The Live-In Temptation (Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove #2) by Brighton Walsh

 

Hiring the chaotic woman I pulled out of a shed fire to be my daughter's nanny was a bad idea. Letting her live with me? Even worse. Chloe Bradshaw is too vibrant, too bold, and way too young for me. She's pure sunshine-in-a-hurricane energy and the exact opposite of the clam, steady influence my daughter needs. But Emma adores her from the second they meet, and I'd do anything for my little girl. Including sharing a roof with the one woman I shouldn't want. Chloe's the walking definition of off-limits. And one hell of a temptation I can't stop thinking about. Between midnight snack run-ins, hair-braiding lessons, and the way she looks in my stolen hoodie, forbidden stopped being a warning and started feeling like a dare. I swore I wouldn't cross that line with her. Then I did. And again. The Live-In Temptation by Brighton Walsh will be published on September 4th, 2025. This is book two of the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove series. 

I was asked to review this book for my honest review from Brighton Walsh and The Smuthood. I fell in love with Starlight Cove through another series that Brighton Walsh writes. Of course you get to see some the famous characters you fell in love with that series in this series as well. I love how each of her books build upon the same town and you get to see more and more of the people who live in the small town. I absolutely loved that series and I have already read book one of this series. So each book from this series makes me fall in love with it. I fell in love with the three main characters of this story. I say three main characters because Emma the little girl has a role in the series and it's a big one. Chloe has a lot of heartache that keeps her running and trying some interesting jobs until she lands in Starlight Cove. Her past is shown throughout the series and you get to understand why she runs. You also see how her past shapes her in her romance with Xander. Let's talk about grumpy daddy for moment. Xander has his own past that has shaped him. Being the second oldest in his family and now finding out that he has a four year old. But not only that finding out he has a four year old who's now his sole responsibility as her mom past away. You see him struggle to find his footing but also trying to help his daughter grieve and live in a strange new world. He struggles with his memories overtaking his present. This book he has a lot of growth and it shows through out the book. Also Emma grows as well. The characters in this book are so rounded that you could picture each of them in your mind in this small town. The romance in this book is steady and slowly happens throughout the book. You can feel the tension on every page as it builds. I absolutely loved this book and I am chewing for the chance to read book three of the series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Oh god, oh my fuck, oh sweet sparkling Moses!" 

"Before you lie again and say it was nothing, or it wasn't a big deal, or it was just one-time lapse in judgement-"
"It was all of those things."
"-Let me just ask one question.....Why are you wearing his sweatshirt?" 

"And if you break your damn ankle on those heels, I'm going to set the fucking things on fire." 
"For a fire chief, you sure do threaten to burn a lot of things." 
"Seems to me the only things I threaten to burn are ones that fuck with you." 

Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove Series 

1. The Grump Next Door 

2. The Live-In Temptation

3. United (January 1st, 2026) 

Starlight Cove Series 

1. Defiant Heart 

2. Protective Heart

3. Fearless Heart 

4. Reckless Heart 

5. Possessive Heart

6. Rebel Heart 

Tropes 

Single Parent 

Nanny 

Boss/Employee

Grump Sunshine 

Small Town 

Men in Uniform 

Age Gap

Forbidden Romance 

forced proximity 

  

Searching for Heather (Eagle Point Search & Rescue #6) by Susan Stoker

 

Ever since hearing about the mysterious woman in the woods who'd rescued his friends, Talon Ross has been intrigued. Who is she? Why is she there? Is she cold? Hungry? Scared? He can't rest until he's found her, made sure she's all right. But when he finally manages to track her down, that difficult task turns out to be the easy part - now he has to earn her trust. The more he gets to know her, the more he wants to know, and the more vital that trust becomes. And there's an even bigger mystery surrounding the wary redhead, one he wants to solve so she can reclaim her life...possibly with Talon by her side. Searching for Heather by Susan Stoker was published in 2024. This is book six of the Eagle Point Search & Rescue series. 

I have always enjoyed Susan Stoker's books since I found them. I am sure if you follow me enough you will see the signs. I knew I had to read this book so that I could add another book to my collection. I absolutely loved this book. This book was a build up from previous books as you get glimpses of the main female character. You also know a lot about Talon from the other books in the series. The characters in this book are so well defined that it was easy to be able to picture them. They both had faults and strengths that you see through the book. Also you see how their past has reshaped them and how each other help change them. The plot had me on the edge of my seat at times and then relaxed in others. I read this book so quickly because I couldn't put it down. When you have four kids having trouble putting a book down shows how much you enjoy the book. I highly recommend checking out this book and fall in love with the way Susan Stoker writes.

Quotes that I Loved 

"So...when you feel as if you're ready...I'll be here. I want to be your man, Sunset. I want to have the privilege of being yours." 

"You've gotten under my skin in a way no other woman has before, Heather. It scares me to death. You scare me. I don't want to do anything that will make you want to leave. I lie awake at night and listen to you breathe and thank God that I found you. That you're mostly all right. That you've somehow managed to retain a beautiful, sweet personality even after the Devil tried to beat it out of you. So, do I think I can feel something for you besides friendship? Sweetheart...I already do." 

Eagle Point Search & Rescue series 

1. Searching for Lily

2. Searching for Elsie

3. Searching for Bristol

4. Searching for Caryn

5. Searching for Finley

6. Searching for Heather 

7. Searching for Khloe 

Tropes 

Military Fiction 

Friends to Lovers 

Small Town

Riot's Thorn (Sons of Erebus Reno, NV #4) by Misty Walker

 

Mine is the story you've been waiting for, the one about the mysterious man with crazy eyes and no conscience. You only think you know who I am, but you don't. No one does. Except her - the little Thorn in my side that I captured and locked away after killing her dad right in front of her. She'll never forgive me for all I've done, but I can live with that because she's the only one who's ever seen me. Not the man the club relies on to do the dirty jobs, not the freak who rocks himself in the corner while his pet rats crawl all over him, and not the loner who cares for no one. She sees me. So, I'll keep her under lock and key, expose the deepest parts of my soul to her, and hope someday she might learn to feel for me the way I feel for her. And should anyone or anything even try to take what's mine? Well, they better hope I never find them. Riot's Thorn by Misty Walker was published on August 14th, 2025. This is book four in the Sons of Erebus Reno, NV series. 

I was asked by The Smuthood and Misty Walker for my honest review when I received this book. So, I love dark romance type of book and this book is right up that alley. So be warned its a pretty dark book that has lots of content warnings. So I almost dnfed the book till about midway because the book starts slow. With very little going on especially after the big scene of Riot killing Parker's dad at the beginning. I really though stuck with it and I am so glad that  I did. This book started to have turns throughout and you never really know who was going to cause some issues. The characters had so much depth and throughout the book you learned even more about each of the characters. I felt like it took the whole book to really get to know the characters. Which was great because the characters were learning more about themselves as well and growing. I also loved how Parker took a long time to come to grips  with Riot. I felt Ike in real life it would be a long time before a female would forgive someone from killing their father. No matter what the reason was. The smut in this book was top notch but not over powering that you felt like you shouldn't be reading on their personal time. I highly recommend checking this book out. Especially if you don't mind a slow build. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"There's my good little Thorn." 

"Because I took you thinking you were delicate and beautiful like a rose, but really, you're just a goddamn Thorn on my side." 

"Goodnight, Little Thorn"

"Goodnight, asshole." 

"You can't make someone marry you. This isn't some Mafia romance novel." 

Sons of Erebus Reno, NV Series 

1. Rigger's Mistake

2. Lucky's Trouble

3. Judge's Mercy 

4. Riot's Thorn 

Tropes 

Dark Romance 

Forced Proximity

BDSM 

Stalker

Slow Burn

Motorcycle Club 

"Because I took you thinking you were delicate and bea

A Wreck You Make Me ( Bad Boys of Bardstown #3) by Saffron A. Kent

 

I have been in love with Shepard Thorne since I was twelve. He's my best friend's hot older brother, and I am the weird redhead who low-key follows him everywhere. He's soccer's bad boy, and I am stuck in a dead end job, serving drinks at the local strip club. Our paths aren't meant to cross. Until one day I catch him getting a lap dance at the club and jealousy makes me ruin his fun. Now's he's made it his mission to make my life hell and no matter what I do, there is no escape. Everywhere I turn, there he is, waiting for his payback. He threatens to kiss me one second, and choke me the next. He promises to bring me to my knees and make me beg...A Wreck, You Make Me by Saffron A. Kent was published on August 8th, 2025. This is the third book in the Bad Boys of Bardstown series. 

I was asked for my honest review in getting the ARC of this book from Saffron A. Kent and The Smuthood. Also I will admit that I have not read book one or two of the series. On to the review, I thought at first the book started out slow but it quickly gained speed. I realized the slow beginning was just the building blocks being put down. I did get confused at times on who was speaking through the book but it didn't mess up the story at all. The characters were on par amazing. I fell in love with Shepard and his weird mood swings. I also feel bad for him through the book. The mother in me wanted to coddle him. But not only did I want to coddle him but I wanted to coddle Jupiter. I felt horrible for her to keep secrets through the book but not only that but had to raise her little sister. The background of the main characters really made you feel for the two and hope and pray that they get a future. Though it also helped to realize they needed each other to have that future. The smut scenes were on fire. There is a scene with a military type boot of a ride. I fell in love with this book and will for sure be reading the other books in this series. But not only that I love the way Saffron A. Kent built the scenes in this book. I highly recommend checking out this book and most likely any of her books. I give her an amazing A plus. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Lose him."
"What?"
"Right the fuck now."
"Are you...What is the matter with you? Are you absolutely crazy? You touched me. You-"
"He started it."
"He started what?"
"He touched you."
"What?"
"He put his hand on you." 

"Because this isn't a fucking date." 

"Crawl to me." 

"Your freckles still sparkle like a sprinkle of cinnamon on my favorite coffee..." 

Bad Boys of Bardstown Series

1. You Beautiful Thing, You 

2. Oh, You're So Cold 

3. A Wreck, You Make Me

4. Bad Kind of Butterflies 

5. For You, I Fall to Pieces 

6. I'm Hopeless, You're Heartless 

Tropes 

Dark Romance

Sports Romance 

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity 

Forbidden

Step-brother

Best Friend's Brother

Stalker

Virgin

Sex Worker

Overdrive (Speed Demons #1) by Caitlyn P. Tajon

 

She's the rookie with something to prove. He's the reigning champion with everything to lose. Aurelie Dubois has spent her life chasing speed. When her twin brother is forced off the Formula 1 grid, she steps into his seat with no apologies. The world isn't ready for a female driver. And they're especially not ready for her. Callum Fraser has dominated the sports for years-four-time World Champion, racing royalty, and emotional untouchability. Until Aurelie. The fierce, defiant French rookie who threatens his legacy and makes him feel everything. Tension crackles on the track and off. Rivals by reputation. Entangled by obsession. But in a world where everything is about control, what happens when the one thing they can't manage...is each other? Overdrive by Caitlyn P. Tajon was published August 6th, 2025. This is the first book in the Speed Demon series. 

I received this book for my honest review from The Smuthood and Caitlyn P. Tajon. Let me totally honest I don't follow Formula 1 races at all. So I was very grateful for the term list at the beginning of the book that I could occasionally go back to look at if I felt lost. Now saying that, I read the terms before I started to read and yet I never checked again. Because the author did amazing job in explaining things throughout the book. That I didn't feel lost through it at all. I also felt like I was in the race during certain scenes. The characters I felt were a little flat in some areas but I was able to look over them. The story-line was fast paced which is great for a book that is involved in races. I didn't have a hard time keeping up with the story. I loved the tension in this book. Also I am not usually into the slow burn stories but this one didn't bore me as the tension made up for the burn. This book is amazing and the smut scenes were great. Just be warned that it is a cliffhanger and the next book doesn't come out until September. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Still not going soft, I see.....Good." 

"Didn't expect to find you here. Though you weren't a morning person."

"Didn't take you for one either."

"I don't sleep much."

"Shame. You'd sleep like a baby if you weren't so wound up." 

"You. Are. Mine, Aurelie." 

"You can run all you want, Dubois....But you're gonna spend the rest of the season looking over your shoulder...Wondering how long before I finally catch you." 

Speed Demons Series 

1. Overdrive 

2. Close Contact (09/03/2025)

3. Flat Out (10/01/2025)

4. Red Flagged (10/29/2025)

5. Finish Line (11/26/2025) 

Tropes

Enemies to Lovers

Forbidden Desire

Forced Proximity

Slow Burn

Sports