Review: Hate Me Under the Mistletoe by Kelly Jamieson

 

Hate Me Under the Mistletoe (Romancing the Rink #1) by Kelly Jamieson

Publication Date: October 26th 2021 by Garland Grove Books

Pages: 180  

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Amy Heller is having one hell of a time. Finding out about betrayal both on a professional and personal level makes being festive impossible. When a friend offers a secluded cabin in the woods to decompress and nurse her wounds, Amy jumps at the chance. Alone time with wine, books, and bubble baths, away from holiday cheer sounds perfect. Unfortunately, a miscommunication has someone else showing up at a most awkward moment. And more unfortunately, it’s the man who broke her heart at sixteen. Looks like she’ll have to deal with it, though, since a nasty storm makes it impossible for to leave.

Ryder has been focused on his business for the last few years putting his personal life and family on the backburner. Finally with his business thriving he’s set to take some down time, first at a remote cabin, then traveling to meet up with his family for Christmas. He loves spending time with his family on Christmas, they have so many lovely traditions (who doesn’t love an ugly sweater competition?!!) in a Winter Wonderland small town, but first he’s looking forward to unplugging and relaxing for a few days.

Hate Me Under the Mistletoe was so much fun! I do enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers romance and I could totally understand why Amy was less than pleased with the situation when Ryan showed up. Not only did she want to be alone without any reminder of holiday festivities, but she especially didn’t want to spend it with her teenage crush she felt humiliated her.

Ryan was a complete sweetheart and didn’t realize how his action impacted Amy. Even before they cleared things up it was hard for Amy to hold her grudge, because he was such a good guy. I loved that these two got stuck together. They needed the escape and the forced time together to sort things out. Cooking together, snowball fights and board games made for fun times that made me smile.

Amy and Ryan had major chemistry and tension, even when Amy was being prickly, and things were super steamy! Hate Me Under the Mistletoe is the perfect short, sweet, and hot romance making me yearn for my own Winter Wonderland respite with family, friends, and love! 

4 Stars

Book Description:

What happens under the mistletoe stays under the mistletoe…

Amy’s life isn’t living up to the famous Heller family brand—her love life and her career—and she just wants to be alone for Christmas. So she takes off to a friend’s secluded mountain cabin. Ho fu*king ho.

Ryder’s workaholic tendencies have made him super successful in his business, but he hasn’t spent time with family for years. That’s all he wants this Christmas, plus a little down time at a cabin in the mountains. He loves Christmas and can’t wait for the family ugly sweater contest!

When Ryder walks in on Amy at an “awkward” moment, she can’t believe the man she’s hated since she was sixteen has shown up here. He has to leave. But Mother Nature has other ideas when a blizzard shuts down the entire region...

Amy thinks a good place for Ryder’s Christmas cheer is up his ass. Ryder thinks Amy’s grown up into a smokin’ hot babe. Christmas is all about giving, and he’s got a really big package for Amy. Maybe naughty is the new nice...

Review: You Had Me at Hockey by Kelly Jamieson

 

You Had Me at Hockey (Bears Hockey #2) by Kelley Jamieson

Publication Date: December 8th 2020 by Loveswept

Pages: 224

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Sara’s a life blogger/influencer and is set up to interview a new to New York hockey player for a podcast where they meet. They laugh and connect with attraction simmering between them, even though they’re quite different. There were a lot of fun moments of humor, but there was a deeper emotional side to the story, too.  Josh has some personal battles stemming from a tragedy that almost stole his life and career. His past and another personal connection he made in this book had me tearing up quite a bit.

Josh was a bit buttoned up, but underneath a sweet gentleman. He did like to have control over situations and was big on planning ahead which made Sara a woman he theoretically wouldn’t mesh with, but she was a breath of fresh air for him. Helped Josh get out of his comfort zone and have fun. He was able to introduce her to some new experiences, too. Very sexy experiences!

Sara was sweet, quirky and with a zest for life and new experiences. I liked that she felt comfortable in her own skin, but as any normal woman dealt with self-doubt and esteem issues from time to time which made her very relatable.

You Had Me at Hockey was cute, sweet, but also pretty darn hot! It was a pleasing blend of sizzling romance, lighthearted fun, and deeper emotions. Now I’d like to go back and read the first book!

4 Stars

 

Review: Good Guy by Kate Meader

Good Guy (Rookie Rebels #1) by Kate Meader

Publication Date: July 30th 2019 by Kate Meader LLC

Pages: 340

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

He's a Special Forces veteran making his pro hockey debut. She's a dogged sports reporter determined to get a scoop. She's also his best friend's widow... 

Fans can’t get enough of Levi Hunt, the Special Forces veteran who put his NHL career on hold to serve his country and fight the bad guys. So when his new Chicago Rebels bosses tell him to cooperate with the press on a profile, he’s ready to do his duty. Until he finds out who he has to work with: flame-haired, freckle-splashed, impossibly perky Jordan Cooke. 

The woman he should not have kissed the night she buried her husband, Levi’s best friend in the service.

Hockey-stick-up-his-butt-serious Levi Hunt might despise Jordan for reasons she can’t fathom—okay, it’s to do with kissing—but her future in the cutthroat world of sports reporting hangs on delivering the goods on the league’s hottest, grumpiest rookie. So what if he’s not interested in having his life plated up for public consumption. Too bad. Jordan will have to play dirty to get her scoop and even dirtier to get her man. Only in winning the story, she might just lose her heart...

My Thoughts:

Levi is a rookie on the Chicago Rebels team, an older one since he opted to go into service in Special Forces instead of immediately playing on a profession hockey team.  Now nine years later he’s been hired onto the Chicago Rebels hockey team.  Everyone wants his story, but he is a very private person and doesn’t feel like much should be made of his service in Special Forces.  Levi suffers a bit from survivor’s guilt since his best friend, Josh didn’t make it out. Teaming up with Josh’s widow, Jordan, a sportscaster isn’t something Levi is looking forward to either since the last time he saw her was the night of Josh’s funeral when they kissed five years ago.

Jordan is assigned to get Levi’s story, but she has her doubts because he never seemed to approve of her when she married his best friend.  It’s even more awkward because of the kiss they shared when Jordan was at her lowest, overcome with grief. Levi isn’t making things easy either, but she’s persistent. Spending time together leads to sparks between them, and even though neither wants to feel what they’re feeling ignoring their attraction is a losing battle.

Oh, I just love the quiet, broody types, especially when they have a hot-melty center! Levi was intense, and passionate, and when he stopped fighting his attraction to Jordan, she was his focus.  Jordan, you lucky girl! Of course, there’s some bumps in the road, Levi is insecure about Jordan’s true feelings and Jordan worries about how their relationship will appear with her position as interviewer. Nothing overly dramatic, and I loved experiencing all the ups and downs in their journey towards a HEA!

I have a special weakness for hot, complicated hockey men so I was thrilled to get back to the Chicago Rebels team!  This is book one in the Kate Meader’s Rookie Rebel series, but it picks up with the same team as her Chicago Rebels series, with glimpses of the previous characters.

4.5 Suns

Review & Giveaway: I Want You Back by Lorelei James

I Want You Back (Want You #1) by Lorelei James

Publication Date: April 2nd 2019 by Berkley 

Pages: 400

Source: ARC provided by Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

About the book: 

New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James kicks-off her Want You Series with a Lund family cousin hot enough to melt the ice and mend a broken heart.

Former NHL star Jaxson Lund has returned to the Twin Cities, but he's at loose ends, unsure if he belongs at Lund Industries, or where he stands with Lucy, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Mimi. Despite the signs she'd like to leave him in the penalty box, the attraction burning between them reinforces his determination to prove that he deserves a second chance...

Lucy Quade is in a good place with a steady job, a nice apartment, and a well-adjusted daughter, which is why she's hesitant when Jax insists on co-parenting. It's not that Lucy doesn't trust Jax...she's just unconvinced he can handle multiple responsibilities when he's been singularly focused on playing hockey. But when issues arise with Mimi, Lucy's shocked at how levelheaded and paternal he acts, giving her a glimpse of the Jax she used to know, the sexy, sweet man she fell for years ago.

Once Lucy lets her guard down, Jax goes all in to show her how good they are together, but will their past remain too large an obstacle to ever overcome?

My Thoughts:

I’m such a sucker for a good second chance romance, even more so when the couple have a child together, so I was really rooting for Jax and Lucy to get their HEA!  From the beginning this couple felt like they were always meant-to-be, which was enhanced by flashbacks to some of their first dates.  A super meet-cute, and palpable chemistry had me hooked!  I loved the flashbacks, and I felt like it gave a depth to their connection that wouldn’t have been there otherwise, but I was glad we didn’t relive their messy breakup, as I’m not fond of super angsty romances. 

My heart ached for the loss of their relationship since it was clear neither were over the breakup even though it happened years ago, right around when their eight-year-old daughter Sophie was born.  It’s always tough for me to get over a cheating in a relationship, but Ms. James handled it beautifully! Not to excuse Jax’s behavior, but alcoholism and toxic peer influence contributed. I appreciated he never made excuses, and acknowledged how badly he screwed up, losing “the love of his life” in the process. He definitely made up for it! Lucy wasn’t completely blameless in the death of their relationship, IMO, and I’m glad she recognized her part and worked to change. 

Jax and Lucy’s story was mentioned here and there in the Need You series, so I’ve been eagerly anticipating their turn, and I Want You Back did not disappoint! Loved Jax and Lucy’s story to pieces! This series is a new spin-off, something I just figured out. I thought is was part of the Need You series, and we do have cross-over characters. However, you don’t have to read any of the other books to love Jax and Lucy’s story.

4.5 Suns

The lovely people of Berkley have generously provided A Paperback Copy of I Want You Back to one reader!  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck! 

I have a new favorite author: Mariana Zapata!

I know I'm late to the party here, but I've just discovered Mariana Zapata's romances, and I'm hooked! I've read three of her books in the last month, and I'm eager for more!  I'll share the books I've read (listened to) and a few thoughts:

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata narrated by Callie Dalton

Publication Date: February 28th 2016 

Pages: 637

Purchase Links: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.

But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?

My Thoughts:

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is my favorite of the three Zapata books I’ve read so far.  Aiden, the famous and lusted after football player, at first comes off as so rude and unreadable and Vanessa, as his personal assistant has had to jump to his every command for the last few years without any acknowledgment or gratitude outwardly expressed by him. No matter, she never intended to work for him forever, but when she quits, everything changes, and this is where it gets fun!

Be warned, it takes a while to set the stage and Aiden comes off as a total asshole for the first 20-25%?  Hang in there, though!  I dare you not to fall in love, like I did! Plus, there’s no angst or 3^rd person drama! Yay! Vanessa was just pure awesomeness, and I loved that she started marathon training! I seem to always be training for a marathon (although mine are half-marathon, not a full) so it was a fun addition for me.

5 Suns

Lingus by Mariana Zapata narrated by Callie Dalton
Publication Date: August 7th 2015
Pages: 500
Purchase links: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

Most people would describe Katherine Berger as a responsible girl with a big heart, a loyal friend who takes care of those close to her, and the possessor of a wicked sense of humor. There was something about her that most people didn't know. "My name is Kat Berger, and I love porn."

When twenty-five-year-old Kat is dragged to a porn convention by her best friend, she's both embarrassed and nervous. The last thing she ever expected was to meet someone who makes her laugh like no other. This is a story about acceptance and friendship, and a love born out of the most unexpected of places

My Thoughts:

Going into Lingus I was a little apprehensive because I don’t like my hero screwing other people while developing a relationship with the heroine.  How is that possible with a porn star? Well, thankfully Tristan/Robbie didn’t seem to do too many jobs during the story and when he did, it was referred to very vaguely, because otherwise there’s no way I could’ve enjoyed this one. 

Tristan and Kat meet at a porn convention, at first Kat has no idea who Tristian is, and they instantly get along, having fun throughout the day until she discovers his identity.  They stay friends and end up hanging out all the time, and Kat thinks her attraction to Tristian is one-sided, and she’s not sure she can continue with it when her feelings continue to grow.  My heart went out to her a couple of times when he went on a job. Kat kind of gets him back, not while meaning to, but just through trying to live her life.  I loved their easy friendship, but I was more than ready for these two to acknowledge their feelings and get it out in the open!  This is definitely a slow burn romance, but worth the ride!  

4 Suns

Kulti by Mariana Zapata narrated by Callie Dalton

Publication Date: March 20th 2015

Pages: 570

Purchase Links: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

“Trust me, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face a time or five.”

When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.

It didn’t take a week for twenty-seven-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she’d seen in the international soccer icon—why she’d ever had his posters on her wall, or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.

Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man that hadn’t known she’d existed. So she isn’t prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team’s season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he’d once been.

Nothing could have prepared her for the man she got to know.

Or the murderous urges he brought out in her.

This was going to be the longest season of her life.

My Thoughts:

Another fabulous slow burn romance! Kulti, like Aiden in the The Wall of Winnipeg & Me, was an unreadable asshole at first! Wait for it, though, because I ended up loving this man!

As a seven-year-old, Sal idolized this famous soccer player, and so did the rest of the world.  He was the reason she became a soccer player and strived to be the best.  Kulti’s been out of the lime light for the last few years, but he registers on the radar again when he agrees to be the coach to Sal’s team, the Piper’s. She’s beside herself, the thought of her longtime idol coaching her team floors her! She must keep reminding herself that he’s just another human just like her, put aside all those adolescent dreams of marrying him and having mini-Kulti’s!  Once Kulti opens his mouth, though, that’s not really a problem, because he’s a complete asshole! That’s okay, Sal has no problem schooling this Sauerkraut!

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was my favorite Zapata, but only by a hairsbreadth!  Kulti is another 5 star read for me.  I loved all the nicknames that Sal called him, at first under her breath, mind you: Sauerkraut, German Chocolate Cake, Reindeer, Arnold, Bratwurst, lol!  Kulti had a few nicknames for Sal, too, but my favorite was Schnecke!  

The sports aspect was a fun, too! Sal's determination and drive was inspiring!

Sooo, so good!

Callie Dalton narrated all three books, and I thoroughly enjoyed her performance!  I plan on reading From Lukov With Love just as soon as the audio version releases, which is currently underway.  I've heard of it being compared to the '80s movie The Cutting Edge which is one of my favorite cheesy movies! Can't wait!

5 Suns

Review: So Over You by Kate Meader

So Over You (Chicago Rebels #2) by Kate Meader

Publication Date: December 4th 2017 by Pocket Star

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Three estranged sisters struggle to sustain their late father’s failing hockey franchise in Kate Meader’s sizzling Chicago Rebels series. In this second entry, middle sister Isobel is at a crossroads in her personal and professional lives. But both are about to get a significant boost with the addition of a domineering Russian powerhouse to the Rebels...

Isobel Chase knows hockey. She played NCAA, won silver at the Games, and made it thirty-seven minutes into the new National Women’s Hockey League before an injury sidelined her dreams. Those who can’t, coach, and a position as a skating consultant to her late father’s hockey franchise, the Chicago Rebels, seems like a perfect fit. Until she’s assigned her first job: the man who skated into her heart as a teen and relieved her of her pesky virginity. These days, left-winger Vadim Petrov is known as the Czar of Pleasure, a magnet for puck bunnies and the tabloids alike. But back then... let’s just say his inability to sink the puck left Isobel frustratingly scoreless.

Vadim has a first name that means “ruler,” and it doesn’t stop at his birth certificate. He dominates on the ice, the practice rink, and in the backseat of a limo. But a knee injury has produced a bad year, and bad years in the NHL don’t go unrewarded. His penance? To be traded to a troubled team where his personal coach is Isobel Chase, the woman who drove him wild years ago when they were hormonal teens. But apparently the feeling was not entirely mutual.

That Vadim might have failed to give Isobel the pleasure that was her right is intolerable, and he plans to make it up to her—one bone-melting orgasm at a time. After all, no player can perfect his game without a helluva lot of practice...

My Thoughts:

Hockey has been Isobel Chase’s life ever since she can remember, but her career imploded after a head injury almost ended her life.  Now she finds herself part owner, along with her two other sisters, of The Chicago Rebels, her deceased father’s team, and since she can’t play, coaching will have to be the next best thing.  For a chance at the job Isobel must personally coach their newly acquired player, Vadim Petrov through his knee injury to prove her skills.  Unfortunately, they have a checkered past, a night together that started out amazing, but didn’t wrap up so well for Isobel.  That night got Vadim kicked out of the country, back to Russia thanks to her father. 

The attraction they felt as teenagers only burns brighter now, but Isobel is serious about making her position work, and gaining the respect of the team.  So, no-go with Vadim, even if he is about ten times hotter now!  Plus, her experience with Vadim started off all hot and bothered, but left her hanging in the end, so it wouldn’t be all that great anyhow, right? 

Vadim is back in the States, traded after an injury, back with the Girl with the Blazing Skates.  Isobel Chase amazed Vadim and lit up his fires when they were teenagers, and it postponed his US Hockey career.  Finding out he didn’t live up to his reputation as the Czar of Pleasure with Isobel back then makes him determined to make up for the past and then some!  Oh my, a man on a mission I wholeheartedly approve of!

I just loved Vadim!  All big and broody, a heart the size of Texas, and a dry sense of humor! I immediately connected with Isobel, too; my heart went out to her and all she went through.  Vadim and Isobel together were electric, but they’re romance was more than just sizzling physical attraction.  Their chemistry was off-the charts, but I appreciated the many layers to these characters as their vulnerabilities were revealed.  Vadim’s were wrapped up in family issues, and Isobel’s stemming from her loss of career; well, that and a kind of shitty dad.  Loved the understanding and support between them!

This is the first Kate Meader I picked up, but it won’t be my last! (I already grabbed up a copy of Irresistible You, the first book, which is currently on sale for .99 cents!) Her writing is playful, humorous, and hot!  Everything I love in a romance! She brought Vadim and Isobel to life; their their struggles and their highs all felt real to me making their journey towards a HEA a pleasure to experience!  

4.5 Suns

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