Review: Play Smart by Aly Stiles

Play Smart by Aly Stiles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

This book features characters mentioned in other books in the same universe, but it reads as a complete standalone. If you want to get to know Marcos and Eva you will want to read Street Smart, and if you want to know more about Kaitlyn and Abram you will want to read Elements of Chemistry series and Laws of Physics series respectively. Again this reads as a 100% standalone, but if you want to read about the other characters I like to mention where you can find them.

This follows Nash, a musician at heart who ends up as an intern at a media company. He has no interest in a corporate job, but he needs the money and his roommate hooked him up with the job. Paige was built for this internship, she wants nothing more than to make her mark in the corporate world. She immediately judges Nash because he doesn't look the part of an MBA and future CEO. When they get their first intern project, Nash's music skills are put to good use and Paige is left wondering what other skills he is hiding. He challenges her at every step and it makes her furious. Paige pushes Nash's buttons in a completely different way, once she realizes that he's not the person she expected, she tries to understand why he's hiding his talents. Nash's story is heartbreaking, but he's got a great support networks. Paige and Nash may be opposites, but sometimes that makes for the best story. I loved them together!

This was great! It has a great balance of serious and funny moments. This is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster so be prepared. It has some heavy moments, but it also has some laugh out loud ones as well. If you read Street Smart, you know who Chad is and he is back and he add a nice comic relief to the story. This has some great side characters to help move the story along. I loved that we get to see some characters that we've met before in supporting roles as well as new characters that we will hopefully see more of. I thought Paige and Nash had great chemistry and equally good character development. Neither character turned out to be what they seemed from the beginning. They both have to play parts to protect themselves. The ending to this was perfect! I also love when authors put song lyrics in books when there is a musician, it lets us see a different side of the author. The lyrics were awesome!

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Cover Reveal: Boyfriend Material by Ilsa Madden-Mills

 

Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will our past get in the way?

Boyfriend Material, an all-new steamy enemies-to-lovers new adult sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is coming July 25th, and we have your first look at the scorching-hot cover!

#1 Amazon Bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers an all-new, enemies-to-lovers sports romance, a breathtaking tale of passion, heartbreak, and love…

Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.

I’m talking about Eric Hansen.

Rich prick.

Glorified hockey star.

Thinks he’s amazing.

The Golden Boy and I are well acquainted. In prep school he trampled on my heart then kept right on going.

Now, he’s living the high life with frat parties and puck bunnies at Hawthorne University. On the other hand, people barely notice me—unless I’m on stage taking my clothes off. I’m the nobody, surviving in the seedy part of town as I fight to keep my head above treacherous waters.

I’ve snubbed him for three years.

The avoidance game we’ve been playing was working—until he rescues me from a bad guy and claims he wants to help me more.

Hello. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. This girl saves herself.

Yet, I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us. (It’s not even a spark; it’s a full-fledged, blazing fire.)

Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will our past get in the way?

This steamy romance is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers or second-chances. Boyfriend Material is a new adult college romance.

Reserve your copy today!
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Photography by: Michelle Lancaster at www.michellelancaster.com
Cover Designed by: Letitia Hasser

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

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Cover Reveal: Big Duke Energy by Emma Hart

 

Big Duke Energy, an all-new enemies to lovers romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart will be here June 21st, and we have the gorgeous cover!

When bestselling romance author Ellie Aarons finds herself with chronic writer’s block, she’s pretty sure all she needs is a change of scenery. A beautiful lakeside cottage with her cat seems like a good idea.
She’s wrong. She needs more than a change of scenery—she needs a muse.
Which is why it’s so irritating that she’s drawn to the enigmatic but grumpy Duke of Windermere who owns the estate she’s staying on.
They don’t get along—not in the slightest. They could not be more different, which is why it’s so irritating that Max seems to be the muse she’s been looking for. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but picture him as the hero in her next book.
Oh, well. There’s really not a lot she can do about it. The muse wants what the muse wants.
Except Sir Winston Purrchill keeps exploring the goat barn, and Max’s delivery of him for the fiftieth time means he sees her manuscript open on her laptop.
He knows instantly that she’s writing about him. The story she’s written reflects their entire relationship until now, but that spicy scene?
That hasn’t happened. Yet.
Max is ready to compromise—he’ll give her the inspiration she needs for her novel, but she has to stop asking why he’s so against the relationship his grandmother desperately wants him to have.
With her deadline looming, Ellie has no other option but to agree.
She just hopes that she won’t do what her heroine is doing.
And fall in love with the duke.

Big Duke Energy will be a live release and free in Kindle Unlimited!

Add Big Duke Energy to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3kYWu91

About Emma Hart
Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels and has been translated into several different languages.
​
She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs. She lives in North Wales with her family, three cats, one very large dog, and an undetermined number of chickens and ducks.
​
She's known for her hilarious, sarcastic romantic comedies with wildly inappropriate grandparents, and has been dubbed "The RomCom Queen" by her readers.

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Review: Right Number, Wrong Girl by Emma Hart

Right Number, Wrong Girl by Emma Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This is a standalone novel, but it does mention some of the characters from The Aristocrat Diaries.  There is nothing relevant from those books other than names of the characters for a seating chart for a party.  I do recommend those as they were great, fun reads.  

This follows Sophie, a down on her luck twenty-something.  She is kind hearted and always willing to help out her best friend Camilla who runs a party planning business out of their apartment.  When Camilla has to go out of town to spend time with her family and ailing Grandmother, she asks Sophie to fill in for her.  What is the catch?  The party she was hired for is for the Dowager Duchess of Devon, and her client is the current Duchess who is very hard to please.  Sophie is not very confident in her party planning and organizational skills, but she hesitantly agrees to help Camilla out of a tough spot.  Everything goes comically wrong from the moment Sophie arrives in town.  

If you have read Emma's books before you know to expect quirky characters and hilarious banter.  I loved Evelyn!  Hart almost always writes in an older grandparent character who is unfiltered in what they say and adds some comedy to her books.  Evelyn is that character, she is brutally honest and likes to rile people up because she can.  All of the side characters were lovely as well.  They helped to steer our two main characters where they needed to go and gave them wisdom and guidance where and when they needed it.  This is pretty low on the spice meter, there are a few intimate scenes but they are fairly tame and limited in detail.  

I really enjoyed this book, but I think I've ready too many books in a row that have this same theme where the main character didn't feel worthy and was self-depreciating.  I didn't like that Sophie kept putting herself down as if she wasn't capable of doing anything or worthy of love.  She was actually quite likeable and capable.  Other than that I really enjoyed that she eventually stood up for herself when the time came and put together a fantastic party.  She was fairly stubborn at times but that added comedy and tension where appropriate.  It also made her face her own feelings about her future in life and love.  Hugo's character development was also really great!  He had to not only deal with his crazy family, but his very serious feelings for Sophie that developed very quickly.

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BLOG TOUR: CODE OF ETHICS by April White

"April White writes the kind of books I love to read: romantic but suspenseful, smart yet so consuming. And you’ll love this cast." - Amy Harmon, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times bestselling author

Code of Ethics, an all new enemies to lovers romantic suspense standalone in the Cipher Security series from April White, is available now! 

You can read my full review here.

There are three things you need to know about Oliver Curran: 

1) He’s a privileged playboy who happens to be a code-writing genius 

2) For once in his life he’s trying to do the right thing

3) Someone wants him dead.

Dallas is a close protection specialist at Cipher Security whose bodyguard skills have already saved Oliver’s life once. But when the assassin gets too close to her uncooperative client, Dallas takes the party boy away from the city where he’s the social king, to the Yukon wilderness where she’s a master of survival.

If Dallas has to put her life on the line for a self-absorbed guy she doesn’t respect, then Oliver has to take orders from the too-serious woman he can’t charm. But living wild brings out their true natures, and suddenly funny is hot, capable is dangerous, and trust is the strongest survival skill of all.

'Code of Ethics' is a full-length enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Cipher Security series, Seduction in the City world, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Read Code of Ethics TODAY!

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Start the Cipher Security Series of standalones TODAY!

https://smartypantsromance.com/worlds/seduction-in-the-city/cipher-security/

Excerpt

“Is there something else I can help you with, Mr. Curran?”

“Oliver,” I said automatically, my eyes still looking in the direction Quinn had gone.

“Excuse me?”

“My name is Oliver,” I said, my eyes finally meeting hers, and I dug for my nicest-guy-in-the-room default. “Yours is Dallas, right?”

“Correct.”

She started walking toward the elevators again, and I couldn’t think of a reason not to follow. I assumed it wouldn’t get me anywhere to go after Quinn, and Dallas seemed to be the only one who cared that I was still in the building.

“Proprietary tech is the only game in the marketplace right now. If my code leaks, my program turns into the equivalent of generic drugs—worth pennies instead of millions.”

We’d reached the elevators, and she turned to face me. I was surprised that she wasn’t taller, because her vibe was all ferocity and overbearing disapproval. “You didn’t ask for my opinion, but I’m going to give it to you anyway,” she said.

Of course she would. Women like her couldn’t help themselves. They had to be right—all the time—out loud. I sighed, too exhausted to bother to dig up more charm for her.

“Millions are just zeroes and ones in an account,” she continued. “This is your life, and I think the Russian will do a lot worse than try to knife you if he manages to catch you alone.”

I’d just hit the button, but I whipped around to face her. “The Russian? What are you, partners?”

The woman almost rolled her eyes at me, and I was glad to get a rise out of her. It was way more fun than panicking, which was my other option.

“I heard him swear in Russian,” she said in a voice that was back to ice queen inflection.

“You speak Russian,” I scoffed.

“Enough,” she said. The elevator doors opened behind me, and Dallas reached a hand past me to hold them.

“What did he say, then?” I asked. She took a step forward, crowding me back into the elevator.

“Ty moy, suchka.”

“Which means?” I asked, taking a step forward when I realized that she’d managed to make me move with just her body language.

She let go of the elevator doors. “You’re my bitch,” she said, and I had to jump back as the doors closed between us.

About April White

** Vivian Award Nominee, 2021 **

APRIL WHITE has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy. Code of Conduct was an RWA Vivian Award finalist for romantic suspense, a Next Generation Award finalist for romance, and RONE Award finalist for suspense. And Death’s Door is a Grand Prize winner of the Next Generation Award, and a Foreword Reviews Award finalist. More information and her blog can be found at www.aprilwhitebooks.com.

Find April White online

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RELEASE BLITZ: Canary by Tijan

“I have to commit mass murder tomorrow night—enough to classify me as a serial killer,” he said. “You do not need to comfort me.”

Canary, an all-new unforgettable enemies-to-lovers standalone mafia romance from New York Times bestselling author Tijan is available now!

We were on the front lines in that world, the mafia world.
There was nothing soft or glamorous about it.
Who you were before no longer mattered. Names didn’t exist.

I joined anyway. I had no other choice because they took my sister.
Join. Find her. Try and make it out alive.

Then he won me in a poker game.
I hated him instantly, thinking he was like my other bosses before him.
He wasn’t. He was worse.

He wasn’t just cold. He was dead inside.
It didn’t matter that he was gorgeous.
He was the most lethal thing I’d ever met.

He was also the only person who could keep me alive, if he didn’t kill me himself.

A/N This is a 102k mafia/cartel standalone.
This is the most violent book Tijan has ever written.
Trigger warning: references to sexual violence

“Canaries sing to save lives. I sing and people die.”

Be captivated today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lwKyNn
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/canary

Add Canary to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Cknqr7

About Tijan
Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new series from north Minnesota where she lives with an English Cocker she adores.

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Release Blitz: Nate by Tijan

Nate, an all-new enemies-to-lovers standalone from the Fallen Crest universe from New York Times bestselling author Tijan is coming February 9th, 2021, and we have the smoking hot cover!

Full synopsis to come!

Pre-order your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jO0yXh Apple Books: https://apple.co/31O7rRU Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/nate Nook: https://bit.ly/2Gooj9O Kobo: https://bit.ly/3jERrYO Barnes and Nobles Paperback: https://bit.ly/2F0BLzN Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2ERDc3E

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Celebrate the reveal with this MEGA Swag Pack Giveaway → https://bit.ly/3jHaH85

Don’t miss out! Always Crew is OUT NOW! Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3if3T1q Apple Books: https://apple.co/2BN6H5h Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/alwayscrew Nook: https://bit.ly/2ZAggNd Kobo: https://bit.ly/2YKEC7K Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2BOv7Lx

Add ALWAYS CREW to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2BkteWY

About Tijan Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f Facebook: http://bit.ly/2vreAub Facebook Reader Page: https://bit.ly/32hsdsq Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB

Teaser: Reputation by Adriana Locke

 

  REPUTATION by Adriana Locke Release Date: January 5th Preorder: https://geni.us/Qm2tRj3   Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/Ccy4   Sign up to receive an email when it's live: https://geni.us/AmazonAlert Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)  

   

  Blurb: Coy Mason is a jerk. If there is one truth that Bellamy Davenport knows, it’s that. Hands-down. (Well, that and the fact that she didn’t mean to hurt him. Physically. Coy can’t be hurt emotionally because he doesn’t have a heart.) Coy is not just the small-town, literal boy-next-door. He’s a heartbreaking, womanizing, mischief-making (and delicious) man and was all of those things well before he became a hot-shot country music sensation. He’s a dream standing in her doorway with no shirt, messy hair, and a ‘Do you wanna?’ grin. But he’s also a nightmare for her heart and she knows it. Their enemies-to-lovers relationship always ends the same way—heavy on the enemies, light on the lovers. So why is she still standing there?  

 

About the Author: 

USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

 

  Connect w/Adriana: 

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Blog Tour: The Revenge Pact by Ila Madden-Mills

 

What happens when the king of football meets the queen of nothing?
Find out in The Revenge Pact, an all-new emotional and swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills!

River Tate is a god on campus.
The king of football.
A tattooed bad boy with gunmetal eyes that see right through you.
The only chink in his armor is her, the girl he pretends doesn’t exist, the forbidden one with the shy smile and lavender hair.

Anastasia Bailey is a nobody.
The queen of nothing.
An outsider with the face of an angel and a body made for sin.
The only chink in her armor is him, her boyfriend’s frat brother, the football player who hates her.

But when Anastasia’s life crashes down, River’s the one who sweeps in and picks up the pieces. Torn between loyalty, lies, and secrets, he battles the temptation to take everything from her when they make their revenge pact.

He can’t tell her no.
Because revenge (or love) is sweet, and once you get a taste, the craving never ends.

Download your copy or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32SW1MS
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Excerpt

River

“Why is the elevator so slow?” she mutters.

“Tell me three things you’re grateful for,” I say.  

She does a double take. “Is this where I’m like your…pet project? Don’t feel sorry for me.”

Rainbow, sorry is the last thing I feel for you. 

I want you under me. 

Deep and hard.

“How are things with Donovan?” I ask.

Her throat bobs. “I-I can’t talk to you about him. I mean, yeah, um, it…doesn’t feel right, you know, to him.” 

Right. He’s her boyfriend and my frat brother.

The door opens and she slips out, her arm brushing against my chest. I follow, sucking down the electricity between us. 

She blows out a breath. “I know what this is, why you’re being nice to me—”

“Yeah? Tell me, because I can’t figure it out,” I snap, annoyed she won’t open up while the other side is pissed at myself for asking. “Trust me, I wish I didn’t…” I stop, my jaw clenching.

She stops at the door to class and faces me. “Your paper. I’m sorry I can’t help you, I really am. I love helping others, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us…” She bites her lip, her gaze avoiding mine. “There’s something about you and me—” She halts and looks down at her feet. “Anyway, I know a few students who tutor athletes. Let me give you their names—”

“No one but you, Anastasia.” 

“What? Why?”

Instinct takes over and I back her against the wall, towering over her. I tilt her chin up, and she doesn’t speak or move, just breathing fast, as my hand slides around to her nape. A hum of heat goes through my body as my hands tangle in her hair. 

“River…what…” Pink rises on her cheeks as her lashes flutter.

Every time, I’m pushing a little more, the dark side of me winning. Monday. Her apartment. Now.

I could kiss her right now, but it’s wrong, immensely, and I’m being bad, so bad…

She gazes up at me, her eyes flaring, the gold around her pupils darkening. She swallows as goose bumps appear on her neck.

A primal sound builds in my throat. 

Anger. 

Frustration. 

Loyalty.

Dammit. I shouldn’t be this close, shouldn’t touch her—

“I’ll wait.” I grind my teeth and step back.

Her lips part, a small puff of air coming out. She looks at my mouth. “For what?”

The lethal side of me, the one itching to play this game no matter the consequences, tries to take over and speak the truth. I shove it down. 

You, I say in my head.

Leaving her there, I sweep past her and go to my seat. 

Five fucking rows back.

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
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CHECK OUT THE OTHER STANDALONES IN THE SERIES!

Best-selling authors Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke,deliver three stand-alone romances about college football players finding true love while on the verge of losing everything.

THE ROMANTIC PACT by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: December 10th

Synopsis:
I haven't seen her in three years.

I haven't talked to her since the kiss.

So why am I on a plane, flying across the world to spend a week with her in Germany?

One word: Pops.

My life’s a mess.
My possible football career is hanging on by a thread.
I'm driving the roads of Germany in honor of Pops with the one girl I can never have.
And I’m sharing a bed with her, the girl I've measured everyone else up to, while desperately trying to not to touch her.

We made a pact growing up, never to get romantic with each other - never fall in love.

And I'm about to break that pact. For good.

PREORDER NOW:
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THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke
Release Date: December 17th

Synopsis
How hard can it be?

That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend.

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family.

She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either.

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be.

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy.

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder.

What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pact. Right?

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Review: The Bookworm's Guide to Faking It by Emma Hart

The Bookworm's Guide to Faking It by Emma Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author in exchange for an honest review.

This was really fun! This follows Holley, one of the owners of Bookworm's Books in the small town of White Peak, Montana. She was once best friends with superstar pro baseball pitcher Sebastian Stone. Sebastian broke her heart on prom night and they haven't spoken in 8 years. Sebastian has suffered a major injury so he is back home to rehab and spend time with his family. He also wants to reconnect with Holley and explain what really happened that night. Holley can hold a grudge and doesn't want to let him back into her life, but when their crazy grandparents and Seb's stressed out mom get involved suddenly the whole town thinks they are dating. Unwilling to fake their relationship Holley is always willing to give Seb a hard time, but she's never gotten over him. Fortunately for her, Sebastian isn't really faking anything.

I really like this series. The bookshop girls are hilarious and I love the scenes at the nursing home with the ducks and the wacky grandparents. The banter between Holley and Sebastian is awesome. She constantly snarks at him, and he never stops pushing back and calling her on her crap. I love the dynamic between her and her friends.

If you are looking for a fun, quick, enemies to friends to lovers romance with a happy ending pick this up. This is the second book in a series, but it can be read a stand alone. I do recommend reading The Bookworm's Guide to Dating and The One Night Stand Next Door & The Girl Next Door as they will introduce the characters and explain a few things, but it isn't 100% necessary.

One-Click Today!

Series Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gDoUlk 

TBR: http://emmahart.pub/TBGTFI-GR

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Amazon UK → https://amzn.to/3dqG1UT 

Apple Books → https://emmahart.pub/TBGTFIapple 

Nook → https://emmahart.pub/TBGTFInook 

View all my reviews

Blog Tour: Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills

"Dear Ava is heartwarming and angsty and don't get me started on Knox. Read this book! You will love Ava's fight and Knox's alpha."

--Tijan, New York Times bestselling author

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a gripping enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, high school romance with Dear Ava, available now!

If you want to know what I thought of Dear Ava, you can check out my review here.

Synopsis

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world--until they destroyed me.

The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.

Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer?

Knox, the scarred quarterback.

Dane, his twin brother.

Or Chance, the ex who dumped me. . .

Dear Ava,

Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.

Wait. That's stupid.

What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.

It's been ten months since you were here, but I can't forget you.

I've missed seeing you walk down the hall.

I've missed you cheering at my football games.

I've missed the smell of your hair.

And then everything fell apart the night of the kegger.

Don't hate me because I'm a Shark.

I just want to make you mine.

Still.

Download your copy today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt

“What do you want?” Knox says with as sneer as I ease in the football locker room. Cold eyes flick over my cheer skirt then move up and land on the hollow of my throat. It’s not cool enough at night for our sweater uniform so tonight my top is the red and white V-cut vest with CP embroidered on my chest.

“Where’s Chance?”

He whips off his sweat-covered jersey along with the pads underneath. “I don’t keep tabs on my best friend for you. Get out—before I scare you.”

He’s scaring me already.

But I can’t stop looking at him.

His shoulders are broad and wide, his chest lightly dusted with sparse golden hair, tan from the sun, rippling with powerful muscles, leading down to a tapered and trim waist. He has a visible six-pack, and my gaze lingers briefly on a small tattoo on his hip, but I can’t tell what it is. He isn’t brawny or beefy-looking like one might expect from a guy blessed with his athletic prowess, but sculpted and molded and—

Dropping my gaze, I stare at the floor. I shouldn’t be ogling him. Chance is my maybe-boyfriend.

I hear male laughter from one of the rooms that branch off from the locker room, maybe the showers, and I deflate, guessing that’s where Chance is.

Glancing up, I intend to ask him to tell Chance I came by to congratulate him on his two touchdowns, but my voice is frozen. Knox has unlaced his grass-stained pants and is shucking them off. His legs are heavily muscled and taut, unlike the leaner build of Chance. His underwear are white and tight, cupping his hard ass, the outline of his crotch—

“Like what you see, charity case? You can look, but you can’t touch.”

Anger soars, replacing my embarrassment. I know I'm just the scholarship girl at Camden, but why does he have to constantly remind me?

“Don't worry about me touching anything. I don’t like ugly.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I meant his superior attitude, not his face, but I see the moment when he freezes and takes it the wrong way.

He touches his face, tracing his scar while his jaw pops. “Get the hell out. Only players allowed in here.”

I pivot and go for the door, forcing myself not to run. “Asshole,” I mutter.

His laughter follows me.

About Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay

Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

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Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com

Release Blitz: Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Dear Ava, an all-new emotional and angsty standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me.

The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.

Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer: Knox, the scarred quarterback and their leader, Dane, his twin brother, or Chance, the ex who dumped me...

Dear Ava,

Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.

That’s stupid.

What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.

It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.

I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.

I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.

I’ve missed the smell of your hair.

The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.

And then everything fell apart that night.

Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.

I just want to make you mine.

Still.

An excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in the anthology Team Player 2 in 2019. (No longer available.) This full-length version is 100,000 words.

Download your copy today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/37T4EYl

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/DearAva

Add DEAR AVA to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Z2jwQx

About Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay

Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT

Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo

Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn

Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci

Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com

Review: Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I pretty much couldn't put this book down. This is an enemies to lovers romance that deals with some heavy subject matter. The book opens with the main character Ava dealing with the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. She returns to the private school she attends as a scholarship student in an attempt to overcome the assault, but on her first day back she gets a love letter in her locker. Not only does she have to deal with the aftermath of her assault, but she has to deal with bullying from her classmates for reporting it. She suffers victim shaming at the hands of the rich, but she is determined to show them that they aren't going to win. Driven by the love she has for her brother and the desire to give him everything their mother couldn't, she works hard and doesn't give up.

The Sharks rule the school. They are all athletes and come from elite, rich families. Knox is king of the Sharks. He puts off a cold exterior, but secretly he is just as broken as everyone else. He hides his pain well and he also hides his desire for Ava. When they are paired together for a class project after she returns to school, he starts to let some of his barriers down around her. They slowly start to build a friendship as they find solace in each others broken pasts and their determination to find out who hurt Ava.

Madden-Mills does a wonderful job with the touchy subjects of mental health and sexual assault. I loved how strong Ava is, and how vulnerable Knox was. I loved how loyal he was to Ava and his brother. I loved that he was willing to wait for Ava, and take whatever she was willing to dish out The side characters were great as well. Ava had such great friends surrounding her.

I was provided an Arc via the author in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Dear Ava, an all-new full-length, enemies-to-lovers, high school standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is coming February 2nd, and we have the smoking hot cover!

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me.

The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.

Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer: Knox, the scarred quarterback and their leader, Dane, his twin brother, or Chance, the ex who dumped me...

Dear Ava,

Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.

That’s stupid.

What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.

It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.

I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.

I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.

I’ve missed the smell of your hair.

The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.

And then everything fell apart that night.

Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.

I just want to make you mine.

Still.

An excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in the anthology Team Player 2 in 2019. (No longer available.) This full-length version is 100,000 words.

Add DEAR AVA to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Z2jwQx

To be notified FIRST when Dear Ava is live text ROMANCE to 21000

*Standard text messaging rates apply*

Vote as most anticipated read on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2tBYQDn

Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Photographer: Corey Thomas

Model: Christian Hogue

About Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay

Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT

Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo

Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn

Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci

Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com