Tasha_B94's Reviews
All the reviews Tasha_B94 has submitted for authors' ARC books.
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✓ Forbidden workplace romance Last Save by H.A. Laine is the fifth and final book in the Ice and Instincts series with a refreshing twist on the classic 'older-man dynamic', by twisting it around so the heroine is older then the hero. In this final novel, we get to read the story of Risa Kwon as she is hired by the Portland Wolves to protect the players that matter. Along the way, she meets the teams young starting goaltender Mila, who is more observant than most. While reading the main characters story, I fell in love with how Laine portrayed the older heroine as someone with strong emotional confidence. Overall, Last Save was the perfect way to end the series with a bang! If you are interested in sports romances where the age-gap trope is reversed, this is the best book for you! |
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- Forbidden slow burn Unassisted by H.A. Laine, the first book in the Ice and Instinct series was an irresistibly charming pro-hockey romance that had emotional tension, sizzling chemistry, and a slow-burn love story that felt forbidden but earned. In this novel, we read the story of a PT specialist named Elena as she is tasked to take care of the Portland Wolves captain Declan after a shoulder injury. One of the things that I loved about this book was how Laine is able to build up the romance between the characters so that it felt natural instead of forced. Overall, Unassisted ticked off all the boxes for me when it comes to a hockey romance and is perfect for readers who love sports romances with heart and a satisfying ending. |
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- Athlete / journalist off-limits romance Between the Glass by H.A. Laine is the second book in the Ice and Instinct series, a sports romance filled with swoony hockey romance energy and forbidden attraction. In this novel, we get to meet a reporter named Renee who is determined to trust a story over any source given to her. On this journey, she travels to Portland where she meets the Portland Wolves veteran power forward, Ben Kowalski. Between press rooms and road trips, the attraction that shouldn't happen slowly builds as the characters get to know each other. Overall, Between the Glass delivered the passion and conflict I look for when reading a book with the off-limits trope. If you are a fan of sports romances with emotional tension and a risky love story, give this novel a try! |
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✓ Single parent (told in three voices) Last Change by H.A. Laine is the fourth book in the Ice and Instincts series based around the Single Parent trope with healing wrapped in a swoony hockey romance. In this novel, we get to read the story of an event producer named Elara who is put together with the Portland Wolves veteran defenseman, Vince to work on The Heritage Season ceremony. At its core, this novel was about second chances not just in life, but at love and personal healing after traumatic events. One of the things I really liked about this novel is Laine's writing style and how she was able to write smooth and engaging banter between the FMC and MMC. Overall, Last Change is perfect for readers who enjoy sports romances with a lovable family dynamic! |
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✓ Fake dating Short Side by H.A. Laine is the third book in the Ice and Instinct series, a sports romance based around the fake dating trope we all know and love. In this novel, we get to meet the guarded photographer Wren Gallagher and the Portland Wolves undrafted rookie Carter Knox as they ignite a PR scandal that requires them to fake date. Along the way, we get to follow along as their staged relationship grows more convincing, blurring the lines between reality and performance. Overall, Short Side was a perfect balance of fake kisses and protective hockey hero energy that earned its spot on my To Be Read Again shelf! |
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Geek + Chic Romance!
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From Geek to Chic by Lisa S. Gayle is a delightful contemporary romance that blends humor and heart with personal transformation into an entertaining read. In this novel, the story centers on the MMC Quill Webber, a Commitment-phobe millionaire, and the FMC Andie Thompson, a geek-centric animal lover. One of the things that I liked about this book is how Gayle was able to emphasis on looking beyond appearances in order to develope the characters for this novel. Overall, From Geek to Chic is a fun, feel-good romance that fans of sweet contemporary romances will love. I received an ARC copy from Pen Pinery. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel! |
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Crush in the Cascades by Lisa S. Gayle a fun, adventurous contemporary romance that blends the excitement of reality television with a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers love story. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Oregon's Cascade Mountains, we follow the story of the MMC Easton Cooper, a rugged outdoor guide, and the FMC Amity Rose, a city girl who finds herself hilariously unprepared for the wilderness. One of the things I really enjoyed about this novel was how Gayle was able to perfectly balance adventure and romance in a way that the outdoor survival challenges provided a refreshing change from the typical contemporary romance settings. Overall, Crush in the Cascades was a charming romantic adventure filled with humor and plenty of outdoor excitement. I received an ARC copy from Pen Pinery. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel! |
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Tangle in the Tropics by Lisa S. Gayle is an engaging contemporary romance that combines the excitement of reality television with the emotional depth of a second-chance love story. Set against the stunning backdrop of Fiji, we get to meet the MMC Andrew Meyers, a famous professional football quarterback who joins a reality competition show in the hopes of reconnecting with the FMC Hannah Cooper, a woman he never forgot. One of the novel’s biggest strengths I felt is the chemistry between Andrew and Hannah, due to the past history they share which adds emotional weight to every interaction. Overall, Tangle in the Tropics is a charming and entertaining read that delivered another round of romance, adventure, and a satisfying emotional payoff for the main characters. I received an ARC copy from Pen Pinery. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel! |
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Love in La La Land by Lisa S. Gayle a heartfelt contemporary romance that perfectly blends the excitement of reality television with an engaging opposites-attract love story. As the third installment in The Race for Riches or Romance series, this novel takes place in Hollywood, where we meet our FMC Bria Harper, a tough former military woman and the MMC Rick Turner, a former cameraman with little interest in returning to the spotlight. One of the things I enjoyed about this novel is while Bria and Rick may be complete opposites of each other, the chemistry between the two was intense. Overall, Love in La La Land is an entertaining romance filled with heart, humor, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments that delivered a satisfying happily-ever-after. I received an ARC copy from Pen Pinery. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel! |
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Goddess and the Geek by Lisa S. Gayle is a captivating contemporary romance that combines heart and humor with the classic opposites-attract trope we know and love. In this story, we get to meet the FMC Gigi “Goddess” Green and the MMC Brendan King, two seemingly incompatible characters whose differences create both entertaining conflict and undeniable chemistry. One of the novel's greatest strengths I felt is its engaging character development between the two main characters. I really loved how Gigi is portrayed as a confident and beautiful woman accustomed to being admired, while Brendan is intelligent, reserved, and more comfortable behind a computer screen. Overall, Goddess and the Geek is a delightful romantic comedy filled with humor, sweet moments, and two lovable characters. I received an ARC copy from Pen Pinery. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel! |