Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!
Genre/Tropes: Small Town Romance, Fake Fiancé, One Night Stand
Release Date: March 28, 2024
Cover Design: Sarah Paige
Blurb:
When you’re a famous wedding planner, planning your own wedding, everyone expects it to be the event of the year.
Just one problem… I don’t actually have a groom.
I did—but then he decided to walk away before I even walked down the aisle.
Now if I want to save my reputation, and my business, I need to find someone willing to play the part of my fake southern fiancé and pull off my small town wedding without a hitch.
Author Brittany Holland is a southern Illinois girl, born and raised. Her passion for reading and an active imagination inspired her to pursue her dream of writing.
A lover of fairytales and hopeless romantic, Brittany pens steamy happily ever afters with a modern twist.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two children, dabbling in photography, perfecting her latte making skills at home and binge-watching Netflix.
In the heart of Alabama, lies a charming little town on the river, where everyone knows your name… and your business.
Follow the intertwined lives of its beloved residents as they navigate first love, second chances, and all the unexpected surprises that their small-town holds.
Welcome to Magnolia Grove, where every neighbor has a story worth unraveling, the roots run deep, and love blossoms around every corner.
Title: Wanting the Player Series: Rules of the Game #2 Author: Heather Young-Nichols
Genres: Contemporary Sports Romance Tropes: Sworn Off Relationships/Afraid to Commit Release Date: March 25, 2024
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Vowing to never sleep with a baseball player might’ve been a curse upon myself.
Given that I suck at relationships, I’m perfectly happy to never be in one again. Men can’t be trusted. Or maybe it’s my heart that can’t be trusted. I don’t know. Either way, especially after the epic fail of a hook up last year with a baseball player that won’t leave me alone, baseball players are no longer an option.
Then Urban Briggs tells me, a stranger, that he’s going to make sure his teammate leaves me alone. Great. I could use the help. Except that player doesn’t leave me alone, and Urban ends up volunteering at the summer camp I’m working at. Of course, he does. His family’s charity runs the camp. Now, I can’t avoid him, and he’s too hard to ignore.
At first, Urban is fine with our arrangement. After all, he’s leaving as soon as the season ends if he has his way. He doesn’t want to leave behind any attachments, either. Sounds perfect, right? Wrong. Can I risk my heart one last time, or am I going to let the best thing in my life walk away?
Wanting the Player is book two in the Rules of the Game series and features a broody baseball player and a woman who isn’t supposed to fall in love who happens to work at his family’s summer camp, where he’s volunteering a little of his time, a standoffish heroine, lots of steam, and it wasn’t supposed to be you vibes.
Heather Young-Nichols is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romances. She writes swoony heroes and snarky heroines with a heap of romance.
When she’s not writing, she’s binging a show with her kids, watching baseball, or snuggling with her cuddly animals.
I accidentally bid on a date with hockey star Rake Hanson, AKA Mr. Puck-Head, at a charity auction.
Now I’m stuck with him.
He’s the poster boy for everything I can’t stand in a guy – sports nut, ego, and that annoying thing called charm.
Some “prize.”
While his grunts and one-word answers threaten to drive me up the wall, at least he’s nice to look at with those broad shoulders, strong jawline, and big… hands. Regardless, he’s an unrepentant grouch. If he ever smiles, I have no doubt his face will crack.
Our date, where I must beam for the cameras and pretend I don’t loathe every second of it, is destined to be a frosty disaster. It goes even worse than I imagine, involving a chartered flight to Vegas, too many cocktails at a roulette table, a wedding chapel, and a couple drunken “I do’s.”
And now his sports agent won’t let me dump his sorry ass until the end of the season.
So I, Petal Parker, am stuck in this bizarro world of stinky jocks, gossip columns, and flashy parties.
But the touches… and the glances… threaten to melt the hard ice around my heart. As the final buzzer of the season nears, I find my fake relationship with Mr. Puck-Head skating dangerously close to scoring the real thing. Ditching my fake husband is suddenly no longer as urgent as his deep, sexy kisses.
“Hey, Petal. When was the last time you did something completely out of character? Like batshit crazy, unconventional, and spontaneous?”
My mouth opens, then closes again, like a gasping fish.
“Let your hair down, baby,” Rake says.
“It’s already down,” I say.
Truth be told, I don’t do a lot of crazy. But I’m not about to admit that to Rake and his friends. They already think I’m a charity date.
Wendy and Daria are at my side. “You know the saying, ‘when in Vegas,’ right?” Wendy asks, nudging me with a giggle.
“Yes, I’m familiar with it,” I say nervously.
This can’t be happening. My resolve is crumbling. Actually, really crumbling. The tequila shot, and the wine before it, has gone to my head, and I’m really, actually contemplating doing something only a fucking idiot would consider.
That’s me. A fucking idiot.
But I’ve been careful all my life. Made nothing but good decisions.
How often do I get to make such a gloriously bad one?
#2
I haven’t had balls this blue since I was a skinny sixteen-year-old trying to figure out how to get laid.
And it fucking sucks.
Sure, I could go get off with some other chick. There’s certainly no shortage of women dying take off their panties to spend time with a high-profile athlete.
That might be a shitty thing to say, but it’s true. Ask any of my teammates. Even the married ones have to fend off the women looking to hook up with a walking wallet.
That’s what I call us guys who have money.
And there was a time not very long ago when I would have taken one of these women up on their offer to relieve my aching balls. But, for some reason, the thought of that just isn’t holding the appeal it once did.
I blame it all on Petal. Petal Parker.
The ballbuster I never saw coming.
There’s no way to prepare yourself for a woman like her. She just appears on the scene one day, and you’re fucking smitten, and it’s hard to think of anything else.
It’s also hard to prepare for the fact that she couldn’t give a shit if I lived or died. I’m not used to that.
It’s humbling.
Embarrassing.
And driving me up a goddamn wall.
#3
“Are you teasing me?” I murmur.
He tilts his head. “Maybe,” he sing-songs. “Do you feel teased, Petal? Is there something you want that you’re not getting?”
He’s good. Very good.
“I… want more. I want you to touch me everywhere,” I breathe.
He presses his lips against my ear. “Good girl.” He grabs my jeans by the waistband and pulls me to him, hard, grinding his erection against me.
M. Lane is the not-so-stealthy alter ego of USA TODAY bestselling contemporary romance author Mika Lane. She’s OBSESSED with bringing you sassy stories with imperfect heroines and the hot dudes they bring to their knees.
Title: Reluctantly Royal Series: Royals Gone Rogue #1 Author: Erin Nicholas writing as Erin Nicolle
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 14, 2024
Tropes: Royal/Commoner, Marriage of Convenience, Age Gap, Woman in STEM, Opposites Attract
BLURB
A marriage proposal from a deliciously handsome and wickedly charming prince sounds like a fairytale.
But for a nerdy scientist with severe social anxiety, it’s a horror story.
Prince Torin O’Grady, with his mischievous blue eyes and cocky grin, is always in the spotlight. And he needs to marry me to inherit the crown.
But we have nothing in common. He’s a future king. And I’m perfectly happy slogging through mud in my work boots.
So why can’t I stop thinking about him?
Maybe because he won’t stop texting me. And sending me gifts. And making me feel like everything I find awkward and weird about myself is special and amazing.
And there’s also that little detail of him offering me my dream job and telling me that together we can change the world.
Well, I could probably 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 for him.
And if I have to marry him temporarilyto get what we both want, then fine. It’s for the greater good.
It has nothing to do with the way he kisses me. Or that dirty mouth. Or the royal treatment he gives me in the bedroom.
Fine. Maybe it does. Still, it’s only a year. Then I can turn in my tiara and come back to my normal, boring, behind-the-scenes life.
But Torin is determined to turn me from reluctantly royal to royally his.
Erin Nicolle is the new pen name for NYT and USA Today Bestselling romance author Erin Nicholas. While Erin Nicholas is known for her blue-collar book boyfriends and big, boisterous found families in small towns, Erin Nicolle writes rich and royal rogues. But they both love a dirty talking cinnamon roll, a grump who is reluctantly wrapped around a feisty finger, and a gruff, protective guy who falls first and hard.
When a squirrel chews its way through my bedroom wall, I do the first thing any single girl like me would do: run screaming out of the house to the neighbors, begging for help.
I should mention that the house next door is full of hockey players. And when I lock eyes on rough and rugged Brodie Stockhausen—who happens to be outside brooding on the porch—I’m not exactly impressed.
But I’m desperate, in a bathrobe, and need a bit of rescuing.
Soon I’m begging for his help with more than just squirrel duty and DIY projects. I want his attention and his touch—not just his friendship!
I want what every girl wants: him lying in his bed at night, so desperate for me that he’s willing to scale two stories to sneak into my window. Hey, a girl can dream…
But Brodie has a secret; one that leaves me wanting more every time we’re together but has him pulling away…
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
To find out about Sara’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for Sara’s emails here!
To learn more about Sara Ney & her books, visit here!
Genre: M/M Sports Romance Standalone Trope: Double bi-awakening, idiots to lovers, eccentric hockey players, anti-wingman, PR headache, secret relationship
Synopsis
Bilson
The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.
I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.
So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.
I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go.
When my new teammate, rookie goalie Miles Olsen, attaches himself to my side, the media are excited to exploit our bromance. Little do they know, he’s doing me a favor by keeping me away from making mistakes with women.
That’s the deal we made at the beginning of the season, but as time goes on, and we’re both going through a dry spell, Miles suggests a different arrangement. One I’ve never contemplated. One I shouldn’t consider.
One I can’t stop thinking about.
Miles
My first day as starting goalie for Tennessee is made mildly more terrifying by coming face to face with NHL veteran Cody Bilson. Hero worship? Me? Never!
He reminds me of my old frat buddies; loyal, kind, easy to trade banter with. But my dude is lost and trying to find himself again–without getting married this time.
I want to help him, and while my suggestion might not be conventional, it sure as hell is effective. The only way to make sure he doesn’t marry a woman again? Blow off steam with a man instead.
We’re both straight, we’re both single, and we’re both down for a good time.
“Hey, babe?” Aleks says into his phone while the two of us hide in the bushes across the street from my ex-wife’s house the prenup agreement bought her. “I’m going to be home late. We have to rescue a rookie player from a cougar.” There’s a pause before he laughs. “No, not a literal cougar, but by the look of her, she does want to eat him alive.”
“Shh.” I softly backhand him. “If anyone sees us out here, we’ll get arrested.”
Dennan didn’t come on this side excursion because his new wife was at the bar with the other WAGs, but Aleks said he didn’t want to miss this mess.
Silly me thinking he was here for support.
Hadley doesn’t close the blinds as she leads Miles into the bedroom which is on the second floor. The lights are on, and my stomach churns. Is he going to hook up with her? How far is he willing to take this hairbrained idea?
I don’t want to watch that.
Hadley steps closer to Miles, but at about a foot away, Miles puts his hands on her hips and holds her steady.
“Oh fuck, they’re going to kiss, aren’t they?”
“Turn away if you don’t want to see,” Aleks says.
“I want to, but it’s like a car wreck. I can’t not look at it.”
When their lips touch, I screw up my face.
“Sorry, man,” Aleks says. “Maybe your new bestie is actually a psychopath and wants you to be seeing this.”
Just before I start to believe that, Miles breaks the kiss, says something, and then Hadley turns and walks into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Miles frantically takes out his phone and looks out into the darkness in our general vicinity. He knows we’re here. My phone vibrates a second later.
Rookie:
Where’s the dog?
CB:
She usually locks him away in the laundry when she goes out or has company.
Rookie:
On it.
He turns and tiptoes out of the room, looking ridiculous, and it makes me laugh. He’s trying to be light-footed, but we’re fucking hockey players. We wouldn’t know how to do anything lightly. But I’ll give him props, he’s quick.
My heart is in my throat, beating erratically, when my phone vibrates again.
Rookie:
I can’t find a dog, only a rat-looking thing. It doesn’t even have any fur.
CB:
That’s him! Quick get out of there.
Rookie:
Come get him from the front door.
“Fuck, we’re moving,” I say to Aleks.
We get up and run across the street, reaching the front just as Miles opens the door and hands me my baby. I have to hold in my shriek of excitement.
Killer starts licking me and going nuts. He lets out a yip, and I can’t help it. “Aww” falls from my lips.
“Leave before she gets out of the shower,” Miles says.
“You’re going to stay?” I yell.
“Teammates should share everything. Is ex-wives not on that list?”
This is one of those times where I can’t tell if he’s being his weirdo goalie self or serious.
He grins. Okay weird goalie self.
The water upstairs shuts off.
His face falls. “Shit. She’s out. Let’s get the fuck out of here.” He slams the door shut, and she for sure knows now that she’s been ditched. All three of us sprint across the street and jump into Aleks’s car. He gets it started and speeds away before there’s any sign of Hadley.
My heart is still racing, Miles is laughing his head off in the back seat, but I’m happier than I’ve been in such a long time.
I have my Killer back.
“Are you sure that’s even a dog?” Miles asks.
“He’s a Chinese Crested and so freaking adorable.” I hug the little guy who struggles excitedly in my arms.
“If you say so,” Miles mutters.
“Hey, question,” Aleks says. “How are you going to smuggle that thing on the team plane? Aren’t you guys on a week-long road trip?”
Miles and I look at each other, neither of us with an answer.
Miles runs a hand through his blond hair. “I kinda didn’t think that far ahead.”
Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.
With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.
She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.
When retired NFL superstar Keller Williams returns to his small town to coach his old high school football team, he’s surprised how much he enjoys being out of the limelight and on the field with the kids. Even more surprising is his immediate attraction to the father of one of his players—single dad Niall Harper.
Problem number one: Niall Harper isn’t gay.
Problem number two: Keller isn’t out to the world.
Problem number three: Niall hates his guts. And Keller has no idea why.
High school librarian Niall Harper has always done the right thing. Except be true to himself. Divorced and raising his teenaged son, Niall is dismayed to discover the new football coach is none other than his long-ago Friday night fantasy and nemesis. Not that it matters—Keller doesn’t remember him. It’s nothing new; Niall has always been easy to forget. Now Keller wants to be friends. And more. Niall can’t deny the annoying man makes him laugh and feel things he’d only dreamed possible. But would a player like Keller be satisfied with a regular guy like him?
Being together is more than complicated, but they are willing to take the risk. Niall reveals he’s dating his son’s coach, and Keller comes out to the team, his fans, the press, and small-town gossips. Neither is prepared for the fallout, but that doesn’t stop them. It’s time to throw the Hail Mary pass of a lifetime and win the game of forever. And they’re ready.
It’s been a little while since I last read an M/M romance and I’d forgotten just how good they could be.
This was my first read by Felice Stevens but I’ll definitely be checking out her other books.
I adored Keller & Niall. I liked the tension when they first met and the misunderstanding and skewed opinions Niall had of Keller added to the build up of their story. Keller’s interest and persistence at getting to know the other man was fun to read.
My heart hurt for them both… one in the limelight letting people think they knew who and what he was while the other was also living a lie and didn’t see that ever changing given the small town he grew up in up in and continued to live in.
I liked that they both saw the other and could be what they each needed. That Keller knew he needed to go at Niall’s pace and was understanding, patient and wanted to explore their connection without urging him to rush things made me like him that much more.
Niall was a sweetheart. Always thinking of others and going with what was best for them, he deserved to live his life, fully. Keller was the last person he expected to find that with but, for me, he was exactly the partner that Niall needed and deserved.
I really liked the supporting characters. David was a great kid, his initial reaction to his dad’s news was understandable but how he dealt with things going forward showed how great a relationship he and his dad had.
There were so many tips of the hat to things that still go on today when it comes to people’s sexuality. The double standards people often live by, the ‘fall from grace’ that can threaten when people don’t like other’s choices or lifestyles…… to name just a couple… these issues were well addressed and handled in the book and added to the story (vague, I know… but I’m not for giving spoilers and I might if I say anything else!!)
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, heartwarming read that had me cheering on Niall & Keller from the sidelines throughout.
Definitely give ‘The Player’ a shot. I’m glad I did!!
Recommend – 4.5*
How about a little sneak peek:
They sat in a booth and David decided he wanted a chocolate shake as well. Marilyn brought it over and smiled. “Great game on Friday, David. I bet you kids take the championship. Especially with Keller Williams as your coach.” “Why thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate your confidence.” Niall froze at the sound of Keller’s teasing laughter. “Hi, Coach.” “Hi you two. Having dinner? No Sunday pizza party tonight?” David wrinkled his nose. “How did you know about that?” Niall blinked rapidly, and decided he needed to speak. “I, uh, must’ve mentioned it on Friday night.” Satisfied with his answer, David sucked up some of his shake. “Where’s your friend?” Niall asked. “Did you leave him at home to pick up dinner?” A bit of light dimmed from Keller’s vibrant face. “No. Elijah left this morning. I got sick of being in the house, so I decided to come out and indulge with a burger and fries. Sometimes you need a little crispy goodness to make yourself feel better.” “Dad?” David stared at him, and raised his brows. Niall knew what David wanted him to do. He wanted it as well but he’d have to keep his guard up. “Want to join us? We just ordered our burgers.” Keller’s face transformed from dejection to pleasure. “’I’d love to. Are you sure?” But he was already sliding into the seat next to Niall. The two of them weren’t small men and Keller’s legs were big and muscular. Of course he was using their proximity to take advantage. Niall had nowhere to go—not that he wanted to. Keller was warm, and Niall wished they could stay in this crowded little booth forever. Keller placed the napkin in his lap, fingers brushing against Niall’s thigh and Niall had to hold back a sigh of pleasure. Until he glanced over and saw the devilish smile on Keller’s lips and knew he was teasing him on purpose. David was busy scrolling on his phone and sucking down his milkshake, giving him an opening. “Stop that,” he muttered. “What?” Keller widened his eyes. “Please?” He pleaded and cut his gaze to David. Keller nodded. “Okay.” He waved over Marilyn. “I’ll have the grilled chicken and fries, extra pickles.” Niall wrinkled his nose. “Extra pickles?” “What? I love pickles.” Their food came first and he felt awkward eating, but Keller waved him on. “I’ll manage.” And did so by proceeding to eat the fries off his plate. Niall had never been with someone like Keller. He was so damn…happy. And being in his orbit made Niall happy as well. It had taken him this long to figure out what that dancing, fluttery feeling in his chest were. For the first time, he was himself.
About the Author:
Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, and the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Title: Is This Love? Series: Everlasting Ink #2 Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Age Gap/Marriage of Convenience/Fake Relationship/One Bed Release Date: March 19, 2024
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NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan brings you the continuation of the stand-alone series surrounding five best friends who co-own a tattoo studio. “Is This Love?” is an age gap, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, small-town romance.
Legend A marriage of convenience is one thing… but falling for your fake wife is all kinds of complicated.
Being married for a year is the only way to claim my inheritance. I couldn’t care less about the money. It’s not like I even knew my grandparents.
I wasn’t even considering it until Monroe volunteered. Sweet, sweet, Monroe. I’ve never let myself consider her as an option for me.
She’s been tucked safely away in a box labeled forbidden. That is until she takes my last name.
Monroe It’s not like I planned to marry one of my friends… or fall for him.
One minute I offer to be his fake wife, and the next, we’re going through the motions— saying, “I do,” and playing house.
Legend is the kind of guy fantasies are made of—tall, dark, and tattooed. Now I’m sharing his bed and his last name for the next year.
Everything looks good on paper, and while this may have started out as playing pretend, the way I feel for him is the realest thing I’ve ever known.
As the weeks pass by, it doesn’t take long before either of us begins to question if we’re just friends or if this is love after all.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
Title: Pretty Drunk Series: Pine Village #3 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Surprise Pregnancy Forced Proximity/Enemies to Lovers Release Date: March 19, 2024
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Hallie
No one pushes my buttons the way Logan Johnson does. I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to ignore him, which isn’t easy when you live in a small town and share the same friends.
So, when I have a little too much to drink and need a place to crash after our friends’ wedding, it would figure I find myself at Logan’s house. What I’m not expecting is ending up in his bed. With him. Naked. More so, I wasn’t anticipating enjoying myself as much as I did, anxious for a repeat, which is why I’m not surprised when it happens again.
The problem is those drunken nights have resulted in something unplanned. Something monumental. Something that will change our lives forever.
Logan
Being attracted to someone who drives you completely crazy is its own form of hell. Hallie Rhodes is entirely infuriating, yet so damn beautiful it makes me ache.
There’s a fine line between love and hate, and we’ve been blurring it for as long as I can remember. So, when a late, drunken night turns into something it shouldn’t, all bets are off. Plans change and futures are cemented, despite having no idea what really comes next. All I know is the more time we spend together, the more I realize having her in my life is paramount.
Now my biggest challenge of all presents itself. Proving to Hallie we’re better together than we ever were apart.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
Book Loving Pixies 