It is bittersweet to see The Edens come to an end. I have been such a fan of Devney’s for a long time, and this series just raised the bar. Indigo Ridge remains not just one of my favourite Devney Perry books but one of my favourite romance novels I have ever read. This was a perfect send-off to the world and the family that we love along with a beautiful story for characters I have been excited to see depicted for a while.

I am a Devney Perry review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

Vera Gallagher is chasing constant. For four years, her life was anything but normal. And the years before that she refuses to even remember. Dwelling on the past only hurts. Life is fragile, a lesson her mother taught her well. She’s determined not to waste a moment of her newfound freedom.

Maybe some would consider her crush on Mateo Eden wasted time. Maybe some would call her a fool for loving a man who hasn’t once dropped a crumb of interest her way. Still, to Vera, it’s Mateo or nothing.

He’s handsome. Charming. Witty. And he loves his family the way Vera loves—with her whole heart.

Maybe he’ll never notice her. Maybe she’s too damaged, too broken, to find that normal life she craves. Maybe her secrets will always keep them apart. But Vera will love him anyway. Whether Mateo realizes it or not.

An unrequited love, small town romance.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Matteo and Vera are the main characters of Sable Peak. From the minute I finished Crimson River I wanted Vera’s story, even more than I wanted Matteo’s. Devney is so good at building these heroines who have gone through tremendous loss, trauma, and adversity and they respond in ways that feel so human. Of course, Vera has moments of what feels like immaturity or she will close herself off, she’s been closed off from the wider world for so long. I loved her personal journey in this story. Matteo is hard not to love, this final Eden sibling has been someone I have been excited to read about since the early books. He’s a single dad and it was so heartwarming to see him grow from the hotheaded side character Matteo, into the father figure leading man. This would not be the last instalment without lots of character cameos, I am so happy that Deveny did so many family dinners and that we got insights not just into our favourite characters, but all their new little kids. Special shout-out to Anne and Harrison, the original Eden love story who are some of the best parents I’ve ever seen in romance, if you have not read the bonus epilogue it is a must!
• Setting: Quincy, Montana how I will miss you! This town with all of its different Edens in it, and its iconic settings from the Edens’ ranch to the Eloise Inn to Eden Coffee. This book similar to the last one also showcased the majesty of Montana’s landscape, and the book titles have all been odes to that as well what a wonderful touch. All of Devney’s books for the most part are set in Montana, but these feel like the biggest love letter to her homestate.
• Pacing: This book had some very interesting pacing as it tells a two-year story. I get why Devney decided to put all this time into Vera’s unrequited crush and Matteo’s time as a single dad. I also get that if she wrote more of the early parts of this book then it would have gotten even longer, maybe even way too long. It would have been interesting to read that stuff, but it was not make or break for me. I love the story we did get but be warned if you are not a fan of huge gaps and flash-forwarding in time.
• Romance: This romance had a really interesting structure, as for a good chunk of the book it is Vera who is holding this crush on Matteo. Her confronting him about it was a scene that had me rooting for her! Once they began to spend more time together we saw her grow to love baby Alaina which is always the best part of a single parent story. This book is very slow burn vibes, as glances and winks turn into touches and countless hours spent together. I loved this build-up and it all felt paced so perfectly. Plus of course, the steamy scenes are hot, Devney has always done a wonderful job writing these. What a lovely send-off to all the Edens couples!

Sable Peak receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

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Thank you again to Devney and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Devney Perry’s Sable Peak ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Pucked is still one of my favourite hockey romance series I have ever read! When I first heard about this prequel I was ecstatic to be back in this universe, and to get a glimpse into a love story I never thought I would get to read.

I am a Helena Hunting review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting comes a new story in her Pucked series. The untold story of Skye and Sidney, and the origin story where Vi and Miller are teens when their parents start dating and fall in love…

I accidentally grabbed the wrong drink at the coffee shop. On the upside, the hot guy it belonged to chased me down to kindly swap with me. On the down side, the reason I grabbed the wrong drink in the first place is because the hot guy had just caught me checking out his ass…sets.

In my defense, his rear view is rather magnificent.

In true, humiliating form, I word-vomited a bunch of horrible nonsense. Including an unnecessary explanation of the trauma I’d evaded thanks to his chasing me down. Nothing could ruin my lactose-intolerant day faster than my one true dairy.

I did not expect him to ask me out on a date after that.

I also didn’t expect the date to go well since my tendency to truth-vomit is high, and not everyone finds that quality endearing.

But apparently he does. Because he asks me out again.
And again.

Sidney Butterson (yes, it’s a weird last name) ticks all my boxes.
He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s employed and he’s ridiculously hot.
There’s one catch.

We’re both single parents. With teens.

And if our kids don’t like each other?
Well, we’re doomed.

* *Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.* *

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: I adore all the Pucked characters so much! This is the first time we have been in Skye and Sidney’s heads and I was so excited for this prequel. For Skye, you cannot help but root for the strong single mom who really does best by her daughter. You can see where Violet gets so many of her character quirks from the lactose intolerance to the blurting of thoughts. Speaking of Vi, I loved the insight into teenage Violet, because what fan of Pucked does not have a soft spot for the quirky queen herself. We also got a peak at teenager Miller, through Sidney and oh boy was it fun to see the hockey star as a teen boy throwing rockous house parties. Finally a word of Sidney, the swoony gentleman who did not just sweep Skye off her feet but us all.
• Pacing: This is billed as a novella, but do not fear it is quite a long one. I really enjoyed the length of time we spent with Skye and Sidney. So often these prequel stories are too short to really grow invested in the relationship and that was not the case with this one.
• Romance: I loved Skye and Sidney so much, and from their coffee shop meet cute I was rooting for them! I loved all the spice Helena gave us in a prequel about the parents! It was a lovely amount of steamy and tension for a couple finding their second chance at love a bit later in life. It was also really refreshing to read a single-parent romance, wherein they aren’t just both single parents, but they are parenting teenagers. Often the trope just features little kids, but little adults throw in a whole new dynamic to building a relationship. Ultimately though for fans of the Pucked series, this will feel like returning home, it is so nostalgic and just a wonderful time.

Where It Begins receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

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Thank you again to Helena and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Helena Hunting’s Where It Begins ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

The first time I read through the first few Chestnut Springs books I got super attached to Willa and Cade. The second time through I loved them even more! He’s the grumpy cowboy single dad and she’s the sunshine nanny, who won’t be able to help but fall for him and his little boy.

Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should be simple…except she can’t keep her eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off her. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than Willa Grant, and he barely looks her way, even though she’s living in his house for the summer. That is, until she gets him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then, all bets are off―and so are their clothes. Cade is gruff, a little rough around the edges, but broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who is she to resist? But it’s in their quietest moments together that he softens. It’s in the unexpected way he takes care of Willa that she realizes his hardened exterior is just a façade. And it’s when she watches him go all sweet with his little boy that she starts to fall for him, whatever the consequences. Someone once convinced Cade that his best wasn’t good enough. But Willa has never felt more cherished than she does in his arms. Her contract says this arrangement is only for two months. But her heart says this is forever.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: I adore Willa, Cade, and of course Luke. Willa is feisty and I loved every second of it. I love her friendship with Summer, bestie goals those two. I love the touch of having the text conversations at the beginning of each chapter, and the bestie texts were the best. Cade is your classic grump but I couldn’t help but fall for him right away. He is such a good dad to his son Luke and the way he cares for his family and their ranch. He has a big heart, even if he would be the last person to admit it. Of course, Luke is an adorable kid along with the rest of the Eatons and the extended family who shine in their side roles in each instalment.
• Setting: The Wishing Well Ranch in Chestnut Springs is just such a special place. In contrast to Flawless where Summer and Rhett are on the road (a motif that continues into the next book where Jasper and Sloane will road trip away from Chestnut Springs), this book is the only instalment (so far) with lots of dedicated time on the ranch. Me the city mouse, this ranch temporarily converts me into a country mouse – and I can totally see why Willa fell for it so hard.
• Pacing: Elsie’s books are so easy to read, as they are the perfect length – not too short or too long. This story is just so compelling, with a plot that never rests for too long so I guarantee you will read it quickly because you will never want to stop reading. If I have one passing complaint is that the ending and resolution felt a tad rushed, but that could have totally stemmed from me never wanting this book to end.
• Romance: As Willa radiates sunshine she soon melts Cade’s grumpy exterior and he can’t help himself from falling in love with the nanny. It showcases one of the best elements about single dad romances – the sweet moment of the love interest falling not just for her hero but for his child too. Cade had been hurt before and deserved the happiness Willa brought to their lives. Plus, this book is super hot, even hot enough to steam up a hot tub.

Heartless receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo

Thank you again to Elsie and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Elsie Silver’s Heartless Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This one just wasn’t for me. I have been enjoying the series so far but just found I was not attached to the characters and that it was a bit of a trope overload.

I am a Lauren Blakely review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

I swear I’m a good girl. I didn’t go to the exclusive, after-hours masquerade to kiss my dad’s best friend. I didn’t even know who the masked man was when he touched me like I was his every fantasy. But when I learn exactly how off-limits my new lover is, I do my best to avoid him the next time. Except, he has his sinful sights set on me, even when he discovers who I am. Just one time, he whispers. Then we’ll pretend this never happened. Seems the enigmatic, gorgeous single dad I’ve known by day is a very dirty man after dark. But one night turns into a stolen weekend away, giving me a taste of so much more. When we return to the city, we vow to stay apart. We could never work . He’s focused on raising his young son, and I can’t let my already damaged family break more. But the caring, possessive man keeps coming back to me, and these secret nights tangled up together are turning into tender moments that make my heart thunder. And soon, this tease of a forbidden romance is making me want so much more than I can ever have…

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: The lead characters were Jules Marley and Finn Adams. Jules is a junior TV producer while Finn is a venture capitalist. He is the business partner of Nick, the hero from the previous novel The Tryst. Finn is a divorced single father and is of course much older than Jules. Jules has OCD and I was not keen on the representation of this as it just seemingly entered the story too close to the end. I did like her bold, confident personality but I found in contrast that Finn blended with many other male love interests.
• Setting: The story is split between New York City and Paris. I do adore books set in Paris and Lauren really does do a good job depicting a romantic Paris. It is easy to believe in a city like Paris that you can be so easily whisked away.
• Pacing: I did read this quite quickly as Lauren writes at a decently fast pace, but I also wanted to make sure it didn’t put me into a reading slump.
• Romance: This romance had a lot going on it, maybe too much. They met at a masquerade night at a club, and I would have loved it if Lauren had embraced this even more. She is the daughter of his friend but they would flip between that fact making their relationship forbidden and Jules’ fears. It felt like as they balanced both issues, neither felt the proper weight. The sex scenes were pretty hot, as Lauren is consistently good at writing them.

The Tease receives three out of five stars.

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Thank you again to Lauren and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.

The post Lauren Blakely’s The Tease ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I am so very excited to see Corinne taking on these tropes, who doesn’t love a single dad falling for his new nanny? This is also a return to one of Corinne’s most special settings, Sugarloaf and there may be a little Arrowood cameo or two.

First rule of being a nanny? Don’t fall for the single dad, even if he is smoking hot.

But that’s exactly what happens when grumpy small-town sheriff Asher Whitlock reluctantly hires me to take care of his daughter for the summer. Neither of us is thrilled with the arrangement, but he’s desperate for help, and I need the money for grad school this fall.

All we need to do is keep our distance and remain professional . . . turns out, that’s easier said than done.

Instead of focusing on my future, all I see is the strong jawline, crystal-blue eyes, and rock-hard body right in front of me. We try to resist each other, but we end up crossing every line until I’m in his bed.

I tell myself it’s just this once.

Okay, twice.

All right, every night.

But it’s got to end–he’s fourteen years older than me, with a kid and a stressful job. Have I mentioned my dad is his boss? Then there’s the past I’m trying to forget. Secrets aren’t easy to keep and mine are getting too big to hide.

Walking away is never simple but when I do, I can’t look back.

Even if it means leaving behind the man I was never meant to love.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Pheobe and Asher are our leads and I really liked both of their characters. When we meet Pheobe she has come back home early from grad school, why you may ask? Well read to find out but let’s just say she is facing a tough situation and it was admirable that she was determined to return to her master’s program at another school. While she is home for the summer she must help Asher and his daughter Olivia. They are stranded without a nanny for the summer, specifically, someone who speaks ASL as Olivia is deaf. Asher is his father and he will be taking up single-dad duties for the summer. He was never in a romantic relationship with her mother, instead, they chose to keep Olivia and raise her together. While her mom is out of town this summer for work Asher reluctantly hires Pheobe to help. Asher is a cop and a great dad, when we meet him he is a bit of a grump. Asher is initially annoyed by Pheobe but that soon changes and things heat up. While Pheobe loves everyone with her whole heart and is great with Olivia.
• Setting: Sugarloaf is the small town this story is set in. It is the same town as Corinne Michaels’ Arrowood Brothers series. It is an adorable town, full of a great cast of side characters. There are so many characters there to give great advice to both Asher and Pheobe. Most intriguing were the other Whitlock Brothers, I cannot wait to see what becomes of their stories.
• Pacing: This story takes place over a summer holiday and it was paced quite well. I was a bit slumpy in my own reading, and so this took me longer than it should have.
• Romance: This romance was pretty damn electric. It was so cute to see Pheobe fall for Asher quickly and debate what to do about it. Just to have Asher struggling with keeping his hands to himself. They were both so good for each other. Asher really deserved to have someone to love and someone who loved him after sacrificing for his daughter for so long. While Pheobe deserved to be shown that love is not toxic and she was worthy of great love.

Forbidden Hearts receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Paperback

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Thank you again to Corinne and the Valentine PR team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Corinne Michaels’ Forbidden Hearts ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I adored the beginning of this new series featuring a charming small town and a loving family. Runaway Love features a few tropes Melanie has executed so well in the past, including single dad and falling for the nanny. The tropes that make up Irresistible which is one of Mel’s best books.

I am a Melanie Harlow review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

Yes, I’m a single dad who needs a nanny for the summer.

But hire the stranded runaway bride who shows up on my doorstep in a wedding gown with no references, no skills, and no experience?

No one is that desperate.

Except within twenty-four hours, down-on-her-luck Veronica Sutton manages to charm my kids, my family, and half the population of Cherry Tree Harbor into believing she’s perfect for the job.

And for me.

It’s not that I can’t see the appeal–those baby blue eyes? The endless legs? That mouth made for trouble? But I’ve got enough on my plate, raising two kids on my own and keeping the family business alive. I don’t have the time or the inclination to fall for an outspoken city girl.

So I should have kept my hands to myself.

Holding her in my arms was a big mistake. Even worse? Spending the night together. She ignites a possessive fire in me that I’m finding hard to snuff out.

But the most unforgivable? Growing attached to the sound of her laugh, the scent of her skin, and the way her body wraps around mine in the dark.

At the end of the summer, she’ll be gone.
And if I’m not careful, she might run away with my heart.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: We meet our heroine Veronica as she finds out her fiancè cheated on her, so she jilts him at the altar. I loved how this book featured her personal journey in re-discovering her independence. After being stifled by her ex, Veronica dawns her red lip again and breathes life into Austin and his entire family. Austin is our hero and he is a classic romance novel leading man. He is a single dad, who says he has no time for himself, to either explore setting up his own business, let alone go on a date. Austin has two adorable little kids, a boy and a girl. I wish they had a bit more time in the book, they did not capture my heart as much as other young kids have in past Melanie books such as Irresistible. Veronica and Austin are both very likeable characters, along with everyone else in this charming town.
• Setting: Cherry Tree Harbor is a new setting in the Melanie Harlow world! I adored everyone in this town, and how this may be the most gossip-filled town yet. The Buckley family from Austin to his brother, sister, father, and the two brothers we did not get to meet, this series has a lot of fodder and I cannot wait to see what story we get next.
• Pacing: This story just flew by and I finished it in like a day. The book takes place over the course of the summer, with one specific week holding great significance. So the pacing was super interesting
• Romance: Veronica and Austin had such a beautiful relationship that so many readers will love! They are super-steamy, thank god the twins went to visit their mother for a week so Austin and Veronica could come together. They are both bad about communicating their emotions not just to each other, but to themselves. They are what the other needed as Veronica needed someone to celebrate her without stifling her independence. While Austin needed the reminder it’s not selfish to love and want to spend life with someone by your side.

Runaway Love receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Audible

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Thank you again to Mel and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Melanie Harlow’s Runaway Love ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I have been excited about this Devney Perry passion project since she started talking about it a few years ago. She has never tackled a sports romance (see what I did there, haha) and I was looking forward to her putting her Devney spin on it. This was a great take on a coach romance, in a college setting rather than a professional team. So you get the best of both worlds a forbidden workplace romance and small college-town vibes.

I am a Devney Perry review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

A single dad, sports romance from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry.

Football star. Single dad. And once, a long time ago, mine.

I’ve spent the better part of a decade forgetting Ford Ellis. If he had just stayed away from Montana, I might have erased the memory of his striking blue eyes and rugged smile forever. Avoiding him was easy when the only place I saw his face was on ESPN—and a remote control could fix that problem.

Except my boss just hired Ford as the new head coach for the Treasure State Wildcats. Not only will I be stuck watching him on the sidelines this season, but avoiding him will be impossible now that we’re working together.

Maybe I haven’t forgotten Ford. Maybe I still dream about what we might have been. Maybe he hasn’t forgotten me either.

Except those maybes won’t change the fact that we were never meant to be. Maybe he was mine once. But as of today, the only thing I’ll be calling Ford Ellis is Coach.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our leads are Millie and Ford. I loved them both, they are definitely prime examples of Devney protagonists at their best. Ford is sweet, charming, and a wonderful Dad. Readers will fawn over how he prioritizes his daughter Joey. I loved his determination in everything from fatherhood, work, sport, and re-approaching Millie. I also liked having a sports romance with the heroine connected to the sports world, as authors rarely draw these connections. Millie is the school’s athletic director, and what I did enjoy stemming from that was a subplot of her fighting for agency in a male-dominated field. The other character I liked was Joey, I wished we could have seen more of her. The nature of this book is that key scenes take place at the workplace which just means less kiddo time.
• Setting: This story is set at a university in Montana, and well of course it is because Devney is the queen of Montana stories. Devney has said this will become a series of coach stories but all she has done is made me crave a series of college romances from her. I loved the insights you can glean from all the side characters on the football team.
• Pacing: Devney’s books are such a good length, not too slow or not too fast. The story opens with one chapter in the past, and the rest is in the present. Which means you learn about their history in the present timeline.
• Romance: This book is a bit of a slow burn, but with a ton of history. One of my favourites parts of the story was constructing this couple was the tension she wrote into every kiss. It made it so that I knew it would be magical once they collided. Being two adults that are working at a university sports program, they really channelled their inner horny college kid and made up for the lost time. There was a few hot scenes but too much fade to black for my liking. I also found the relationship pacing occurred a bit fast, I know they have a history but they still moved into the serious stage quite quickly.

Coach receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Kindle  |  Audible  |  Paperback

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Thank you again to Devney and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Devney Perry’s Coach ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This book is a culmination of so much I love about Sarina Bowen’s work. First off, it’s part of the Brooklyn Bruisers world one of my fave hockey romance series ever. Plus Sarina is so good at writing M/M love stories. Yet, she has not written a gay hockey romance since Him and Us, which she co-wrote with Elle Kennedy. Everyone will eat up The New Guy. If you especially loved Him and Us then The New Guy will pull on the same emotional heartstrings.

My name is Hudson Newgate, but my teammates call me New Guy.

That was my nickname in Chicago, too. And Vancouver. That’s what happens when you keep getting traded. Brooklyn is my last chance, especially after my poor performance last season.

But I can make this work. The new guy knows to keep his head down and shoot the puck. The new guy puts the game first.

What he doesn’t do is hook up with the other new guy—a hot athletic trainer who lives in my building. Gavin needs this job with my team. He’s a single dad with responsibilities.

We can’t be a couple. My arrogant agent–who’s also my father–will lose his mind if I’m dating a dude. And my team needs me to score goals, not whip up a media circus.

Too bad Gavin and I are terrible at resisting each other…

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our heroes are Gavin and Hudson. We met Gavin fresh to New York City, ready to start a new chapter in his life. I got attached to him so quickly. He is a single dad, as his late husband died in an accident and had adopted this young girl two years before he and Gavin got together. Jordyn is an adorable kid, and no surprise because her dad Gavin is such an incredibly endearing and kind guy. We meet Hudson when Gavin does, in a bar watching a hockey game. Hudson should be playing for the Brooklyn NHL team but he’s out with an injury. He is the perpetual “New Guy” who keeps getting traded around the league. He’s got a controlling father as his agent, who is forcing him to remain in the closet. I loved how Hudson can be adorably awkward especially when it comes to his feelings for Gavin.
• Setting: I love this world so damn much! As Sarina grows her Brooklyn hockey world, I just never want to leave it. Previous fans of Sarina’s hockey books will be ecstatic as there were just so many sweet moments with the other team members and the extended organization.
• Pacing: I enjoyed every moment of this story so much, that I never wanted it to end. I loved that right away it was set up that we were not only an epic love story but also the first time that in Sarina’s hockey world, we would see the ups and downs of navigating coming out as a hockey player. I hope we see even more diverse stories come into this universe.
• Romance: This relationship starts off with a great meet cute. Just two guys in a bar, that should be watching a hockey game, and instead are unable to keep their eyes off each other. Plus we get such a steamy kiss as a tease for the intensity to come. Sarina did a great job of building the sexual tension between Gavin and Hudson. Once those two collided every scene was not just super hot, but brought an emotional intensity. I cried after so many scenes in this book, which is not something I usually find myself doing when I read Sarina’s books.

The New Guy receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Audio

Thank you again to Sarina and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sarina Bowen’s The New Guy ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I was a huge fan of the Cloverleigh Farms series. If you have never picked it up you should definitely start with Irresistible. Which is the story of how Winnie’s parents, Frannie and Mack fell in love. It is still one of Melanie Harlow’s best books and I was so excited to see that Melanie was returning to Cloverleigh.

I am a member of Melanie Harlow’s review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

“My new neighbor is a firefighter–and a scorching hot single dad–but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.

(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)

Nothing happened, of course–because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.

Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.

Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.

(Also my underwear.)

He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.

He’s wrong.

Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.

How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?” 

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our hero is Dexter. Dex is the divorced father of two little girls. He is a former Navy SEAL turned firefighter. He is a bit of a grump and swears a shit ton. He loves his daughters, he puts them first even at the detriment of his own happiness and that was one of the reasons it was so easy to cheer for him to find love. Our heroine is Winnie, you will recognize her if you have read Irresistible. She is Mack and Frannie’s daughter. Winnie is a hopeless romantic, but she has had to swear off men. After a failed engagement and a litany of bad boyfriends. She falls in love fast and hard. I loved how she always saw the best in people. Dex’s daughters, Hallie and Luna were much needed comic relief. When emotions got heavy they were always there to make a joke about Dex being a hairy ogre.
• Setting: I am so excited to be back at Cloverleigh! The best part of this book was all the interactions we got with other characters from all over the MHU (Melanie Harlow universe). There are obviously great scenes with Frannie and Mack. Along with the scene stealer character of Ellie, who is Winnie’s bestie. She is Mia and Lucas’s daughter whom you may remember from Frenched. I really hope we get her love story next! Finally we also get cameos from Mariah and Chip. Mariah being Cole’s daughter from Make Me Yours. Chip who plays a role in Unforgettable.
• Pacing: I have always loved how Melanie paces her books and Ignite was no exception. The stories are always the perfect length, not too long nor to short. All of it was just perfect when it came to pacing.
• Romance: These two are so hot together. It is amusing to see Winnie following in her parent’s foot steps. So many similar circumstances are in play. From the age gap to Dex’s single dad status. I knew from the first few pages I was going to be invested in seeing these two fall in love. They had immediate chemistry and I loved how they slowly, easily fell into love. Into the kind of love that both of these characters deserved. Love that was equal parts sweet and sexy. Melanie took a bit of a break between releases and all I wish is that the gap between the next one is not as large, because I need more Cloverleigh books and I need them now!

Ignite receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

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Thank you again to Melanie and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Melanie Harlow’s Ignite ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

These are some of the best Holiday stories I have read in a very long time. All romance fans will love these couples and their love stories.

I am a Willa Nash review team member, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

“One week with one little girl—an angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.

Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didn’t even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasn’t set foot in Montana for years because he’s been too busy running his billionaire empire.

Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday family’s annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.”

“I pride myself in being grounded. Sure, I’ve had my share of childhood fantasies. Winning an Oscar. Winning the lottery. Winning an Olympic medal for an athletic talent I have yet to discover. But the only fantasy I ever thought might actually happen was winning my brother’s best friend.

Heath Holiday.

My crush on him has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the day I started working for his construction company was the day I smothered it for good. Sort of. Mostly. It was on my to-do list. Making it a priority would have been easier had he not arrived at his family’s annual Christmas party looking ridiculously handsome in a suit.

Then he kissed me. We stepped into an alternate universe and he kissed me. I assumed the next day I’d just be Guy’s little sister again. The office newbie. Our kiss forgotten. Except he keeps showing up at my house. With gifts.

A gold bracelet carrying three jingling bells. Two dainty jeweled earrings, each shaped as a bow. And finally, he brought himself.

One brother’s best friend, asking if I can keep a secret.”

“There are a lot of places I’d rather spend Christmas Eve morning than on a cold, snowy sidewalk outside someone else’s home. I’d kill to be sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

Instead, I’m here, standing in front of my one-night stand’s house, working up the courage to ring the doorbell and tell him I’m pregnant.

I hate that term—one-night stand. It sounds so cheap and sleezy. Tobias Holiday is neither of those things. He’s handsome and caring. Witty and charismatic. And once, a long time ago, he was mine.

Our one-night reunion was only supposed to be a hookup. A fling with an old lover. A parting farewell before I moved to London and put my feelings for him an ocean away. How exactly am I supposed to explain that to Tobias that I’m having a baby? His baby? Maybe I could sing it. He always loved the silly songs I made up in the shower.

Three French hens, two turtle doves.

And a partridge and a pregnancy.” 

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• General Thoughts: These were some of the best holiday shorts I have ever read. They were neither too short nor too long. I loved the setting of Bozeman, Montana and how it was depicted as an ever-growing town. I loved that the stories were about brothers and the interconnectedness was phenomenal. These were all perfect examples of how to do these tropes and do them well. From falling for the nanny to an accidental pregnancy to falling in love with your best friend’s brother. There are many scenes and characters that overlap and it was really nice to see some important scenes from more than one point of view.
• The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny: Natalie is a nanny and Maddox hires her to watch his daughter Violet for a week. They have an immediate attraction, as Natalie kinda crushed on Maddox during high school. I loved the dynamic between Violet and Natalie. I also really liked how this book examined step-parents. It really eloquently explored the influence these parental figures can have on our lives.
• Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend: Stella has always crushed on Heath, but he is her brother’s best friend. Plus Heath is now her boss now too. Heath has been crushing on Stella too. Once they started hooking up, I loved how they were so insatiable. What really drove the plot was the secrets they were keeping from each other and everyone around them. I really liked how this one was paced.
• A Partridge and a Pregnancy: Eva and Tobias dated in college, but she wanted to move away from Montana while he wanted to stay. They reconnect years later and have a one-night stand. But surprise! Now she is pregnant! I loved watching as these two fell victim to their whims and their feelings for each other. The story has its frustrating moments because you cannot help but root for them and they just will not commit.

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny receives five out of five stars.

Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend receives five out of five stars.

A Partridge and a Pregnancy receives fives out of five stars.

You can pick up the stories here.

Follow Willa Nash on all her social channels…

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | Pinterest

Thank you again to Devney and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Willa Nash’s The Holiday Brothers Series ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.