Tag Archives: M.E. Carter

Open Fire by M.E. Carter

February 20, 2025Book ReviewChristmas, Contemporary romance, Florida Glaze Hockey, M.E. Carter, Sports romanceskyebjenner

Title: Open Fire
Author: M.E. Carter
Series: Florida Glaze Hocky #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

From the title of this story, and the fact that it’s a Christmas story, I knew that the song “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” was going to get mentioned (and stuck in my head). And I wasn’t wrong. I ended up walking around the house singing this song for ages after starting this story. And then, I got it stuck in my head all over again when I started writing this review. Honestly, I’m just going to have to sing this song every time I see the cover for Open Fire, and I’m honestly okay with that – this was a fantastic novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I can’t imagine trying to fly around Christmas, particularly on Christmas eve. That must be one of the most awkward and intense times at the airport. Which meant that having a romance based on flying at this time of year, and the inevitable flight delays was something that fascinated me. I mean, I always try to travel off the peak times, and I’ve never had to entertain myself in an airport for more than four hours, so it was fun to read about how Becker and Sloan were able to do so. Plus, having a romance set in a single location (primarily) in a matter of hours was a fun and brilliant way to make this story come to life.

This was the very definition of a slow-burn romance. Becker and Sloan spend a lot of time getting to know one another and just, genuinely enjoying each other’s company. The majority of this book is honestly just about them spending time together and getting to know one another. The fact that they don’t actually kiss until right towards the end just made it all that much sweeter and more spine tingling. Honestly, it made me swoon just a little bit reading about this. The build up was phenomenal and I can’t wait to read another M.E. Carter story.

Not only is this a fun and engaging romance, it also highlights the importance of family and Christmas time. I love that both Sloan and Becker are trying to rush home to spend the time with their families, although they have vastly different traditions. But, really, it was the moment that Becker chooses to dress up as Santa for Sloan’s family and jump into their relationship with both eyes open that made me absolutely fall for this Christmas romance.

<- Trial by Fire

Playing with Fire ->

Image source: Amazon

Switch Stance by M.E. Carter & Andrea Johnston

September 29, 2023Book ReviewAndrea Johnston, Charitable Endeavors, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, M.E. Carterskyebjenner

Title: Switch Stance
Author: M.E. Carter & Andrea Johnston
Series: Charitable Endeavors #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

I always enjoy stories that feature a writer. I mean, a writer writing about a writer? Somehow that works out really well. Sometimes… in the case of Misery, it wasn’t such a good thing. But I digress. Carter and Johnston are a wonderful literary pair. And their ability to craft a story in which you are constantly rooting for the main couple… brilliant. A great way to spend a few hours, drifting away on a fun and romantic story.

Spencer is a great male lead. He’s that sexy jock type that you want when you’re reading a sports romance. But he’s also humble and kind of cute. There isn’t a lot of the ego like in some of the sports romances that I read. But enough to know that he’s good at his job. I also love that he’s actually driven more by his charity and need to leave a lasting impression than his legacy as a jock. He’s also incredibly emotionally mature and spends a lot of his time supporting both his slightly neurotic sister and Aggie. Definitely one of my favourite (emotionally) male leads I’ve read in a while.

As someone who is always sure that she’s completely messing things up and doesn’t fit in, it was fun to read about Aggie’s insecurities. I mean, I’ve now moved to a point that I’m comfortable with the fact that I’m kind of nutso. But it was nice learning about her journey to get to that same place of comfort in herself. Alright, she didn’t completely get to that point, but she is definitely heading in that direction by the end of the story. Plus, she manages to finally work through her writer’s block as she acknowledges her own short comings. Something else I loved about this character.

Although Aggie went through the most personal growth throughout this story, it was still an incredibly fun and beautiful journey. I love that Spencer is able to recognise that that growth is Aggie’s responsibility. He’s there to support her, but not fix her. And that, with his patience, she is able to actually start to try and trust and learn. I can’t wait to read about her best friend, Toby, in Ear Candy. Another story that I’m sure will be filled with plenty of character growth and enjoyment!

<- More M.E. Carter

Ear Candy ->

Image source: Amazon

Cutie and the Beast by M.E. Carter

May 4, 2022Book ReviewCipher Office, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, M.E. Carter, SmartyPants Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Cutie and the Beast
Author: M.E. Carter
Series: Cipher Office #1, SmartyPants Romance
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Abel’s sarcasm and banter with Rian in Weight Expectations was honestly glorious. And witty. And adorable. When I discovered that not only has Carter written more books in this series… but that this featured my favourite trainer? Sign me up! Yet again, it hit all of my happy romance spots and drew me in.

This story had a very found family feeling to it. In some moments a little insta-family. But even that concern is addressed in the story line. Which makes it a little less on the nose in my opinion. Although I would love a revisit to this family to see how Mabel and Ainsley grow up together…

Able and Elliott may make a wonderful romantic couple. But as seems to be the case with many stories featuring young children, Mabel and Ainsley totally stole the show. And, even though they were adorable, I like that they were also the wedge that caused one of the upsets to a happy ending. When you’ve got children they feature heavily in every aspect of your life and Carter definitely reflected this in this story line.

There wasn’t quite as much witty banter as in Weight Expectations in this novel. Which I did miss a bit. But I think that on the flip side there was a lot more heart. And who could complain about that?

<- Sticking to the Script

Weights of Wrath ->

Image source: Goodreads

Weight Expectations by M.E. Carter

May 2, 2022Book ReviewCipher Office, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, M.E. Carter, SmartyPants Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Weight Expectations
Author: M.E. Carter
Series: Cipher Office #1, SmartyPants Romance
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

I’m slowly falling more and more in love with the SmartyPants Romance world. But, this is only my second dive into it. And I was NOT disappointed. Weight Expectations returns to the joyous world of Quinn’s office with some wonderfully humorous moments surrounding Janie’s pregnancy. Partner with that the fact that the second main setting is a gym and I was hooked.

I love the realism of fitness and working out throughout this book. One of my pet peeves is people constantly fighting to work towards a body type and weight that just isn’t healthy and doesn’t work for their genetics. Rian is aware of this, and whilst there are many moments of insecurities, she ends up being damn proud of her curves. It made me want to do a standing ovation.

Carlos on the other hand starts out a little less realistic about his workout goals. I mean, a couple of hours a day, working full time and clean eating? I’m not entirely sure WHO is able to do that. Certainly not anyone I know. Yet, even his slight insanity is mellowed out by the presence of Rian in his life.

I absolutely adored this novel and although it was through kobo plus, I cant wait to add the physical book to my shelves. This was such a fun and cute read that completely swept me away. Perfect for somebody who has their own gym obsession, but an inability to train at the moment. And you know… anyone who loves romance.

<- More SmartyPants Romance

Sticking to the Script ->