Tag Archives: Sports romance

Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Countdown to a Kiss
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Hockey Hotties #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

As with On the Defense, I love how Countdown to a Kiss follows three couples in one night. And, in doing so, introduces a whole new series that I can’t wait to dive into! There is something about getting that teaser of each couples’ beginning dynamics that makes me want to dive into the series. The fact that this also establishes the connections between the six people just draws me in all that more wonderfully.

Not only does this beautifully set up the first three couples for the Hockey Hotties series, it is also a great little New Years Eve story. One that was all about the countdown and midnight kisses and ringing in the New Year. Plus, there’s just the usual sense of mayhem to the whole story line and tale. It gives a great part of beginnings and the beauty of potential.

This is almost a bit of a series of short snapshots in time for six different people. It’s all about the hockey world and being on the precipice of change. And I absolutely loved this!

<- More Piper RayneMy Lucky #13 ->

Image source: Book Lovin’ Mamas

Game Changer by Piper Lawson

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Game Changer
Author: Piper Lawson
Series: King of the Court #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I didn’t know that Game Changer was going to be a cliffhanger, I thought it was going to be yet another HEA sports romance. So I did, originally find this a little bit irritating. And yet, as time went on, it’s just made me more and more keen to read Shot Taker. I want to know how Nova and Clay’s relationship is going to progress. Plus, there’s Nova’s new Brother-in-Law and the way that he has been involved in the breakdown of their relationship. The ending of Game Changer left me with a whole lot of questions, ones that make me keen to read the next story in the series!

Nova is so much fun and I love that throughout this whole story, she’s trying to get on her own feet. I mean, she’s obviously had troubles in the past, but it’s annoying the way that her sister treats her. And the dismissive nature of their relationship is particularly hard. I mean, Nova literally spends the whole time bending over backwards to try and help her sister. And she just… dismisses her. And cracks it at her every time something goes a little wrong. I may have a sister who lives elsewhere, but damn, I wouldn’t blame her for things the way Nova’s does.

Clay building the relationship with Nova was actually really cute. The care which he takes of her and the way he connects with her is kind of beautiful. Even if he then throws up walls and barriers almost immediately. He is the typical man with too many barriers and an inability to trust. But, I do love how his time with Nova helps to soften some of those edges. And that, although he isn’t completely intelligent at the end, he is beginning to understand that those barriers, walls and priorities might be just a little bit skewed.

There are so many loose ends at the end of this story that I want to get to the bottom of. I loved all of the character growth throughout and the way that the ending of Game Changer perfectly leads into Shot Taker. For all that I was irritated that this was a cliffhanger, I also really and seriously enjoyed this. I can’t wait to read more stories by Piper Lawson and find out what happens next!!!

<- More Piper LawsonShot Taker ->

Image source: Kobo

Something Like Hate by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Something Like Hate
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

After reading On the Defense, I couldn’t wait to dive into Something Like Hate, Bryce and Miles’ story. I mean, they are fantastic and filled with conflict from the beginning. And they’re definitely a couple that I want to work out from the very beginning. But, they do take a little bit of time to find their feet and find their way to one another. And then, when they do and you realise that there is a whole lot more story to come… it’s definitely a bit of a battle to put the book down.

This was a fairly typical sports romance, which is what I kind of loved about it if I’m being honest. There is something easy and enjoyable about reading a sports romance, particularly when the male leads are hockey players. There is something so appealing about the sport, and I love that they encompass all of the “alpha” male traits that I enjoy without the toxicity of real life. Plus, the predictability of a good sports romance is one of the reasons it is a pleasant diversion from real life. However, Piper Rayne still managed to throw in enough curveballs to stop it from being boring, and make it hard to put down.

The biggest spicing up of this story is the conflict of interest that Bryce experiences with work. It makes it hard to figure out just how Miles and Bryce are going to make things work and have a future together. Plus, it makes the double cross at the end even more frustrating and sad. I mean, it was obvious that there was going to be something thrown up, but just what it would be was a surprise. Luckily, as with all good romances, this is resolved fairly nicely, but it still leads to some uncomfortable and worrying moments.

I absolutely adored this story, and now I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series – Miles’ two friends both deserve their own happy endings, and I really want to read their stories. Plus, there’s a whole interrelated universe with a number of romances to dive into. A whole new world of happiness and happily ever afters to dive into.

<- On the DefenseSomething Like Lust ->

Image source: Amazon

On the Defense by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: On the Defense
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I normally enjoy a good prequel novel, but the fact that this one is the prequel to the three different romances in this series? Absolutely brilliant. As a hint to the rest of the story, and a prequel for a whole series, this is brilliant. I mean, it made me incredibly keen to dive straight into the series and find out just how each of the three couples find their happily ever after moments.

Even though there are a number of open endings and hints at the greater story throughout this, I did get particularly fixated on Miles and Bryce. Probably because they are the first story in the series and they are the ones that are right on the cusp of action. I love that it’s a hate to love dynamic with a whole heap of unexplained history. How could I not be intrigued and drawn in immediately?

This novel is filled with open endings and potential. I think that Piper Rayne is brilliant in that they are able to set up three prequels in the one storyline. And make you just want to dive right into the series without a second thought.

<- More Piper RayneSomething Like Hate ->

Image source: Barnes and Noble

Gametime by Jami Davenport

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Gametime
Author: Jami Davenport, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Even though the beginning of this story is kind of cringe-worthy, Pax and Naomi work beautifully as a couple. I mean, the fact that it’s friends to lovers is always a story that I’m going to get behind. However, I didn’t necessarily love the fact that they first get together because Naomi thinks that Pax is his twin. Or how she handles her faux pas. It was definitely an awkward beginning. But, it very quickly became a story that I just didn’t want to put down. Fun, adorable and with so much angst that I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Although throughout the story, I’m entirely on Pax’s side, it is easy to see how blindsided he made his twin, Patrick. I mean, Patrick also didn’t exactly handle things very well. But, they are also new adults who aren’t the most mature people in the world. It definitely shows what a fantastic author Davenport is, I might have entirely been on Pax’s side, but I also could completely understand the motivations behind Patrick’s behaviours. I’m such a fan of stories about contentious sibling relationships that still come from a place of love, and Davenport hit this perfectly.

It took a little longer than I would have liked for Naomi to sort out her nonsense and actually be a kind human being. But, I did enjoy the process. And, when she finally did decide to sort herself out, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable journey. Plus, as with Pax and Patrick, you could understand where that trauma came from and why she wasn’t necessarily making the best decisions. Her grand gesture also went a long way to smoothing over the hackles raised at some of her earlier decisions.

Gametime was a fairly simple and fun college romance, with just enough angst throughout to make it interesting. It did touch on some serious issues of abuse and traumatic upbringings, but in a way that didn’t bog me down too much after I turned that final page. What an adventure of mistaken identity, friends to lovers romance, with a whole heap of family pressure and expectations thrown in. And lets not forget the hockey – so much hockey action that made me want to actually, maybe watch this sport…

<- HoldoutOvertime ->

Image source: Goodreads

Superfan by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Superfan
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Silas’ past relationship with Delilah is hinted at throughout Overnight Sensation. I love that Superfan teases out their past together as their present moves forward. The dual timelines work brilliantly together and had me rooting for the couple from the very first paragraph. They are just too damn cute and sweet together, and their entire romance is filled with bad timing and missed chances. Plus, this isn’t only a sports romance, but a rockstar romance too. Two subgenres that surprisingly work brilliantly together.

Brett is obviously set up as the villain in the beginning of this story, and I knew that he was going to cause some kind of issue from fairly early on. However, I really didn’t expect this level of creepy nope from him. And, even days after finishing this story (and writing this review), I still get the icks when I think about just how skeevy a villain he truly is. There are so many layers of manipulation, control and abuse in his actions that it becomes really uncomfortable. Mostly in that it is incredibly easy to see how people can end up in abusive relationships with no way out – it’s just so insidious!

Honestly, I found the stress of Brett and his machinations to be a physically uncomfortable phenomenon. A testament to how great of a writer Bowen is, but honestly, what a horrible villain to feature in a romance! I’m used to hints of abuse and cruelty in the characters I read about. But, he is definitely one who is outright evil and horrid. It made me love this story all that much more, and one of the reasons I enjoy Bowen’s writing so much is the fact that she is able to give me a whole heap of feels in a novel. But, I definitely experienced high levels of stress throughout my reading of this romance.

For all that I had a whole heap of feelings throughout this tale, I did find Delilah and Silas’ romance to be incredibly cute and sweet. I love that they manage to fall together naturally and forgive each other for past misunderstandings. They also get a great happily ever after. Even if it is a little less traditional than the other members of the Brooklyn Bruisers, I loved their eventual happily ever after. And I can’t wait for them to be the charismatic secondary characters I know they will be in more books throughout this series.

<- Overnight SensationMoonlighter ->

Image source: Natasha is a Book Junkie

King of Campus by Jennifer Sucevic

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: King of Campus
Author: Jennifer Sucevic
Series: Barnett Bulldogs #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

As much as I enjoyed this story, and will read more Jennifer Sucevic books, I did find the start to be a little difficult. There was something about it that made me push through. But it was a little bit difficult to get through that first bit. Particularly because although there is push back against Roan’s shitty attitude, there isn’t quite enough. I wanted her to smack him down (verbally) a little bit more before the friendship started.

Even though to begin with Roan was an absolutely horrible male lead, he actually ended up being a good guy. One that I did actually like. It just took a little while to get there. And once you did, it kind of made the story a lot easier to enjoy. I almost DNF’d it because of how rude and annoying Roan was in the beginning.

 I love that both of the characters in this have some pretty hefty emotional damage in their pasts. It was enough to cause friction and challenges to overcome, but not so much that there’s a moment of doubt to their happily ever after.

Once I got over the first bit of discomfort and frustration at the doucheyness levels of Roan, I actually really enjoyed thus. It ended up being a really nice and fun light read. One that makes me feel like reading more of Sucevic’s works and just departing from reality for a little bit.

<- More Jennifer SucevicFriend Zoned ->

Image source: Amazon

Songbird by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Songbird
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Rugby #4.5
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story really didn’t do what I expected. I thought, that, being Cosway and Reid, that it would be a complete and contained happily ever after. Instead, it was really a story full of possibilities. It did have its own beginning and end (because all stories kind of have to). But it felt more like a prologue leading into the possibility of a relationship, not the formation of one. Honestly, I just felt a whole lot of hope when I finished this short story. which was kind of incredibly beautiful.

I’ve always loved the idea of Christmas as a time of change and miracles. Songbird is very much about that one perfect Christmas eve. One that makes you truly believe that change is on the horizon and that miracles can (and do) happen. Even writing this review, I have a slightly dreamy look on my face as I think about all of the happy little feelings that this short story inspired in me.

There was something ridiculously romantic about this story. Even though it was just a moment in time, I think the setting, the timing and just the beautiful writing made for an incredibly romantic tale. You’ll definitely be left hoping for another story in this universe, one in which these two find their happily ever after and eventually get to meet again.

<- Wrap Me UpNeanderthal Seeks Illusionist ->

Image source: Amazon

The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Tip-Off
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Series: Smart Jocks #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I knew that Zeke and Gabby were going to end up together from their first meeting in The Assist. They had immediate chemistry, and Jenshak made no secret of how they are likely to end up as a couple. Yet, even knowing that they were going to end up together, I enjoyed the journey. Also, the discoveries of the people’s personalities and strength along the way. A nice, easy adventure that left me smiling.

I honestly thought that there would be more about Gabby’s scarring. I mean, it’s obviously mentioned, but in reality, her character journey was more about what it means to experience college. The misconceptions, enjoyments and milestones that are associated. I love that Gabby’s idea of what she wants to experience is kind of off-kilter, and involves her doing some pretty random things. All of which Zeke just goes along with. None of which were things that I experienced at my university… but it’s interesting how the American collegiate system can be seen through others’ eyes (I’m Australian, I have no idea how it works in America).

As is typical, it takes Zeke takes a little bit to actually realise he has feelings for Gabby. The lust and the attraction is there from the very beginning – for both of them. But actually realising that you have emotions for someone and acting on them, it takes just a little while. In fact, it does take a bit for both of them to recognise that what they have is real. Introducing that nice conflict that made me want to rush to the end. When they realise that preconceived notions aren’t always correct. And if it’s the right person, then they’ll fit into your plans.

So far, this is the only one of this series to end with any ideas of matrimony. It makes sense, Zeke and Gabby are definitely the most mature couple of the series. And their journey is about the idea that permanency and falling in love can happen to anyone at anytime. Regardless of whether or not you think that it’s the “right time”.

<- The FadeawayThe Fake ->

Image source: Amazon

The Catch by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Catch
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Series: Smart Jocks #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I knew Vanessa and Mario had a simple origin story compared to the others. But it was still incredibly sweet. And I seriously enjoyed reading it. As I’ve been slowly making my way through the series, I’ve wanted to get to know the original couple just that little bit more. And, finally I signed up for this free novella. And I was NOT disappointed.

I love that throughout this story, Mario works hard at earning Vanessa’s trust. Not by doing anything over the top and insane, but by charging through all of her time objections and just spending time with her. He doesn’t push Vanessa, just let’s her come around to him in her own time.

The Meet Cute of Mario and Vanessa was also brilliant. I love how it’s just a simple misunderstanding that is quite memorable. It also perfectly sets up the tone for the rest of the story… both Vanessa and Mario have memorable first impressions and work hard at finding space in their lives for one another.

Not only is this a fun novella, it provides hints to Blair’s challenges. It’s a great introduction to the series with a lot of tantalising hints about the basketball boys. Definitely a great romance series all about smart jocks.

<- More Rebecca JenshakThe Assist ->

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