The One-Night Secret (Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove #5) by Brighton Walsh

 

I survived jail. One night with a gorgeous stranger wasn't supposed to be the hard part. But Rowan Wilder is a force to be reckoned with. A five-foot- nothing storm cloud in combat boots who marches toward men twice her size with nothing but a baseball bat and sharp mouth. She's the first woman to get under my skin...and the last one I should be touching. I came to Starlight Cove looking for the father who abandoned my mom and me. Instead, I find four half-brothers who want me gone yesterday and the fiercely protective single mom who makes leaving feel impossible. When a broken-down car stands me in Rowan's attic and a storm lands me back in her bed, I'm suddenly sharing a roof with someone who looks like sin, tastes like temptation, and feels a hell a lot like home. Trouble is, her ex keeps circling like she still belongs to him. He's wrong. And I'm one bad decision away from making sure he knows it. Protecting Rowan is easy. Breaking through her defenses is not. She's spent years building walls around the life she's fought hard to create, and falling for another ex-con isn't part of her plan. Walking away would be the smart move. But I didn't survive everything I have just to be smart. I survived it all to be hers. The One-Night Secret by Brighton Walsh will be published on October 1st, 2026. This is the fifth book in the Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Brighton Walsh and The Smuthood. Ahhh....I was bouncing off the walls when I received the email saying I was selected to read this book before it was published. Brighton Walsh is one of my favorite authors since I read the series Starlight Cove last year. Anyways, I had to skip all the other books on my advance copy list because I could not put this down on the list. I had to immediately start reading about Maverick. Let me tell you, when you first meet Maverick your thinking oh jeez he's the tough shit who is going to ruin everyone's day. But in reality, he's a teddy bear who loves to tinker with things that are broken. Also...he has an amazing collection of shirts that just give scenes some comedic chuckle. I absolutely loved the two main characters. We meet Rowen in other books as she has been ingrained with the Steele family. But, to hear her backstory through the book and why she has this thick layer skin on her at all times. It really made you fall in love with her even more. Also with how she raises her own teenage boys. Which reminded me of how my teenagers in my own house give me shit. I absolutely loved the two characters in how they shape each other to become their best self. Yes, Maverick does get through Rowen's layers. But I love how he also supports her without taking over. I highly recommend checking this book out. I seriously hope that Brighton Walsh writes more about Starlight Cove. I have grown to love that small town and want to move there. 

Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove Series

1. The Grump Next Door 

2. The Live-In Temptation 

3. The Mr & Mrs Mistake

4. The Roommate Rules 

5. The One-Night Secret 

Tropes 

Forced Proximity 

Small Town Romance 

Single Parent 

Roommates to Lovers 

Braving the Storm (Crimson Ridge #2) by Elliott Rose

 

I'm not supposed to feel this way....I never wanted to disappear more than while around my family. Briar Lane, the girl only useful for one thing: my surname. A business handshake and pawn to be traded. My father's chess piece shuffled between empires. That was my life back in L.A., but all it took was finding the dirty secret stuffed in a jacket pocket, and my entire world unraveled. So, I fled to the one place I knew they could never find me: Crimson Ridge. Arriving in this snowy, harsh world, I thought I'd be starting over on my own, but it turns out I couldn't have been more wrong. The abandoned mountain cabin I inherited isn't what it seems. This mountain hides secrets. An ex-pro bull rider consumes this space, and now, my every thought with it...Storm and Lane. My father's adopted brother. We should never have found ourselves isolated out here in the mountains together, each trying to outrun our pasts. All it took was one misunderstanding, one line almost crossed, and everything changed. A girl like me isn't supposed to know what those tattooed hands feel like, and I'm certainly not meant to feel butterflies anytime that pair of piercing blue eyes land on mine. He might be my every fantasy, a cowboy I constantly dream about, but he's a temptation I have to ignore. A man I absolutely cannot find myself attracted to. Even when he's looking at me with the kind of hunger that can only spell ruin for us both. Long, dark nights spent in this tiny cabin can't be the excuse to step into forbidden territory. Or can they? Braving the Storm by Elliott Rose was published on November 13th, 2024. This is the second book in the Crimson Ridge series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Elliott Rose and The Smuthood. So I am not a huge fan of what feels like grooming behavior. So this book sent up red flags at the beginning of the book. I was going to dnf it pretty quickly. Though, I am glad that I was able to stick with it as it finally dawned on me that it Briar and Storm didn't have much of a relationship at all when she was a child. So I was able to move past it all. Also Storm is not her blood uncle but he was adopted as a child. Anyways, I really enjoyed this story once I got past me feeling like it had red flags everywhere. I loved the relationship that Storm and Briar had through the book and how it shifted. You can see the tension between the two characters as they both fought the feelings they had for each other. I also loved how you can see both of them growing into better individuals the more they are with each other. The plot of the book is great and it flowed. I didn't feel like it was too slow in parts and I didn't feel rushed in others. It flowed like a river. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Crimson Ridge Series 

1. Chasing the Wild

2. Braving the Storm 

2.5: Bouquets & Buckles 

3. Taming the Heart 

4. Saving the Rain

4.5: Saddles & Snowfall 

Tropes

Small Town 

Forced Proximity 

Forbidden 

Grumpy Sunshine 

Clock Play (Rock City Renegades #5) by C.L. Rose

 

All I ever wanted was to play football. I made it my life, sacrificing romantic relationships, figuring I'd have all the time in the world after I hung up my cleats for good. But here I am: in my late thirties, single, and ready to accept that I may never have a family of my own. But everything changes the moment I lay eyes on Paris Bellamy - the beautiful, strong, captivating single mother of three who's more than ten years my junior. I'm supposed to be coaching her sons and working alongside her at the Renegades facility, but when my cravings to care for her become too incessant to ignore, I find myself on her doorstep, desperate to be let in. She wants to find herself after years of being torn down by her toxic ex. I'm determined to show her just how priceless she is, but can I be the man she needs? Or will I be left to go on without the woman and children who've quickly become the best part of my days? Clock Play by C.L. Rose was published on August 27th, 2026. This is the fifth book in the Rock City Renegades series. 

I received this book for my honest review from C.L. Rose and The Smuthood. I absolutely loved this story and could not put it down. The plot of this story flowed so well together that I didn't feel like I was rushed or that there was unnecessary info that made it drag on. Each page is just built upon each other. The characters....they were I think one of the best of the series. I thought that I loved Austin from the other books in the series. The way that he helped the other guys get their girls. Also the way of his friendship he had with the girls. But, I for sure added Austin to my book boyfriend's collection from this novel. The way that he was so patient with Paris and the way that he let her be independent but yet didn't mind stepping in to help her. Also the way that he didn't mind being there for the kids. It was the chief's kiss! I loved Paris, and how she was trying to find herself in this book. How she was wanting to be the best mom she could for her three children and just pushing herself. It really shows how a good single parent is with her kids. Both characters I felt that I could picture in real life. They both had strengths and weaknesses. Also loved how their love was not instant in the book. It was built by Austin doing the little things. I could totally picture the two of them falling in love through the book. I highly recommend reading not only this book but also the series. I can't wait to read other series that are by C.L. Rose as she knows how to write love stories. 

Rock City Renegades Series 

1. Mr. Irrelevant 

2. Bad Call 

3. The Interception

4. Red Zone 

5. Clock Play 

Tropes 

single parent 

sports - football 

forced proximity 

friends to lovers

Brother's Best Friend

He Falls First 

Lucky Mother Pucker (Hollis U #4) by Sarah Smith

I didn't mean to get the pretty barista at the coffee shop fired. But after a fight with my hypercritical, hockey-obsessed dad, I was in the worst mood and took it out on her. Now she's out of a job because of me. And when I finally learn her name, I learn some other things about her too. Lucy Bailey is down to her last dollar and living in her car. I'm desperate to make things right, so I move her into my house for free until she gets back on her feet. It's not long before we go from roommates to friends....then something more...After a night of nonstop flirting, she asks to share my bed...which leads to the hottest hookup. We agree to keep things fun and filthy, nothing serious...but I'm falling for her. But she's guarded and doesn't trust anyone. When it comes to hockey, I know all the rules. But when it comes to love, I'm clueless. I need to show Lucy that I'll always play my heart out when it comes to her. Lucky Mother Pucker by Sarah Smith was published on September 14th, 2026. This is the fourth book in the Hollis U series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Sarah Smith and The Smuthood. I have absolutely loved this series. This book was no different as I read each page. I absolutely loved Leo and Lucy as the main character. They both were well rounded as characters in this book. I felt like they both had some strengths and weakness. The two characters balanced the weaknesses out and you can see how well their relationship grew on each page. I absolutely thought this book worked amazing for a slow burn. I don't think it would have worked as well if it was fast paced as it would feel like they just fell straight to bed with each other. I also loved how the characters from the other books in the series rallied behind Lucy and her struggles. Also the dog, Wally was a huge hit with me. The smut scenes in this book were perfect and sweet for the most part. I thought it was going to have a different kink showing but the novel really didn't pursue it. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Hollis U Series 

1. Cocky Mother Pucker

2. Grumpy Mother Pucker

3.  Hot Mother Pucker

4. Lucky Mother Pucker 

Tropes 

Roommates to Lovers 

Slow Burn 

Sports - Hockey 

Chasing the Wild (Chrimson Ridge #1) by Elliott Rose

What happens when you're snowed in on a mountain ranch, with the one man you definitely should not be fantasizing about? I've always done what was expected of me. Layla Birch, the good girl. Forced to grow up too fast. To take care of everything myself. I had a plan. Only, I didn't count on him. Colton Wilder. The cowboy nearly twice my age. He's my dream man. One who takes care of me, gives me a job, and makes my pulse thud harder every time he comes near. My ex-boyfriend's father. The nights are long and cold on top of this mountain. As the snow grows thicker and the tension between us, we're both inching closer to a line we shouldn't cross. Each day, it grows harder to resist the man who looks at me with longing in his eyes. It's tempting to forget about being the good girl for once. No one would find out. Would they? Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose was published on June 20th, 2024. This is the first book in the Chrimson Ridge series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Elliott Rose and The Smuthood. This is my first book that I have read that was written by Elliott Rose. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a little slow but as a slow burn type of book it was kind of needed. I really liked the tension between the two characters as it started to build from the beginning of book. So when the two characters finally let go things happened rather quickly after that. Though, the ending felt off and entirely different then what I thought would happen. The characters felt flat in spots where I needed more info. I thought Colton was the one that felt the most flat and it was hard to see what Layla saw in him. I also felt like the action in the book just ramped up but then fell apart. I can't wait to read book two of the series though. I recommend checking out this book. 

Chrimson Ridge Series 

1. Chasing the Wild 

2. Braving the Storm 

2.5: Bouquets & Buckles 

3: Taming the Heart 

4. Saving the Rain

4.5: Saddles & Snowfall 

Tropes

Small Town 

Forced Proximity 

Age-Gap 

Western 

Slow Burn 

Single Parent 

Forbidden Romance 

Stranded in Starlight Cove (Starlight Cove #0.5) by Brighton Walsh

 

Quick Word: I am so sorry for my readers that I haven't posted anything lately. I decided it would be fun to fall in a small hole at a wedding. A wedding where I was a guest and not only that everyone saw me fall. Let's top that and also say that my dress went flying up (thank god I wore biker shorts) and I also broke my ankle this fall. 

I've been avoiding my best friend's little sister for three long years because I shouldn't be attracted to a woman a decade my junior. But when she calls and begs me to bail her out of another one of her disasters, I drop everything to rescue her. I spend way too much on a last minute plane ticket to Starlight Cove, Maine, with nothing on my mind but getting her butt safely back to Havenbrook as soon as possible. At least until I arrive and realize I'm trapped right along with her. And now I have to figure out how to avoid the one woman I'm not supposed to want while we're stuck in a tiny cottage that has only one bed. Stranded in Starlight by Brighton Walsh was published on January 1st, 2023. This is a novella that is right at the beginning of the Starlight Cove series. 

I was so lucky to see that Brighton Walsh made this book free to some on her newsletter awhile back. I didn't realize that I missed a book from the Starlight Cove series. So let's talk about this book, this book made me giggle so much. I loved how the characters from the other books make their appearance. Of course it's before the characters meet their someone special. So they are their cranky selves in this book. Though, I miss some other side characters but it was easy to overlook. I absolutely loved the two characters in this book. Brighton Walsh knows how to create characters that feel so rounded that I feel like they could be in the same room as me. They both have faults but they also both show their growth in this book. Also even though the book is short I didn't feel like the relationship between the FMC and the MMC was rushed as you read the backstory of them through the book. I really wish that Brighton, would have had this book be a full size book instead of a Novella. I really want to see what happens when they get back to Havenbrook. But alas she only shows us what happens when they are in Starlight Cove. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. 

Starlight Cove Series 

0.5: Stranded in Starlight Cove 

1: Defiant Heart 

2: Protective Heart 

3: Fearless Heart 

4: Reckless Heart 

5: Possessive Heart 

6: Rebel Heart 

Tropes 

Age-Gap

Small Town 

Brothers Best Friend 

Friends to Lovers 

Forced Proximity 

It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4) by Harlow James

 

Pretending to be engaged to my enemy might not be my brightest idea. But it is definitely necessary. On the brink of the biggest car show of my career, I start to panic because it's the first time I have to see my ex since our break-up. Spoiler alert: It wasn't clean or amicable. Then when Elliot Thorne's ex-fiance shows back up in town, I devise a plan for both of us to get what we want: a buffer from our exes with a dash of revenge. The problem is Elliot takes his role to protect me too seriously. He brings me food while I'm working to make sure I eat. He even silences the self-doubt I feel on a day-to-day basis. And before I know it, he has me on my knees in my garage, and on my back on the hood of my car. The hate I've harbored toward him melts away as fast as my panties, and I soon realize we have more in common than I thought. Then he tells me a secret that makes me reevaluate our entire relationship. Now I'm left to consider if something fake could be real...And that maybe it's about time I admit that Elliot isn't my enemy after all. It's About Time by Harlow James was published on July 10th, 2026. This is the fourth book in the Blossom Peak series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Harlow James and The Smuthood. I had that amazing pleasure to be able to review all four of the books in this series. I was so excited for this couple to finally get their heads on straight. This book had lots of lead up through the other books in the series. So by the time this one came around it was a massive tension that was building. So I highly recommend reading the first three books in the series. Anyways, I absolutely love the FMC and MMC in this book. They are both so different from each other that you can see how their relationship blows up. The build up in this book and to see how they are finally seeing that there is more than hatred towards each other. It is perfection. I am actually really bummed that the series is coming to an end. The smut scenes will leave you satisfied. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book and series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Now, go. Scrub your pits and balls, Thorne. I don't have all day." 

"Couch"

"Having a love affair with your couch now?"

"Yes. This couch has never let me down, unlike some people." 

"Jesus, you really do need someone to suck you off, don't you? Like a penis exorcism, maybe?" 

"Such a good fucking girl." 

Blossom Peak Series 

1. All This Time 

2. On Borrowed Time 

3. Test of Time 

4. It's About Time 

Tropes 

Enemies to Lovers 

Small Town 

He Falls First 

Brothers Best Friend 

Slow Burn 

Fake Dating