Naomi's Reading Palace: April 2026

Audiobook Review ~ Biggest Player by Sara Ney

Biggest Player by Sara Ney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was amusing right from the beginning, and I found it hilarious the way that Margot dismissed Dex right away. Even when her daughter Wyatt stepped in to help Dex and wove such an unbelievable story, I knew these two would be a hysterical couple to get to know! Although neither were looking for anything truly serious, I could see them both falling, and Dex having to win Margot over.

These two were so cute together! Margot was quite hesitant as Dex was younger, but I could see that he truly wanted Margot. This was quite the sweet read with a good amount of spice blended throughout the pages. Felicity Cross and Alexander Cendese did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life and conveying Sara Ney’s story.

Title: Biggest Player

Author: Sara Ney

Series: Not Yours #2

Genre: Romance

Published: July 29, 2025

Bestselling author Sara Ney scores with a fiery romance about online dating, where a single mom and a football pro ignite sparks when they swipe right—even though they know it’s all wrong.

Margot’s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, she’s convinced he’s a walking red flag—or worse—a catfish.

Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, he’s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends someone to come home to…and if they’re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, he’s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly he’s hooked.

Margot’s convinced he’s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking “what if.” After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?

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Audiobook Review ~ Buck Wild by Lauren Landish

Buck Wild by Lauren Landish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Buck Wild and getting to know James and Sophie! Their first interaction was a bit rocky, but I loved how the Bennett boys were ruled by their mother, and she put James back in line! It was amusing to see him grovel and to win over Sophie and his mother! From there the sparks grew and I was along for a fun journey, and I knew these two would be perfect!

Lauren Landish created a fabulous story, and I was hooked right to the end. The narrators portrayed the characters perfectly and I know I will want more form this world!!

Title: Buck Wild

Author: Lauren Landish

Series: Bennett Boys Ranch #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 25, 2018

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish comes a hard-riding romance of cowboys who run wild—and the women who tame them…

Bull rider James Bennett lives for those eight seconds of exhilaration. A rodeo cowboy in his prime, all he wants out of life is something to straddle. That’s why James is feeling a little restless, spending his summer off working his family’s ranch. That is, until a spirited and gorgeous veterinarian-in-training shows up and puts the cocky wild boy—and his ego—in place. Though she’s a feisty one, James is always up for a challenge.

Sophie Stone has to admit James Bennett is a checklist of cowboy hotness—ruggedly handsome with piercing blue eyes, a hard-muscled body, and just enough swagger to make her toes curl. She thought she was done with her bad-boy phase, but exceptions must be made.

How can Sophie possibly say no to a man who makes her heart buck like a bronco? And when their summer fling comes to an end, how can she possibly say goodbye?

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Review ~ The Day He Came Back by Penelope Ward

The Day He Came Back by Penelope Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was quite the sweet second chance romance, that neither character expected. I liked how Ravin and Gavin had a connection in their younger days, where Gavin would go out of his way to spend time with Ravin. I could see the sparks between them but knew that if Gavin’s mother found out it would all fall apart.

Ten years later, Gavin was back as his father was unwell, and to his surprise Ravin is his carer. I enjoyed seeing them together once again and seeing that the spark was still there. A lot had happened in the time that Gavin was away, and it was nice to see him try to get to know Ravin once again. Gavin was still harbouring a few secrets, and I was sad for Ravin when she learned more about them.

This was a good read, and I liked seeing some serious elements through this read that happens in everyday life. I enjoyed Gavin and Ravin back together again and seeing their journey, as difficult as it was at times.

Title: The Day He Came Back

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 17, 2019

It was the summer of my life.
I’d met the guy of my dreams.
Unfortunately, he was the son of my uppity employer—and very much off-limits.
But Gavin was a rebel. He knew his mother would disown him if she found out about us; in his eyes, we just had to be careful.
He never treated me as his mother did—like hired help.
Instead, Gavin put me on a pedestal and loved me harder than I’d ever been loved in my life.

What a summer it was.
Until it all ended—badly.

I was never supposed to see Gavin again.
That didn’t stop me from thinking about him every day for ten years.
I knew little about his life now, just that he was an entrepreneur living an ocean away.

When a twist of fate had me working again in the very place our love affair started a decade earlier, I knew it was only a matter of time before I might see him again.
But I wasn’t prepared.
What if he hated me?
What if he loved someone else now?
I wasn’t prepared for all the unknowns.

And most of all, I wasn’t prepared for today to be the day he came back.

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Review ~ Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann

Dream On: A Slow Burn Second Chance Romance by Jennifer Hartmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dream On was a heartbreaking, but beautiful read. My heart ached for the young Lexington; moving to a new town away from the spotlight, trying to fight his demons and finding a connection with a girl from the small town. Stevie could see past the confident Lex, to the fragile boy beneath who just wanted to be normal. They built a strong connection together, but circumstances tore them apart.

In the current day, Lex is a famous star who just finished a series that portrayed Stevie and Lex’s life. It was heartbreaking for Stevie as she fell for the boy that he was and couldn’t believe that he brought their story to life. After Lex’s manager interferes, Lex presents Stevie with a proposition which Stevie cannot pass up. Watching these two together again was so good. Stevie could see that he was still not healed and Lex came to realise the impact that he left on her. These two had some serious issues to work through together.

I thoroughly loved this read and my heart broke for all the characters. All Lex wanted was love and Stevie was just the right person for him. I was mad at Lex’s parents and could not believe how blasé and selfish they were. Jennifer Hartmann pieced this story together perfectly and I was consumed until the final page.

Title: Dream On

Author: Jennifer Hartmann

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 12, 2025

He was her first love—and her first heartbreak. Now he's back, and the world is watching.

From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Hartmann comes an all-new standalone new adult crossover romance filled with heartache and dreams.

Lexington Hall and I were never supposed to collide—he, the golden boy of Hollywood, and me, a small-town dreamer with stars in my eyes. But when we shared the stage in our high school musical, something ignited.

Then, just as quickly, it all fell apart, leaving my dreams in pieces.

Now, four years later, Lex is a household name, turning our past into a television sensation. He's spun our story for the world to see, while I'm still haunted by what we lost.

With millions obsessed over the "real" Stevie St. James, Lex reappears with an offer too tempting to turn a fake romance to keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom I desperately need.

I convince myself I can play the part. But as old feelings resurface and new risks emerge, the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.

Dreams are easy to chase—but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.

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Audiobook Review ~ The Hero by Susan Stoker

The Hero by Susan Stoker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read the first two books in this series previously and each one has been quite the adventure. Bob and Marlowe’s book was full of action from beginning to end as Marlowe is busted from a Thailand prison and the spend quite a potion of the book fleeing across the country. They need to get past some obstacles on the way but these two were drawn to one another quite quickly and I knew that they would protect each other fiercely. Even when they return to the states, the passion remains along with the underlying danger that came with the whole ordeal.

Once again, I was caught up in the talented storytelling of Susan Stoker. It was good to see the original characters again and how they still support one another. I felt that Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock narrated the story flawlessly and I thoroughly enjoyed being swept away with their voices.

Title: The Hero

Author: Susan Stoker

Series: Game of Chance #3

Genre: Romance

Published: Susan Stoker

In this thrilling romance, an ex-military man is on a mission to rescue a wrongfully imprisoned archaeologist—and to make her rightfully his.

Any soldier who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric “Bob” Evans isn’t ready to give up the fight. He’s been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for.

Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she’s arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicions about the true culprit, but even when she’s rescued from prison, there’s nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard’s only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory.

The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife.

After returning to Maine, as Bob and Marlowe navigate this treacherous terrain with the help of their friends, they face vengeful authorities, a vindictive frame job, and perhaps most important of all—turning their fake marriage into something real.

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Review ~ Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had me smiling right from Brock and February’s first interaction. February certainly was quite the character, escaping a wellness clinic to go to the local bar. What she didn’t expect was the banter between her and the bar manager Brock. The more time these two spent together, the more the chemistry grew and it was only a matter of time before they ignited.

It was only a matter of time before February had to go back to her real life, but the twist… oh my heart! These two had some serious decisions to make and to find a way to get their lives to work, as they were perfect for one another.

Ward and Keeland told this story perfectly and threw in the twist to take the story in a new direction. This story had a good mix of fun, seriousness and chemistry that hooked me to the end. Brock and February’s story wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed how it all came together.

Title: Denim & Diamonds

Author: Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: July 27, 2025

From New York Times bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new standalone romance.

When the board of directors of my company mandated that I go to a wellness facility in small-town Maine to recharge, that shouldn’t have a ladder to sneak out of the bedroom window at night and going to the local bar.Getting so drunk that the bar owner brought me upstairs to sleep it off in his bed.Waking up staring at the taxidermy moose head on said bar owner’s wall.Falling for said bar owner who was the most drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.But Brock Hawkins was so much more than just the hot bar owner. He owned half the town, built log cabins with his bare hands, and was apparently the most eligible man in all of Meadowbrook. He was also a cinnamon roll despite his seemingly rock-hard exterior.
And the last man I should’ve been falling for—because my time in this small town was limited.
I had to head back to my life in New York City, one that was the complete opposite from the kind Brock lived.
He was denim. I was diamonds.
The problem was, the sexy lumberjack wasn’t the type of man who was easy to walk away from. Hell, I couldn’t even part with his plaid shirt that had become a constant fixture wrapped around my shoulders most days, let alone think about erasing him from my life.
A life with Brock, though, would have to be all or nothing.
Go big or go home.
I just didn’t realize that choosing to go big might also mean getting my heart broken when Brock’s life took a turn neither of us saw coming.

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Review ~ Toe the Line by Penelope Ward

Toe the Line by Penelope Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Archie and Noelle’s story was quite the sweet read that developed over a number of years. Their parents had a holiday home that bought them together. Their friendship grew and I could see the connection between them becoming stronger. They became best friends, although I could see they both wanted something more. Archie had some father issues he needed to deal with, and they both had other relationships that kept them apart, but there was no denying these two had amazing chemistry together.

I really enjoyed this read, with the dual perspectives and getting insight from the past as well. Penelope Ward told this story perfectly and I was fully invested in this story to the very end. Archie and Noelle were great together and although life didn’t go as planned for them, their hearts were full.

Title: Toe the Line

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 27, 2023

The Wall Street Journal Bestseller.
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a friends-to-lovers story spanning more than a decade...

At first, I thought I'd hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents' friends.
What I knew about he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn't exist when we were younger.
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father's expectations.
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.
You know the If two people are meant to be, they'll find their way back to each other?
Let's just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would've never expected.
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.

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