Saving the Shortstop (The Good Girls of NE University #3) by Hannah Gray

 

As the daughter of a retired NFL player, college softball's number one ranked shortstop, and someone usually considered an all-around good time, I've never had an issue getting attention. But getting the attention of the person I most want it from? Now that's a different story. When Dallas Rivers, my brother's best friend who also happens to be one of my dad's players on the NEU football team, is struggling in school. I find myself volun-told to help. I should be thrilled with this arrangement. After all, I'm in school to become a teacher. Except, I've always made it a point to keep a respectable distance from him. Because the one person whose attention I've always longed for? Yep, you guessed it...It's Dallas Rivers. Saving the Shortstop by Hannah Gray was published on June 11th, 2026. This is the third book in The Good Girls of NE University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. Okay, now that has been said, I am absolutely enjoying this book series. I have actually had the amazing pleasure of being able to get all three of the books that are currently out to read. Hannah Gray knows how to create each book to be their own but yet, also have the same characters throughout the series. I absolutely loved the two main characters in this book. I love learning about Dallas and his past that has been hinted in the other books then there is Haven. This book has amazing trope of lifelong friends who finally realize that perhaps they love each other more then friends. These two are such opposites that really work. I love how they finally ended up together in the book. It was easy to see how their relationship shifted and changed on each page. The dialogue in this book is top notch. I cannot wait to read book four at the end of the year. I also need to check out the other books by Hannah Gray. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"It's just so funny that the guy half the team can't stand is the one you choose to turn into your fuck buddy."

 
"Years ago....He was drunk, and he didn't remember it the next day. I didn't bring it up. It was nothing."
"Or....he did remember but was embarrassed....This happens in my romance books all the time. They're friends. Lines get crossed. The MMC finds a way to cover it up." 
"Gigi, did you just compare Dallas to one of the male main characters in your spicy books?" 

"Because things went from, like, zero to sixty in about three seconds."
"Give me a little credit, Short....I lasted more like two minutes, for sure." 

"You can make it up to me when you sit there like a good girl while I paint your face with my cum....The cum you could have had inside you, if only you didn't act like a brat."  

The Good Girls of NE University Series 

1. Getting the Goalie 

2. Convincing the Catcher 

3. Saving the Shortstop 

4. Praising the Pitcher (TBA 12/31/2026) 

Tropes 

Sports Romance - Football & Softball

Friends to Lovers 

Forced Proximity 

Brother's Best Friend 

College Romance 

Childhood Friends 

Volik (Bonded Souls #1) by S.J. Tilly

 

Forget what you think you know. Forget the fairy tales and lore of old. Vampires are real. And for the past seventy years, they've walked opening among us. They're bigger and stronger than humans, with black eyes, horns, and powers that shouldn't be possible. Volik is one of these vampires. Living in the small town of Hemlock Hills, he spends his days locked in his office at Stailden University. Wasting time. Waiting. Until Nix, the new journalism professor, arrives...and changes everything. This is the story about the day they met. What happened after. And how their bond started a sequence of events that changed the world. Volik by S.J. Tilly was published on June 11th, 2026. This is the first book in the Bonded Souls series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from S.J. Tilly and The Smuthood. I used to read a lot of vampire books as a young adult. Though, lately I haven't read much about the paranormal world. But, I could not skip this book from one of my top authors that I love reading. Now that being said, I absolutely loved this book. S.J. Tilly was able to craft the world where vampires and other creatures live so quickly that it didn't feel like it was dragging. I absolutely loved how she created the meet of the two main characters. How it was created made it not feel so fast and that you can see how the two characters were getting together. The dialogue throughout the book made me feel so many emotions. S.J. Tilly knows how to use dialogue to help the readers understand what is happening with the ability to move the story along. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm telling you this to save your life. Do not touch that woman." 

"You cannot walk around like that." 

"My shirts do not fit."

"It's not........I cannot see your dick, Volik." 

"What are you thinking about, Mate?" 

"I'm wondering if I can still suck your cock with these fangs." 

I do not want that squished worm looking at me anymore. 

Bonded Souls Series 

1. Volik 

2. TBA (09/03/26) 

Tropes 

Paranormal 

Age-Gap

Forced Proximity 

Small Town 

Billionaire 

Virgin 

Depraved Devotion (Villains & Vices #1) by Morgan Bridges

 

My patient is stalking me...and he's a psychopath. I've dedicated my life to understanding the darkest corners of the human psyche, but nothing prepares me for him. Ghost. The man is brilliant, ruthless serial killer who thrives on chaos. Just like his cult following enrapt by his brutality and beauty, he's completely unhinged. And he's obsessed with me. So when Ghost turns himself in and demands to speak to me, I'm forced to confront the beautiful monster sitting across the glass. And the one inside - the one lurking in my own fractured soul. Ghost's rapt attention brings goosebumps to my skin and sends chills down my spine. I choose to believe my reaction is based in fear. When I'm alone in bed, it's harder to convince myself. As boundaries fade and the line between doctor and patient blurs. I'm faced with What am I willing to pay to unveil the truth about my haunted past? Because to Ghost, the price is me. All of me. Depraved Devotion by Morgan Bridges was published on December 9th, 2025. This is the first book in the Villains & Vices series. 

This was another book that I got over a weekend stay with my husband at a hotel. This book is intense from the very beginning. I am not much a fan of true crimes but I do have friends that are. This book is right up their alley. I loved the tension in this book from the very beginning. I could not put this book down as it just kept me hanging on. The sexual tension was there through the whole book. Though, I really wanted to shake FMC so much for not telling anyone about Ghost. I felt like the two main characters were real and I would hear about Ghost on the news. Sadly I never did hear the serial killer name Ghost being caught. The only thing that I didn't like was that this book ends in a massive cliffhanger. Also the next book is not out yet. At last though, I highly recommend checking this book out. Especially if you are into Dark Romance and serial killers it's up your alley. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You may like to hurt women to gain a sense of control...but you only do it behind closed doors because you're a coward. So, either man up and hit me, or get the fuck out of my way." 

"Blood pressure, blood sample, etcetera...etcetera....You'd think I'd be thrown in a cell by now. Killing with style is mentally exhausting, you know? I really need some 'me time.'" 

"You won't be able to pull a disappearing act now, Ghost. After this assessment, we're throwing your ass in a hole so deep you'll never see daylight, or civilization again." 

"An introvert's wet dream. Can't wait." 

"Who. Fucking. Touched. You?" 

"That's my good girl." 

Villains & Vices Series

1. Depraved Devotion

2. Depraved Desires (06/23/26) 

Tropes

Dark Romance 

Stalker

Serial Killer

Slow Burn 

Enemies to Lovers

He Falls First 

Forbidden

Branded by Saffron A. Kent

 

It all began with letters. Every word he wrote etched itself into my mind, into my soul. I had no choice but to fall in love with him. Was it really so bad that the letters were part of a pen pal program, sent from a penitentiary? Or that they weren't really addressed to me? It's not as if he'd ever find out the truth. It's not as if I'd ever get to look those eyes that are as blue as the sky over his ranch he left behind. Or that I'd ever get to feel his work-roughened hands dominating my body as he does my fevered dreams. Until one afternoon when I find myself standing in front of him - pretending to be someone I am not. But the joke's on me because for all my pretenses, his deception is much crueler. The hardened, dangerous, impossibly beautiful man is nothing like the man in the letters. And it's too late for me to run. Branded by Saffron A. Kent was published on October 2025. 

This book was purchased while I was on a weekend trip with my lovely husband. So I finally got around to reading it and I am so happy that I made that choice. This book had me in all of the emotions. Through the book, I was trying to figure out what the hell was happening with the characters. Like what made the MMC do what he did to the FMC. The writing of this book is so top tier that every page and scene made you think and yet they flowed so perfectly. The smut scenes in this book are amazing and you will not want any distractions while reading them. I cannot wait to read more books by Saffron A. Kent. As if she writes more books like this then I know for sure she will become one of my favorite authors. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Hands off her now or I'll kill you right here for touching my wife." 

"And cowboys may be the worst boyfriends but we make the best husbands." 

"What were you gonna do with my knife then.....swat butterflies in the meadow?" 

"So if I wanna keep you, I'm gonna let you ride." 
"Ride?"
"Uh-huh."
"What?" 
"My mouth." 
"I...what?"
"Now, shut the fuck up, hold on to that knife, and keep those legs open." 

Tropes 

Dark Romance 

Age-Gap

Small Town

Enemies to Lovers 

Grumpy Sunshine 

Virgin 

Marriage of Convenience 

Test of Time (Blossom Peak #3) by Harlow James

 

Falling for the single dad next door wasn't part of my plan when I moved to Blossom Peak. I accepted the teaching job for a fresh start, far away from the controlling ex I left behind. But Rhonan Hart is everything you could ask for in a man. Strong, dependable, helpful, an amazing father to his daughter, Ellis...and looks beyond Sinful in his sheriff's uniform. Except his daughter is my student, and he's determined to pretend like our connection doesn't exist. (I'm determined to pretend he didn't see me naked when my shower blew up, and he tried to save me.) But soon, he's sneaking over to my house at night - warming my bed, tearing down his walls, and making me want something I knew I couldn't have. My life is a mess, one I'm still trying to clean up. But this man and his child give me a glimpse of a future I want, no matter what the cost. Just when I think I'm on the path to moving on, fate decides to give us the test of Time. I just hope this is a test we both survive. Test of Time by Harlow James was published on April 10th, 2026. This is the third book in the Blossom Peak series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Harlow James and The Smuthood. I have to say that this series has me in all the emotions of the world. I have cried, laughed, giggled, squealed, and swooned through out each book. This book was no different as the other two in the series. I absolutely love the way Harlow James writes each of her characters and how each book you see pieces of the characters that you haven't read about. I already knew this book was going to knock my socks off from the previous books when I met Rhonan. Then this book still blew me away when you get to meet the amazing Vienna. This book had so much chemistry between the characters. But not only that the friendship of Vienna and Rhonan's little girl. It's such an amazing book and I couldn't put this book down even for a minute. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Are you not actually planning on getting your dick pierced, then? Did I just get manipulated with the threat of penis mutilation?" 
"I mean, the thought has crossed my mind, actually. New penis, new me."
"Your dick will still be the same."
"No, he'll be bejeweled."
"For the love of God, please stop." 

"Everyone go look outside. I think pigs are flying because Elliot and Dilynne just agreed on something." 

"Don't. Fucking. Think. About. It." 

"You look so fucking good on your knees." 

Blossom Peak Series 

1. All This Time 

2. On Borrowed Time 

3. Test of Time

4. It's About Time (07/10/2026) 

Tropes 

Single Parent

Small Town 

Forced Proximity 

Grumpy Sunshine 

Men in Uniform - Sheriff 

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