From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.
Number one: He’s obnoxious.
Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.
Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend.
I could go on and on, really.
When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.
Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.
The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.
Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.
What’s happening to me?
Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.)
That’s all this is—a fantasy.
Well, until that one night at the bar.
The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.
Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything.
There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
The Assignment is a lovers to enemies romance and I devoured this so quickly.
Penelope Ward truly knows how to give her characters depth and growth.
Troy and Aspen have a history and now as grownups they get to reflect on their past. But they also show their growth and explore this new chance they’ve been given.
I enjoyed the banter between Troy and Aspen – it added another layer to their story. There’s no denying the chemistry between the two of them.
The Assignment is written in dual POVs and I that really helped in understanding each character a bit more. There were some scenes that I could have done without, but they were not enough to ruin the book for me.
Overall, another beautifully written story from Ward.
Always Meant to Be, an all-new emotional and forbidden stand-alone romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now!
He’s my eighteen-year-old son’s best friend, and I’m old enough to know better.
My marriage is falling apart, and Vander’s home life is tragic.
Yet, his broken parts speak to mine, and amid all the chaos, a true connection is formed.
The only peace I find is in those stolen moments when we share our darkest secrets and our deepest desires.
This thing between us has disaster written all over it.
But I’m powerless to resist the magnetic pull that draws us closer and closer.
Until lines are crossed, boundaries are broken, and everything I thought I knew about myself is undone.
This reverse age-gap romance contains mature scenes, dark themes, and situations that may push your boundaries. Reader caution is advised.
Siobhan Davis is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon Top 10 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold over 1.5 million books and her titles are translated into several languages.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She lives in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
TROPES: single dad, workplace romance, grumpy hero, age gap, forced proximity
Synopsis:
USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke delivers a “fresh and fun!” romance between a grumpy single dad and his beautiful, spunky employee—the one he can’t have.
Chemistry is not love.
That’s what my boss, the grumpy single dad with brilliant green eyes, says anyway.
I have my V-card. He’s ten years older than me. I work for him.
Nate Hughes has a million reasons why a relationship between us would never work. Honestly? It’s all a farce.
He can’t deny our connection. His soft smiles, brief touches, and protective behaviors come too easily. And when I need a place to stay? He can’t stop himself from offering me a room—though I’d prefer his bed. After all, there are sparks—delicious, sizzling sparks—when we’re together.
Our forced proximity brings things to a head. Our shared experiences and traumas draw us closer. Our undeniable attraction has us toeing the line between friends and lovers—whether Nate likes it or not.
He’s right—chemistry is not love. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t fall in love with him … even if he can’t love me back.
Excerpt:
“Now it’s my turn,” she says, the strength in her voice slipping.
“For what?”
“You have two choices.”
“Between …?”
She licks her lips. “Choice one is that we can stand here all night and address this situation.”
“Or?”
A slow, so-fucking-slow grin slips across her kissable lips. My whole body comes alive, pushing, pulling, all-out boiling for this woman.
God, help me.
“Or you can get over here and undress me instead.”
K.K. Allen is the USA TODAY Bestselling and award-winning contemporary romance author of sweet, sexy, and inspiring stories that evoke emotion at every turn.
K.K.’s debut romance novel, Up in the Treehouse, was named the Best New Adult Book of the Year by RT Book Reviews, an honor beyond belief. And she continues to take reader’s emotions on an epic ride every single time with real, layered, coming of age romance stories that will make you fall in love over and over again.
Born in Hawaii, raised in Washington, and currently residing in Florida, K.K. lives for laughs with her little dude, the great outdoors, watching football, dancing the night away, and her eclectic taste in music.
K.K. also loves connecting with her readers and attends signings when she can! You can find upcoming event dates and other information at:www.kkallen.com.
On the surface, Talent has it all. The respect from his city, a successful law firm he shares with his brother, and a beautiful woman by his side. Nothing is as it seems. When the workday is over and the lights go down, the charming and sophisticated lawyer loosens his tie and takes rank in the mob he grew up in.
The elusive Lydia Montgomery changed everything the moment she stepped into his office and his heart a year ago. They navigate the delicate balance between their public and private lives as they delve deeper into the world of organized crime.
As a lawyer, he swore to abide by the law. As a made man, he pledged his life to the mafia.
Mary Elizabeth was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She’s a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night.
Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it’s perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she’s not letting go until every story is told.
I have been patiently waiting for this book to be released and Mary did not disappoint at all.
Criminal is the third book in this series and you must read the previous books to fully grasp all that is going on in this book.
In the first book, Tramp, readers met Talent and Lydia and watched them fall for one another. But their story was far from over and now we finally get more of it. Mary has truly upped her game with this book. We not only get the continuation of Talent and Lydiai’s story, but we are finally seeing how everything is starting merge together.
I will say that this was a bit slow for me in the beginning but around the 40% mark, things started picking up and Mary really started bring the suspense fully into the book. I do wish that romance and suspense blended a bit better, but it didn’t hurt the story too much.
It was great to see Lydia grow a lot in this book; she’s still 100% there but her growth was amazing. Talent has the patience of a Saint but it’s because his love for Lydia is so strong, there is no other choice for him.
I loved seeing all the secondary characters playing bigger roles in this book as we get more of the mafia parts in this book. I am really hoping to see more of Rip and the mafia side of things in the next book (read the novella Kiss of Death to get more on him) along with romance and suspense aligning more together than being separate.
Mary has definitely set us up perfectly for the next book. It’ll be interesting to see where things go next.
Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don’t recommend it.
Especially if he’s anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump.
To be clear, I didn’t want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be.
He’s suspicious, never talks about his past and has the comfort skills of a cactus. I’m a happily ever after kinda girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life.
Erik’s words might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of his? They tell another story when he looks at me.
He’s just as stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real, it’s only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing down.
I just have to hope my heart doesn’t get buried in the rubble.
Well, let’s see … I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone’s face, then I’ve done my job.
I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob.
If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies.
I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I’ll love you forever.
The Plan is another amazing story from Karla Sorensen.
I started reading Karla’s books almost a year ago and so far, I haven’t read a book that I have not thoroughly enjoyed.
The blurb gives you just the right amount of information needed to jump into this story. Hell, you don’t even need to read the blurb to fully love this story. I will say that the fake dating portion is not what you think either – and that is something that I truly loved about this story. Karla takes a trope and gives it her own flare.
Karla gives her characters and their story so much life. I felt like I was watching this whole story play out in a movie. The story flowed beautifully and nothing ever felt forced or out of place. I enjoyed getting to know both Erik and Lydia as the story moved along and their banter was quite entertaining.
The Plan is told from both POVs which truly helps in getting to know both characters and understanding their mannerisms. While the story did flow extremely well, there were certain areas that I felt needed to be fleshed out a bit more, but didn’t hurt the overall vibe of the story. Karla stayed true to her characters and I felt this was a huge plus due to their ages and their social status.
Overall, another great story from Karla Sorensen. If you haven’t read anything by her yet, what are you waiting for???
What’s the worst thing you could hear your best friend, who you’ve always secretly been in love with, say? That would be telling another girl he could envision her being his wife.
I just about died when Gannon Raferty, the boy who used to borrow my pencils in elementary school, said that to the lead of the reality dating show he was cast on. Though he didn’t win her heart, he’s now a bona fide sensation when he returns to our college and moves back into the off-campus house we share.
The torch I carry for him has always been one-sided; I’m head-over-heels, soulmate-level into him while he views me as a lovable kid sister. So I decide this school year will be the one where I move on, where I finally attempt to open my heart to another. After all, if he can make declarations of undying love to someone he just met, but not to me, that’s the biggest wake-up call I could ever receive.
Until one night early on in the semester, when we accidentally sleep together. Because of course he’s going to confess his feelings now, when I was ready to give up on there ever being an us.
But just as Gannon starts admitting exactly what I’ve always wanted to hear, I get devastating news. And suddenly, I don’t want to risk losing him as a best friend. I’ve already lost too many people I love, and am on the brink of adding one more to that list.
If our romance goes south, I don’t how I’ll ever come back from it. Not only the crushing heartbreak, but the fact that we can never go back to how we were again.
Author of romance novels such as Fool Me Twice and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.
When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in the suburbs of New Jersey with her husband, two children and ninety-pound rescue pup.
This book will definitely pull at your heart strings and not for the reasons you think. Just About Over You is a sweet friends to lovers romance but it also delves into some other issues that unfortunately arise in life.
Gannon and Amelie have been best friends since they met in fifth grade. They have gone through so much together and shared so much but one thing – how they both are in love with each other. And while this trope has been done a lot, I enjoyed how Carrie played this out. It felt natural; the pacing of everything, how certain scenes played out and how both Gannon and Amelie reacted to things.
One thing I can honestly say that happens with every book by Carrie, I get so swept up in the story and the characters, that I devour her books within a day. And Just About Over You was exactly the same. The story was honest and real and the characters are so palpable. It’s impossible to not feel what these characters feel and the story becomes very authentic.
Carrie gives her readers another genuine and heartfelt story that will pull you in from the start. She stays true to her characters, their personality and characteristics. The pacing is perfect and story unfolds beautifully. Carrie knows how to deliver a story that is filled with love, some humor and a bit of angst to keep things real.
Just About Over You is another phenomenal story from Carrie. You can never go wrong when you pick up a book from Carrie.
New York Times bestselling author, J. Sterling has created this collection of fun and flirty stories with holiday based themes for you to get lost in and enjoy. Prepare to fall in love today!
I’ve had a crush on my co-worker Declan since the day I started working at Rockline Studios. Trust me, if you could see this man, you’d have a crush on him too.
It’s been two years since my first day of work… two years since my head has been filled with fantasies and daydreams about the things I could do to him. Two years of…. SITTING BY AND DOING NOTHING because dating within the office is forbidden, frowned upon, something we’re not supposed to do.
The night of Rockline’s infamous New Year’s Eve party changes everything.
I’m a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of over 18 books! My goal is to write stories that you can get lost in, that will leave a smile on your face and a full heart. If you can forget about the real world while you’re reading and fall in love with my characters, then I’ve done my job. A lot of what I write has real life aspects in it, but that’s what makes the stories so relateable- the fact that they could happen to anyone… and have!
I live in California with my only son, Blake. If you can’t find me sitting behind a computer screen, then there’s a good chance I’m sitting in the bleachers of a baseball stadium watching him play. I love traveling to new places, meeting my readers and living life with the Real Jack Carter. ♡
I know you have a million books to choose from and I am humbled, grateful and thankful each time you choose to read one of mine, or tell someone else to read them. Thank you.
Kissing My Co-Worker is really sweet and fast read.
I enjoyed reading about Declan and Lily and how each of them is infatuated with the other but the other doesn’t realize it. I enjoyed the pace and execution of this story. I am not one that normally wants a story that lacks any depth to the story or characters but with this book, Jenn wrote it perfectly.
This book moves at a fast pace and keeps everything fairly surface level and that works out perfectly for this book. It’s truly a very light yet romantic read. It just give you happy, lovey-dovey vibes and puts you in the best mood after reading it.
Kissing My Co-Worker is a great holiday romance read.
From USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a workplace romance between a grumpy, alpha architect and his new client—who just so happens to have the blueprint to bring him to his knees.
Romance is not in Wade Mason’s portfolio.
This is tragic. It’s unfair that a man so maddeningly gorgeous—an architect with a deliciously squarish jaw, adorably dimpled chin, and the hottest black glasses that straddle the line between professional and provocative—rebukes all things love.
I knew this well before I walked into his office.
The man is a conundrum—a complicated, steel wall of a puzzle. On the one hand, he brushes against me in the conference room with a broodiness that sets me on fire. He demands in-person meetings about the house we are working on together. I catch him watching me out of the corner of his eye with a look that’s anything but platonic. But any talk of hookups, love, or relationships—even in general? Completely off the table.
I’m determined to peel back his layers until I get to the bottom of the mysterious businessman. But my plan is foiled by a surprise that leaves both of us reeling. Neither of us sees it coming, but it changes everything … forever.
Excerpt:
Much to my surprise and annoyance, she laughs as she walks by me. Her elbow grazes my stomach in a move that I think is intentional. Before I can react, she’s down the hall and standing in front of Eliza.
“That dress is stunning on you,” she tells Eliza as if we weren’t in a strained conversation five seconds ago. “Where did you get it?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumble as I slam my door. The framed copy of the first building I ever designed shakes against the wall.
I lean against my desk and suck in a deep lungful of air. The scent of coconuts only intensifies my frustration.
I open a window and then sit down.
“Busy men always go through the motions and never have time to be creative. I’m not sure that fits my needs.”
What the hell?
Relational intimacy.
Loads of rubbish, just as it was ten years ago.
Instead of listening to spoiled, silver spoon-fed women who want their ridiculous projects handled, I have real work to do.
My heart pumps from the interaction with Dara, and I find myself replaying much of our conversation. It’s not until I get to relational intimacy do I realize how much time I’ve wasted—and am still wasting.
I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and get back to the only thing I ever want to know intimately—my work.
About the Author:
USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.
Roman Whitaker is every girl’s best friend. An easy going nice guy, Rome is brilliant and funny. At the age of twenty-two, he’s moving out of his parents’ house for the first time and into off-campus housing with two complete strangers.
No more Mister “Playing it Safe.”
Rome may be wicked smart, but math and science will only get him so far, and they certainly won’t land him a first date with the girl of his dreams.
For that, he’ll get a little unwanted help from his friends—and meddling family members.
YOU NEVER FORGET A FRIENDLY FACE.
Lilly Howard is tired of being taken for granted. After breaking up with her philandering boyfriend, she’s giving up guys and learning to love herself again.
She’s sick of playing nice.
When she bumps into Rome, they become instant friends. When he asks her to be his fake girlfriend to keep his family off his back, she agrees—but only if he’ll return the favor…
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances.
Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced lattes, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
Washed Up is a slow burn age gap medical romance that will have your heart racing as you turn the pages desperate for more. Early reviewers are calling it “addicting,” “gripping,” and “phenomenal!”
Washed Up is the first book in the The Bayside Heros series. They are all complete standalones written by different authors but main characters from each book are mentioned throughout the other books. While they can read in any order, I would recommend reading them in order (they all come out within a week of each other).
Washed Up is very sweet and swoony with a twinge of angst that Kandi is truly known for. If you have read her previos books, you will gobble this one up quickly. And for those who are knew to her writing, this is the perfect taste of what is in store with her other books.
Amanda is in the midst of a bitter divorce and attempting to restart her life. All her life, she was a stay-at-home-mom and is now going back to school to support herself. Her adult son is supporting her in every way.
Greg is an anesthiologist a local hospital and finally has his roots settled at the hospital but something still isn’t making him feel “at home”. Greg has learned to keep himself in a routine since his job is so stressful and the routine allows him to find a calm in his otherwise very chaotic job.
I truly enjoyed watching both Amanda and Greg grow and change in this story. I loved how they brough the best out in one another. The best was watching their friendship blossom – the perfect foundation to what was to come between them.
Kandi wrote another amazing story with great characters that readers can relate to in one way or another.
Meet Kandi
Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.