For Now (Star-Crossed City #3) by Ari Wright

 

Marco Amir is great at his job. With one notable exception. He absolutely cannot keep himself away from the beautiful, wallflower wedding planner. He's supposed to be protecting her from the rabid media, ensuring there are no leaks that compromise the big event. Though, as threats close in and his carefully laid plans begin to unravel, Marco finds he isn't just guarding Alice because he has to, but because he's pretty sure she just might be the one...If he can somehow convince her their connection isn't just for now. For Now by Ari Wright was published January 8th, 2026. This is the third book in Star-Crossed City series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Ari Wright and The Smuthood. Okay first thing first, I have not read book one or book two of this series so it's all new characters to me. I have to say the characters were not something that I normally read. While yes, I read about bodyguard romances Marco did not act like the strongest bodyguard. Also Alice, really was hard on herself so much that at times it took over the story and you just wanted to escape. I did enjoy the plot of this story, but it made me realize that I knew nothing of what was going on in the other books which if I had the knowledge it would have helped me understand the plot better. I did enjoy this book and it was a nice escape from the world around me. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Good Girl." 

"I want to fuck you." 

"Your gun...You forgot to take it out of your pants." 
"That's not a gun, sweet girl." 

Star-Crossed City Series

1. For Always 

2. For Ever

3. For Now 

Tropes

Soulmates 

Fake Dating 

Bodyguard

He Falls first 

No Longer Innocent (Rags & Riches #3) by Alora Kai

 

I wanted peace. A few weeks in the mountains to forget my family, my name, and everything waiting back home. Then I met him - quiet, rugged, and nothing like the men I was raised around. One night with Ivan felt like a lifetime. But when I returned home, my father was dead...and danger was suddenly everywhere. Now I'm trapped between grief and suspicion, and the only man I feel safe with is the one I'm forbidden to have. No Longer Innocent by Alora Kai was published on December 19th, 2025. This is book three of the Rags & Riches series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Alora Kai and Love Notes PR. First off I need to say that I have not read book one or book two of this series. I didn't feel like though that I was lost at all in the book by not reading the first two books in the series. So I would say that this can be a standalone book as well as in a series. I have to say that I actually enjoyed reading this book. I am not much for slow burn type of books and I thought at first this was not one of those books. As it starts off right away but then it fizzles a bit. I do say though it does pick up after you get some more information. Though I felt like some of the information in the beginning could be less. The characters in the book, Ivan and Poppy are really well written. While they are not as well rounded as I would have hoped they both had some growth through the book that you expect. The tension in this book is great and keeps you holding on to the bitter end. I really enjoyed this book. I am hoping to read the first two. Great job to Alora Kai. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You're going to trip running around like that..."

"You could always catch me."

"Don't tempt me, Poppy." 

"Just who do you think you are?!"

"Ivan Cristof is what it says on my birth certificate, I mean, last I checked."

"You were fired." 

"I need a shower..."

"Yes, a shower would be good....I think a shower sounds like a great idea."

"I meant alone."

"That's okay, I have more than enough toys to..." 

Rags & Riches Series

1. No Longer Safe 

2. No Longer Mine

3. No Longer Innocent 

Tropes

Bodyguard

Forbidden

Virgin

Slow Burn 

He Falls First 

Stalker

Mafia 

Forced Proximity 

Reckless Need (Russo Mafia #3) by Lena Vox

 

I was given one order - watch her. Not want her. Not touch her. Definitely not make her mine. But Elena Messina is a beautiful disaster - sharp-tongued, reckless, and hiding secrets that could destroy us all. She slips past my men like smoke, playing games she doesn't understand, and walks straight into danger with those caramel eyes wide open. My job is to uncover her secrets. To keep her from becoming a threat. But the more I watch her, the more I crave her. I'm not her savior. I'm her shadow. The consignee who's seen too much blood to pretend I'm anything but deadly. And I'll protect her from the Irish, her father's debts, and every threat that comes her way. Even if the most dangerous thing in her life...is falling for me. Reckless Need by Lena Lox was published December 18th, 2025. This is book three of the Russo Mafia series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Lena Lox and Literally Yours PR. I loved this book with the banter between Marco and Elena. They have this love hate relationship from the start of the book. The relationship was naturally building through the book. The characters were at the beginning flat but over the book they grew more rounded. I was able to picture the characters through the book. The plot of the story started slow and it was hard to get into it. But as you read further to give it more time it gets more active and it picks up fast after that. I highly recommend checking out this book and this series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"It's not up for debate. You can hang out with your friend but I'm going too."
"I'm sorry--did you not hear the words 'girls' night'?......Is there a vagina hiding under that towel that I should known about? Because last I checked, you're very much not a girl." 

"You want me. I can see it every time you look at me. But you won't do anything about it. So forgive me if I went looking for someone who actually---" 

"Fuck it" 

Russo Mafia Series 

1. Savage Union

2. Brutal Kiss

3. Reckless Need

4. Wicked Games 

Tropes

Mafia 

Bodyguard

Age Gap

Grumpy/Sunshine

Forced Proximity

Forbidden 

Dark Romance 

Brutal Kiss (Russo Mafia #2) by Lena Vox

 

I was given one job - protect the princess. Not fall for her. Not touch her. Definitely not kiss her like I own her. But Sofia Gallo is pure temptation - smart-mouthed, sharp-eyed, and too damn bold for her own good. She pushes every boundary, tests every rule. And I'm the only thing standing between her and a war that could rip our world apart. I'm not a good guy. I'm the enforcer. And I'll protect her with every brutal bone in my body. Even if the biggest threat to her safety....is me. Brutal Kiss by Lena Vox will be published on October 23rd, 2025. This book is the second book of the Russo Mafia series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Lena Vox. Now, I am a parent of four kiddos and married to a lovely husband. But...I haven't been able to read a book in a whole day before until this book. I could not put this book down for nothing. I read it until I finished the whole book. For me saying that, it means that this book captured my attention to the very end. I was on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen to Dante and Sofia. The characters capture your attention as they both have faults and strengths. Throughout the whole book the two characters grow more strength as they mature and fall in love. The plot in this story, keeps you so invested. There is action and yet there are times when you're like, "What is going to happen next?" Also times when you are questioning why are they being so stupid. I did not have any slow parts of the book but it was not overly filled with action scenes all the time. The plot flowed perfectly through each page. Also the smut scenes when they finally came up are on fire. You won't be disappointed. This new author to me is going to be on my list to follow and read more. 

Quotes That I Loved 

"Princess, I've been doing this job for fifteen years. You're going to have to try a lot harder than that to get away from me."

"You keep trying to run, I keep catching you. Sounds like a game to me."
"I need to get out of here....I need to be free." 

"You're playing with fire, princess."
"Maybe I want to get burned." 

"You okay?"

"I'm ruined."
"Good." 

"Get your fucking hands off her." 

Rosso Mafia Series 

1. Savage Union 

2. Brutal Kiss

3. Reckless Need 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Mafia 

Forced Proximity 

Bodyguard 

Forbidden Romance 

The Hero (Game of Chance #3) by Susan Stoker

 

Any solider who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric "Bob" Evans isn't ready to give up the fight. He's been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for. Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she's arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicious about the true culprit, but even when she's rescued from prison, there's nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard's only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory. The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife. The Hero by Susan Stoker was published March 2024. This is the third book in the Game of Chance series. 

I  love reading books written by Susan Stoker. Her creative mind is something I would love to be able to go deep within to see how she creates everything. Let's first talk about the characters. I absolutely loved Kendric in this book. You got glimpse of him in the previous two books and how he interacted with his friends and their girlfriends. But, didn't really know him and his back history until this book. While you do learn more about Kendric I felt like I needed more. Why didn't he get know his parents more. What made him get into the military. Did he always have the drive to rescue people? I still loved him and how he treated Marlow. He's got the cinnamon roll type feel to him. I had a hard time connecting to Marlow in this book. I wanted to know more of her personality but I felt like he hid a lot of her personality through the book. Not sure if it's because she trained herself while in prison to keep it hidden to stay safe or if it's something else in her past. I loved the two characters together and felt like I could see their relationship develop as they were trying to get out of the country. I also love how they switched places and Marlow became the hero in parts of the book. The story-line in this book is great and it follows a lot of the other military romance books that I have read. But it always works with them and don't change something if it works. Though Susan Stoker knows how to change the plot and story-line a little bit to make each one different. I highly recommend checking out this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 

Quotes That I Liked 

"For doing what? Having an ID for me? Distracting the cops so they wouldn't look at my prision-issue shoes? Giving me a kiss that curled my toes and made me forget for just a moment that my life has gone to shit? Yeah, Kendric. I forgive you." 

...Because in that second, he knew. This women was his. His. 

He was in big trouble. This women had him wrapped around her little finger after a total of a few hours....and she had no clue. 

"Marry now..."

"What?"

"Mary now. Here. Then can stay in safe place under floor. Together. Even if the police search, they will no find you. I can make arrangements. Now."

"You're right. If it means we can stay together, stay safe, and you can have that shower I know you want so badly, we'll do it. But I'll be damned if I cheat you out of this.....Marlowe Kennedy....will you marry me?" 

"You really think I'd let you give yourself up so I can get away? I've never been that guy, and I never will be. You're under my protection, Marlowe. Hell, you're my wife, and I'm going to protect you with my last breath if need be. You will get back home." 

Game of Chance series 

1. The Protector

2. The Royal

3. The Hero

4. The Lumberjack (July 30th, 2024) 

Tropes 

Men in Uniform - Military

Forced Proximity

Marriage Convenience

Bodyguard