Category: Single Mom

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Single Mom, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Far From Destined by Carrie Ann Ryan

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(Promise Me #3)
GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

Macon Brady remembers every moment he lay on the ground, a bullet in his chest, his life bleeding out with each pulse. Yet his nightmares aren’t the only thing keeping him up at night
Dakota Bristol left her ex with nothing but the clothes on her back and her child in her arms. She’s been hurt before and wants nothing to do with the shadows in Macon’s eyes. The problem? Her son loves him, and the more time she spends with the man, the more she’s afraid she’ll come to love him just as much
Danger always comes back to haunt those who run. It was a lesson Dakota learned before. Now, it might be the man she refuses to fall for who makes the greatest sacrifice of all.

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2020

Not my first read by the author. Not my first read by the author, this is my first in the series and holy molly did I fall in love! I really loved this type of trope and it gripped me from the beginning. These two were meant to be and i loved them together through it all.

Dakota Bristol was beautiful to get to know, something about her really had me hooked from the start. She’s a Single-Mom Coffee Shop owner and a woman that just is liked. Macon Brady our hero is everything. Broken, sweet, funny, handsome and just exactly what Dakota never saw coming. These two had it set to friends only, they tried their hardest but something did form between them, but how to you make that turn into a relationship from two people who have a heavy past and a complicated life as it is. The journey to that is thrilling, fun, sweet, romantic and sexy!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Biker Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, September 2020 Reviews, Single Dad, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Surprise Baby, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Edge of Tomorrow by Freya Barker

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(Arrow’s Edge MC #3)
GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

Solitude and motor oil meets soul food and wariness
I’m a grease-stained enigma.
A watcher, a protector, an ex-con, and a mechanic.
My name is Brick.
I’m old enough to know good things come to those who wait, and hungry enough to go after what I want.
I am a proud independent.
A nurturer, a cook, a casualty, and a grandparent.
My name is Lisa.
I’m cautious enough to keep my distance, and too wise to let a chance at love pass me by.
We seem unmatched—in race, in history, in lifestyle—but when tragedy leaves a baby in our care and a target on our backs, we discover the strength of family.
Unified.

RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2020

Not my first read by the author, I actually she’s been one of my secret hidden I LOVE her books author. I honestly have not read any books by her that I did not like, something about her writing style just appeals to me.

So the hero and heroine here are in their late 40’s meaning they are also grandparents. So the hero is a rough MC who is 50 and has had his share of life, the one daughter he does have he lost contact with many years ago. Two years is how long this man has waited to make his move only to be send into hyper speed of romance when the time does come. The heroine, she is super sweet, loving and smart. Taking care of her childs children, raising them since they were little enough…she doesn’t have time for anything else. She likes her job being the cook at the MC and that’s that. WRONG! She didn’t know what she was missing until that kiss. Since this is a MC you know you will get action, mystery, suspense, danger, dark..but what’s beautiful about this si the love between the hero and heroine, it’s not over the top no, but by gosh it’s so sweet makes you melt. Something about a big strong MC man to melt your heart when he calls you SUGAR!

Absolutely recommend her books to anyone that loves older characters, old school love, romance, passion, dirty sex but in the best way possible and just plain REAL!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, August 2020 Reviews, Friends-To-Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Tear Jerker, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Tempted by Love by Melissa Foster

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(The Steeles at Silver Island #1)
GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

Years ago, bestselling author Jack “Jock” Steele lost his girlfriend and baby in a horrific accident that drove a wedge between Jock and his family, keeping him from sharing a devastating secret. An aging philanthropist saved him from the brink of despair, and for a decade Jock cared for his ailing friend who became his family. Now his friend has passed away and left him a fortune—on the condition that he publishes another book. Jock is floundering, unsure how to rebuild the life he’d walked away from, much less find his muse, have another relationship with a woman, or even think about having a family of his own. But he can’t get his sweet, sexy new friend, single-mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler must know something he doesn’t, because she wraps her tiny fingers around his heart and won’t let go
Daphne has been through the wringer with her ex-husband and doesn’t believe true love is in the cards for her. Friends she can handle, but letting a man see her mom bod naked? Especially someone as strikingly handsome and unbelievably sexy as Jock? No, thank you. Besides, she has a toddler to chase after and enough fictional boyfriends to fill her lonely nights. If only her book boyfriends could make her body tingle the way one look from her mysterious neighbor does
As Jock and Daphne’s friendship turns to something too tempting to deny, their lives take an unexpected turn. Can a man who has lost everything find redemption with a woman who has everything to lose? And then there’s that secret…

RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2020

First off MF is not new to me in any way. She’s been one of my very first many moons ago and I’ve read enough of her books to be filly invested. That said, I was scared to read this because I just had a feeling it was going to be very emotional. Once I dived it I couldn’t stop, beware right away that you probably want to have tissue near because I cried my little eyes out. What a heartbreaking story of two people who have over come so much differently yet same pain.

The heroine is a single mom not only kind of starting over but more importantly, starting over after not only her heart was broken but for her daughter. To be with a man that did that to her and her child, BROKE MY HEART. The hero, my gosh the hero I loved through and through, he wasn’t broken but u fixable, every time he ran from the heroines little daughter my heart was torn, when I found out his past and to why he is the way he is NO ONE should ever suffer through that. The pain he endured is unimaginable, yet he was still living day by day, maybe not so much living but alive and taking it day by day. When these two collided it’s been a year and more in the making. Watching little Hadley with her Dock (Hero’s name is Jack but the man he took care of called him Jock for the hecks of it and it kept in honor of him) but little Hadley the heroines daughter calls him Dock. It’s the sweetest thing in the world. The fun part about all this is that both hero and heroine come from being twins. This beautiful story broke my heart over and over. I hung to every page, anticipation, the kisses, the little girl with her big broken man…heartwarming and I deem this book on my TOP 2020 MUST READ list!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 1 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 3.5 STAR OR BELLOW, Angsty, August 2020 Reviews, Friends-To-Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Single Mom, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Homebound by Kata Cuic

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GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

A second-chance romance set in the heart of Appalachia that will make you root for first love, forgiveness, and family.
Lenore Wheeler knows what a hard life, heartbreak, and failure tastes like. Heading home to the backwoods Appalachian town she swore she’d never return to with her young daughter in tow, she can’t imagine her future getting much bleaker.
Then she comes face-to-face with the one man she never expected to see again.
Jesse Yates was supposed to escape the mountains, make something of himself, and attain every dream Lenore destroyed. He’s determined to wear down her resolve and win her back, but she’s got a secret to keep and reasons to keep her old flame at arm’s length.
Lenore already broke her own heart to save Jesse, but she’ll do anything to protect her daughter from the same fate.
Except fate has a funny way of working out, especially when all roads lead to home. 

RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2020

NEW to me author and books. I found this on one of the email’s I get from GiveMe Books PR listings I recieve and the blurb really appealed to me. So I thought why not give this a try.

I had a huge issue from the beginning with this, now this is probably just me and my taste but the accent in this book DROVE ME TO THE EDGE I’m sorry it really did, I enjoyed the writing and chanters but the accent I can’t even explain what the accent is but every YOU was a YA and now I can’t unsee the YA when I read anything else. I’ve never read anything with this type of accent and it did not work for me, it distracted me the whole book and I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the story line. This is a second chance, hero is the new principal and heroine the new teacher at their hometown. The hero and heroine share a past, a lot of it and a lot more than anyone would have guessed. Again, that accent really prevented me to even pay too much detailed attention, and I will say that if you don’t mind that type then you’ll love this because it really was great writing and the story line along with the characters. Unfortunately I don’t know if I would try the author again.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, August 2020 Reviews, Enemy-To-Lovers, Friends-To-Lovers, MUST READS!, Single Mom, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward

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GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

At first, my neighbor Deacon frustrated me.
Sure, he was great-looking and friendly.
But our walls were thin, and on occasion, he’d bring women to his place and keep me awake while he “entertained” them.
As a single mother to an infant, I didn’t appreciate it.
So, finally it was my turn.
When my daughter wouldn’t stop wailing one night, Mr. Manwhore came knocking on my door.
Miraculously, at the sound of his voice, Sunny stopped crying. And when he held her…she eventually fell asleep in his arms.
Deacon was rough on the exterior, but apparently on the inside? Mr. Single-and-Ready-to-Mingle was a baby whisperer.
After that night, we became friends.
He’d go for coffee runs. Come over to chat. Normal friend stuff.
But over time, our conversations ran deeper. We got closer.
Until one night we crossed the line.
Our friendship turned into a complicated mess.
I’d gone and fallen for a guy who’d sworn off commitment and kids.
I knew Deacon was starting to care for me too, even though Sunny and I didn’t fit into any plan he’d ever imagined for himself.
He was wrong for me—so wrong that I’d dubbed him the “anti-boyfriend.”
Then why did I wish more than anything that I could be the one woman to change him? 

RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read every single one of her books. I was honored to receive a ARC and review this beauty. I will say that from the title and a couple reviews I read I was a little skeptical due to me having a ‘reading block’ issue when it comes to Hero’s that are man-whores or sleep with other people, there was one of two parts where I kind of read little faster and bypassed it because I really wanted to give this a full shot and thank gosh I did because once I went over that tiny bump this book BLEW ME AWAY! This single man who comes off as rough, player and everything that the heroine hated, has one of the biggest hearts and when he held her daughter Sunny and showed her part of his heart, mine grew ten times bigger for him! This Angsty-Single-Mom SLOW BURN was the right amount of all,

Carys and Deacon from the beginning were like water and oil, one a single mother trying to make it day by the the other a man-whore who’s “entertainment” was something she would have rather not ever heard. It went from player to the connection and friendship they form, I can’t explain it but I wanted them to just be together so bad and the slow burn was almost unbearable but perfect in the best ways. I -ave to say that this book is a MUST READ!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, May 2020 Reviews, Single Mom, Sizzling, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Loner by Harloe Rae

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GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE
AMAZON

“Everyone deserves a chance to be rescued.”
That’s the mantra I’m repeating when a well-equipped biker pulls over to save me. One glance at the scowl Crawford Doxe is wearing proves he isn’t impressed with the task. My efforts to change his mind deflate faster than the shredded tire at our feet. But disgruntled or not, my so-called hero still agrees to fix my flat.
I don’t expect to see Crawford again, but he’s suddenly very visible in our small town. Avoiding him would be my preference. That’s not how this story goes. For whatever reason, my daughter finds an ally in the broody mechanic. Denying her is something I do my best to avoid. I can only hope Crawford’s shine wears off before he tarnishes what little trust still exists.
As if the odds are ever on my side.
Commitments are a foreign concept to him. He doesn’t make any promises to try. That should’ve been enough for me to steer clear. It most certainly isn’t.
What follows can only be described as a disastrous clash of epic proportions.
But one indisputable fact remains.
That lone soul has no plans of opening his heart.

RELEASE DATE: Jume 11, 2020

This is not my first read by the author but I haven’t read lot of her books yet. That said this one was a enemy to which is my favorite.

 I can always appreciate this authors writing and words, she definitely has a way with them.  I lived Millie, she was like a little cute adorable referee between the hero and her mama the heroine. It was really sweet! Overall once I got warmed up more to the heroine and hero, they really do not hold back and it’s beautiful all around. Glad I was able to review this, looking forward to more!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, Friends-To-Lovers, May 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Sport Romance, Sports Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Clutch Player by Nikki Ash

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GOODREADS
AUTHOR WEBSITE

Clutch player: an athlete who is good under pressure and performs highly impossible plays in a quick and almost impossible amount of time.
Harper
I fell in love when I was sixteen. Landon was my entire world and I thought he would be my forever. But I was young and dumb, and with one error in judgement, I destroyed any chance of a future we could’ve had together, along with our hearts.
Twelve years later and I’m going through the motions of life, but not actually living. Which is why I let my friends, Bridget and Simon, set me up on a blind date. Turns out, it’s not so blind after all. Because the man sitting in front of me is the same man who’s held onto my heart all these years.
Landon
They call me a Clutch Player because I’m good under pressure and quick on my feet. I was also quick to fall in love. The first time it was with baseball, the second was with Harper. And for a short time I had them both.
Until I lost Harper and all I had left was baseball.
For years, I focused on my career. I had accepted that baseball was my one true love.
Until I saw her again. I never imagined we’d ever get a second chance, but now that she’s sitting right across from me, I know there’s no way in hell I’m going to let her go again.

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2020

“It’s us, Harp. It feels like this because it’s you and me.”

Not my first read by the author but it has been a while, I really really loved this one too. The romance on this was off the roof, you will fall in love with the hero instantly…this is a heartbreaking story of mistakes being made, misunderstanding and priorities being thrown around instead of organized. Sweet, beautiful, sizzling and captivating. It went really well with the Cocky Books and your heart will melt with the epilogue!!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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

2020 ARCs, April 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Sport Romance, Sports Romance, Tear Jerker, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Ember by Emma Renshaw

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GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

One night changed an entire town.
Ten years ago, I left Hawk Valley.
I never planned to return. Not to the regrets. The bitter memories. The guilt.
My baseball career gave me both the excuse and the money I needed to start over. Then my mom called, and I found myself headed back to the one place I swore I wouldn’t step foot again.
Meeting Delilah wasn’t part of the plan. Falling in love with her adorable son was even less so. And yet, what’s brewing between us is too intense to be denied. The unexpected passion is almost enough to distract us from the crumbling of both our worlds.
But even as the sparks fly, someone is waiting in the shadows to burn it all down. 

RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2020

From cradle to grave.
From sandbox to the pine box.
From home plate to center field.

I inched closer to her even though I was denying what I wanted to do, which was sweep her into my arms and kiss the living daylight out of her.

-Gunner

Not my first read by the author, she was a new to me a little ago but I read one book and then I had to read all of her books. This one, not so different. Have you ever started a book and it’s so damn good that you had to stop yourself from reading because you didn’t want it to end? Well, this is that type for me!

The book stars off with you needing tissues, because not only do things happen fast but also in doubles. But you will instantly fall in love with Gunner, right off the bat! Both hero and heroine are put in difficult situations, very different form one another meaning they carry the same amount of guilt and worry on their shoulders but worlds apart. Typing this reminds me of how I could have used another 5 or 6 books of continued stories from just this one book.

Gunner is the perfect hero, caring, strong, sweet, sexy and a baseball player…that’s all I need to say. He lost something a very long time ago but it hung on him for years, now that he is back in town for his mother…he can’t seem to get away from the memories.
Delilah is a woman that let’s just say had to grow up pretty fast. Going through life cooking one meal after another, by the way she is a fantastic chef…and her son is the main thing in her life at all times. I absolutely, if you don’t fall in love with Gunner by himself at the beginning you will once you meet him and Tucker *swoon swoon swoon* after all this book gave me all the feels, emotional, beautiful, haunting, captivating and all the romance and sexiness you need! I can’t wait to read more…p.s. secretly looking and hoping Colt Delilah’s brother gets a story!

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Standalone
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, April 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, MUST READS!, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Just One Kiss by Layla Hagen

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(Very Irresistible Bachelors #2)

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Everyone associates the name Ryker Winchester with money, power plays, negotiations…it’s what I’m good at. In the boardroom, I get exactly what I want. In the bedroom, there’s no difference.
I was wholly unprepared for Heather.
She’s a feisty single mom, challenging me in ways no woman ever has. I can’t get enough of her. The way she gives in to me is intoxicating, but I need more than hot nights and sexy dates.
When she introduces me to her daughter, I fall for that little girl hook, line and sinker. No one has ever played me for a fool like that kid can do with a single dimpled grin. I want to keep them both.
Heather’s been hurt before. She’s hanging by a thread and doesn’t trust easily, but I want more than just some fun. How can I show her that we can build something incredible together?

RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2020

Not my first read by the author, love Layla’s books, but I have not read book #1 in this series, which I hope to get to soon…yes even backwards. I am so glad I read this because reading book 1 will be a MUST if it’s as good as this!

Ryker is a successful businessman, has it all, but his favorite is playing the guitar nightly at a local bar. Que in single-mom Heather who is feisty, sassy and so sweet. They don’t have much interaction that first meet but Ryker comes to the rescue…in many ways. When they see each other again, not only are they drawn to one another but the sparks fly, really fly. I absolutely LOVE them together…and I can’t say this enough but Ryker is a whole new level of SWOONY, the way he is with Heather’s daughter *sigh* everything about this book was charming, exciting, romantic and beautiful!

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Military Romance, New To Me Author, Single Mom, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Tear Jerker

R E V I E W ➠ Cherish Her by Andrea Johnston

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GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

My life was perfect . . .
Until fate took it all away.
Heartache and broken bones left me searching for solace in the darkest of places.
It wasn’t pretty, but with the support of my family, I persevered and I’m stronger for it. My daughters deserve nothing less.
Things were finally back on track, until I met Grant Ellison. Tall, dark, and handsome he sets my heart racing. If only the fear of loving again didn’t paralyze me.
Nobody was as surprised as me when I left a long military career for a slower pace in life. After all, I’ve never been one to make decisions lightly or without a plan.
A new town means a fresh start. Although it’s a lonely existence, I don’t regret my decision. Especially when a beautiful woman catches my eye.
Dakota Jennings’ strength and ambition are for all to see but her heat is protected by the strongest of walls. My new mission is to show her how precious she is and how great we can be together.

RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2020

One…
Two…
Breathe…
I can do this. I’m a strong independent woman raising two smart kind, and loving little ladies. One how is probably at daycare eating glue and the other who is giving speeches on mortality. You can’t win them all, I suppose.
-Dakota

Not my first read by the author but my first official review. The blurb is what caught my eye and of course the beautiful cover! The first book in this series was a must read so I was looking forward to this one!

This is a VERY SWEET single-mom friends-to romance. It started off a little slow for me but once it picked up, I enjoyed it very much. The characters were on point and wonderful, the heroine is a widow single mom to two beautiful little girls, she is beautiful without trying, funny, very sweet and the biggest heart. The hero is a SEXY HANDSOME early 40s man who is ex military and doesn’t have much. Grant moves to the same town and Dakota helps him find a home. They strike a friendship only to not be able to ignore the chemistry and pull. Dakota struggles with moving on while Grant struggles with the fact that he is alone. They navigate through ups and downs, in the end the big question is will love win?

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦