Category / Great Read

Rating of 4 Stars

by mvbookreviewer

Review: A Christmas Mystery by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Fantasy Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Green Valley, #5
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Theo Humphrey
Heroine: Maya Alexander
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: December 13, 2024
Started On: December 16, 2024
Finished On: December 18, 2024

A Christmas Mystery by Noelle Adams is a gentle, heartwarming holiday romance wrapped in the tenderness of loss, healing, and unexpected love.

Maya Alexander returns to her small hometown for Christmas after years on the road, living in her tiny house and chasing a nomadic life that has helped her process the grief of losing her fiancé just three weeks before their wedding. Her plans are simple enough; spend time with family and finally discover the identity of the mystery pen pal who has been writing her for more than a year. Those letters, filled with warmth and understanding, have been a lifeline. What she does not plan on is the constant, grumpy presence of Theo Humphrey, her late fiancé’s best friend, who never seemed to approve of her in the past.

Theo is the kind of hero who quietly steals your heart. Reserved and steady, he has always seen Maya as flighty and too frivolous for his best friend, but his actions tell a different story. Beneath his glowers and dry sarcasm lies a depth of patience and devotion that slowly begins to surface as they are drawn together during the holiday season.

Maya, with her free-spirited and restless nature, is his opposite in almost every way. Yet their banter, the unexpected moments of tenderness, and the ways they challenge each other create a beautiful, slow-burn connection that feels all the more satisfying for the push and pull.

The undercurrent of grief runs through them both, but while Maya’s healing has taken her on the road, Theo has stayed rooted, holding on to quiet truths he is not ready to voice. Their dynamic is layered with the shared weight of the man they both lost, which makes their growing feelings all the more complicated.

Theo is perhaps everything that I loved about this story; steadfast, quietly protective, and endlessly patient. His love for Maya is the kind that waits, no matter how long it takes. I also enjoyed the epilogue, though I did wish the epilogue had been from Theo’s perspective; seeing the world through his eyes would have added an extra emotional punch. The pacing is gentle, almost deliberately so, matching the tone of a story about healing and second chances. While some readers may find the plot quieter than expected, it works for the emotional journey these characters are on.

Recommended for: fans of holiday romances with emotional depth, grumpy hero dynamics, and stories where love waits with patience.

Final Verdict: A tender and quietly romantic Christmas tale that shows how love can bloom even in the shadow of loss.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Greek Tycoon’s Blackmailed Mistress by Lynne Graham

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harlequin
Hero: Aristandros Xenakis
Heroine: Ella
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: January 01, 2009
Started On: September 22, 2024
Finished On: September 26, 2024

The Greek Tycoon’s Blackmailed Mistress by Lynne Graham is a reunion romance built on a volatile mix of betrayal, revenge, and unresolved passion. Ella’s world is upended when the only way she can gain access to her baby niece, the child born from eggs she donated to her late sister, is by agreeing to the demands of Aristandros Xenakis, her ex-fiancé and the child’s guardian. Seven years earlier, their engagement ended in bitterness and heartbreak, and now Aristandros sees her return as an opportunity to settle old scores.

Aristandros is thirty-two, sleek, controlled, and every inch the ruthless tycoon. He is a man who exudes power, and his brand of attraction comes laced with dominance and a need to win at all costs. His memories of Ella are coloured by anger and a sense of betrayal, making his manipulation feel like justified retribution. Yet, beneath that cold, calculating exterior, it is clear that his obsession with her never really died.

Ella as a dedicated medical doctor, is worlds apart from the glamorous socialites Aristandros is used to. Seven years have done little to dull the impact he has on her, but she is determined to hold on to her self-respect, even while making the sacrifices necessary to be near her niece. Their shared past fuels every interaction, the tension between them sparking from the first page and only intensifying as old wounds are reopened.

The dynamic is classic Graham; an alpha hero using leverage to get what he wants, and a heroine forced into close quarters where attraction becomes impossible to ignore. The writing does have moments where it feels a touch stilted, which I have come to observe from some Graham novels. However, the emotional beats do give that punch you are looking for, particularly as cracks appear in Aristandros’s armour and his reasons for holding on to his bitterness come into sharper focus.

What I enjoyed most was the slow shift from hostility to something warmer, as Aristandros begins to see Ella for who she is now, rather than the girl he believed wronged him. The resolution is satisfying, and the epiloguish ending delivers a welcome sense of closure for both the romance and the family at the centre of the conflict.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy intense reunion romances with a powerful, revenge-driven hero, a resilient heroine, and the high emotional stakes of Lynne Graham’s signature style.

Final Verdict: Tense, passionate, and steeped in emotional history, The Greek Tycoon’s Blackmailed Mistress is a good mix of drama and redemption.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | eBooks | HQ | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Mistress And Mother by Lynne Graham

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Single
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harlequin
Hero: Sholto Cristaldi
Heroine: Molly Bannister
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: June 01, 1997
Started On: September 20, 2024
Finished On: September 21, 2024

Mistress and Mother by Lynne Graham delivers a potent mix of passion, misunderstandings, and the kind of combustible push-and-pull dynamic that is a hallmark of her older titles. Molly Bannister’s life takes a sharp turn when, after a whirlwind courtship and a wedding that ends before the night is even over, she walks away from her new husband, Italian tycoon Sholto Cristaldi.

The split makes headlines, but no one knows the truth behind their unconsummated marriage. Four years later, circumstances, namely her brother’s debt, forces Molly back into Sholto’s orbit, this time under his terms: move in with him as his mistress, and he will settle what is owed.

Sholto is ruthless hero personified; confident to the point of arrogance, certain of his own version of events, and entirely too used to getting his way. At thirty-one, he is a man accustomed to control, yet when it comes to Molly, that composure often slips, revealing a possessive, an almost volatile streak. Molly, at twenty-four, is a mix of innocence, stubbornness, and vulnerability. Her upbringing under the strict rules of her puritanical stepfather leaves her ill-equipped for the glamorous, high-pressure world Sholto inhabits, and her inexperience plays a huge role in their earlier estrangement.

The tension between them is driven by their shared past and the unresolved questions that still linger. Sholto believes he has been wronged and wields guilt like a weapon, while Molly struggles with her own insecurities and the hurt from never having felt truly loved or wanted by him. Her pregnancy only raises the stakes, forcing them to confront their history and decide whether they can build something real, or if old wounds will keep them apart.

The first half of the book is fast-paced and addictive, with sharp exchanges, sizzling chemistry, and the thrill of watching two people who cannot seem to stay away from each other despite years of hurt. However, the second half tested my patience, as Sholto continually found ways to make Molly feel guilty without offering the kind of reassurance and emotional safety she needed. His inability or unwillingness to understand her point of view was frustrating, even as his attraction and desire for her were never in doubt.

What I enjoyed most was the way Graham portrayed Sholto’s lack of control around Molly. For all his arrogance, he was clearly besotted, and those moments where his composure cracked were highly satisfying. Still, I would have loved to see Molly push back more, especially given how much of their earlier issues stemmed from a lack of communication and Sholto was as much to blame as she was in the demise of their marriage.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy classic Harlequin Presents drama with a ruthless hero, a heroine who pushes back the second time around, and plenty of emotional fireworks.

Final Verdict: Passionate and dramatic, Mistress and Mother is a fiery reunion romance that keeps you turning the pages, even when the hero makes you want to throttle him.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | HQ | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: A Proper Wife by Sandra Marton

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: From Here to Paternity, #1
Publisher: Harlequin
Hero: Ryan Kincaid
Heroine: Devon Franklin
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: August 01, 1996
Started On: August 17, 2024
Finished On: August 22, 2024

Sandra Marton’s A Proper Wife is a heady mix of passion, pride, and the irresistible pull of two people who, on paper, should never have worked. As the opening novel of the From Here to Paternity series, it sweeps readers into a tale of family meddling, reluctant vows, and a relationship that begins in sparks and keeps burning right through.

Ryan Kincaid, a man Time magazine dubbed “The Lone Raider,” is wealthy, commanding, and absolutely unwilling to be dictated to, especially by his grandfather. Devon Franklin, on the other hand, is fiery, independent, and saddled with a mother whose ambitions extend far beyond her own. Their paths collide in the most unexpected (and explosive) of ways, and what begins as a clash of wills evolves into a marriage neither truly wanted, but both can’t walk away from.

Ryan is very much the quintessential alpha hero: virile, confident, with a streak of arrogance that makes him fascinating. However, there is a vulnerability that he hides beneath that confident façade stemming from his deep-seated issues with abandonment.

Devon, at only twenty-three, is no meek heroine. She has strength, courage, and a sharp tongue, and while she initially appears overwhelmed by the larger-than-life Ryan, she proves more than capable of holding her ground. Together, their chemistry is combustible, with every encounter threatening to set off fireworks.

The heart of the novel lies in the conflict that stems from their forced marriage, a union orchestrated by Ryan’s grandfather and Devon’s mother, each with very different motivations. Both Ryan and Devon enter this marriage unwillingly, determined not to bend to the will of meddling family members.

Yet the irony lies in how deeply they affect each other, even as they try to maintain distance. The push and pull between them and their reluctance to admit what they truly feel fuels the narrative, making their separation and misunderstandings as compelling as their moments of intimacy.

What I particularly enjoyed was the earthy, raw quality of Ryan as a hero. Sandra Marton has always excelled at creating men who are magnetic and unapologetically masculine, and Ryan is no exception. His refusal to fall into the cliché of a lovesick husband was as fascinating as it was believable.

Devon’s strength was equally appealing; she is no doormat, and her fire balances Ryan’s dominance beautifully. That said, I did miss some of the banter I had hoped for as the couple spend a surprising amount of their marriage leading separate lives, and while their union is fiery, more moments of verbal sparring would have elevated the connection even further.

Still, Marton knows how to deliver intensity. The sensuality here is high, with scenes that simmer with desire and crackle with tension. And woven throughout is the poignant reality that both characters, scarred by imperfect childhoods, don’t quite know how to accept love when it is on the table.

Recommended for: Readers who love classic Harlequin Presents-style romances filled with fiery chemistry, reluctant vulnerability, and a marriage-of-convenience trope that turns deliciously real.

Final Verdict: A Proper Wife delivers passion, sizzling tension, and a hero and heroine who do not want to be married, as they fight against the very love that could heal them both.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | eBooks | HQ | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Unworthy by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Unperfect, #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Heath Markham
Heroine: Yazmin Hardcastle
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 05, 2022
Started On: August 10, 2024
Finished On: August 17, 2024

Unworthy by Susie Tate is an emotional and heartfelt brother’s best friend romance, full of slow-burn tension, complicated family ties, and years of unrequited love finally reaching its breaking point. Yazmin Hardcastle has loved Heath Markham for as long as she can remember.

Once her childhood hero who defended her quirks, he is now the man who seems to find fault with everything she does, her passions, her choices, and even the way she lives her life. For Yaz, the sting is sharper because she still feels that same pull toward him. For Heath, his rigid walls of control and stability have always been easier to cling to than the chaos that Yaz represents.

Yaz is a heroine who refuses to be boxed in. Seen by her family as unreliable and flighty, she pours her soul into the sea, her well-being centre, and her windsurfing. She is unconventional and vibrant, but also vulnerable, carrying years of being dismissed by those who should have believed in her. Heath, meanwhile, is the classic gruff doctor hero; disciplined, brilliant, and scarred by a difficult childhood. With his carefully ordered life, Yaz’s unpredictability is both irresistible and terrifying to him.

Their relationship is one that simmers with attraction and unresolved history. Yaz’s teenage crush and Heath’s long-suppressed desire collide in heated confrontations and stolen moments, with misunderstandings and pride pulling them apart as often as they draw closer. When Heath finally lets himself face the truth, it is almost too lat; Yaz has learned to stop waiting for him. Watching him fight for her, while Yaz steps into her own power, is what makde this romance work.

That said, I found myself wishing for more angst. The setup of unrequited love, brother’s best friend, an age gap, family conflict is one ripe for explosive tension, but at times the execution felt softer than expected. There were plenty of emotional beats, but not always the gut-punch intensity that would have made their journey truly unforgettable. Still, the growth arcs and the eventual conclusion kept me invested until the end.

What I loved most was Yaz’s transformation. She goes from being dismissed as the family’s black sheep to proving her worth on her own terms. Heath’s redemption, his groveling, and his struggle with abandonment issues also hit the right notes, even if I sometimes wanted him pushed harder. They are messy and imperfect, but in the end, just the perfect fit together.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy brother’s best friend and age-gap romances with strong heroines, family drama, and heroes who take their time figuring out what really matters.

Final Verdict: Sweet, emotional, and satisfying, though not as angsty as I expected—Unworthy is still a rewarding slow-burn romance.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Beyond Repair by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Broken Heart, #3
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Hero: Sam
Heroine: Katie
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: October 11, 2015
Started On: August 03, 2024
Finished On: August 06, 2024

Beyond Repair by Susie Tate is an emotional, gritty, yet heartwarming romance that brings together two complete opposites in a story that is as intense as it is endearing. Katie is the bubbly, scattered, endlessly kind-hearted doctor whose warmth draws everyone in. She is the sort of heroine who lights up every room, who always has time for her patients and friends, even if she is running late, clumsy, or rambling her way into awkwardness. On the surface, she is sunshine personified, but underneath, Katie is dealing with shadows from her past, including a stalker who refuses to let her go.

Sam, by contrast, is the surly, brooding ex-Special Forces operative, scarred inside and out, whose intimidating presence and clipped words have convinced Katie for years that he cannot stand her. He is a man who has lived in silence and control for so long that numbness feels like safety. For six years he has kept his distance from Katie, hiding behind a mask of indifference, but when he learns about the stalker who has been tormenting her with notes and threats, everything changes. Protecting her becomes non-negotiable, and suddenly Sam, who has spent years avoiding her, is forced into her life in the most intense way possible.

What unfolds is a romance as much about healing as it is about attraction. Katie’s chatter, warmth, and relentless optimism drives Sam mad, but they also chip away at the walls he has built around his heart. Their push-and-pull dynamic; her sunshine against his storm, creates sparks that leaps off the pages. Yet, Sam’s past, riddled with trauma and secrets he is unwilling to share keeps him lashing out, withdrawing, and nearly destroying the fragile bond they build. Watching Katie try to stand firm, even as his moods swing hot and cold, was both frustrating and deeply moving.

This book has a darker edge than Susie Tate’s earlier stories, thanks to the stalker subplot and the raw way it handles Sam’s PTSD. At times Sam’s behavior, particularly the cruel things he says when he is afraid, made me want to shake him. His inability to believe he deserved love dragged out their journey, but when he finally gave in, the redemption was powerful. What balanced all that angst was Katie herself, who is one of the most lovable heroines I have read: scattered, affectionate, sometimes naive, but unfailingly brave. The humor sprinkled throughout due to a wonderful secondary cast helped soften the darker parts.

I especially loved how the stalker story line forced Sam to face feelings he’d denied for years. It was not just about protecting Katie’s safety, it was about protecting her light, and in doing so, he had to confront the darkness in himself. The epilogue, with its glimpse of their chaotic, love-filled future, was a gorgeous conclusion after all the pain, making their journey feel truly earned.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy opposites-attract romances, scarred ex-military heroes, and heroines who are sunshine and love.

Final Verdict: Darker and more intense than Susie Tate’s earlier works, Beyond Repair delivers a heartfelt, angsty romance with a beautifully delivered ending.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Sticks and Stones by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Broken Heart, #2
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Hero: Dylan Griffiths
Heroine: Lou
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 24, 2014
Started On: August 01, 2024
Finished On: August 03, 2024

Sticks and Stones by Susie Tate is a friends-to-lovers medical romance that packs in angst, humor, and a whole lot of emotional intensity. The story follows Lou, the vivacious and outspoken heroine who has been in love with Dylan Griffiths since medical school.

From the very first time she laid eyes on Dylan across a cadaver table, Lou was a goner. The problem? Dylan only ever seemed to have eyes for her best friend Frankie, dismissing Lou as too brash, too high maintenance, and not his type. For over a decade Lou hides her feelings, masking her pain behind banter and smiles, while Dylan obliviously continues on his man-whoring ways, regarding her as nothing more than a friend.

Lou is a heroine who immediately stands out. She is bold, extroverted, the life of any gathering, and yet beneath the surface she carries deep scars from an abusive childhood. That trauma shapes so much of her character, making her both fiercely independent and deeply vulnerable. I loved how she was never afraid to speak her mind to fight for her patients, or to throw down when the moment called for it. At the same time, her hidden insecurities and her unrequited love for Dylan gave her a poignancy that made me ache for her.

Dylan, on the other hand, is the quintessential self-entitled prick at the start; gorgeous, arrogant, a womanizer through and through, with more charm than discipline. As a surgeon he lives for his power tools, and he resents the stint he is forced to do in Elderly Care where Lou also works.

For years he convinces himself that Lou is not for him, clinging instead to the fantasy of Frankie. But the more time he spends with Lou, the harder it becomes to ignore the pull he feels toward her. Watching him slowly realize the depth of his feelings, even as he repeatedly hurts Lou with careless words and actions, was equal parts maddening and compelling.

Their relationship is an absolute rollercoaster of unrequited love, betrayal, misunderstandings, and simmering attraction. Lou’s decade-long pining and Dylan’s blindness to her worth made for a tension-filled dynamic that had me alternately wanting to shake him and hug her. The turning point in their story, where Dylan’s words cut Lou to the bone and she finally walks away, was gutting but so necessary. What followed; his groveling, his jealousy, his slow fight to win her back, gave the story its raw edge. Add to that the interference of toxic colleagues, family trauma, and an unexpected danger that puts Lou in real jeopardy, and you have a romance that keeps you glued to the pages.

What I loved most was Susie Tate’s ability to balance humor and heartbreak. Lou’s outrageous banter and the camaraderie of the group of friends, all of it added warmth and lightness to an otherwise heavy story. The plotting was brilliantly done, weaving past and present seamlessly, and the characterization was top-notch.

My only gripe is that this was very much once again a closed-door romance. After so much buildup and sexual tension, it felt like a missed opportunity not to see more of Lou and Dylan on the page once they finally came together. And while I adored Lou, I sometimes found myself frustrated at how quickly she forgave Dylan despite the depth of his cruelty. But perhaps years of pining would do that to any of us.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy angsty, friends-to-lovers romances, medical settings with plenty of humor and drama, and strong heroines who overcome childhood trauma.

Final Verdict: A smart, emotional, and fiery romance with brilliant characterization. Despite its closed-door intimacy, Sticks and Stones delivers on angst, banter, and heart.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Broken Heart Syndrome by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, MFC; Third Person, MMC
Series: Broken Heart, #1
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Hero: Reverend Thomas G. Longley
Heroine: Frankie
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: April 04, 2014
Started On: July 29, 2024
Finished On: August 01, 2024

Broken Heart Syndrome by Susie Tate is one of those books that blends humor, angst, and a heartfelt romance against the backdrop of a medical setting. The story features Frankie as the main female lead, a shy, reclusive heroine who has carried the scars of a painful past and the humiliating nickname “Frigid Frankie” since her university days. Back then, she and her best friend were quietly infatuated with Reverend Thomas G. Longley, Tom, the charismatic, seemingly easygoing golden boy of medical school. But when he publicly embarrassed her, that crush turned into a wound she carried for years. Ten years later, fate throws them back together when Frankie ends up working under Tom in Cardiology, only to discover that he has become her critical, domineering boss.

Frankie is a heroine who carries so much weight on her shoulders. With a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and the grief of losing her mother, it is little wonder she struggles with self-esteem. She is self-deprecating, a master at fading into the background, and often doubts her worth in both her personal and professional life. Yet, beneath all that fragility, she is compassionate, fiercely loyal to her patients, and far stronger than she realizes.

Tom, on the other hand, is not the easygoing charmer Frankie once admired. Now, he is sharp, critical, and difficult to please, hiding behind a harsh persona born from his own hurt pride and unresolved feelings. While he initially comes across as a bully, it soon becomes clear that his cruelty is a misguided defense mechanism. Watching him wrestle with his growing feelings for Frankie, while also realizing just how deeply he had misjudged her, was one of the most compelling aspects of the book. His determination to break through Frankie’s defenses, despite her mistrust, made him both frustrating and endearing in equal measure.

Their relationship is marked by misunderstandings, pride, and the ghosts of their past. Frankie struggles to believe that a man like Tom could ever want someone like her, and Tom’s earlier actions, coupled with the meddling of Dylan, who harbored his own unspoken feelings for Frankie, only drive a deeper wedge between them. Add to this Frankie’s history of abuse and the emotional baggage she carries, and what unfolds is a slow, tentative journey toward trust and healing. But the push and pull between them, along with their undeniable chemistry, makes every small victory feel that much more satisfying.

What I loved most about this book was the humor sprinkled in amid the heaviness. Ash and his eccentric habit of quoting proverbs, Lou’s no-nonsense friendship, and even the chaos of hospital life added moments of levity that balanced the emotional intensity. Frankie’s vulnerability was beautifully written, and Tom’s groveling, though subtle compared to more dramatic romances, still managed to deliver.

What disappointed me, however, was the closed-door approach to intimacy. After such a long buildup, I had hoped for more on-page. Frankie’s tendency to push Tom away because of her insecurities also veered into frustrating at times, though it fit her character arc.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy medical romances with emotionally scarred heroines, alpha heroes who have to work hard to redeem themselves, and stories that blend humor, heartache, and hope.

Final Verdict: A poignant and witty romance low on the steam factor but delivers a heartfelt journey of healing, forgiveness, and love.

Favorite Quotes

‘You smell amazing,’ she said, her voice aching with longing. Tom froze and looked up at her face.
‘What?’ he whispered.
‘But then I shouldn’t be surprised,’ she went on, ignoring him. ‘Everything about you is lush, lush, lush.’

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: If You Want Me by Helena Hunting

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Toronto Terror, #2
Publisher: Ink & Cupcakes Inc
Hero: Hollis Hendrix
Heroine: Peggy Aurora Hammerstein
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: July 11, 2024
Started On: July 13, 2024
Finished On: July 18, 2024

I first came across If You Want Me on Instagram when Helena Hunting was promoting the release, and I will admit it, I caved. The way she marketed it, leaning into the forbidden, age-gap “dad’s best friend” trope, hit all my weak spots. This is also my first Hunting book, and I was curious to see how she would deliver on the promise.

As noted earlier, If You Want Me takes a forbidden love setup and infuses it with just the right amount of angst to keep the pages turning. This is the story of Hollis Hendrix, a thirty-year-old hockey player carrying emotional scars from a failed relationship, and Peggy Aurora Hammerstein, the twenty-year-old daughter of his best friend, a vibrant, determined young woman who knows exactly what she wants, and that happens to be Hollis. Their connection begins as a spark that neither of them can quite ignore, no matter how many reasons Hollis gives himself to resist.

Hollis is the kind of hero who is as strong on the ice as he is tender off it. His scars make him cautious, even fearful, of risking his heart again, but they also make his journey that much more relatable. Peggy, on the other hand, is a heroine who radiates confidence and determination. She might be younger, but she is in no way naïve about what she feels or wants. I really liked Peggy wasn’t simply there to chase Hollis, but to push him to confront his fears and see her as his equal partner.

The age-gap dynamic, compounded by the fact that Peggy is Hollis’ best friend’s daughter, sets up a deliciously forbidden undercurrent. Hollis wrestles constantly with his desire for her, knowing how much is at stake if he crosses the line. Peggy, though, does not shy away from the truth of her feelings. The push and pull between them is intense, angsty at times, and grounded in a very real emotional conflict. It is the kind of romance where you find yourself holding your breath, waiting to see when the hero will finally give in.

The forbidden element; the fact that Peggy is Hollis’s best friend’s daughter, drives most of the angst, and Hunting plays it well. Hollis struggles with the possible fallout while Peggy refuses to let convention dictate her choices. Yet even here, the book has a modern lens. Peggy’s mother, who herself is in an open relationship and embraces a progressive lifestyle, still finds it hard to accept her daughter entangled with an older man. It is a reminder that even the most liberal or vulnerable people can turn surprisingly conservative when it comes to protecting their own blood.

I think Hunting also did an excellent job in the portrayal of the Hollis’ vulnerability. Seeing a hero who is physically strong but emotionally scarred is always good, especially when it is handled well, and Hunting did justice to his struggle. I also loved the sense of community in this book; Peggy’s girl squad, the supportive teammates, and the generally healthy relationships around them created a balance that kept the story from being weighed down by angst.

That said, I did wish Hollis’ passion came across a little more fiercely in the bedroom. The setup promised a level of intensity that never quite delivered once they gave in to their feelings; it was sweet, yes, but perhaps too sweet for the initial vibes I expected.

Overall, If You Want Me is a very modern, heartfelt romance. There are no contrived miscommunications here, just two people navigating a complicated relationship with honesty and care. I enjoyed the maturity of the storytelling, even if I longed for a bit more fire and angst in certain moments.

Recommended for: readers who love forbidden romances, age-gap dynamics, sports romance settings, and emotionally vulnerable heroes.

Final Verdict: A tender, modern take on the dad’s best friend trope with angsty undercurrents. While it didn’t fully match the intensity I anticipated, Hollis and Peggy’s love story was still deeply satisfying.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Endurance by Amy Daws

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Harris Brothers, #2
Publisher: Amy Daws, LLC
Hero: Tanner Harris
Heroine: Belle Ryan
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: March 12, 2017
Started On: June 16, 2024
Finished On: June 22, 2024

Amy Daws’ Endurance is a riotous, cheeky, and surprisingly heartfelt sports romance that delivers passion, sass, and two characters who test each other’s patience, limits, and hearts. This second entry in the Harris Brothers series takes on the classic enemies-to-lovers trope with a footballer who cannot seem to stay out of the tabloids and a sharp, no-nonsense surgeon whose tolerance for his antics is nonexistent. Throw in a fake relationship and all the complications that come with it, and the stage is set for plenty of sparks.

Tanner Harris, the so-called wild Harris twin, is every inch the cheeky, bearded bad boy that readers of the series expect him to be. With his tattoos, devil-may-care attitude, and scandalous reputation, he is both magnetic and infuriating. Belle Ryan, on the other hand, is all discipline and ambition, a surgical fellow who has fought tooth and nail to get to where she is. Belle is the kind of heroine who has no time for games, least of all from Tanner, and their early dynamic is full of snark and sparring that makes their eventual collision feel inevitable.

What makes their story particularly fun is how they end up in each other’s orbit again after a disastrous first encounter. Forced into a fake dating setup for the sake of appearances, Tanner and Belle have no choice but to tolerate one another. But as jealousy flares and real attraction edges past their pretenses, the carefully drawn lines between them blur into something far messier and hotter. Their chemistry jumps off the pages, with Belle’s cool restraint a sharp counterpoint to Tanner’s impulsive fire.

I loved how Tanner’s humor and larger-than-life personality kept the story light even when emotions deepened, while Belle’s intelligence and steel gave their relationship grounding. Their banter is one of the highlights of the book, with every interaction teetering on the edge of an argument or a kiss. That said, the buildup sometimes outpaced the delivery, and while the sex scenes eventually delivered, I expected a bit more heat earlier on given the intensity of their dynamic.

Overall, Endurance is an entertaining, laugh-out-loud, and surprisingly tender romance. It is a great example of Ms. Daws can balance hilarity with emotional depth, particularly in a sub-genre I do not normally pick up; sports romance. And yet, the combination of a roguish footballer and a determined heroine worked beautifully here, making it hard not to root for them even when they drove each other crazy.

Recommended for: fans of sports romance, enemies-to-lovers banter, bearded bad boy heroes, and heroines who refuse to be bowled over.

Final Verdict: A laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romance with a bearded bad boy footballer and a sharp-tongued doctor who prove that endurance is as much about the heart as the game.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple