Saving the Shortstop (The Good Girls of NE University #3) by Hannah Gray

 

As the daughter of a retired NFL player, college softball's number one ranked shortstop, and someone usually considered an all-around good time, I've never had an issue getting attention. But getting the attention of the person I most want it from? Now that's a different story. When Dallas Rivers, my brother's best friend who also happens to be one of my dad's players on the NEU football team, is struggling in school. I find myself volun-told to help. I should be thrilled with this arrangement. After all, I'm in school to become a teacher. Except, I've always made it a point to keep a respectable distance from him. Because the one person whose attention I've always longed for? Yep, you guessed it...It's Dallas Rivers. Saving the Shortstop by Hannah Gray was published on June 11th, 2026. This is the third book in The Good Girls of NE University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. Okay, now that has been said, I am absolutely enjoying this book series. I have actually had the amazing pleasure of being able to get all three of the books that are currently out to read. Hannah Gray knows how to create each book to be their own but yet, also have the same characters throughout the series. I absolutely loved the two main characters in this book. I love learning about Dallas and his past that has been hinted in the other books then there is Haven. This book has amazing trope of lifelong friends who finally realize that perhaps they love each other more then friends. These two are such opposites that really work. I love how they finally ended up together in the book. It was easy to see how their relationship shifted and changed on each page. The dialogue in this book is top notch. I cannot wait to read book four at the end of the year. I also need to check out the other books by Hannah Gray. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"It's just so funny that the guy half the team can't stand is the one you choose to turn into your fuck buddy."

 
"Years ago....He was drunk, and he didn't remember it the next day. I didn't bring it up. It was nothing."
"Or....he did remember but was embarrassed....This happens in my romance books all the time. They're friends. Lines get crossed. The MMC finds a way to cover it up." 
"Gigi, did you just compare Dallas to one of the male main characters in your spicy books?" 

"Because things went from, like, zero to sixty in about three seconds."
"Give me a little credit, Short....I lasted more like two minutes, for sure." 

"You can make it up to me when you sit there like a good girl while I paint your face with my cum....The cum you could have had inside you, if only you didn't act like a brat."  

The Good Girls of NE University Series 

1. Getting the Goalie 

2. Convincing the Catcher 

3. Saving the Shortstop 

4. Praising the Pitcher

5. TBA

Tropes 

Sports Romance - Football & Softball

Friends to Lovers 

Forced Proximity 

Brother's Best Friend 

College Romance 

Childhood Friends 

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 

Rebel Heart (Starlight Cove #6) by Brighton Walsh

 

Harper Davidson has been ingrained on my heart since we were kids, and now she's tattooed on my skin. But she'll never know about either. Not when she's better off thinking we're enemies. Having her in my space every day and sharing a wall with her every night is a challenge I never saw coming. A challenge I'm not sure I'm up to. Especially when our daytime games turn into nighttime dares, pushing each other to the breaking point until our neighbors know exactly who's making her scream. As lines blur and feelings deepen, we begin teetering on the edge of something more. And it's becoming harder to pretend that this is nothing - that she is nothing. Because this second chance is starting to feel like a last chance. Rebel Heart by Brighton Walsh was published on July 2024. This is book six of the Starlight Cove series. 

I have really enjoyed this series and a lot of books by Brighton Walsh. So I was really excited when this book came out. I couldn't wait to get started and started. I finished this book within a few days of checking it out. I loved the build up in this book. The characters don't see each other coming throughout the book. Though, it was interesting to see how much changes with them as they grow in the book. The characters, Harper and Levi are well rounded both with a lot of faults in the book. You see a lot of Levi's siblings through the book which you introduced in the other books. Also you really fall in love with the whole town of Starlight Cove. The plot of this story flows amazing and the smut scenes are tame compared to other books that I have read. But they are amazing and I highly recommend checking out this book, because you will fall in love with Levi. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"If I wanted to know how well I fuck now, Sparrow, you could've just asked." 

"Get on the bike, Harper...We're going to the same place."

"I can walk."

"I never said you couldn't. But it's midnight and you're alone. And I don't give a shit if we live in the most boring town in the country, I'm not just going to drive off and let you walk home by yourself. Now, get on the fucking bike." 

"If I tell you the secret, will you get on your knees and pray to it, Sparrow?" 

"Time to be my dirty girl, Sparrow." 

Starlight Cove Series

0.5: Stranded in Starlight Cove 

1. Defiant Heart

2. Protective Heart 

3. Fearless Heart 

4. Reckless Heart 

5. Possessive Heart 

6. Rebel Heart 

Tropes

Second Chance 

Small Town

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Friends to Lovers 

Slow Burn

Childhood Friends

He Falls First