Perfectly Us (Steel City Legacy #1) by Samantha Brinn

 

Since my wife died ten years ago my life has revolved around two things: football and my kids. Then I met a girl in a bar and one single night changed everything. For six hours I wasn't the veteran Pittsburgh Renegades offensive linemen or single dad of two. I was just a man, and it felt like she was the one I had been waiting for. But when morning came I woke up to an empty bed, the girl of my literal dreams nowhere to be found. Until I walk into work the next day and there she is. Maddy Wright, Director of Sports Psychology for the Renegades and niece of the team's General Manager, is the last woman on earth I should want, but she's the one women I can't stay away from. With my position on the team and her career on the line, a relationship is a terrible idea. But the draw to each other is too strong, the way she fits into my little family undeniable, our chemistry impossible to ignore. We shouldn't need each other like this when being together could ruin everything we've both worked for. I shouldn't feel like I can't breathe without her when dating in secret is our only choice. With our careers in the cross hairs, forever is the last word that should be on my mind. But with my heart utterly lost to Maddy, I'll stop at nothing to make sure that forever is exactly what we get. Together. Perfectly Us by Samantha Brinn was published March 5th, 2026. This is the first book in the Steel City Legacy series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Samantha Brinn and The Smuthood. Let's just say that I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the book built up the relationship with little things throughout the book. How you fall in love with Cam is this perfect guy throughout the book. The two main characters both have some baggage. Maddy was adopted from the system when she was seven years old and Cam's wife passed right after childbirth of their second child. The plot in this book is perfect, it has a ton of side characters but it didn't take away from the book. I really want to hear all the way the parents in the book met their spouses. There seems to be a story for each couple. I absolutely loved the book and the way the romance was in the book. The smut scenes were tame but still spicy. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You've been my best friend for twenty-three years. You should know I don't have that kind of self-control....He caught me staring at him. What the fuck am I supposed to do now?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to lick his forearms." 

"We'll get back to the hockey team because that is straight sexy, Maddy. And that thing you did with your tongue when your head was hanging off the bed? That felt wild to me." 

"Will you come eat tacos with me?"
"What?"
"Liv said your dad made tacos. It's time for dinner."
"It's time for..."
"Dinner.....Come on, Wildcat. I want you to sit by me." 

"Good girl.....Good. Fucking. Girl." 

Steel City Legacy Series

0.5: Merrily Us 

1: Perfectly Us 

2: Irresistibly Us (06/05/26) 

Tropes

Sports Romance - Football

Secret Relationship

Forced Proximity

He Falls First 

Single Parent

Wild Love (Rose Hill #1) by Elsie Silver

 

She's been driving him wild for years. The good kind of wild. The bad kind of wild. But mostly, the kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend's little sister and knowing you can't have her. Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World's Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he's her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont. After living in the city, Rosie-came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. He vows to keep her at arm's length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay-friction that soon turns to blistering heat. Ford knows damn well he shouldn't cross the line. But shouldn't and can't are two very different things. And the only thing he truly can't do is resist her. Wild Love by Elsie Silver was published on April 9th, 2024. This is the first book in the Rose Hill series. This book was also nominated in the Goodreads choice award for favorite romance in 2024. 

I actually read this book awhile ago but now just getting to review it. I absolutely loved this book. The cover attracted my attention just because it's all in one cover and it's not something that I normally see. I loved the tension between Rosie and Ford. They fought so much that you knew once they both gave in to their temptation that it was going to be explosive. Also I fell in love with Ford's twelve year old daughter with her snarky and sass behavior. Though, you will see where she gets it from as you read the book. The plot is great, a little slow in some parts but it is easy to get past it. If you want to build up with some humor this is the book for you. The smut in this book is mild but it is what is expected since it's not a dark romance. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"World's Hottest Billionaire."
"I hate you."
"Nah. You love me. I'm the sunshine to your grumpy."
"What?"q`
    "It's a thing in romance books -" 

"Rosalie, when have I ever said no to you?" 

"That journal entry is fascinating, but all wrong. I was at home when you called that night. And I broke every speed limit to get to you." 

"I definitely don't hate , Rosie. Not even close. But I can fuck you like I do if that's what you need." 

Rose Hill Series

1. Wild Love

2. Wild Eyes

3. Wild Side

4. Wild Card 

Tropes

Small Town

Brother's Best Friend 

Friends to Lovers

Single Parent

Billionaire

Grumpy Sunshine

Forced Proximity

All's Fair in Love & Sin (Queens & Heathens #2) by Jenn Plummer

 

He lives by the club's code; she's bound to a man who isn't him. When their forbidden love ignites, every stolen moment binds them together, until they discover secrets that twist their lives in a way they never expected. But some hearts collide despite the cost and fall anyway. After all, all's fair in love and sin. All's Fair in Love & Sin by Jenn Plummer was published on March 5th, 2026. This is the second book in the Queens & Heathens series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jenn Plummer and The Smuthood. Thanks again ladies for choosing me to review. So, this is the second book in the series and I thought that the first book was written well but I think this book topped it. I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two main characters in this book. You could see them physically falling in love while reading every single page. You also could tell that Sin was okay with just being her friend if that means he gets to stay with her. I also loved seeing the chemistry of Chaos with his Old Lady in this book. This book is so sweet and really outside the norm for dark romance tropes. But I loved the plot where the action really wasn't a huge part of the book. It was the build up between the two characters. The smut scenes were pretty mild for dark romance but I highly recommend checking this book out. I cannot wait to read Malice's story next. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"What? That my best friend has been reduced to the equivalent of a Fleshlight?" 

"You don't even realize what you do to me, the power you hold, how one word from you quiets every storm in my head. I swear, being near you feels like finally finding the place I've been trying to return to my entire life. There isn't a single part of my existence, past, present, or whatever the hell comes next, that doesn't ache for you." 

God, she's everything. My endgame. My future wife. My old lady. My queen. 

"Rhys...I'm....I'll crush you. You won't be able to breathe." 

"Good. Fucking 

Queens and Heathens Series

1. All's Fair in Love & Chaos 

2. All's Fair in Love & Sin

3. All's Fair in Love & Malice (May 1st, 2026)

4. All's Fair in Love & Wrath (August 6th, 2026) 

Tropes

Dark Romance 

Motorcycle Club

Small Town

He Falls First 

Friends to Lovers 

Forbidden 

Behind Closed Doors (Kept in Paradise #1) by Shain Rose

 

He's the forbidden enigma I wanted to ignore...but instead I'll be forced to share a home with him. Jameson Knight arrives at precisely the same time every day to pick up his young daughter from school, smiling as she runs into his open arms. It's the only time I see him smile. I don't ask questions because it's not my place. I'm just his daughter's favorite teacher, nothing more...Until the first bullet flies by us at recess. Suddenly, I'm risking my life to protect her. And then Jameson drags me back to his estate, claiming it's a matter of life-or-death. Now I'm in the most beautiful home I've ever seen, faced with an offer from a man who's just as gorgeous: Be the temporary live-in nanny until he can ensure my safety and find a more permanent solution. It'll be easy, he promises. Yet, the arrangement is anything but simple. Not when Jameson's hungry stare is all consuming and his touch pulse racing. And definitely not when I find that nothing in this neighborhood is as it seems, including Jameson. He may be powerful, possessive, and protective. But he's also dangerous, demanding, and calculating. As more of his secrets come out, I should run but...How do I escape the enigma of Jameson Knight if he's already captured my heart? Behind Closed Doors by Shain Rose was published on February 24th, 2026. This is book one of the Kept in Paradise series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Shain Rose and The Smuthood. I first need to talk about the cover of this book. The cover is AMAZING! I actually wanted to read this book first because of the cover which is a no no in the book world. It drew my attention to the book which made me want to read the back of the book. Of course I have read other books by Shain Rose and yet they didn't even come close to how amazing this book is. This book brought out so many feelings. I absolutely loved the main characters in this book especially little Franny. This book had me smiling every time that I was able to pick it up. But of course with four kids of my own then watching my nieces on top of it. It didn't give me the time I wanted to spend on this book. The plot of this story was perfect as it left me hanging and kept my attention throughout the book. The smut scenes were perfection and made me giggle throughout. I highly recommend checking this book out. I can not wait for the next book in the series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Don't make me shoot you, Darling."
"What the fuck are you doing?....Don't threaten my daughter's favorite fucking teacher. She's the reason Franny smiles every damn day. You cause her trauma, and I'm gonna kill you. Understand?" 
"Jesus Christ. We don't have time for this."
"Fuck, Jameson."
"My men think before they pull their weapon. Or I blow their brains out. Understood?" 

"Because were about to let Archer grab it for you without a problem." 

"Yes, well. Archer and I are friendly."

"Define friendly, Mia."

"I'm used to Archer's help, Mr. Knight." 

"Dress appropriately around my men from now on, Mia."

"Or what?....I'll pay the consequences?"

"They will, Darling Mia. Not you." 

"Mr. Knight."

"My whole name, Mia. Who's going to make you come all over and leave a mess?"

"Jameson Knight."

"Whose household do you teach within?"

"Jameson Knight's."

"Whose rules do you follow?"

"Jameson, I'm going to act more unprofessional than ever if you don't let me finish."

"Say it then. Whose rules do you follow, baby?"

"Yours, you ass."

"Such a little pretty brat when you could just submit for a second. I'm not an ass. I'm Jameson Knight, your boss, and you should show me some respect. Tell me you'll listen, Mia. Moan it for me out of that snarky mouth. Then i'll let you feel it, that high you want so bad." 

Kept in Paradise series 

1. Behind Closed Doors 

2. In the Dark (09/29/26) 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Forced Proximity

Single Dad 

Mafia Romance 

Enemies to Lovers

Boss/Employee 

Redemption for Them (Nashville Security #5) by Sara Evou

 

Redemption comes at a price. And I'm not sure either of us can afford it...My life was perfect. On the surface. In truth, my husband was a vicious man. I was just a pawn in his dangerous game. But when he was murdered, there was only one obvious suspect. Me. I didn't expect anyone to be there for me. So, imagine my surprise when Chris Rivers showed up to defend me. Chris is a brilliant attorney. Observant. Entirely too good breaking down the emotional walls I've built to protect myself. Falling for him would be a huge mistake. But every time he looks at me like I'm worth fighting for, like the shattered, broken pieces of my heart might fit perfectly with his own, I forget why loving him would be so wrong. So...forbidden. I've trusted Chris with my life. He's the only one who can save me. The only question now is, will he still want to when he learns the truth about what really happened to my husband? Redemption for Them by Sara Evou was published on February 25th, 2026. This is the fifth book in the Nashville Security series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Sara Evou and Love Notes PR. I was really excited to check out this book because I have not read anything by this author. Also that it seemed like a story-line that I have not come across yet while reading. I have not read book one through four yet. So things that I liked were I enjoyed the characters in the book. I felt like the characters had their own faults and secrets that slowly came out through the book. I also liked the plot for the most part of the book. I felt by the end of the book a lot of things were answered in the book. Now, I struggled with the romance part of the book. I felt like it was not needed in the book. It felt like the relationship was rushed especially for someone coming out of a harsh relationship that Lily had. I felt like she would be more uneasy around men and being in a relationship afterwards. All in all I did enjoy the book but I felt like it was lacking something. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Your second favorite? What's your first?"
"These tits. They are magnificent. If I could be smothered by them, I would die, not just happy, but ecstatic." 

Nashville Security Series

1. Found by Him

2. Peace for Her

3. Protected by Him

4. Love for Her

5. Redemption for Them 

Tropes

Forced Proximity

Slow Burn

Forbidden 

Unbroken (The Bradshaw Brothers #1) by Janice Whiteaker

 

I came to Willow Bend, Wyoming with nothing but the clothes on my back and a secret. It won't be easy hiding morning sickness and swinging emotions as the live-in chef for a wealthy tech genius, but I'll do whatever it takes to build a life for myself and my baby. Because I'm in this alone. For weeks I hold my breath, waiting for the moment I come face to face with reclusive Titus Bradshaw and have to explain my ... condition. But when our paths finally cross late one night, I discover why he's hidden away from the world. His scars are deep and far-reaching. A reminder of what he lost. Who he couldn't save. I know I should keep my distance, but Titus's calm demeanor and steady presence draw me in. Make me want things I can't have. Wish for a life that won't be mine. Because my future and his past are incompatible. He's been through enough. I won't make him suffer any more. But someone else might. Someone who's keeping a secret of their own. And they'll kill to protect it. Unbroken by Janice Whiteaker was published on February 27th, 2026. This is the first book of The Bradshaw Brothers series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Janice Whiteaker and The Smuthood. I have to say that I have never read any books by Janice Whiteaker and I really feel like I am missing out on her writings. This book was amazing. It's such a sweet soft type of romance book that leaves you feeling all lovey dovey. While there is smut scenes, do not expect a lot of them and dark romance type. This book is sweet and I love the build up between the characters as they fall in love with each other. I really felt for both of the main characters as they both have a lot of baggage and things that they both needed to work through in the book. Though they found out that they can still love while they work through those things that causes them to be who they are. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend checking this book out. I know I am going to read some more books by this author very soon. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm gonna recommend you don't tell her to calm down...You might end up with - You know what, maybe you should tell her to calm down. You don't need her butting into your business." 

"Good girl." 

"Abso-fucking-lutely not." 

"Do you want to eat only cake for breakfast?"
"No. I don't want to only eat cake for breakfast." 
"You can have whatever you want for breakfast." 
"Whatever I want?"
"Yes."
"What if I want you?" 

The Bradshaw Brothers Series

0.5. Undeterred 

1. Unbroken

2. Unfinished (TBA)

3. Untamed (TBA)

4. Unleashed (TBA)

5. Unbound (TBA)

Tropes 

Boss/Employee

Forced Proximity 

Small Town

Single Parent 

Billionaire 

Cruel Savior (Ruthless Arrangements #1) by Lilith Vincent

 

I saved his life. Now he owns mine. I've lived my whole life in a golden cage, the captive daughter of a powerful Mafia don. When my father arranges my marriage to Vincenzo Vici, a cold-blooded assassin from a rival family, it's a death sentence. For both of us. Because my father uses our engagement to slaughter the Vicis and take their territory. But he makes a grave error. He doesn't kill the most dangerous Vici of Vincenzo himself. I've never met my intended fiance, so when I stumbled upon a handsome, bloodied stranger being tortured in a laundromat in the middle of the night, I follow my instincts and save his life. Big mistake. The man I saved is Vincenzo Vici, and when he discovers I'm the woman who led his family to slaughter, I realize there are circles of hell my father never showed me. Vincenzo should kill me. He wants to kill me. Instead, he decided to make me pay in a different way - by holding me to our arranged marriage and exacting his revenge on me. But Vincenzo isn't the monster I expected. His ruthless kisses light up my soul. His darkness is a dangerous addiction. And when my father hands me poision and orders me to finish what he started, I'm caught between two impossible loyalty to my own blood, or devotion to the darkness that sets me free. Cruel Savior by Lilith Vincent was published February 25th, 2026. This is the first book in Ruthless Arrangements series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Lilith Vincent and The Smuthood. Let's talk about the cover first. The cover of this book is amazing! I feel like this character really brings out the character in the book. It also really drew me to the book so well done on the cover Lilith. Okay, let's talk about this book. This book is grade AMAZING! I could not put this book down for the life of me. I lost many hours of sleep reading this book. This book had the drama, had the romance, had the twist and turns. It had me crying and had me squealing in giddiness. The plot of this book is perfection and I felt like there was nothing that I needed to know more about. It had the perfect amount of background that gave you some answers but yet was not over running the whole book. The smut scenes are tame for a Dark Romance but still hot with tension. The tension between the two main characters is there from the first few chapters that make you want to fan yourself. The two characters are well written. I really like how the author wrote the Mafia princess in this book. You can tell that she was shelter from certain things and yet how she also suffered from abuse. She acted how a person would act if she was abused most of her life. I absolutely loved this book. I cannot wait till the second book comes out in May. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Where do you think you're going, my pretty little Savior?" 

"You're getting off on this? There are bodies right there. We're both soaking in their blood." 

"Doe knows how to handle herself, Zia. First time I met her, she brained me with a baseball bat." 
"Was that before or after you kissed her?"
"After."
"Damn, you need to work on your technique." 

"Eyes on me. I want to see your face when you come on my cock. Want to watch you fall apart for me." 

Ruthless Arrangement Series

1. Cruel Savior 

2. Forbidden Vow (May 6th, 2026) 

Tropes

Mafia 

Enemies to Lovers

Arrange Marriage 

Virgin

Dark Romance 

Slow Burn 

He Falls First