Review: Puck Shy

 

Title: Puck Shy

Series: Carolina Comets

Author: Teagan Hunter

Release Date: October 28, 2021

I’m having the definition of a bad year.

Game Six loss costing my team the Cup? Check.
Getting arrested and ruining my image? Check.
Almost getting run over after my car breaks down? Oh, look—a hat trick.

My contract is up with the Carolina Comets this year, and I need to get it together if I want to stay with the team.

I need relaxation, not a relationship.

But when I’m scrolling on a dating app and stumble across the pretty girl who almost ran me over, I know I can’t let her walk away this time.

Harper is funny, smart, and doesn’t care about hockey.

I’m not supposed to be focusing on anything other than my career, yet I can’t get Harper off my mind.

I know I shouldn’t fall for her…but I think I already have.

PUCK SHY is a standalone hockey romantic comedy. It's good, low angst fun with some hot hockey players.

Ok, so as you know, I'm not a huge sports fan. I don't normally watch or read about sports. It's not my thing. I know sports romance is like most contemporary romance, but sometimes it loses me when talking about the game. That being said, that was not the case with Puck Shy. 

Collin was having a bad year. Anything that could go wrong did. Losing the Stanley Cup? Getting arrested? His car breaking down, in a area with no service and his phone breaking? Almost getting run over? Yup. 

If Collin wants to stay with his team, he needs to get out of his head and get it together. He needs something, or someone to help him relax- not a relationship. So when he downloads a dating app to find just that, he found more than he bargained for with Harper. The same girl who almost ran him over. The girl who likes horror movies, and making her own coffee. She's funny and smart... And also not looking for commitment. But she doesn't like hockey. Collin should be focusing on his career, but he can't get Harper off his mind. He shouldn't fall for her... But maybe, he already did. 

Seriously, I love Teagan's books, and this was no different. Harper was cute, funny, smart & loved everything horror. Collin was more than just a NHL star, he was sweet, athletic, funny and hit it off with Harper. They both agreed to keep it casual, but things don't always go to plan. 

This book was everything I loved about a Teagan Hunter book. It was light, funny, sweet, cute, and then some. Plus you get to see some old favorites from some of Teagan's past books make an appearance. So if you're looking for your next hockey read to get you through the season pick up Puck Shy! 5⭐ out of 5⭐.

Review: Lords of Mercy

 

Title: Lords of Mercy

Series: Royals of Forsyth University

Authors: Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue

Release Date: October 15, 2021

I came back to Forsyth and agreed to be their Lady for two reasons: protection and revenge.

I put up with the abuse, the degradation, the humiliation, and bided my time. I wanted vengeance and I took it. The Lords give as good as they get and the consequences were fierce, but there’s one truth when it comes to Killian, Dimitri and Tristian.

They keep what’s theirs.

They wanted to break me, but instead, they molded me into their perfect weakness. They fought for me. Bled for me. Championed for me. I was put through the gauntlet and came out stronger. I earned the title of Lady.

Then they became my weakness.

I agreed to sleep under their roof, but on my terms. No more rules, no more punishments, no cameras or dress codes or sneaking into my bedroom. In return, I'll give them a chance to earn the title of Lord.

Building trust takes time, but with all the threats nipping at our heels, that’s a luxury we don't have. We have to rely on one another despite our complicated pasts—to find a murderer, a stalker, and a traitor.

This new life of pain, wrath, and mercy is a confusing maze of twists and turns. Fortunately for us, there will always be one fixed constant, guiding us home:

The Royal we.

WARNING: This book is a DARK/BULLY romance. It contains graphic content that some readers may be particularly sensitive to. If you have triggers or are even remotely unsure, please heed the note at the beginning of this book.

Ok first, you MUST read these books in order to understand what is going on. Second this is a Dark bully romance so check trigger warnings before beginning. 

Lords of Mercy picks up shortly after Lords of Wrath left off. Story is back with Killian, Rath, and Tristan at the Lords frat house. She came back for two reasons, protection and revenge. But a part of her can't deny that she may possibly like being a Lady. The Lord's wanted to break her, instead they molded her and shaped her into their perfect weakness, but they are also her weakness too. She may have agreed to stay, but now it's under her terms. No more rules, or punishments. No more cameras or dress codes, and no more sneaking into her room late at night. 

Building trust takes time, but that is a luxury they don't have, with all their threats. Between a complicated past, and a murder, stalker and traitor all after them they have to rely on each other more than ever. Will the Lords make it out alive or is Forsyth University and their messed up pasts all they will ever have? 

Honestly I loved these books. I love the dark, the gritty, the violence and then some, and these books delivered. 

Story came back to Forsyth for one thing- to seek protection and revenge and that is exactly what she is going to do- regardless of what the Lords throw her way. They may have tried to ruin her, break her but they made her stronger in the process. She's not the sweet and innocent little girl they once knew anymore. And now, together they will take down the threats that are closing in- or die trying. 

Killian may be Story's step brother, but he isn't known for being protective more like possessive. He isn't known for being sweet and charming but dark, cruel and vicious. 

Tristan may be the sweetest of the bunch. He may take care of his things- including Story, but he also has no problem dishing out the punishments for her oversteps too. He still was the first to dirty her up. 

Dimitri 'Rath' may like to get inside others heads. But he also protected Story when no one else could. He may just be as dirty and dark as his brothers, but he also has some good in him too. 

The Lord's may all be cruel and depraved but that didn't stop Story from falling for them any way. The only question is, can Story build trust with them and move on, or will their past constantly be glaring them in the face?

Great conclusion with many twists and turns & good balance of plot & smut. Loved every minute of it. If you love dark bully romances then these are the books for you! 4.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: Freed

 

Title: Freed

Series: Fifty Shades of Gray told by Christian

Author: EL James

Release Date: June 2021

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the decade, when Christian Grey will make Anastasia Steele his wife. But is he really husband material? His dad is unsure, his brother wants to organise one helluva bachelor party, and his fiancée won't vow to obey...

And marriage brings its own challenges. Their passion for each other burns hotter and deeper than ever, but Ana's defiant spirit continues to stir Christian's darkest fears and tests his need for control. As old rivalries and resentments endanger them both, one misjudgement threatens to tear them apart.

Can Christian overcome the nightmares of his childhood and the torments of his youth, and save himself? And once he's discovered the truth of his origins, can he find forgiveness and accept Ana's unconditional love?

Can Christian finally be freed?

Relive the sensuality, the romance, and the drama of Fifty Shades Freed - the love story that enthralled millions of readers around the world - through the thoughts, reflections, and dreams of Christian Grey.

E.L. James revisits the world of Fifty Shades with a deeper and darker take on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the globe.

Freed is the final book in the Fifty Shades of Gray as told in Christians POV series. 

If you have read the fifty shades of gray books, Christians POV series follows the same story but is in his POV rather then Ana's, and takes place after Darker. 

Ana has agreed to marry Christian, even though they have only known each other a few short months. Christian can't believe it. She is willing to be his. But is Christian really husband material? His father doesn't seem to think so. And to top it off, Ana won't vow to obey him. 

Marriage is definitely going to bring its own set of challenges. Ana's defiant and stubborn spirit stirs Christians darkest fears, and his need for control. Especially with old rivalries come knocking. 

Can Christian over come his nightmares and torments from his youth, and find forgiveness? Can Christian be freed from the darkness?

So, this book was fairly long, sitting at 755 pages. It follows the storyline well, and I was dying to read the conclusion of the fifty shades story in Christians POV. But... Honestly, it felt lacking. Don't get me wrong, it wraps up the story nicely, there is plenty of smut and brooding from the man in the ivory tower. But it felt like it was missing something. 

Anyways, like I said, it wraps up the story nicely, and I loved seeing everything that happened in Christian's POV. All the smut, the engagement, wedding, and honeymoon plus everything that happens to the characters along the way. 3⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: Midnight Sun

 

Title: Midnight Sun

Series: Twilight saga

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Release Date: Aug 3, 2020

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

Ah the nostalgia. I have been waiting to read this book for months, years, since Twilight was released and the few chapters were released. I was disappointed when it wouldn't happen. But so glad it finally did. 

Midnight Sun follows Twilight but in Edwards POV. Everything from Edward's first incounter with Bella, to the night of prom and everything in between, we finally see from Edward's eyes, and hear his thoughts and his feelings towards everything that happens. All his struggles, and anguish, his attempts to understand his feelings and what is happening. And him coming to terms with his struggles in life, and trying to decide if he should kill Bella or keep her out of harms way and what would be most beneficial for him, and his family. 

This book followed Edwards inner turmoil and inner thoughts about all the events that transpire once Bella first steps foot into the cafeteria that first day of school. It was nostalgic to be back in the world of Twilight, and expierencing it all over again. And while the story isn't perfect by any means, it was still a good read, bringing back fond memories of reading Twilight for the first time. It was a fun, simple read and perfect read for October that I enjoyed. 4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: the Dancer and the Masks

 

Title: the Dancer and the Masks

Series: Their Obsession duet

Author: Bea Paige 

Release Date: August 30, 2021

They came for me in the dead of night. Silent like ghosts. Three faceless men with one thing on their mind, revenge.

The Dancer

I was stolen.

Ripped from the people I love, and imprisoned in a medieval castle in Scotland with walls as thick and impenetrable as the stone encasing my kidnappers' hearts.

Do as they say and you’ll survive this place.

Refuse their orders and feel the consequences of their wrath.

Everyone here calls them The Masks.

I call them my enemy.

I may seem fragile, weak, but I’m not like all the rest.

I’m not just a dancer, or a singer, or a musician that they can loan out as entertainment to sick men and women.

I’m a fighter. I come from a long line of them.

This time they stole the wrong girl, and these walls…?

They’ll come crashing down even if I have to rip them apart myself, brick by bloody brick.

The Masks

We took her.

A payment for a debt. A very personal one.

With our father “The Collector” dead, we are the heirs to a twisted dynasty with nothing but revenge in our hearts, blood on our hands, and darkness in our souls.

Our home bears witness to our cruelty.

The prisoners within it, scarred by our wrath.

We’re the soulless creatures as twisted as any monster real or imagined.

We steal, thieving not just the artist themselves, but the light that makes them shine bright.

We must keep up our father’s legacy.

We must have revenge.

The Dancer we stole is ours to play with. Ours to use.

She won’t survive this place.

We’ll make sure of it.

WARNING: This is a dark, contemporary, reverse harem romance for adult readers, and contains graphic sex scenes and violence. It is not for the feint of heart.

First, WARNING, this book is dark & may have content that could trigger the readers. 

Christy was stolen in the middle of the night, taken away from a home and family she loved. She was assigned a number, and has been degraded and at the whims and mercy of her kidnapers, her captors. The Masks. Faceless, cruel, monsters. Soulless twisted creatures who are trying to extract revenge, and uphold their father's legacy. Christy, is their new toy, plaything, possession. She's reduced to nothing, naught, zero. And she won't survive the Scotland castle, but she isn't giving up. She will fight until her last breath, until she can't any more. The Masks may try to take everything from her, but that is one thing they can't take, is her fight, her will to survive. 

I enjoyed the story. Enjoyed seeing Christy, her fight to survive, her strength and determination and stubbornness. 

I loved seeing Jakub, Leon, and Konrad. I love the dark and twisted men, and these guys fit that. But there is more to them then what meetd the eye. And I cannot wait to see what happens next, and watch the story unfold between the characters. If you like dark, twisted, tales with monsters for men, and a woman who challenges them every step of the way, then this is the book for you. 4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: Games We Play

 

Title: Games We Play

Series: One Night series

Author: Dana Isaly

Release Date: August 27, 2021

Jack is a faceless gamer known as The Joker. He makes a living playing video games and using his gravelly voice to bring people’s sexual fantasies to life.

When the top gaming site on the West Coast sends someone out to interview him, Quinlan walks into his apartment with her auburn curls and thick curves, and they’re instantly drawn to each other.

Quinlan has no idea of the monster that lurks beneath the surface of his calm demeanor. 

Jack is quicksand, pulling her down into the dark underbelly of his desires. 

To get out unscathed, she’ll need to give into the hunger she has always tried to deny.

Jack is a mysterious gamer and streamer with a deep gravelly voice, only known as the Joker online. He uses his voice to bring others fantasies to life, while remaining anonymous. 

Quinlan is a writer for a Top gaming blog and magazine, and was sent to interview Joker. But upon seeing her, the Joker decides to give in to some fantasies of his own, and play a game with Quin for just one night. One night together, Quin is pulled into the Jokers dark desires. 

This novella was a quick read. It was dark, fun, & enjoyable. I loved Jack and would have loved to see more from him and Quin's story. If you're looking for a fun, quick read then grab Games We Play today! 4⭐ out of 5 ⭐.