Review: Hawaii Can Suck It! by Melisa Ryun

Title: Hawaii Can Suck It

Author: Melisa Ryun
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

I’m supposed to film him. Not fall for him.

I’m Camila Morales—cargo pants-wearing, scrunchie-collecting, videographer to Reece Dare—a growly, tattooed YouTube daredevil. He’s hot, sure, when he’s not judging me for smiling (calls it a sign of weakness).

I thought rock bottom was editing thirst traps for my grumpy boss, but that was before he got jilted on livestream—and before we ended up sharing one bed at a sensually-charged romance resort.

ME: Two weeks from quitting this soul-sucking job to finally launch my own docu-series.
ALSO ME: Fake dating Reece.

The bonus check? Tempting.
The fake kisses? Dangerous.
The look he gives me when he thinks I’m not watching? Uh oh.

My latest stunt? Fake dating my employee. What could go wrong?

I’m Reece. Internet-famous with 150 million followers who just saw my runaway bride from hell leave mid-vows.

The honeymoon’s already booked, the fans want a fairytale, and so I’m stuck selling one with Camila—the sunniest, sassiest pain in my ass. She challenges me constantly, never backs down, and worst of all? She’s usually right.

I run a media empire with hundreds of employees counting on me, but it’s hard to stay professional at a couples-only resort fueled by massage oil, heavy breathing, and a host named Kai who winks too much.

She chasing a new career. I’m running damage control. But Hawaii might change everything.

Fans of Meghan Quinn will love this steamy, laugh-out-loud romcom featuring grumpy x sunshine chaos, fake dating, forced proximity, and one seriously spicy resort. Buckle up for a tropical mess of lust and laughter because sometimes, love needs a viral disaster to find its happily ever after.

Click now. Paradise, chaos, and fake love await.

Review:

Oh. My. Gawd! Y'all this book had me laughing so hard in spots that I didn't know what to do with myself. I woke up my husband, I annoyed my friends, and read snippets out loud to both. When you guys read this book, which I highly recommend you do, you need to read at least twice the section about the sex swing at the beginning of the book because I nearly peed my pants laughing the first time and the second time I just laughed even harder. So do yourselves a favor, pick up this book, make sure you read it, and read it to a friend, it'll make their day. But I'm also going to warn you that I cried like a baby during the third act breakup and so glad that my husband wasn't around because he tends to think that there's something wrong when I do that. But this book had me from one end of the spectrum emotionally to the other end and back. And I loved every red hot second of it.

Cam and Reece are a match made in heaven and the only ones who can see it are Reece's moms! The fickle public doesn't know a thing, and the two of them are so confused even they don't know it. But guess what...? They live happily ever after. And if you want to learn more, please read this phenomenal book.

I'd like to thank Happily Booked PR and the authors for the opportunity to read this delightful book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: The Penalty Player by Kristin Lee

Title: The Penalty Player

Author: Kristin Lee
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

She guards her heart behind old rules and fresh scars.

I’m determined to prove she’s the only game I want to win.

Now, a Caribbean getaway with our friends throws us into one room, with one bed, and buried flames ignite.

Every minute spent close to her brings back just how much I’ve always loved her—especially when a rogue lizard sneaks into my bed, sending us into a fit of laughter and landing us tangled together under the island stars.

When we return to reality, we face game changing twists—one of which is a big fat plus sign—a slap shot I didn’t see coming.

The Penalty Player is a complete standalone in the multi-author series Hockey USA.

Review:

Kristin Lee has brought the heat again in her book The Penalty Player.

Becca is divorced and is worried that she's never going to have the things in life she expected to have. A husband, kids, and a life worth living. But as her Mamaw told her, "When what you need is a hell-raising, beer-drinking man who loves to be surrounded by friends and family." (Boy do I wish I could have met that lady when I was younger!) So when she goes on the Stallion's reunion, the last thing she hopes to find is the man she's always loved... with his girlfriend. But after Corbin and his girlfriend show up, one thing leads to another, and Corbin's girl finds her way home.

Corbin has always done what his father wants until now. So when he gets to the reunion and sees Becca there the pull is too much. Fate lends a hand, and they are "forced" to share a room since Becca's friend wasn't able to make it to the reunion, leaving an empty bed and another couple needed Corbin's single room.

This book brings the best to just one bed, forced proximity, and hockey romance (though I would have loved a ton more hockey -- but who wouldn't? I mean hockey players... am I right?)

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: The Code for Love by Anne Marsh

Title: The Code for Love

Author: Anne Marsh
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
A software engineer convinced that algorithms and romance don’t mix takes a work road trip with her surfer-boy nemesis in this swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance.

Her perfect plan has a gorgeous glitch…

Software engineer Pandora Fyffe is known for being prickly. The same can’t be said for world-famous surfer Ozzy Wylde, Pandora’s neighbor, a social media star beloved for his relaxed charm. The eight-pack abs and angelic face don’t hurt, either. Everyone likes Ozzy, while Pandora’s boss can barely remember her name.

But Pandora’s aiming to change all that with a new app that predicts a user’s ideal travel partner. Sure, there are bugs—the demo identified Ozzy as her perfect match! Now her boss wants them to take a romantic Mexican road trip filled with fake-dating posts to build their brand. At the end of it, one of them will win Pandora’s dream job.

Soon they’re rumbling through the beaches, deserts and fishing villages of Baja, letting their guards down, confessing fears, falling deeper. Nothing prepared her for sharing close quarters with the force of nature that is Ozzy—or for what will happen to her heart when the journey ends…

Review:

Pandora got fired for kissing surf god Ozzy and the face of the new campaign at work. Not a good day.

Fast forward, and Pandora sees someone climbing up the wall to the condo she lives in, and she rightfully calls the cops. But you'll never guess who was climbing the wall... Ozzy, of course.

When Pandora is in a pickle at work because of the ongoing prank war going on between her and Ozzy, he comes to her rescue and matches with her on the app she is building to find road trip buddies. Will they be able to live in a small camper van in Mexico while they try to enjoy their trip? Only time will tell.

I had a very hard time getting into this book, though I really wanted to. There was something about it that just seemed to drag on and on. And while there is an enemies to lovers trope, this seemed like an impossible gap to bridge. I give the book 3.5 stars, but have rounded up.

Mooreghan Martin read this book, and I think that's what saved the book for me. I could listen to her read just about anything.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation by Karen Grey

Title: The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation

Author: Karen Grey
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

He’s the big-city corporate VP slashing costs. She’s the sunny, small-town toddler-whisperer in his crosshairs. It should be easier for them to keep their hands off each other.

The new guy in town may be a hot single dad–we’re talking total, mouthwatering eye candy here–but that isn’t stopping him from shuttering my favorite program here at Climax Parks & Rec.

Nor does it stop me from being blinded by lust and tripping over my own feet every time I see him, even though we’re completely wrong for each other.

He’s all business; my job is to play.
He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I’ve returned to my small town roots.
He’s overwhelmed by his two adorable kids; doctors told me I’ll never be a mother.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to “re-org” (aka ruin) everything I love about my job?

Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up on: a family of my own.

Warning! Do not read this book unless you love:

• ❤️Uptight heroes who are silly with their kids
• ❤️Sunshiny, Cinderelly heroines
• ❤️Nosy, interfering, small-town bureaucrats
• ❤️Possibly magical clock towers
• ❤️Parks and Recreation and Schitt’s Creek vibes

To the reader: my romance novels are all lighthearted and humorous and the main two characters are guaranteed to find a happy ending. However, they may run into a few obstacles along the way as well as need healing from incidents in their former lives. If you’d like content guidance regarding sex/nudity, death, mental health and/or reproductive health challenges, you can find them in detail at karengrey.com/contentguidance

Review:

Karen Grey is at it again. She's delivered a laugh out loud book with feels for miles.

Avery is fighting to save her mother's program at the Parks and Rec department. But when Josh comes in she's not sure if she should hate him, or jump him. It's not until she meets the real him (the one with kids and a life) instead of the work him that she realizes that she's craving for more, with him.

This book had me laughing, crying, and longing for more. When they are forced to go to a work retreat together and have to share one bed... (love that trope) that they both realize that this could be more.

Grayson Owens and Carly Robins did a good job narrating this audiobook.

I'd like to thank Karen Grey and BookFunnel for the opportunity to listen to this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: Not Safe For Work by Nisha J. Tuli

Title: Not Safe For Work

Author: Nisha J. Tuli
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Two workplace enemies find themselves in close proximity on a tropical company retreat that challenges their assumptions—and just might make them to fall for each other—in this romcom by a by a beloved TikTok author.

Engineer Trishara Malik once dreamed of being the first woman of color to smash the glass ceiling at WMC Purcell, but after years of dealing with white male privilege and blatant nepotism, she watches her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis, Rafe Gallagher—the boss’s son. Teetering on the edge of burnout, Tris is stunned when she’s picked to attend WMC's corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii. It’s a chance to revive her stalled career and compete for a coveted spot in an executive training program—plus, three weeks in paradise! The only downside? Rafe is her co-attendee.

Tris plans to avoid Rafe entirely, but when she arrives in Maui, a booking error has them stuck sharing the honeymoon suite. Sure, it’s not all torture. Rafe is a smoldering ten—okay fine, an eleven—but after years of competition, they can barely stand being in the same time zone. As they vie against each other during aptitude tests and team-building exercises, Tris begins to realize Rafe might not be the villain after all. With her dreams at stake, can she learn to trust the man who might have been standing in her corner all along?

Review:

Tris works in a white male dominated industry. She's working to push through the glass ceiling of her job and make it in her field. But when her boss' son gets the job she's been working hard to get she nearly loses it. But soon she finds out that she's been picked for a leadership retreat (along with Rafe - her boss' son) and that gives her a little hope. But when they get there, guess what ladies and gentlemen... there's only one bed. (What a great trope!) But Rafe's not half the monster she thinks he is.

This enemies to lovers, workplace romance, with only one bed and forced proximity is a really fun listen. Soneela Nankani (our wonderful narrator) made the book fun, and she brought all the characters to life in such a great way. Kudos.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.