New Reviews « Read-Love-Blog

Release Day Blitz & Review…The Homemaker by Jewel E. Ann

by Courtney

The Homemaker by Jewel E. Ann is now live!

A romance inspired by TS “Fortnight”

I was hers, but she was never mine.

Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.

But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.

Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.

Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?

Grab your copy of The Homemaker, from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Jewel E. Ann, and lose yourself in this forbidden, high-stakes romance.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3UPLWuG

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/S26fj

Audible: http://bit.ly/4nu17pZ

Narrated by Charlotte North & Robert Hatchet

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/457iBCa

At this point, I should not be surprised that anything Jewel writes, I will love.

She is the queen of contemporary romance for me. The blurb is truly all you need to know going into this one. I am not a TS fan, so the inspiration for this was sort of lost on me, but I loved it all the same.

Jewel truly knows how to write characters that readers will connect to in one way or another. That makes her stories all the more authentic and relatable. I love Alice’s personality and Murphy is just absolutely lovable.

That’s all you’re getting from me. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what Jewel brings us in this series.

Contemporary Romance Five Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance September 2025 Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Sweet Temptation by Bella Matthews

by Courtney

Sweet Temptation by Bella Matthews is now live!

From #1 Amazon and USA Today Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a brother’s best friend, bad boy/good girl, football romance.

Lucky Beneventi might be the villain in my fairytale, but given the choice, I’m not sure I’d have it any other way.

My brother’s best friend and Philly’s favorite football player is the same cocky bad boy every girl wants and the dangerous temptation I was never supposed to touch.

Until I did. . .
And now I can’t stop.

I’m selfish enough to crave him—his kiss, his body, his heart—even when I know I’ll leave it shattered in the end.

But this can’t happen.
We can’t happen.
I won’t let us.

Even if he makes me feel alive in a way my broken body knows won’t last forever. . .

Because the truth is, when the story ends, Lucky isn’t the villain.
I am.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4lZYE5D

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/44EhBFl

Contemporary Romance Five Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance September 2025 Sports Sports Romance Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Texts from My Exes by Rachel Van Dyken

by Courtney

TEXTS FROM MY EXES

Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: September 15

Available in Kindle Unlimited

“𝑭𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒆𝒙 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚…𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕.”

Some people scrapbook.

I screenshot my exes’ texts.

What started as me venting my dating disasters online (creative outlet, don’t judge) has turned into a blog with actual followers—and the only thing keeping me in my dirt-cheap apartment. My grandmother-slash-landlord insists I “prove my creativity” to stay, so the blog lives on.

Except now my readers want a happy ending. With an ex.

Problem? None of my exes qualify.

So…I invent one. The perfect guy. The one that got away.

Rule #1: Never roast your exes online if they know how to read.

Rule #2: Definitely don’t make up a fake ex-boyfriend just to keep your rent low.

Rule #3: do not—under any circumstances—let your best friend discover the lie.

Because now he’s volunteered to become my fake perfect ex. And the more we fake it, the more I can’t tell if my readers are the only ones falling for the story.

Turns out, the biggest plot twist of all?

I might have been in love with him the whole time.

𝘈 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩-𝘰𝘶𝘵-𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘮-𝘤𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘱𝘴, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.

Grab Your Copy!

https://geni.us/TEXTEXKU

This was a cute and funny friends to lovers story.

I loved how easy this was to read. Sometimes simple, yet layered, and enjoyable is the perfect read.

There’s alot more to the actual story but I personally feel that’s another layer that made this story stand out. Read the book to see what I’m talking.

Meet Rachel Van Dyken:

Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books ranging from new adult romance to mafia romance to paranormal & fantasy romance. With over four million copies sold, she’s been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.

Keep up with Rachel Van Dyken and subscribe to her newsletter: https://rachelvandykenauthor.com/newsletter

To learn more about Rachel & her books, visit here!

Connect with Rachel Van Dyken:

http://www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers https://www.facebook.com/groups/RRRFanClub

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Contemporary Romance Four Loves humor New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Romantic Comedy September 2025 Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…He Knows When You’re Awake by Alta Hensley

by Courtney

He Knows When You’re Awake by Alta Hensley is now live!

This Christmas, it’s all about getting what you really want in this dark billionaire stalker romance sequel to He Sees You When You’re Sleeping.

Stalking in a winter wonderland…

Jewelry designer Sloane dreams of launching her own custom line—but she needs a Christmas miracle to pull it off. With traditional banks turning her down left and right, she can’t resist when a mysterious stranger offers her a lifeline.

I see what she creates in those stolen moments when she thinks no one’s watching. I see everything. There’s a darkness at her core and I will unravel her until I find it.

Reclusive billionaire Cole Asher offers to fly Sloane out to an ultra-luxurious Swiss resort for a meeting. Reluctantly, she agrees—only to realize she’s met him once before in a New York bar.

She is crucial to my plans, and I need her close. She insists that we keep things professional, and I comply. But soon she will realize that every line is blurred when it comes to her and me.

Cole offers to back her company—but there’s a cost. To secure his investment, Sloane must move into his Manhattan penthouse, where she’ll complete her first round of designs for him to review before Christmas.

Sloane throws herself into her work, yet soon the attraction between her and Cole becomes undeniable. As the city sparkles with Christmas splendor from her penthouse view, Sloane wonders if she has stepped into a fairy tale—until Cole’s powerful enemies close in. They will stop at nothing to destroy him, including going after the woman he loves.

I will burn down the world to get her back…and it will be in time for Christmas.

TROPES

Billionaire Romance

Stalker romance

Christmas romance

Morally grey MMC

Forced proximity

Opposites attract

Kink friendly

He Knows When You’re Awake is a dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warnings at the beginning of the book.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4fvhUWG

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/4gmpS5a

Nook: http://bit.ly/3I94QtZ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/4nmYNRm

Google Play: http://bit.ly/4mbq48x

Pre-order the Deluxe paperback edition: http://bit.ly/4gmq98c

Features special sprayed edges with digital artwork and glow-in-the-dark cover effects!

Audible Pre-order: http://bit.ly/3V4Ny49

Releasing in audio on November 4th

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/4fDcXeK

Dark Romance Five Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Romantic Suspense Romantic Thriller Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…He Knows When You’re Awake by Alta Hensley

by Courtney

He Knows When You’re Awake by Alta Hensley is now live!

This Christmas, it’s all about getting what you really want in this dark billionaire stalker romance sequel to He Sees You When You’re Sleeping.

Stalking in a winter wonderland…

I see what she creates in those stolen moments when she thinks no one’s watching. I see everything. There’s a darkness at her core and I will unravel her until I find it.

Reclusive billionaire Cole Asher offers to fly Sloane out to an ultra-luxurious Swiss resort for a meeting. Reluctantly, she agrees—only to realize she’s met him once before in a New York bar.

She is crucial to my plans, and I need her close. She insists that we keep things professional, and I comply. But soon she will realize that every line is blurred when it comes to her and me.

I will burn down the world to get her back…and it will be in time for Christmas.

TROPES

Billionaire Romance

Stalker romance

Christmas romance

Morally grey MMC

Forced proximity

Opposites attract

Kink friendly

He Knows When You’re Awake is a dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warnings at the beginning of the book.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4fvhUWG

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/4gmpS5a

Nook: http://bit.ly/3I94QtZ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/4nmYNRm

Google Play: http://bit.ly/4mbq48x

Pre-order the Deluxe paperback edition: http://bit.ly/4gmq98c

Features special sprayed edges with digital artwork and glow-in-the-dark cover effects!

Audible Pre-order: http://bit.ly/3V4Ny49

Releasing in audio on November 4th

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/4fDcXeK

Alta became a favorite author of mine when I discovered her books almost two years ago (really her books with Blake Zoe – The Gilded Decadence series) but quickly started reading her other books.

I inhaled the first book in this series last year and when it became known there was a second releasing, I hit pre-order so fast I almost broke a finger.

And let me tell you, Alta did not let me down with book two. She just proved why she is able to make a stalker romance sound so enticingly hot.

The blurb is all you need for this one. Alta weaves a very suspenseful and wickedly spicy story together that will have you turning pages quickly.

I will definitely be re-reading this around Christmas too.

Contemporary Romance Dark Romance Five Loves Holiday Romance New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Romantic Suspense September 2025 Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…In My Hockey Era by Kendall Ryan

by Courtney

IN MY HOCKEY ERA

Kendall Ryan

Release Date: September 15

Blurb:

Lucy Quinn loves hockey. What she doesn’t love? The latest PR stunt from her favorite team—a hockey romance book club designed to lure in more female fans. Pandering to so-called “thirsty” fans? It totally cheapens the sport.

The worst part? They’ve slapped Bennett Wilder—the infuriatingly cocky, annoyingly handsome star forward—on the cover of this PR disaster like he’s some kind of book boyfriend. Gross.

So Lucy does what any passionate, totally rational fan would do—she starts a boycott.

Bennett doesn’t love being the face of a book club, but, hey, it’s harmless fun… until he finds out some feisty, foul-mouthed superfan is trashing it, he’s intrigued. And maybe just a little bit turned on.

So, naturally, he makes it his mission to shut her up—with charm, persistence, and exceptionally skilled hands. And somehow, he always manages to make her forget why she was mad.

But as their very public rivalry turns into something much deeper, Lucy realizes one terrifying truth—she might just be falling for the one guy she swore to hate.

Buy Links:

Kindle https://amzn.to/3DBneJL

Apple https://apple.co/4iwl652

Nook https://bit.ly/BNEra

Kobo https://tinyurl.com/EraKobo

Google https://tinyurl.com/HERGP

Audible https://tinyurl.com/HCKYAD

Meet Kendall Ryan:

Kendall Ryan writes contemporary romance. Her books have been featured on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists a combined total of more than 100 times.

Connect with Kendall Ryan:

Instagram

Contemporary Romance New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance September 2025 Sports Sports Romance Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Burn Bright by Krista & Becca Ritchie

by Courtney

Burn Bright by Krista & Becca Ritchie is now live!

He’s a rich jock with a larger-than-life family. She’s a punk-rock nerd with a troubled past.

Ben Cobalt is number six. Not sixth place—in fact, he’d be considered at least third draft pick for the NHL if he didn’t quit hockey during college. And he’s not sixth-in-line for any throne. Though, most consider his larger-than-life, billionaire family American royalty.

He is the sixth-born Cobalt.

Out of a normal family of seven, he might get lost in the shuffle. But being the black sheep of the Cobalt Empire comes with its own intense spotlight. After he hits a major low at college in Philly, his four older brothers convince him to move in with them in New York City. Transferring to Manhattan Valley University—piece of cake.

Living in an apartment with all of his brothers while harboring a giant secret among a family who’s more tight-knit than a secret society—total effing chaos.

He has to find a way out of the tense living arrangement, especially as he clashes with his oldest brother Charlie. Ben turns to an unlikely source for help. A grumpy, punk-rock girl with a troubled past who’s already pissed off one Cobalt brother.

So when an undeniable attraction ignites, Harriet Fisher is expecting the flames to die out. Except…what happens when they don’t? Falling for a Cobalt brother with secrets might be a Shakespearean tragedy she can’t rewind.

BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.

Download your copy today!

Will be exclusively in Kindle Unlimited on September 3rd

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3DGPaf9

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/4imo8IZ

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4iF37ZU

Kobo: https://bit.ly/4imBJQD

Get your deluxe limited edition paperback today!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3WjQFpY

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4bOB5ZM

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/40y36AJ

Holy thick book but I blew through this so quickly.

Burn Bright is the start of a new series from this duo. There is ALOT going on in this book and if you have never read a KBR book before, it might feel overwhelming at times. These two are known for their large family dynamics and making sure readers know how everyone is tied together.

Ben and Harriet are the main characters in this book, even though we get very thorough introductions of other family members. I do wish the book focused more on them and not just the family dynamics – I didn’t need all the details that were given about the other family members.

Ben was such a sweetie but not to the point that he was he excessively “soft” and he was the perfect compliment to Harriet. I loved her and her personality and absolutely LOVE that Krista and Becca kept her as is and didn’t feel the need to giver her “makeover” mid-novel.

Overall, yes this book is thick (could have been shorter) but I still enjoyed it all the same. I want to say so much but I am afraid of spoiling something unintentionally.

I am excited for the new book in this series!

Contemporary Romance Four Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance September 2025 Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…The Surrender by Jodi Ellen Malpas

by Courtney

The Surrender by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

He’s a tantalizing man of mystery. To solve him she could risk everything in a scorching romance by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man series and The Invitation.

A pawn in a man’s callous game, Amelia Lazenby is trying to heal after being betrayed by the wealthy and scorchingly sexy Jude Harrison. Now he’s saying all the right things, whispering apologies as sincere as his kisses, and refusing to let her walk away. It’s hard for Amelia to resist a force as strong as Jude. Before long, he’s making her pulse pound, her head spin, and giving her the rapture she craves.

But once she surrenders, Amelia can’t help but fear she’s risking her heart all over again. This time, maybe even more. Jude is every bit as mysterious and possessive as she remembers. His ex-lover is back to wreak havoc on their lives. And Amelia’s own ex has returned from the past, knowing more about Jude than Amelia can imagine. As the secrets and shocking revelations keep coming, Amelia must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to stay with the man she loves and above all else…can’t resist.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://amzn.to/4iB6FwR

Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4hCui6M

Narrated by: Shakira Shute

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/thesurrendergr

This was a really nice conclusion for Amelia and Jude.

There is alot of back and forth with them. Amelia tries her best to stay away, but she just can’t resist Jude and he can’t seem to let Amelia go no matter how many times he hears it.

I enjoyed the push and pull as these two try to navigate a new relationship and as secrets are revealed, you feel for these characters. I did find the spicy scenes to be a bit too much at times and at one point, it started to feel like that was all there was to their relationship – a lust attraction. Thankfully Jodi was able to prove it was more.

This book moves fast and Jodi keeps the story entertaining the entire way. I liked how things played out and that she stuck true to who these characters are and didn’t have them doing out of character just for the sake of added filler.

An entertaining duet!

Contemporary Romance Duet Four Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance September 2025

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Unrequited by Jane Henry

by Courtney

Unrequited: A Dark Bratva Age Gap Romance by Jane Henry is now live!

A forbidden, age-gap romance of secrets, loyalty, and obsession.

He was never supposed to touch me.
I was never supposed to love him.
But some lines don’t stay drawn.

I live in a world of rules and expectations, where obedience is survival and love is a liability. I was the innocent one. The youngest sister. Sheltered by my brothers and kept far away from the family’s darker affairs.

Until him.

He’s dangerous. Nameless. Obsessive.

Mine for one stolen hour a week, and every time he leaves me, he takes a piece of me with him.

But when I find out his true identity, my world implodes.

They call him the Undertaker.
The man who buries problems no one else can solve.

Loving him means betraying my family.
Choosing him means choosing war.
But he’s already chosen…me.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: geni.us/UnrequitedJaneHenry

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/4fg2CVW

This book was perfection!!

I was so excited when I realized this was going to be Zoya’s and The Undertaker’s book. These two could not be any more different and yet they are immediately drawn to one another.

Jane did what Jane does best – she writes a phenomenal story with fantastic characters that standout on their own but when they meet their match, the chemistry is off the charts.

I won’t tell you how everything goes down because that will ruin this book for you. But I will tell you that you will fall in love with these two and their story.

And let’s not forget the spicy scenes – oh yes, they are worth the slow burn.

Unrequited is an absolute must-read!

August 2025 Dark Romance Five Loves Mafia Romance New Releases New Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Standalone

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Release Day Blitz…Chasing Forever by Piper Rayne

by Courtney

Chasing Forever by Piper Rayne is now live!

It was a fun Vegas getaway—until I woke up married to my ex-fiancé’s brother.

After Watson brother #1 ditched me at the altar, I stopped believing in happily-ever-afters. So I have no clue how I ended up saying “I do” to Brooks—Watson brother #2—somewhere between tequila shots and bad decisions.
Okay, that may not be true.

Sheriff Watson has been a charming thorn in my side ever since his brother left our small ranch town in his rearview mirror. He’s a little too steady, a little too sweet, and way too intuitive because he sees through my facade. But no matter how tempting he is, he’s still a Watson.

I demand an annulment. He refuses, bargaining four real dates before he signs.

Fine. I’ll sabotage each one and keep my heart safely locked away. It’s easier this way because he has no idea the secret I’m keeping.

Of course, Brooks doesn’t go down easy—he has enough faith for both of us. He tackles my fears at every turn, making me wonder what would happen if I went all in.

But trusting the wrong man once nearly ruined me—doing it again might finish the job.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/C-F

Audiobook: https://books2read.com/C-F

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter & Vanessa Edwin

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/479tHpK

August 2025 Contemporary Romance New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Small-Town Standalone

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Almost Ravaged by Abby Millsaps

by Courtney

Almost Ravaged by Abby Millsaps is now live!

Prepare to be swept away by Almost Ravaged, the first book in an all new dark, why choose, college hockey trilogy from bestselling author Abby Millsaps.

They say you never forget your first love.

What they don’t say is how hard it is to move on when he happens to be the trifecta: a brooding hockey player, your brother’s best friend, AND the keeper of your darkest secret.

I spent three years trying to get over Tytus Tremblay, only to slingshot right back into his orbit when we’re reunited at Holt University.

But Tytus isn’t the only man on my radar anymore.

I have a new enemy in the form of Mercer Eden, an arrogant, condescending professor almost twice my age who happens to be my boss. Then there’s his sweet, bashful best friend, Noah Henry, the owner of Evercrisp Orchard.

The pleasure Mercer and Noah offer me—individually, and together—is the primal distraction I live for. It just might be what I need to finally forget my first love and move on with my life.

But then Tytus makes a life-altering choice that affects us all, and one thing becomes abundantly clear: he never plans to let me go.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/AlmostRavaged

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/44Bav4P

Man, oh man, Abby – you definitely know how to deliver the perfect punch at the start of a series.

I was very intrigued with where Abby was going to take this story after the start of this book.

I love that she gives us a nice background on some of the main characters and then proceeds to show us where they are a few years later and introduces us to the other main characters.

I am saying zero else about the plot because I knew absolutely zilch about this book except the blurb and that made this book all the more delicious to read. And that ending – in true Abby fashion, that came out of nowhere and now I need the next book.

I will leave you with this….this book will have your appreciating those spicy scenes soooooo much. Phew.

August 2025 Dark Romance Five Loves Forbidden New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Reverse Harem Romance Sports Romance Taboo Why Choose

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