sdupont's Reviews (551)

Secret Love

Willow Aster

4.5

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I just love this series! This group of single dad football players is just the best. They are so open supportive and loving. The found family vibes are top tier. I really enjoyed Henley and Tru’s story. We love a little forbidden age gap moment with her being his daughter’s teacher. I felt like the barriers were realistic. I appreciated how upfront and honest Henley was about his feelings while letting Tru set the pace. I think that they did a great job of being what the other needed. My favorite scenes were with all the guys, they are the cutest little family. I am very excited to see where thing go next for this group! The single dad and sports romance girlies will eat this up.

Content Warnings

Lone Wolf in Lights

Stacey Kennedy

3.5

emotional medium-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

I found that this book was missing something. It covers deeper topics a like grief and domestic violence but it lacks deep development of the romantic plotline. I think that both character’s back stories were handled well and realistic. I was left wanting to see more of that deep connection developing between Eli and Willow- it fell flat to me, felt more surface level. I think fans of Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse will enjoy this book.

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

A Legend in the Baking

Jamie Wesley

DID NOT FINISH: 66%

I found the complete lack of communication between the two characters to be so frustrating. 66% of the way in and all they have done is mildly pine for each other without a single conversation to acknowledge feelings. I wanted to enjoy this story more but I found it hard to be invested when not much plot had happened (or character development).

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

Sunlight

Devney Perry

5.0

emotional medium-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: Yes

“Tell me a lie.” “Tell me a secret.” Well let me tell you Devney has done it again, this book is excellent! I could not out the book down. I loved Jax and Sasha. It was beautiful seeing their relationship grow and evolve throughout the book. Jax was just so steady making sure Sasha knew he was there and that she could count on him. His consistent caretaking was swoony. Sasha was unsure of herself but finally found herself a family again. I appreciated that both characters had been through some things but found ways to support the other and what they needed. Even haters of the accidental pregnancy trope will find themselves enthralled in this story with such compelling writing. This book is a must read for fans of her previous work.

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

Strikeout

Millie Perez

5.0

emotional funny 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: Yes

Millie hit it out of the park with this book! The chemistry between Isabella and Mateo was *chef’s kiss* I’m a sucker for good banter especially if that banter is between a single dad and nanny, it just hits different. I loved the mutual pining but I loved the tension finally snapping between them even more. Mateo is both the sweet, thoughtful, and supportive bf but is equally commanding (in a hot way!). I loved seeing Isabella come into her own despite her past. Honorable mention to Anna, she was such a sweet kid. It was great seeing her relationship develop with Isabella and them forming a little family. This book is perfect for fans of Caught Up by Liz Tomforde.

Content Warnings

The Wingman

Stephanie Archer

5.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Stephanie just writes bangers after bangers. This series and this book are just too notch. Her writing is so infectious, I find myself immersed in the story just ready for the next page. This book really has it all- friends to lovers, roommates, lessons, mutual pining, and hockey. I loved Hayden and Darcy (as individuals and together). They both had excellent character development. Hayden finally let her in on his insecurities and struggles and got real vulnerable about his feelings. Darcy found her way back to herself and who she wanted to be after a terrible relationship. Hayden was the epitome of supportive, always putting her first. These two had me all in right from the start with the tension, pining, and clear admiration. Plus in true hockey romance fashion this book delivers on the spice. I recommend this book to fans of The Wrong Mr. Right by Stephanie Archer or Fall With Me by Becka Mack.

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

All Too Well

Corinne Michaels

4.5

emotional medium-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: Yes

Corinne always writes a compelling small town romance and this is no different. I love a good childhood crush that was your brother’s best friend. Throw in that mutual pining and forced proximity of roommates and now you’ve got your pressure cooker brining the heat. I really liked Lachlan and Ainsley. Lachlan has been through it and has walls up to protect his heart. Ainsley is ready for her chance with the man she’s always loved. I enjoyed watching them reconnect and how their relationship progressed. Their barriers were definitely realistic based on the characters’ histories. I loved the scenes with the other frisbee guys they were great comedic moments. I actually wish we got to see more moments with Rose she was such a sweet kid. I recommend this for fans of small town romances.

Content Warnings

Sunshine

Michaela Jean Taylor

DID NOT FINISH: 3%

While I usually enjoy a dual timeline I did not feel like it was going to work for this plot.

Content Warnings

Delayed Penalty

Teagan Hunter

5.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Single guardian x nanny hockey romance? Say less!! Thank you Teagan for giving the people what we wanted and needed with this book. I ate it up. I loved Adam and Quinn. They really just fit together and understood each other. Seeing them and Flora grow into this sweet little family was so heartwarming. Don’t worry it’s not a proper hockey romance without the spice and this one delivers some excellent scenes. Honorable mention to the hilarious group chat with the hockey boys. I actually wish we had a few more scenes with the group. I recommend this for the single dad x nanny girlies and the hockey girlies- this one is the best of both worlds!

Content Warnings

Slap Shot Surprise

Melanie Harlow

5.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Melanie Harlow maintains her status as the reigning queen of small town romances! I was so excited when I heard Melanie was writing a hockey romance and this book absolutely did not disappoint. I loved Joe and Mabel. They just seemed to fit together so easily. They understood each other while also opening the other up to a new world of possibility. The meet cute in this book is truly iconic. Joe had me swooning with how sweet and thoughtful and protective he was. Mabel was so relatable. I didn’t want to put this book down. Honorable mention to the Melanie Harlow Universe- this book has the crossover of the year with couples from so many of her books (and across 3 series). I think that even people who aren’t fans of the accidental pregnancy trope will still love this book, it’s so well done. If you’ve loved Melanie’s previous work you will love this one just as much!

* I received the ARC for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

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