Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
(Received as an ARC for my honest review)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
I knew this book was more than likely going to get 5⭐️ from me. I love anything and everything Bella Matthews writes. What I didn't know was the fact that this book would bring me to honest to God tears with the secret Brynlee was keeping, and the way Deacon stepped up to be the man she needed no matter what. Swooning over the fictional man that I wish was beside me everyday in my life. More below ⤵️
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Coach
🩷 Physical Therapist
🏒 Fake Marriage
🩷 Age-Gap (4-5yrs)
🏒 Single Dad
🩷 Found Family
🏒 "My Wife"
🩷 Secret Relationship
🏒 Possessive
Brynlee St. James grew up vacationing at Deacon Kane's families Inn. She had a crush on him when she was a young teenager (13), but Deacon was older and didn't see her that way. When Brynlee was an older teen (17-18), Deacon noticed her but was told to stay away from her father.
10 Years later, they run into each other at a local bar at the beach near Deacon's parents Inn. He tells Brynlee that he is going to be the new hockey coach of Revolution. The team that Brynlee works for as the physical therapist.
These two have chemistry and a connection like no other characters I've seen from this authors writing. The kind that you long for in a man, but you just don't think it's real. I thought Ares was my favorite man out of all the books she's wrote, but Deacon blew him out of the water. Deacon far passed Ares in the race of "man I'd like to have in real life," and that's saying a lot because I would still swoop in and take Ares if offered up 🫴 😈😂
Deacon is now a divorced single dad to a 9-year-old girl named Kennedy. He took this one in a lifetime job to be closer to his daughter finally. The ink isn't even settled on the papers yet when his ex-wife drops a bombshell on him.
Brynlee is going through a lot on her life, but ignoring a priority by thinking, "If I don't talk about it, that means it's not real." You don't even realize it till halfway through this spicy yumminess that something is going on with Brynlee more than she's just not taking to her mom and cousin Maddox because she's mad. There is really something going on with her and when she told Deacon what it was... let's just say that I was shocked. I didn't expect that at all.
You then realize she is hiding a lot from the people she loves, that's including Deacon. Even though they got married and it wasn't a real, " I married you because I love you" kind of thing. Their relationship was real, just new but developing fast.
This book had some very spicy scenes in it, and I gobbled them up. The one scene on the balcony porch, the first night Kennedy stayed over...omg, yes please 🙏🔥🥵 Deacon tries to be a gentle lover, but with that mouth and hulking figure, wow. The spice in the book was a chef's kiss 🤌 Deacon far surpasses any book boyfriend I've ever read about. Then you have Brynlee having a new kink every time Deacon says, "My wife." I was there for it. I'm pretty sure I may have that kink now 😏😋🤯🤤
I've never actually cried while reading a book before. I've come close to some emotional/feels books, but never actually cried. I cried in this one. When it's just Deacon and Brynlee under the stars at the his house after she shared the secret with all her friends and cousins. When they are talking about life and Deacon breaks down and tells her everything he wants and begs her to promise him. Omg, cue the water works 😭 This man whose 6ft 6in, built like a Tonka truck and growls his dirty words to his wife. Whose strong enough to coach a professional hockey when he's younger than some of the players. This man who stood up for, was present for and supported his wife in front of her brother, Killian, her father, Cade, her uncle Beckett and her other uncle Sam (if you know, you know who I'm talking about). To read him cry and hear his words in my heart...it tore me down and made me bawl. And was it just me or was a Brynlee's mom, Scarlett a you know what in this book towards Deacon? I didn't like how she treated him throughout this book till towards the end. Like she was better than him. Even that way towards Brynlee at times. Just that vibe off her that I got. Prudish maybe? Idk 🤷♀️
Brynlee and Deacon's book is my favorite of this series, if not my favorite Bella Matthews has ever wrote. I swear her books are like fine bourbon. They just get better over time and that's saying a lot because I've never read a bad book from her.
This is a must-read book. The secrets in this book Brynlee is hiding is a secret relationship with her teams new coach, a secret marriage, secret on why she's condo swapping with Madman Maddox (how does Maddox really know everything 🤔) and other secrets that will leave you shocked, surprised and love Brynlee even more as this strong, independent woman who has the weight of the world on her shoulders, but realizes that she has someone to care for her now and her found family (real family or not) can be there for her now to. She doesn't have to go through things alone.
Upcoming Book News:
Now in ready for Kenzie's book. I listened to Bella Matthews live with Valentine's PR and she was talking about Kenzie's story coming up and how there's still going to be hockey in it... maybe a player 🤔 We were introduced to Rip, Deacon's best friend who plays hockey. So maybe.... or is it going to be someone at already know from this series. Maybe someone new we haven't⁰. met, yet 🤷♀️
I just know that we haven't read much about Kenzie in this series after The Keeper, because she's been doing her residency away. We just get bits and pieces of her throughout these past few books in text chains and face times. I need her book! Plus, I'm ready for these guys that live in the condo to be taken down a few pegs by a woman. I'm wondering if Kenzie's book will be a standalone and then the his will get a series like the girls did this one. Or will Kenzie's story be part of the guys book series (if there's one). I'm needing to know over here like yesterday. I'm so glad I'm on her ARC team and I thank her so much for showing me to be part of it.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
I knew this book was more than likely going to get 5⭐️ from me. I love anything and everything Bella Matthews writes. What I didn't know was the fact that this book would bring me to honest to God tears with the secret Brynlee was keeping, and the way Deacon stepped up to be the man she needed no matter what. Swooning over the fictional man that I wish was beside me everyday in my life. More below ⤵️
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Coach
🩷 Physical Therapist
🏒 Fake Marriage
🩷 Age-Gap (4-5yrs)
🏒 Single Dad
🩷 Found Family
🏒 "My Wife"
🩷 Secret Relationship
🏒 Possessive
Brynlee St. James grew up vacationing at Deacon Kane's families Inn. She had a crush on him when she was a young teenager (13), but Deacon was older and didn't see her that way. When Brynlee was an older teen (17-18), Deacon noticed her but was told to stay away from her father.
10 Years later, they run into each other at a local bar at the beach near Deacon's parents Inn. He tells Brynlee that he is going to be the new hockey coach of Revolution. The team that Brynlee works for as the physical therapist.
These two have chemistry and a connection like no other characters I've seen from this authors writing. The kind that you long for in a man, but you just don't think it's real. I thought Ares was my favorite man out of all the books she's wrote, but Deacon blew him out of the water. Deacon far passed Ares in the race of "man I'd like to have in real life," and that's saying a lot because I would still swoop in and take Ares if offered up 🫴 😈😂
Deacon is now a divorced single dad to a 9-year-old girl named Kennedy. He took this one in a lifetime job to be closer to his daughter finally. The ink isn't even settled on the papers yet when his ex-wife drops a bombshell on him.
Brynlee is going through a lot on her life, but ignoring a priority by thinking, "If I don't talk about it, that means it's not real." You don't even realize it till halfway through this spicy yumminess that something is going on with Brynlee more than she's just not taking to her mom and cousin Maddox because she's mad. There is really something going on with her and when she told Deacon what it was... let's just say that I was shocked. I didn't expect that at all.
You then realize she is hiding a lot from the people she loves, that's including Deacon. Even though they got married and it wasn't a real, " I married you because I love you" kind of thing. Their relationship was real, just new but developing fast.
This book had some very spicy scenes in it, and I gobbled them up. The one scene on the balcony porch, the first night Kennedy stayed over...omg, yes please 🙏🔥🥵 Deacon tries to be a gentle lover, but with that mouth and hulking figure, wow. The spice in the book was a chef's kiss 🤌 Deacon far surpasses any book boyfriend I've ever read about. Then you have Brynlee having a new kink every time Deacon says, "My wife." I was there for it. I'm pretty sure I may have that kink now 😏😋🤯🤤
I've never actually cried while reading a book before. I've come close to some emotional/feels books, but never actually cried. I cried in this one. When it's just Deacon and Brynlee under the stars at the his house after she shared the secret with all her friends and cousins. When they are talking about life and Deacon breaks down and tells her everything he wants and begs her to promise him. Omg, cue the water works 😭 This man whose 6ft 6in, built like a Tonka truck and growls his dirty words to his wife. Whose strong enough to coach a professional hockey when he's younger than some of the players. This man who stood up for, was present for and supported his wife in front of her brother, Killian, her father, Cade, her uncle Beckett and her other uncle Sam (if you know, you know who I'm talking about). To read him cry and hear his words in my heart...it tore me down and made me bawl. And was it just me or was a Brynlee's mom, Scarlett a you know what in this book towards Deacon? I didn't like how she treated him throughout this book till towards the end. Like she was better than him. Even that way towards Brynlee at times. Just that vibe off her that I got. Prudish maybe? Idk 🤷♀️
Brynlee and Deacon's book is my favorite of this series, if not my favorite Bella Matthews has ever wrote. I swear her books are like fine bourbon. They just get better over time and that's saying a lot because I've never read a bad book from her.
This is a must-read book. The secrets in this book Brynlee is hiding is a secret relationship with her teams new coach, a secret marriage, secret on why she's condo swapping with Madman Maddox (how does Maddox really know everything 🤔) and other secrets that will leave you shocked, surprised and love Brynlee even more as this strong, independent woman who has the weight of the world on her shoulders, but realizes that she has someone to care for her now and her found family (real family or not) can be there for her now to. She doesn't have to go through things alone.
Upcoming Book News:
Now in ready for Kenzie's book. I listened to Bella Matthews live with Valentine's PR and she was talking about Kenzie's story coming up and how there's still going to be hockey in it... maybe a player 🤔 We were introduced to Rip, Deacon's best friend who plays hockey. So maybe.... or is it going to be someone at already know from this series. Maybe someone new we haven't⁰. met, yet 🤷♀️
I just know that we haven't read much about Kenzie in this series after The Keeper, because she's been doing her residency away. We just get bits and pieces of her throughout these past few books in text chains and face times. I need her book! Plus, I'm ready for these guys that live in the condo to be taken down a few pegs by a woman. I'm wondering if Kenzie's book will be a standalone and then the his will get a series like the girls did this one. Or will Kenzie's story be part of the guys book series (if there's one). I'm needing to know over here like yesterday. I'm so glad I'm on her ARC team and I thank her so much for showing me to be part of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
This author is an auto buy for me. I have devoured everything she has written and the stories keep getting better. I could not put this book down, and needed to know what happened next.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ARC REVIEW
The Sweet Spot
By Bella Matthews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
The Sweet Spot
By Bella Matthews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
‘She feels right in my arms. Like she’s meant to be there.’
“Let me be your strength, Brynn. I’ll give you mine when you don’t have any left.”
🌊 First person dual POV
🌊 Fourth in a series; Next Generation series related to Restless Kings, Kings of Kroydon Hills, and Defiant Kings series
🌊 Second chance / childhood crushes
🌊 Single dad
🌊 NHL coach / Team Physical Therapist
🌊 FMC deals with family conflict
🌊 She’s got a secret…
🌊 Marriage of convenience…but is that all it is? 😏
🌊 Protective & possessive MMC
🌊 Found family
🌊 Nickname 😍
🌊 Steamy
🌊 Well established secondary characters; Evie & Cross (Book 2), Sam & Amelia (RK 1), Maddox, Nix, Caitlin, Scarlet & Cade (RK 2), Jace & India (DK 1), Lindy & Easton (Book 1), Ares & Grace (Book 3), Kenzie (DK 4/ the next series!!).
🌊 MC growth: communication, trust, being each others’ support.
🌊 Find out how the epilogue from Cade & Scarlet’s book came to be!
🌊 2 Epilogue.
Available in paperback & ebook.
⚠️ Medical content (moderate), parental abandonment (past), death of a parent (minor), pregnancy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brynlee grew up in a big family and always was surrounded by supportive people. She has the perfect job, the perfect apartment, the best group of friends/family, and nothing could change that. Until one small detail leaves her with packing boxes and giving her notice. Just before her life seems to fall apart, she runs back into the one boy she always had a crush on growing up….. only he is not a boy any more!! He is all man and ready to help her relax for the night. When things get hot and heavy with them, part of each of their individual lives come knocking and present a slight problem in their happily ever after. Can these two come together to make their love story more than just a novella? Or will they be destined to not see what the next chapter holds?
-Kayla/Hot.Bookmance
This story was pretty good! I liked the reconnection between Brynlee & Deacon. Having little crushes as kids/teens and then having the opportunity to explore that attraction as adults - that was so cute.
I really thought that Deacon was a fantastic addition to this ever growing family. The way he stood up for his family, his new *wife*, and I really feel like his personality will mesh with the group moving forward
Brynlee has always been a fave character of mine. I love how she became her own woman in this story. She stood up to her Mom, she took a chance on Deacon, and she faced her biggest fear.
Kennedy is going to be a fierce addition to this family. She needs the whole clan to support & love her. I'm super curious to see how this plays
I really thought that Deacon was a fantastic addition to this ever growing family. The way he stood up for his family, his new *wife*, and I really feel like his personality will mesh with the group moving forward
Brynlee has always been a fave character of mine. I love how she became her own woman in this story. She stood up to her Mom, she took a chance on Deacon, and she faced her biggest fear.
Kennedy is going to be a fierce addition to this family. She needs the whole clan to support & love her. I'm super curious to see how this plays
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Deacon "Coach" Kane and Brynlee St. James. Brynlee is Cade and Scarlet's (Kingston) daughter (Broken King).
I just loved this entire series! The found family & girl group is just the best - and I wish I had a huge/crazy/meddlesome family/friend group
I was nervous getting introduced to a new MMC after spending 3 books with all these characters. But Deacon was absolutely everything. A hot, single dad who is the new pro hockey coach, who falls hard and has a dirty possessive mouth!!
This book was emotional but ends with a HEA. NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP! There are some secrets but I didn’t think it was any miscommunication- just Brynlee trying to process and deal with a potential life changing situation.
This is book 4 in the - Playing to Win series. You don’t have to read this is order - but I would just because you learn more about the other characters.
Even though this is the last book of Playing to Win - it’s not the end of Kroydon Hills. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I am lowkey waiting for Maddox’s book.
I was nervous getting introduced to a new MMC after spending 3 books with all these characters. But Deacon was absolutely everything. A hot, single dad who is the new pro hockey coach, who falls hard and has a dirty possessive mouth!!
This book was emotional but ends with a HEA. NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP! There are some secrets but I didn’t think it was any miscommunication- just Brynlee trying to process and deal with a potential life changing situation.
This is book 4 in the - Playing to Win series. You don’t have to read this is order - but I would just because you learn more about the other characters.
Even though this is the last book of Playing to Win - it’s not the end of Kroydon Hills. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I am lowkey waiting for Maddox’s book.