall in love with your producer” isn’t exactly fair when your producer is Val Andrews, a sweet, talented, totally genuine prince in an industry of egotistical frogs. It’s especially not fair when your forbidden crush becomes a constant temptation while on tour with a vengeful ex and an enigma named Chad.

All I want to do is make incredible music and show the world I’m more than a vapid starlet. But when a cryptic memo reveals a sinister plot to destroy my career, it becomes clear there’s only one person I can trust—the one they said I can’t have.
Thoughts on Stage Smart: Okay. I'm going to say that I 100% know this is Val and Larinda's book, but Chad. Chad has grown on me. He's clueless and has the painful ability to make everything awkward within moments of starting a conversation, but he's not terrible. I mean, I kind of knew that from Nate and Nat's book, but this one really sealed the deal.

But enough about Chad and his Mer-Nuts and Mer-Kins and whatever other thing he comes up with that makes little to no sense. This is Val and Larinda's story. Val, who has been kicked around by his parents his entire life and doesn't see how wonderful and kind and TALENTED he is because of it. And Larinda, who doesn't know how to say no. Straight up, the lady is surrounded by people who do not have her best interests at heart and they put in her terrible situations and she just keeps going along with it because she's categorically unable to say NO.

Just about the only thing she's really fought for was having Val produce her album. And her record company is still trying to do everything possible to ruin that.

Now she and Val are on the road for her album tour and things are getting more and more complicated every time they turn around. Probably in part because of Chad, but that's another story for another day. Let's just say that Larinda is told to stay away from Val, the two of them can't stop chemistry-ing around one another, Larinda's sort-of ex is making everyone's life miserable, and Val and Larinda are forced to sneak around so nobody finds out about their relationship.

It's complicated and tangled and there's some double-agent spy stuff going on thanks to Chad. Because Chad.



Reserve your copy TODAY!


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