Star-Crossed Assistant by Sarah Deeham is the fourth book in the author’s Falling for Famous series, but the first book of the series I have read. It won’t be the last. This was such a fun, slow-burn, forced proximity, workplace romance. But with the added caveat of Celebrity life thrown in. As you can imagine, things become a wee bit complicated for the two leads, and I loved every single second of it. So, let’s talk about it, shall we?
Have you ever started a book and just immediately known you were going to fall in love with it? Not just the writing style or the author’s storytelling ability, but from a single moment or line from a character? Yeah, that’s what happened to me today with HOLDING ON by Liz Colbert. Holding On is the third book in the author’s The Callahan’s series and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone read.
The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck is a 100 deck card system that focuses on different aspects of shadow work, things that have remained hidden or have kept a person trapped in the past. There are questions to inspire self-reflection and plenty of information and advice on exploring your shadow side using grounding techniques and breathing exercises.
The Game by Sam Whitelock is an enemy-to-lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance. It’s written in dual POV with open door spice and I quickly discovered that once I started reading it, I didn’t want to put it down.
I’m not normally one who loves a book that flashes between past and present, but what Sara Cate did with Promise Me might just convert me. The second book in Cate’s Sinful Manor series follows Declan Barclay and his relationship with Colin Shelby. The relationship starts as friends then becomes so much more over the course of several years. In this regard, I think it was crucial for the author to weave the past into the present because readers need the full picture of who these two were to each other before they can understand who they will become now. This isn’t an easy road to love, but it is an emotionally rich and satisfying tale.
Cupid is a Liar is such a fun and entertaining read. I loved it from the start, and the story kept its promise all the way to the end. It’s fast-paced, with great writing, storytelling, and plenty of in-depth characterization. The author skillfully packed a lot into the book, and all of it makes for a quick, easy, and thoroughly enjoyable one-sitting read.
In We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark, Arvelle is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Thanks to the cruel vampire on her doorstep, she must choose between saving the life of her brother or risking her own life to try and win the gladiator-style arena trials she never planned to enter. All so she can kill the emperor and fulfill her forced magical blood vow with a vampire determined to get his way.
In Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget, romance author Zuri Day introduces readers to Jamilah Carver, the owner of a troubled chicken restaurant, and Rashad White, a convicted felon out on parole. Both have a lot on their plate but need each other in ways they don’t fully understand at first.
Huntsman is everything I love about reading romance, and it perfectly showcases why I love reading Naima Simone’s work. The book is fun, fearless, dark, sexy, and all the things in between. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself and then come back here and read my full review of it.
FIREBIRD by Juliette Cross has been a much talked about release for the better part of the last two or three months. There has been a hotbed of opinions on it, but to me, as someone who read the book all the way to the end, it has been unfairly characterized. In my review for this book, I’ve gone a bit in depth with it, because I think it deserves that consideration, so be forewarned that there are some spoilers inside this post.
Today on Okie Dreams, I am excited to talk about Love to Hate You by Marina Adair. Love to Hate You is an enemy to lovers, forced proximity romance between rivaling bookstore owners. These owners meet and then must navigate the complicated dynamic of both love and war. It is available to read today!
Feels Like Christmas by Shannon Stacey is the second novella in her long-running Kowalski Family series that started with Carina Press back in 2012. The latest book in the series, A Kowalski Secret, just released through Harlequin Special Edition. If you have not read this series yet, I highly recommend doing so. It is a top-tier romance series and among my personal favorites to read.
Church Girl by Naima Simone is a must-read book for anyone who loves a dirty-hot, steamy, runaway bride, single dad/nanny, grumpy/sunshine, age gap romance. I devoured it in one-sitting and couldn’t stop talking about it to reader friends for days.
My Favorite Holidate was a happy light at a time when I seriously needed a feel-good romance to sweep me away. It had the perfect amount of heart, humor, and holiday spirit while also showcasing everything I love about some of my favorite hooks and tropes.
Icebreaker by Kat Mizera and Elise Faber is the first book in the author duo’s new Gamebreakers hockey romance series. It is an enemies to lovers mistake identity, and rags to riches story that is now available on all platforms.
Today on the site, we are excited to share our review for Text Appeal by Kylie Scott. Text Appeal is a fake relationship romance between a brooding former prom king and a snarky, romance author heroine. It is available for purchase on October 22, 2024.
Today on the blog, we are diving in to talk about Tempting the Tight End by Lisa Suzanne. Tempting the Tight End is the third book in the author’s Nash Brothers series and features Asher Nash. It is a spicy, forbidden, coach’s daughter, workplace romance that offers readers a whole lot of spicy fun.
Undeniably Infatuated by J Saman is a forbidden, brother’s ex, forced proximity romance. It essentially takes place in two parts, the first on a boat trip that wasn’t supposed to happen between them, and the second two years later. I had the chance to read an early copy of this one and I love that I’m finally able to share my thoughts on it.
Today on the blog, we have a book review for Love Me Dangerous by Dakota Davies. Love Me Dangerous is a small town western romantic suspense and is the first book in the author’s Love Me Dangerous series.
7 Minutes in Kevin by D J Jamison is the third full-length MM romance book in the author’s Games We Play in Granville series. In the book, a an androgynous beauty who challenges his understanding of himself shares a mutual attraction with his best friend’s bi-curious dad, all under the watchful eyes of their quirky small-town friends and neighbors.
Truth or Darren by D J Jamison is the second full-length MM romance book in the author’s Games We Play in Granville series. In the book, a well-meaning, misjudged troublemaker discovers who he is and what he wants with his enemy/ex’s brother.
Today I am sharing my review for Never Have I Evan by D J Jamison. Never Have I Evan is an mm romance about a shy, inexperienced tech geek and a confident assistant football coach, with the bonus addition of a town full of quirky, nosy residents. The book has sexual awakening and discovery themes, too.
Are you looking for a short, low-angst, M/M romance read? Two Truths and a Lyle by D J Jamison just might be the book for you. I just finished it and I have to say, it was exactly what I was looking for to de-stress and get lost inside a new story.
Today on the site, we have a review of Played by Naima SImone. Played tells the story of a gruff pro hockey player and single dad and a resilient female firefighter, both of whom are struggling to move on from the past.
Just before risking his life for a co-worker during a category 3 hurricane, Tom calls his ex-wife to tell her he still loves her and that he wants to make things right. It takes Rosie a bit to get his message but when she does, she decides to see if he meant what he said about making things right–she enlists his help to fix her family’s rundown inn after it flooded during the hurricane. Now they’re working together to repair the inn. Will they fix themselves and each other along the way?
Love and Other Conspiracies is a fun romp into classic conspiracy theories all tied up in a budding romance between a true believer and a non-believer. If you loved the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, and you enjoy the history lessons written into some of your favorite conspiracy theory tv shows, you’ll certainly enjoy this book. It’s a clever and fun ride, with an added bonus of some romance fun.
