Father Knows Best (A Family Affair #1) by Daisy Jane

 

On their wedding night, Avery's honeymoon gift shatters her new husband Sutton's world, leaving her fleeing in tears, and him chasing her in shock. But when she collides with her father-in-law, the silver fox Geo Mercer, he proposes a solution that will unite the three of them in ways they never imagined. Sutton, the strait-laced heir to Mercer Properties, thought he knew his wife. But Avery's desires seem to challenge everything he thought he knew about her and their relationship. Geo, the charismatic and extroverted CEO, has always regretted the distance between him and his son. Now, with Sutton and Avery's problem, he sees a chance to heal old wounds and save them before they crash. As the three of them navigate uncharted territory, the Mercers discover that love, trust, and intimacy can take many forms. Father Knows Best by Daisy Jane was published September 26th, 2025. This is the first book of A Family Affair series. 

So I have to say this I was asked by The Smuthood and Daisy Jane for my honest review for this advance book. Okay, second thing I need to say, I came so close in DNF this book until a little over half way of the book. I kept saying, "Give the book a chance....give it a chance." I am not a huge fan of slow-burn type of books because sometimes the buildup is slow and can feel dragging. I felt like this build up was slow and a lot of it could have been left out of the book. Actually, I think it could have started at the wedding. Anyways, but I am giving the book four stars. Why....because once I got over the hump of the build-up it took off. This book left me in shock. I was actually shocked to know more about myself that I was totally okay with a father and son sharing. The characters felt a little flat but the story-line once it picked up really helped the speed up. The smut in this book once it got started was amazing. I loved the two different male characters in this book. I also loved how they were in it for each other but for Avery. I recommend checking this book out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Avery, I'm a grown man. I don't play with toys. And I certainly don't play around when making love to my life." -I wanted to Smack Sutton for this. 

"Good girl, now turn around and face your husband." 

"Look at me while you take it from him." 

"The most un-vanilla thing about me is how fiercely I enjoy watching her." 

A Family Affair Series 

1. Father Knows Best 

2. TBA 

Tropes

MFM

Why Choose 

Forbidden Love

Millionaire

Slow Burn 

Workplace 

Deserving Maisy (The Refuge #6) by Susan Stoker

 

A fake-marriage, a lie, and a murderous brother somehow combine to give her the life she always wanted...if only she can live long enough. Maisy Feldman has lived in a haze for years, coming out of it only recently to learn the brother she thought she knew was a man she no longer recognizes. Evil. A monster. And he's about to prove it again - by forcing her to marry a stranger. It's the only way she can gain access to her inheritance, and Jason wants that money. Badly. Badly enough to kidnap a man and force him to marry Maisy long enough to fulfill the stipulations attached to her parents' will. But Jason has no idea who he's kidnapped...and he certainly didn't count on Maisy falling in love with her handsome fake husband. Deserving Maisy by Susan Stoker was published on October 2024. This is the sixth book in The Refuge series. 

I loved Jack Stone in the other books in the series and could not wait to read his book. This book did not leave me hanging at all. I loved how different this book was to all other books by Susan Stoker. Jack felt well rounded as a character who grew into his own self through this book. Maisy at the beginning of the book was this girl who did exactly what her brother wanted her to do. She did not have a backbone at all. Then as the story went her character developed and she grew worthy of having a strong male counterpart who can stand her ground. I absolutely loved the developing romance between the characters even though at the beginning Jack thought he was already in love with her. This book had some smut but it's a very small amount which is normal for Stoker's books. I highly recommend checking out this sweet romance. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I don't remember you, or the life we had, but deep down I know you're mine. My soul recognizes you. Not knowing who I am or anything..." 

The Refuge Series 

1. Deserving Alaska

2. Deserving Henley

3. Deserving Reese 

4. Deserving Cora

5. Deserving Lara 

6. Deserving Maisy

7. Deserving Ryleigh 

Tropes

Military Romance

Forced Proximity 

Burning Ivy (KORT #1) by Brandy Hynes

 

She's my mission. My prize. My obsession. Ivy Kingston is the most wanted woman in the world for reasons she is completely oblivious to, reasons I intend to capitalize on. She needs a husband to receive her inheritance, so I'm on the hunt for a wife. As long as it's her. I'm not who she thinks I am. But she has no idea who she really is either. I'll be her groom. Her keeper. Her lover. And quite possibly her demise. Burning Ivy by Brandy Hynes was published on January 2024. This is the first book of KORT series. 

This book had so many turns that it's insane. At the beginning of the book I was confused on what was going on. I couldn't get into the characters of Ivy and Wells. But then as the book went on the confusion eased up and the characters didn't seem so flat. I felt like it was really uneven in the book. Though I have to say that the plot of the book really kept me going in the book. I found out that as the book went on things were explained. I absolutely ended up falling in love with this book. So I highly recommend checking this book out as you will not be disappointed. The characters even the side characters will keep you on your toes in the book. 

Quotes that I Loved

"He would never ask me to sell myself to a man to earn my money like one percent whore." 

"You okay, Little Storm?" 

"Look at that. You talk like a brat, but you jumped right up to do as I ordered. Good girl, Ivy. You'll do just fine." 

"Anyone can be the light when the sun is shining. It takes a goddamn force to strike with a crash so bright  that even the outlines of the raging clouds are illuminated." 

KORT series 

1. Burning Ivy

2. Carving Graves 

3. Tracing Scars 

4. Charring Bones 

Tropes

Dark Romance

Mafia 

Marriage of Convenience 

Age-Gap

Billionaire

Grumpy Sunshine

Virgin 

He Falls First 

Leather and Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2) by Brynne Weaver

 

Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss's biggest client, Lachlan knows he'll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she'll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first. And they can't stand each other. Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver was published on June 2024. This is the second book in The Ruinous Love Trilogy series. This book was nominated for Goodreads Readers' Favorite Romance in 2024. 

I absolutely loved the first book of The Ruinous Love Trilogy series that I had to get the second book to read. I love how the author takes dark theme books and yet gives them a humor background. But let's first talk about the main characters shall we. So in this book with Lachlan who is the brother of one of the main characters in book 1. Then we have Lark who is the friend of that of the other main character in book one. Both characters you learn more about them then the occasionally passing like you did in the first book. They both have some major character development through the book. I felt like I could picture them through the book. They were well rounded in the book. The love story part of the book was not instant they are in love. No there is a lot of bitterness back and forth but they slowly give way to their feelings in the book. Which I absolutely love that it was not instant fall in love. The humor in this book is on point that really makes the dark parts more lighter. Though warning...be careful what you eat while reading this book. I really enjoyed the book, while it doesn't have a lot of smut it's well placed. This book is one of the top reads that I have read. I highly recommend checking out this book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Do you know why you're there with fireworks strapped to your dick and I'm over here with a fuse?" 

"The math. It ain't mathin'" 

"That's my girl." 

"Just don't go thinking I want you to play nice....I'm not your demure little duchess. I'm your fucking whore, understand?" 

The Ruinous Love Trilogy 

1. Butcher & Blackbird

2. Leather & Lark 

3. Scythe & Sparrow 

3.5. Love & Other Killers 

Tropes 

Dark Romance

Enemies to Lovers

Marriage of Convenience 

Forced Proximity

Serial Killers 

Slow Burn 

Rom-Com 

The One Night Match (Mafia Matchmaker #1) by Montana Fyre

 

Riley Callahan has spent years trying to escape the life of a Mafia princess, only to be dragged back in when her parents sign her up for the Mafia Matchmaker. The service uses its unique algorithm to match her with Cruz De Luca, the ruthless boss of the Settle Mafia, and she starts making a plan to convince him to invoke the 90 day clause that would allow them to dissolve their marriage. When she decides to spend her last night of freedom before the wedding with a handsome stranger in a nightclub, she assumes she'll never see him again. But when she walks down the aisle the following morning, the last thing she expects is to find her one night stand waiting at the alter for her. The One Night Match by Montana Fyre will be published on September 23rd, 2025. 

This is another advance read that I received for my honest review from The Smuthood and Montana Fyre. I absolutely love Mafia romances. Hint why I have a lot of Mafia romances that come through. Anyways, I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down from the beginning. This book had a different take on the Mafia world. I would have never thought they would have a Mafia matchmaker services but it makes sense. Riley and Cruz are top tier in character development as well. Riley had a lot of back story that you learn with Cruz as he comes across it. She acts like a middle sister to a T who is struggling with where she fits in the Mafia world but also sets herself apart. It was so much fun watching her develop through the book into a strong Mafia Queen. I loved Cruz as watching him become this Labrador dog around Riley but then switch gears to run his empire. This book has some smut and it's about level 3 on spice. The plot is perfection in this book. The book had great slow parts then fast parts where you had to buckle down and read. I absolutely loved this book. I cannot wait to read more from Montana Fyre soon. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm not usually the possessive type, Kitten, but every time I spot another man looking your way, I get the urge to tear his eyes from their sockets." 

"Now, little wife, let's show off how happy we are with our match." 

"You okay?"
"You're not planning on killing me, right?"
"No, baby. If I were planning on killing you, you'd know about it." 

"Are you okay, Kitten?"
"I'll be better when Barbie here gets her hand off your thigh as part of her desperate attempt for you to give a fuck about her." 

"I couldn't wait to give your pretty pussy its perfect throne." 

Mafia Matchmaker Series

1. The One Night Match

2. The Stalker Match 

Tropes 

Dark Romance 

Rom-Com

Mafia

Arrange Marriage 

God of Malice (Legacy of Gods #1) by Rina Kint

 

I caught the attention of a monster. I didn't ask for it. Didn't even see it coming. But the moment I do, it's too late. Killian Carson is a predator wrapped in sophisticated charm. He's cold-blooded, manipulative, and savage. The worst part is that no one sees his devil side. I do. And that will cost me everything. I run, but the thing about monsters? They always chase. God of Malice by Rina Kent was published in July 2022. This is the first book in the Legacy of Gods series. 

I have to say this warning right off the back. Read the author's notes before you start to read this book. This book is intense and really catches people off. Even those who enjoy reading Dark Romance. This is a Dark Romance. This book had a weird hold on me until I finished. I actually bought this book at a bookstore at full price (shocking) while on an anniversary trip with my husband. Yes, I buy books while on anniversary trips. Anyways, getting off course. This book is intense to the extreme but for me who reads a lot of dark romance tropes it wasn't over the top. I read Haunting Adeline in a week. The author needs some editing here and there but it wasn't so much that it made me dnf. I actually shared a lot of quotes from this book to a Facebook message group that I created to share books in. (Hi Girls) Anyways, let's talk about the characters. I really like Glyndon even though her name really drove me crazy. How do you say it any tips (problems for those of us who read the books in physical not audio). I felt though she lacked some roundness in the way she was. I didn't get a ton of personality or history. It just starts and goes intense from there. Killian is a character that I hate to admit that I loved. I felt like I knew more about him then Gyndon and felt like it was off balance. Which made their relationship feel off balance in parts of the books. There were points in the plot that I was like this piece needs something. I wanted to poke them with a stick. But the smut scenes were in what word overwelming. But the good overwhelming. They made you like, "Holy Crap...." to "How is that possible?" to "Why do I like this?" Anyways, I really enjoy the book and need to read the next book in the series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Ask nicely and I might." 
"What's the definition of nicely to you?"
"Add a please or drop on your knees. Either will do. Doing both at the same time would be highly recommended." 

Fuck you. I'm a King, and we don't get told what to do. Despite the fear that paralyzes my limbs, my gaze clashes with his as I bite down on his dick. Hard. 

"Giving away my emotions is my business. At least I have those unlike a certain someone."
"Is this the part where I should act offended? Maybe try a shed a tear or two?"
"Yeah, and look into ways to grow a heart while you're at it."
"The world won't function correctly if all of us are emotional, morally right creatures. There needs to be a balance, or else there'll be chaos." 

Legacy of Gods Series 

1. God of Malice 

2. God of Pain

3. God of Wrath 

4. God of Ruin

5. God of Fury

6. God of War 

Tropes

Dark Romance 

Enemies to Lovers 

College/ New Age 

Mafia Romance 

Stalker

Bully Romance 

Virgin 

Forced Proximity 

Best Kept Secret (The New York Thunder #3) by Shann McPherson

 

If there's one thing Logan Cullen is good at, it's hockey. With an ex-NHL player with impossibly high standards as a father, there was never any other option. If there's another thing Logan Cullen is good at, it's hiding the truth. But when the shine of being one of the best in the league starts to fade, the dull brings out the scars he's learned to hide so well. There's only so much fame, women, and money can blur before he's left wondering how much longer he can keep up the facade. That is until he meets the one person's who's off limits. After spending a night with his teammate's little sister, Logan feels like maybe there's more to all this than hockey. But then, as it always does, fate plays a cruel hand and he unwittingly manages to screw everything up. Best Kept Secret by Shann McPherson was published September 18th, 2025. This is the third book in the New York Thunder series. 

So I was asked for my honest review from The Smuthood and from Shann McPherson. I was iffy about this book by the cover. I know that's a huge shocker, but I am so glad that I decided to sign up to read it. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It took me a few days to read it and I could not put it down. The two main characters Logan and Millie I fell in love with both of them right from the start. Both characters had strengths and they had failures based on their individual past. I loved how Millie needed to be a rock for Logan. Usually in books that I have read it's usually the guy who needs to be a rock. This book is so sweet and yes, there is some spice but it's really tame based on other books that I have read. The only thing is I felt like it jumped from each character's point of view a lot in this book. I felt like it kept the book fast past rather than slow with a build up. But I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read more by Shann McPherson. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Logan, my ex is there. He's drunk. Possibly even high....Showing up with you is only going to cause...trouble." 

"Good thing I know how to fight then, huh?" 

"This is so against the rules...Messing around with the a teammate's sister....Fuck the Rules." 

"Millie, I'm not fucking playing...I want you waiting outside next to the bouncers in eleven fucking minutes, or I will come in there, throw you over my shoulder and carry your drunk ass out. You wanna test me, babe?" 

What if he has a bad habit? Like drinking milk straight from the carton or, I don't know, picking up prostitutes and carving their bodies into pieces with a chainsaw. 

"Who did this to you?" 

New York Thunder Series 

1. Famous Last Words 

2. One Night Only

3. Best Kept Secret 

4. Happy Ever After

Tropes 

Forced Proximity

Second Chance

Sports Romance - Hockey

Best Friend's Sister 

Virgin 

Secret