New Release Review: Hart's Landing by Melanie Harlow

 

Hart's Landing by Melanie Harlow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore author Melanie Harlow’s writing and I’ve been so excited for this new series. Mila and Everett’s story was excellent and I could not put it down. Everett was such a fantastic guy and I loved his golden retriever personality and how he was such a great distraction and companion for Mila as she was caring for her terrible mother. The banter and flirting was top-notch and their friends were fun and I’m looking forward to getting their stories as well.

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New Release Review: Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones

 

Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore mystery thrillers with possible unreliable narrators and throughout this whole book I wasn't sure if Freya or Charlie (or both!) were to be believed. The ending really took me by surprise!

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New Release Review: Falter by Aly Martinez

 

Falter by Aly Martinez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aly Martinez is my favorite author of what I call "catastrophic romance" and I have been waiting on a new book for so long! I absolutely loved Falter. Lofton and Devon's story was all-consuming for me. I could not put it down. The twists in Martinez's books always leave me gasping and this was no different. A must read!

View all my reviews

Narrator Reveal: Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

 

When she’s fake dating the hockey star, but he was never faking it…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the next standalone hockey romance in her brand new Hockey Ever After series, JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS! Narrated in duet and recorded live by Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke, and with a FULL CAST featuring Savannah Thomas and Ryan West, this spicy, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed in a room, opposites attract hockey romance releases June 3rd in all formats, and will be free to read in Kindle Unlimited. 

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert! Sign up for an alert!
https://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio 

About JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Coming 6/3/2026):

Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?

Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when Lake Axelrod, the team’s broody, tattooed right winger, swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.

Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey star insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding.

It’s the perfect plan. His family stops pressuring him to settle down, and I’ll get the ultimate revenge, since my ex is the best man. Bonus – I might even salvage my professional reputation.

We need rules though.

1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.

2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.

3. When it ends, we walk away.

But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.

Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert! Sign up for an alert!
https://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio 

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

New Audiobook Release Review: Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn

Rules for the Summer

by Meghan Quinn

Release Date: May 5, 2026

He clicked “yes” on a dare. She bought a failing candy shop. Now they’re neighbors for the summer—and neither is ready for what comes next.

Renley Gossage has one shot to prove she’s more than Cape Meril’s favorite cautionary tale: restore her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off like they did her father. No help, no shortcuts, and definitely no rich men wielding engagement rings and making things messy.

Theo Williams never planned on ending up in Cape Meril. A drunken game of truth or dare turned into a botched online engagement, and now he’s across the ocean, escaping his father’s control with nothing but designer shoes, misplaced confidence, and a rental next door to Renley.

She’s practical, stubborn, and covered in paint. He’s posh, persistent, and willing to use a sander if it means earning her trust.

Between collapsing drywall, gossiping neighbors, and the chaotic schemes of Renley's aunt, their forced proximity turns into something dangerously close to real.

TROPES

Summer Romance

Opposites Attract

Neighbors

Forced Proximity

He Falls First

My review: 5 stars!

Author Meghan Quinn always delivers the most hilarious, chaotic, and unique romance tales, and Rules for the Summer was am absolute hoot! I listened to the multi-cast audiobook narrated by Stella Hunter, Shane East, Cassandra Medcalf, and Gary Furlong, and I can't stress enough how often I literally laughed out loud. Main characters Renley and Theo's confused-mixed-up meet cute is perfection and side characters Aunt Kitty and Rupert both had personalities that were adorably quirky and their presence made the book even better. What a fun summer read!

New Audiobook Release Review: Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

 

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner is now live on audio! Duet Narration performed by: Hannah Chiclana & Walker Williams From USA Today, #1 Amazon, and BookTok bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a sizzling, second-chance romance set on the high seas—perfect for fans of Below Deck and readers who crave angsty, high-stakes love stories. Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her. Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not. Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiraling into disaster. They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good? My review: 5 stars! You know what show I have never watched? Below Deck. Guess what show I have now added to my Library on YouTubeTV? Below Deck! I just didn't know what I was missing. I was immediately drawn into Love Overboard and I could not stop listening! I loved the messy, angsty second chance romance between chef stew Ember and and chef Finn on the luxury yacht they worked on. And I loved the way the story gave us flashbacks into the past, and little sound effect that played on the audiobook whenever we got a flashback was such a great way of handling it. Narrators Hannah Chiclana & Walker Williams were new to me, but I enjoyed their performances so much. Listen today! Audible: https://bit.ly/417lWyo Amazon: https://bit.ly/4djpR2g Apple: https://bit.ly/4dhZGsN Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3OeTDek Kobo: https://bit.ly/4uYYzEF Audiobooks.com: https://bit.ly/4bKo3y6 Chirp: https://bit.ly/3PBas3E Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/47zSJj4

New Audiobook Release Review: Show Me by Adriana Locke

 

Show Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was hooked right from the meet-cute (meet-surprise?) and really enjoyed this bad boy/good girl small town romance. Audrey and Brooks had great chemistry from the start, and I really liked how Brooks brought shy Audrey out of her shell and helped her find confidence. The audiobook was narrated by Shiloh James and Connor Brown, who were both new to me, but both gave great performances. I have loved this series and am looking forward to the next book!

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Falter by Aly Martinez

 

Cover Reveal and Two Freebies

Falter by Aly Martinez is coming April 24th. 

This will be a live release so there will be no pre-order. 

BLURB:

I learned the hard way to never blur the lines between personal and professional. Jaded and disgraced, I used my attitude as armor and my tongue as a weapon.

Until I got assigned to protect Lofton Beck.

Hollywood’s golden girl had a stalker on her tail—and two dead bodyguards.

She was a nightmare from the start. Didn’t follow orders. Had no concept of boundaries. And worst of all, she was so damn gorgeous I couldn’t build my walls strong enough to keep her from slipping through the cracks.

As the threats escalated, we were forced into hiding at her family’s farm. It was impossible to keep my distance when she was sleeping in the room next door.

Somewhere between the long nights and the quiet moments, I began to falter. It became clear her stalker wasn’t the most dangerous part of the assignment.

There was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

Even if I was the one who ended up destroyed.

In preparation for Falther, Books one and two in the Guardian Protection series are FREE!!!

Download Thrive Here: https://mybook.to/AlyMThrive

Download Singe Here: https://mybook.to/AlyMSinge

Cover Reveal: Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely

 

When she’s fake dating the hockey star, but he was never faking it…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the next standalone hockey romance in her brand new Hockey Ever After series, JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS! This spicy, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed in a room, opposites attract hockey romance releases June 3rd in all formats, and will be free to read in Kindle Unlimited. Check out the cover and blurb below and pre-order your copy today!

Cover Illustration and Design: Qamber Designs & Media

About JUST PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Coming 6/3/2026):

Ever hear the story about the dating coach who got dumped on the hockey arena’s jumbotron?

Everyone did. But I lived it. Including the moment when Lake Axelrod, the team’s broody, tattooed right winger, swooped in on skates to rescue me from public humiliation.

Even more surprising? When the famously grumpy (and ridiculously sexy) hockey star insists on being my fake boyfriend for my sister’s high-profile wedding.

It’s the perfect plan. His family stops pressuring him to settle down, and I’ll get the ultimate revenge, since my ex is the best man. Bonus – I might even salvage my professional reputation.

We need rules though.

1. To pull this off, everyone from his teammates to my boss has to believe we’re a real couple.

2. That means swoony touches and knee-weakening kisses are required.

3. When it ends, we walk away.

But the intensity in Lake’s eyes after every post-game kiss makes me wonder if he’s pretending. With each whispered secret, the line between fake and real bends. Until it shatters one night in a hotel room.

Soon, he isn’t just playing the protective boyfriend—he’s the only one who truly sees me.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to break the most important rule of all: don’t fall for your fake date.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/JustPlayingAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert! Sign up for an alert!
https://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio 

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks 

New Release Review: Ryder by Jessica Peterson

 Ryder by Jessica Peterson is now live on audio!

Narrated by: Lila Winters & Stephen Dexter

One hard fall in the rodeo ring.
One maddeningly gorgeous cowboy.
One chance at love she swore she’d never take.

Billie Wallace has spent her whole life trying to prove she’s more than the Wallace Ranch’s “wild” only daughter. All she wants is a shot at barrel racing—and a purpose beyond crunching numbers in her daddy’s office. But when her very first run ends in disaster, Billie lands flat on her back with Ryder Rivers—her childhood crush, her brother’s best friend, and the town’s notorious heartbreaker—hovering over her.

In all the years she's known him, Ryder has never entertained Billie's shameless flirting. But after her fall, he's suddenly everywhere—showing up to help her when she’s hurt, staring at her across the honky-tonk when she’s trying to move on with a bronc rider, and encouraging her to explore her dream career.

Before either can really register what’s happening, their partnership sparks into much more than just dust and arguments.
Late nights turn into stolen kisses. Stolen kisses turn into something that feels dangerously like forever. Ryder swears he’s not the staying kind, but the way he looks at Billie like she’s the only woman in the world makes everyone start to wonder if he’s ready to stop running…

My review: 5 stars!

What an excellent end to a fantastic series! I loved Billie and Ryder's story- their chemistry was so apparent and so perfect. I loved seeing all the couples (and kids!) from the prior Lucky River Ranch books and having them all be such a big part of the story. The audiobook was such a joy to listen to- Stephen Dexter and Lila Winters gave top-notch performances.

Listen today!

Audible: https://bit.ly/47fLIUu

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4bWoEwE

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4boXVZz

Audio Pre-Order: Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

 

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner is now available for pre-order on audio! Narrated by Hannah Chiclana & Walker Williams Releasing on April 21, 2026 From USA Today, #1 Amazon, and BookTok bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a sizzling, second-chance romance set on the high seas—perfect for fans of Below Deck and readers who crave angsty, high-stakes love stories. Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her. Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not. Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster. They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good? Pre-order today! Audible: https://bit.ly/417lWyo Amazon: https://bit.ly/4djpR2g Apple: https://bit.ly/4dhZGsN Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3OeTDek Kobo: https://bit.ly/4uYYzEF Audiobooks.com: https://bit.ly/4bKo3y6 Chirp: https://bit.ly/3PBas3E Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/47zSJj4

New Audiobook Release Review: Crooked by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

 

Title: Crooked

Authors: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Bodyguard, Close Proximity

Mafia Daughter, Forbidden

Release Date: March 29, 2026

BLURB

A new, sexy standalone novel from New York Times Bestsellers, Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward…

 

The last thing I needed was a live-in bodyguard. And I definitely didn’t want him. Six foot two, with broad shoulders that were impossible to ignore and a talent for getting in my way, Wes Callahan was a walking bad decision.

 

But when you’re the daughter of a notorious mob boss, apparently your opinions stop mattering the moment your father ignites another war. I’d spent my entire life trying to escape that crooked world—new name, new city, newfound freedom. At least until I was suddenly shacked up with my new bodyguard. 

 

Wes knew exactly how to push my buttons. He was also infuriatingly protective. And smart. And funny. And thoughtful when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.  Little by little, the walls I’d built started to crack, and falling for the bodyguard became the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. Because if my father found out, Wes wouldn’t just lose his job. He’d lose his life. 

 

Getting involved with him was reckless, yet I couldn’t find a way to stop it, no matter how hard I tried.  But while I was busy losing my heart, the man who took it was hiding a secret. 

And it turned out, the most dangerous man in my life wasn’t my father after all—it was the one who threatened to break my heart.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

My review: 5 stars!

There's really no one other than the writing duo of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward that I'd add a "mafia" shelf for. Since they are at the top of my favorite writers list, I figured why not give it a try? I was sure it wasn't going to be a typical dark mafia romance, and I was glad to see their trademark blend of humor and heat was the star of the show. I listened to duet-style audiobook and enjoyed every minute! Screenwriter Juliette and bodyguard Wes clashed from the very beginning, but their chemistry was hard to deny and their story was so good. Maybe I'll add some more books to my mafia shelf!

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK

AUDIOBOOK

VI KEELAND

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles are currently translated in twenty-seven languages and have appeared on bestseller lists in the US, Germany, Brazil, Bulgaria and Hungary. Three of her short stories have been turned into films by Passionflix, and two of her books are currently optioned for movies. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

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PENELOPE WARD

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

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