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 

Irresistibly Us (Steel City Legacy #2) by Samantha Brinn

 

As the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Renegades, Pittsburgh's NFL team, I have it all. The city I love. The game I love. A Super Bowl ring. Everything I've ever wanted. But even with all that, I still feel like I'm missing someone to share it with. On a mission to find my person, I join an anonymous dating app, hoping it will bring me the girl I can call mine. And it does. At least, I thought so. But when my lifelong best friend Sophie Sullivan moves into my house temporarily, seeing her every morning and coming home to her every night has me feeling things I didn't expect. Big things. Important things. Way more than friendship things. Maybe even...love things. Falling for two women is confusing, until I realize that Sophie is the anonymous girl from the app, and I set out in a mission to make her fall for me - to show her that the only future that makes any sense at all is the one where we spend it by each other's sides. We may have started off as best friends, but loving Sophie is as easy as breathing and I'm determined to give her everything. To show her that we were always supposed to belong to each other. That she was always meant to be mine. Irresistibly Us by Samantha Brinn was published June 5th, 2026. This is the second book in Steel City Legacy series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Samantha Brinn and The Smuthood. I loved the first book in the series so I was so excited to read book two. This book did not disappoint me at all. I loved the two main characters so much. Sophie the FMC was so sweet through out the book. I absolutely adored this book and loved the natural progression of the characters. I love that their romance was slow building even before the story started. Also loved how everyone around them were excited for them to come together. The smut scenes are great but tame. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Hangry Soph is scary Soph." 

"Sorry. I was too distracted remembering what your tits look like.....Wow, Soph. Just...wow. That's not an image that's going to leave my brain anytime soon. Maybe ever." 

"Get your fucking hands off her before I break your goddamn fingers." 

"I really, really want to do this, and I know you do too. Let's ruin the friendship, Sophie, because even though I didn't know it, I think I've been waiting my whole life for you." 

Steel City Legacy Series 

0.5: Merrily Us 

1: Perfectly Us 

2. Irresistibly Us 

3. Fearlessly Us 

Tropes

Friends to Lovers 

Forced Proximity 

Sports Romance - Football

Secret Identity 

His to Keep (Lake Fortune #2) by L.K. Farlow

 

The last thing I expected was to find safety in the arms of my enemy. Ellis Wilder is the bane of my existence. As my ex's best friend, I know he feels the same way. Luckily, ignoring him, his stupidly good looks, and sharp tongue is all too easy. What I can't ignore are the anonymous love letters that seem to follow me everywhere I go. But when they turn from sweet to sinister, I know I need help. Unfortunately, I can only think of one man for the job. Ellis is a protector down to his core and while he doesn't like me, I know he'll keep me safe. Except his idea of security is forcing me to live under his roof, where he can keep an eye on me 'round the clock. Being so close to him is as enthralling as it is suffocating, and before I know it, we're toeing the line between hate and something far more dangerous. Because the closer we get, the more I can't help but wonder...His to Keep by L.K. Farlow was published on July 12th, 2026. This is the second book in Lake Fortune series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from L.K. Farlow and The Smuthood. This was the first book that I have read in the series as well as from this author. Though, I did feel a little like I am lost at the beginning it ended up not making a huge difference in the book. I really liked this book. While it has a very slow beginning to it  by the middle of the book things pick up. Though, I really didn't like how everyone was treating FMC throughout the book. I wanted to give the poor girl a hug and tell her that none of it is her fault. I also had a hard time seeing MMC and FMC have a relationship towards the end of the book. I felt like it started to rush their relationship and they were too different from each other. Though the dialogue in the book was great and I can't wait to read more from this author soon. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Well, as much fun as watching y'all's budding bromance is, I'm out." 
"This isn't an airport, Scarlet. No need to announce your departure." 

"Sounds like security detail for your girl is a great first gig with us."
"Two problems.....One, she's not my girl.....And two, she hasn't hired you."
"Not yet..."
"Not yet to what?"
"All of it, man. All of it." 

"I've been fucking ready. Now, be a good boy and eat me out." 

"....Smother me with your pussy, Princess." 

Lake Fortune Series 

1. His to Save 

2. His to Keep 

Tropes 

Enemies to Lovers 

Forbidden

Forced Proximity

Just Between Us (The Kings #3) by Lena Hendrix

 

Five minutes in his small town and I knew he was going to be nothing but trouble. He's an arrogant, tattooed playboy with a secret, and I'm the woman tasked with quietly cleaning up his family's mess. I never dreamed he could be the mysterious stranger behind my hidden, late-night messages. It doesn't matter what he says or how hard he tries to get under my skin. I won't break. Not for him. Not for anyone. But when our secrets are exposed, all bets are off. He knows the rules - just a little fun exploration. Nothing more. But one lesson leads to another...and another...and soon I realize that he's set out to break every rule I've ever put into place. I refuse to find myself melting under his gaze or swooning at the way he makes the noise around us quieter. I can handle men like him. Everything will be fine as long as we can keep this just between us. Just Between Us by Lena Hendrix was published on October 15th, 2024. This is the third book of The Kings series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Lena Hendrix and The Smuthood. I also will have to admit I have not been able to read the first two books of this series though I didn't feel like I needed to for this book. I thought this book was slow to start up. It was hard for me to get into the characters till after the midpoint of the book. There were even a few times I almost dnf the book. Though, I am glad that I stuck in there as the book picked up rather quickly. I really liked toward the end of the book the dynamics between the two main characters. Though the characters still needed to be well rounded I felt like I had an easier time liking them. I will say this though, there were times I felt like the two main characters had no reason that they were together. The plot is great and I liked how it wasn't entirely focused on the romance aspect of the story. I recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I don't need your help."
"I never thought you did. Doesn't mean I don't like taking care of you all the same." 

"What the fuck, dude?......You're just sitting there like a bald guy in a turtleneck. Let's go." 

"Spread your legs. Show me what's mine." 

The Kings Series 

1. Just This Once 

2. Just My Luck 

3. Just Between Us 

4. Just Like That 

5. Just Say Yes 

Tropes 

Small Town 

Forced Proximity 

Secret Relationship

Enemies to Lovers 

Grumpy Sunshine 

He Falls First 

Tethered Love (Silver Saddle Ranch #3) by Ann Einerson

 

No one plans on accidentally getting pregnant by their best friend's grumpy older brother. Heath is too hot, too serious, and absolutely has no business being the star of my fantasies. I thought our banter over the years was the closest to foreplay we'd ever get. Until the romance of a wedding and unexpected flirtations lead to a night tangled in the sheets together. It was supposed to be a no-strings-attached, years-in-the-making romp that we'd ever get. It was all going to plan until I saw those two pink lines. What I didn't count on was Heath getting down on one knee and popping the one question I never thought I'd hear coming from his mouth. But he has something I need, so a marriage of convenience is a means to an end. Who says romance is dead? Except Heath has a way with words and cares for me in ways I've never experienced. Not to mention his plans for our upcoming bundle of joy, or how every touch reminds me of that night when his name fell from my lips. Soon, playing house starts to feel natural, and I find it hard to picture my life without him. One night might have tied us together, but will it be enough to keep us from unraveling the knot? Tethered Love by Ann Einerson was published on July 17th, 2026. This is the third book in the Silver Saddle Ranch series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Ann Einerson and The Smuthood.  This is the third book that I have read from Ann Einerson and I have not yet been disappointed. The author has a way to create the plot of the story that flows so well from one scene to the next. This book had no big action scenes but it's a soft flow. It's completely different than say Dark romance tropes. I also love that there is no third-act breakup in the book. Though, I felt like there were times that the author could have slipped it in. This book made me feel a lot of emotions which is perfect on those lonely nights. Also the smut scenes from the very beginning of the book are top-notch. The characters are a little flat but it didn't take away from the book. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Sure thing, daddy."
"Careful, hellcat. You're playing a dangerous game." 

"Careful, Heath...Keep looking at me like that, and I might start thinking you want to use that paddle of yours on me." 

"I'll make you so damn addicted you'll never want another man's hands on you again." 

Silver Saddle Ranch Series 

1. Wrangled Love 

2. Lassoed Love 

3. Tethered Love 

Tropes

Marriage of Convenience 

Small Town 

Age-Gap

He Falls First 

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity 

Sister's Best Friend 

Hot Mother Pucker (Hollis U #3) by Sarah Smith

 

Briar Bennett has always been my best friend, nothing more. I've had a crush on on her since high school, but we've never crossed that line. Except when she transfers to Hollis U and asks me for a wild favor. Take her V-card and show her the ropes in the bedroom. I agree to show her all the steamy stuff she wants. We promise to stay best friends, despite all the dirty things we do. But the more time I spend in my bed with Briar, the more the lines blur....Soon she's sleeping in my bed every night. She's wearing my jersey and cheering me on the ice. And when I tell her about my secret sexy social media account outside of hockey, she helps me turn it into a life-changing opportunity. When she confesses that she's always had a crush on me too, my whole world turns upside down. I'm falling hard for Briar...I think she's falling for me too. Maybe my beautiful best friend isn't off limits after all. Hot Mother Pucker by Sarah Smith was published on July 13th, 2026. This is book three of the Hollis U series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Sarah Smith and The Smuthood. I was so excited to be able to review book three of the Hollis U series. I have to say that this was one of the best books of the series. I absolutely loved the two main characters Briar and Blake. Both of the characters I felt like I knew them very well. It was nice to see their friendship was before things got a little complicated. As the author writes about their history in ways of them talking about the past with each other. They also have their own communications that only they understand throughout the book. Which also shows long term friendship that was building over time. I could tell right off the bat that their friendship was becoming more on each page not because the characters were telling out loud. But it was the little subtle things they did for each other. Though, I might catch them more than others since I married one of my friends I had since I was eight years old. This book, reminded me so much of my own relationship. I highly recommend checking this book out you won't be disappointed. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Actually, even that wouldn't be a deal breaker. You're such a sweetheart that if you did murder anyone, I'd assume they were terrible and they deserved it." 

"Your tongue is dangerous. If I'm not careful, I'm going to get addicted to it." 

"Good fucking girl. Just like that." 

"Giving birth to a baby that looks nothing like me felt like doing all the work in a group project and getting zero credit." 

Hollis U Series 

1. Cocky Mother Pucker 

2. Grumpy Mother Pucker 

3. Hot Mother Pucker 

4. Lucky Mother Pucker (09/14/26)

Tropes 

Friends to Lovers 

Slow Burn

Virgin 

Sports - Hockey 

College Age 

Forced Proximity