Amalie Warner wants another shot to prove that she can be a successful writer. After hitting the bestseller’s list nine years ago, she’s lost her spark. Feeling pressure from her father to leave her writing behind and to work for her family’s lucrative hotel business, she’s desperate to find inspiration for her next big idea, something that challenges and excites her, something real.

Enter Julian Smoke, a failed tennis player making a dream run for the US Open. After a chance meeting at a bar, Amalie hates him instantly. He’s cocky and arrogant, but Amalie knows his story could be her big break. Could he be more?

Everyone knows that in tennis, love means zero, but these two are about to change that.

Title: Painting the Lines
Author: Ashley R. King
Series: Ace of Hearts (Book 1)
Pages: 272
Genre(s): Contemporary, Romcom, Sports Romance, Enemies to Lovers
Hot Buttons: n/a

Release Date: 17th August, 2020

Ohmigosh - so good

5 stars

What a treat this book was! It’s the first book from Ashley R. King that I’ve read but I loved her style, humour and storytelling, so it definitely won’t be the last.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen another sports romance book with tennis as the sport in question - although I’m not sure why not. I personally love tennis, but if you’re not a fan, you’ll be in good company because neither is our heroine, Amalie. We also never get bogged down in tennis detail and only the Big 4 are mentioned by name and very infrequently at that.

I LOVE an enemies to lovers story and this is what we get here as Amalie and Julian dislike each other almost from first sight. But it’s the best kind of enemies - bickering and snipping at each other while trying to ignore their growing attraction.

To say this is a slow burn is doing a massive disservice to the author’s ability to grow and build the sexual chemistry and tension between our couple until it’s almost a living, breathing character in itself. Believe me, everyone was frustrated but in the best possible way. It was so wonderful - they way their bickering turned playful and how they both dealt with their feelings. Oh, and how Paul cockblocked the couple at every turn!

When we finally get there, it’s deliciously sexy with equally delicious feels. Happy sighs.

The book really put me in mind of the film, The Cutting Edge. It had that same relationship dynamic, the same humour and the same excitement of the underdog. I laughed out loud on occasion during the story and was just as nervous for Julian as he returned to the tennis circuit. I was along for the ride and completely committed to our couple and their lives.

This is the kind of book I expect to stay with me for a long time. Once finished, I had that same excitement as if I’d just finished watching a wonderful tennis tournament or seeing a happy film. It’s very much a fairytale ending and I was here for it completely. And there was an epilogue which made me an even happier bunny.

If you’re looking for a well-written romance with characters you’ll fall for and feel for, laughs and love, leaving you within all round happy feeling - then this is the book for you. I loved it and the tennis was just the cherry on top. 5 stars.

 

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What’s the actual last thing you’d ever want your executive assistant to see you doing the morning after you had hot, drunk, angry sex with her in a terrible hotel room? Dancing around your terrible hotel room to “Come and Get Your Love” like Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy—naked? Yeah. Me too.

And yet, here we are.

This isn’t even the most unprofessional thing that’s happened between us in the past couple of weeks.

The first was when I agreed to let her have Christmas Day off, but only if she goes with me to three family gatherings as my fake girlfriend.
The second was when she caught me belting out a Christmas song on stage in the awful hotel bar.
The third was the hot, drunk, angry sex that followed, but I do not regret it.

And she hasn’t even found out the real reason I need her by my side this holiday season.

I need to pull it together before I do the dumbest, most unprofessional thing of all—fall head over heels in love with the only assistant who’s lasted more than a month at the job and claims to hate me and my moods more than she hates eggnog.

And I’ve seen how much she hates eggnog.

Title: A Very Bossy Christmas
Author: Kayley Loring
Series: tbc
Pages: 255
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance
Hot Buttons: n/a

Release Date: 26th October, 2020

Sexy, festive and so much fun

5 stars

When I imagine a book about a sexy, grumpy boss falling in love with his long-suffering assistant, I immediately assume that the hero will be a quiet and broody while the heroine is quiet, somewhat submissive and hiding her light under a bushel.

This is so not that story.

From the first page, you realise the relationship between Declan and Maddie is full of bickering, sarcasm, eye-rolling and taking little digs at each other. This is clearly foreplay which is obvious to everyone except Declan and Maddie. That’s not to say that Declan isn’t a little bit of an asshole to Maddie. She’s strong enough to dish it right back to him but he does deserve a slap every now and then.

For the first wee while, like I said, Declan was an asshole. But he tempered it with joking, teasing and bantering with Maddie. Yet as the story progresses, we begin to see something deeper with Declan. It’s so subtle, but little things he thinks and says, little looks he gives and his actions begin to show his vulnerabilities. My heart started to hurt for him and I began to really root for him. And want to give him a big hug, obviously!

I liked Maddie from the start. She was no nonsense and while she gave as good as she got with Declan, she was still infuriated by, and attracted to him. It was hilarious to watch her battle with herself about what she should do and how she should play things. And like Declan, with each chapter, we learn a little more about Maddie and she becomes more human and more open with her thoughts and feelings. And how she and Declan interact. My hurting heart began to swell.

The foreplay/banter is on point with this story which leads to an unbelievably hot sex session when things get to a head. Wow! Merry Christmas to all of us! There was more sex in the book after that and while nothing compared to that first time, it was all still hot, sexy and still fun.

This story gave me lots of Christmas feels. It’s not festive in a ‘snow falling, sitting by the fireplace sipping hot chocolate’ kind of way. It’s just got heart to it - especially in the family scenes. And we get lots of references and puns with Christmas songs and carols. Good grief - who knew that so many Christmas songs could be made to sound so dirty? *Slow clap*

It took me a couple of chapters to get fully into the story (don’t worry, the chapters are short) but once I did, I devoured this story. I liked the change up of traditional storytelling, text message conversations and, once or twice, hilarious diary entries from Piper - Maddie’s niece. All these elements worked so well and were just what I needed. This was definitely an ‘ach- I’ll just read one more chapter’ kind of book.

This is my first Kayley Loring book but it certainly won’t be my last. Her writing is fast, sassy, fun and filthy. It’s packed with fun references, tons of sweary words and moments of absolute hilarity.  And the banter - oh the banter! You could practically hear the character voices coming through the pages, they felt so real.

While this book stands alone with its own HEA, I did make a note to myself to demand a book for Eddie, Declan’s brother (hopefully with nerdy Birdie) in the future. Imagine my delight to hear it’s already in the works and coming in April 2021. Yay - a new series to indulge in.

This book was an absolute delight. Characters that grow with the story, a believable relationship and sass, sex, shenanigans and Christmas - what more could you ask for? Highly recommended - definitely a 5 star read.

 

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Dear Ida,

My boss is an egotistical, arrogant, cuff link wearing jerk.
I wanted nothing more than to throw my badge at his face and walk out the door. But the heat of the moment took over... We went too far... and I liked it.
Maybe I should just leave the city and change my name to spare myself the embarrassment.
Stop me now before I do it. Please.

Royally Screwed in the City,

Piper

 

Title: Brazen Bossman
Author: Emma Nichole
Series: Cocky Hero Club
Pages: 209
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance
Hot Buttons: Alzheimer’s Disease <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)


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Exceptionally likeable

5 stars

I have been really enjoying the books in Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club and seem to subconsciously gravitate to those inspired by Stuck-Up Suit. Each of the books stand completely alone. You don’t need to have read others books in the series, or the work it’s inspired by, to read and enjoy this one.

This is the first Emma Nichole book I have read but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from her as this book ticked all the boxes for me. From the blurb alone, I was looking forward to an enemies to lovers, workplace romance… but what you get is so much more. The writing style is snappy, fast paced and I just flew through this book, finishing it in 1 day. But not only that, it’s very sexy and surprisingly funny. It’s not meant to be a romantic comedy, but I found myself actually laughing out loud on occasion. Always a bonus.

Piper loves her job but it’s her boss, Nathanial, that really gets her back up. He’s a grumpy so-and-so and is always irritating and provoking her to snap back at him. What I liked about this is that he really was a grumpy boss - I probably would have quit after a week! And throughout the book, he remains grumpy. He’s not so terrible that we can’t root for him, but he doesn’t miraculously become a sweet, delightful boss just because he and Piper’s relationship is changing.

Piper is delicious as a heroine. She’s feisty and independent but she’s still really down to earth and relatable. The fact that she’s an over thinker made me like her all the more. Same girl, same.

Nathanial is the poster man for my perfect kind of hero. As I mentioned, he’s super grumpy - understandably so, but what he really needs is someone to be on his side, and be there for him. He just needs a big ol’ hug, really. And Piper is definitely that person.

Even when the two are at odds in the beginning, you can feel the connection between the two. What fantastic writing to enable us to feel that powerful, undeniable bond and sexual tension between the pair, without ever overtly mentioning it. The pair felt destined for each other and I was 100% there for that.

The journey of their relationship was a delight to read - even if it was marred by bumps along the way. Piper has family problems but it’s Nathanial’s issues with his father that are quite poignant. I didn’t ever get emotionally bogged down in it, but boy did it make me pause. However, if you have a relative who suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia, this might be quite difficult to read. Kudos to Ms Nichole for including a difficult subject and treating it respectfully without allowing it to overshadow what we’re really here for - the romance.

There is plenty of heat in the novel - but as with other elements, it doesn’t overtake the story. That’s not to say that you won’t be thinking about the desk scene for hours, days and weeks to come! *fans self*

After learning about Piper throughout the book, I did feel that her reaction to the email wasn’t quite right for her personality. I do think she would have read it - I would have, too - but I don’t think she wouldn’t have confronted Nathanial about it. But that’s just a minor thing that occurred to me.

And please don’t use “off of” or “the both” - it makes me shudder to see this in a published book.

Neither of the last two points swayed me away from my 5 star rating for what is a fun, energetic and exceptionally likeable story. It’s another winner from the Cocky Hero Club universe and I will be happily looking out for other books by Emma Nichole - especially if she writes a book about Piper's brother and best friend. For this one - 5 stars and recommended.

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Hadley Donavan can’t believe she has to go home to Nebraska for her sister’s wedding. She’s gonna need a wingman and a whole lot of vodka for this level of family interaction. At least her bestie agreed he’d man up and help. But then instead of her best friend, his evil twin strolls out of the airport.

If you looked up doesn’t-deserve-to-be-that-confident, way-too-hot-for-his-own-good billionaire in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Will Holt. He’s awful. Horrible. The worst―even if his butt looks phenomenal in those jeans.

Ten times worse? Hadley’s buffer was supposed to be there to keep her away from the million and one family events. But Satan’s spawn just grins and signs them up for every. Single. Thing.

Fine. “Cutthroat” Scrabble? She’s in. She can’t wait to take this guy down a notch. But somewhere between Pictionary and the teasing glint in his eyes, their bickering starts to feel like more than just a game…

Title: The Wedding Date Disaster
Author: Avery Flynn
Series: Standalone
Pages: 330
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, enemies to lovers
Hot Buttons: /

Fun and Sexy

5 stars


I love Avery Flynn. And I love an enemies to lovers romance - especially where the couple genuinely appear to hate each other at the start of our story. So I was as happy as a pig in mud with this story.

At first I wasn’t sure what to make of our heroine, Hadley. I’m not fond of the name - but that’s because it’s the surname of someone I’m none too fond of…but it was hard to decide what she was really like and what her motives were. Much the same as Will felt, then. But she definitely grew on me as a character - especially as she relaxed into herself and then opened up more and more. Plus, she was feisty. And when she realised where she and Will stood, she knew her own worth and what she deserved.

Will was the perfect kind of grumpy hero - as well as being hot and rich! He really doesn’t like Hadley. Or does he? I’m not even sure he knows. But he does know that he wants her. He’s strong, stubborn and also ridiculously clueless at times. His big SCENE to win over Hadley was so off the mark that I felt like hitting my head off a brick wall. But fear not, where there are coat closets, there’s always a happily ever after!

While you’re all but guaranteed sizzling chemistry with enemies turning into lovers, the sex scenes were especially hot with this story. Ms Flynn knows how to get things done! The mirror? Holy cannoli that was hotter than hot! I was worried it would be a one and done - but we got even more, so I was plenty happy.

But Hadley and Will also shone in the quiet moments, too. They definitely had a connection and I loved seeing their feelings change and develop. Seeing them laugh together and become so much more with and for each other. Gah! This book left me with a huge smile on my face and it was so what I needed.

This was a delightfully hot and sexy read from Ms Flynn. She always delivers and does so again with this offering. I’m hoping we get to read Will’s twin, Web’s, story - and hopefully get to meet Hadley and Will again, hopefully still bickering hard and loving harder. Lots of fun and very recommended. 5 stars.

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* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. *

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

USA Today bestselling romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

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A past kiss with adorably bookish Miss Olivia Norley should be barely a memory for Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock. After all, there are countless debutantes for a handsome rakehell to charm beyond a young lady whose singular passion is chemistry—of the laboratory type. But Thorn has not forgotten—or forgiven—the shocking blackmail scheme sparked by that single kiss, or the damage caused to both their names. Now Thorn’s half-brother, Grey, has hired the brilliant Miss Norley for her scientific expertise in solving a troubling family mystery. And the once-burned Thorn, suspicious of her true motives, vows to follow her every move . . .

For Olivia, determining whether arsenic poisoning killed Grey’s father is the pioneering experiment that could make her career—and Thorn’s constant presence is merely a distraction. But someone has explosive plans to derail her search. Soon the most unexpected discovery is the caring nature of the reputed scoundrel beside her—and the electricity it ignites between them . . .

Title: Who Wants To Marry a Duke?
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Series: Duke Dynasty
Pages: 352
Genre(s): Historical, Regency, England
Hot Buttons: /

A hugely enjoyable story

5 stars


It’s been too long since I picked up a Sabrina Jeffries book - and after finishing this one, I seriously wonder why I haven’t been devouring every single thing she’s written. As such, this is actually the first book of the Duke Dynasty series that I have read, despite it being the 4th story in the series (after Project Duchess, A Perfect Match (in the Seduction on a Snowy Night anthology) and The Bachelor. While the romance element of this book stands alone, there is a larger mystery that appears to be running throughout the series that does not get resolved in this book. I didn’t have any trouble picking up and following that element - despite not having yet read the previous books in the series - but if you need all loose ends tied up between the covers of one book - this perhaps isn’t for you.

This book is about the romance between Olivia and Thorn. The prologue shows an interaction between our pair that happens nine years before the rest of the story - and explains why there might be a bit of animosity and distrust with our couple. Or at least on Thorn’s side, anyway. I admit to being a bit confused about why he was so angry with Olivia - but I’m sure that being a duke, with unmarried ladies flinging themselves at you every hour of the day, would make you a wee bit cynical and suspicious of people’s motives. That said, he does drop the animosity towards Olivia pretty darn quickly!

Despite his flip-flopping emotions, I loved Thorn. He’s basically just a growly, grumpy Duke, stomping all over the place and getting irritated because he can’t help but want the one girl who turned him down. But he’s protective, fierce and accepts and loves Olivia and all her quirks, too. Sometimes he has no idea what she’s talking about, but he loves the passion she has for her subject. That’s love right there.

Olivia is innocent in so many ways, but strong in many ways, too. She’s definitely not the stereotypical chemist that you might expect. She’s not much into society, and finds herself a wee bit awkward (same, girl!) but she’s perfectly capable - none of this ‘can’t even walk without making a fool of yourself’ type of nonsense that you sometimes see when a girl is described as awkward in society. She’s sweet and kind, and determined to prove herself worthy. I really enjoyed her and thought her the perfect partner for Thorn.

There was a little bit of danger and intrigue with regards to whether Thorn’s stepfather has been murdered - and if so, by whom. Someone’s out to stop the investigation before it even starts, which adds some fun to the romance even if it’s just ‘mild peril’. This is the storyline that won’t be resolved until future books, but honestly, it doesn’t feel like we’re left on a godforsaken cliffhanger, so all is good. With that in mind, there’s quite an intricate family tree with Thorn and his siblings, however we get a handy drawing at the front of the book to help us if we’re stuck. I thought that was a cute (and hella useful) idea.

As always with Ms Jeffries, the sex scenes are sizzling and there was enough chemistry (no pun intended) between the pair to keep things heated even when not in those scenes. Although I do wonder at Olivia not knowing what a penis looks like. As a chemist? Wouldn’t you have scene Michelangelo’s David? Maybe not - it just seemed odd to me.

This book reminded me how much I love Sabrina Jeffries and the stories she weaves. This is another 5 star read and I can’t wait to read the previous books in the series and those still to come. Recommended.

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

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AUTHOR BIO!

Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas).

At home in front of a crowd, Jeffries is a sought-after speaker, as evidenced by her 2010 gig as emcee for the National Romance Writers of America’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony.

Whatever time not spent speaking to organizations around the country or writing in a coffee-fueled haze is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music.

With over 9 million books in print in more than 20 languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics (she has a Ph.D. in English literature) for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.

She always dreams big.

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SERIES!

The Duke Dynasty series:

       

  

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