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 

Roped In (Windy Peaks #2) by Elle Jordan

 

Twelve years apart. Two broken hearts. One love that refuses to fade. I spent the majority of my younger years dreaming of marrying Weston Taylor, my childhood sweetheart. Until he shattered my heart the night before I left for college. I left our small town, vowing to never look back. My eyes now set on big city dreams. Life took that as a challenge, apparently. Because twelve years later, I'm back in Windy Peaks, and if I want to climb the corporate ladder, I have to knock this project out of the park. The only problem? I'm working on Weston's family ranch for the summer and there's a sparkling engagement ring adoring my left hand. I thought I was strong enough to resist his charm but the more I see him, the more I'm reminded of why I fell in love with him all those years ago. And the more I realize how badly I've been settling in my life. Our fire is burning brighter and hotter than ever. Weston's made it clear he's determined to correct the mistakes of his past. His biggest regret? Letting me go. That's one mistake he isn't making twice. Roped In by Elle Jordan was published February 6th, 2026. This is book two of the Windy Peaks series. 

First off I was given this book for my honest review from Elle Jordan and Love Notes PR. I really wanted to read this book because I judge books by their covers (I know the horror). Anyways, the plot in this story is sweet and it makes you think. I wanted more in some parts of the book as I did not think the FMC was angry enough at the MMC. I mean for twelve years she thought he didn't love her after he broke her heart. I wanted more passion from both characters. I really felt like the two characters were not meshing well in the story except the history was there. I wanted more from both of the characters. I did feel like Weston was a little one sided as well as a massive EGO. Though, through all of that I really did enjoy the book and was able to overlook things. I really enjoyed this story but it is a bit slow through the book. I needed more action throughout the book. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

If the ring is off, she's fair game, and I'm coming for what's mine. 

"Are you going to be a good girl and come for me? Be sure to moan extra loud for me. I want to see you come undone." 

"Look at how well you took my come, baby. Such a good little cum slut for me. Come around and sit on the edge of the bed." 

Windy Peaks Series 

1. Spurred On 

2. Roped In 

3. Saddled Up (2026) 

3.5: Wrapped Up (2026) 

Tropes

Second Chance 

Small Town 

Forced Proximity 

Childhood Friends 

Boss/Employee 

Bar Down (Nashville Knights Hockey #4) by Emily Silver

 

As the world's biggest pop star, I'd given up on love. I wasn't supposed to find it on an app with a hockey star. With my life in tatters, I escaped to a dating app where no one knows who I am. That's when I discover that I matched with one of the stars on the Nashville Knights Hockey team. Falling in love over an app? Not going to happen. I've been burned too many times to want to meet. Except I keep going back to him. Every text, every message draws me in. Until a chance encounter brings us together. The chemistry? It's electric. Jasper is everything I've ever wanted. With him? Everything that's going wrong in my life fades to the background. But we're on two different paths. I'm fighting to escape my past, and Jasper? Well, he's fighting for his future with the team. He's a hockey player. I'm a pop star. There's no way this is going to work. Bar Down by Emily Silver was published on October 2025. This is the fourth book in the Nashville Knights Hockey series. 

I was asked to review this book for my honest review from The Smuthood and Emily Silver. So, I live near Kansas City. So I am deep reach Kansas Chiefs fans and let me tell you this book so reminds me of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce relationship. I immediately picked up similarities of the main characters. I fell in love with Jasper in this book. His humor comes out in each text message that he sent. I have to say I loved how the two characters got to know each other in this book through the text messages. I loved how both grew from their little interactions. You can see them falling in love without seeing them face to face meet. The characters are well written and the book plot is top tee. The smut scenes are a little tamer then those I have read from other books. But it's still worth checking out. I can't wait to read more books by Emily Silver. 

Nashville Knights Hockey Series 

1. Game Misconduct 

2. The Playmaker

3. Breakaway

4. Bar Down 

Tropes 

Sports Romance - Hockey

He Falls First

Age Gap 

Fall with Me (Playing for Keeps #4) by Becka Mack

 

Jaxon Riley is exceptional at three things: starting fights on the ice, picking up women post-game, and going home to fulfill his role as the world's best cat dad. Relationships, unfortunately, missed the list. Lennon Hayes is supposed to be on her honeymoon. Instead, she's alone and single, vacationing next door to a surly tattooed man who ran his date off the resort. When a run-in at the bar results in a night of bickering and cocktails, she finds herself tumbling into bed with the enemy next door, then sneaking out before the sun comes up. Lennon's plan to start over in a new city is going great, until she starts her new job. The job? The Vancouver Vipers' new photographer. And the defense man scowling at her from across the room? The one-night stand she wasn't supposed to see again. Fall With Me by Becka Mack was published July 2024. This is book four of the Playing for Keeps series. 

I absolutely loved books one through three in this series. I loved every single player on the Vancouver Vipers hockey team. Jaxon in the other books seemed like he just liked where his life was. He loved that he wasn't in a relationship and joked with the others. So it was fun to watch him crash and burn in this book. I loved the characters in this book. I loved that both of them had a background that they had to work past to be able to make the relationship they wanted to work. Lennon was a perfect personality that was not going to take any crap from Jaxon. This book was amazing and I loved it so much. The smut was not over the top and it was just the right mix between story-line and and smut. I cannot wait to read book five when it comes out. This will be a book that I keep on my book shelf and will read over and over again. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm gonna fuck you the way a bride deserves to be fucked on her honeymoon, and when I'm done, you're going to thank me and ask for more.....Got it?"
"Got it." 
"Good girl. Now take off those panties and show me how badly your pussy wants my cock, honey." 

"Silly kitty, chunky kitty, I kiss your tiny nose. Fluffy kitty, handsome kitty, I love your extra toes." 

Playing for Keeps Series

1. Consider Me 

2. Play with Me

3. Unravel Me

4. Fall with Me 

5. Breathe With Me (October 28th, 2025) 

Tropes

Sports Romance -Hockey

Forced Proximity

Enemies to Lovers 

Roommates 

Grumpy - Sunshine 

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 

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 

Protective Heart (Starlight Cove #2) by Brighton Walsh

 

I've lied to myself for years about being in love with my best friend. Everly Bowman and I don't make sense. She's sunshine personified and I hate everyone. Well, everyone but her. It's easy to pretend like she isn't my whole world. Or it was until she needs a place to stay, and my apartment is her only option. Suddenly, she's everywhere I turn. Even her scent is branded into my sheets. And thanks to our unofficial romance book club, I've also amassed an encyclopedia titled Everly's Pleasure Buttons. Each week, it gets harder to ignore how much I want to make her fantasies come true. Especially when we crawl into my bed every night. But I won't jeopardize what we have for anything, so I'm fine with lying to myself and pretending like I don't dream of calling her mine. At least, I was until I see her with him. Protective Heart by Brighton Walsh was published in September 2022. This is book two in the Starlight Cove book series. 

This book made me chuckle so much knowing how both of them were fighting their attractiveness for the other. I married one of my friends and we now have four kids. So this one brought back all of the feelings that I tried to keep hidden growing up with him. The characters in this book are well rounded both with a lot of faults as well as strengths. You can actually picture them walking around like the rest of us. The steamy scenes in this book are perfect combination of familiarities but also steamy. The plot in this book is perfect with a little history before the book took place. As Everly and Beck meant before the book and already built their friendship. This book has perfect flow that it eases and flows. I loved this book and I can't wait to read book three. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"What?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. If it were nothing, you wouldn't have that stupid look on your face."

"I just think it's interesting, is all."

"How much you manage to irritate me every day? I wouldn't exactly call that interesting, but maybe you need to get out a bit more." 

Whether I'd intended to or not, I'd amassed an encyclopedia titled Everly's Sexual Pleasure Buttons, and each week, I added more entries. If not directly from her mouth, then form the dog-eared, highlighted, flagged sections on her physical copies. And there I'd sit, stone-faced, and pretend like I didn't want to do every goddamn one of those things to her. 

I couldn't believe this was Beck-my Beck-kissing the absolute life out of me, and I was loving every second of it. My God, how had I not known my best friend was a kissing prodigy?

"Tell me how I'm supposed to turn you away when you come in here looking like a fucking dream and then suck the tip of my thumb like you wish it was my cock." 

"That's right, sunshine....move my mouth exactly where you want it. Use my tongue to get off. I want you to ride my face until you come all over it. I don't want to stop until I'm drowning in you." 

"Beck. Oh my God, you can't talk like that." 

"Don't try to pretend you don't love every filthy word coming out of my mouth. I know exactly the kinds of books you read exactly the dirty talk that gets you off." 

"You feel so fucking good, and I'm not even inside you yet. Your pussy's going to ruin me, isn't it, sunshine? Never gonna be the same after I slide inside this tight little cunt." 

"Good Girl." 

Starlight Cove Series in Order 

1. Defiant Heart 

2. Protective Heart 

3. Fearless Heart

4. Reckless Heart 

5. Possessive Heart

6. Rebel Heart

Tropes 

Grumpy / Sunshine

Small Town

Friends to Lovers

Roommate 

Opposites Attract 

For Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books

Saving Sarah (Cajun Connection #1 / Special Forces: Alpha) by Kathy Ivan

 

Haunted by memories of war and strangely prophetic dreams, Gaston "Ranger" Boudreau spends his time alone in the Louisiana bayou he calls home. When his former SEAL teammates calls in a favor, Ranger can't refuse - because a Boudreau always pays his debts. Romance writer Sarah Sloane is in New Orleans on a mission: To find her missing sister who disappeared during Spring Break. She needs somebody who knows the city - but more, she needs a bodyguard who can keep her safe. One sexy former Navy SEAL might be exactly the person for the job. As Ranger's dreams evolve, the dangerous search for Sarah's sister quickly becomes a race against the clock. Saving Sarah by Kathy Ivan was published in July 2016. This book is the first book in Cajun Connections series and apart of the Special Forces: Alpha series. 

I really love an author named Susan Stoker and I found out that she gave other authors permission to use some of her side characters in their books. So of course, I had to find those books and see how well they incorporated characters that I fell in love with. I really enjoyed this book, it was different then other books in Susan Stoker books. This book had a mystery, in the fact that you were trying to find Sarah's sister. The romance between the two characters were not love at first sight that you commonly see in romance books. So it was nice to see how the two of them developed through out the book. I highly recommend checking this book out. 

Canjun Connections Series in Order

1. Saving Sarah

2. Saving Savannah

3. Saving Stephanie

4. Guarding Gabi 

Tropes 

Men in Uniform - Military

Bodyguard 

Check out other Stoker World Books

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.

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

Vince (Anchor Me #2) by Lisa Carlisle

 

After my divorce, I was a hot mess. One night after catering a wedding, I ended up escaping reality for a little while with a hot Marine. Six months later, I discover the EOD tech I'd been emailing for a work project is the same Marine from the wedding. And we'll be working together over the next couple of weeks. Awkward. Vince by Lisa Carlisle was published in June 2020. This is the second book in Anchor Me series. 

I really liked this book about Vince and Emma. It makes me giggle when characters are like this is just going to be a one-night stand and we are all like, "NAH...." Vince in this book grew quickly in protecting Emma but also in falling in love with this sweet girl. He has his own faults which is he is cocky but he grows and learns from his mistakes. Emma has several faults a lot of which she just doesn't trust herself. But I love hearing bout her background. The plot of this story was not what I thought it would be like. I thought it would be similar to book one where Vince is trying to protect Emma from something and she comes to near death experience. But it did not which is okay and I rather liked how it was different then the other book. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"To make up for a loud night and messy cleanup ahead, how about I take you out tomorrow, Emma?" 

"....Was it that cringe-inducing?" She laughed and playfully punched his bicep. "No, you goof. It was good." "Just good?" he prodded. "Pretty good. Better?" "Not epic? World-shaking? Shag-a-licious?" 

"No sex." He laughed. 'I didn't say that." She fixed her gaze on him. "You were thinking it." 

Anchor Me Series

1. Angelo 

2. Vince 

3. Matty

4. Jack

5. Slade

6. Mark

7. Leo 

Trope

Men in Uniforms - Military

BookTok Made Me Do It

Captured Light by Raya Morris Edwards

 

Olivia Barone has had her future planned out for her from the moment she was born. Grow into a beautiful, manicured mafia princess and marry underboss. Lucien Esposito. But when she finally meets him, she realizes he's more dangerous than she ever imagined. He's handsome, ice cold, and hungry for power. But is that exactly what she needs to become the woman she was born to be? Lucien was falsely accused, he endured horrific torture at his boss's hand before his name was cleared. For years, he waited, biding his time and pretending to be idea mafia underboss. Now it's time to make his move. Captured Light by Raya Morris Edwards was published in November 2021. 

Another book that I found on BookTok that I had to read to check out. This book, I started to read when going on a quick road trip with a friend. I was going with her to pick up her mom and drive back to where she lives. This book was so different that I couldn't put it down. Let's talk about the two main characters a bit as this book is A LOT! 

Olivia Barone had to mask her personality so much to be the perfect mafia princess. She had arranged marriage since she was an infant to a guy who was a teenager at the time. CRINGE WORTHY. Her mom literally starved her and if she did anything outside the rules that were so tight her dad would abuse her. She was told that her being a virgin until she wedded her arrange groom was for the mafia greater good. This girl had so many issues that I couldn't wait for her personality to really shine and I hopped that it would happen in this book. I was not disappointed. There is a quote in the book that when the groom says it you know that he was not going to let her hide her true potential but her true personality. Lucien Esposito is an extreme Bad Boy. He has so many layers to his personality and so much past that shape him and in this book you get to peal back each layer of that onion to see glimpse of his personality. That you get to see when it comes to Olivia. Ahh...I wish there was more books on these two characters because I fell in love with them. 

This plot of the book is so perfect. It had so many turns and the author did an amazing job on not revealing everything but leaving little hints. Especially when you are in the mind of one of the main characters. There were places where I wanted to scream at some of the characters and things that I thought was going to happen that didn't. But then find out later explanation of why it didn't. I love the romance in this book though I feel like it was a little rush from oh I like you to oh my goodness I love your every being. But it's normal in a romance novel. This book is the perfect combination of mafia romance and dark romance. Also let's talk about the smut scenes. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby when you read because it's spicy and heat. To some scenes are so hot you will be on fire. 

I highly recommend this book if you like the mafia tropes that come with romance novels. You won't be disappointed as this book has action, romance, and smut. 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Mafia 

BDSM 

BookTok Made Me Read It books here. 

Quotes that I Like

"I wondered why you were so thin," he murmured. "You don't look as if you should be, you look like you should have...curves. But I can see your whole collarbone, pressing up under your skin. It's awful." I blinked, glaring at the ground. "Thank you, I've always wanted to be awful." 

I wanted to fuck her on that fifty-thousand dollar antique bed until he broke into pieces. 

"Men are like rooks, we have to face our enemies straight on. But women, they are the queen, they are deadly, and they can move any way they want." "I hardly think I'm the queen," I said. "You will be when I'm done with you, " he said. 

"I want you to be a good girl and come around my cock." 

"Good girl." 

The Pucking Wrong Number (Pucking Wrong #1) by by C.R. Jane

 

One text to the wrong number...mine...and everything changed. He won't tell me his last name, and maybe that should throw up a thousand red flags, but when I'm all alone in a new city and struggling to make ends meet, his texts are the lifeline I've been desperate for. But I never would have answered that text if I'd known that Lincoln Daniels, superstar hockey player extraordinaire was the one sending them. He's trying to sweep me off my feet now. He says he's obsessed. The Pucking Wrong Number by C.R. Jane was published in May 2023. This is book one of Pucking Wrong series. 

I like dark romance and I also like hockey romance. What I didn't expect was this book was both dark romance and hockey romance. I thought I was reading a normal hockey romance with some smut. What I got was hockey, smut ridden, dark, stalker, billionaire romance. But I need to warn you this book was on the edge of put down and walk away for me. It was riding a very thin line. I also think I came close to chucking my kindle across the room. But first let's talk about the characters...

Monroe made my heart hurt so much with all that she went through growing up. The abuse she received with her mom and then with her foster home. Never did I want to rip someone out of a book and strangle them before this awesome foster dad. Anyways, I wanted to invite the poor girl to my house so she could feel loved. But also wanted to know more about the amazing homeless man. Anyways, Monroe is such a complex character but so naïve in most of this story that it shocks me with all that she went through to not pick up the many many red flags. Lincoln....what can I say about the villian (he's the main character). Lincoln caused so many red flags being thrown. He is the man that all of us mom's want to protect our sweet daughters from. Though we did get some background info on Lincoln. I still don't think it was enough to know what caused him to be this way. 

The plot in this book, started slow as you are going through some of what Monroe dwelt with growing up. Though she finds a sweet unexpected hero who was not Lincoln mind you. I do really want to know more about the unexpected hero but you don't know much in the book. Bummer. Anyways the book picks up once Monroe and Lincoln meet. It starts off really sweet then took a small weird turn at first. The readers will know when it happens but it wasn't explained as you were in Monroe's head. Anyways, then it took a turn where my kindle almost flew across the room. I also wish I had a flag to wave and be like.....Monroe "RED FLAG." Also yelling a lot at Lincoln. Anyways after that you will be throwing a lot of red flags and screaming at Lincoln. There was two points that had me screaming, "GO MONROE!". The ending was not what I wanted but I could totally see it happening. 

All in all if you are into the stalking type of books this is a great book for you. If you are into the hockey romance...you might want to just back away slowly and hope that Lincoln did not see you. Also...booktok made me read it. 

Tropes 

Sports -Hockey

Dark Romance

Stalker

Forced Proximity

Virgin

Check out other BookTok Famous Books  

Quotes 

"You think you don't have a claim on me?" he finally growled, breaking the sex-fueled silence. "You think it's possible for anyone else to exist now that I've found you?" 

"When did you -?" My words trailed off...because, really, what did you say about a dick tattoo of your name?

I'd never let her leave, I thought as I drove. No matter what, I'd make her happy, even if it meant locking her up and waiting for fucking Stockholm Syndrome to take hold. 

My absolute favorite quote: Anstad. That was his name. I needed to use that in my head before he took on the life of Voldemort and I started referring to him as "He Who Must Not Be Named." 

Hunter (The Bang Shift #2) by Mandy Harbin

 

After finally getting out of her disastrous relationship, Maya Carmichael has sworn off all bad boys. Sure they're hot. The attitude? No thanks. But when her car is vandalized while on a night out with her roommate, she realizes her ex is truly sadistic. Her friend insists they lay low for a few days while the cops do their thing. Unfortunately her temporary haven will throw her in the path of another bad boy. Oh, she's heard stories about her roommate's brother, Hunter, and he's just the type she wants to avoid. Until she sees him....and all good intentions fly. Hunter by Mandy Harbin was published in March 2015. This is book two of the The Bang Shift series. 

I absolutely loved this book so much. I loved Hunter and I kept yelling at Maya to show Hunter something. I knew that it was going to bite her in the butt. But I have to say through the whole book I was trying to figure out how Maya story and Hunter's past was going to come colliding. How were they intersecting. I was though surprised when it came to head. I really like this story and I felt like the love between Maya and Hunter didn't come out of left field or feel rush as Brody and and his girlfriend's did. I really felt both of the characters grew and I can't wait to read the next book in line. 

A Quote that I Love 

"At least you know he's not the type to trash your car," Heather said softly. "No," she said tonelessly. "He's the type to hide in a bush and slit a man's throat in the still of the night." 

Bang Shift Series Books in Order 

1. Brody

Tropes

Men in Uniform - Mercenaries

Check out other Stoker World books here.

Brody (The Bang Shift #1) by Mandy Harbin

 

Brody "Brutus" Jackson isn't your average small-town mechanic. The garage where he works doubles as the headquarters for a ruthless team of mercenaries. They're all bosses under the hood, lethal behind the gun, and just shady enough to handle any job that comes their way. There's a reason they call themselves the Bang Shift. For a man with no memory of his past and no cares of the future, it's the perfect arrangement. Brody by Mandy Harbin was published in March 2012. This books one of the The Bang Shift series. 

I have to to be honest straight up this book was a little slow in parts and there were times that I was going to put it down. But....I am so glad that I didn't though the ending kind of through me for a loop over and over again. I really started to fall in love with the two main characters as it progressed in the book. Though I felt like some of their love felt force but when you learn more about Brody and his background. Things started to be put into a puzzle. There were parts that I was sobbing so far warning there is some sad parts. I really did like the story, I just wish in the beginning that was a little shorter or a little more moving into the rest of the story. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read more about the Bang Shift team. 

Some of My favorite Quotes

"If I was pulling your hair, you'd be too busy screaming my name, and I'd be too deep inside you for you to run away," he rasped. 

"Let me in," he growled against her lips as his hand tightened in her hair. She gasped at the erotically sharp tingle on her scalp, giving him the access he sought, breaking her last defense against his invasion. 

Bang Shift Series Books in Order 

1. Brody

2. Hunter

Tropes

Military - Mercenaries 

Single Parent 

Check Out Other Books in Stoker's World.