Review – Playing Dane by Hannah Gray

Playing Dane; Florida East University #1
(#1 within an interconnected series)

Publication Date: June 1, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Past-Trauma/Sports/Secret/New Adult Romance

Author: Hannah Gray

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
An angsty, emotional romance that is also fun and steamy and everything you’d want in a new adult book.

For two young adults, both Dane and Layla, they have already had a rocky life, but they are also both excellent at hiding their pain. When they first meet they have an instant connection, but distance doesn’t make it easy for these two to see one another and Layla is a stickler for the rules that whatever they decide to jump into is a non-relationship.

Dane Wade is super sweet, but also lost when he meets Layla. It’s hard to tell if he’s replacing his past hurt with a rebound, but it doesn’t take long to realize that when Dane falls, he falls hard and fast and he easily falls for Layla. He plays along with all of her rules because he’d rather have her for a non-relationship than never at all. His compassion and understanding of all of her triggers is swoony. He’s a total keeper, unfortunately Layla has all of these rules for a reason.

Layla is, I hate to use the word broken, but she’s been damaged by a past that was not hers, but by the environment she grew up in. Her trauma runs deep and it keeps her from enjoying a lot of things, like Dane, but when they come up with an agreement to a no-strings non-relationship…unbeknownst to her she finally begins to heal. Actually they both do, but it might be too late.

Playing Dane is an interconnected book, but this was my first time reading anything by Hannah Gray and I was able to jump right in to this world with absolutely no problem.

Synopsis:
Dane Wade is a breath of fresh air. Sexy, charming, and with abs that could melt any woman’s panties. With my rules and boundaries in place, he is the perfect person to have fun with to pass the time. As long as he knows it will never amount to anything more. Which he does … I think.

But then boundaries get shattered. Lines get blurred. And I know it’s time to bolt before things get harder and I risk falling deeper. Running away is the only thing I know how to do. And in my twenty years on this earth, it’s worked for me.

They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. They’re wrong. I knew what I had all along. I just couldn’t accept it.

And now … he might be gone for good.

One thing is for sure: it’ll take more than an apology for him to want me back. But saying I’m sorry is a good place to start.

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Review – One for the Money by Skye Warren

One for the Money; #1
(#1 within a series)

Publication Date: May 31, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Book Duet/Midnight Dynasty/Fake Dating/Contemporary Romance

Author: Skye Warren

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
A brilliant addition to the Midnight Dynasty, Eva Morelli and Finn Hughes are amazing together.

Eva Morelli is the eldest daughter, known as the planner, the fixer, the one her siblings run if they also need a hug. She is basically the mother to all of her younger siblings without actually having the title which is part of the problem when it comes to her lack of social life and even thinking of having a future. How can she have one when she’s already busy taking care of one family, who would ever understand her life?

Finn Hughes is a man who comes from generations old wealth. He’s very familiar with the weight of his name and the pressure of family secrets. He’s always admired Eva and the silent strength she possesses. When Eva asks Finn if he’d be interested in fake dating him, a relationship that would benefit them both; keeping mother’s out of their personal life, pressure off of them socially and so forth, it is a win-win, especially when it continues to put them together which Finn loves.

Spending time together has it benefits, but as Finn and Eva get closer it might also be their detriment. Neither actually want to have a real relationship, but if they did they both would choose the other.

Eva and Finn are both two selfless and truly beautiful people. I love how this book highlighted how hard they work for their families, but when they spent time together their focus is narrowed down to just the two of them and their intense chemistry for each other. It made the book unputdownable and the need to know how everything would turn out a burning need.

For both families there are several appearances from siblings, which I loved. This addition to the series was absolutely perfect! I can hardly wait for the next book to arrive.

Synopsis:
Finn Hughes knows about secrets. His family is as wealthy as the Rockefellers. And as powerful as the Kennedys. No one knows that the men in his line have a debilitating, early-onset illness. He’s managed the business from a young age while his father served as the figurehead. All the while knowing there’s a ticking clock on his ability to lead.

Eva Morelli is the oldest daughter. The responsible one. The caring one. The one who doesn’t have time for her own interests.

Especially not her interest in the charismatic, mysterious Finn Hughes.

A fake relationship is the answer to both their problems.

It will keep the swarming society mothers from throwing their daughters at him.

And it will keep Eva’s mother from bothering her about marriage.

Then the fake relationship starts to feel real.

But there’s no chance for them. No hope for a woman who’s had her heart broken. And no future for a man whose fate was decided long ago.

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