The Royal by Susan Stoker

 

Former military man and member of a royal family Callum Redmon can't deny his sense of responsibility. so when his cousin's latest love interest claims to have a stalker, Cal reluctantly meets with the young women and her mother. He wants to write off the situation as a complete farce - if only his feelings for another member of the household could be as easily dismissed. The Royal by Susan Stoker was published in August 2023. This is the second book in Game of Chance series. 

I am a big fan of Susan Stoker books so I was so excited to read this book of hers. My reviews are behind on what I am currently reading. Sorry...anyways I loved how Callum made a comment in book 1 that he was never going to find someone for him. When the female main character of that book was like time will come. Well, time has come Callum. Callum has a lot on his shoulders being royal and also not being Mr. Pretty anymore. He feels like the scars on his body causes all women to be scared of him. Which we know will not be the case. I really like this book because it resembles the famous Cinderella story but in present tense. Callum has a lot of emotions that he hides behind and of course the female main character is the one to pull those out. June is so amazing and has her own background story that slowly comes out. She has faults just like Callum but also she has some growing up to do. I felt like both characters are well rounded. I feel like though there was places where the plot didn't make sense but it was not enough that it turned me off of the book. I loved this book and read it in a day. I highly recommend checking out any book from Susan Stoker. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Where do you sleep now?"

"And if you tell me the attic, I'm not going to be happy." 

For the first time in his entire life, Cal wanted to be someone's Prince Charming. 

'You're free, princess. Of them, of feeling obligated, of being afraid. You're free to do whatever it is you want." 

"All we can do is be grateful for the lessons we've learned and move forward." 

"I want you, Cal. Even though I know I'll never live up to your expectations. Even though you're light-years better than me. I want you on me, over me, inside me. If you need the darkness in order to make that happen, or if you need to be fully clothed, I'm okay with that. I'll take you however I can get you." 

"I hope whoever did this to you died a horrific, painful death, with his eyes plucked out and his innards spilling from his body to be feasted on by a hundred hungry carrion birds." 

"If you think I didn't want to peel those skintight jeans down your legs and bury my face between your thighs all night, you're crazy." 

"And I'm going to come in your mouth sooner or later. On your tits. All over your pussy. I want to cover you with my cum, mark you so thoroughly you won't ever be able to get me off your skin. But not tonight. Tonight, I need to be inside you. Fill you up. Mark you from the inside out." 

Game of Chance Series in Order 

1. The Protector 

2. The Royal

3. The Hero

4. The Lumberjack (07/30/2024)

Trope

Royalty

Men in Uniform - Military

Billionaires

Grumpy Sunshine

Small Town 

Before you leave, please vote on what book I should read next in the comments. 

For More Stoker World books.

Play with Me (Playing for Keeps #2) by Becka Mack

 

I'm the star right winger for the Vancouver Vipers, an unstoppable force, fast as lightning. My dream come true, and I've worked my whole life to get here. I don't plan on giving it up, but if I want to keep playing hockey, I'm going to need all my limbs. To ensure my body parts stay intact, I only need to follow one simple rule. Don't touch my captain's little sister. Seems easy enough. She's snarky and bossy and has a mouth like a sailor. Truthfully, I'm bordering on the edge of terrified when she's around. The problem is I've seen too much. Too much of her, inside and out. And now? Now I want more. Play with Me by Becka Mack was published in October 2022. This is book two of the Playing for Keeps series. 

The two main characters had me in giggles through this book. I thought I loved book one but I don't know I think this book beat that book. I loved Jennie in the first book with her comments but she just made me fall in love with her in this book. She has such an amazing backstory that touched on how her dad's death effected her. How growing up with a famous brother effected her. She had a lot of pressure from everywhere to be this amazing person. So of course she felt like she was failing. I felt like Jennie was a real person that I could get to know. Garrett has his own back history and it really comes in through this book. What made him the way he is. I didn't feel like he was as real as Jennie but it worked great in this book. The plot in this book is so funny watching Jennie and Garrett fight against their attractions at different times. But yet watching it all unfold. There were times I was like just stop fighting it. But it was explosive when they finally gave in. Then the secret keeping while slowly everyone found out. I loved this book so much and can't not wait to read more in this series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You're not getting any of this tonight....none of it." 

"Ollie! It was an accident! You can't cut off access! You can't! 

"Find someone else. Literally anybody else." 

"I just wanna love you out loud. Why don't you let me love you out loud?"

"Living without your soul mate is something no one should ever have to do...I know there's something extra special waiting for you, Jennie. A love above all the rest. That's what a soul mate is. Someone with smooth edges to soften our sharp ones. Someone who fits us so perfectly, vibrates on the same frequency, makes all our best parts shine. And together? Together, everything is exactly the way it's meant to be." 

Besides, who needs a boyfriend when you've got a drawer full of battery-powered ones? Men don't vibrate, but dildos do. 

The box rips apart at the seams, the most beautiful rainbow of dildos and vibrators flying through the air between us in -I swear to God-slow fucking motion. 

"That's you, sunshine. You're my favorite dessert......C'mon, Jennie. Play with me." 

"The fuck's he talking about?....He hurt you?"

"I'm fine." 

"Did.He.Hurt.You?" 

"That's a good fucking girl." 

Playing for Keeps Series in Order

1. Consider Me

2. Play with Me

3. Unravel Me 

Tropes 

Sports - Hockey

Brothers Best Friend 

Friends to Lovers 

Forbidden

He Falls First 

Slow Burn 

Twisted Love (Twisted #1) by Ana Huang

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest: A crack. A melt. A fire that could end his world as he knew it. Twisted Love by Ana Huang was published in April 2021. This is book one of the Twisted series. 

This book was not like what I thought it would be. Let's talk about the characters first. I felt like Ana was not who she should have been. I felt like everyone babied her. I actually didn't like Ana all that much in this book but I was willing to tough it out and great to like her a bit. I loved Alex, I felt like he was hard core with so many things that made me like him but also hate him. I loved how he treated Ana with respect but also didn't mind putting her in her place. The plot was a little slow in parts but I felt like the other parts out weighed it. I also liked how their relationship grew and it's own issues. The smut in this book is top notch. I recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes That I Loved 

For example, I could be running from a rabid bear instent on mauling me into the next century. Or I could be tied to a chair in a dark basement and forced to listen to Aqua's "Barbie Girl" on repeat until I'd rather gnaw off my arm than hear the song's eponymous phrase again. 

"What's wrong?"

"Hello to you too, Brother Dearest. What makes you think something is wrong?"

"Uh, you called me. You never call unless you're in trouble." 

"It might help with your condition."

"What condition?"

"Stickuptheassitis."

"No. The condition is chronic." 

"I'll take care of her. Don't worry."

"You can eat them, throw them out, feed them to your pet snake Nagini, whatever."

"Did you just compare me to Voldemort?"

"What? No!" 

"Every inch of you belongs to me, and if you ever let another man touch you--He'll end up in pieces, and you'll end up tied to my bed and fucked in every hole until my name is the only one you remember. Do you understand?"

"But the rules don't apply to you."

"What did I tell you? You're mine, Sunshine. You're never touching another man unless you want him six feet in the ground. So yes, we're fucking exclusive." 

"You want to fuck, we fuck. You want to date, we date. You want to call me your boyfriend, I'll call you my girlfriend. But for now, let me take care of that needy little pussy of yours, hmmm?"

"I told you, nothing. It was just the lake."

"You can't kill a lake."

"I'll drain every fucking lake and ocean in the world if I have to." 

Twisted Series in Order

1. Twisted Love

2. Twisted Games 

3. Twisted Hate 

4. Twisted Lies 

Trope

Billionaire

Forced Proximity

Brother's Best Friend

Grumpy Sunshine

Enemies to Lovers

Mafia - Organized Crime

Dark Romance

For More BookTok Books

 

Sleet Sugar (Sleet #2) by S.J. Tilly

 

My friends have convinced me. No more hockey players. With a dad who is the Head Coach for the Minnesota Sleet, it seemed like an easy decision. My friends have also convinced me that the best way to boost my fragile self-esteem is through a one-night stand. A dating app. A hotel bar. A sexy-as-hell man...who's sweet, and funny, and - did I mention? Assumptions. There's a rule about them. I assumed he was passing through town. I assumed he was a businessman, or maybe an investor, or accountant, or literally anything other than a professional hockey player. I assumed I'd never see him again. I assumed wrong. Sleet Sugar by S.J. Tilly was published in January 2023. This book two of the Sleet series. 

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and so I could not wait to read this one. This one I think blew the other out of the waters. I absolutely loved seeing Izzy that you meant in the first book really finding her own. Izzy is a very rounded character with faults and strength. Also all of her emotions felt real in the book and not pushed into. Her personality really shown in the book and it's great. I felt like Zach is the guy that I could picture being in the popular crowd. But he is still the loveable jokester. I didn't feel that some of his emotions or actions really fit with the rest of him but it was easy to look over. The plot in this book is amazing and really well done. It was more of an instant love but that was okay. The actions of Zach trying to get Izzy to give him a chance made me often giggle. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend you to check it out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Sugar, if you think having intercourse like that is impossible, then you've been wasting your time with all the wrong men." 

"Good. Now I'm going to put my mouth on this sweet pussy of yours and find out if you taste like candy everywhere." 

"Don't worry, Baby....I have no intention of telling my coach just how fucking tasty and dirty his pretty daughter is. I know full well that wouldn't be good for my health." 

I'm feeling really fucking possessive! 

"....I openly admit that it will take more than one cup of sweetness to make up for the trauma I've put you through tonight. I'm the worst. You're the best. I'm a troll. You're a goddess. I'm dumb. You're brilliant. I'm salt. You're sweet, sweet Sugar." 

"You're right. We should have done that somewhere with a locking door, with you naked and my cock buried inside of you." 

Sleet Series in Order 

1. Sleet Kitten

2. Sleet Sugar 

3. Sleet Banshee 

Tropes

Sports - Hockey

Forbidden

Rom Com 

Consider Me (Playing For Keeps #1) by Becka Mack

 

Carter Beckett is the NHL's resident badboy, top player both on the ice & in the bedroom, and quite possibly the sexist man to ever grace my field of vision. But worst of all? He knows it. He's arrogrant, self-centered, and the man doesn't seem to know what a filter is, let alone how to use one. He's had everything served to him on a silver platter, including endless strings of women, and apparently, I'm up next. His only problem? I have no intention of falling for his shi-um, charm. Consider Me by Becka Mack was published in March 2022. This is first book in the Playing for Keeps series. 

This was an odd book to say the least. It's one of those books where you like bits and pieces but don't know what is missing. I felt that way with this book. I felt like the characters Carter and Olivia were not very rounded characters. I didn't feel like they could possibly be a real person (which I know they are not.) But most good authors try to make their characters feel like a real person. That means they have good parts to them and they also fail. I felt like they were a little one sided. The plot started off slow but then it picked up and I enjoyed reading it. I also enjoyed some of the friendships in the book. Though I did think that the relationship was rushed. It's a decent read, so I recommend checking it out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I wanna fuck you silly. Maybe put you in the penalty box."

"We can get there in eight if you're game for a piggyback ride.....Wrap those pretty little legs around my waist before I wrap them around my face." 

"Okay, pint-sized. And okay, you're not a model. But you're a phys-ed teacher, so that's kind the same-"

"It is not remotely close the same thing." 

"You can't kiss my not-a-date-but-actually-is-a-date at midnight!" 

"You fucking kissed her."

"She said I could."

"Do you like her?"

"Yes, I fucking like her." 

"You like him."

"Of course I like him, Cara. He's charming and funny and makes me smile in this irritating sort of way and I'm losing my damn mind because I'm totally falling for Carter Beckett." 

"Good Girl."

"Slap that hand back there again and I'll tie both of them to the bedpost. I wanna hear you scream my name when you come with me inside you. Got it?"

"You haven't broken me yet, but I'm hoping if I'm a good girl, you will soon." 

Playing for Keeps Series in Order

1. Consider Me

2. Play with Me

3. Unravel Me 

Tropes

Sports - Hockey

Friends to Lovers

He Falls First 

Summer Storm (Hollywood Connection #3) by Lily Alexander

 

She needs a place to stay. He needs a roommate. Trina is fired after a dating-app hookup gone wrong. On her own and between jobs, apartment hunting is next to impossible. Her best friend suggests she talk to Dallas, who recently moved home and got a place that's a little too big for just him. The arrangement is working perfectly...until one night, when a kiss in the kitchen changes everything. They agree on no-strings, but feelings don't care about agreements. Because of their friendship home has taken on a whole new meaning, but the lure of a job out of state threatens everything they've built together. Summer Storm by Lily Alexander was published in December 2021. This is the third book in Hollywood Connections series. The list of previous books in the series is below. 

I loved Dallas in the second book in the series but I knew that there was more to the eye when it came to him. I wanted....no more like needed to know more about him. So of course was so excited when I found out that Summer Storm was where he was one of the main characters. He did not disappointment in his own book. He was still quirky and still loved to pick on his brothers. But to see them dish it back to him in this book was perfect. I have to say though, some of the history that you learn about Dallas and his relationship in book two helps make him more well rounded. You don't feel like your missing anything. I also love Trina in book two and love her in this book as well. I am so glad that we get to know her even better as she is an amazing best friend. She is well rounded and quirky as well so it made their relationship so easy to picture. Also let's talk about this amazing plot. This plot was so easy to flow from their friendship to lovers. It was so nice to see how they built this amazing friendship so it was an easy slide in. Of course there is some drama but what relationship doesn't have drama. I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend checking this out once you read the first two in the series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"What's wrong with you people that you need to run? Nobody's chasing you. You know you don't have to run, right?" 

We all fall apart once in awhile. Tacos do it all the time and everyone still loves them. 

"What fucking mold? .....Devon is an actor. Daniel loves numbers. I'm a masochistic workaholic. We're all idiots. I told you before, I don't give a single, solitary fuck about who makes your dick hard." 

"This kind of thing is exactly what every fated couple says before setting off on a harebrained scheme that ends up with them either banging like bunnies, falling in love, horribly broken-hearted, or all of the above." 

"Are you okay?"

"I'm okay."

"I'm so glad you're home."

"I was going to grovel. Apologize. Beg if I needed to. But suddenly find myself starving." 

"You have no idea how much you own me, Terror. It's dangerous." 

Hollywood Connections Series in Order

1. Winter Bloom

2. Spring Breeze 

3. Summer Storm 

Tropes 

Roommates to Lover

The Right Move (Windy City #2) by Liz Tomforde

 

She's a distraction, that's what she is. I'm the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago's NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister's best friend, to move into my apartment. She's messy, emotional, and way too tempting. But when the team's General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can't think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate. The only problem? Faking it feels too natural. The Right Move by Liz Tomforde was published in February 2023. This is book two of the Windy City series. This book was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in 2023.  

I could not wait to read book two of the Windy City after reading book one. This book did not disappoint me. Especially since I fell in love with Indy in book one. Also I love Ryan's twin sister Stevie in the first book. Ryan is a workaholic, he strives to be perfect at basketball and will do everything to keep it that way. In this book, you find out that on his way to the NBA an event happened that left him alone and only wanting to be alone. I love that it slowly comes out through the book to keep the book moving. It made some of the things he does in the beginning make complete sense. Indy, is coming off a horrible breakup when she walked in on her soon to be fiancé cheating on her. Both of them are trying to better themselves and their past tends to throw wrenches into it. I do love how it went from attraction and fighting it to falling in love. There is some good smut in this book but it's not overwhelming. The plot of this book is great and you can see the progression of their relationship and also the relationship they have with others. I highly recommend checking this out after reading book 1. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You're right, I am emotional. But at least I'm not a fucking robot!....At least I feel things. When's the last time you felt something?" 

"Well, currently I'm feeling amused." 

"Stop looking at her, go hit the showers or get to the airport or just about anything other than look at her. She's not available."

"So you are hitting that." 

"No, I'm not hitting that. And neither are any of you. Stop looking at her or she'll be the last thing you ever fucking see."

"Ooooh. Protective Shay is here, and his sister is nowhere to be found. Someone write this date down. History is being made, people. Ryan Shay gives a fuck about someone other than Stevie and something other than basketball." 

"Do you want me to get on my knees and beg or something?

"Now that you say it....I wouldn't mind knowing what you look like on your knees, Shay." 

"Deal. Although, you could learn a thing or two from my book boyfriends. You do have that broody, mysterious thing going for you already though." 

"Oh! And can you darken your eyes?"

"Darken my eyes?"

"Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?"

"No, I can't fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?" 

"Jealously turns you on?"

"Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what's mine. I'm the one you're going home with." 

"There it is. Good girl, Blue. You're doing so fucking good." 

Windy City Series in Order

1. Mile High

2. The Right Move

3. Caught Up 

4. Play Along (TBR June 2024) 

Tropes

Sports - Basketball

Fake Dating

Forced Proximity

Enemies to Lovers 

Grumpy Sunshine

Sibling Best Friend

For More Fake Fiancé Books

The Predator (Dark Verse #1) by Runyx

 

In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has been an anomaly. As the only non-blooded member in the high circle of the Tenebrae Outfit, he is an enigma to all-his skills unparalleled, his morality questionable, and his motives unknown. He is lethal and he knows it. As does Morana Vitalio, the genius extraordinaire daughter of the rival family. What Caine does with weapons, Morana does with computers. When a twenty-year old mystery resurfaces, Morana infiltrates Caine's house, intent on killing him, unaware of a tie that binds them together. Hate, heat, and history clash together with unexpected sparks. The Predator by Runyx was published in January 2020. This is book one in the Dark Verse series. 

This book started really fast and I had no clue what was really going on at the beginning. There was no lead in at all into the book. It started with action as Morana was already sneaking into his house to kill him. Though the tension of the first scene was killer. Let's first talk about Morana. Morana had lots of faults and some were past boyfriends. But a lot of her background came out through the book. It made me want to know more and more about Morana. I loved how she acted like a mob boss but yet inside she was scared of heck. It made me love her. Tristan, I loved when you first hear of him you see it through Morana's eyes. So in the beginning of the book you really want to hate him. Not only that but you get to fall in love with him with Morana. The plot was intense from the get go. This is not a rainbow type of book, no it's dark but not to the level of other books I have read. One of my scenes is when he used a gun to his advantages in scenes. The plot is amazing and leaves you hanging and wanting to know more. Especially when you are in Morana's views. She hears clips of things about herself and needing to know more about what is going on. I recommend checking this book out, you won't be disappointed. 

Quotes That I Loved 

The knife was digging into her thigh. she was not supposed to be here. 

"Death isn't the main course, sweetheart. It's the dessert." 

"One day, I'm going to carve your heart out and keep it as a souvenir. I promise." 

"She stays here," he growled. 

"Don't you know not to run away from predators, sweetheart? We like the hunt." 

"Doesn't matter. I get my mouth on you, and you'll never be the same."

"Next time, I'm going to see how loud you can scream, Ms. Vitalio. I'm going to make you so sore you won't know if it's from the screaming or the fucking." 

Dark Verse Series in Order

1. The Predator

2. The Reaper 

3. The Emperor

4. The Finisher 

5. The Annihilator 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Mafia - Crime Organization 

Forced Proximity

Forbidden 

Stalker 

Mile High (Windy City #1) by Liz Tomforde

 

Zanders: Chicago hockey isn't complete without me - everyone's favorite player to hate. I know my role, and I play it well. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy spending the majority of my game time in the penalty box before leaving the arena with a new girl on my arm each night. What I don't like is the new flight attendant on our team's private plane. She works for me, not the other way around. But I'll be sure to remind her of that, and I can guarantee, by the end of the season, she'll be begging to quit her job. But every road trip blurs the lines, and I can't quite figure out if I keep pushing that flight attendant call button in order to push her buttons or if it's more than that. Mile High by Liz Tomforde was published in June 2022. This is book one of the Windy City series. 

Yep, another book that is popular to see on the booktok front. I have always enjoyed some hockey romance books so I thought heck why not check out this one. So, let's first talk about the main characters. Zanders will not disappoint you at all. He is described as a hunk of meat that is also a huge player. He will make you frustrated by his silly antics but also will see a sweet side come out to try to swoon the girl. He also has a lot of background that you learn throughout the book that made him the way he is. Stevie is so sweet and also has a hard time growing up. She couldn't ever measure up to her brother who is an athlete. Especially when he is her twin. But also how her mom looks down on her made me want to climb into the book and slap her mom for some of the things she said to her. I love Stevie's personality and how it was not only one thing that made her the way she was. How she loves animals and wants to be who she wants to be. Both of the main characters are not at all flat and they are people you really want to get to know. The plot in this book is amazing. It was not instantly fall in love for either of them but started off as lust to hate. It made me giggle a lot with Zanders antics. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend checking it out. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Stevie.......You Following me?" 

"Why the hell do you keep calling me 'sweetheart?" 

"You don't get it?"

"Get what?"

"My nickname for you. It's ironic. I'm not sure you have a sweet bone in your body, sweetheart." 

"If I can't stand you........then why has my only thought of every minute of every day for the last week been me wondering what it would feel like to fuck you?" 

"What made you change your mind?"

"Honestly?"

"Always"

"My vibrator died, and I didn't pack my charger with me." 

"Good girl.....now, open your throat." 

"This is all mine tonight....and I'm not going to let you talk shit about what's mine. So, I'm going to need you to stop, or we aren't doing this." 

"I'm going to fucking destory your body tonight and hopefully some of those insecurities that don't make any goddamn sense right along with it." 

"I don't see you the way you see yourself. I think you're good, and sweet, and hilarious, and fucking stunning, Vee. And I just want a chance.....You want to be choosen first? Well, so do I. So, choose me." 

Windy City Series in Order

1. Mile High

2. The Right Move

3. Caught Up 

4. Play Along (TBR June 2024) 

Tropes

Sports - Hockey

Enemies to Lovers

Forbidden

Slow burn

Opposites Attract 

A Not So Meet Cute (Cane Brothers #1) by Meghan Quinn

 

How did you two meet? The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey tale of being stuck in the bum by Cupid's arrow. My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me. A Not so Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn was published in November 2021. This is book one of the Cane Brothers series. 

This book had me in stitches throughout it. I started to read this book after I read some dark romance books and needed a book that had me giggle a lot. So word for the wise this book is not dark at all but a great read. I have to say in the beginning of the book it left me slightly confused. But then it picked up and I was often laughing and then also sending quotes from it to my close friends. Actually, I think I had a friend read a whole chapter because it was so funny. The characters are okay, I actually felt like they were a little flat. They both had a lot of problems and I had a hard time finding a reason to like them. The plot in this book though rocked everything apart. It was so funny and it had some steamy scenes. (Yeah, I know you needed to know). I loved how it was not instant love for both characters. But you have to read this book to get that this book is so much fun to read. I can't wait to read more books by this author. 

Quotes That I Loved 

Kelsey: Oh my god....you're going to be murdered.

Lottie: No way. The dude is meeting me at Chipotles. He's not going to murder me at a place where you have to pay extra for guac. 

"No, but there's something so sexy, so possessive, about being able to hold your girl at the nape of her neck."

"Possessive, are we?"

"I perfer to claim what's mine." 

"What are you doing?" Huxley asks as he watches me run my hand up and down my purple dildo. Because I think it's fun to test him, I say, "Deciding what I want to fuck myself with tonight. You know, since my fiancé is celibate and all, I need to get off somehow. Your staff most likely understands the circumstances." 

"Crawl up your own scrotum and drown." 

"Second of all, we weren't prepared for a goddamn orgy when coming to this class." 

"And I got squirted in the face"

"By her boob?"

"No, by a boob on the wall."

"You're going to have to run through it for me, because I'm confused." 

"Such a good girl." 

Cane Brothers Series in Order

1. A Not so Meet Cute

2. So Not Meant to Be 

3. A Long Time Coming 

Tropes 

Fake Dating

Enemies to Lovers

Marriage of Convenience

Age Gap

Rom Com

Grumpy Sunshine

Billionaire

BookTok Made me Do It

Savage King (Astoria Royals #2) by Deborah Garland

 

My fiancé is the hero and the villain. Kieran O'Rourke is sin and danger wrapped in an expensive suit. Six-foot-four, he's ruggedly beautiful with an Irish brogue that made half the women in this town fall into his bed. He's a savage with no soul...and now he's my fiancé. My father sold me to this arrogant bastard to finance his war with the Russians. All my dreams vanished when he forced me to say "I do" and slid his ring onto my finger. He stole my future and wants an obedient wife, who will give him an heir and ask no questions. Savage King by Deborah Garland was published May 2023. This book two in Astoria Royals series. 

This book had really good scenes in it that makes you want to curl your toes. But, it also had lots of long build up scenes that make you question if you can make it to the faster pace scenes. I felt like the very beginning of the book was slow as it was packed full of background information. Which led me to want to put the book down and walk away. I did enjoy the two main characters and hoe in depth they both were. That Kieran took a bit to let go of his love that past away to let himself marry the girl. But also loved how Isabella fought like crazy to hate Kieran. How she kept it a secret that she was on birth control. I loved how their relationship was not easy and that each of them had to work for it. The steamy scenes are steamy and will make you want more then what is in the book. It's a good book just the beginning though needs more action and not so heavy with background. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Yes" 

"Keep going....don't stop on my account." 

"Excuse me! Don't you knock?"

"I Did knock....you probably didn't hear me over your moaning." 

"What do you say?"

"Please."

"Good girl.....and when I'm taking my husbandly liberties with you every night, I want to hear you say please-often....I'm going to make you beg for it, Isabella." 

"You'll do it with a mouth full of my cock." 

"Find.My.Wife." 

"Next time you see a rock that big on a woman, be warned that the man who brought her that ring is never far behind." 

Astoria Royals Series in Order

1. Sinful Vows 

2. Savage King

3. Sleeping with the Enemy

4. Deal with the Devil 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Mafia - Organized Crime

Age- Gap

Virgin 

Arrange Marriage

Sleet Kitten (Sleet #1) by S.J. Tilly

 

There are a few things that life doesn't prepare you for. Like what to do when a super-hot guy catches you sneaking around in his basement. Or what to do when a mysterious package shows up with tickets to a hockey game because, apparently, he's a professional athlete. Or how to handle it when you get to the game and realize he's a freaking famous since half of the 20,000 people in the stands are wearing his jersey. Sleet Kitten by S.J. Tilly was published in January 2023. This is the first book in the Sleet series. 

I will say this that I decided to read this book from what I saw of it on booktok, bookinsta the like. Anyways, I was so happy that I took the chance and jumped in. The book made me giggle so much through it. I loved that she accidently ventured away and he came across her in the library. I must say the introvert in me would most likely do the same then be wowed by the library in the house. I fell in love with the main characters in this book. I loved how they each had faults and I loved how he pursued her. He was the one who contacted a mutual person to get her info. Which is great that he was stalking her at all. I also loved her nickname that he gave her of kitten. There is so many awesome and so many fun scenes where you end up laughing like crazy. Such as their first date his mom crashed it without knowing who each person was. Second date...so many people crashed it. The smut wasn't like extreme in this book but it left you hanging. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Quotes That I Loved 

Stick an apple in my mouth. Drop me on a platter. And ring the bell. I'm done. 

"You, my little Kitten, have some claws hidden in that enticing package. And right now, I'm looking at the only gorgeous creature that has captured my attention tonight." 

Luke is sitting at the dining table with Kitten. And my sister. And my mama. Stopping dead in my tracks, I scold myself for my previous thought. This. This is the lasting fucking thing I wanted to happen tonight. 

"I will make you my girl, Kitten. I promise you that. But I'm going to take my time in doing so. I'm going to wait until you're ready for me." 

"Honestly, he's being a real fucking tease. If he doesn't put out soon, I'm going to end up with blue balls. Blue uterus. Whatever." 

Sleet Series in Order 

1. Sleet Kitten

2. Sleet Sugar 

3. Sleet Banshee 

Tropes

Sports - Hockey

Rom Com

Slow Burn

He Falls First

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Faking It as the Maid by Emily James

 

He needs a maid, I need a job. It's just temporary....my life is an endurance test, one that I am in danger of failing. My apartment is a hellhole and my rent is late. I'm desperate, so I concoct a scheme and temporarily take my friend's job as a maid. But I'm not prepared for him. Faking it as the Maid by Emily James was published in January 2020. 

This book is a different feel to it. But it had a lot of humor throughout the book. The characters in this book felt flat. You do see a lot of faults for each character but don't see a lot of positives of the characters. I did like the build up between the two main characters. That they didn't instantly fall in love with each other. The smut in this book is okay. It's not like amazing and can't put it down during the scene. I do like how also their relationship has a lot of ups and downs. It's a good read and I enjoyed it. It's just an all out amazing story. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Trust me to pluck up the courage to come chat to the most beautiful girl in the room, only for her not to understand a single word I say." 

"I'm trying to help, if you'll let me?" 

"Oh, I could definitely handle you, baby." 

"You're my girl, and I'm not doing business with someone who treats you any less than a fucking queen." 

Tropes 

Boss/ employee

Enemies to Lovers

Billionaire 

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King (Alliance #2) by S.J. Tilly

 

Okay, so my bad for assuming the guy I was going on a date with wasn't married. And my bad for taking him to a friend's house for dinner, only to find out my friend is also friends with his wife. Because, in fact, he is married. And she happens to be at my friend's house because her husband was busy working. Confused? So am I. Unsurprisingly, my date's wife is super angry about finding out that her husband is a cheating asshole. Girl, I get it. Then, to make matters more convoluted, there is the man sitting next to my date's wife. A man named King, who is apparently her brother, and who lives up to his name. Since my date is a two-timing prick, I'm not going to feel bad about drooling over King, especially since I'll never see him again. Or at least I don't plan to. King by S.J. Tilly was published in May 2023. This is book two in the Alliance series. 

First thing I need to mention is this book had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. I mean I saw it coming a little bit but it was like action at the very beginning of the book. I loved King in the first book in the series. The little bit you get to see him that is. So I could not wait to see who King was and watch him get the turn about with a women. But this book really took King to the next level. Also you get to see Nero again in this book and he does not hold back on King. I loved the two main characters. I loved how both of them have faults that just make them do stupid things. But you can also see their relationship develop throughout the book. Though, it's crazy to have a relationship with a guy who you just saw kill your new ex boyfriend. It's a great book and I highly recommend checking this out. You won't be disappointed. Also...the smut scenes are spicy and dark. It was hard to hide my emotions at one of them when I was surrounded by my children. My husband knew I was at a smut scene but the kiddos did not. Whew...

Quotes That I Loved 

"His name is Leland," the woman, Aspen, bites out. "And he is my lying, cheating, piece of shit husband." -I Loudly Said...Dead Man 

The engine roars to life, and I leave my dead not-quite-boyfriend's apartment with his killer. 

"Are you really making fucking popcorn right now?" Nero doesn't answer, but he doesn't have to since the increased popping replies for him. 

"I won't force myself inside you, Savannah Baby. But I am dying to come all over those pretty tits, so don't fucking tempt me." 

"Do you promise to be a faithful captor for as long as you both shall live?"

"To be the best wife you can be? To not slit King's throat while he sleeps?" 

Books in Order in Alliance Series

1. Nero 

2. King 

3. Dom 

4. Hans

Tropes

Dark Romance

Age-Gap

Forced Proximity 

Billionaire

Arrange Marriage

Mafia - Organized Crime 

He falls first