ARC REVIEW Instacrush by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels #2, It was kind hard not to have a crush on Super Glutes Theo Kershaw. From his outgoing personality to his comeback career, Theo is a loveable guy. He's the kind of guy who likes making other people smile and he loves to connect with his fans. Elle Butler is pretty much in limbo after getting out of the Army, she's learned to keep people at a distance. Elle loves her family but she doesn't like them very much, except maybe her sister but there are things in her past better left forgotten. Staying with her old Army buddy Levi is just temporary until she figures out what she wants to do, it doesn't help that Levi's neighbor is the incredibly sexy, irritatingly friendly Theo but she can't help but watch his live Instagram posts. As sexy as Theo is Elle still gets annoyed with him, or maybe it's because she finds him so sexy and friendly that pisses her off but over Christmas one thing lead to another and they spend the weekend in bed together.

Theo thinks Elle is special, he has even told his grandmother about her but Elle keeps her distance. Even after they find out she's pregnant with his kid she tries to keep him at arms distance. Theo thinks she's ashamed of him but she's doing it for his own protection, protection from her family. Elle's not the only one with family drama Theo's birth father has been trying to reconnect but Theo is not sure he's worth the effort especially when his father's family paid his mom off. Theo and Elle have a lot to work out between his family and her and their feeling for each other.

Overall, I loved Theo and Elle. Kate Meader has yet to write a book I didn't enjoy. Her style is so much fun to read, with the right amount of angst balanced with humor and romance and some pretty steamy scenes between Theo and Elle it was such a great read. It was nice to catch up of some of the older Rebels and all the hints at the next books and their sexy Rebels.

ARC REVIEW Good Guy by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels #1, Yay Kate Meader!!! I am happy there are more Rebels, I love Kate Meader's books.

Levi Hunt truly is a good guy a former Green Beret a talented hockey play who could have gone pro but instead enlisted when he got out despite his age NHL and the Rebels called. All Levi wanted to do was leave his life the Special Forces behind him, he didn't want a lot of publicity only doing the obligatory interviews when needed, but then the bosses tell him a reporter is going to be following him around for a profile piece. Jordan Cooke loved Josh but she had put her life on hold for him when she married him and she can't spent her life grieving so she decided to finally live the life she wanted. She's making her way up the sports media chain with her podcast growing in popularity she's even been asked to fill in for the hockey writer on a larger network, all she has to do is follow Levi Hunt around for a month. It should have been an easy job, and the only way she got the job was because her history with Levi but the last time they saw each other Jordan had just buried her husband.

Jordan always assumed Levi didn't like her little did she know Levi has been half way in love with her since the moment he saw her, which happened to be moments before Josh did. Levi tries to avoid her but she still manages to insert herself into his life even uncovering the secrets he would rather remain hidden. The sexual tension builds until finally they both give in but with Jordan's reputation on the line they agree to keep it secret until after the article is published. But misogyny runs rampant when another sports reporter sabotages Jordan to the point where it not only damages her integrity as a reporter but also her relationship with Levi.

Overall, such a good read. I loved how sweet Levi could be and how Jordan was so determined. I loved their past history with each other and the female friendships and how they all stood by each other especially when the shit hit the fan. I really enjoy reading Kate Meader books, she's so great at character building and developing the friendship between the characters. I loved how we continue to see Remy and the OG Rebels.       

BLOG TOUR Battle of the Bulge by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Battle of the Bulge

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Synopsis:

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes BATTLE OF THE BULGE, Book Four of the OHellNO Series. (A Standalone.)

“Chicks can’t be bodyguards. Especially hot chicks.”
MY NAME IS MITCH HOFER. I’m a world-famous swimmer from Australia, best known for three things: my gold medals, my looks, and filling out a swimsuit with my…eh-hem—bulky equipment. Let’s just say there’s a reason my nickname is “the Bulge.”
But beyond the fame, sponsors, and glory, there’s more to me than people know, including one hell of a mess I’ve gotten mixed up in. Life-or-death stuff, so bring in the professionals. Just don’t give me a chick bodyguard. Especially a young hot one who distracts me at every turn and hates my guts…

MY NAME IS ABI CARTER, and I hate Mitch Hofer. Yeah, he might be the sexiest champion swimmer in the world, but I’d give this guy a gold medal for being a first-class jerk.
Unfortunately, my boss has given me a choice—guard Mitch or get another job. And I really need the money. I can be professional, but if Mitch says “chicks can’t be bodyguards” one more time, I just might strangle him myself.
Still, something about the way Mitch keeps looking at me makes me think there’s more to his story. It’s almost as if he’s trying to drive me away. But why?

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Another outstanding book from MJP. We first met Abi and Mitch in the last book but this book can be read as a standalone. I would still recommend reading the previous three because they are just awesome. Mimi's New Adult-Sports-Romantic-Comedy blend is typical Mimi; humorous situations, dirty jokes, characters you want to throttle at times and always a romance that hits the spot.
Abi is smart and very loyal to those she loves so when her mom hits a rough patch and is on the verge of losing everything from her business to her home Abi steps up and takes a job with her best friend's fiance, Sam, as a bodyguard. After weeks of training hell Abi is ready for her first assignment, that is until she realizes she's protecting Mitch Hofer.
Mitch has his reasons, he comes off as a chauvinist and self centered but through the first person narration you find out he's a complex guy. There is somewhat of a method to his jerkish ways. But one thing for sure he can't have Abi guarding him, or be anywhere near him. He's too attracted to her, to worried that he will once again be the cause of some he cares about getting hurt especially after she's saved his life the first time.
Overall, it's a fun read. I read it in one sitting (took me about 3ish hours), my curse I inhale her books only to regret reading it too fast. It is alternating first person POV, more Abi than Mitch, but it isn't long before you realize Mitch is more what he seems.


     

About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author with over a million books sold worldwide. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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Other books in the series

Smart Tass (Book #1)

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes SMART TASS, a new Romantic Comedy.
He’s the hot quarterback all the girls want.
She’s the smart girl he loves to pick on.
And now that they’re all grown up, things are about to get geekin’ ugly…
My name is Tass. I’m smart, I’m driven, and I am determined not to let prankster Hunter Johnson continue raining on my parade. When we were little, he’d pull my hair and call me names. When we were teenagers, he’d throw food and tease me for being a flat-chested virgin.
But now that we’ve ended up at the same college, he’s out of his hot head if he thinks he can keep messing with my life. It’s like he’s fixated on me or something. Well, guess what, Mr. Amazefootball? I’m not that geeky little girl anymore and you do not screw with a smart woman.
So what’s my plan?
It’s definitely wild, and he’s about to find out…

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Oh Henry (Book #2)

From New York Times Bestseller, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Comes OH, HENRY, Book Two of the Ohellno Series. (Stand Alone Story w/ Teaser for Next Book.)
SHE’S GOT ME BY THE FOOTBALLS…
My name is Henry Walton, and though I’ve been called many things throughout my life—tree trunk, moose, walrus—I am now six foot five, solid muscle, and the hottest defensive end in the NFL college draft. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for: fame, women, and glory.
Just one problem: I’m suddenly in a bad slump. And it started the moment I got dumped by Elle, the nerdy goddess with thick glasses, a smokin’ hot body, and a genius IQ.
So what gives? We only dated for a few weeks, and it’s not like I’ve missed her. (Much.) Regardless, all the facts point to one conclusion. Elle is my lucky nerd-charm.
So call me superstitious, but I have to get her back before I lose everything. Even if she’s the last girl I should want and she now hates my guts.

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Digging A Hole (Book #3)

From New York Times Bestseller, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, comes a new Romantic Comedy.
He’s the meanest boss ever.
She’s the sweet shy intern.
They’re about to wreck each other crazy.
My name is Sydney Lucas. I am smart, deathly shy, and one hundred percent determined to make my own way in the world. Which is why I jumped at the chance to intern for Mr. Nick Brooks despite his reputation. After ten failed interviews at other companies, he was the only one offering. Plus, everyone says he knows his stuff, and surely a man as stunningly handsome as him can’t be “the devil incarnate,” right? Wrong.
Oh…that man. That freakin’ man has got to go! I’ve been on the job one week, and he’s insulted my mother, wardrobe shamed me, and managed to make me cry. Twice. Underneath that stone-cold, beautiful face is the evilest human being ever.
But I’m not going to quit. Oh no. For once in my life, I’ve got to make a stand. Only, every time I open my mouth, I can’t quite seem to muster the courage. Perhaps my revenge needs to come in another form: destroying him quietly.
Because I’ve got a secret. I’m not really just an intern, and Sydney Lucas isn’t my real name.

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ARC REVIEW *Second Look* Some Like It Sinful by Robbie Terman

A Perfect Recipe #2, Originally published in 2013 Some like it Sinful is a delightful fake relationship which leads to something much much more kind of story. Griffin Lange is a hot shot hockey player who getting close to retirement age, all the young guys on the team look up to him and one stupid drunken night he does something stupid, really stupid. Chloe Nelson is finally achieving her dream of owning her own bakery but soon after she gets her storefront a giant chain store bakery puts up an opening soon sign on the building across the street. Chloe knows her stuff is way better but they have all that money dedicated to advertising that she doesn't have. Griffin's stupid stunt is going to have real consequences one that he just can't throw money at to solve the DA decides community service is his just dessert. The DA just happens to be Chloe's older sister who know her dilemma so she agrees to not take Griffin to court in return he helps out Chloe at the bakery.

Chloe and Griffin don't start off on the right foot. Griffin's cocky attitude pisses Chloe off but he proves to be useful too. Griffin wanted to keep this whole thing quiet but the news hears about it and suddenly it's everywhere. When the guys in the locker room ask Griffin about it, he is embarrassed about it being community service and tells his teammates that he was helping out his girlfriend. Chloe reluctantly agrees and when the hockey teams PR finds out about it the PR milks it for all it's worth. The sexual tension keeps building between Chloe and Griffin until finally right before one of his games they give in, and later Griffin wins the team their game. And because Griffin is superstitious he now believes sex with Chloe is his good luck charm. Something more meaningful is happening between the two of them but they are both too stubborn to see it. Meanwhile in Chloe has been having the weirdest issues with the bakery.

Overall, this was a fun read. Chloe and Griffin have a hard time admitting they love each other and when it all hits the fan Griffin tries to take all the blame and still sing Chloe's praises which to me is so sweet. They are a cute couple with a great story and a hot romance. Robbie Treman definitely pulls you into the story with a great narrative description and fun characters. I will be checking out more by her.
       

ARC REVIEW When It's Right by Victoria Denault

San Francisco Thunder #3, This was an emotional one that had almost as much dealing with family drama than romance, but it's a hot romance. I missed book two which I'm going to rectify as soon as I can. This one is focused on Sadie Braddock and Griffin Sullivan. Sadie is sister to the infamous Jude Braddock of the San Francisco Thunder Hockey team and Griffin is there new goalie coach. They meet when the goalie, Eli who is also Sadie's soon-to-be hopefully brother-in-law he's dating her sister Dixie, gets injured during the game and is rushed to the hospital where Sadie works as an ER nurse. Instant chemistry, they both flirt and Griffin ends up asking her out and she says yes but a bad turn of events and Griffin ends up standing Sadie up. It reminds both of them that they have other responsibilities and a love life will have to wait.

Sadie has been the rock for her family since their Dad was diagnosed with ALS. As the nurse in the family they rely on her to understand everything and explain to them so they can make plans. Sadie, however, doesn't have anyone to lean one she's the strong one, the one that keeps everyone else from falling apart. Griffin has shared custody of his daughter, his ex-wife is being a pill and has filed for full custody and says she's going to move them to New York to be with her boyfriend.  Griffin and Sadie say they are going to be friends but the attraction between them is to strong and even just one night isn't going to be enough. Griffin can't in good conscience start a relationship with someone if he has to move to New York just to stay near his daughter and with Sadie's dad's health declining she can't be away from her family. The relationship feels like it's doomed before it's even started and they both know it or are they both going to try hard enough for the chance at being happy?

Overall, between the relationship with Sadie's family and her Dad and the seemingly doomed relationship with Griffin this book had me tearing up. I enjoyed this one so much more than Score. I loved Sadie and Griffin, he is such a great dad. I love the banter and the dynamic of the Braddock family, they tease each other because they care. I love insta-love so that didn't bother me, it was well done and they tried to keep it slow but they were just too horny. Charlie, Griffin's daughter, is so freakin' cute. I enjoyed the conflict of responsibilities over personal happiness and trying to find a balance between the two. I can't wait for Winnie's story.     

INDIESAGE BLOG TOUR Hooked On You by Kate Meader

Hooked on You

by Kate Meader Chicago Rebels, #4 

Publication Date: May 7, 2018 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Sports Romance, Standalone

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SYNOPSIS:

The steamy Chicago Rebels series returns with this racy and sassy tale of embittered hearts, second chances, and going for the goal—on and off the ice.

Violet Vasquez never met her biological father, so learning he left his beloved hockey franchise—the Chicago Rebels—to her is, well, unexpected. Flat broke and close to homeless, Violet is determined to make the most of this sudden opportunity. Except dear old dad set conditions that require she takes part in actually running the team with the half-sisters she barely knows. Working with these two strangers and overseeing a band of hockey-playing lugs is not on her agenda…until she lays eyes on the Rebels captain and knows she has to have him.

Bren St. James has been labeled a lot of things: the Puck Prince, Lord of the Ice, Hell’s Highlander…but it’s the latest tag that’s making headlines: washed-up alcoholic has-been. This season, getting his life back on track and winning the Cup are his only goals. With no time for relationships—except the fractured ones he needs to rebuild with his beautiful daughters—he’s finding it increasingly hard to ignore sexy, all-up-in-his-beard Violet Vasquez. And when he finds himself in need of a nanny just as the playoffs are starting, he’s faced with a temptation he could so easily get hooked on.

For two lost souls, there’s more on the line than just making the best of a bad situation… there might also be a shot at the biggest prize of all: love.

I have been one of the masses waiting for this book and Meader did not disappoint. Violet and Bren's story can be read as a stand alone, their romance starts and ends with this book I would recommend reading the previous ones just so you know what's going on with the Rebels hockey team and the other's characters. I fell in love with Kate Meader from the first book (technically it was a novella) of hers that I read, Rekindle the Flame I fell in love with the Hot in Chicago series and a certain firefighter and former mayor make a cameo appearance in this book. Meader's writing pulls you in, I get so emotionally invested in these books I always end up laughing out loud and crying my eyes out and at times both. 

Violet for being as brash and in your face at times is still trying to get use to her new life, not only did she get a second chance after beating cancer but the father she never knew, the father who never wanted her gave her one third of his hockey team. Granted he apparently knew her well enough to know she would shake things up between her other two sisters but she did so in a way that brought them all closer together in a way their father probably never realized would happen. 

Bren more than anything wants to be a good father to his girls, he sobered up for them only to have his ex take them away. Bren is taking things one day at a time one game at a time and now the Rebels are in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup and he needs all his focus in winning that cup so of course that's when everything happens. His ex needs a "rest" so he gets his girls now and he's not going to give them up this time; he's better than what he use to be and even better with them in his life. But with the playoffs he's going to need childcare and Violet is there to help.

For almost a year the chemistry has been simmering between Violet and Bren, from the moment they saw each other the wanted each other but Bren had just gotten out of rehab and Violet had just found out she was now an owner of the Rebels. The next nine months Bren has done his best to avoid her and Violet has done her best to tease him but when he needs her she's there to help with the girls, who are adorable by the way. But the days to come test their relationship in more ways than one. Overall it was an outstanding conculsion to the series, it was so good. The romance was so hot and wooo Bren could make you weak at the knees. Violet is such a great character she's one of my favorites of this series. I can't decide if I love the Hockey players more or the firefighters. Meader knows how to write a steamy romance with fantastic characters and I can't wait to see what she got for us next.             

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ABOUT KATE MEADER

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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ARC REVIEW So Over You by Kate Meader

So Over You is book two in Kate Meader's Chicago Rebels series. Three half sisters, daughters of a hockey legend, who must work together to keep the hockey team. According to the requirements in the will the Rebels must make the playoffs that year or be sold out to a conglomerate. For two of the sister it's their legacy, one the managerial role and the other a coaching role. Irresistible You, the first book, is about the oldest sister Harper Chase, she is bound and determined to make it to the playoff this year and keep her team. I wouldn't say this is a standalone, but it could be the events of the first book have only a minor impact of this story but most of the emotional development between the sister happens in the first one. Isobel was the apple of her father's eye she was born to continue on his legacy on the ice and Isobel wanted nothing more than to be the best on the ice. Until her dreams came to an end after an accident now she just wants to coach. Vadim has to redeem himself after a knee injury but first he has to get back on the ice only one thing is standing in his way, the only woman who has ever mattered to him and the same one whose father blackballed him from the NHL.

To prove herself Isobel is assigned to privately coach Vadim so he can get back into skating form. Vadim thinks it's a bad idea not because she's a woman but he doesn't trust himself around her and Isobel can afford to have gossip that she's sleeping with players tied to her name especially if she wants the head coaching job. Isobel thinks she can handle coaching Vadim even if he still makes her feel all a flutter but after the one and only one time they were together left her wanting she didn't think they were compatible. Once Vadim finds this out he makes a point to prove to her that they are, over and over again. 

Their sexual attraction isn't the problem between one particularly cruel player on the team, Vadim's little sister and his mother, and the big one Isobel has the chance to play for the gold again. She was asked to audition for the NCAA, she told no one but Vadim expecting him to be excited for her only to get the opposite reaction. This is her last chance to achieve her dream and as much of a bastard her father was and even though he's dead she still feels like she's disappointing him by not playing hockey. Vadim and Isobel have a bunch of issues to work out before they can achieve their HEA.

Overall, I loved this one. Vadim be still my heart that smokin' hot Russian is not only great with kids but once he realizes he left Isobel wanting he sees his way into her heart again. There is a lot of personal growth in this book as with the first one and as always Kate Meader is exceptional with it and the sex is so freakin' hot. I very much recommend anything she written.    

  

ARC REVIEW Score by Victoria Denault

Score is book one of Victoria Denault's San Francisco Thunder series. Although it is a first book it really felt like this was a spinoff or had a novella before it. The whole backstory of Jude and his best friend and ex-girlfriend was, to me, kind of annoying and made the the whole story predictable. The characters were good, Jude is my favorite kind of reformed manwhore. He started before the beginning of the book and once he saw Zoey again he didn't see anyone else. Zoey is in the midst of a divorce and Jude respects her decision to wait until after the divorce is final. While his initial goal was to finally sleep with Zoey, who is in her own right a reformed bad girl, Jude takes way too long to realize that Zoey is the one. The secondary characters range from I hate them to absolutely hysterical. The second chance story was even though very painfully predictable with how it played out was a good read and had some very naughty sex scenes.

Zoey is trying to put her life together, her soon to be ex-husband blames her for not being able to get pregnant and now she's without a house and even though they agreed that the loser would cover the hotel until after the divorce she is now homeless, carless and credit cardless. She has had it the amicable divorce is quickly growing into a very bitter one. She is trying her hardest to get herself established in her new job but the real estate market is finicky.

Jude still hasn't forgiven Levi for falling in love with his ex-girlfriend, Tessa, and between that and all the late night booty calls he has been getting at his house he's tired of it all. But a stroke of luck happens when he runs into Zoey and she is everything he remembers. Zoey and Jude knew each other when they were teenagers and almost had sex. Jude thinks now is the perfect time to remedy that but is willing to bide his time because he knows it's going to be perfect. Since Zoey is a real estate agent Jude asks her to sell his place and find a new one. It's all fun and games until Zoey discovers something about Jude's past that could have been an easy forgive if he had only just told her in the beginning, but Jude is an oblivious male. Can he fix this and can Zoey forgive him?

Overall, it was a nice read, I do like the sisters and want their stories more than I want the other teammates of Thunder.      

ARC REVIEW The Heat is On by Katie Rose

More delicious Boys of Summer! Katie Rose bring us another tale of the New Jersey Sonics. I love this series it is one of my favorite sports romance series. In every book the guys are different, and I mean personality-wise they are very diverse in who and what they are. The same goes for her girls. Prime example this one, Tracy is a divorced mother of four. The Heat is On is a great second chance romance between two college sweethearts.

Connor Jackson made a decision back in college, he chose a baseball career over the love of his life. He never stopped loving her the entire time even though she obviously moved on and married someone else. Now Connor is expecting to retire soon he was traded to his home team The Sonics and now that he is back home he plans to pursue a relationship with the divorced Tracy Coleman.

Tracy is a struggling mother of four rambunctious kids, two boys two girl. She has been divorced for about a year and has no plans to start dating again, until she finds out her old college boyfriend is back in town. Tracy's parents always liked Connor and treat her and the kids to a Sonics game. After the game Tracy approaches Connor, not one to waste time Connor asks for her phone number. Tracy thinking yeah right he's not going to call me gives it to him and is surprised when he calls and asks for a date. Not quite knowing how to breach the subject of her having four kids, she just doesn't tell him. Afraid of what he would think and afraid he would dump her again because she has four kids. Even after he finds out she has kids she is afraid of letting him get close to her kids they lost their father to another family she doesn't want their hearts to get broken again. After getting over the shock of finding out Tracy has kids Connor is quick to step up to the plate arranging dates where they can come along and trying to show Tracy he is up for the challenge. But things never go as planned and the kids father comes back into the picture and tries to ruin the relationship for Tracy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I always like reading about single mothers finding a second chance at love and Connor is one hot cookie.  

ARC REVIEW Line of Scrimmage by Desiree Holt

Line of Scrimmage is book two in Desiree Holt's Game On series. If you couldn't tell by the cover it's about a football star (duh) and a woman who has written off all football players as playas after a really bad experience. In that aspect it's a typical trope but as this is Desiree Holt nothing is just typical. Desiree Holt is one of the best when it comes to erotica, this story is tame compared to some of her other stories, but a good read none the less. I'm not big on football in any aspect; unless it's Susan Elizabeth Phillips and her Chicago Stars universe. When it comes to sports romance I'm more of a baseball/hockey kinda girl. With that said I really enjoyed this one. I loved the characters and the story.

Jake Russell and Erin Bass had one hot night. An instant undeniable attraction had both of them acting out of the norm. But the next morning Jake wants to talk about starting an actual relationship and Erin blows him off. She tells Jake there's not need to pretend he want a real relationship he got what he wanted and so did she, there is no need to prolong the inevitable. Jake is thrown for a loop that she thinks that unlike some, most, of the other guys in the NFL he has never been one of those guys. He is hurt and upset that she would think that about him, but instead of staying and trying to change her mind he leaves. The common link between Jake and Erin is Jake's sister Ivy who is also Erin's best friend. Ivy arranged for them to meet knowing they were perfect for each other and now Ivy is confused that what should have been a perfect thing between to people is now just not there.

Some time later, Jake is playing a fantastic first game of the season and out of nowhere bam, he gets injured. He got hit so hard it took him out for the rest of the season, and it's the type of injury that just might take him out of the game permanently. In need of around the clock care Ivy hires the perfect person.

Erin is living on the remains of her last paycheck; the spa where she use to manage changed owners and fired everyone. Ivy offers her the job of being the personal assistant to a very important client of hers and man who needs help around the house and make sure he gets all the care he needs and keeping unwanted people from harassing him. Erin is hesitant but her dwindling bank account and a very generous salary has her accepting the job. Unaware that her new boss is the one man she turned away, for fear of losing her heart to him.

It's a rocky start for Jake and Erin, she wants to quit but she isn't heartless enough to leave Jake without someone to help him. Erin is good for Jake, she helps him in the healing process the stages of grief. Jake is just as good for Erin he has her realize not every football player is a womanizing douchebag like her ex. It's no surprise they fall in love as quickly as they do. Jake never forgot how Erin made him feel that night and how she makes him feel now, but he's afraid now of not being man enough for her. Erin knew she could easily lose her heart to Jake and that is one reason she pushed him away at the beginning but seeing him through this life changing event and learning more about him and his past and everything he has done makes falling in love easy. Because now that she has him she won't let him push her away, no matter what.

Overall, this was a good read. There was a lot of character development with Jake, there's definitely more to him than meets the eye. Erin pretty much is what she appears to be, her big revelation of her painful past was not that shocking. The story overall was enjoyable.  

 

ARC REVIEW Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

The Boys of Summer are back! Yeah, I love this series. Katie Rose brings us a new player, Gavin King traded from the Dodgers to the Sonics because an injury. The injury if not treated properly can end his career; good thing the Sonics have Jessica Hart one of the best Physical Therapist in the biz. I love these two they had such a great romance. As always Katie Rose writes wonderfully it pulls me in and I don't want to leave even after I finish the book.

Gavin King just got traded, and even before he was officially told it was on twitter. The Dodgers just couldn't risk and injured player on their team and had no trouble trading him to the New Jersey Sonics. The Sonics had faith in him, that he would get better with the right PT and be even better than before. It was a bit of culture shock for Gavin Jersey being so different from southern California but his new team mates welcomed him like family and even PT looks promising.

Jessica Hart swore off baseball players, you know what that means right, you swear something off and sure enough it's going to happen. Jessica had a bad boyfriend, he's a girl in every city kinda guy and when she caught him cheating it was from the newspaper. Jessica loves sports comes from a family of athletes and the only girl which makes her brothers very protective especially after the last guy. So far Jessica has had no problem keeping the players at a distance, even though one of them is very insistent, until Gavin. Their is an attraction between Gavin and Jessica but Gavin has a girlfriend back in Cali and Jessica's strict no baseball player rule. That all goes up in smoke when the girlfriend breaks up with him after admitting to cheating and Jessica's bad ex-boyfriend shows up again wanting her back. After an emotional encounter with the ex, Gavin is their a shoulder to cry on and needing comfort and wanting to feel wanted Jessica and Gavin have a very heated encounter. Gavin has come to the realization that Jessica is like no other woman, and he won't stop until she admits she wants him just as much. He just has to convince her that she is worthy of being loved for who she is and that he is the right guy for her. Things never run smoothly they have their bumps in the road and Jessica runs scared but Gavin doesn't give up.

Overall, this was another great book for the series it mentions past characters and see how their HEAs are going.    

REVIEW Too Hot to Handle by Katie Rose

Book two in Katie Rose's The Boys of Summer series. We find ourselves again with the New Jersey Sonics and this time around with playboy Jake Baldwin. I enjoyed this just as much as the first book in the series if not more, maybe. Nikki and Jake are smokin' hot; there's nothing like a playboy whose found love and has to convince lady love he really and truly loves her and only her well except for maybe baseball, her and baseball are the loves of his life.

Tired of the bad rep his team has Sonic's owner highers Nikki Case as the teams PR person. Nikki not a fan of the game but still as a strict structure the players must adhere to or face consequences. The players rebel with practical joke after practical joke instead of reacting the way the players expect her to react she brushes it off and has it work to her advantage. Jake is the only one taking it in stride especially since he made a bet to win over Nikki. Jake who would have made a play for her anyways enjoys her company and is surprised when she admits to wants a no strings attached affair. Jake is tired of meaningless relationships and grudgingly agrees to one with Nikki. Jake has an ongoing change he starts to mature right before your eyes.

The cleaning up Nikki does with the team has him looking at things differently so when a young boy tries to steal something out of his car instead of calling the cops Jake offers him a job. Becoming a mentor to the boy is a full feelful feeling. It backfires a little when the kids gets beaten up for his Sonic's jersey that Jake gives him. The media finds out about it somehow and Nikki thinks they should capitalize on it but after meeting the young boy and his mother she knows why Jake wants to avoid it. Jake and Nikki have fallen in love but when Nikki overhears about the bet she leaves now it's up to Jake to win her back.      

REVIEW Cold as Ice by Charlene Groome

In all honesty this book wasn't as bad as some of the other reviews say, well at least in my opinion. I have read my fare share of sports romance and while this one isn't quite up to pare with Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Deirdre Martin it had it's own unique quality that most people aren't liking. The changing of POV can be confusing but that happens...a lot, especially if you are switching between a bunch of characters. Cold as Ice isn't that bad I didn't confused it was obvious who we are following at the time. Okay now for what I didn't like. I can understand a woman's need to want kids so bad it plagues her sleep and that's all she thinks about, but Carla is unreasonably impatient. As career driven as she is you would think she would be intelligent enough to know she can't have both with out one suffering a little. Devin, I really liked him, he's a former playboy at the point in his life where he is ready to settle down.He definitely has the bad boy secretive image but with a soft spot and regularly spends his free time at the Children's Hospital.

Carla tries to push her attraction to the newest Vancouver Warriors Defenseman away by attacking him on air questioning his need to be part of the team. Devin is determined to prove her wrong and to prove to her that the attraction between them isn't bad either. All the while in between Carla battling her need to have a baby she is dealing with a struggle at the office, with people being laid off and a younger sports commentator trying to take her job and Devin father has contacted her to get her help in reconnecting with his son. Devin's father left him when he was little and he lost faith in lots of things but with his supportive mother and then later a step father Devin knows what he wants and reconnecting with his father is last on that list. Carla soon puts her job on the line and the young new commentator is determined to have her spot and the topic is Devin and his father. She needs an interview or she loses it all. Can she risk love for her job or will she finally admit something is more important.