retrogirlreads's reviews
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Jazlyn Benson never dreamed she’d have to quit her job as an Olympic hockey coach to co-own a hockey team, but that’s exactly what she ends up doing when her father leaves it to her and her older brother in his will. When Jazz finds herself back in Tennessee, the last person she expects to run into (literally) is her old flame Lincoln Dallas, now a member of the very hockey team she’s in charge of. It’s been six years since they broke things off, but Jazlyn quickly realizes that she is still very much attracted to him. But anything beyond a strictly professional relationship is forbidden - the media is already having a field day with the idea of a female owner of a professional hockey team, and things would spiral out of control if word got out that she was dating one of her players. So Jazz swallows her feelings and tries to keep things professional with Lincoln - not that he’s making it very easy.

Lincoln Dallas is sick and tired of being under appreciated on a team that isn’t even close to making it to playoffs. But everything changes when Jazlyn Benson unexpectedly comes back into his life after he hasn’t seen her for six years. Jazz is his biggest regret, the one that got away. He is determined to not let that happen again - at least, until he realizes that she’s his boss. Knowing that Jazlyn can give him a really sucky trade if things don’t go well, he tries to keep his distance, but at the same time, he can’t quite stop the feelings that stir deeply in his heart every time he looks at her. He then decides that he’s willing to do anything to have her, even if they can never go public. All that’s left? To win her over.

Sparks fly as Jazlyn and Lincoln skate around each other. They both know that this could end badly, and disastrous if the media gets involved. But neither can seem to stay away... Lincoln knows he’s in this for the long haul. Now? He must convince Jazz of that fact.

Holy heck, this book was complete and total perfection. “Forbidden Devil” is the first book in Melissa Ivers’ new hockey romance series, Nashville Devils. You will absolutely adore Lincoln and Jazlyn’s satisfyingly steamy story. While it is slow burn at first, when things heat up, it’s definitely worth it! Ivers’ world building was exquisite, and her incredibly realistic portrayal of what it is like to be a woman in a word dominated by men was very well executed. This is my first venture into sports romance, but it definitely won’t be my last! I definitely recommend this novel and Ivers’ writing in general, so go preorder “Forbidden Devil” right now!

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Freshly divorced Angela Morales left her old life in the dust six months ago, and has been working as a DJ for KROC in a new town ever since. She’s getting her life together, and she’s certainly not looking for some guy. Especially not a guy like rock star Viktor Farrow, who seems to think he’s God’s gift to women. Yet something about Viktor manages to get under her skin when she does a live interview with him in preparation for his upcoming album. And for a girl like Angela, who’s finally getting control over her life again - that’s dangerous.

Viktor Farrow is used to women falling at his feet, so when he meets Angela Morales at his KROC interview, he finds himself reeling. Annoyed at her lack of interest, he decides to prove a point by attempting to win her over - but what he doesn’t plan on is actually falling for her. As he gets to know her better, Viktor realizes that Angela is his one and only. But can he convince her to give them a chance?

“Behind the Lyrics” is a super sweet and humorous enemies to lovers rockstar romance by Melissa Riddell. Viktor and Angela’s banter was very genuine and funny, and all the transitions were very well written. This is a mostly clean romance.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Noah and Mellana met once at a party five years ago, and he was never able to forget her or the one hypnotic dance they shared. Five years later, Noah, now a single dad, is trying to find a live in nanny, and to his shock, Mellana shows up on his doorstep as an applicant. Unfortunately, she doesn’t remember him the way he remembers her. In fact, she doesn’t remember him at all! Nevertheless impressed by the way Mellana handles his daughter; Noah decides to hire her. Will these two get a second chance? Find out in “One Dance,” a single dad, second chance novella by M.L. Crichlow!

I received a free copy of this novella from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Andie has found one of the Four Keys she’s searching for, but at a cost. Hunter, her Were Shifter bodyguard (whom she has complicated feelings for) has been taken by Freya, Queen of the Elves, and the Formori who want Andie dead. His mind is gone, twisted to the point where he now thinks the Fae are his enemy, and that he must dispose of Andie. Andie tries to resume her normal life, but that proves impossible when she and her allies discover that Freya and the Formori are back in town, and that they’re stirring up trouble. As Andie and co. try to solve these new problems, she struggles with her conflicting feelings for her memory of Hunter and Warlock Teagan, her closest guy friend. Hunter isn’t here, and Teagan is. But will Andie ever truly be able to get Hunter out of her head?

“Cauldron of Hope and Sorrows” book two of the Four Keys series by J.C. Lucas. This book completely lived up to the first one! The romance is more developed in this one, and the friendships and the relationships built seemed very unfeigned, not forced at all. I really do enjoy Lucas’ writing, and I can’t wait to continue the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reeling from her last quest and its consequences, Andie has fled the home she shares with her guardian Celeste because she cannot bear the reminder. Celeste is missing, and they don’t know if she is dead or alive. Her best friend Teagan won’t speak to her after she broke his heart, and the boy she loves, Hunter, has been irrevocably changed by their experience with the Cauldron, in ways they don’t understand. As a result, Andie is forced to face her next quest without her two closest friends, and the thought fills her with dread. Will Andie succeed yet again? Or has Freya and the Formori finally taken enough from her to break her spirit? Find out in “Lia Fail - Stone of Destiny,” the third book in the Four Keys series by J.C. Lucas!

Lucas continues to impress me with every book she writes. She does an excellent job of drawing the reader into Andie’s world, and making you feel as though you are experiencing things with her. The humor is funny, and I adore Ermir the phooka’s snarky personality. I am awaiting book 4!

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this book. I feel like it had great potential, and the opening scene was sudden and great, but it sort of trailed off from there. The world building was good at times, but then at other times was sort of choppy. It could also be overly descriptive at times. I give this book 2 stars because I liked the idea of it, but it needs some work.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Andie has just lost her beloved Nan, and the last thing she wants to do is leave her home and go somewhere where she doesn’t know anything or anyone. Unfortunately, Child Services has other ideas. Andie is given into the company of a woman named Celeste, an old friend of her Nan’s that she had never heard of until now. Although Andie doesn’t want to like her new town, she finds that people are warm and welcoming, if a bit strange. But when Andie goes wandering into the forest one night, she realizes all is not what it seems when she meets two creatures who should only exist in fairytales. And she herself is not who she thought she was. Andie is half Fae, half Witch, and she has an enormous destiny that she’s not sure she can fulfill. Along with her two new bodyguards, the charming Warlock Teagan and brooding Shifter Hunter, Andie sets off on a journey to reclaim something that could save the entirety of this secret world she has discovered.

I really loved this story! Sword of Light is the first of a YA fantasy series. The world building was exquisite, and each character had depth and promise. I loved meeting the different kinds of Fae throughout the book, the descriptions were top notch. I definitely recommend this book, and am happy to have discovered J.C. Lucas as an author.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Melody Bestia is the most powerful witch in her coven, perhaps the most powerful witch their coven has ever had. Unfortunately, her power comes at a cost. When Melody was only four years old, her mother transferred the matriarchal power to her, when rightfully it should’ve gone to Melody’s power hungry aunt, Georgia. Angry at the loss of power after her sister’s death, Georgia places geas upon geas upon little Melody, despite it being illegal to place one on a child. A geas is no joke, it forces commands and loyalty, and causes physical pain and even death if the order is gone against. Under the rule of Georgia, Bestia Coven, known for being the best at beast taming, becomes evil and twisted, where shifters are starved and kept in cages. As the most powerful witch in the coven, Melody is used to bind these shifters and break them until any witch can overpower them.

When Melody is 25 years old, her aunt packs her off to Adolphus Academy, the school where the most powerful witches and strongest shifters are trained. This school was not chosen without purpose - it houses the Apex, a group of highly coveted shifters that have never before been bested by a witch. It consists of three alpha shifters and two dragons. Melody is sent to bind all of these powerful shifters to her, and bring them back to her coven, where the same fate awaits them as all the others before them. Desperate not to cause any more harm, Melody tries to avoid the Apex, without success. Her scent is too strong and her magic too powerful, and the Apex can’t stay away. To find out what happens between young Melody Bestia and these dominant shifters, read “Beneath Contempt” by Jade Thorn!

I cannot begin to express how much I liked this book. I enjoy reverse harem, but I have to feel a spark when I’m reading it, and that doesn’t always happen. But it did here! Melody grows and becomes more confident over the course of the novel, and of course, the shifters were super fun to read about! I’ll definitely be reading book two.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Melody Bestia is struggling to adapt to her bond with her new familiar, Dean the alpha lion. Since Mel has never been allowed to keep a familiar longer than an hour, it is definitely a new experience for her. But her spiteful Aunt Georgia is angry that she’s been avoiding the compound, and is determined for Dean to swear his fealty to her. To top it off, she now has six other shifters who want to bond to her. Melody is desperate to save them all, especially since she can no longer save Dean, who she’s desperately trying (and failing) not to get attacked to. The rest of the Apex, along with a sweet and kind fox named Trent and an obnoxious alpha wolf named Asher, are trying their hardest to give Melody the space she needs. But it’s hard when their beasts are pining for her, and Melody can hear their cries. Along with this, Melody must deal with catty classmates who try to hex and sabotage her. Will Melody’s sanity finally break? Or will she let go and learn to lean more on her shifters, even if she hasn’t bonded them yet? Find out in “Held in Contempt,” the stunning second book in the Of Magic and Contempt series by Jade Thorn!

This book was just as amazing as the first one! Melody’s confidence grows and she learns to lean on her shifters. I did want to slap Justin sometimes, but he redeemed himself in the end. I absolutely loved shifters Nick the dragon and Trent the fox in this one, I think we got to see Trent’s more dominant side and Nick’s sweet side. I cannot wait for book 3!

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.