Fearlessly Us (Steel City Legacy #3) by Samantha Brinn

 

One night, I won the Super Bowl, and then I ran into a girl at a bar. With her purple toenails, all-around "I've got it handled" vibe, and stormy eyes that seemed to see straight through to the twisty core of me I've always tried to hide, Caitlin Parker was everything I never thought I could have, and she instantly had me on my metaphorical knees. Until I messed it all up, and six months later, she won't even speak to me. But when my past comes calling and forces us together, I start to see there's way more to Caitlin than she shows the world. That hidden behind her scarily efficient, take-charge exterior is a heart as bruised and broken as my own. I've never thought I could be anyone's forever, and we both have scars that aren't easily healed. But as we open to each other one day and quiet night at a time, I fall deeper until I know without a doubt that we are each other's missing pieces. That with her, I can have the great love I never thought would be mine. That together, forever can belong to us both. Fearlessly Us by Samantha Brinn was published on September 3rd, 2026. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Samantha Brinn and The Smuthood. I have enjoyed the other books in this series so much so I was really excited to get this book. I absolutely loved the two main characters in this book. I loved that Caitlin was hiding from her family as she didn't want to upset them about her life. She didn't want to burden them about her health when she was always the one who took care of everyone else. Then there is your normal golden retriever Drew who also had secrets about his past. Samantha Brinn did an amazing job showing that the two characters were perfect for each other through the book. How they were better together then apart through the book. Also how finally, with Drew helping Caitlin open up to her friends and family. I loved this book so much and I could not put it down. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Steel City Legacy Series 

0.5: Merrily Us 

1. Perfectly Us 

2. Irresistibly Us 

3. Fearlessly Us 

4. Entirely Us 

5. Undeniably Us (March 11, 2027)

6. Unexpectedly Us (June 10th, 2027) 

Tropes

He Falls First 

Sports -football 

Second Chance 

Friends to Lovers 

Age-Gap 

Sweet Mother Pucker (Hollis U #5) by Sarah Smith

 

I'm the new head coach of the Hollis U men's hockey team and a single dad. I can't afford any distractions. So when my daughter's nanny suddenly quits, I'm desperate for a replacement. Luckily, one of my players has a sister who's nanny. Perfect, right? Wrong. Because the second I meet Zoey Peretti, I can't stop thinking about her. She's beautiful, sweet, smart, and incredible with my daughter. But I can't cross that line, ever. But one day she sends me a voice note of her screaming my name while using a toy... Sweet Mother Pucker by Sarah Smith will be published on November 9th, 2026. This is the fifth book in the Hollis U series. 

I received this book for my honest review from Sarah Smith and The Smuthood. I was so excited that I was selected to read this book. I have absolutely loved every book in this series and could not put them down. So of course I had to have this book jump the list of books that I need to read. I could not put this book down which in my life makes everything complicated. I loved the two main characters in this book so much. I loved Zoey when you meet her in another book. I always felt horrible for her with the abuse that she went through with her ex. So when I found out this was her book with the Coach. I was so excited. This book did not disappoint. I loved each build up through the book and of them both trying to fight their attraction for the other. Then when one night a single voice note sent their relationship from boss/employee to being in a secret relationship made me giggle in joy. You will not be disappointed with how Coach treats Zoey with kindness and helps her be in this relationship after the abuse of her previous relationship. I highly recommend this book. Because Coach will become your next Daddy. 

Hollis U Series 

1. Cocky Mother Pucker

2. Grumpy Mother Pucker

3. Hot Mother Pucker

4. Lucky Mother Pucker

5. Sweet Mother Pucker 

Tropes 

Single Parent 

Boss/Employee 

Age Gap

Secret Relationship

Sports - Hockey 

Falling Together (Pinecrest, Montana #3) by Emily Silver

 

How can two little blue lines change your entire world? I spent the best night of my life with the most infuriating man I've ever met. It was only one night with Grant, then we went out separate ways. It doesn't matter. I have my horses. I love my job and friends. It's all I need. Until I learn I'm pregnant. That's when our paths cross again. Grant moves to Pinecrest - with his son - to coach the local baseball team. How can two people who are so different raise a kid together? He's a city guy. I'm a country girl. The more time I spend with him, the harder I fall. The chemistry between us is undeniable. Something I can't get enough of. As good as things are between us, moving to a small town hasn't been easy on his son. No matter how hard I try to help, it's not home. When Grant's loyalties are divided, who will he choose? Priorities have changed. All I want is Grant and the family we're trying to create. But it might not be enough. Falling Together by Emily Silver was published on September 30th, 2026. This is the third book in the Pinecrest, Montana series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Emily Silver and The Smuthood. I absolutely loved this book so much. I am not a huge fan of the baby popping up from a one night stand but Emily Silver really knew how to weave it into the story where it wasn't the central theme. The two main characters Grant and  Georgia had chemistry from the very beginning as seen from the one night stand. But then they had to start to get to know each other through the book. As they were going to raise a sweet baby in the end. I absolutely loved Grant's teen. He acts just like my teenagers would act if we moved to a small town without his permission. I also loved how both Grant and Georgia both have some faults through the book and they both had to work through it. Especially since Georgia had a rough childhood where you find out through the book. I also loved how much Georgia's friends rallied behind her through the book. I highly recommend checking out their sweet romance in this book. 

Pinecrest, Montana Series 

0.5 Tequila & Cowboys 

1. Fight for Us 

2. Anything for You

3. Falling Together 

Tropes

Small Town

Sports - Baseball 

Single Parent 

Taming the Heart (Crimson Ridge #3) by Elliott Rose

 

Being hired by a ranch for the summer sounds picture-perfect, right? Except your new boss looks a whole lot like every fantasy and daydream you've ever had come to life - oh, and he's already accidentally seen your favorite 'toy'. I've always been the hyper-independent free spirit. Sage Maloney, the wild child. The eldest daughter, with my heart locked away safely out of sight. I had a summer of fun ahead of me. Only, I didn't count on a former pro bull rider to stride into my life. Beau Hartford. The much older cowboy with a mustache to go weak at the knees for. He's a whole package of temptation. Someone who lures me in with glimpses of what it might be like to let my guard down...to be taken care of. My married boss. Taming the Heart by Elliott Rose was published on April 26th, 2025. This is the third book in the Crimson Ridge series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Elliott Rose and The Smuthood. I absolutely loved this book. I loved the quick wit of Sage throughout the book. Oftentimes she made me laugh with the things that flew out of her mouth. But, I loved how she brought some humor in Beau's life. Though in this book, I did not like that Beau was still technically married when things got started between him and Sage. But, this book was one of my favorites in the series. The tension in the book was there from the start though you will see how both characters fought their attraction through the book. Anyways, the plot in this book flowed really well and it was able to keep your attention as they built the scene. Also the smut scenes were spicy throughout the book. It makes me think of a lot that can happen in a horse stall. I highly recommend you check 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 

Age-Gap

Small-town

Forced Proximity 

Boss/Employee 

Forbidden Romance 

Grumpy Sunshine 

Secret Relationship 

Anything for You (Pinecrest, Montana #2) by Emily Silver

 

As a single mom, I've had my fair share of dates with guys who are all wrong for me. But there's no one more wrong for me than Sam Shaw. My dad's best friend. I love my life, but some days, I wish I had a partner. One to share all of life's ups and downs. But after too many losers on dating apps, I should give up. Until Sam swoops in and rescues me. I know I shouldn't be attracted to him, but I can't help it. And when he looks at me the way he does, I know he returns the feelings. Until it all comes to a head. One time and we can't get enough of each other. Being with him is dangerous. No one can know. Being with my dad's best friend is too complicated. I should break things off. Find someone easier. But when he treats me - and my son - like we're treasured? It makes me want to throw caution to the wind. Anything for You by Emily Silver was published on June 26th, 2026. This is the second book in the Pinecrest, Montana series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Emily Silver and The Smuthood. I was so excited for the chance to read the second book in this series. Though, I read the third book accidentally before this book. Thankfully, the books have their own plot so your not confused if you accidentally read them out of order. I absolutely loved this book. For some reason I really like age-gaps, especially when one of them is a single parent and has no luck in finding a decent guy to share it with. This book is so sweet and as you don't know the whole history between the two main characters at the beginning. You can see how much they tried to not fall in love with each other. They had those subtle gestures through the book as their relationship develops. I am actually surprised the other characters in the book did not catch on. I loved how Sam loves little Max and takes care of both him and his mom. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. You won't be disappointed in their love building in this book. 

Pinecrest, Montana Series 

0.5: Tequila & Cowboys

1. Fight for Us 

2. Anything for You

3. Falling Together 

Tropes

Small Town

Friends to Lovers

Father's Best Friend 

Single Parent 

Age-Gap 

Unexpected Shot (Nashville Players #2) by Chelle Sloan

 

Two rivals. One mistake. A shot we never thought we'd take. Being a professional golfer has always been my dream. But there are parts of the job I hate. Interviews. Tournaments that make me wear skirts. Being nice to Beau Devereaux. I hate that one - and him - the most. Since we were kids, he's had a special way of getting under my skin. As adults, it's only gotten worse. My best friend's brother will always be the most infuriating man on the planet in his bright, tight, and outlandish golf shirts and his stupid beard covering his annoyingly chiseled jaw. Which is why it's my worst nightmare that I'm paired with him for a golf tournament in Las Vegas. But I'll do it if it means I get my career back on track after my injury. Good PR can't hurt, right? Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan was published on July 30th, 2026. This is the second book in the Nashville Players series. 

I received this book for my honest review from Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood. I loved the FMC and MMC when they were side characters in the Unplanned Play. So I was really excited to watch how their relationship unfolded in their own story. Their hatred for each other from the very beginning made me giggle as it has so much tension and over sexual charge. For them it's true that it's a thin line between hate and love. I love how it was not an instant love in the book. You watch as their relationship builds just like it would in real life. Chelle Sloan has her way with the plots that make you not want to put down the book. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Nashville Players Series 

1. Unplanned Play 

2. Unexpected Shot 

3. Unlikely Pair 

Tropes

Sports - Golf 

Enemies to Lovers 

Best Friend's Brother 

Marriage of Convenience 

Forced Proximity 

In the Dark (Kept in Paradise #2) by Shain Rose

 

He was only supposed to be a secret fling. A forbidden kiss stolen in the dark...Not the cold-blooded monster who betrayed me. Callahan Knight is the Diamond Syndicate's perfect weapon with honed muscles, lethal control, and merciless loyalty. Even when taking out a rival cartel's capo - my uncle - he doesn't flinch. He shatters my family without hesitation, and I swear I'll never forgive him for that. But the Syndicate doesn't care about my hatred. To secure their power, they demand more: A vow of marriage or watch everything we love get destroyed. Now I'm the unwilling bride living in the luxurious prison of Paradise Grove with the man I refuse to call my soon-to-be husband. Instead, he's the villain. Enemy number one. My tormentor... In the Dark by Shain Rose was published on September 29th, 2026. This is the second book in Kept in Paradise series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Shain Rose and The Smuthood. I thought the book ramped up really fast in the first chapter but then it felt like it was slow down a ton after. It was a struggle for a bit to really get into the book because how slow it was that it was built up once the first chapter was over. Though, after all of that once the two characters were sharing the same house. I felt like I could not put down the book. I loved the dynamic between the two characters in this book. I also love that Jasmine was not a girl who just took everything and let it walk all over her. She gave more then what she got when she fought with Callahan. The smut scenes were pretty tame other then some blood here and there. But it was a great read and I can't wait to read more books in this series. Though I cannot wait for Archer to finally have a book. 

Kept in Paradise Series 

1. Behind Closed Doors 

2. In the Dark 

Tropes

Dark Romance 

Enemies to Lovers 

Mafia 

Billionaire 

Secret Society 

Forced Proximity 

Marriage of Convenience