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 

Reckless Seduction (Kavanaugh Crime Family) by Jo McCall

 

Cheated on. Kidnapped. But hey, at least I have a bottle of Whiskey to keep me warm. Bailey Jameson had hit a new low when she found her fiance in bed with her best friend. And apparently not for the first time. Life couldn't get any worse. That was until she suddenly became the captive of a pair of Irish Twins who are set on owning every inch of her. They command her. Own her. Make her feel things she'd never experienced before. Secrets will be revealed. Truths will tear apart everything she has ever known. Can Bailey spy on the man who rescued and raised her or will she betray the only people who ever made her feel wanted? Reckless Seduction by Jo McCall was published on June 4th, 2026. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jo McCall and The Smuthood. This book had me laughing so much as Bailey has so much inner dialogue. She calls herself so many names and often questions herself through the book. Though, it's all very light hearted in such a dark romance type of book. The plot in this book is great though there are some hiccups in it. It was hard for me to see how Bailey could just easily give in to the twins as you don't really see much of the communication between them through most of the book until the end. Though, there is a lot of passion and a lot of spicy scenes throughout the book. This was a quick read because I couldn't put it down. The characters don't have a lot of personalities especially the guys but it was easy to overlook. I recommend checking this book out. I know I will check out other books by Jo McCall in the near future. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"What the fuck, Bailey? Now isn't the time to be thinking about how handsome his lips are. He's about to fucking kill you." 

"Good girls get rewarded. So open your legs." 

"Your blood pressure is slightly elevated, but that's normal given the situation."

"No? You think?..........I'm kind of curious how many blood pressures you've taken of women who've been kidnapped by two low-life mobsters to just easily brush it away." 

"Reason enough....Now, let's get down to business." 

"To defeat the Huns..." 

Tropes 

Dark Romance 

Forced Proximity

Mafia 

Enemies to Lovers

MFM

Why Choose 

 

Grumpy Mother Pucker (Hollis U #2) by Sarah Smith

 

I can't stand Anna St. George. The bratty and infuriatingly beautiful premed student has always gotten on my nerves, ever since we met in middle school. But one accidental make out changes everything. We've always kept our distance, but after that insanely hot hookup, we can't keep our hands off each other. One problem: she's my teammate's twin sister, which means she's forever off-limits. We agree to be secret friends with benefits, nothing more. I don't do relationships. I'm one hundred percent focused on hockey and being the best goalie at Hollis U so that I'll hopefully get drafted into the pros. But the more time I spend with Anna, the deeper my feelings grow...I'm obsessed with spoiling her in and out of the bedroom. She makes me feel seen and cared for in way I never have before. If her brother finds out about us, he'll destroy me. But I don't care. Anything's worth it as long as I have her. Grumpy Mother Pucker by Sarah Smith was published on May 11th, 2026. This is the second book in the Hollis U series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Sarah Smith and The Smuthood. I have absolutely loved this series so far. The first book was my first book that I have read from Sarah Smith and so I was excited to read this book. This book did not leave me hanging at all. I actually read it in 24 hours which is a challenge when it's summer and you have four children. I absolutely could not put this book down though. I love the two main characters Anna and Travis. Their chemistry in this book are off the chart from the very beginning. I love when it's enemies to lovers type of books because there is such a fine line between love and hate. The plot in this book will leave you wanting to turn the page from each section. Though I was shocked to see how Anna brother responds to his best friend and sister. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book as you won't be left disappointed. I cannot wait to read book three of the series. 

Hollis U Series

1. Cocky Mother Pucker

2. Grumpy Mother Pucker 

3. Hot Mother Pucker

4. Lucky Mother Pucker (09/14/2026) 

Tropes

Enemies to Lovers

Brother's Best Friend

Secret Romance 

Sports - Hockey 

College 

Grumpy Sunshine 

He Falls First 

For The Win (All for Love #3) by Katie Van Brunt

 

She wants a summer fling. He doesn't think he's worthy of more. Claire Connelly's life was on track - until it wasn't. Ambitious, driven, and ready to conquer Manhattan as a family physician, she never saw the catastrophe coming. Now she's jobless and adrift. When an an opportunity in Upstate New York offers her a break from reality, she quickly accepts. And when a proposition comes next, she's ready for a distraction. A fling. Nothing more. For the Win by Katie Van Brunt was published on May 8th, 2026. This is the third book in the All for Love series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Katie Van Brunt and Love Notes PR. First off, I should most likely let you know that I did not read the first two books in the series. So, my thoughts are on just this book. Okay, I thought the two characters in this book were a little flat. I felt like a lot of their character development felt rushed and yet it's a very Slow build type of book. I also didn't see much of a connection between the two main characters so it was really hard to see the two of them fall in love. The plot was a cute and didn't have much conflict throughout except conflict vs. self throughout the book. The book didn't give me a WOW factor but I enjoyed reading it. It was just that it didn't grab my attention like I would have liked. Though, I kept reading because I felt like it had something there that kept some attention. But, don't take my word for it make sure you check it out. 

All for Love Series

1. For the Plot 

2. For the Show

3. For the Win 

Tropes

Boss/Employee 

Friends to Lovers 

Forced Proximity 

Small Town 

Best Friend's Brother

Single Parent 

He Falls First 

I'll Be There for You (Lovesick Sinners #1) by Jessa Halliwell

 

Walking into that alley was a mistake. Trying to save a stranger was even worse. But once he pulled the trigger and I saw what he was capable of, I knew there was no going back. I tried to run, but he was faster. So out of desperation, I offered him the only thing I could think of. Friendship. Now as long as he keeps calling, I'll keep answering. Because Echo Sannikov might just be the most dangerous man I've ever met. And after everything I've been through, that should terrify me....even if it doesn't. I'll Be There For You by Jessa Halliwell was published on April 28th, 2026. This is the first book in the Lovesick Sinners series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jessa Halliwell and The Smuthood. This book started out really strong from the beginning. Not much was said about the two characters in the descriptions but that was okay. I really liked how the two characters play off each other. Though, I didn't feel like Echo was this big bad Mafia type of guy he was supposed to be. He acted too gooey most of the book unless he was threatening someone. I really thought Dahlia was a flat character but it didn't take over the plot. The plot in the book was great and I was able to understand what was happening throughout the book. I recommend checking out this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series as this one left us in a cliffhanger. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Yeah, that's a great way to attract a sociopath." 

"Yes.....It's been on my list for a while now."
"Hmm....I didn't take you for someone into fae smut, but I'm not one to kink shame." 

"Intense would be carving your name into my fucking chest. This is me showing restraint." 

Lovesick Sinners Series 

1. I'll Be There for You 

2. You Were There for Me (11/18/2026) 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Stalker

Mafia 

Forced Proximity 

Friends to Lovers 

Age Gap