The Sugar Plum Rebellion by Megan Astraus

 

Clara Winters has one never let anyone see the ADHD-fueled chaos underneath her ballet perfection. As the adopted daughter of a ballet legend, she's spent her entire life proving she belongs by forcing her neurodivergent brain into the Porcelain Princess mold everyone expects. This Christmas Eve Nutcracker is her final audition. One flawless Sugar Plum Fairy performance will land her prestigious contract and prove she deserves her legacy. Then, her dance partner snaps his ankle. His only replacement? Trevor Williams, a tattooed, recovering addict from the county arts program next door. Their partnership should fail. But between heated arguments and hotter stolen glances, their forced proximity turns into late-night rehearsals and vulnerable confessions. The Sugar Plum Rebellion by Megan Astraus was published December 3rd, 2026. 

I was given this book from Book Siren and Megan Astraus for my honest review. This book took me awhile to get into the story. For over half of the books the author spent the time to build the story. It actually made me not like Clara at all with her attitude about everything. Even though you know that it's not her true thoughts. I had a hard time thinking Clara had anything in common with Trevor. I couldn't see how or why they were falling for each other. Then in the second half of the book everything started to make sense. I actually started to enjoy the book and was able to finish the book. While, I didn't overly enjoy the book the book had some issues but overall I did have some enjoyment in the end. 

Quotes That I Loved 

I know what cages look like. Hers is made of mirrors. 

"Tell me to stop, Clara....because I don't think I can."
"Don't you dare fucking stop." 

"Do you want advice, or would you rather I listen?" 

Tropes 

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Holiday Romance 

He Falls First 

Bad Boy

Sports Romance 

The Promise of Forever (Holly Ridge #2) by Morgan Elizabeth

 

For as long as she can remember, Hallie Young's life has been intertwined with the King family in every way that matters. Over the years, the Kings have become the family she always desperately wanted after her mom left, and there is nothing she would ever do to jeopardize that. Not even Jesse, her best friend's hot older brother, whose name she used to doodle in the margins of her notebooks. Jessie King did not expect to become a dad at 21 or to take on the responsibility of raising his daughter alone soon thereafter, but he accepted it without hesitation. He's determined to make sure his now pre-teen daughter, Emma, makes it to adulthood with as few bumps and bruises as possible. This means his own personal life is on the back burner until she's out of his house, a decision he's never even questioned, much less regretted. That is, of course his little sister's best friend shows up at his front door to watch Emma over winter break. Suddenly, long-buried feelings are resurfacing, and he's wondering if she couldn't be exactly what his little family is missing. The Promise of Forever by Morgan Elizabeth was published December 26th, 2025. This is the second book of the Holly Ridge series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from House of Hearts and Morgan Elizabeth. First thing first, I did not read the first book of the series. But, I can honestly say that it did not take apart from this book. Though, maybe gives a little more background to that of Wren and her boyfriend Adam. The plot in this book was great. I felt like everything that was happening had a reason. It was easy to follow along and it had a good amount of ups and downs through the story. The characters were sweet characters and while Hallie I felt like was growing into herself through the book. I still felt like she lacked something to make her a more well rounded character. Jesse, I felt like his own personal growth felt rushed and last second toward the end of the book. Now, the big hiccup in this book and the reason why I couldn't give the book four stars out of five is because there were so many Grammar errors throughout the book. I felt like at some point they ruined the scene that would have been amazing. Though, for me who struggles with Grammar I was able to overlook it. Though, I will warn my followers if you have trouble with errors then this book is not for you. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"You should know by now that Jesse's blind, Pete, .....He'll get it one day." 

"You don't get to deem what I'm wearing inappropriate; I am not yours." 
"Trust me, Hallie, I am incredibly aware you are not mine." 
"Thank God for that....What's that supposed to mean?" 

"You couldn't handle a woman like me, Jesse."
"Oh, I could handle you, Hallie Young." 

Holly Ridge Series

1. The Bright Side of Christmas 

2. The Promise of Forever

Tropes

Small Town

Single Parent

Friends to Lovers

Best Friend's Brother

The Stalker Match (Mafia Matchmaker #2) by Montana Fyre

Lexi De Luca lives a double life. By day, she's a Mafia princess, and by night, she makes spicy content for her fans. The thing is, along with the two lives, she also has feelings for two different men. Her brother's best friend and a perfect stranger on the internet. When loneliness gets the best of her, she decides to follow in her brother's footsteps and sign up for the Mafia Matchmaker, the last thing she never expects is to match with the man she's loved for most of her life. But there's another man in her life, one who threatens the future that is finally within her grasp, and he's always three steps ahead. The Stalker Match by Montana Fyre will be published on January 9th, 2026. This is book two of the Mafia Matchmaker series. 

I made an oops and accidentally applied twice to this book to review from two different P.Rs. It's because I fell in love with this series with The One Night Match book. So I knew that I wanted a chance to read this book before it was published. Anyways, thank you to Montana Fyre, The Smuthood, And Literally Yours for the opportunity on reading this advance copy for my honest review. Okay, now that is over let's get to the review. I am so glad that I was able to get this book. I fell in love with the characters right off the bat. I love how Lexi is not a normal Mafia princess at all. She had a rough growing up under her father's thumb until her Big Brother killed him. So she has some background craziness that you see come out. But she also didn't want to survive on the Mafia money and started to make her own in secret. This girl has so much personality and it all works in this book. It's also fun to watch her growth throughout the book. Colten has so many layers as well and it's so fun to watch this Mafia guy turn all gooey for the girl. You thought Cruz in book one was bad with his golden retriever ways...just wait till you meet Colten. I loved the characters in this book. The plot in this book was amazing and I really wanted to walk into the book and be a part of it. I could not put it down. Though, I feel like Lexi was really forgiving rather quickly for things that Colten did. I wanted to see her give him a run for his money. I absolutely loved this book and I cannot wait to read the next story. From what I can tell it's going to be amazing....

Quotes That I Loved 

"Pack a bag, baby.."Are you taking me back to the estate?" 
"No."
"Then where are we going?"
"My place."
"Why?"
"Because that's where you live now." 

"You gonna be a good girl for me, Lexi?"

"Is she allowed to leave?'
"Not without me."
"And does she know you've been obsessed with her for years?"
"No."
"So, she's there under false pretenses?"
"Yes."
"I hate to break this to you, bud, but you kinda kidnapped her." 

Mafia Matchmaker Series

1. The One Night Match 

2. The Stalker Match 

Tropes

Stalker

Mafia 

Brother's Best Friend 

Cam Girl 

Virgin 

He Fell First 

Arrange Marriage 

Whisky and Roses (Loch Morven #2) by Bella James

 

Tilda MacLean's life is officially off the rails. Her ex ran off with her business (and her bank balance), and her dad left her crumbling cottage on a Scottish Island. Even Flora, her basset hound, is judging her life choices. Tilda's plan? Fix up the cottage, sell it fast, and escape - before anyone realises she's completely winging it. There's just one problem: Finn Kinnaird. He needs a gardener to help save his distillery. And Tilda, broke and stranded, needs a job. They're opposites in every way - but they're going to have to make it work. Whisky and Roses by Bella James will be published January 1st, 2026. This is book two of Loch Morven series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Bella James and Love Notes PR. First off, I didn't read book one before I read this book. Though, it was not needed in this book as you didn't get left behind if you read this book first like I did. Now that being said, I felt like this book was slow. Even slower than most slow burn type of books. There were times that I thought I needed something to happen and it didn't. I felt like some of the build up needed to be taken out or for something exciting to happen in the plot. Also there were some Scottish terms that went over my head. As both of the characters knew what the word was but I did not. So I had to do some research for parts of the book. Though, soon the plot picked up and I wasn't so worried about the other things. The ending of this book was perfect and I could not put the book down. If you need a good palate cleanser this book is for you.

Quotes that I Loved 

"I'm not really a dress sort of girl, but -"
"I prefer you in your dungarees, with mud on your boots, and hair in your eyes, Chaos." 

Loch Morven Series

1. Duke It Out

2. Whisky and Roses 

Tropes

Grumpy Sunshine

Forced Proximity 

Slow Burn 

Small Town 

Enemies to Lovers

Boss/Employee

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 

The Mr & Mrs Mistake (Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove #3) by Brighton Walsh

 

My best friend's little sister has been getting under my skin for decades. She's my lifelong nemesis and now - apparently - my wife. When Willa Jameson stumbled into my bar drunk, heartbroken, and desperate to save her family farm, I offered to marry her. For "Convenience." Which is hilarious, because nothing about my attraction to this hurricane with hips has been convenient. Now we're sharing a roof, a bed, a potential felony thanks to our fake marriage. It's supposed to be a favor between not-quite-but-not-quite-enemies. Then our late-night arguments turn into practice make out sessions. But according to her, that changes absolutely nothing between us. No matter how many lines we draw, we keep crossing them - in the kitchen, on the porch, in the tiny bed that's become both heaven and hell. And the woman who swears she hates me starts looking at me like I might be exactly what she needs. She calls me her temporary husband. I call her my daily torture, because every day we play house, it feels less like pretending and more like home. When this ends, I don't know how i'm going to forget what it felt like to call her mine. So either I walk away with her, or I don't walk away at all. The Mr & Mrs Mistake by Brighton Walsh will be published on January 1st, 2026. This is the third book in the Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove Series. 

I was so excited to receive this advance copy for my honest review from Brighton Walsh and The Smuthood. That being said, I read this book within a day as I could not put it down. That is saying something when I received it right after Christmas. I absolutely loved the first two books of this series and I absolutely loved the other books that are based in Starlight Cove. I mean can we all have a small town that must have something in their water to have all these alpha males that live there. I have to say that I loved this book so much. I could not stop sharing quotes that I read through this book. Let me talk to you about Willa. Willa acts strong and that she doesn't need help from those around her. When in reality she suffers daily pain from her body betraying her. I felt for her right off the bat as I myself suffer from daily pain. I was born with arthritis so my life is full of pain. I could feel her independence in this book and most likely thinking that no one wants to be with her because of her pain. So she has to take care of herself. Let me tell you Brighton wrote Willa perfectly and I cried at the way Lincoln took care of her. It reminded me of my husband forcing me to take a step back at times when I am in a ton of pain. It really shows how much he cares for her throughout the book. I loved the characters in this book and I love how the drama in the book was not really over the top. This book had me laughing, crying, and giggling. The plot in this story never felt like a bore as it went up and down perfect flow. I highly recommend this book because I absolutely loved it from the first page to the last page. I cannot wait for Declan to get his own book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"I mean, getting married isn't the only way to make you a family. I could also do what your latest book boyfriend excelled at and breed you..." 

"If I stay here another second, I'll stab you with that fork."
"Ohhh...fork play. I didn't read about that in Bred by the Moonlight, but I'm up for trying anything with you." 

"You're anything but weak, hellcat. You deal with unimaginable pain every day and just go about your life as usual. What you are, though, is so goddamn stubborn that you'd rather crawl across broken glass than admit you need help." 

"You taste like my wife." 

Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove Series 

1. The Grump Next Door

2. The Live-In Temptation

3. The Mr & Mrs Mistake

4. The Roommate Rules

Tropes

Marriage of Convenience

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Small Town

Brothers Best Friend

He Falls First 

Grumpy/Sunshine

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