Not My Romeo (The Game Changers 1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills

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We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.

My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.

The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.

But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?

Is Jack my real Romeo… or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?

Book: Not My Romeo (The Game Changers 1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Published: August 18, 2020
Pages: 346
Genres: Romance, Rom-Com, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: December 23-24, 2021
Rating: 4 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

So this is another one of my reviews that accidentally got deleted so I apologize if its a little less wordy than usual. Thanks again Google Keep!

This book had me in stitches for the hero and heroines first meeting! I could feel the instant spark between them and love how their journey together began. It is definitely a story to tell the future grandkids!

I loved how realistic both the hero and heroine were. They were both flawed with baggage but truly good people at their core, just trying to do what makes them happy. They didn’t instantly fall in love but they had amazing chemistry and fit each other so well that I kept rooting for them to be together.

The ensemble cast was amazing – loved all the extra characters and their back stories. Well, all but one and I’m sure everyone else feels the same way!

I saw there is a second book to this series and I am definitely intrigued because this is a book I will read again in the future and always recommend if someone asks about it. Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn

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In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable…but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…

Book: The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn
Published: June 27th, 2006
Pages: 384
Genres: Historical, Romance, Rom-Com
Format: Kindle
Date Read: April 4, 2011
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

“There were rules among friends, commandments, really, and the most important one was Thou Shalt Not Lust After Thy Friend’s Sister.”

I read quite a few books in this series many years ago but with the show airing I find myself wanting to re-read them and enjoy these amazing characters again and again.

I love Julia’s writing style and the chemistry between her hero and heroine. I loved this book, plain and simple. Such a great, fun read!

Tangled (Tangled 1) by Emma Chase

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Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything – or anyone – derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

Book: Tangled (Tangled 1) by Emma Chase
Published: August 2nd, 2013
Pages: 254
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Erotica
Format: Kindle
Date Read: June 01 to 02, 2013
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Loved this! It was refreshing to read a book completely from the males POV. Drew definitely had some interesting pearls of wisdom to share with us! I’m glad he never gave up on Kate and once her realized he loved her he continued to fight – he didn’t give up a screw a bunch of girls like most guys do. Five stars!!

The Other Fish in the Sea (Grab Your Pole #2) by Jenn Cooksey

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In Shark Bait, readers everywhere met and fell in love with the new girl, Camie Ramsey, and swooned over her sure to be future husband, Tristan Daniels. Now, in The Other Fish in the Sea, the long awaited second installment of the Grab Your Pole series by Jenn Cooksey, Camie and Tristan are back, but so are their friends!

So, find a breathing apparatus and shimmy into your scuba gear, because it’s finally time to dive deeper into the lives of the GYP gang, but be warned, it’s a big world out there and an even bigger ocean where danger might be lurking around the next corner and realistically, anything could happen.

Book: The Other Fish in the Sea (Grab Your Pole #2) by Jenn Cooksey
Published: April 23rd, 2013
Pages: 381
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Athlete Hero, Tattoos/Piercings
Format: Kindle
Date Read: May 03 to 04, 2013
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

HOLY CLIFFHANGER BATMAN! All I have to say is Tristan has some major sucking up to do in the next book! And he darn well better do it! I’m currently crossing my fingers that book 3 will come out early and that there will be a HEA for Tristan and Camie!

*spoiler* I understand he was sexually frustrated at the end but the poor girl was clearly dizzy and drunk. I mean, she couldn’t even concentrate on him and he gets mad she told him to stop? Party fowl, Tristan, party fowl!!!

Bring on book 3, the book where Tristan better be on his knees groveling, even though I’m pretty sure he won’t be (at least at first)! 

Wishful Thinking (Swann Sisters Chronicles 1) by Evangeline Anderson

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How do you ditch your Fairy Godmother?

As her 25th birthday approaches, mild-mannered Philomena Swann lives in terror of her annual birthday wish. Sure, she has a disinterested fiance and a misogynistic boss, but from experience she knows wishing both away could result in disaster. Why? Because she and her sisters are one-eighth fairy. Not enough to give them magical powers, but enough to qualify for a fairy godmother from hell.

All Phil wants is, just once, to have the courage to speak her mind. She blurts out her wish and suddenly finds she can’t stop. To her friends. Her boss. Her Nana. And her best friend, hot and hunky co-worker, Josh. Before she can do any more damage, she begs for the spell to be reversed. And it is with a vengeance. Now everyone else is compelled to tell her the truth. Including Josh.

But the fairy godmother’s not done. One more wish could change Phil’s world forever if it doesn’t ruin her life first.

Book: Wishful Thinking (Swann Sisters Chronicles 1) by Evangeline Anderson
Published: November 18th, 2008
Pages: 304
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Magic/Witches, Paranormal
Format: Kindle
Date Read: February 07 to 08, 2012
Rating: 5 Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! At one point this book had me laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants!!! I’m not sure what I loved more – Phil, Josh or the hysterical things that keep happening to Phil due to her wishes! Evangeline is so talented and I’ve loved every one of her books that I’ve read! MUST READ!

You Don't Know Jack (Sexy in NYC 2) by Erin McCarthy

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Love. Sex. Destiny. And A Six-Foot-Four Psychic In A Bridesmaid’s Dress? Honey, You Don’t Know Jack…

Jamie Peters no longer believes in true love. True idiots, true scumbags, true moochers – these she believes in wholeheartedly, and she’s got the checkered dating history to prove it. So she’s more than a little skeptical when her cross-dressing psychic tells her she’s about to meet her soul mate – during an accident. Yeah, sounds about right. And then it happens. A knight in shining armor steps between her and a mugger on a subway platform. Just a regular, honest, upright Jack. The kind they don’t make anymore…

Jonathon Davidson doesn’t believe in destiny – or lying to beautiful women as a rule. But now that Jamie thinks he’s just an ordinary guy, how can he possibly tell her that he’s really, (A) her roommate’s brother, (B) a millionaire to boot, and (C) the jerk who’s investigating her application to his grandfather’s charitable trust because she may be involved in something illegal? Yeah, rhetorical question. He can’t. Not until he knows what’s going on. Besides, it would require being able to resist Jamie’s luscious curves long enough to say, “Hi, my name is Big Liar. Let’s get naked.” Sometimes, destiny sucks…

Book: You Don’t Know Jack (Sexy in NYC 2) by Erin McCarthy
Published: October 1st, 2006
Pages: 255
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Famous Hero or Heroine
Format: Kindle
Date Read: March 21 to 24, 2011
Rating: 4 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

I fell in love with Jack and Jamie the moment they ‘crashed’ into each other! They were by no means perfect, by the were perfect for each other! This book felt so real that it could easily pass for a true story! I could honestly see something like this happen!

I loved Beckwith – he cracked me up. And Jack’s grandfather, I’d love to let him live with me. He’s a hoot!!

This book was great. It had it all – drama, romance, humor, hot sexin’, it was wonderful!

Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie

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Energetic, independent Elle has found her weakness in the shy, reclusive, young man next door. Jonah Quinn is withdrawn for good reason; he harbors a dark secret. Can one night of passion between the two of them lead to more than casual glances exchanged at their mailboxes? Will Elle be strong enough to help Jonah with his personal demons. And will Jonah break his silence regarding a past that haunts him?

The Rules for this relationship are Unwritten. A story of longing, love, and forgiveness.

Book: Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie
Published: January 27th, 2011
Pages: 256
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Erotica, Musician
Format: Kindle
Date Read: March 1-3, 2011
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I started reading this book 2 days ago and I could not put it down! It was so easy to fall in love with Jonah and Elle. They were so perfect for each other and just great! The characters were so believable I felt like I was there, taking the journey right along side them!

Jonah… he’s perfectly flawed. I loved him! And the pinky thing? So damn cute!!

Great read that’s worth every penny! It has everything you could ever want in a book – angst, romance, comedy, sexin’, memorable characters, you get the idea! I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this book frequently!

Right Here, Right Now by HelenKay Dimon

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For Gabby Pearson, being dumped in public before the dessert course has to be the lowest of the low, especially when it’s the old, “It’s not you, it’s me” speech. Honestly, how about something original: “I have five minutes to live” (very possible); “It’s not you, it’s the voices in my head” (thanks for the warning); or “I am such a powerful sexual being I could put you into a coma with one kiss” (wishful thinking). Not that Gabby would ever know since Reed Larkin never bothered to take her to bed. Why does a girl bother (to shave)? The only thing left to do is offer the guy a goodbye forever drink on his head.

Damn. Reed did his job: he walked away from Gabby rather than drag her into his unstable life and danger. Now he’s wearing her full glass of wine instead of throwing her onto his sheets. It doesn’t help that the woman is smart as hell and could stop a man’s breath with that wide smile and those shapely curves. Gabby has it all, and Reed wants every inch of her. And now the joke’s on him, because new intel says Gabby has just become his assignment: He has one day to win her back, get information from her she may not know she has, and somehow protect her at the same time. The stakes are high. The odds are impossible. And the mutual attraction is as hot and strong as Gabby’s anger. And Reed can only hope his next speech, “It’s you, baby, it’s definitely you,” will be the start of something wild, something crazy, something dangerous, something wonderful.

Book: Right Here, Right Now by HelenKay Dimon
Published: January 1st, 2008
Pages: 305
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Format: Kindle
Date Read: August 20, 2010
Rating: 4 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

This book had it all – romance, humor, drama, even a bit of mystery. I fell in love with the main characters, their storyline was realistic and just wonderful. And the romance part of it? They loved hard and fought just as hard. This book had me laughing out loud pretty frequently, some scenes were just too funny that I couldn’t help myself. If you haven’t read this, check it out!

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons 2) by Julia Quinn

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1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better…
–Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry–he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield–the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate’s the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands–and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate’s determined to protect her sister–but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…

Book: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons 2) by Julia Quinn
Published: October 13th 2009
Pages: 384
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Historical
Format: Kindle
Date Read: May 1, 2010
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Updated 2021: This is my favorite book in the Bridgerton series, I have read it over and over again.

I loved this book! Anthony and Kate were so funny – their witty jabs back and forth were very entertaining. Julia Quinn did such a great job describing the settings and characters for this historical romance. She made it very easy to forget that I was wrapped up in a completely different time!

I will definitely be rereading this book again and again.

Talk Me Down (Tumble Creek 1) by Victoria Dahl

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What happens when the girl next door isn’t so innocent?

Molly Jennings might look like the girl next door, but she has one naughty little secret: her job. Molly is a very successful writer of erotic fiction. Until her inspiration runs dry-—thanks to a creepy ex-—and she decides it’s time to move back home to tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado.

Tumble Creek doesn’t have much going for it, but one look at luscious chief of police Ben Lawson, who starred in her girlhood dreams, and Molly is back in business. But while her fantasies are pouring out on paper, the town gossip is buzzing at her door and, worse yet, a stalker seems to be watching her every move. Thankfully, her very own lawman has taken to coming over, often. The only problem now is that Molly may have to let the cat out of the bag about her chosen profession, and straight-laced Ben will definitely not approve…

Book: Talk Me Down (Tumble Creek 1) by Victoria Dahl
Published: January 1st, 2009
Pages: 352
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Heroine Loves Siblings Best Friend, Erotica
Format: Kindle
Date Read: April 5, 2010
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be rereading it again and again in the future. It had everything that a romance book could possibly have – humor, sex, a HEA, and lots of DRAMA!

If you are even pondering getting this book, just buy it now! It is so worth it! 🙂