Title: Wild Side Series: Burgers and Brew Crüe #4 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 15, 2022
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Jameson
Last man standing. I’ve watched all three of my friends fall in love with no desire to ever follow in their footsteps. Collectively, we own the hottest restaurant, bar, and brewery in town. They are a few of the places I find peace, a refuge against this cruel world. When I’m on the stage playing music, everything just seems to fade away.
Until I saw her.
She was sitting in the crowd, a bright, beautiful ray of light, fighting against the darkness surrounding me. I do everything I can to keep her in the friend-zone, but she’s making it difficult.
I don’t just want her; I need her.
Madelyn
The first moment I saw him on the stage I knew he was different. Rough, tattooed, and with the voice of an angel, he was playing guitar and singing a song about love and hurt. I was captivated, completely drawn to the emotions I saw in those warm whiskey eyes. From that moment on, I felt compelled to be his friend.
He didn’t make it easy.
The boundaries between friendship and relationship start to blur, and even though he fights me every step of the way, I can’t help the way I feel. I promised him I’d always be his friend.
I loved Walker and Mallory in the first book but I honestly feel that Jameson and Madelyn are up their with them as my favourite couple of the series. Lacey Black didn’t disappoint with this pair.
Jameson. He had walls so high that at times it was surprising even his inner circle had scaled them but Madelyn was prepared to try and crumble the fortress he’d built and yeah, she did a great job…. Reading how she got to him and how she affected him so quickly was fun. I really liked that they were so different on the outside but that there was more to their upbringings that made them understand each other on a deeper level.
‘Tank’ was protective, loyal but running scared, for both him and Mads as he honestly didn’t think he was capable of being in a relationship given how he’d grown up. What he couldn’t see, that was right in front of him with the family of choice he had, was that he did relationships well and was capable of caring and loving someone else.
Madelyn – seeing her take control of her own life and deciding that with her family was was where she was meant to be was great. She blossomed in her new home, cared for by family she had only recently got to find out about and making new friends with the Brew Crue ladies. I so wanted her to end up with Jameson but I could have coped if they’d remained friends as long as she was happy…. (ok, I’d have barely coped but…just saying….I liked seeing her happy and learning/settling into who she was)
I loved catching up with the guys and their significant others, seeing how all of their lives were changing. Madelyn’s grandma was fab and I really liked Reagan, her cousin. A couple of side characters I could quite happily have dug a hole for and buried them given how vicious and awful they were but in the grand scheme of things they added to Madelyn’s growth and Jameson’s realisation of what and who he really wanted.
The last book about the original group, I was sad we were ending things with them until…… yeah, there’s gonna be another read in the series and I cannot wait to find out more!!!!
4.5*
AUTHOR BIO
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.
Title: Beyond the Team Series: Out of Reach #4 Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 8, 2022
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Griffin
All it takes is four days to change my carefully planned-out life. Four days to fall for Peyton Monroe. Four days to convince her to give me… us a chance.
Before her, baseball was the center of my world. Being the best. Getting a full-ride scholarship. Getting drafted. Going pro. But from the moment my frisbee lands at her feet on the beach, I can’t stop thinking about her.
She’s beautiful, funny, smart… and lives thirteen hours away. Long-distance love is a complication I should avoid, but staying away from Peyton is not an option. This goes beyond the team and my love of the game.
Peyton
I’m looking to get away, not searching for love. But it all but lands at my feet on spring break anyway. A beach full of hot guys, and of course I find myself falling for a handsome baseball player.
Griffin Anthony’s charming smile draws me in. We fall hard and fast, but when it’s time to say goodbye, he tries to convince me that we can make this work long distance.
Now I’m torn between following tradition and playing it safe or throwing out the rule book and following my heart across the miles. He wants me to trust our connection. Can I risk my heart?
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: Alcohol You Later Author: Heather M. Orgeron
Genre: Romantic Comedy Release Date: March 4, 2022
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They say to never meet your heroes… but what’s the rule on falling in love with them?
Raven Winters has been infatuated with Nicholas Potter since the day she tacked his poster to her bedroom wall. So, when she discovered the famous drummer was her college roommate’s cousin, it seemed the stars had aligned.
Their attraction was instant, and their chemistry explosive. Unfortunately, Nick wasn’t ready to abandon his rock star lifestyle.
Over the years, she’s become his best friend—with benefits—and favorite source of telephonic relief when the groupies backstage weren’t quite what he was looking for. Those late-night drunken calls kept her holding onto hope.
Well, all that patience is about to pay off—why else would he invite her to join him on tour, if not to finally confess his feelings?
Too bad, the universe has other plans. It looks like drummer boy’s reckless lifestyle has finally caught up to him—and Raven’s the one stuck toting the diaper bag.
“I guess congratulations are in order, huh?” “Please don’t do this,” I beg, ripping my hands through my hair. “Don’t act like any of this is okay, because it’s not.” “What would you have me do instead?” she asks, stilling my hands with her own. “Rage? Scream?” She snorts. “Cry?” “If that’s what you feel you need to do.” She shakes her head, rolling her glistening eyes. “Don’t you think that’s a little extreme of a reaction for a friend to have when her bestie learns he’s just become a daddy?”
AUTHOR BIO
Heather M. Orgeron is a Cajun girl with a big heart and a passion for romance. She married her high school sweetheart two months after graduation and her life has been a fairytale ever since. She’s the queen of her castle, reigning over five sons and one bossy little princess who has made it her mission in life to steal her Momma’s throne. When she’s not writing, you will find her hidden beneath mounds of laundry and piles of dirty dishes or locked in her tower (aka the bathroom) soaking in the tub with a good book. She’s always been an avid reader and has recently discovered a love for cultivating romantic stories of her own.
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano. Number one: He’s obnoxious. Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school. Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend. I could go on and on, really. When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome. Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice. The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments. Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to. What’s happening to me? Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.) That’s all this is—a fantasy. Well, until that one night at the bar. The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out. Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything. There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.
I hadn’t gone out with a man in ages, and I needed to get back in the game before I shriveled up. I laughed to myself. If only these dating app boys could see me in this mask and robe. I sipped my tea and began to alternate scrolling with shoveling unsweetened cacao nibs into my mouth. After several minutes of swiping through, I suddenly stopped chewing at the sight of a familiar pair of pearly whites. I know those teeth. I know that man. Oh God. Staring me in the face was none other than Troy Serrano. Holy crap. Troy, 29 I tossed my phone as if it were infected with a contagious virus. A few seconds later, I picked it back up and stared at his profile picture. I wouldn’t have imagined Troy needed to use a dating app, but being new to town again, maybe he felt like it was the easiest way to meet people. Of course, the app had sent him my way in part because we were geographically close to each other. I wanted to block him, but I wasn’t sure exactly how to do that. I’d never had to block anyone from seeing my profile before. But there was no way I wanted him to notice me on here. If he’d come up as an option for me, surely the app would present me to him at some point. My stomach sank. I’d figure out how to block him right after I thoroughly scrutinized his profile. The photos he’d chosen were, of course, really good. But could he even take a bad photo with that face and f*ck-me hair? In one, he wore a form-fitting black sweater and leaned up against a brick wall. In another, he held up a fish he’d caught, with his chiseled abs on display. Then I scrolled down to the section where you were supposed to describe yourself. Whereas most men write a simple paragraph, Troy had written an obituary. God, what the hell is this?
Financial advisor Troy S.’s love of life will live on through his many friends who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Born in Meadowbrook, New Jersey, to a single father who broke his ass raising him, Troy learned firsthand what it meant to work hard. On his own, though, he figured out that working hard meant you should play harder. Troy attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate degree and Masters in Business Administration. (Go Gators!) After several years of partying it up, Troy decided to take life seriously for once as he embarked on a career as one of the premier financial advisors in the Pacific Northwest. Troy shared his passion for numbers with his many happy clients. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Troy. He was equally happy Netflix-and-chilling as he was ziplining in Costa Rica. On weekends, Troy often spent time teaching himself how to play the guitar. He loved to explore local hiking trails and struck up conversations with strangers in many of Seattle’s coffee shops, charming people with his charisma and verve for life. He had a remarkable ability to see the silver lining in everything. His positive personality was contagious to everyone he met. Troy is survived by his father, grandfather, and one needy cat. Lucky for you, all of the above is mostly true except that Troy’s not actually dead. He’s very much alive and eager to see if you’re a match.
Lordy. My phone vibrated, scaring the living hell out of me. It was a text from Jasmine, making sure I’d gotten home okay. But then the screen changed. Wait, what? When my hand jerked, I’d accidentally swiped right on Troy’s profile. I wouldn’t have even realized this were it not for the words: It’s a match! What? Oh no. No. No. No. If we matched, that meant one thing: Troy had previously swiped right on me. Ugh! How long had he known I was on here? I threw the phone again, as if it were infected with yet another dangerous virus. For about a minute, I just sat in a panic, my hands wrapped around my face. Then I picked up the phone to try to undo the action. But before I could find the information, a notification popped up. Troy had sent me a direct message through the app. My heart pounded in my chest. I clicked on it.
Troy: Well, well, well. What do we have here?
I couldn’t type fast enough.
Aspyn: We have nothing here. I accidentally swiped right on your profile. This was a mistake.
My pulse raced as the little dots moved around.
Troy: Um, what now? How exactly does that happen? Accidentally swiping right?
I realized how ridiculous that sounded. But it was the damn truth! Figures the stupidest thing ever would happen to me, and I’d never be able to convince him it was true.
Aspyn: My phone vibrated and startled me. I happened to be looking at your profile at the time.
Troy: Oh, that explains it. Phones vibrating can be quite traumatic.
I blew a frustrated breath toward my forehead.
Aspyn: You don’t have to believe me, but it’s the truth.
Troy: Why were you looking at my profile?
Aspyn: Because this stupid app force fed it to me.
Troy: So, were you looking at my pictures, thinking: “Damn, he’s a handsome sonofabitch. Too bad I hate him.”
Aspyn: You got the last part right. 😉
Troy: What did you think of my profile?
Aspyn: Honestly?
Troy: Yeah.
Aspyn: It’s utterly obnoxious.
Troy: Why do you say that?
Aspyn: That fake obituary? LOL Do you expect people to take you seriously?
Troy: It was supposed to be FUNNY and clever. I thought you said you liked funny men, according to your boring-as-f*ck bio.
Aspyn: If I’m so boring, why the hell did you swipe right on me?
Troy: Because I couldn’t get myself to swipe left. I felt bad for you. Let’s talk about your bio, though.
I looked up and screamed at the ceiling. My voice echoed throughout the house.
Aspyn: Let’s not.
Troy: Boring. As. F*ck. First off, though, a compliment: You look really hot in those photos. I barely recognized you.
I refused to acknowledge the chill that ran down my spine at his backhanded compliment. Instead, I typed again.
Aspyn: Nothing like immediately following up an insult with a compliment and then another insult.
Troy: It’s constructive criticism. I know you’re better than that bio. It was as if you copied and pasted it from some other boring-as-f*ck profile.
Aspyn: There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s simple and to the point. You’re not supposed to write a dissertation—or an obituary.
Troy: But you’re not selling who you actually are.
Aspyn: I didn’t realize I was supposed to be “selling” myself. I have enough trouble on the app attracting losers without doing anything at all. Maybe I should intentionally remain boring to keep them away. Yeah, that’s a better idea.
Troy: Well, your photos are the bomb. So you’re gonna attract a fair share of men. But come on, put a little life into the other stuff.
Aspyn: I was embarrassed for you reading your profile.
Troy: Well, at least within my fake obituary lies the essence of who I am.
Aspyn: A buffoon? You’re correct.
Troy: Let me help you rewrite your bio.
I cackled and typed.
Aspyn: No, thank you.
Troy: Give me a sec.
AUTHOR BIO
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall StreetJournal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Title: Scarlett and the Big Bad Billionaire Series: Eastport Bay Billionaires #6 Author: Tru Taylor
Genre: Small Town Romantic Comedy Release Date: February 14, 2022
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In my expert opinion, every woman who’s been left at the altar should follow up that singularly humiliating experience by spending a week in paradise with a totally inappropriate—and totally sexy—stranger.
Even better if you meet him at the bar of the resort hotel where your destination wedding and honeymoon were supposed to take place.
Even even better if he’s hot and jacked and there are no names exchanged and zero chance of ever seeing him again afterward.
One week of no-holds-barred sex, sun, rum, and fun and your broken heart is on the road to recovery— or at least approaching the on-ramp.
Of course, the key to pulling off this surefire heartbreak cure is to make sure you don’t fall for him during that amazing week during which you lived out every sexual fantasy you’ve ever had.
And whatever you do, don’t run into your non-honeymoon fling three years later—at your matchmaking grandma’s house.
SCARLETT AND THE BIG BAD BILLIONAIRE is a hot small-town rom com take on Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. It’s a standalone enemies to lovers, mistaken identity, jilted bride romantic comedy filled with heart, heat, and billionaire romance fun!
“I hate him,” I said, not for the first time tonight. Wouldn’t be the last either. “We all do, honey,” Maddie soothed. “He’s a cotton-headed ninny muggins, and you’re better off without him.” Maddie had replaced all her favorite swear words with toddler-appropriate variations since becoming a mother, but I appreciated the furor and loyalty behind the silly phrase. I rested my forehead against the cool surface of the outdoor bar. It smelled like beer and pineapple. “What I don’t understand is why he even flew here with me in the first place if he knew he wasn’t going to go through with it.” “He told Joey he didn’t want to embarrass you since you’d already had your bridal shower. And he thought he could do it… up until this morning.” “It’s like my dad and mom all over again.” They were never married?” my younger half-sister asked, clearly shocked. “No, no, they were, but he left. They all do eventually.” “Not all of them,” she said. “Not Joey. He knows I’ll track him down and deep fry his Rocky Mountain oysters if he even thinks of leaving me alone with two kids under five.” “You wouldn’t get the chance to mutilate him because I’d do it for you,” I vowed before slurping what remained of the brightly colored drink in my glass. “Besides, you can’t go to prison—you have to be there for the kids, whereas I will apparently never be having any.” Maddie gave me a chiding glance as she offered me a sip of her club soda. “Last one, okay? You’re not used to drinking so much. You’re just piling misery on top of sorrow. Besides, I can’t stay awake much longer, and mom wants us to do brunch tomorrow morning before she and my dad leave.” Unlike me, our mother had managed to find a great guy after her marriage to my father ended. A couple years after she’d married David, Maddie had been born, and my life had become infinitely better. At the moment though, I didn’t want to face any of them—not even my sweet half-sister who wanted me to be sensible instead of ordering every umbrella drink on the bar menu. “Nooooooooo,” I whined. “No brunch. No Eggs Benedict and sad eyes and ‘I’m sorry’s’ and ‘better luck next time, kiddos.’ I wish I could have gotten a flight out today. Then I wouldn’t have had to spend two hours at my ‘un-reception’ assuring everyone how okay I am and trying not to spill on this dress so I can re-sell it.” My reception dress was a clingy red knit that matched the beautiful bougainvillea growing all around the property of the resort hotel. It was the only thing I’d packed for my destination wedding and honeymoon that wasn’t beachwear or resort casual. Come to think of it, maybe I should have just changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. It wasn’t like I was going to impress anyone at this point. For some reason I’d had some thought of maintaining dignity or some such nonsense. That concern was long gone tonight, thanks to Captain Morgan and the crew. Maddie patted my back. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you should keep it. It looks amazing on you. Bryce didn’t deserve that dress, and he didn’t deserve you. He’s boring—and he smells like hot dog water.” I lifted my head. “What?” “He does. I didn’t want to say anything about it when I thought you’d be spending the rest of your life with him, but it’s true. I don’t know how you stood it. I’ll tell Mom and David you don’t feel up to brunch. You can just see them when everyone gets home.” Ugh. I did not relish the thought of going back to face all my co-workers and friends who hadn’t gotten the word yet about my canceled wedding. But I would. Because I had to. What was the alternative? Spending my honeymoon here alone? Maddie and Joe had to go back home—they both had work, and Trina had school. Mom and David were scheduled to go off on an excursion to the Acropolis tomorrow, not that I’d want to spend my un-honeymoon with them. “What you need now is a hot bath and a good night’s sleep,” Maddie said. “What I need is another drink.” I raised my hand to get the attention of the young bartender who was looking more and more like Tom Cruise as the hours—and colorful drinks—added up. He nodded at me and started mixing a replacement for my empty glass. “Or maybe a lobotomy so I can’t think about it anymore,” I added. “Or… a night with one of those guys,” Maddie said with waggling eyebrows. “I’ll bet you wouldn’t even remember Bryce’s name in the morning.” I followed my sister’s pointed gaze to a group of guys on the other side of the bar. They were boisterous and loud as if maybe they’d started the party elsewhere and this was just one of many stops along their trail of debauchery tonight. Every one of them was jacked, like they were bodybuilders—but then, no, they weren’t puffed up and slickly styled. Rather they were tough looking, their sinewy strength the kind that resulted from manual labor or old-fashioned bodyweight exercises. Several of them were tatted up. “Don’t be ridiculous. The last thing I’m interested in right now is men. You don’t cure a hangover with more alcohol.” “Um… have you never heard of ‘hair of the dog that bit you?’” she asked. “I’m not interested in dog hair, horsehair, or sexily scruffy dark hair with a golden auburn streak,” I said, checking out the attractive guy at the very end of the bar. He didn’t appear to be drinking like the rest of his posse. “And I’m definitely not interested in a military guy.” “You think they’re military?” she asked, studying them more closely now. “What’s wrong with that?” “My dad was a SEAL, remember? Ninety percent divorce rate?” “Oh right. But how do you know these guys are military?” “Don’t stare at them,” I hissed. “They’ll take it as an invitation.” She grinned, talking through her teeth like a ventriloquist. “Too late. Incoming hottie alert. Look alive, solider.”
#2
Scarlett Someone was shining a flashlight into my eyes. A strong one. The red glow boring through my eyelids hurt—everything hurt, actually. My head felt like it had a heartbeat, and my body weighed at least six hundred pounds. Cracking my eyelids, I determined the source of the irritating light wasn’t a flashlight but an opening in the hotel room curtains. Hot morning sun streamed in, landing on my face and interrupting a heavy sleep marked by strange dreams of a wedding that never happened and a man who wasn’t my groom spending the night. I sat up abruptly, causing my brain to slosh in my oversensitive skull and turning my stomach. It hadn’t been a dream. The wedding had been called off—and there had been a man. But apparently he hadn’t (thank God) spent the night. Except for the spot where I’d slept, the bed was empty and still neatly tucked. Looking around the room, I saw no sign of the disconcertingly hot guy from last night. I had vague memories of vivid green eyes and white teeth that had gleamed in a wolfish smile so charming I’d actually forgotten for whole minutes at a time that yesterday had been the worst day of my life. But it had. And this afternoon I’d get on a plane, go home to Minnesota, go back to work, and try my best to forget about the whole thing. Ugh. I dreaded the looks of sympathy coming my way—or worse, the friends and co-workers who wouldn’t look at me, who’d find a way to be “busy” when I came into a room because they didn’t know what to do or say. Oh well. What was the alternative? Stay here in the Greek islands and hide forever? Not only could I not afford to do that, the prospect of going on my pre-paid tours and dining at beautiful seaside vistas alone was enough to get my pitiful hungover ass out of bed and moving toward my suitcase to start packing. The sound of a toilet flushing made me jump. Were the walls of the hotel room that thin? Wait—this was a bungalow. There were no shared walls through which you could hear a neighbor’s flushing. Which meant the sound—and the sound of running sink water that followed it—had come from thisbungalow. “Oh good, you’re awake.” A man had rounded the corner and was now standing—shirtless—in my room. Not a man, the man. The one from last night. He looked even better than I’d remembered, with dark, messy hair and a body so fit and muscular it would have made me drool—if I hadn’t been too dehydrated to produce saliva at the moment. His eyes were arresting, and his face as a whole gave me serious young-John-Stamos vibes. Yes, I’d binge-watched every episode of Full House when I was younger—not sorry. “I used one of the complimentary toothbrushes in there. Hope you don’t mind,” he said cheerfully. “I figured since Bryce wouldn’t be using it, it was fair game. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave any shirts, so whenever you’re feeling up to it, I’m gonna have to ask for that one back.” I looked down at myself, only now noticing I was wearing an unfamiliar, and heavenly smelling—good God what was that amazing scent?—man’s t-shirt. And not much else. I pulled up the hem to check and confirmed that yes, I was still wearing the ridiculously expensive, crystal encrusted “bridal thong” Maddie had given me at my shower. “Yes, they’re still on,” he said. I looked back up at the grinning guy…. what was his name? Fox? No, that wasn’t it, though I’d heard it at some point last night and it was completely appropriate when it came to this guy. Wolf. That’s what it was. Also appropriate, considering the look on his face as he stared at the place where I’d drawn up the shirt for a panty-check. I dropped it and tugged the hem down in a futile attempt to cover more of my thighs. “I know. I just… um… did we…?” I’d never had to ask a question like this before, having never been roofied—or drugging myself to the point of oblivion as I apparently had last night. “Did you… sleep over?” His smile widened. “I did.” My heart plummeted then fell further as he added, “But there was no sleeping involved.”
#3
“Miss Hood?” A nursing assistant peeked into the room. “There’s someone who’s asking to speak with you in the hallway.” “Oh. Okay, sure.” I leaned over and kissed Vivi’s cheek. “Be right back.” I stepped into the hallway, expecting to find a nurse or doctor who wanted to speak with me privately. The person waiting there was actually the last one I’d ever have expected to see. “Bryce?” My former fiancé gave me a sympathetic look and stepped forward to hug me. I was so shocked, I let him. You know what? My sister was right—he did smell like hot dog water. “How are you, sweetheart? I came as soon as I heard,” he said. When he released me, I stared at him. “What are you doing here?” “I went to the mansion first—wow, what a place. That must have cost some big bucks. The housekeeper there said your grandmother had been brought here, and you went with her. Is she okay?” I nodded, feeling numb. “She’s doing alright. They’re running tests.” Staring some more, I tried to get it through my head that my ex had flown halfway across the country and was standing in front of me. “Is something wrong?” I asked him. “Did something happen at home?” “No, your family’s all fine. I’m fine,” he said, “Actually, no, that’s a lie. I’m not fine. I haven’t been fine since I lost you.” “Lost me? You didn’t lose me, Bryce. You returned me for a full refund.” “The biggest mistake I ever made,” he said adamantly. “I’ve doing a lot of thinking. And here’s the thing—you’re the love of my life, I can’t live without you. I want you to give me another chance. I want to be there for you… till death do us part.” From behind his back, he produced a bouquet of flowers that had obviously been purchased at the hospital gift shop. In fact, there was a card nestled in the vase with the hospital’s logo—and the inscription, “For Patty. Get well soon. Love, Harold.” Noticing it, Bryce snatched the card out and dropped it on the floor. “Not sure how the florist got that confused.” He shoved the vase of flowers at me. “I know it’s been hard on you since we broke up. And I know you’re not with anyone. You’ve been single since what should have been our wedding night. But you don’t have to be lonely anymore.” Just then, Gray rounded the nurses’ station holding two cups of coffee from the hospital cafeteria. “Actually, she’s been with me since your non-wedding night,” he announced, coming to stand beside me and handing me a cup, which I took automatically. Thanks for that, by the way,” Gray said to Bryce. “I never would have gotten the chance to propose to this amazing woman if you hadn’t fucked up so thoroughly.” “Propose?” Bryce yelped. I shouted the question just as loudly inside my head. “I’m her fiancé,” Gray calmly lied. “We’re getting married.” My ex-fiancé’s gaze fell to my bare left ring finger, and Gray saw it. “We’re still picking out the ring,” he explained. “I want her to have the perfect one. We were planning to fly to LA and New York this weekend to look at two different choices. Vivi’s little scare here might put that off for a bit.” “What are you, some kind of billionaire?” Bryce emitted a snort-laugh. Gray’s expression stayed cool. “Maybe. Maybe not. My financial status is none of your business. The only thing you need to know is I’ve got everything it takes to make Scarlett happy and take care of her. She doesn’t need you—or want you.” He looked down at me, sliding his arm around my shoulders and silently willing me to go along with the ruse. “Right babe?”
Award-winning romance author Tru Taylor writes romantic comedies to make you swoon, smile, and snort with laughter.
She runs on Coke Zero and dark chocolate, lives for lunches with her girlfriends, and drives to the town beach several times a week to watch the sun set over the water.
She loves LOVE and will attempt to turn any show or movie she’s watching into a romance whether it is one or not. Star Wars? A romance. Lord of the Rings? Clearly a romance. The Expendables? Okay, well not even Tru can redeem that one.
When she’s not writing, Tru enjoys watching movies and reading books with happy endings, spending time with her husband and two kids, and sneaking Hershey’s Kisses from the top shelf of the freezer throughout the day. (Top shelf because… two kids. Enough said.)
Tru is the author of the Eastport Bay small town rom com series and loves living in a small New England town where she’s surrounded every day by the beautiful coastal setting you see brought to life in her books.
Title: Inked Temptation Series: Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins #5 Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Cover Design: Sweet n Spicy Designs Photo: Wander Aguiar Release Date: July 11, 2022
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The final Montgomery finds his match in this touching second chance romance from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.
I thought I was moving on from my divorce, but now my ex is marrying someone else. I shouldn’t be this broken up, but it’s hard to put on a brave face when my family is basically an inked up Hallmark movie.
And I shouldn’t be brooding about what I don’t have, if it’s going to cause me to fall off a roof. Right into the grumpy neighbor’s burly arms.
He’d make a nice distraction, except he wants nothing to do with the burning attraction between us. Until one accidental kiss leads to more.
I’m not ready to risk my heart again, but Killian’s tortured eyes don’t seem to give me a choice. This thing between us is real.
But Killian is still trying to recover from a tragedy. And there are people who will do anything to make sure he never finds happiness again.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
Title: Inked Craving Series: Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins #4 Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: February 15, 2022
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The Montgomery Ink saga from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a friends to lovers romance that breaks all of their own rules.
Instead of walking away with a marriage proposal, Paige Montgomery ended up broken hearted and pregnant.
Now she has to figure out how to begin her life again alone.
She refuses to fall for another man, yet every time she sees Lee Grier, her traitorous heart aches for him. It doesn’t matter he’s her brother’s best friend and wants to be her rock in the storm. She knows she has to weather the oncoming pressures on her own.
When they can no longer fight the pull between them, they’ll have to remember that passion can only shelter them from reality for so long and letting themselves fall will be the hardest step yet.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
Title: Wild Side Series: Burgers and Brew Crüe #4 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Cover Design: Melissa Gill Designs Photo: Wander Aguiar Model: Jonny James Release Date: March 15, 2022
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Jameson
Last man standing. I’ve watched all three of my friends fall in love with no desire to ever follow in their footsteps. Collectively, we own the hottest restaurant, bar, and brewery in town. They are a few of the places I find peace, a refuge against this cruel world. When I’m on the stage playing music, everything just seems to fade away.
Until I saw her.
She was sitting in the crowd, a bright, beautiful ray of light, fighting against the darkness surrounding me. I do everything I can to keep her in the friend-zone, but she’s making it difficult.
I don’t just want her; I need her.
Madelyn
The first moment I saw him on the stage I knew he was different. Rough, tattooed, and with the voice of an angel, he was playing guitar and singing a song about love and hurt. I was captivated, completely drawn to the emotions I saw in those warm whiskey eyes. From that moment on, I felt compelled to be his friend.
He didn’t make it easy.
The boundaries between friendship and relationship start to blur, and even though he fights me every step of the way, I can’t help the way I feel. I promised him I’d always be his friend.
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.
Title: Maverick Mogul Series: Billionaire Bachelors Club #1 Author: Lila Monroe
Genre: Romantic Comedy Release Date: January 24, 2022
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The Billionaire Bachelors are BACK! Fall for a new trope-tactic, fake dating rom-com series from USA Today bestselling author, Lila Monroe!
Playboy bachelor Charlie Fox is handsome, charming — and looking for a date to the TWELVE weddings he’s attending this month. He’s topping the city’s ‘Most Eligible’ lists, but he needs a woman who won’t swoon at his feet — or go diving to catch that bouquet. A fake girlfriend is the perfect solution, he’s just not expecting a very familiar face to show up as his plus-one…
Me.
The last time I saw Charlie, he was playing Mr Popular at our high-school… while I was stuck being Miss Invisible. Now — thanks to a rogue Chihuahua, my frat-bro boss, and a gallon of gluten-free frosting — he’s making me an offer I really should refuse. Play his fake girlfriend for a summer of wild weddings?
It’ll be worth it, as long as we can keep our hands to ourselves. And our mouths. And… other parts, too.
As the wedding marathon gets underway, the sparks between us are anything but fake – and breaking the rules has never been so fun. Can ‘just for now’ turn into ‘forever’? Find out in the sizzling, hilarious new romance from “the reigning queen of romantic comedy” Lila Monroe!
Combining her love of writing, sex and well-fitted suits, Lila Monroe wrote The Billionaire Bargain. Lila enjoys writing, as it gives her a flexible schedule to spend time with her kids and a wonderful excuse to avoid them. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, who strips out of his well-fitted suits nightly.
The Copper Valley Thrusters Series Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Romantic Comedy
#1 The Pilot & the Puck Up
He’s the biggest, baddest, most spider-fearing motherpucker on the ice…
When you’re named after the king of the gods, the world expects certain things of you.
Tough? Damn right.
Smart? Don’t let the hockey uniform fool you.
Large and in charge? Honey, I’m the biggest, baddest, mother pucking-est machine to ever own the ice. I shoot. I score. In and out of the rink. I don’t come early, but I come often, if you know what I mean. And I always leave the ladies wanting more.
Until that chick last night.
I’m no one-thrust wonder, and you’re damn right I’m going to prove to her I can do better. But every time I think I’m finally on my way back into her pants, she one-ups and out-balls me.
I should cut my losses, lick my wounds, and walk away.
But Zeus Berger doesn’t walk away from anything.
Especially when she’s the only woman in the world who might be able to handle me.
The Pilot and the Puck-Up is a standalone romantic comedy featuring a hockey player whose ego is the only thing bigger than his shoe size, the most badass woman to ever fly a plane, rubber chockey (don’t ask), and no cheating or cliffhangers.
A hockey-playing prince, a most improper lady, and one accidental pregnancy…
When you’re an heir so spare that getting attacked by a shark is more likely than you ever wearing the crown, you’re only allowed certain liberties. Yet still, those liberties can bite you in the ass.
Good thing I’m such a charming devil.
Even then, I’ve been banished to America for a year under the pretense of playing professional hockey while my father cleans up my latest mess. But trouble follows me wherever I go. Generally trouble of the beautiful female variety, and Gracie Diamonte is no exception. Or possibly, she’s the best exception.
Until the dinosaur suit. The cookie incident. And the accidental pregnancy.
Of course I’ll do the right thing.
Just as soon as I solve that pesky problem of my royal betrothal.
I’m about to be the biggest scandal to rock my country and there’s a good chance my father may throw me to the sharks after all. The funny thing is I’ve heard that raising children may not be so different from swimming with the sharks. So no matter how you look at things I am Royally Pucked.
Royally Pucked is a hilariously wrong romance between a spare heir and the lady least likely to ever wear a princess crown, complete with dirty cookies, an emotional support monkey, and lots of pucking around. This romantic comedy stands alone with no cheating, cliffhangers and ends happily with a family of…more than two.
There are two kinds of women in the world – those I can bang, and those I can’t.
My teammate’s sister?
She’s a can’t.
I moved in with her to protect her from a nasty ex, not to be the next guy in line.
She’s the brains.
I’m the brawn.
She’s the fruit.
I’m the sausage.
She talks too much.
I don’t talk at all, if I don’t have to.
Should be easy to resist her.
But every minute I spend with Felicity is another minute she gets under my skin. She makes me feel like something more than a dumb puckhead with a big Zamboni pony. And it’s getting harder to remember why I need to keep my hands to myself.
Beauty and the Beefcake is a vegan-friendly standalone romantic comedy featuring a hockey player whose vocabulary is the only thing smaller than a hockey puck, a book smart but aimless ventriloquist with too many voices in her head, a dilapidated old house that may or may not be haunted, and no cheating or cliffhangers.
Nick Murphy. Hockey god. My best friend’s big brother. My friend-with-mindblowing-benefits. The best thing to happen to my nether regions since my subscription to the toy of the month club. The man I’ve been secretly in love with for years.
And total ass.
I am so done with him.
Except there’s one small problem.
Now that I’ve cut him off, his hockey game is in the toilet. He’s convinced I’m his good luck charm, and he wants me back. But only for his game.
I’ll be strong. I will. I’ll resist.
Asses don’t change their stripes.
Or do they?
This plan would be so easy if the man wasn’t Charming as Puck…
Charming as Puck is a romping fun romance between a hockey player and his sister’s best friend, complete with farm animals, epic birthday presents, and Berger Twin sightings. This romantic comedy stands alone with no cheating or cliffhangers and ends with a pucking awesome happily ever after.
You know those stories where an adorably misunderstood clumsy girl needs a fake date to a wedding so she asks her brother’s best friend and they accidentally fall in love?
I wish that was the kind of life I lead, but it’s not.
I don’t need a date to a wedding. I need a date to a funeral.
Clumsy sometimes fits, but then, that’s true for all of us, right? But adorable? No. Misunderstood? Nope again. I’m just your average girl, standing in front of a funeral invitation, asking it to be a winning lottery ticket instead.
And I don’t have a brother, or a best friend with a brother available, which means I’m stuck with Tyler Jaeger.
Sure, he’s a professional hockey player who also knows advanced calculus, but let’s say we’re not compatible and leave it at that. I should know. I am a matchmaker.
Not a very good one, but that’s beside the point.
I know a mismatch when I see one.
Still, Tyler’s what I’ve got, and I am not going to this funeral solo, so he’s what I’ll take.
After all—what could go wrong at a funeral?
I Pucking Love You is a hilariously wrong romantic comedy about the world’s worst matchmaker, a hockey player with a problem he doesn’t want to talk about, and an awkward date-of-convenience that everyone would prefer to forget. It comes complete with a cat working his way through his nine lives, all the sexy times, fish and chips, and a swoony happily-ever-after.
Pippa Grant is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she’s not reading, writing or sleeping, she’s being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.
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