Friday, August 30, 2019

Cover Reveal: Outmatched by Kristen Callihan & Samantha Young

Outmatched - CR banner.jpg


Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publishing date: November 19, 2019
Cover Designer: Hang Le
OUTMATCHED-PRINT-FOR-WEB-3.jpg
What happens when a boxer finds chemistry with a geek? 

Parker Brown can’t believe she needs to hire a fake boyfriend. When she landed her dream job in renewable energy, she thought she’d be entering a world at the forefront of progressive thinking. But the head boss prefers to promote employees who are “settled.” Thankfully, she’s found the perfect candidate, a fellow intellectual looking for some quick cash. What Parker gets is his protective big brother—Rhys Morgan. The tall, muscled ex-boxer with a foul mouth shows up just as her boss does, and now she’s stuck with the manipulative jerk.

Responsibility weighs heavily on Rhys. Now permanently out of the ring, he’s trying to hold together his late father’s gym and keep his younger brother, Dean, on the straight and narrow. To save Dean from himself, Rhys takes his place, ready to give this society girl a piece of his mind. Instead, he finds an opportunity. Even though they can hardly stand each other, posing as Parker’s boyfriend is a win-win deal. She gets to keep her job, and he’ll charm her star-struck boss into sponsoring his gym.

Problem is, they can barely keep their hands off each other. And what started as an easy deal isn’t so easy anymore. Because what future can a rough ex-boxer, afraid to open his heart, and a polished society geek, who has sworn off real relationships, possibly have?

They say opposites attract. These opposites are about to combust on impact.

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Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/OutmatchedKCSY
Nook: coming soon
Outmatched - CR.jpg
About Kristen:

  Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she'd rather be. She is a RITA winner and three-time nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer's Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine's Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher's Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading. 

Connect with Kristen:
Twitter - Kris10Callihan


About Samantha:

Samantha Young is a New York Times and #1 International bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. On Dublin Street was Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in thirty countries. She has since published over thirteen romance titles including the New York Times Bestsellers Into the Deep, Hero, and her most recent contemporary romance Play On. When writing Adult Paranormal romance she writes under the pen name S. Young. 

Connect with Samantha:
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Review: Far From Heaven by Cherrie Lynn


Genre: Paranormal Romance
Stand-alone sequel to Sweet Disgrace 
Publisher: Entangled Otherworld
ISBN: 978-1-60928-432-9
Ebook release date: April 26, 2011
 Print release date: March 6, 2012
 Length: Category


His love could damn her soul…

Ashemnon’s demonic hunger for Madeleine Dean’s pure, vibrant soul has tormented him throughout every lifetime she’s lived on earth. Now, thanks to her desperate father, he has a blood-tight contract in hand. Soon, her soul will belong to him.

All her life, Maddie has been haunted by strange occurrences, hallucinations and increasingly intense nightmares. As her ex-boyfriend walks away, she can almost hear the pieces of her life falling around her. And then she falls—literally—into the arms of a stranger who’s the first and only person to understand.

Ash meant to pluck her soul, not sweep her off her feet. Yet the moment they touch, the temptation to seduce her again and again is more than he can resist. Despite the risk, he finds himself succumbing to her charms. And, impossibly, falling in love.

Then Ash learns the reason it’s taken centuries to get to this point: He’s not the only one with a claim on her soul. Heaven and Hell are in a tug of war—and Maddie’s the rope. Control wrested from his hands, Ash can only wait for her to make a choice that will damn one soul to Hell…or damn her own.

Warning: This title contains obsession, soul possession, and hot carnal transgression. Oh, and a few scares for good measure. You can’t keep this bad demon down—though you’ll want to try.

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Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play

Read an Excerpt
 
What I thought about Far From Heaven
I really love Cherrie Lynn's contemporary titles, but didn't know she had a few paranormal titles among her books, so when I had the opportunity to read this, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
Ash is a demon. His job is collecting souls, and he makes a chilling deal to obtain someone's soul. Madelaine. He has to wait a while before he can do it, but when the time comes, he gets himself in some hot water with his superiors for hesitating to take what he has a contract for.

When Madeleine meets Ash, she thinks they are just a casual one night thing, but she finds herself wishing he'd come back.  She doesn't know what he is, but she does know he's a fabulous lover.  If you've read Cherrie Lynn before, you know she can write a steamy scene, and there's plenty of them in Far from Heaven.

Ash and Madeleine are great together, but they have to go through a whole lot before they can even think about being together -- after all Ash was going to come for her soul!

There's a real great level of scary tension whenever the demons and angels are on the page and I absolutely loved that about this book. The story is nicely crafted because at first I had no idea how they could possibly get out of the dilemma they faced.  I did like how everything was wrapped up in the end.

This works well as a standalone.  It's easy, steamy, just a little scary, and grabs you right from the start.



About Cherrie Lynn


New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cherrie Lynn has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now that she has come to her senses, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side. It's *much* more fun. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and loves letting her passion for romance and metal collide on the page.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading, listening to music or playing with her favorite gadget of the moment. She's also fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live.

Cherrie lives in East Texas with said husband and their two kids, all of whom are the source of much merriment, mischief and mayhem. You can visit her at http://www.cherrielynn.com or at the various social networking sites. She loves hearing from readers!

Facebook: /cherrielynnauthor
Twitter: /cherrielynn
Instagram: /cherrielynnauthor
Snapchat: cherrielynn75

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Sunday, August 25, 2019

5 stars for Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about family, hope, and learning to love against all odds.

Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?

Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage.


Buy Links
What I thought about Things You Save in a Fire

 Cassie Hanwell has it all together -- she's an exceptional firefighter, dedicated to her career.  But on the night she's receiving an award for valour, she ends up clocking her presenter on stage and ends up almost losing her hard-fought position as a firefighter.  She had good reason to do what she did, and it's not hard to figure out what it is, but the reader doesn't get all the details until later on in the story. At first I was a little ticked off it wasn't revealed earlier, but it all makes sense by the end. 

 After the incident on stage, Cassie ends up transferring from Texas to a new firehouse in the northeast and helping her estranged mother after an illness. Starting over means trying to fit into a new firefighting crew that isn't all that thrilled to have a female on the team. The good news is that she's not the only newbie at the station -- there's a rookie starting along side her. 

Owen Callaghan makes her feel things she shouldn't feel toward a co-worker, and Cassie's life suddenly takes a turn she hadn't expected.  It's all very complicated for her.  I loved Owen (he's a sweetheart) and what I liked even more was that their romance wasn't the focal point of the story. Even though Owen had a bit of his own story, the focal point is all about Cassie and her personal growth as things around her shift and change.

I loved the theme of forgiveness in Things You Save in a Fire.  It was such an integral part of Cassie's next step in her life, and she learns with grace and dignity about the power of love and forgiveness. The firefighting aspect was absolutely well-done and Cassie was just so good at it -- it was easy to see  her dedication was part of her soul.

 I liked everything about this -- the characters, the story, the pacing and especially the action that had me gasping and furiously reading and reading to find out what was going to happen. Things You Save in a Fire had absolutely everything I want in a story.  It will be on my favorites of 2019 list for sure!

An ARC was provided for review. 



About the Author

Katherine Center is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of How to Walk Away, as well as the upcoming novel, Things You Save in a Fire (August 13, 2019). She’s also written five other bittersweet comic novels about love and family, including The Bright Side of Disaster, The Lost Husband,and Happiness for Beginners. The Lost Husband is currently in production as a feature film starring Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb. Katherine’s work has appeared in Redbook, InStyle, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Real Simple, Southern Living, InTouch, the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle, and many others. 

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Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Review: The Bear's Chosen Mate (Borealis Bears #1) by Vivian Arend


The Bear's Chosen Mate
Book 1: Borealis Bears Series

The stand alone first title in a brand-new shifter trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.


Get mated—or else!

When the meddling, match-making family patriarch lays down the law, Giles Borealis’ three polar bear shifter grandsons agree to follow his edict. Only James, Alex and Cooper each have a vastly different plan in mind to deal with their impending mating fevers. Will any of them be able to fight fate?

Spoiler: not likely!

First up: James, the youngest of the brothers….

He’s going to accept his fate—but only with the woman he chooses!

James Borealis figures if he has to get mated, it should be with someone he already knows and cares about—his best friend Kaylee. But when the mating fever hits, she’s still stuck in friendshipland while he’s ready to move all the way to true love and forever.

Kaylee has heard about polar bear mating fever, but while James has held the starring role in her fantasies for a long time, she’s not about to leap into a permanent relationship that’s all wrong for him. He’s the PR powerhouse for Borealis Gems while she’s a quiet bobcat shifter with massive family baggage. He loves the spotlight; she wants to hide in quiet corners.

But mating fever knows best, and when the storm settles, there’s no use in arguing with a polar bear’s choice.
 
 

What I thought about The Bear's Chosen Mate

The synopsis covers the basic plot and giving any more away would be a spoiler, so I'll just get right to it.  I really enjoyed The Bear's Chosen Mate. 

 The three Borealis brothers are tasked with finding mates during their next mating fever cycle.  The brothers aren't happy about that, but if he has to do it, James is going to pick who it is he wants to mate with ... forever.  

It's a simple and sweet friends-to-lovers story.  James happens to have someone he cares for deeply and he chooses Kaylee for a mate rather than let fate take it's course. (that rebellious polar bear!)  Kaylee chooses him back so to speak so love and lust isn't the problem.. but there are a few minor complications they'll need to get over before the mating fever "takes".

 It's such cute story and I absolutely adored it's simplicity. James is caring, adorable and perfect for Kaylee (and her crazy family -- omg!)  So much fun, and left me feeling good. Loved it! 

 An ARC was provided for review.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With over 2 million books sold, Vivian Arend is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary and paranormal romance books, including the Six Pack Ranch and Granite Lake Wolves.

Her books are all standalone reads with no cliffhangers. They’re humorous yet emotional, with sexy-times and happily-ever-afters. Vivian pretty much thinks she’s got the best job in the world, and she’s looking forward to giving readers more HEAs. She lives in B.C. Canada with her husband of many years and a fluffy attack Shitzu named Luna who ignores everyone except when treats are deployed.

For news, free vignettes, and all sorts of mischief, sign up for Vivian’s newsletter:

 
 


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Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Release Day Review & Giveaway: Last Love of Luka Hale (Saints & Sinners #1) by Eden Butler





Title: Last Love of Luka Hale
Series: Saints and Sinners #1
Author: Eden Butler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 20, 2019

Blurb

She isn’t the girl Luka Hale loved.

 Gia Jilani killed the child she’d been, right along with the memory of his smile and the sting of his sweet kiss.

But sometimes, against her will, Luka comes back to her— his smile, his laugh, the crooked twist of his lips just before he kissed her. He’s a phantom that won’t ever fade. He’s a reminder of what happens if you love too deeply.

Now Gia returns to the place where the past and the present converge. Where pain and pleasure threaten to consume her. Where she is forced to face a past that has never really left her and the memories that still haunt her and likely always will.  

This is a Saints and Sinners prequel novel set in the Thin Love timeline





Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS


Excerpt

“You got no idea, do you?” He kept his voice soft, low, though his insides were burning with the instinct to touch her, to lick dry the water from her beautiful skin. Luka closed his eyes, inhaling that lilac scent like it would satisfy him. He knew it wouldn’t. “You’re clueless how easy it would be to have any man you want?”
Luka opened his eyes when he felt the wet touch of her fingertips near his cheek. Gia didn’t smile. She didn’t seem able to do anything but hold every emotion off her face as she watched him. Her control awed him.
Gia opened her mouth, pink lips glistening with moisture as she wet them with her tongue. “I only want one man,” she admitted, her words confident, but there was still a wobble in her tone. Luka tensed, not sure what she wanted or how she’d go about getting whatever that was.
She meant him, he knew, but that wouldn’t make him move. It wouldn’t keep the reminder of her age, her probable inexperience from his thoughts. “You’re young,” he told her, hoping that would keep her from touching him again. 
“I’m old enough.”  
Luka was starting to realize this Gia was one that might be tired of the sidelines. Maybe she was tired of watching and waiting and never having what she wanted. Maybe, he thought, she was ready to step onto the field and play.
Gia moved, making Luka step back, her wet body closer to him now, her breath heating his skin as she spoke. “I'm old enough for you, Luka.” Her breath was cool, smelled like mint, and there was a low, soft moan in her voice that made him harder. “My…my uncle…” She cleared her throat, looking down, then quickly up at him as though internally convincing herself to finish this. “My uncle will leave for Florida after tomorrow’s practice.” Some of her confidence slipped when she brushed her wet hair behind her ear, but she still looked directly at Luka. “My dorm is empty. We could be alone.”
Fuck me, he thought.
She was off limits, right? She was forbidden. Luka knew that. It was information that ran like a ticker tape scrolling in his mind. Gia wasn’t some beautiful woman he’d flirted with at a club or some Blue Devil-proud girl eager to thank Luka for his performance on the field.
She was his coach’s niece. She was his coach’s eighteen-year-old niece.
He could have taken her right then. She was already wet. He was sufficiently hard, but Luka held back, teeth gritted, jaw working as he grabbed the towel hanging from the hook next to the entrance. He moved close, his skin wetting as he grazed her chest and shoulder when he covered her body with the thick towel in his hand. The smallest twist of his head and he could reach her mouth. Their lips were so close already, their breath heated and mixed and did things to Luka’s head he wasn’t sure he liked.
Gia shifted her gaze, moving her chin like she was prepared for whatever he gave her. Like she wanted it all and wouldn’t settle for anything less. But Luka reminded himself one last time who she was and why he shouldn’t be there with her. He lingered, unable to pull back out of her reach before he inhaled, taking in that lilac scent and the teasing delicious taste of her breath.
He moved his chin, a half an inch away from her lips, then grinned, a half smile gesture that made her release the breath she’d been holding.
“Be sure to lock up before you head out,” he told her, winking before he turned to grab his clothes and put as much space between that off-limits girl and himself as he could.

What I thought about Last Love of Luka Hale
I'm a huge fan of the Thin Love series from Eden Butler, so when I heard there was a little more to the story I had to get my hands on it.  I don't really want to spoil anything, and I do recommend that you read the Thin Love series before reading this -- you'll want to get grabby hands for it.

Told in alternating POVs, this is the story of Luka Hale's college days.  He falls for Gia Jilani, the coach's niece he shouldn't even be looking at -- and the falling is mutual because Gia falls for Luka hard too.  It's really great to be back in this college football world where it all began for twins Luka and Kona -- this novella is like having another piece of the story. I'll just say that Luka liked to tempt fate as much as his brother! It wasn't easy reading this knowing what eventually happens to Luka, but it was great to get a glimpse of his happiness all the same. 

Really, this is Gia's story. Her first love is everything to her, and although their love is devastating to her,  her time with Luka shapes so much of who Gia becomes. I just loved that about this story.  

This book has left me wanting to re-read the Thin Love series (and if you haven't, what are you waiting for?) and craving more of Gia!  

An ARC was provided for review.



Giveaway



Also Available


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



Author Bio


Eden Butler is a writer of contemporary, fantasy and romantic suspense novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, reads, and spends too much time in her garden perfecting her green thumb while waiting for the next New Orleans Saints Superbowl win.

She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.

Please send help.


Author Links

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Release Day Review & Giveaway: On the Corner of Love and Hate (Hopeless Romantics #1) by Nina Bocci


For fans of Christina Lauren and Lauren Layne comes a delightfully sassy and sexy romance about a campaign manager who reluctantly works with the local Lothario to help revamp his image for the upcoming mayoral elections, only to discover that he’s hiding something that can turn both their lives upside down.

What’s a campaign manager’s worst nightmare? A smooth-talking charmer who’s never met a scandal that he didn’t like.

When Emmanuelle Peroni’s father—and mayor of her town—asks her to help rehab Cooper Endicott’s image, she’s horrified. Cooper drives her crazy in every way possible. But he’s also her father’s protégé, and she can’t say no to him without him finding out the reason why: Cooper and her have a messy past. So Emmanuelle reluctantly launches her father’s grand plan to get this Casanova someone to settle down with and help him lose his lothario reputation.

Cooper Endicott wanted to run for Mayor, but he never wanted the drama that went with it. Now that he’s on the political hamster wheel, the other candidates are digging up everything from his past. Even though he’s doing all the right things, his colorful love life is the sticking point for many of the conservative voters. He wants to win, badly, and he knows that if he wants any chance of getting a vote from the female population, he needs to change his image. The only problem? He might just be falling in love with the one person he promised not to pursue: the Mayor’s off-limits daughter.

A perfect blend of humor and heart, On the Corner of Love and Hate is the first in a new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Nina Bocci.


Buy Links




What I thought about On The Corner of Love and Hate

In this frenemies-to-lovers romantic comedy, Cooper and Emma have known each other since they were children. With that much history, there's bound to be many chances for the ups and downs of a long term relationship, and Emma and Cooper just happen to be in a down-cycle.When Emma is thrown together with Cooper at her father's request, all of that history colors their moments together.

There's plenty of banter between these two. At times it's witty and at other times, it's more enemies than friends. I really liked that about it. What really makes this story interesting is the question of whether Emma get out of her own way and take a chance on Cooper and vice versa. 

Set in a small town, On the Corner of Love and Hate uses a political backdrop to make this very contemporary and that was another plus for me.  Nina gets the small town life right and develops some great characters that kept my interest.  I did find the pacing a bit slow for my liking. It's more of a slow burn type of romance rather than one big explosion, but I did think that fit for these characters.

Overall, a good start to this series.  Definitely interested in reading more. 

 An ARC was provided for review.




About Nina


Nina Bocci is a USA Today bestselling novelist that loves reading and writing about swoony, relatable heroes and smart, witty heroines. If it's set in a small town, even better. If you're looking for the shiniest lipgloss, poke her on Twitter or Facebook to ask! 

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Friday, August 16, 2019

Release Day Excerpt: Revenge (Reckless Renegades MC, #1) by Jessica Gadziala

🔥🔥 HOT NEW RELEASE 🔥🔥
Revenge (Reckless Renegades MC, #1)
by Jessica Gadziala is LIVE!
Thayer
He took everything from me.
My friends.
My family.
My club.
My freedom.
I planned to get it all back.
I didn't need any distractions.
Yet there she was anyway...
Sera
He took the only thing that mattered to me.
I would do just about anything to get it back.
Even if that meant relying on some outlaw biker fresh
out of prison with slim to no hope of succeeding in
his plan. 
It was supposed to be a simple arrangement.
Quid pro quo.
Just business.
Nothing personal. 
But there was no denying it, things were quickly 
getting very personal…
Add REVENGE to your Goodreads TBR: http://bit.ly/2M48E0S


EXCERPT
Thayer
There's a reason pimps and drug dealers wear gold chains.
Aside from maybe thinking they look good or that others see it as a status symbol.
See, when you're arrested, cops can take your cash if they claim it's connected to illegal activity. 
Civil asset forfeiture.
A fucking crime in and of itself if you ask me.
And while they can take your hard-earned cash, they have to give you back your personal items. 
Jewelry included. 
This was what was on my mind as I stood in front of a desk manned by a middle-aged guy with a beer belly and jowls that jiggled when he talked - likely stuck at a desk job when they realized he'd likely have a major cardiac incident if he even tried to subdue an out of control prisoner. 
It was lucky I was raised up to know the finer points of a criminal lifestyle. Otherwise, the bag Mr. MyWifeHasn'tSuckedMyDisckSinceTheNineties was going through would only have consisted of my wallet with cards that had likely expired, a cell that was long dead, and an old condom.
Not the Submariner Date Rolex 40mm Oystersteel and yellow gold watch he was currently fondling with sausage fingers. 
Even used, it would clear me a cool ten grand.
More than enough to get me home. 
From there, I could access the cash stores I had stashed so deep that no one even knew they existed.
Not even the backstabbing motherfucker who took everything else from me. 
"Now, don't come back, y'hear?" he asked as I signed the paperwork in front of me, accepting the gate money - cash from my commissary prison grind accounts - and tucking it into my pocket.
"If I'll be inside bars again, it will be at a supermax," I told him, shooting him a smirk when his mouth fell open slightly. He was likely used to everyone telling him that they had no intentions of going to prison again, that they were innocent in the first place, yadda fucking yadda.
I wasn't the most moral of men.
But I wasn't a liar.
I did what got me inside in the first place.
And, with what I had planned now that I was free, there was a good chance I was going back.
It would be worth it.
But I wasn't necessarily naive enough to think I would get away with it.
There was a good chance I would end up in San Quentin on death row waiting for that fateful day they'd strap me to a table and inject liquid fire into my veins.
Again, it would be fucking worth it.
I was just realistic about my future.


   


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

   

Jessica Gadziala is a full-time author, coffee drinker, parrot enthusiast, and sad song aficionado who enjoys cold weather and short rides to the bookstore. She has developed an unhealthy obsession with acquiring houseplants. She lives in New Jersey with her seven parrots and six dogs.    

AUTHOR LINKS 

WEBSITE: JessicaGadziala.com  
INSTAGRAM: JessicaGadziala 
TWITTER: @JessicaGadziala 
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2Z1Lf6r  
FB READER GROUP: http://bit.ly/2KxgxKw
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Review: Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal, #2) by Serena Bell

    The hard part isn’t acting like we’re falling for each other. It’s pretending we’re not. Shane: My grandfather’s will has me betwee...