Headless Hollow by Brooklyn Cross

 

Nothing much happens in a sleepy little town like mine. At least that is what I think until one night everything changes. People are disappearing at an alarming rate, but even more disturbing is how they end up on my table. I'm a coroner and no stranger to death, but even I wasn't ready for the twisted game this killer plays. It turns personal when I awake to a gift and a note that says. He who wins a thousand common hearts is therefore entitled to some renown, but he who keeps undisputed sway over the heart of a coquette is indeed a hero. I know the Washington Irving quote well. Sleepy Hallow is one of my favorite stories, or it was until real life and fiction began to blur. Now, I don't know what is real anymore. Headless Hollow by Brooklyn Cross was published on October 31st, 2024. 

So I found some videos about this book on booktok and thought, "This is a good Halloween theme book." So I thought I give it a try and I am so glad that I gave it a shot. This book had me in a choke-hold through the whole book. I absolutely loved the FMC in this book and how she reminded me a lot of Bones. Though, I felt like for a short novella that the plot was a little slow in the start in some spots. Though, the first chapter will cause you to gasp and perhaps laugh a bit. I absolutely think this book could have been a full fledged novel with more twists and turns. Also the ending of the book is a twist and I had a feeling there was going to be a twist at the end. It just felt hanging which I wish I could had more then the hanging at the end. I really enjoyed this book until that point. I highly recommend checking it out. 

Tropes 

Dark Romance 

Stalker 

BDSM 

Thriller 

Serial Killer 

Ruthless Game (Kings of Reina University #3) by Jo Brenner

 

The rugged, blue-eyed, easygoing hockey player was once the love of my life. Now all David Lawson wants is revenge. Reina University's star goalie thinks I betrayed him, when he's the one who betrayed me - and destroyed my heart. I've tried to move on. But Lawson's determined to get me out of his system, one dark, depraved intensely exhilarating act at a time. I can't resist him, and not just because he's theatening to expose secrets about my brother that could ruin his life. Lawson's not the boy I knew. Between his cruel touch that sets me on fire and moments of tenderness that crumble the walls around my heart, I no longer know which way is up. All I know is I won't go down without a fight. I'll prove he's wrong about me. About everything. But even if Lawson realizes his mistake, it may be too late - because an enemy is waiting in the shadows, eager to destroy us both.  Ruthless Game by Jo Brenner was published on October 11th, 2026. This is the third book in the Kings of Reina University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jo Brenner and The Smuthood. Before I begin, I should let you know that I did not read the previous two books in the series before I read this book. While there are some things that I didn't understand when meeting some characters, I didn't feel like it took away from the plot. I absolutely loved the main female character Emma. She is a child who grew up in the foster care system but then finally got adopted by a lovely family. I felt like some of her trust issues through the book stemmed from wanting to appease her parents through the book. I also like the main male character as he had his own baggage through the book from being a child of an abusive father. While, I felt bad for him I still thought though the book that I wanted to hate him as well. I did not like how many times Max would flip the script in how he treated Emma. I felt bad for her and wished so many times that she would just leave him. To not worry about the blackmail that Max was holding over her. Though the smut scenes in this book were spicy....many times I turned red from second hand frustration. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to read more by Jo Brenner. 

Kings of Reina University Series

1. Brutal Game

2. Heartless Game

3. Ruthless Game 

Tropes 

Sports - Hockey 

College/ New Age 

Enemies to Lovers 

Second Chance 

Forced Proximity 

Dark Romance 

Praising the Pitcher (The Good Girls of NE University #4) by Hannah Gray

 

Stand tall. I've heard those two words more times than I can count. They're something my coaches, my mother, and even my less-than-loving father have been telling me for as long as I can remember. And on the mound...it always came naturally. On the mound, I could be face-to-face with a mountain of pressure, and still, I'd never show my opponent it was becoming heavy to shoulder. Off the field though? That's always been a completely different story. But I learned to fake it with the best of them - and most of the time, it worked. Well, it worked with everyone besides the one guy I'd love to keep my composure around. The one who can make my cheeks heat like no other with a simple smirk. Campus Playboy, serious flirt, and oh yeah, my best friend's brother. Noah King. As a romance reader myself, I should know by now it's always the best friend's brother that'll get you every time. What starts off as something harmless - Noah and I bonding over a shared traumatic experience - quickly grows into a casual friendship. And because I apparently have learned nothing from the hundreds of romance books I've read...of course it becomes more after we swore to each other it wouldn't and couldn't be. Yeah, like I said...the best friend's brother trope? Well, it gets ya. Praising the Pitcher by Hannah Gray comes out October 1st, 2026. This is the fourth book of The Good Girls of NE University. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. I think this was the story that is my favorite of the series. I absolutely loved the two main characters in this book. Gigi, trying to find herself after being verbally attacked by her father. Trying to find that she can be a strong person. Then there is Noah. I absolutely loved Noah and how sweet he was with Gigi. It was easy to see them starting to have feelings for each other through the book. Also Noah has his own issues in the book which made him feel that much real. The plot of this story is so sweet and flowed so easily from each page. I had no problem following along through the book. I highly recommend checking this book out. You will not be disappointed at all. 

The Good Girls of NE University Series

1. Getting the Goalie

2. Convincing the Catcher 

3. Saving the Shortstop 

4. Praising the Pitcher 

5. TBA 

Tropes

Sports - Football & Softball 

Friends to Lovers 

Best Friend's Brother

Forced Proximity

College Age - New Age 

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