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From the publisher:

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Colleen Hoover returns with a new heart-wrenching love story.

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her:

Never ask about the past.

Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.

https://amzn.to/366Qkjj

I thought I had read all of Hoover’s adult books, but somehow I missed this one. I’m very happy I stumbled across it from my library.

Tate is a nurse pursuing a graduate degree, so she moves in with her brother while she is in school. She meets Miles on move-in day when he is dead drunk and passed out at the front door of the apartment. Miles is a good friend of her brother, and is very good looking, and the chemistry between Tate and Miles is off the chart. They start a sexual relationship as he is not interested in getting involved – his rules: ‘Don’t ask about my past, and never expect a future.’ Tate is all in as she doesn’t have time for anything more than work and school. So win-win. Until things change.

There is another storyline set in the past about Miles and Rachel’s relationship, which is what causes him to avoid relationships at all. It takes some time to get there, and all I’ll say is the “ugly” in the title may refer to the “ugly crying” this book caused! But it is also heartwarming, heartwrenching, and all in all, a terrific read.

Hoover is definitely one of my favorites. Her books are all well written with characters that come to life on the page. If you love emotional romances that really draw the reader in, then this is your book. I loved it.

4/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

UGLY LOVE by Colleen Hoover. Atria (August 5, 2014). ISBN:‎ 978-1476753188. 336p.

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Magnolia Sound, Book 10

From the publisher:

Returning to Magnolia Sound was never part of the plan. Then again, Parker Bishop rarely had one. Yet after confessing her love to her best friend right before his wedding, she needs time to lick her wounds from the disastrous scene that unfolds. After the unsympathetic welcome she receives from her parents and siblings, Parker finds herself absentmindedly driving through town in search of a place to stay.

That’s when she spots the flier and a familiar name…

Ethan Harlow enjoys the peace and quiet. Unfortunately, finding a moment of it becomes impossible when the flier he posts for a roommate brings Parker crashing into his life. Of course, he remembers her from high school. It’s impossible to forget little miss popular who was always the center of attention. All he wanted was to split the rent and keep to himself. Instead, Parker transforms his home and makes him question the dreams he gave up out of fear of stepping out of his comfort zone.

The attraction they feel to one another makes crossing the line from roommates to lovers seem inevitable. But the more Parker encourages Ethan to pursue his dreams, the less likely it becomes that they can have any kind of future together. Can they find a way to claim their happily ever after or will their individual paths make a future impossible?

https://amzn.to/36ey6vZ

I have read several books by this author and I always like the book and hate the cover. I didn’t hate this one! It is probably the best cover for one of her books that I’ve seen, so feel free to judge this book by its cover.

Having recently moved back to her hometown of Magnolia Sound, Parker is bouncing from one relative to another until she finds Ethan’s flier in the library. Her whole family lives here, and while she vaguely remembers Ethan from high school, her cousin, the librarian, vouches for him. She basically steamrolls Ethan into renting her a room in his house, and he isn’t sure this is going to work at all.

The funny thing was I had no idea this was part of a series when I read it, never mind the tenth book! Looking back I can see it, so kudos to Chase for doing such a good job with that.

Ethan is an introvert, a nerd, and completely intimidated Parker when they were in high school together and he was class valedictorian. Parker has the lowest self esteem of anyone I’ve read about in quite a while, but is so charming and self-deprecating that I couldn’t help but root for her. Ethan and Parker become roommates, then friends, then more while Parker tries to figure out her life.

Small town charm is abundant here, as are a lot of laughs from Parker’s crazy large family. I really enjoyed watching both these characters grow and bring out the best in one another. Not much sex either, if that is a factor for you. All in all, a very enjoyable read and yep, I’m looking for the earlier books in this series.

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ALWAYS ON MY MIND by Samantha Chase. Chasing Romance, Inc. (March 22, 2022). ASIN: B09QD5FV3C. 277p.

From the publisher:

Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into an anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall…or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a “What are you wearing?” text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining—albeit anonymous—relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing….

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks—and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

https://amzn.to/3I4AFy7

Olivia, her brother, and Colin are sharing an apartment because Olivia’s apartment building burned down. Because of her – an accident, certainly, but nonetheless it was her fault. Believe it or not, being accident prone is part of her charm and she is a delightful, memorable character. She is constantly getting herself into all sorts of trouble, but nothing compares with the relationship she ends up in with Colin.

One night, Olivia gets a text from an unknown number; classic fare of the “what are you wearing” variety. She replies with a smart ass answer, and a text relationship is born. Dubbed Mr. Wrong Number and Miss Misdial, they continue their banter over text, never taking it any further.

Meanwhile, Olivia has been forced to move in with her brother who rents a room from his friend Colin. She sleeps on a crappy air mattress on the floor of the office, and Colin barely tolerates her. As soon as she finds a new job, she’ll move out. That’s the plan and Olivia finds the job of her dreams – writing a parenting column. Except she doesn’t have kids. She knows this isn’t going to end well, but she loves what she’s doing and her boss, and that is rare.

Meanwhile, somehow things are heating up with Colin. Even her brother is on board, but the course of true love never runs smoothly, and when someone like Olivia is involved, there is bound to be one dilemma after another. This is a really funny romcom with a lot of heart and occasional steaminess. I loved Olivia and couldn’t wait for her to get her happy ending. If you want a thoroughly entertaining book, pick up Mr. Wrong Number!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. WRONG NUMBER by Lynn Painter. Berkley (March 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593437261. 352p.

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Las Vegas Vipers, Book 2

From the publisher:

A Steamy Accidental Marriage Romance 

Hooking up with my best friend’s little sister is one thing, getting drunk and marrying her in Vegas is another…

My team just won the Stanley Cup. I should be out on the town celebrating. Instead, I’m nursing a broken heart, courtesy of my ex-wife.

Next thing I know, I’m waking up with my teammate’s sister in my bed wearing a rock the size of the Grand Canyon on her finger. Neither of us remembers saying, I do… but turns out the marriage is as real as the diamond on her finger.

The press is going crazy. The team is pissed. And her brother… well he just might kill me. So, at the advice of my agent, we do the only thing that makes sense—make a plan to stay married until this madness blows over.

It might have started out fake, but Gabby is the one making my dreams come true and showing me what real love is.

Now I just need convince her to stay my wife forever.

https://amzn.to/3sYTCOc

I don’t quite understand why but I always enjoy the fake marriage romances, and this is a good one. I can suspend my disbelief to this trope without any problems. Plus it’s a hockey/sports romance, one of my favorites, although that doesn’t always guarantee a good read. I like Lynn’s books as a rule, and really enjoyed this one.

Gabby’s brother Garrett, who we met in the first book of this series, Game Changer, is Joey’s best friend and teammate, so when they wake up and realize they are married with no memory of the wedding, they know they are in trouble. They are friendly, but never dated so how they ended up married is a bit of a mystery. But if they break up, it will hurt the team, not to mention Garrett will kill Joey.

Joey is recently divorced, and is barely over it. But as he spends time with Gabby, he realizes that she may be the one for him. It takes her a little longer to get there, and there is some drama along the way, but nothing unsurmountable. Joey and Gabby have a lot of steamy sex before they reach their happily ever after, so if that isn’t your thing, skip this book. But if you like sports romances and fake marriages, or aren’t sure, but you do like hot romances, this is a terrific read. I loved it.

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DREAM MAKER by Stacey Lynn. Independently published (March 8, 2022). ASIN: ‎B09KTCKXHX. 280p.

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Hockey Hotties, Book 4

From the publisher:

I have a reputation for being tight-lipped. You learn quick when you become a professional hockey player to be guarded with the media, so I’ve worked hard to cover up the mistakes of my youth.

But when I’m traded to the Florida Fury, where my ex–best friend is the starting right wing, I’m forced to confront my past. Ford and I have a lot of history, especially when it comes to his little sister, Imogen.

My heart still lurches in my chest when I see her.

My hands want to reach out and touch her.

My mouth wants to keep apologizing.

She’s the only woman who ever made me want more. But she’s also the one who fell victim to my most regrettable decision.

I’m not a believer in fate, but I must be back in her world for a reason. I’ve fought for everything I’ve gotten and I’m not backing down from what I know will be the best thing in my life.

https://amzn.to/35HKncD

I just read two hockey romances back to back, so that inevitably led to comparisons. I thought the Stacey Lynn book, Dream Maker, was a tiny bit better, but honestly I probably would have enjoyed this book even more had I read something else in between – if that makes sense?

This book has a former-lover-to-enemy trope at its center. Warner and Imogen were inseparable in high school, until something happens that causes him to react badly and breaks them up. Imogen’s brother Ford plays professional hockey in Florida, and when his former best friend and Imogen’s ex shows up to join the team, he is pissed, to say the least. Imogen has recently been hired by the team to handle their social media as the team’s “hype girl,” and guess who they want her to hype.

Warner is thrilled and he tries very hard to talk to her, but she’s pushing him away as hard as she can, especially considering she still has feelings for him. Eventually, he wears her down and she finally listens to him, and she forgives him and they start seeing one another again. But Ford doesn’t know and if he finds out, heads will roll. As it is, his attitude towards Warner is hurting the team.

Eventually, Warner and Imogen reach their happily ever after, and Warner and Ford find their way towards friendship again. This is a steamy romance set in the hockey world, and is a fun read for sure. This was my first book by this author, and now I want to go back and read the earlier books in this series. Luckily, I found them on Hoopla!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SNEAKING AROUND WITH #34 by Piper Rayne. Independently published (March 8, 2022). ASIN: ‎B09D2CKW3D. 249p.

Paperback

From the publisher:

We stand there on the brink of something we both feel but neither of us is ready to identify, and the little half grin he shoots me is nearly as devastating as his full-blown smile….

One of the few bright lights in Rachel Beck’s life is her job at a Miami Beach luxury hotel – until she’s fired for something she didn’t do. As a single mom, Rachel knows she needs stability, and fast. On impulse, Rachel inquires about a position at a brewery hotel on a tiny island in Lake Erie called Kelleys Island. When she’s offered the job, not even the grumpy voice on the line can dissuade her from packing up her whole life and making the move.

What she finds on Kelleys Island is Mason, a handsome, reclusive man who knows everything about brewing beer and nothing about running a hotel. Especially one that’s barely more than foundation and studs. It’s not the job Rachel was looking for, but Mason offers her a chance to help build a hotel – and rebuild her life – from the ground up.

Trish Doller’s The Suite Spot is about taking a chance on a new life and a new love.

“A perfect brew of humor and heart.” – USA Today

https://amzn.to/3J0RUSg

Rachel Beck is a single mom to a three year old daughter. She lives with her mom, works the overnight shift as concierge at an exclusive Miami Beach hotel, and wishes things would be different with the baby daddy – he’s irresponsible, pays no child support, and tends to dump his daughter when he has a date.

When Rachel gets fired from her job after a “Me Too” moment goes badly, she is desperate. She really loved that job and now she has to settle for the night clerk position at a nearby seedy motel. Then she finds her dream job as a manager at a new hotel in Ohio. She decides to take the job, packs up her life and her daughter and moves to Ohio. Except when she gets there, the hotel isn’t built yet and the owner, Mason, is a bit of a grump and more interested in brewing beer than hotel building.

Mason had this idea for a specialty hotel on this remote island near Sandusky. His family owned an old, abandoned winery and house there, and he buys it with the idea of building a brewery and hotel on the property. But in the process, he loses his family, which devastates him. Unsure how to progress, he is hoping that Rachel will be the impetus he needs to get things moving.

For Rachel, this is the dream job. It wasn’t what she was expecting, but the opportunity to help build a new hotel from the ground up is too tempting to walk away from. Plus Mason is very good looking and kind, despite the occasional grumpiness.

As Rachel and Mason get to know one another, they eventually fall in love. But then disaster strikes in the form of the baby daddy suing for joint custody. Heartbroken, Rachel knows she has to move back to Florida to give her daughter a chance at spending time with her father. As a child, her father abandoned the family and Rachel never wants to be the cause of that for her daughter.

But Mason isn’t giving up that easily. It’s a struggle but Rachel and Mason find a way to be together by the end of this charming, sweet story. Set on Kellys Island, this is a lovely small town romance and an unputdownable read for me. I loved it!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SUITE SPOT by Trish Doller. ‎St. Martin’s Griffin (March 8, 2022). ISBN: 978-1250809476. 288p.

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Last Chance Scoundrels, Book 1 

From the publisher:

In USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh’s new novel a notorious rake and an innocent debutante strike a scandalous bargain…

When Kieran Ransome’s latest antics result in a massive scandal, his father issues an ultimatum: find a respectable wife or inherit nothing. But as one of London’s most inveterate scoundrels, Kieran doesn’t know any ladies who fit the bill. Or does he?

Celeste Kilburn is a society darling, beloved by influential members of the ton. But keeping a spotless reputation leaves little room for adventure and she longs to escape her gilded cage, especially with her impending engagement to a stuffy earl. When Kieran—her older brother’s best friend and an irresistibly attractive rogue—begs for her help, Celeste makes a deal: she’ll introduce him to the right social circles if he’ll show her the scandalous side of London.

In between proper teas and garden parties, Kieran escorts Celeste—disguised as “Salome”—to rowdy gaming hells, wild fêtes, and sensual art salons. As they spend more time together, their initial attraction builds to a desperate desire that neither can ignore. But when someone discovers their midnight exploits, Celeste’s freedom and reputation are endangered, and Kieran must save the woman he loves… respectable or not. 

https://amzn.to/35LFq1O

Leigh writes compelling, page turning, sexy historicals and does it again here. I didn’t quite understand the beginning premise of Kieran and Finn helping their sister’s fiance escape the alter, but with their sister sent abroad to recover from being jilted, her ex and the brothers are in big trouble with their families. They’ve been playing fast and loose for years, and their parents threaten to cut them off if they are all not married to respectable women within a year. First up, Kieran.

Kieran has been avoiding respectable society for so long he doesn’t know how to find his way back. Unless their third’s completely-respectable-beyond-reproach sister, Celeste, will help him. She agrees but with terms; she wants to experience some of London’s seedier side as her brother has done for years. Desperate, he agrees and she agrees to introduce him to polite society once again.

Kieran’s obsession with Celeste’s neck only increases as they start spending time together. Her father was a longshoreman who made his fortune and is determined to see his daughter married into a fine family. She is engaged-to-be-engaged to a Lord, and her father is deliriously happy. Celeste, on the other hand, is miserable. But women have no rights to speak of in 1818, so marry him she will. But she falls in love with Kiernan and things become dicey. Especially when they have sex.

There doesn’t seem to be a way out of this mess and Celeste resigns herself to being unhappy for the rest of her life, but Kieran refuses to allow it – if only there was a way out. It is tense until the happy ending is reached, and it looks like Finn or Dom will be getting hitched next.

This was a fast, fun read with a lot of heat. Don’t miss it!

3/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO RAKES by Eva Leigh. Avon (February 22, 2022). ISBN: 978-0063086272. 384p.

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