Review: All Fired Up by Allie Winters

All Fired Up by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

This was a super fun opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance.  As with all of the books in the series this can be read as a complete standalone.  There are some characters present from other books in the series, however you don't need to read those before diving into this one.  

This follows Hunter and Madeline as they train to be volunteer firefighters.  They both have their reasons for signing up, and they both face challenges with the training.  Madeline is book smart, while Hunter excels with the physical challenges.  They went to high school together, and because his family is part of the local biker gang she always thought he was up to no good as well.  Hunter does what he can to stay on the straight and narrow, but Madeline gets under his skin so he decides to knock her down a peg and a prank war ensues.  The fire chief gets wind of their shenanigans and pairs them up for the remainder of the training with the stipulation that both of them pass or they both fail when it comes to test taking time.  Naturally this frustrates both of them, but it forces them to face each other and air their greivances.  In order to pass the exams at the end of training, they both have to help each other with what they are best at.  Because they are spending so much time together, it gives them time to get to know one another and act on the attraction that has been building between them.

I thought Hunter and Madeline had great chemistry and banter.  Hunter had an undiagnosed learning disability, which made him feel inferior and unworthy.  Given his family situation that is understandable, and really unfortunate.  Madeline on the other hand is very stubborn, she has a hard time accepting help and telling people when she needs something.  She learns through training that she can't do everything on her own, and she has to be part of a team to be successful.  It isn't failing if she asks for help or confronts someone.  Both characters show great growth in this story.  This has some great moments of levity mixed with humor from the pranks balanced with the romance.

This is another great addition to the Smartypants catalogue! 

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Review: Can't Fight It by Allie Winters

Can't Fight It by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.  This is book 3 of the Lessons Learned series but it is a complete standalone.  The other books in the series are great too, I recommend them as well, but you don't need to read them in order.

This was adorable!  I loved the college setting and the main characters were socially awkward and unsure of themselves, but they had great banter once they started to get to know each other.  This follows Tessa and Austin, who happen to be neighbors and unknowingly acquainted through mutual friends.  Tessa is a psychology major working on a study, and she is of course surprised when Austin shows up as a participant. She finds Austin intimidating because he rides a motorcycle and he's a bigger guy who looks like he can throw down in a fight.  Tessa lived through traumatic experience in her past that we learn about in the book and explains some of her anxiety and insecurities as we get to know her better.  Austin on the other hand has his own insecurities and as Tessa gets to know him better turns out to be a genuinely nice guy.  As the study progresses and they spend more time together inside and outside of the lab, they help each other deal with some of their anxieties and insecurities.  They also uncover a budding attraction 

This had really good character development and decent steam.  Tessa is a bit on the naïve side and she really comes along way with her inner insecurity.  The same goes for Austin, he is a bit more sure of himself, but when it comes to Tessa not so much.  I think they were a great support system for each other, and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  

I enjoyed the narration, both of the narrators did a good job brining emotion into the story.  

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RELEASE BLITZ: CAN'T FIGHT IT by Allie Winters & Smartypants Romance

 

Can’t Fight It, an all-new friends to lovers college romance from Allie Winters, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

Mousy bookworm. Psychology nerd. The kind of girl who constantly sticks her foot in her mouth.

The last thing I am is the type to attract the intimidating, motorcycle-riding guy in the apartment next door. Especially when that mouth of mine gets me in trouble and he overhears me talk smack about him…

So no one’s more surprised than me when he shows up as a participant in the psych study I’m running on campus. Or when he generously offers me some much-needed self-defense lessons. Or when we grow closer than I thought possible. It turns out some people aren’t at all what they seem at first glance. They can actually be everything you never knew you wanted in a man.

The thing is, Austin Langford is so far out of my league, it’s laughable. Muscled boxers don’t go for nobodies like me. I need to forget about this one-sided attraction.

Even when it feels like I can’t fight it.

‘Can’t Fight It’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/41knDYa

Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/3XLC3xr

Amazon CA: https://bit.ly/41agDNn

Amazon AU: https://bit.ly/3xKHdiG

Audible: Coming Soon

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3mcKSTV

About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

Find Allie Winters online

Website: http://bit.ly/357VYOr

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/389mnNO

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3b5KJdk

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3pOJNhB 

Connect with Smartypants Romance

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RELEASE BLITZ: NOT FOOLING ANYONE by Allie Winters & Smartypants Romance

 

Not Fooling Anyone, an all-new fake relationship college romance from Allie Winters, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

The deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.

Except, I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly, we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah, that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for. Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…

No, that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Even if I’m not fooling anyone.

‘Not Fooling Anyone’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BAoNSR

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3p4H8lN

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3Hanco1

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3sQaeX4 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LUq2Rm

About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

Find Allie Winters online

Website: http://bit.ly/357VYOr

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/389mnNO

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3b5KJdk

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3pOJNhB 

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lzyduO

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lGdIMQ

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/ 

Newsletter: https://smartypantsromance.com/newsletter/

Review: Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters

Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC for review, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Lessons Learned series, but it is a complete standalone.  Mia and Tyler are present in the book, but they are minor side characters and they are only briefly mentioned.  You don't need to read book 1 to read book 2, they can both be read independently.  The main focus of this book is on Lexie and Ethan.  

Lexie has not had an easy life, and in reading this emotional tale we get to know her and why she keeps to herself and pushes people away.  Getting to know her and seeing her character develop is a huge part of the book.  When Lexie initially meets Ethan, she misjudges him as a dumb boxer.  Turns out he's actually fairly intelligent and generally a good guy.  Ethan is training as a boxer at the same gym where her dad, a former pro-boxer works.  Knowing that Lexie is looking to earn extra cash, her dad sets her up with an offer from the gym's owner to put her future CPA skills to work and modernize his accounting.  It just so happens that Lexie and Ethan are also in the same psychology class.  Hard up for some extra cash Lexie signs up for a psych study, but it requires her to have a romantic partner.  She finds herself in a fake relationship with Ethan in order to earn the money.  Lexie is not really interesed in romance, boyfriends, or people in general.  She's been hurt by the people she's let into her life in the past, but Ethan is determined to break down her barriers and get to know her.  As they spend time together getting their fake relationship story straight and getting to know each other, they realize that they are becoming friends.  Lexie tends to shy away from talking about things, which leads to miscommunication and misunderstandings because she doesn't want to get hurt.  Ethan tries to give her space, but he does eventually encourage her to have the conversations she is avoiding and they do eventually get better at communicating.  

This is a more heavy and emotional novel for Smartypants Romance.  Much of what we see from their offerings tend to be a little lighter and comedic.  There are some humorous moments, but this deals with some heavy topics such as drug abuse, abandonment, and bullying.  Overally, I really enjoyed this!

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