Volik (Bonded Souls #1) by S.J. Tilly

 

Forget what you think you know. Forget the fairy tales and lore of old. Vampires are real. And for the past seventy years, they've walked opening among us. They're bigger and stronger than humans, with black eyes, horns, and powers that shouldn't be possible. Volik is one of these vampires. Living in the small town of Hemlock Hills, he spends his days locked in his office at Stailden University. Wasting time. Waiting. Until Nix, the new journalism professor, arrives...and changes everything. This is the story about the day they met. What happened after. And how their bond started a sequence of events that changed the world. Volik by S.J. Tilly was published on June 11th, 2026. This is the first book in the Bonded Souls series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from S.J. Tilly and The Smuthood. I used to read a lot of vampire books as a young adult. Though, lately I haven't read much about the paranormal world. But, I could not skip this book from one of my top authors that I love reading. Now that being said, I absolutely loved this book. S.J. Tilly was able to craft the world where vampires and other creatures live so quickly that it didn't feel like it was dragging. I absolutely loved how she created the meet of the two main characters. How it was created made it not feel so fast and that you can see how the two characters were getting together. The dialogue throughout the book made me feel so many emotions. S.J. Tilly knows how to use dialogue to help the readers understand what is happening with the ability to move the story along. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm telling you this to save your life. Do not touch that woman." 

"You cannot walk around like that." 

"My shirts do not fit."

"It's not........I cannot see your dick, Volik." 

"What are you thinking about, Mate?" 

"I'm wondering if I can still suck your cock with these fangs." 

I do not want that squished worm looking at me anymore. 

Bonded Souls Series 

1. Volik 

2. TBA (09/03/26) 

Tropes 

Paranormal 

Age-Gap

Forced Proximity 

Small Town 

Billionaire 

Virgin 

Mountain Boss (Mountain Men #1) by S.J. Tilly

 

I'm just so exhausted - always living on the edge of desperation, one paycheck away from ruin. But this new job...It could be the fresh start I need. It could change everything. The contract is only for three months, but if I keep my head down, work hard, and prove myself, maybe I could stay longer. Maybe I could make Black Mountain Lodge my home. As I pull down the gravel drive, surrounded by the forest and mountains and bright blue skies, I feel something I haven't felt in a while. I feel hope. Mountain Boss by S.J. Tilly was published on March 27th, 2025. This is the first book in the Mountain Men series. 

I absolutely love S.J. Tilly books that I have read so far. Her writing in her books sends you to the setting. Where you can picture the scenes in your mind. You are able to see the characters and watch them fall in love. Also it helps you fall in love with the characters that she has in her mind. Like most of her books the men are grumpy and get thrown for a loop when they meet the female lead character. But what is different in this book is that the setting is in a small town in the mountains. I absolutely loved the story in Mountain Boss. I loved Courtney and the mix up that had Sterling hire her. Right off the bat, I knew when these two finally admitted that there is mutual attraction. This book made me chuckle throughout the book at their antics. I love the smut scenes in this book and I love how they are involved in the plot. S.J. Tilly has created yet another great series. 

Book Quotes that I Loved 

"I called you Cookie for two reasons. And neither of them had anything to do with the shape of your perfect fucking body...Reason one.....You literally threw a cookie at me. And two....I call you Cookie because you're sweet and delicate and....I want to eat you." 

"That's my good girl." 

Mountain Men Series 

1. Mountain Boss 

2. Mountain Daddy

3. Mountain Grump 

Tropes

Age-Gap

Enemies to Lovers

Boss/Employee

Forced Proximity

Small Town

Grumpy Sunshine 

Mountain Grump (Mountain Men #3) by S.J. Tilly

 

I have a new house: Well, new to me. Just like living in my own place on top of a mountain, rather than in a city apartment, is new to me. But it's mine now because my Great Uncle Jack passed away, and he left me his freaking house. In Colorado. On the border of Lonely Peak State Park. But that's not all he did. He also left a series of letters. A scavenger hunt of clues that leads me back to Vegas. To his lawyer's office. To the reading of his will. Where I learn I must marry in order to keep my sudden inheritance out of the greedy hands of my family. and since they're the worst, I only have one option. Ask the grumpy park ranger I just met to be my husband. Mountain Grump by S.J. Tilly was published on November 20th, 2025. This is book three of the Mountain Men series. 

I have absolutely loved all the books that S.J. Tilly has produced so far. I am so happy that she is still writing and creating these amazing books of art. This book is the third in the Mountain series and I believe the last book in the series. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Though, I think Ethan's name really doesn't fit him so like Tilda, I want to call him Ranger. I loved the personalities of the two main characters. Their personality while opposites fit so well together. It made total sense how the two of them fell in love. I love how their love is shaped and both make mistakes throughout the book. This plot is top tier and while I am sad that this series is ending. I cannot wait to read the next series that S.J. Tilly has in her brain. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You gonna take it?"
"You gonna admit your butthole looks like an asshole?" 

"Tilda, this is Fisher. Fisher, this woman is none of your business." 

"Are you my Good Boy?" 

"I've provided my lawyer with a whistle. Please don't embarrass me in death and make him use it." 

Mountain Men Series 

1. Mountain Boss 

2. Mountain Daddy 

3. Mountain Grump  

Tropes 

Small Town 

Marriage of Convenience 

Grumpy Sunshine

Forced Proximity 

Men in Uniform - Park Ranger 

Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2) by S.J. Tilly

 

Moving into my dad's house at age thirty-two because my roommate scammed me out of my rent...not exactly what I'd call winning at life. So on my drive to Colorado, I decided I need one more night of freedom, and the cute motel on the side of the road is the perfect place to stop. Bonus that it has a bar. Extra bonus when I spot him sitting at the end of the bar. The super hot silver fox, with biceps testing the limits of his flannel. I debate between sitting alone or being bold. But when I catch him watching me, like I'm watching him, bold wins. He's charming and sweet, and I can practically feel the chemistry crackling between us. And when I give my room key...he uses it. But we both know this is just for one night. That we'll never see each other again. Until a week later. When he shows up at my house. Because he's my dad's best friend. Mountain Daddy by S.J. Tilly will be published on July 31st, 2025. This is the second book in the Mountain Men series. 

I was given this ARC for my honest review from S.J. Tilly and The Smuthood. First off let me tell you a few things. I absolutely love all of the books that S.J. Tilly so far. I literally screamed in excitement to see that I was getting the ARC for her newest book. Second thing, I screamed and gasped loudly when I saw that the female main character and myself share the same name. I actually told my friends it was a good thing that I didn't have an audio-book of this one because I would totally be blushing and would have to pause the thing 100 plus times. Okay, now let's talk about the characters. I fell in love with Kendra so much. I loved her story from the beginning. I love that she had a relationship with her dad that they tried new recipes together over the internet. From that moment, I knew that she was close to her father. I felt like Kendra and I were good friends and I cried in some parts of the book when you find out more about her. I absolutely loved Luster/Rocky in this book. His character is so well rounded and we are not shoved from the beginning into his background. But we learned with the other characters through the book. The story-line in this book kept me up at night just thinking about it. I felt like I was witnessing everything that was happening on every page. I never felt like the scenes were dragging. They flowed so well together and I always knew who was the voice in the chapter. I do think we need a book about Joe. When you know you know. The smut in this book was top notch. I am not much into the Daddy kink but this book really made me rethink it. I highly recommend checking out this book because if I keep talking I am going to spoil it for you. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I've never met a Kendra before." -I have heard this quote myself in the world. 

"That's right, Kendra. I'm your daddy now too." 

"The second problem is....I like you a brownie amount." 

"Crawl to me."

Bareback sex is hot. But the aftermath is real. 

Mountain Men Series 

1. Mountain Boss 

2. Mountain Daddy 

3. Mountain Grump 

Tropes 

Small-town

age-gap

forced proximity

single dad

forbidden love

he Falls first 

Sleet Princess (Sleet #4) by S.J. Tilly

 

My trip to Mexico for my cousin's wedding was only supposed to be a few days of obligation and oceanside. I wasn't expecting Luke. Wasn't expecting the hot hockey player, with the smirks and the tattoos, who kept bumping into me. And I certainly wasn't expecting to spend a night on the beach, under the stars, underneath him. Sleet Princess by S.J. Tilly was published in April 2024. This is book four of the Sleet series. 

I became a huge fan of S.J. Tilly with an earlier book that I read. So don't be surprised if you see a lot of reviews for her books. I loved how she wrapped this book series around hockey. Even though I know a pinch about hockey I could see get into this book and could understand the hockey references. Though I can't tell you if they were true or not or accurate. The characters in this book are so funny. I absolutely loved Natalie in this book. It shows how it is having a father as part of a professional sports team. How careful you have to be to not date someone from the team. Though of course Natalie had no clue when she ran into Luke. Luke is so funny as he tries to win Natalie attention. I loved how they balanced the secret through the book but of course end up failing. Like the other books in the series this book can stand-alone but you get to see the rest of the characters from the other books come through. I highly recommend checking out this book. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I hid behind the book till I finished. The characters are well rounded, the story-line has a natural flow that leaves you hanging for the next juice piece. The smut is perfect with the story-line and not over the top. I absolutely enjoyed this S.J. Tilly book and can not wait to read the next one. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"And how about your name?"

"Princess is good." 

Natalie: My dad doesn't allow sleepovers.

Me: I can be your daddy tonight. And I'm fine with sleepovers. 

"Naughty boy.....You trying to hurt me with this thing?"

"Never gonna hurt you.....Promise you'll like it when I stuff you full of this dick." 

"Are you fucking Blizz?" 

"Get the fuck out!" 

"No....Pull out of Blizz, right fucking now." 

"Girlfriend on your knees, wife in my bed." 

Sleet Series in Order 

1. Sleet Kitten

2. Sleet Sugar 

3. Sleet Banshee

4. Sleet Princess 

Tropes 

Hockey Romance

Forced Proximity 

Friends to Lovers

He Falls First 

Accidental Marriage 

Latte Darling (Darling #2) by S.J. Tilly

 

I signed myself up for a dating app, and agreed to meet with the first guy that messaged me. And now here I am, at the bar. Only it's not my date that just sat down in the chair across from me. It's his dad. And holy hell, he's the definition of Silver Fox. If a Silver Fox can be thick as a house, have piercing blue eyes and tattoos from his neck down to his fingertips. He's giving me Big Bad Wolf vibes. Only instead of running, I'm blushing. And he looks like he might just want to eat me whole. Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly was published in September 2022. This is the second book in the Darling series. 

I have to admit that I am absolutely in love with the way S.J. Tilly writes her books. They have a lot of components that I enjoy. There is lots of humor, sweet talk, but also very naughty pieces that make me want to squeal. This book was no different in those facts. But this book had such a fun writing to it that kept me engage with every scene. It didn't feel like I was reading a book but watching it in person. The characters in this book made me fall in love with their thoughts that were never spoken but also their spoken ones. Also the steamy scenes and scenes leading up makes you blush. The flow of each scene meshes together so well that it ebbs and flows. I didn't feel like any scene dragged on and how they all ended in the final moments. Every scene in the book was perfect and I didn't feel like any didn't need to be there. I highly recommend checking out this book out but not only that but the author. 

Darling Series 

1. Smokey Darling

2. Latte Darling 

Tropes

Age-Gap

Small Town

Single-Dad

Grumpy-Sunshine

Quotes That I Love 

"Holy hotdogs, I'm staring at a crotch that's level with my table." 

"...There are consequences for your actions, Baby Doll. And you're about to find out what happens to naughty girls who misbehave." 

"Your cute little tummy is not gonna be a problem for me. It's not gonna be a problem for you either. Because you're perfect. And if you need me to come all over that pretty body of yours to prove it to you, consider the task accepted." 

"I thought you liked when...I called you something else."

"You can call me Darling in public, but it's Daddy in the bedroom." 

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 

Hans (Alliance #4) by S.J. Tilly

 

How to make the handsome, brooding man across the street notice me. Step one: Deliver baked goods to his front porch, even though he never answers his door and always returns the containers when I'm not home. Step two: Slowly lose my mind as a whole year passes without ever running into him, no matter how hard I try. Step three: Have my boudoir photos accidently delivered to his mailbox instead of mine. Have him open the package. Then have him storm into my home for the most panty-melting scolding of my life. Step four: still figuring out step four. Hans by S.J. Tilly was published December 28, 2023 (Today). This is book four of the Alliance series. 

HOLY SMOKES ON A CRACKER! This book was AMAZING....I absolutely fell in love with Hans over and over in this book. I loved Nero, King, Dom, but Hans...he can stalk me anytime. The two main characters in this book are so well written that I really want to be both Cassie and Hans best friend. I am not surprised that Nero and the gang all want them to be friends. The plot in this book is so amazing that I actually read this book all in one day. I loved how it flowed to each scene in this book like a well played musicals instrument. Also the smut in this book is top shelf. Also, I don't think i will forever look at a bag of skittles without thinking of Hans. It might make my husband jealous. I highly recommend checking out this book but also make sure you check out the other amazing books in this series. You will not be disappointed. 

Quotes that I Loved 

A girl like her should wear...Nothing. 

The living room doubles as Cassandra's home office. On one side of the room, the gray couch faces a subpar TV mounted above a fireplace she never turns on because someone - me- keeps disabling the gas lines because someone - her - has left it on unattended one too many times. 

"You were whispering when I called you earlier.....Hans, tell me you weren't in her house." 

"Look.....I'm not doing it to perv on her or anything. I'm just making sure she's safe."

"By skulking through her house in the middle of the day? While she's there?"

"When you say it like that." 

"You have until the count of three to tell me."

"What happens on three?"

"Something you won't like, Girl. Now answer me." 

"That's a good girl."

"Watch the attitude, Girl."

"Or what?....I don't think your punishment worked last time."

"No?.....I'm sure we can find your limit." 

"Promise?"

"Cassandra."

"You want to count to three again?" 

"My dirty little Butterfly." 

Books in Order in Alliance Series

1. Nero 

2. King 

3. Dom 

4. Hans 

Tropes 

Dark Romance

Age-Gap

Mafia / Organized Crimes

Grumpy / Sunshine

Stalker 

Billionaire

Forced Proximity 

He Falls First 

Opposites Attract