Review – Say It Like You Mane It by Erin Nicholas

Say It Like You Mane It; Boys Of the Bayou Gone Wild #6 
(An interconnected standalone within a series)

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Romantic Comedy/Small Town/Hero Contemporary

Author: Erin Nicholas

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:

An insta-attraction, slow-burn romance with a protective cop….oooooh yeah!!

Zander Landry is super adorable. He secretly reads romance books and his inner monologue regarding all of the romantic thoughts that twist around the new blonde in town are so funny. He may just be my favorite Landry yet.

Zander is very aware of the Landry love curse. He’s been a first hand witness to all of his family members falling in love one by one, so when he first meets Caroline, he isn’t shocked of feeling big things. However, he still fights getting stuck in love because he’s very happy being a bachelor. Zander is also very aware of all of the romantic feelings with all of the romance books he reads. He’s no dummy, but he continually berates himself that he needs to switch up his reading to something else. It’s hilarious.

Zander is uber protective of his town, his family, and even Caroline the moment she steps foot in Autre. It’s in his nature to make sure everyone who enters his town is safe and that no funny business happens while strangers are there. Caroline definitely brings danger, funny business, and a hot package all wrapped up in one. The quicker she leaves the better he’ll feel, he hopes.

Caroline is super cute and no dummy. She just might be the perfect fit for not only Zander, but the entire big, boisterous Landry family. Zander needs to work fast on getting her out of his town if he wants to keep his bachelor status. LOL.

I loved, loved, loved this new addition to the Boys of Bayou collection and don’t worry this isn’t exactly the end of this beloved family. Erin gives us a peek into where she’s taking the Bayou Boys and I’m really excited on the new adventure.

Synopsis:

What happens when a hellraiser turned hot cop is stuck with a headstrong heiress he’s determined to protect…and resist?

A run-away bride, wearing a freakin’ tiara, and carrying a stolen lion cub, of all things. This was not how rowdy, bad-boy-turned-small-town-cop, Zander Landry expected his day to go.

He really didn’t expect his night to end with her sleeping in his bed after her near-kidnapping.

But his intense attraction to her and the feelings of protectiveness she stirs up? Oh, yeah, he knew those were coming.

She’s stunning, whip-smart, and trouble with a capital T.

Which means, he needs her to head right back the way she came. ASAP.

His town is exactly the way he wants it . . . crazy and trouble free.

Well, the crazy trouble he’s not related to anyway.

Stranded in a tiny town in her half-million-dollar wedding gown with no money and no place to go . . . today is going pretty much exactly the way Caroline Holland expected it to.

But the grumpy, tattooed, oh-my-god hot cop being the answer to all her problems isn’t at all what she expected.

Now that she’s turned all the criminal (and obnoxious) info about her exotic-animal-dealing ex-fiance over to Zander, she can kick back in a hammock with some sweet tea and relax.

Or not.

Turns out Caroline’s not the spoiled heiress Zander thinks she is. The gorgeous hellion wants in on the action and soon discovers just how dirty things can get in the bayou. And the bedroom.

More and more, Zander just wants her safe on the sidelines. But Caroline isn’t going anywhere until justice is done.

It’s a clash of wills that’s gonna get hotter than a crawfish boil in July. And the most fun the Landry family has had watching sparks fly since . . . well, the last book.

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Review – The Joker by Ashley Munoz

The Joker; Rake Forge University #3
(An interconnected standalone within a series)

Publication Date: January 28, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Friends-Enemies-Lovers/New Adult/Mafia Romance

Author: Ashley Munoz

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:

A wonderful way to close out this series. The Joker combines suspense, heat, and family.

This book is super steamy! Kyle and Rylie have been best friends since kindergarten, each others ride or die. Their chemistry is off the charts and it shows whether they are between the sheets or seething through their toxic hate.

How do two people who are best friends get to a point of toxicity? After a beautiful night where Rylie and Kyle share their V cards with each other, Kyle disappears. He ghosts her for three years and Rylie breaks. Each year turning darker until she’s a different version of who he left behind.

Kyle didn’t just leave to go vacationing and have fun. He also is a different man than who he once was. He’s covered in secrets along with tattoos and new muscles. His outside may look totally different, but his inside still craves the one girl who has always been his everything.

Can these two reconnect after years apart and broken trust?

The Joker is a great interconnected book bringing all of the characters from the past two books together. However, you can also read this book as a complete standalone as well.

Synopsis:

Kyle James cashed in my V card and then disappeared like I was the finishing act in a magic show.
I vowed to hate my best friend, turn the longing and secret obsession with him into toxic hate and maybe a poorly chosen tattoo.
But as the years passed, I let go of any notions I’d ever see him again…until he sauntered on campus my senior year as a new transfer student.
All of Rake Forge was obsessed with his inked skin and that darkness that seemed to seep out of every methodical step he took.
I wasn’t. I knew the boy underneath, and while I wanted to know where he’d been…I would never ask.
Until my dad needed a favor. His team required a way in with my ex-best friend, and his contacts.
I knew Kyle would see through it…but I went anyway.
Suddenly, my world, made of black and white was bleeding color…and he was at the center, daring me to trust him.
My heart, blind and foolish chose to not only trust but to love him too.
I really should have known better.
I was merely a way in for my father, and for the man, I loved…I was just a way out.

*This is the final book in the Rake Forge Series*

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Review – The Difference Between Somebody and Someone by Aly Martinez

The Difference Between Somebody and Someone; Difference Trilogy #1
(#1 within a trilogy)

Publication Date: January 27, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Trilogy/Contemporary/Tragedy Romance

Author: Aly Martinez

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
WOW…just wow! I had goosebumps dotting my skin through the entire story!

Aly Martinez always writes emotional, gripping stories and this book is no different. Remi and Bowen dug their hooks in me from the start and I couldn’t tear my eyes from the pages until the jaw dropping end. Well done!

Bowen Michaels is suffering from loss. The love of his life is gone and it’s hitting him hard. The survivor’s grief is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the inner workings of Bowen’s mind. This grumpy man is made up of so much more, but that could be what draws Remi to him in the first place.

Remi is a bit of a klutz, but adorably lives her hotmess life with the curve balls thrown her way. She is sunshine to Bowen’s cloudy personality, but these two opposites share a common link, one that is surrounded by devastation and heartbreak.

Aly captivated me while totally obliterating my heart and I can honestly say I loved it! This book is filled with humor and grief and emotional turmoil. It’s such a beautiful blend of ups and downs that I can only say that I want more of Aly’s intoxicating words and addictive storytelling.

This book is only the first part of this couple’s tale and I desperately need to know more, which thankfully is coming sooner rather than later.

Synopsis:

The world owes you nothing.

It took losing the woman I loved and facing the paralyzing task of moving on without her for me to truly understand that.

Consumed by regret and razor-sharp memories, I’d resigned myself to a life of loneliness until a survivor from the same plane crash that took my fiancée stormed into my life.

Remi Grey was chaos and sunshine, fire and freedom. With her in my arms, I began to believe that fate had other plans for me.

But as secrets of the past exploded around us, it seemed the only thing fated about our relationship was that I had been destined to lose her from the start.

The world owes you nothing. But for Remi, I would risk it all. No matter the cost.

Part of the Difference Trilogy and should be read in order:

The Difference Between Somehow and Someway, #2

The Difference Between Someday and Forever, #3

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Review – Blind Pass by Teagan Hunter

Blind Pass; Carolina Comets #2
(A standalone within a series)

Publication Date: January 27, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Romantic Comedy/Grumpy-Sunshine/Fake Marriage/Sports Romance

Author: Teagan Hunter

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:

In a contemporary, sports rendition of Beauty and the Beast, Blind Pass is full of adorable fun and jammed packed with smexy chemistry. Teagan Hunter scored a goal with this fake marriage romance!

Who falls in love with their spouse after saying the words, “I do?” Adrian Rhodes and Ryan Bell are candidates for this very statement. Two similar souls with wounded hearts find themselves living up a night in Vegas and jump into a night they both never forget…or is that saying…a night they do forget due to being highly intoxicated. It could have ended that way except that it was recorded and posted online so maybe they won’t forget it after all. Either way, Rhodes and Ryan leave with a non-refundable present in each other. What happens in Vegas sometimes gets splashed all over the internet, like their last minute wedding. Now what?

This is a grumpy-sunshine, hockey romance with lots of humor and tons of heart. While this is a version of Beauty and the Beast, I love the vulnerable side that Rhodes offers up multiple times showing us that not all men live vain and egotistical lives. His grumpy side comes from a place of long time hurt, where he’s pretty much given up all hope of being happy in love, but Ryan truly sees him for more than just his vain outer shell. She may be the Beauty in this tale, but she digs below the surface and looks beyond the flaws to see inner beauty in those around her. I love that.

Mixed in with all the humor is a truly beautiful tale of loving one’s self and finding hope when you sometimes feel hopeless. These two will bring a lot of laughter, but also prepare for those heartstrings to be tugged as well.

Synopsis:

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there.

I would know. I’m coming home with a brand-new ring on my finger.

My wife? Ryan Bell.
We’re polar opposites.
She’s sunshine and happiness.
I’m grumpy and scarred—literally.

We could get it annulled and no one would be the wiser.
Only problem? We posted about it online, and it’s already making headlines.

I can’t afford to get that kind of attention and tank my career, and Ryan needs my help too.

We make a plan: stay married for one year, play our roles, and divorce amicably at the end. No harm, no foul.

Besides, there’s no way the beauty is going to fall for the beast…

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