Smoky Darling (Darling #1) by S.J Tilly

 

I fell in love with Beckett when I was 7. He broke my heart when I was 15. When I was 18, I promised myself I'd forget about him. And I did. For a dozen years. But now he's back home. Here. In Darling Lake. And I don't know if I should give in to the temptation swirling between us or run the other way. 

She had a crush on me when she was a kid. But she was my brother's best friend's little sister. I didn't see her like that. And even if I had, she was too young. Our age difference was too great. But now I'm back home. And she's here. And she's all the way grown up. It wouldn't have worked back then. But I'll be damned if I won't get a taste of her now. Smoky Darling by S.J. Tilly was published on January 2023. This is the first book in the Darling series. 

I found S.J. Tilly though another series and after that it's been history. I absolutely love the way she writes her books. I love that she gives a great story-line and also lots of fun pages sprinkled throughout. I love the backstory between the two characters and then fast forward to what was happening at the present. I didn't feel like their relationship was super fast because they have history. Even hinted at some history more then what was in the book. The characters both have faults but also strength which keeps each character balanced to seem real. They were both really easy to picture in my head. I really love a lot of scenes in this book and their banter back and forth. I highly recommend checking this book out. You won't be disappointed in S.J. Tilly books. 

Quotes That I Loved 

Elouise is hopping around, and her tits are bouncing, and I no longer care that there's a fire. What fire? Tits. All I see are tits. 

"Are you gonna be quiet for me? Or do I need to leave?"

"I'll be quiet..."

"No one else sees you....Not even a silhouette....And no one hears you....not a single sound.....not a single moan....not even the smallest groan...not a peep, Elouise. Behave this time, or I'll have to find another way to keep your mouth occupied." 

"If you know what's good for you, you're gonna shut your mouth and take your punishment like a good girl." 

Darling Series 

1. Smoky Darling

2. Latte Darling 

Tropes 

Age-Gap

Friends to Lovers

Brother's Best Friend

Small Town 

Shelter for Sophie (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes #8) by Susan Stoker

 

She's shy, he's stoic...not the hardest personality traits to overcome, but Sophie Carson and Roman "Chief" Proudfit have their work cut out for them. Sophie has a crush on the silent-but-studly firefighter next door. She's been pining away silently while secretly helping the hardworking man by mowing his lawn-which he thinks is being done by her nonexistent husband and/or boyfriend. He's definitely not big on neighborly chitchat, but with her stutter, that suits Sophie just fine. But now a misunderstanding at a bar has put him even further out of her reach. Roman's difficult upbringing on an Indian reservation is a sore spot, so when he thinks Sophie is taking advantage of poor people for medical trails at her workplace, he lets her know exactly what he thinks. But when he discovers he misunderstood, he's man enough to admit it...and also that he should have opened his eyes to his beautiful sensitive neighbor sooner. Shelter for Sophie by Susan Stoker was published in August 2017. This is book eight of the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series. 

This is one of my favorite authors so bare with me when you see a lot of her work. Her books are not filled with smut as so much but they have amazing plots. Also the love stories are amazing and sweet. I loved this book so much. I love how sweet Sophie is to people who are homeless. Also love how she knows how hard Chief works and tries to help in the little things. I love how she accepts him and his beliefs throughout the book. I love how they treat others. The characters both have faults and you see their strengths through the book. I love that Susan Stoker works really hard to make sure that the faults of the main characters stand out. It helps in making them feel real and not overly perfect. The romance is strong in this book and the smut is tame then some of the books I have read from this author. All in all it's a sweet book to read when you need a book between Dark Romance. 

Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series 

1. Justice for Mackenzie

2. Justice for Mickie 

3. Justice for Corrie

4. Justice for Laine

5. Shelter for Elizabeth 

6. Justice for Boone 

7. Shelter for Adeline 

8. Shelter for Sophie 

9. Justice for Erin

10. Justice for Milena

11. Shelter for Blythe 

12. Justice for Hope

13. Shelter for Quinn

14. Shelter for Koren

15. Shelter for Penelope

Tropes 

Men in Uniform - Firefighter

Friends to Lover

Small Town