Next Best Swing by Shann McPherson

 

Not so long ago, Brookes Devereaux was the world number one golfer. Now, fresh out of rehab, his comeback is not quite according to plan, and he's seriously starting to worry that the old Brookes is gone for good, and what's left is nothing more than a 32-year-old washed-up has-been. When faced with the real threat of losing his tour card, Brookes and his management team are left scrambling. But, with a litter help from his meddling 80-year-old bestie, Brookes decides that Poppy Crawford, the curvy cart girl with endless sunshine and spunk, might just be what he needs to help him improve his image. Brookes and Poppy come to an arrange; she agrees to be his fake girlfriend for the summer, and he'll pay her enough money that she'll finally be able to get out of her ex-boyfriend's apartment. It's the perfect deal: Brookes isn't at all interested in her or a relationship, and Poppy needs money to help turn her small business into a dream career. But when Poppy helps Brookes find himself again, and Brookes helps Poppy fight the demons from her past that she's kept hidden from everyone, the two grow closer. And when the lines between real and fake, and right and wrong begin to blur, Brookes finds himself wondering if what he didn't want, might exactly what he needs. Next Best Swing by Shann McPherson was published on April 9th, 2026. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Shann McPherson and The Smuthood. I want to first explain that I know every little bit about golf so this was all new to me. Though, since I didn't know much about golf I was not lost in the book. Golf was only a small part of the plot of the story. I absolutely loved this book. I loved Poppy and her spunky behavior and Brookes grumpy behavior. I absolutely hated another character in this book as he made me uneasy just like he did to Poppy. The author knew how to make sure that the other character came across the reader so well that it makes you feel uneasy by his behavior. I loved how Poppy and Brookes were not instantly in love. It took time through the book for them to get to the point of past friends. The smut scenes were sweet and did not overpower the plot of the story. The plot of the story flowed really well from each scene and I felt like by the end of the book a lot of my questions were answered. I highly recommend checking out this book. I for one will read more books by Shann McPherson. 

Tropes 

Sports - Golf 

Fake Dating 

Forced Proximity 

Friends to Lovers 

Grumpy Sunshine 

Slow Burn 

Rucking Obsessed (Knights of St. Killian #1) by London Snow

 

MySongbird, 3,748 days. I know the number without looking it up. Ten years, two months and six days since the first time I saw your face. I track every aspect of your life like you're my religion. When I reveal myself, you'll understand that I'll never worship anyone else. You were always meant to be mine, my little songbird. But for now, I have to settle for keeping you safe. Yours in every lifetime. Rucking Obsessed by London Snow was published March 25th, 2026. This is the first book in the Knights of St. Killian series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from London Snow and The Smuthood. I had a hard time getting into this book. There were times where I was so close in DNF it. But then...there were moments where I was like wait...this is finally getting interesting. I could not get into the two main characters at all though. I felt like they had no chemistry other then him saving her when she was little. Though he was the only one who remembered. So it was a challenging book for me. I felt like the characters really didn't have any depth to them. But yet the plot had some interesting points involved in it. While, I am not sure if I will read another book in the series. You might light this book. It does have a few good spicy scenes. 

Quotes that I Liked 

"Leave her the fuck alone...Or I'm going to shove that little rowboat of yours up your ass and send you out to sea." 

"I see you watching me all the time. For such a psycho.....you're very handsome." 

"You're awfully cuddly for a stalker, Sabastian..." 

Knights of St. Killian Series

1. Rucking Obsessed 

2. TBA 

Tropes

Sports Romance - Rugby

Dark Romance 

Stalker 

New Age

He Fell First 

Virgin 

The Roommate Rules (Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove #4) by Brighton Walsh

 

Starlight Cove's prim little librarian has despised me since the first day I parked my motorcycle on her sidewalk. Now our feud has landed us as roommates....and she just asked me to teach her every dirty thing she's never experienced. Making Penelope Shea lose her mind has been my favorite hobby since she moved here. But our infamous daily sparring backfires when the town's meddling grandma sentences us to five hundred hours of community service...or thirty days of living together. Penelope chooses cohabitation with the enemy to protect her spotless record. I agree because watching her unravel sounds like fun. What I don't expect is to discover my rule-enforcing roommate has secrets - namely, a hidden career penning filthy romances and a list of sinful lessons she's written about but never learned firsthand. Like an idiot, I volunteer as her tutor. Penelope calls it research. I call it trouble. Because somewhere between her first lesson and her first tattoo, she goes from being in my head to being in my bed. Now she's under my skin as permanently as my ink is under hers. The Roommate Rules by Brighton Walsh was published on May 7th, 2026. This is the fourth book in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove series. 

I was so excited when I was given this book for my honest review from Brighton Walsh and The Smuthood. This is the fourth book that I have received from these lovely ladies and I absolutely love this series. Brighton Walsh is one of my top favorite authors that I always love reading her books. So let's talk about this book. This book sets the bar so high that it's hard to get into another book after you finish it. The smut scenes in this book are top notch as Declan does not hold back when he teaches Penelope the ropes of a good scene. There are times when you might need to fan yourself or find your lovely husband to help ya out. I absolutely loved Declan in the other books in the series so of course I was so excited that it was finally his book. Mind you he loved to give his brothers a hard time previously so you know those brothers are going to come after him. This book has so much chemistry that builds up throughout that you knew they were going to combust. I love that Penelope has such an amazing friendship with some of the leading females in previous books and Declan's mom. The characters in this book are amazing and it's hard to realize that they are in fact not real. Brighton Walsh has pulled off another book and then she left us with the biggest surprise at the end of this book. Sneaky...Sneaky author. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book, I for one will be on the look out for more books by this author as she never has failed me yet. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm telling you, she's gonna snap one day."

"Worth it."

"Not if she stabs you with a pencil engraved with World's Best Librarian and you bleed out on the sidewalk you were bound and determined to park on." 

"What're you thinking about, rebel?" 

"Choking you with my bare hands."

"Maybe next time. If you're a good girl." 

"You know I can't fake my dick getting hard, right?" 

"Well, I don't have one of those things! I don't have firsthand knowledge of how they work."

"Clearly, But I do. And I can promise you, my cock doesn't lie." 

"Look at you. Soft everywhere I wanna sink my teeth." 

"Some would say too soft."

"Good thing those assholes aren't here." 

"All I see are tits I wanna fuck, thighs I wanna bury my face between, and hips I wanna dig my fingers into while I'm fucking you." 

Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove Series 

1. The Grump Next Door 

2. The Live-In Temptation 

3. The Mr & Mrs Mistake 

4. The Roommate Rules 

Tropes 

Forced Proximity 

Small Town 

Enemies to Lovers 

Grumpy - Sunshine

He Falls First 

Unplanned Play (Nashville Players #1) by Chelle Sloan

 

The itinerary for girls' weekend in Las Vegas was simple. Gamble. Get drunk. Wear a little black dress that screamed "newly single and ready to make bad decisions." That bad - yet oh so very good decision - came when Maddox Gallagher walked into the bar. In my defense, it was hard to resist the younger football player. Between the dimple in his cheek and the way he held me when we danced, I was a goner. Add in the fact that he was celebrating a championship trophy and I was toasting to no longer being married, we were a match made in one-night-of-fun heaven. But what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Whoever said that was a liar. Because tell me why my one-night stand is now walking into my bakery, bound and determined to turn our one night into something more. And why did I bring home a souvenir that won't get here for nine months and also not have a return policy? Unplanned Play by Chelle Sloan was published on March 26th, 2026. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood. Thanks Ladies! This is my first book that I have read by Chelle Sloan and I am so excited to say I was not disappointed. This book made me feel all of the feels. Though, I am not a huge fan of surprise pregnancy this one didn't bother me as much. Though, as a reader I was able to spot it pretty quickly. I was really excited through when ever I had time to read to get back into this book. It's Maycember in my house so everything is happening this month. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters in this book. I loved how the one-night stand turned into more. I also loved how Maddox was not pushing FMC to become more than friends. That he was able to just be her friend and be there for her even though he wanted more. I absolutely loved this book and I am sure you will too. There are also some nice smut scenes throughout the book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Been friends with this woman for fifty years and to this day I have to remind her that we stay away from red flags, not run toward them like a goddamn bull." 

"I want to know every good, bad, or ugly thought that's bouncing around in that beautiful head of yours. Because the good ones I want to make sure happen, and the bad ones I want to fuck right out of you." 

"Abso-fucking-lutely." 
"Good boy."
"Now fuck me until I come again."
"With pleasure." 

Nashville Players Series

1. Unplanned Play 

2. Unexpected Shot (04/30/2026) 

Tropes

Age Gap

Sports Romance - Football

Friends to Lovers 

He Fell First 

Lassoed Love (Silver Saddle Ranch #2) by Ann Einerson

 

Spicy lessons turn into undeniable chemistry, blurred lines, and broken rules between a reformed cowboy Casanova and the girl he's secretly pined after for years in this steamy, friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, small-town romance. I wasn't expecting to bail my little sister's best friend out of jail. But what else could I do? I've wanted her for far longer than I care to admit. Too bad she thinks I'm a notorious Playboy, leaving my firmly in the friend zone. Not that I didn't earn that reputation once upon a time, but Birdie is the only one I have eyes for now. Luck is on my side when, after a few too many shots, the girl of my dreams propositions me. Will I be the first one to take her for a roll in the hay and teach her everything I know? Getting involved with the woman I've been yearning for is a bad idea. But it's one I plan to take for a ride, especially when Birdie becomes my fake girlfriend with benefits. This might not be my first rodeo, but agreeing to give her spicy lessons blurs the lines between friendship and what lies beyond. If I'm already bending the rules, I'm determined to lasso her heart. Lassoed Love by Ann Einerson was published March 26th, 2026. This is the second book in the Silver Saddle Ranch series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Ann Einerson and The Smuthood. I have to first say that I have not read book one before I read this book. Though, you didn't really need to read book one first. It was quick way to get the background just by reading this book. Though, you don't know how to background characters got together. It didn't take away from the book at all or the plot. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It is very light hearted and makes you giggle a lot. I absolutely loved Birdie in this book. She seems to be a girl who has so much strength when in reality she is drowning until Walker comes in. I loved that both characters have both strengths and weaknesses that balance each other out. It makes it seem like a perfect fit through the book. The plot in this book is amazing and it flows so well through each page. I didn't feel like I was always playing catch up or feeling like screaming because nothing was happening. I loved the romance the two characters have for each other. It works really well together as you can see how they work together in the book. The spicy scenes are spicy as Walker teaches Birdie what it means to be spicy. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"If you're responsible for this, I'm totally putting glitter in your body wash the next time I'm at the ranch, Deputy." 

"That's one dirty mouth for someone who claims to be so innocent." 

"God, you're so hot when you beg."

"You need me to help get you off, baby? Is that what you've been missing?" 

"Eyes on me." 

Silver Saddle Ranch Series

1. Wrangled Love 

2. Lassoed Love 

3. Tethered Love (07/17/2026) 

Tropes 

small town

friends to lovers 

fake dating

virgin

sister's best friend 

Convincing the Catcher (The Good Girls of NE University #2) by Hannah Gray

 

From a young age, I knew things to be true. Number one, I was going to play professional softball. And number two, in order to get there, I couldn't allow myself any distractions. Ever. Being a type 1 diabetic catcher at a division one college, I'm no stranger to challenges. But when my dad gets diagnosed with cancer and my mom finds herself drowning in his medical bills, losing our health insurance while my dad becomes unrecognizable has me questioning my own strengths. Cane Hall is the stepson of retired NHL legend Tripp Talmage. He's also NEU's most beloved baseball player. At least, he was before one mistake has everyone second guessing his integrity, and he finds himself at odds with social media backlash. As NEU's first type 1 diabetic female catcher, I have my share of fans. And when Cane approaches me, offering to pay for my prescriptions in return for me faking a friendship to help him save his image...I somehow find myself saying yes. Under one condition-no romance. No feelings. Because I don't do boyfriends. Especially ones that look like Cane Hale. But when my dad dies, Cane is there, being everything I need him to be, making it hard not to fall for him. And though he distracts me from my grief, eventually, I know i'm going to come head to head with the pain. So, will I let Cane hold my hand while I face it? Or will I do what I do best and push him away? Not long ago, I would have known the answer. But now, I have no idea. Convincing the Catcher by Hannah Gray was published on March 16th, 2026. This is the second book in The Good Girls of NE University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review by Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. I was so excited to read this book as I loved the first book of the series. This book made me giggle and smile throughout the book until Harley's dad passed away. I sobbed and sobbed as the relationship between the Harley and her dad you could see how much she loved her dad. Though, I loved the romance in this book and how the two characters were supporting each other. The spicy scenes were top notch even though I thought that Harley was in no way ready for it when they finally both gave in. The two characters in this book are both well rounded as they both have a past that affects their future. They also both grow through this book as a person and are even better because of their relationship. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. I cannot wait for the third book in this series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Seriously, I was here all last year and never even ran into you. Now you're popping up like a jack-in-the-box." 

"I know. How dare he make money for his charity with our fine asses? With my luck, I'll get bought by some old cougar or something." 
"Old cougar need love too, Hale!...Besides, maybe she'll, like, bake you cookies or some shit." 
"Why the fuck would she pay for a date with him and then bake him cookies?"
"Because old ladies love to bake, dickwad! And they're good at it. I mean, fuck, if I could live to play hockey for ninety years, I'd probably get pretty good too. You know?" 
"But your body would be decrepit, Einstein." 

Stupid six-pack. Stupid wet six-pack. Stupid V-line and stupid towel. 

The Good Girls of NE University Series

1. Getting the Goalie 

2. Convincing the Catcher

3. Stealing The Shortstop (08/01/2026) 

Tropes

Sports - Baseball / Softball 

Friends to Lovers 

He Falls First 

New Age 

Slow Burn 

Virgin

Forced Proximity

Fight for Us (Pinecrest, Montana #1) by Emily Silver

 

The love of my life left our small town without a second glance. What he didn't know? I had a secret of my own. I created a life for myself and my daughter in Pinecrest with someone who was supposed to take care of us. But all he wanted was my father's company. He didn't care about us. So I left. When tragedy strikes and my first love comes back to town, I'm thrown for a loop. And I'm not the only one. When he discovers the truth about my daughter, he does what's needed to stick around. For our daughter. But I can't ignore the chemistry still there between us. It never left. I want him more than anything. But if he leaves town again, I don't know if I'll be able to recover. Will we be able to move on from the past? Will my ex let us go? Only if Kade has what it takes to fight for us. Fight for Us by Emily Silver was published on March 16th, 2026. This is the first book in the Pinecrest, Montana book series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Emily Silver and The Smuthood. I absolutely loved this book so much. It's a sweet second chance love story that gets you all up in the feels. I absolutely loved the plot of this story and how it flowed from each scene to the next. I didn't feel like I was struggling to keep up or being overloaded with background noise. The two characters had some flatness to them but it was easy to overlook in the book. You can see why they got along though, I wanted to see when Kade broke the news to his family that Poppy was his...I missed it. The smut scenes were perfect but not like a dark romance which works for the book. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read book two. 

Pinecrest, Montana Series

1. Fight for Us 

2. Anything for You (06/26/2026)

3. Falling Together (09/30/2026) 

Tropes

Small Town

Second Chance 

Single Parent 

Secret Baby