October 2020 Reviews

The god of the seas, Poseidon , is known for unleashing the Kraken
Paxton Guthrie, aka Poseidon, is in the prime of his young life. He’s one of the best linebackers in the league and has a carefree attitude that rivals his chosen profession
When a charity date takes place and he’s the raffle prize for the lovely, diehard #52 fan and local historian, Rebecca Ryan, a promising night on the town ensues. But these two unsuspecting souls are in for the surprise of their lives after the media catches them red-handed in a compromising position
All bets are off as they must fake an impromptu engagement, deal with their angry friends and families, and “play house” while the Gladiators’ reputation hangs in the balance… along with the real possibility of a Super Bowl
But Poseidon never imagined he would find his Amphitrite before he was ready! And neither the sweet-spoken Irish lass nor the jealous god himself anticipated falling in love
Their characters aren’t the only things at stake here. Family ties are perhaps sturdier than anything the Greek gods can invoke. PASS INTERFERENCE must be run in this instance—even if it’s from the defense
Will Pax and Becca’s love be strong enough to withstand a raging ocean of mistrust or is the arrogance of the sea god enough to knock him off his pedestal on Mt. Olympus?

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read all the books previously in this series!

This one was INTENSE! That said, I mean that in a goo way and also Shanna really just wowes you with her characters because there isn’t one that is badly written or expressed. Again, I fell in love with the hero and heroine equally along with the side characters. This intense and sweet book really took me by surprise, Just what I needed from this series. When a one date turns into a long fake engagement for the right cause, neither of them thought what would come out of it. We have the hero Paxton aka Poseidon who is living his best life, care-free of relationship and a playboy…and the heroine Rebecca who I really loved her because she was shy but sweet and cute and nerdy and of course so in love with this football player with the # 52. They truly jumped into this without even thinking of the outcome but what comes out of it is TRULY BEAUTIFUL! Fake it till you make it, right?!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Enemy-To-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, MUST READS!, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Vow of Worth by Emma Renshaw

October 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(Vow Series Book 6)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

She’s always existed in someone else’s shadow.
Caroline never thought she was good enough, always believing that little voice in the back of her head.
For the first time, Caroline is determined to ignore those feelings. She’s living for herself, loving her job as a vet, making a difference. Her simple and easy life is everything she could want, except for one thing…
He’s never let anyone see beneath his carefully crafted façade.
Kiernan has always been the life of the party. But he’s tired of no one expecting more from him than a good time. He’s ready for a purpose, to do some good in the world.
From the moment he walks into Caroline’s clinic, she knows who he is. The high school crush who never had a clue she existed. His handsome face threatens to resurrect all her self-doubt. But that was the old her.
When Caroline is threatened, she knows exactly whose doorstep to turn up on. Kiernan vows to protect her but, from the beginning, it’s more than a job.
She is his purpose. He is her missing piece.
But before they can discover everything they’ve been missing, a killer may take it all from them…

RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read all the other books in this series! This one somehow took it for me! There is something about a broken heroine and a hero that has it all but is just missing.

I can’t express enough how much I LOVED THE HEROINE in this. She was an equal amount of strong and vulnerable. Beautiful but doesn’t know it and very smart and SO SO SWEET. The hero you will love equally because he was swoony, sweet, fun and uber sexy! This is a not really second chance but the hero and heroine do know each other. Their meet cute was epic, there is this little puppy named Pepper Jack that is a little devil in disguise with big brown puppy eyes that the hero couldn’t resist. Yes, the heroine is a VET and the hero works at the SECURITY firm that is part of the series. Everything about this is appealing, from the beginning the fun and laughter to going through the pains with the heroine while her family sucker punches her verbally to the hero making her feel like the sexiest woman alive. There is danger, mystery, some best friend fun who is a romance photographer and YES the hero models and it’s the sexiest thing ever…I am pretty sure all of our dream jobs (you’ll see what I mean) That said this really took me from the start, kept me engaged and wowed me through the end!

A MUST READ!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 6 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Friends-To-Lovers, Insta Love, MUST READS!, October 2020 Reviews, Rich/Poor Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Tear Jerker, Triggers

R E V I E W ➠ Piece by Piece by Kaylee Ryan

October 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

AMAZON

Layla
Owen Riggins is too good to be true. The best things in life usually are. He’s good looking, generous and interested in me. Too bad someone like him and someone like me aren’t’ meant to be together
He’s used to the best things in life, and I’ve grown up with the worst. Building a better life means working hard and staying on track, not falling for some sexy suit with a brooding stare who is just passing through
Life has taught me not to trust, and even though I want him more than anything, I don’t need his charity or his love
Owen
When a friend sends me to Florida to scout out a hotel, it’s the gorgeous waitress with a shy smile and worn-out shoes I can’t take my eyes off of
Layla Massey is quiet, beautiful, and in need of a little help- even if she won’t admit it. A generous tip was meant to buy her some suitable shoes, not to buy her love. I want to earn that all on my own
I’m used to women throwing themselves at me, the name, the money… but she wants neither. It makes me want her all the more
Little by little, she opens up and piece by piece, she’s taking my heart.

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I LOVE this author and have read all her books. She is a INSTA-READ for me and this series, I have loved the Novella and Book 1 and this one was equally amazing!

I want to explain that this is definitely a INSTA-LOVE. We have the hero who is the 2nd oldest of the brothers but also the quiet and thinking one. He is not a man of many words but what he says is very important and honest. The heroine is a woman that was dealt a shitty hand in life from birth due to her mother. She ran away when she turned 18 and never looked back. She is just getting by but that’s happy for her and she is proud of herself and what she does. When they meet they have no idea about one another, the hero may come off as pitying her but the way it goes is that he is just a man that when you know you know. What happens next is a fast ride but a beautiful sweet one, and a tragic event leading to a HEA. Beware the hero here is UBER-SWOONY is the only way I can describe it. I can’t wait for the next brother, Grant!

A MUST READ!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: Man Handling
Standalone/Series: Book 2 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

Riggins Brothers Series

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Enemy-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Sport Romance, Sports Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Only One Chance by Natasha Madison

October 18, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(Only One #2)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Mille
They called me the pretty boy on and off the ice. Hockey’s most eligible bachelor
When my teammate asked me to donate one date to his charity, I figured why not. Worst case, I’d spend the night with a fan. Best-case scenario, she would be hot. What I wasn’t expecting was for my dream girl to be the highest bidder
For years, she brushed me off, and now, I finally had a chance to take her out and show her who I really was
With only one shot at this, I really hoped I didn’t mess it up
Layl
At the top of my career, I was riding the wave of my sports talk show having the best rating on the radio
I also made it a rule to never date any sports players
It was my one rule, and I was sticking to it until I bid on the only man who gets under my skin
All it takes is one touch, one night, one kiss, and only one chance.

RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2020

Not my first read by the author! I have read the first book in this series too and will say that I can’t wait for the next story, Manning.

I have mixed feelings over this story and I will try and be short because if I went fully in depth I’d give away the story but I just mixed feelings about the heroine. At times it was a little slow for me and dragged a bit. The characters, well the hero is a fun outgoing player type of hockey player and the heroine is she is wild and out there and upfront but something just I can’t explain it but something didn’t fit with me for them. They both have the biggest hearts and when you get the sweet of both of them, it’s really sweet and your heart will melt but the in between and actions, and occurrences…I don’t know it felt off that’s really the only way I can explain it. I loved it but at the same time was like hmmm…

That said, there is a lot of fun in this, a CRAZY AF GRANDMA that is wildly inappropriate in all the levels, 25K and flipping GOOGLE haha! I can’t say I didn’t have fun reading it, the ending really grabbed me and two epilogues so I WAS happy and really ended on the sweetest note…minus Manning!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 2 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, Mysery, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Single Dad, Slow Burn, Surprise Baby

R E V I E W ➠ Grip by Lacey Black

October 13, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Mack
I live to race. It’s in my blood—the smell of dirt and gasoline, the fast cars, the screaming fans. I was the king of a small track in Missouri with the world at my fingertips. I even had the girl, until a call came from the infamous Colton Donavan. I had a choice to make: my dream or the woman I loved. I couldn’t have both.
When an unexpected surprise shows up on my doorstep in the form of a baby, there’s only one woman I trust enough to help me. Lena Stanley, the one I left behind. But being in close proximity to her reminds me of what we used to have, and what I still want. Her.
Lena
The day he walked away to chase his dream was the hardest day of my life, but I powered through. I could never ask Mack to choose between me and the opportunity of a lifetime.
That’s why I pushed him toward the latter, despite the heartache it caused.
Now, he needs my help. The problem is it’s hard to keep old feelings buried. Despite my best efforts, our connection is too powerful to deny. However, as our short time together draws to a close, I have another difficult choice to make. Only this time, I’m not just walking away from him, but his son too.

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2020

Not my first rea dby the author, but since this is part of the KB World I wasn’t really sure what to expect to be honest.

Mack and Lena are part of the DRIVEN WORLD by K. Bromberg and I do love this author’s style and have read a lot of her books, after reading the blurb I knew I needed to read this! This was beautiful, emotional, real, sweet, angsty and FULL OF HEART! This is a second chance romance I want to re read over again. This story will have lots of curves, banter, sweet adorable babies, mystery that will have you turning the pages faster to see the truth. Absolutely loved both characters even the side of course but these two, were just so beautiful together.

Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Single Dad, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Tear Jerker, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

October 12, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR Vi Keeland

Author Penelope Ward

My love story all started with a letter.
Only it wasn’t from the man I’d eventually fall in love with. It was from his daughter. A sweet little girl named Birdie Maxwell who’d written to the magazine that I worked for.
You see, once a year, my employer fulfilled a few wishes for readers. Only that column didn’t start up again for months.
So I fulfilled some of her wishes myself. It was harmless…so I thought. Until one day I took things too far.
While anonymously granting yet another of Birdie’s wishes, I got a look at her father. Her devastatingly handsome, single dad father.
I should have stopped playing fairy godmother then. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t help myself. I had a connection to this girl. One that had me acting irrationally.
Like showing up on their doorstep.

RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2020

But I wouldn’t mind climbing that man like a tree.
-Sadie

Not my first read by the author’s and by gosh this one took my heart! It gripped me from the beginning, kept me on the whole time. I read slower because I didn’t want it to end. It was heart wrenching and beautiful, with some twists that will make you go OOh. Loved every page of this!

I will not dive too much into this but give you the grist because this experience is worth taking. The heroine Sadie is w magazine journalist with various columns that she takes care of and writes. The hero is a business owner of a successful restaurant. These two aren’t who you will fall in love first with, Birdie is who will capture your heart, then you get thrown into a side dog business, little white lies, big dogs, butterflies, letters and mystery! The way the hero and heroine actually meet is unconventional but fun, the mystery behind everything will pull at your heartstrings. The outcome of the story line will have you gasping because ugh I can’t say too much but I was surprised and happy and excited and nervous all in one. It’s beautifully put together with so much heart!

I would HIGHLY recommend this read!

TOP 2020 MUS TREAD!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

Rom-Com, 2020 ARCs, October 2020 Reviews

R E V I E W ➠ Take A Number by Amy Daws

October 11, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Norah Donahue wants bakeries not babies, but her meddling mother has other plans. So when Nate, a blast from her past, moves back into town, Norah’s mother goes into full-blown Cupid mode.
Dean Moser is Boulder’s infamous mountain manwhore. He’s a stock market savant who thinks investing in a local bakery franchise famous for croinuts is his next big business move. The fact that the bakery owner is easy on the eyes is just icing on the donut.
When Norah needs a date for her parent’s anniversary party and Dean needs a date for his best friend’s wedding, the two decide to turn their business deal into something that can help them both out of a bind: Fake Dating.
The only problem? Highly flammable chemistry.
Dean doesn’t do serious and Norah only wants a bakery empire, but maybe they can have their croinut and eat it too.

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2020

Not my first read by the author. And quiet frankly I would read anything by Amy! Okay, I am going to say this and say this once just to get it out: but I kind of was EXOECTING al this. It’s great AMY work yes but I was really just expecting each move almost. However you see it to me it’s not necessarily a bad thing just a little predictable.

That said now we can get to the fun part of me telling you how much I really enjoyed the characters, the story line as stated above but the characters, side characters and events…were oh so sweet, fun, sexy, emotional and exciting! The hero and heroine know one another as in they are in business together if you will. You have the play-boy cocky doctor and the outgoing, sassy and strong baker. When they start fake-dating…all bets are off. I will not go into detail because honestly if you’ve never read Amy you will want to dive in first. If you’ve read her you know what you are getting into. She has a way of incorporating the now with wonderful characters and a fun story line. I am glad I got another doze of Amy-Writing and will forever always read her books!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Angsty, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Single Dad, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Every Sweet Regret by Lexi

October 10, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(Orchid Valley #2)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

For as long as I can remember, Kace Matthews has been my brother’s best friend and my not-so-secret crush. But I knew nothing would ever happen between us. The successful single dad doesn’t fall for the hot mess party girl. Kace + Stella exists in the doodles in my high school notebooks and in my dreams. Never in real life.
Until he finds me on a hookup app and starts flirting shamelessly.
It turns out high school Stella was not prepared for Kace Matthews. Adult Stella isn’t much better, but I manage to break down the walls to show Kace the real me—not just the life-of-the-party exterior, but the vulnerable pieces I hide from the world. Combine that with the combustible chemistry we have in real life, and I’m a goner.
Too bad it takes me so long to realize Kace doesn’t know I’m the girl he’s been falling for online. Telling him the truth now that he knows my secrets could mean losing everything, and that’s one regret that could break me.

RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have not read any of the other books in the series.

Stella Jacob and Kace Matthews were explosive in a not so great way. Messy and complicated is how I would call these two. I won’t lie but I didn’t LOVE the heroine. Stella is the best friends little sister, a wild child, party out there girl that really doesn’t chance too much. Kace is a man that is going through a lot, divorced, single dad, and truly going through a lot personally too. These two together were just I don’t know how to exactly express it but it was a little like water/oil.

There really is a lot that goes on here. Side characters, secrets, flirting, mystery, ex’s, family and friends…but here is the kicker Kace has a huge dilemma…chose the woman that he has been talking to online that is a great listener, sweet and gives great advice or the woman he has been secretly wanting for a long time but a bit of a wild card. What comes of this is a lot of Kace trying to find himself and Stella being messy but still deep down is a woman looking to belong. Great story, keeps you engaged and lot’s of adventure. I was going back and forth between 4 or 4.5 stars, in the end because of the ending I chose 4.5!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 2 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Defying Our Forever by Claudia Burgoa

October 10, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #3)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Fresh out of Vet school, I married Pierce Aldridge. Gorgeous, sexy, and smart. He’s a philanthropist with a heart of gold, or so I thought
After a while he became distant, self-centered, and callous. The man I married disappeared before my eyes. I should leave him, but I can’t do it just yet
There’s one thing I need but I can’t have it if I divorce him. Just a few more months..
But my plans fall through when his father dies.
The man was just as ruthless as his son
Now I can either spend eighteen months with Pierce in his hometown playing the happy couple or I could avoid the ordeal entirely if I sign the divorce papers. But I would lose the one thing I’ve been wanting my whole life
The more time that passes, the more I realize that maybe I’ve been wrong.
Maybe the man I married is still there. The man I still love
But is it too late?

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2020

Not my first read by the author. This cover alone is what got me and then the blurb, I am a huge fan of enemy-to-lovers!

First of I want to say that I LOVED EVERYTHING about these two together. Leyla and Pierce are characters that gradually came together so to say but the road to, was fun, sweet, sexy and just plain entertaining. I didn’t know how to slow down reading because everything about them and the story line gripped me. I haven’t read many of Claudia’s books but this one took me back. I am looking forward to reading more and especially the next instalment.

Defying Our Forever is book three in The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers and now I want to go back and read Book 1 and 2 which I will have to do. Glad I jumped into asking for a chance to review this. Thank you Claudia for my ARC!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Angsty, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Surprise Baby

R E V I E W ➠ Officially Over It by Lani Lynn Vale

October 10, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(SWAT Generation 2.0 #10)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Going from a professional baseball player to a SWAT officer should’ve been seamless. Should have been.
But it wasn’t.
All it took was one single calendar shoot for word to spread that Nathan Cox was not only no longer playing professional baseball, but he was also the man behind saving the life of Reggie Morton, the City of Kilgore’s princess.
Reggie didn’t know that by agreeing to provide the expertise and the know-how for the Police Officer’s Ball that she would be required to actually attend the function.
What she also didn’t expect was needing to be saved—again—by the same man that had saved her life a year ago when she hosted her debut event.
This time in a not-nearly-as-spectacular way. The moment she falls into his arms like a modern-day Cinderella and takes him in in all his three-piece suited glory, she realizes that she’s been fighting the impossible.
Nathan Cox owns her. Body and soul.

RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2020

Not my first read by the author. I have also read almost all in this series and generation #1 series as well so I am familiar with the style and the ongoing stories.

This was a little different but same at the same time because well I am used to different and out there form Lani it’s part of why I love reading her books! This one had kind of everything in it, second-chance, romance, sweet, painful, secrets…a mix of a lot of what you want. Nathan and Regina together were explosive in all the ways, when the sweet turns on IT’S SWEET, there is danger, secrets, so many secrets and painful past but them together really makes your heart happy. I would highly recommend this one, grabbed me from the beginning and kept me engaged the whole time. One of my favorites from the series!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Bok 10 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

Category: October 2020 Reviews

R E V I E W ➠ Pass Interference by Shanna Swanson

R E V I E W ➠ Vow of Worth by Emma Renshaw

R E V I E W ➠ Piece by Piece by Kaylee Ryan

R E V I E W ➠ Only One Chance by Natasha Madison

R E V I E W ➠ Grip by Lacey Black

R E V I E W ➠ Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

R E V I E W ➠ Take A Number by Amy Daws

R E V I E W ➠ Every Sweet Regret by Lexi

R E V I E W ➠ Defying Our Forever by Claudia Burgoa

R E V I E W ➠ Officially Over It by Lani Lynn Vale