Wilde Cowboy (Love is a Cowboy #1) by Kelly Elliott

 

As the son of a third-generation cattle rancher, it's expected that I would follow in the footsteps of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and work the family ranch just as they did. However, that wasn't my dream, and thankfully, my parents stood behind me when I told them I wanted to open a sporting goods store in our hometown of River Falls, Colorado. That's my plan, My endgame, and nothing is going to distract me from that goal. Then, I met Vivianne Pennington. It soon becomes clear to me that Vivianne is now a part of my dreams, and when I bring her home for Christmas, my entire family and town of River Falls fall head over heels in love with her. Wilde Cowboy by Kelly Elliott was published on January 20th, 2026. This is the first book of Love is a Cowboy series. 

I was given this book for my honest review by Kelly Elliott. So I tried really hard to get into the book and I did finish it. This book is not like a lot of books that I have read so it took me awhile to get through it. It is slow paced and you knew at the beginning of the book that the two main characters were getting together. It's a sweet book and if you need a palate cleaner type of book this would be the book that would do it. I loved the characters in this book even the minor characters. I felt like each character had a reason to be put in the book. The love between Vivianne and Ladd I felt like could have used more then instant falling in love. I felt like both were just there. I wanted more passion between the two characters to show that they do love each other. The plot was sweet and had some extra fluff that was really needed in the book. It's a sweet read with very few spicy scenes. I recommend you check it out. 

Love is a Cowboy Series

1. Wilde Cowboy

2. Wilde Ride (03/03/26)

3.  Wilde Flame (05/26/26)

4. Wilde Hearts (08/18/26)

5. Wilde Night (11/10/26) 

Tropes

Small Town

He Falls First

College Romance 

On Borrowed Time (Blossom Peak #2) by Harlow James

 

Being a nanny for a newly single dad wasn't the job I applied for when I decided to lick my wounds in Blossom Peak. But showing Henley Clark my bare backside wasn't in my plans either. When the pursuit of my dream career seemed unattainable, instead of going home and proving my parents right, I made a detour to the small mountain town I remember visiting as a kid. I just wanted a waitressing job to make some extra money while I figured out my next steps. But then the lumberjack of an owner begged me to help him with his three month-old daughter that he just found out existed, and I couldn't resist his plea. Or his massive physique - the one I saw every detail of when he appeared shirtless in front of me three times in the first week. The problem with living together though is there's little space, especially when my boss is so closed off that he's like a nut I want to crack open. And when I do, he steals my breath from my lungs - and reignites my creativity as well. But I gave myself a deadline to figure out what's next. Nowhere in that plan though did I account for falling for Henley Clark. Turns out the heart doesn't care, even when you're on borrowed time. On Borrowed Time by Harlow James was published on January 16th, 2026. This is the second book in the Blossom Peak series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Harlow James and The Smuthood. I am so excited that I was asked to read this book. I read the first book of the series when it came out so I couldn't wait to read this book. This book did not disappoint at all. I absolutely loved the two characters in this book. Also revisiting Laney and Fletcher from book one. Henley made me chuckle in this book as he was the big old grump who had a lot of history with people leaving. Then he is thrown a curve ball after curve ball to help shape him and help him overcome his past. Then you have Elodie who is the complete opposite. She doesn't let the past change her but watches her overcome her own past and failures. While they both had things that they had to get past they did it separately but with the help of each other. Also the baby is so sweet throughout the book. Something about big grumpy men with sweet babies makes me smile. While the smut scenes are not all in depth they are still spicy. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read book three and even four when they come out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Because she doesn't need all of the details, and she's leaving anyway. She's leaving just like everyone else does." 

"Don't get me wrong, I love a man in a suit. But there's something about a blue-collar man that will win out every time." 

"Good girl." 

She's the sunshine pulling the darkness from my soul. 

Blossom Peak Series

 1. All This Time

2. On Borrowed Time

3. Test of Time (04/10/26)

4. It's About Time (07/2026) 

Tropes

Small Town

Single Parent 

Forced Proximity

Nanny

Boss/Employee

He Falls First 

Grumpy Sunshine

Leather and Lace (Black Diamond Ranch #1) by Kinsley Hunt

 

After my mother's death, I was thrown into a world I never asked to be part of - one built on bloodlines, legacies, and a father I've never met. I didn't come here looking for answers, but the ones I've found threatened to unravel everything. There are secrets buried deep in the soil of Black Diamond, and I should be afraid of what they'll cost me. But I'm not. Not when he's watching. Colter Shaw. The heir to the southern empire. Arrogant, magnetic, and cold as the bourbon in his glass. He's the kind of man who keeps people at arm's length - and yet looks at me like I'm the only thing worth touching. We're from two different worlds, raised on opposite sides of privilege and pain. He says I don't belong here. Maybe he's right. But that hasn't stopped him from acting like I do. Like I will. They warned me that Black Diamond would change me. What they didn't tell me is how much I'd want it to. Leather and Lace by Kinsley Hunt was published on January 2nd, 2026. This is the first book in the Black Diamond Ranch series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Kinsley Hunt and The Smuthood. I absolutely loved this book. This book had me on the edge of my seat because things that I thought were not actually happening. It had so many twists and turns throughout the book that I was not expecting. Though, it did not have any plot holes at all at the end of the story. I absolutely loved how the author wrote the plot of this story. While there is not many spicy scenes it didn't take away from the story. I felt like both characters had depth that was slowly revealed through the book. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and Kinsley Hunt is now on my favorite author list. I highly recommend checking out this story. 

Quotes that I Loved

"You'll get used to him. He's kind of like a yeast infection. Gone for a while but always pops back up when you least expect it." 

"Good girl." 

Damn. Why is my pussy so wet from this? I should be seeing red flags not yummy green ones. 

"Come on now, Little Star.....We're the stars. Meant to be. Giant balls of gas that blink out of existence only to blink right back in under a new sky...." 

Black Diamond Ranch Series

1. Leather and Lace 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Forced Proximity

Billionaire 

Age Gap 

Mafia 

Small town 

Scars of You (Amity #2) by Madi Danielle

 

Three years ago I moved to Amity. This was the place I was going to set my roots and live my life without the constant reminders of the pains of my past. That first night I fell into bed with a sexy stranger, only to find out he's none other than my neighbor. And he didn't even remember me or the night we spent together. Or so I thought. Years have past and it seems that may not be the case after all. Even though we don't get along, our chemistry is impossible to ignore. Turns out the fire between us may not be based on hatred at all. But rather something much more explosive. Scars of You by Madi Danielle was published January 13th, 2026. This is the second book of Amity series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Madi Danielle and The Smuthood. Now, first I want to say that mental health is so important. So please take the time to read the trigger warnings from this book for your own mental health. Also if it gets to rough for you do not shame yourself for walking away from the book. Okay, let's talk about the book. I absolutely loved this book and read it through having sickness. It took me longer then I would have loved but that's because I needed lots of sleep to get through this nasty cold. It took me two days mind you still. I loved how in depth the characters of Bailey and Wes are in this story. I felt like I could feel their struggles and I was silently cheering them on to open up to those around them. Also silently cheering that they were finally opening up in some way with each other about their struggles. I felt like both Wes and Bailey grew so much through this book not just with each other but themselves as well. They both had their own battles and were able to overcome those in some ways. The plot is intense but the slow parts really helped even it out. While I am not a huge fan of slow burn type of books this one didn't really bother me. It had great little scenes that all led up to the final moments. The spicy scenes were mild for something I would have thought for this type of books. But they were sweet and spicy. I highly recommend this book and now I am for sure going to add book one and book three to my every growing TBR. 

Quotes that I Loved 

Bailey: You don't tell me what to do.
Wes: Watch me. 

"Good. I don't want you to be a good girl. Get on your stomach."
"Make me." 

"Brats get punished. Now you get to go through the rest of the night needy, wet, and unsatisfied." 

Amity Series

1. Embers of You

2. Scars of You

3. Memories of You 

Tropes

Enemies to Lovers

Small Town 

Slow Burn

Men in Uniform 

For Now (Star-Crossed City #3) by Ari Wright

 

Marco Amir is great at his job. With one notable exception. He absolutely cannot keep himself away from the beautiful, wallflower wedding planner. He's supposed to be protecting her from the rabid media, ensuring there are no leaks that compromise the big event. Though, as threats close in and his carefully laid plans begin to unravel, Marco finds he isn't just guarding Alice because he has to, but because he's pretty sure she just might be the one...If he can somehow convince her their connection isn't just for now. For Now by Ari Wright was published January 8th, 2026. This is the third book in Star-Crossed City series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Ari Wright and The Smuthood. Okay first thing first, I have not read book one or book two of this series so it's all new characters to me. I have to say the characters were not something that I normally read. While yes, I read about bodyguard romances Marco did not act like the strongest bodyguard. Also Alice, really was hard on herself so much that at times it took over the story and you just wanted to escape. I did enjoy the plot of this story, but it made me realize that I knew nothing of what was going on in the other books which if I had the knowledge it would have helped me understand the plot better. I did enjoy this book and it was a nice escape from the world around me. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Good Girl." 

"I want to fuck you." 

"Your gun...You forgot to take it out of your pants." 
"That's not a gun, sweet girl." 

Star-Crossed City Series

1. For Always 

2. For Ever

3. For Now 

Tropes

Soulmates 

Fake Dating 

Bodyguard

He Falls first 

Happy Ever After (New York Thunder #4) by Shann McPherson

 

Two words describe Happy Slater; unserious and slutty. The second line defenseman, son of a former supermodel and a rockstar, is known for a good time and not a lot else. But sometimes appearances can be deceiving, and it's often the ones we least expect that are hiding the biggest secrets. Hannah Draper, daughter of New York Thunder head coach, Lance Draper, has officially had it with men. Forced to wait in the rain for an Uber that never shows, that is driven by - yep - a man, it only proves her point that all men suck. During her time of need, the last person Hannah wants to accept help from is Happy Slater, but desperate times often lead to terrible mistakes. After an unexpected night of hate-filled passion, they part ways only to find themselves brought back together again, and again, and again. Just when Hannah thinks she's got Happy figured out, he opens up his heart and shares his deepest secrets with her. This new side to the once insufferable member of her dad's hockey team has her cold heart thawing and her resolve to cancel all men starts to slip. But as the unlikely pair try to navigate their foreign feelings together, ghosts from their past start to surface, threatening everything. Happy Ever After by Shann McPherson will be published January 14th, 2026. This is book four of the New York Thunder series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Shann McPherson and The Smuthood. I fell in love with this series from Best Kept Secret. I thought that was going to be the high of the series but in reality I think this book took over the stop. This book had me giggling and crying, and squealing. I absolutely loved Hannah in this book. I felt like she grew as the character in this book. Then there is Happy....omg I think he has such a unique name. Anyways, I loved him and really could not see him as a Playboy in the book. So when the truth of his secret comes out I was not surprised. Though, the secret really sent me in a frenzy. I loved the plot in this book. Yes, it's fast paced and they fall in love quickly but the characters have known each other before this book. Also sometimes it's fun to read a fast paced book. I highly recommend checking out this book. I for sure need to read the other books in this series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Are you going to be able to fuck me if I let you come right now, or are you a pathetic one-hit wonder?" 

"Oh, fuck yes, good boy!" 

"I'm going to suck your cock so you'll stop being such a downer." 

New York Thunder Series 

1. Famous Last Words

2. One Night Only

3. Best Kept Secret 

4. Happy Ever After 

Tropes

Sports Romance - Hockey

He Falls First 

Single Dad

Poke Check (Skate Me Home #3) by Rachel Anthony

 

Naomi Piccolo is done being underestimated. Chronically overlooked at her marketing firm, landing a consulting gig for a pro hockey team is her chance to prove she belongs in the big leagues - even if she's the shortest person in every boardroom. Garrett Tall doesn't do apologies. Not for his size, not for his ridiculous pre-game rituals, and definitely not for pissing off the fierce little redhead. As the Hartford Whalers' starting goalie, he's paid to be immovable, and he's very good at his job. When Naomi walks into the arena, neither of them is thrilled. She thinks he's a superstitious man-child who smirks instead of speaks. He thinks she's all bark and no bite. Then she accidentally touches his lucky stick. And he wins. Now Garrett is convinced she's his good luck charm - and he's not above asking her to touch his stick again. She finds the whole thing absurd. He finds her protests irrelevant. Suddenly they're bound together by superstition and stubbornness, stuck in each other's orbit with all the friction combusting into something a lot harder to ignore. Poke Check by Rachel Anthony was published on January 4th, 2026. This is the third book in the Skate Me Home series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Rachel Anthony and Book Siren. This was a super short book then what I am used to. I loved the two characters in this book though. They had me giggling at their silly antics and word choices. Though, I felt like both characters lacked something that could make them feel more rounded. The plot while it was a slow burn I felt like there was a lot of it missing on the pages. I felt like we needed more time for the two characters to fall in love. I felt like it was skipped a lot of things without telling the reader. Though this book was a cute read and I would love to read more from this author. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Wouldn't want to get any taller. Ceiling fans are already dangerous."
"What?"
"Blades....They're everywhere. Gotta stay alert." 

"I need you to touch my stick." 

"Have you been stalking me again?"
"Please. If I was stalking you, you'd never see me coming. I'm small and sneaky, remember?" 

Skate Me Home Series

1. Blocked Shot

2. Twisted Shot

3. Poke Check 

Tropes

Sports Romance - Hockey

Grumpy Sunshine

Slow Burn