Audiobook Review ~ End Game by Monica Murphy

End Game by Monica Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Monica Murphy is an author that I pick up occasionally and I know she will deliver an entertaining read that I will devour. I jumped into End Game, and I was swept away immediately getting to know Everleigh and Nico. The first interaction between Everleigh and the boys was quite amusing, and I liked how she talked her way into getting a room with them. Nico was quite hesitant, but Everleigh was determined to get a room with the guys. As the story progressed, Everleigh built strong friendships with the boys, but it was clear that Everleigh and Nico had a connection that would be more. This was a feel-good read, with good banter, a slow building romance and an entertaining storyline that I was hooked to.

I felt that the Narrators – Stephanie Rose and J.D. Harris – were instrumental on keeping me engaged with this read. They brought these characters to life and delivered Monica Murphy’s read with the perfect amount of passion and spice to keep the listener hooked.

Title: End Game

Author: Monica Murphy

Series: Kings of Campus #1

Genre: Sports Romance

Published: September 17, 2024

In this fun, sexy college romance, a transfer student finds herself living in a house full of football players—and falling for the one she knows she shouldn’t want.

Everleigh

Transferring to UC Santa Mira is supposed to be my ultimate college experience—until housing falls through at the last minute. So when I overhear a group of guys complaining they need another roommate, I jump at the opportunity.

They’re just football players. Even if one of them makes me weak in the knees, it doesn’t mean anything unless I let it. And I won’t.

We want different things. Wanting each other doesn’t change that.

Nico

It’s my senior year and final season with the Santa Mira Dolphins. The last thing I need is a distraction, but that’s exactly what this girl is. Ever is too leggy, too gorgeous, too thoughtful—and a whole lot of too much that gets under my skin.

I guess I get under hers too. I can’t help myself.

We live together. That alone makes it a bad idea…but I never could resist a little trouble.

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Review ~ The Game by Vi Keeland

The Game by Vi Keeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a nerd meets a football player, you know I am intrigued, and I snapped this read up immediately after reading the blurb. During Bella and Christian’s first amusing interaction, I knew I was going to enjoy getting to know both these characters. Bella was definitely out of her comfort zone but was determined to do the right thing in her new role. I loved how she ran things and allowed others to make the decisions without her micromanaging things. Christian was building his strength back up to get back on the field, but he had his sights set on the new CEO. He wanted to prove that he was good enough for her, not relying on facts she put into a formula.

This was mostly a fun read with a few serious elements entwined throughout. Bella was chasing answers about her mother and that lead to Christian asking questions of his own. I liked how he was doing all he could to help Bella and to continue to win her over in the process. They had a beautiful connection, and I wanted them to find the happiness they deserved.

To be honest, this was a good read but didn’t totally blow me away. One of the main story threads had me scratching my head at times. Other than that, I liked the characters and how much I enjoyed being in this world.

Title: The Game

Author: Vi Keeland

Genre: Sports Romance

Published: January 16, 2023

It started out like any other Tuesday.

I spent twelve hours writing algorithms for one of the largest companies in the world and then came home to work on a pet project of mine—feeding facts about the men I knew into a formula to find my perfect match before my twenties came barreling to a close.

But then a man knocked on my door and handed me some papers that turned my life upside down.

Apparently, a father I never knew existed had left me something in his will. That something turned out to be part ownership in a professional football team.

Next thing I knew, I was learning a sport I knew nothing about by spending time with the team’s quarterback who was out with an injury, a man who my formula would definitely determine was all wrong for me.

Christian Knox was too handsome and confident for his own good and could have any woman he wanted. Only lately the only woman he seemed to want was me.

But there was no way I was getting involved when I was now his boss, even if he was insanely gorgeous and had the dirtiest mouth I’d ever come across.

It would be wrong, wouldn’t it?

Probably. But you know what they say about things that are wrong...sometimes they feel so right.

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Audiobook Review ~ When the Rain Ends by Mary Ellen Taylor

When the Rain Ends by Mary Ellen Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When the Rain Ends was quite the moving read to listen to. I enjoyed getting to know Dani, and her daughter Bella as they navigated their new lives on an old farm. They had both lost so much in their lives and Dani thought the change would be good for them. Bella was quite hesitant at first, but after some time, and a few situations, she soon realised it wasn’t all bad. Dani had to face some challenges of her own and soon came to realise that she needed to drop some of her walls to grow herself.

I enjoyed getting to know both Dani and Bella and seeing the growth in them both. Jackson coming into their lives was nice and seeing him slowly lay out his feelings was sweet. I enjoyed the way that Megan Tusing narrated this story and I was emotionally hooked until the end.

Title: When the Rain Ends

Author: Mary Ellen Taylor

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit

Published: May 1, 2023

From The Brighter the Light author Mary Ellen Taylor comes the emotional story of a mother and daughter learning to endure life’s twists and turns as they grieve a loss and face an uncertain future.

When artist Dani Peterson learns she’s slowly losing her vision, she becomes unmoored. Her ex-husband died only months before, leaving Dani and her preteen daughter grief stricken. Suddenly, the life Dani built for her family on the Outer Banks feels like a painful reminder of all they’ve lost.

On a whim, Dani sells her waterfront home and buys an old farm inland near the Virginia state line. But Dani’s daughter recoils at the sudden, drastic change. The Outer Banks’ sun-swept beaches, pink dawns, and savage storms are all she’s ever known.

But Dani is resolute, and the pair move to Virginia to embark on a challenging renovation. That summer, their efforts to turn a run-down silo into an art studio bring forth new friends, new loves, and new challenges.

As mother and daughter navigate the fiercest storm of their lives, they learn that instead of waiting for the skies to clear, they can withstand the wind and rain, so long as they do it together.

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Review ~ Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland

Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an entertaining read, and I had so much fun getting to know Nora, Beck and his Gram, Louise. There were so many situations that Nora and Louise got themselves into and I laughed hard at some things that they did. I did like seeing the chemistry between Nora and Back grow and the small changes in Beck as he began to understand why Louise was on this trip.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the emotional rollercoaster that this read took me on… there was something unexpected that came up and my heart literally broke as I watched it all unfold. I tip my hat to you Vi Keeland, this was quite the brilliant read, and I couldn’t put it down.

Title: Something Unexpected

Author: Vi Keeland

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: July 1, 2023

A new, sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller, Vi Keeland. When my grandmother found out she didn’t have long to live, she embarked on a crazy trip—jumping out of airplanes and scuba diving with sharks.

After I repeatedly voiced my concern, Gram blocked me— her own grandson —on text and social media, leaving me only her travel companion Eleanor’s number.

Eleanor started sending me pictures of Gram’s adventures. At first she seemed nice, but when I attempted to persuade her to talk some sense into her friend, she told me where I could stick my advice. After that, photos arrived with snarky comments, and Eleanor and I got into it on more than one occasion.

When I heard Gram’s upcoming plans were more dangerous than ever, I hopped on a plane.

Since I arrived late, I headed to the bar for a drink, figuring I’d surprise her in the morning.

To my delight, I met a gorgeous woman looking for a no-strings-attached night. Nora was just what I needed. She invited me back to her room, telling me to give her a ten-minute head start. But when I went to pay her bar tab, I realized how much she’d had to drink. As much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn’t. So I stood Nora up.

I knew she’d be pissed, but I also knew I’d never see her again.

Except never came a little early. Namely, the next morning when I went to meet my grandmother and her evil-spinster friend. Because old Eleanor turned out to be young Nora from last night. And if I thought the woman disliked me before, that was nothing compared to how ticked-off she was now. Or how unhappy she was going to be that their party of two was about to become a party of three.

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Review ~ A Place Without You by Jewel E Ann

A Place Without You by Jewel E. Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was amazing! I was hooked from the very first moment I opened the book until that final page! I loved everything about it, the characters the world and the situations that the characters found themselves in. Henna + Bodhi were both beautiful characters – Henna was such a free-spirited young lady and Bodhi had demons from his past that held him back.

Each hurdle and interaction between Henna + Bodhi brought them closer together. Things weren’t smooth sailing for them, but there was no denying that these two were destined to be together. Their worlds were more entwined than they realised, and they needed to find a way to co-exist without crossing lines. It wasn’t easy but they were determined.

I really can’t express the love I have for this read. I have read a few Jewel E Ann reads now, but this is definitely my favourite. My heart broke at times, but other times I could just feel the love bleeding through the pages. It was a beautiful read that I thought about well after the final page.

Title: A Place Without You

Author: Jewel E. Ann

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: December 31, 2018

The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.

Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.

Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.

When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.

They are reckless.br /> They are forbidden.

When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.

Henna chooses her dreams.

Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?

A Place Without You is an emotional story of young love, shattered dreams, and impossible decisions.

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Review ~ The Drummer's Heart by Penelope Ward

The Drummer's Heart by Penelope Ward
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I have read several books that Penelope Ward has released, and this is the first one in the Delirious Jones series that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked how the broody drummer was hung up on a girl from his past and they were soon drawn back together due to Nicole’s grandmother being ill and Nicole not wanting to break her grandmother’s heart by telling her that she had split from Atticus.

I enjoyed how we were able to get glimpses of Nicole and Atticus in the past and how they got along now. I know there was deep feelings between them, and it was a shame they couldn’t find common ground. I did find some decisions by Nicole were a bit far-fetched, especially a person she turned to and the secrecy. Also, three years was a long time, and I would’ve hoped Atticus found some normalcy. But there was no denying that these two were soul mates. Honestly, it was a good read, and I would read more about this rock group in the future.

Title: The Drummer's Heart

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 23, 2025

Don’t say her name.
That was the one rule my bandmates followed, because they knew how much it messed me up to think about her, especially on tour.
My ex, Nicole.
The one who got away and the woman who still owned every piece of my heart.
After our divorce, I threw myself into the rock scene, trying to forget my heartbreak.
Three years after we split, a phone call from Nicole changed everything.
She told me her grandmother wasn’t doing well.
Mimi was still family to me, and she apparently had one wish before dying: to spend time with us—Nicole and me.
With Mimi’s caretaker away on vacation, it would be the ideal time for us to move in with her for a couple of weeks.
Of course, I couldn’t refuse.
But there was a catch.
Nicole apparently never told her that we’d gotten a divorce.
She hadn’t believed Mimi could handle it, because her grandmother loved me so much.
So, not only would I have to see Nicole again, but I’d be pretending to still be her husband.
Two weeks in a tiny house in a small town with the woman who broke my heart. Or was it me who broke hers?
It was complicated.
And it was about to be a heck of a lot more complicated sharing one bed in the guest room with a woman who wasn’t mine anymore.

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Audiobook Review ~ Dirty Exes by Rachel Van Dyken

Dirty Exes by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I read a book by Rachel Van Dyken, so I decided to listen to Dirty Exes. The premise made it sound like one hell of a rollercoaster ride, and it certainly was! I laughed a lot through this one as Blaire managed to get herself into amusing situations and constantly needed help getting out of. I liked both Jessie and Colin and had no idea how this one was going to turn out, but I was happy at the end of the read.

The narration was done by Kristin Watson Heintz, Joe Arden and Teddy Hamilton, portraying all three characters and I believe they brought the right amount of fun and entertainment to the amusing characters that Rachel Van Dyken created.

Title: Dirty Exes

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Series: Liars, Inc. #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: June 5, 2018

They’re serving up some red-hot revenge. A sizzling series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel van Dyken.

Blaire has never quite gotten over Jessie Beckett, the ex–NFL star whose kisses were hot enough to ignite the entire Eastern Seaboard. When he chose work over her, Blaire was left brokenhearted. Why else would she have married a skeezy two-timer, just to divorce him less than a year later?

Now Blaire is getting even by becoming one half of Dirty Exes, a PI firm fully committed to humiliating cheating jerks. If only the new jerk she’s been hired to uncover wasn’t Jessie Beckett himself.

Exposing Jessie isn’t going to be easy, especially when she still daydreams about his sexy smile. Further complicating matters is Colin, Jessie’s best friend. He’s gorgeous, a little bit cunning, and willing to help Blaire get the inside scoop on Jessie—for a price.

Now caught between two men—one totally right and the other totally wrong—Blaire will need to decide just how much she’s willing to risk…and whom she’s willing to risk it for.

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Review ~ Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by Penelope Bloom

Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by Penelope Bloom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve read a few books by Penelope Bloom before and when I came across Hate Notes, I was excited to see how it would unfold. I enjoyed getting to know both Ember and Orion, they were both driven characters and I could see they were perfect for one another.

Orion was quite a particular character, liking his routines at home and at work. He was feared by his employees, but there was something about Ember that managed to bring out his softer side, and some of his rules slipped. Ember was a feisty character and had her own plans but didn’t mean to fall for Orion. She had to decide on following her heart or her plan.

This read wasn’t a favourite of mine, I felt a lot of elements were in the book but didn’t really combine well together. Some things that the characters did were odd and I was left wondering what the hell happened. It had amusing moments but wasn’t quite the comedy that I hoped.

Title: Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy

Author: Penelope Bloom

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: January 6, 2025

When my cheating ex destroyed my life, I did what any reasonable woman would do—I dove head-first into a petty revenge scheme. After all, I've always been more of a 'go down swinging' kind of girl.

My brilliant plan? Deliver hate notes to my ex's biggest business rival until he’s so fed up he hires me just to make it stop.

Too bad nobody warned me that my newest boss would be six-foot-three of grumpy, dimpled perfection—or that beneath his icy exterior beats the heart of a man who sends me scandalously demanding emails by night and gives glimpses of surprising tenderness behind his scorching glares.

Now I'm falling for the man I'm supposed to be sabotaging, stealing kisses between meetings and pretending I don't live for those moments when his perfect control slips. My ancient, possibly immortal cat judges me daily for this mess, but then again, he also judges me for showering.

I never meant to find purpose in this job or trust again after having my heart shattered. But somehow the grumpiest boss in the city has me believing in second chances—even if mine might expire the moment he discovers why I really took a job working under him.

Let’s just how this doesn’t blow up in my face as badly as the time I tried to potty train my cat.

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Audiobook Review ~ Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read (listened to) by Catherine Bybee and I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed it. Jessie was open that she was looking for a “rich man”, but Jack was determined to win her over. Jessie did have drive and was looking to set herself up as best as possible for herself and her son. Jack liked meeting a girl that wasn’t thinking about the money that he had. I enjoyed seeing the growth between these two and how well they gelled together.

The narration by Amy McFadden was done well and I liked they way she drew me into this world. I am certain this won’t be my last Catherine Bybee read.

Title: Not Quite Dating

Author: Catherine Bybee

Series: Not Quite #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: November 13, 2012

From New York Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the first novel in the delicious Not Quite series.

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…

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Audiobook Review ~ Crossroads by Devney Perry

Crossroads by Devney Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the second book in the series before Crosswords, so I had to go back to see how it all began. I enjoyed how West and Indya had history over the years; however they hadn’t parted on the best of terms when they last saw each other. Indya returned to Montana to rebuild one of her favourite places that she visited as a child, but it was kind of heartbreaking for West to lose everything and remain working on the farm that was his home. These two may pretend to hate one another, but it was only going to be a matter of time until they worked through those unresolved feelings and faced the problems from the past.

Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais did a fabulous job of bringing West and Indya to life. They portrayed the characters perfectly and I found it hard to pull away from the story. Devney Perry is a master of putting together strong characters and building a world I can’t get enough of.

Title: Crossroads

Author: Devney Perry

Series: Haven River Ranch #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: June 4, 2024

A sweeping small-town romance about love, loss, and a Montana legacy from USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry.

I met West Haven when I was eight years old. He taught me to play poker when I was nine, and we made paper airplanes together when I was eleven. He kissed me when I was sixteen. He was the best part about my family’s summer vacations to Montana. He was the boy who stole my heart. I was twenty-three when life ripped us apart.

Years later, I’m breaking my vow and returning to the ranch, not as a guest but its new owner. West might want me gone, but even he has to admit the only way to save his family’s legacy is with my help.

It’s not easy working side by side and facing those old memories. But this situation is only temporary. We’re at a crossroads. And as long as I don’t let myself fall in love with West Haven again, maybe this is our chance to put those ghosts to rest. Maybe this time we’ll finally be able to say goodbye.

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