Book Review: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

Series: Pink Carnation #4

Genre: Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit
Format: Paperback

Pages: 385
Published: January 6, 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

A continuation of the series that began with The Masque of the Black Tulip and The Deception of the Emerald Ring finds Mary accepting a secret assignment from spy Lord Vaughn to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation in order to prevent an invasion of England

Review:

I started this and then stopped for a while. September was a wild month. Buuuuuut this was set to the side and not forgotten. I love this series, and I wanted to keep going. I finally picked back up to finish. 

Here we are with Eloise continuing her research on the Pink Carnation and other fellow spies. This time we will step back and see Mary's and Lord Vaughn's story. Mary accepts a secret assignment to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation to prevent plans for an invasion of England. 

Mary is a rough character to like, but she is one you can't stop being curious about. There is a lot more deep down. Same with Lord Vaughn. The two are a match made in snarky Heaven.

It was nice going back to this! It's been so long. I had forgotten sooo many things.

Eloise is adorable. I remember being not her biggest fan in my very first read-through of this series, but I've grown to adore her. 

Such a fun series. This isn't my favorite mainly because Mary is rough to like, but it's still an enjoyable read. Love the world. Love the characters. I can't wait to start the next one soon-ish.  

I'll give this a 4.

Audiobook Review: A Taste of Magic by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley
Narrator: Siobhan Waring & John Hartley

Title: A Taste of Magic

Series: The Scottish Charms #2

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Format: Audiobook

Published: August 25, 2026
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

She’s hexed. He’s her ex. And if they can’t bake in harmony, Briarhaven’s big cooking competition might just go up in smoke.

Lyra MacGregor’s magic is as unpredictable as her love life—especially when her spellwork starts misfiring during the filming of Briarhaven’s favorite reality TV Bewitching Bake-Off. Even worse? She’s paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.

He’s never baked a thing in his life. She turns spoons into hedgehogs when he’s nearby. But with the cameras rolling, the curse deepening, and old sparks reigniting, they’ll have to cook up more than just a winning cake to survive. Because in Briarhaven, baking is spellwork, and love is the trickiest recipe of all.

Review:

I finished book 1, and I had to get my hands on book 2. I'm loving this town and this family. Plus...I had to know what the heck is up with Rabbie and Lyra. What happened between them the last time they were in town?

Lyra and her family have been back in town for about a year now. It is her turn to finally get her powers and lift her part of the curse. However, things are interrupted when a Baking Show picks Briarhaven to host the Christmas special. This is the chance Lyra has been dreaming about! She finally got a job at the bakery, but maybe this competition will help blast her Baking show to new heights. However, she is having issues with her magic, and now she's being partnered with her ex....

I really loved this one. I loved watching them go from enemies to baking partners to friends to being in love. It felt real. They finally are forced to TALK and hear each other out. *chef kiss*

Lyra is adorable. 

Rabbie is cranky and cute. 

Gimme all the hedgehogs. 

I just wanted to eat all the yummy desserts mentioned. 

This is a second chance, and I get scared of them, but the reason why they broke up was an easy fix once they matured, especially when they realized it was all a misunderstanding. 

The ending was lovely. 

The narrators were perfect. 

I loved this. So much fun. I want book 3!!!!

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #42

- Reading Romance Challenge #20 (MC Works in the Food Industry)

Blodeuedd's Monday: Itch! by Gemma Amor

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

Published: October 9, 2025 by Hodder

Horror/borrowed

Ohh I like weird. Josie left her ex after said ex put her in a coma. She went home with her widowed dad, she works at a pub, and life is just pretty shitty. Then she finds a dead body and everything becomes effed up.

It itches, the ants from the dead body are inside her. There is an legend from the woods that there is something there, something that demands offerings.

But it is also a murder mystery. As she is spiraling out of control she tries to figure out what happened to the dead woman.

I liked it. Messed up, creepy and good

Something moves on the forest floor...

Josie is at rock bottom. Burned out, heartbroken and recovering from an abusive relationship, she lives a haunted existence after returning to her isolated hometown on the edge of the Forest of Dean.

But the tall, dense pine trees are not the only things casting shadows across her skin.

Josie's hopes of a fresh start are horribly derailed when she stumbles across a dead woman's decaying, ant-infested body in the woods. The grim discovery sends her into a downward spiral, forcing her to face uncomfortable truths about the victim and her own past - all whilst battling the swarming black ants that seem to have burrowed into her mind... and her flesh.

As Josie struggles with infestations of all kinds, she scratches the surface of an age-old mystery - a masked predator stalks the forest around Ellwood, a place deeply gripped by ancient folklore and strange customs. So when the village dresses up for its annual festival, Josie gets closer and closer to unveiling a monster, and begins to ask

Are these dark crawling insects leading her to uncover the truth?

Or is she their next victim?

Audiobook Review: The Tuesday Night Club by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie
Narrator: Mark Bowen

Title: The Tuesday Night Club

Series: Miss Marple #SS 1

Genre: Mystery, Short Story, Classic
Format: Audiobook

Published: 1927
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library


Summary: 

A weekly gathering of murder mystery fans. Each week one of them challenges the rest of the group with a new mystery. Who can rise to the challenge?

And now for the first difficult case that comes to the Tuesday Night Club. The story begins with a dinner. After a supper of canned lobster and a dessert of trifle, three people became ill and one of them, Mrs. Jones, died. A bout of botulism was suspected but could it have been more than that?

Sir Henry Clithering, the former head of Scotland Yard, recounts it all to the club assembled at Miss Marple's house in St. Mary Mead. The group are keen to delve deeper as he asks whether any of them can resolve it. In the corner sat Miss Marple, knitting and listening.

Review:

I'm a terrible AC fan......I've never read any of the Miss Marple (that I can remember). EEE. Oops. 

Each week, this group of murder-mystery fans takes on a new mystery. The first difficult case lands on their lap....after supper, three people became ill, and one of them died. Who? How? Why? Everyone has their opinions, but who is right?

We all know the answer....Miss Marple will be the one to solve it. LOL, but I loved the format of this lil short story. She was fun! I want more time with her to really fall for her as I have with Hercule. BUT it was a nice intro to this unlikely hero. 

The mystery was nice and so complicated that it had such a simple solution. 

The narrator did well. I would listen to more if he did the voices for more.

Overall, quick, nice, and an interesting mystery. I want more. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #41

- Library Love #25

Blodeuedd's Monday: Abducted by a Prince by Olivia Drake

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

Series: Cinderella Sisterhood (#3)

Historical romance /own

I have had this book for probably 10 years, oops! I am trying to get to my old forgotten books.

Ellie works as an unpaid servant to her uncle. She is the governess, nursemaid, chaperone, you name it. They took her in when her father died and did not really care.

Damien wants a key back that was stolen long ago, and he will kidnap someone to get it.

Oops, he kidnapped Ellie! Mistake. And her family do not give a damn. But Damien is hot, and Ellie is really nice. How can they ever let each other go?

Short answer. They can not! Cos this is a Cinderella story and they will live happily ever after and her family can go f themselves

I enjoyed it. Cute

She Was Stolen Away...

Ellie Stratham gave up her childhood dreams of a fairy tale romance long ago. To repay her late father’s debts, she’s forced to serve her spoiled cousin, Lady Beatrice. But Ellie has devised a secret plan to escape her life as a drudge. A plan that is thrown into jeopardy when she’s abducted by a mysterious stranger.

But Can He Steal Her Heart?

A notorious seducer of women—and a scoundrel to boot—Damien Burke has earned his nickname as the Demon Prince. But his plot to kidnap Lady Beatrice to make her brother return a priceless heirloom backfires—and he ends up with their penniless cousin, Ellie, as his hostage. By the time Damien realizes his mistake, he and his fiery-willed captive are trapped in a remote castle during a wild winter storm. And he soon finds that the true hostage may be his own heart.

Hollow by Carole Rae

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month....I will share this very personal poem I wrote in September in honor of my very own miscarriage.  It was the hardest few weeks of my life. I lost my baby when I was 5 weeks and 6 days along. I had only known I was pregnant for a couple of weeks but I loved that little poppyseed so much.

Between losing my baby and my dad all within a few weeks, it's been a very hard month. But sometimes just writing can ease the hurt a bit. 

Hollow

By: Carole Rae

Broken and my heart swollen
You were torn from me
and I feel so hollowed
Out.
Drip, drip, the tears fall down my swollen
face.
If only I could have followed
you to the great unknown.
You were stolen
from my womb.
Your story is done, but mine is left at a semicolon
Unfinished and broken for now.
I may be hollow
But someday I might be whole again.
My world is winter-fallowed
and my heart is gone.
I am in a summer-fallow
With my dreams and hopes.
A new dream will follow
and bring me to life again
But for now, let me be hollow.
Let the tears drip down
My face that is so swollen.
Let me curse this foul place.
Let me hurt and stay on a semicolon
Just for a minute; just for a moment.

Audiobook Review: Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley
Narrator: Imogen Church & John Hartley

Title: Love's a Witch

Series: The Scottish Charms #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy
Format: Audiobook

Published: August 26, 2025
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

She’s hexed. He’s vexed. And for Scotland’s most magical small-town, their feud might just spell disaster.

Sloane MacGregor swore she’d never return to Briarhaven, but with her twenty-fifth birthday looming—the day witches come into their magic—her grandmother summons her and her sisters back for one tiny task: break the centuries-old curse haunting their bloodline.

Knox Douglas, Briarhaven’s grumpy mayor, has worked tirelessly to make his town a haven for magical folk. The last thing he needs is a cursed MacGregor wreaking havoc. It doesn’t matter he once crushed on her. For the sake of Briarhaven, Sloane has to go.

But magic has other plans—and in Briarhaven, love really is a witch.

Review:

I've enjoyed past books by the author and this randomly appeared so why not!! Scotland...magic....oh my. 

Here we follow Sloane and Knox. Sloane is from the family MacGregor and they have been cursed for centuries. They can't stay in a town for too long before disaster strikes and bad things happen. Sloane is about to turn 25 and finally step into her magic and her grandmother had a vision that her and her sisters will be the ones to finally break this curse. She is back in Briarhaven and it's been years and now Knox is the mayor. He has worked tirelessly to take this tiny town and make something of it. It's a haven for magical folk and a "tourist" spot. The last thing he needs is any of the MacGregors coming back. They have to go. 

I'm tired and feeling worn. I'll divide and conquer this review: 

The Good

- Loved this whole concept. It was really fresh and cool. I feel bad for the family, but the curse is interesting!

- I loved all the little magical creatures. Too cute! I want to see more!

- Loooooved the town. 

- I loved Knox and Sloane together even though they are both so, so, so stubborn

- MORE PLEASE

The Bad and the Ugly

- Nothing really. If I'm hard pressed to say anything...I would've liked to see more "dates" between Sloane and Knox. I would've loved to see them talk more and see the chemistry. 

Conclusion

Soooo enjoyable. Loved it. I already have book 2 in my library ;)

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #40

Best of September

Later September! Hellooooo October.

Here are our faves for last month.

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Itch! by Gemma Amor

"Going with Itch for best book because it was weird and creepy."

Carole -  An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten

"So fun!!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The Odyssey (2026)

"Fabulous and just so good."

Blodeuedd - The Last House (2026)

"I watched The Last house and was first meh, but then I could not stop watching 😉"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Party Down (s1) & Bones (s1)

"I watched s1 of Party Down, and Bones s1. Going for oldies." 

Carole - Monk (s1 - 3)

"Started rewatching this in August and have been slowly making our way through it. It's still holds up!"

Best Cover of the Month:

Book Review: Crouchback by Sarah Woodbury

Author: Sarah Woodbury

Title: Crouchback

Series: The Welsh Guard Mysteries #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Format: Ebook

Pages: 331

Published: November 14, 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

April 1284. As a newly widowed lady-in-waiting to the very pregnant Queen Eleanor of England, Catrin never expected to return to Wales again. She was definitely unprepared to be confronted with murder when she got there--or to find herself face-to-face with Rhys, the childhood friend she lost twenty years before. Rhys had never intended to return home either, but a lifetime of war has deposited him right back where he started--impoverished and owing service to Catrin's older brother.

With Wales having fallen irrevocably to England, and fearful of trusting anyone within the English court of King Edward, Catrin and Rhys join forces against the treachery and intrigue rife within the half-built Caernarfon Castle. And when the murderer strikes again, the task before them becomes increasingly clear: catch the killer, certainly, but also protect their people from a future that is becoming more dangerous and uncertain with every day that passes.

Review:

This has been collecting virtual dust on my Kindle shelf for a while. I think this was a freebie I got ages ago....I honestly can't remember. 

But here we follow Catrin and Rhys as they join forces against murder, treachery, and intrigue. The two had been friends years and years ago, but they haven't seen each other in ages. Now that Catrin is back in Wales with the Queen. She will find herself face-to-face with her old childhood friend and a murder that could ruin everything. 

This was an intriguing read. I loved the freshness of the plot and the setting. It was nice! 

The mystery was good. I had zero idea what was going to happen. 

I liked Catrin and Rhys. There is a smidge of romance, but it wasn't at all a main plot point, which I'm glad for. 

Some areas were heavy-handed with info...which I understand...but it did slow the story down a bit.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and I'm glad I finally dusted this off to read it! I am curious about book 2...maybe someday ;) 

4 stars from me. 

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Format: Paperback, 476 pages

Published: May 1, 2026 by Pan Books

Historical fiction/own

I liked that I read this one, but at the same time I do not think I will read any more of her books. It felt simplistic. It felt like one of those translated books where you feel something was lost.

Still good though! It made me cry! It made me MAD!

Frances signs up to be a nurse in Nam. Her brother is killed. War is hell! She finds good friends. She lives her life the best she can. And she realise she is good at this.

But that was war. This is also about coming home and this is what made me mad. Yes the war was bad, but people spitting on her!? She was trying to save lives! And that is not the worst part. She has some serious ptsd. But there were no women in Vietnam so she is fine. Arghh!

I liked this book. It was an easy read about a difficult subject.

Their friendship changed lives. Their bravery changed history.

'Women can be heroes, too'. When twenty-year-old nursing student, Frances "Frankie" McGrath, hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on California's idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different path for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurses Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the young men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed America. Frankie will also discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause.

Audiobook Review: An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten

Author: Helene Tursten
Narrator: Ann Richardson

Title: An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

Series: Äldre dam #2

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Short Story, Fiction, Comedy
Pages: Audiobook
Published: October 8, 2020
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library



Summary: 

Eighty-eight-year-old Maud is never looking for trouble, but it always seems to find her. First, a woman in her building met an untimely end: tragic. Then, just recently, a dead body mysteriously appeared in her very own apartment, prompting an investigation by the local Gothenburg authorities. Such a strange coincidence. When it seems suspicion has fallen on her, little old lady that she is, Maud decides to skip town and splurges on a trip to South Africa for herself.

In these six interlocking stories, memories of unfortunate incidents from Maud’s past keep bubbling to the surface, each triggered by something in the present: an image, a word, even a taste. When she lands in Johannesburg at last, eager to move on from the bloody ordeal last summer, she finds certain problems seem to be following her. Luckily, Maud is no stranger to taking matters into her own hands . . . even if it means she has to get a little blood on them in the process.

Don’t let her age fool you. Maud may be nearly ninety, but this elderly lady still has a few tricks before she’s ready to call it quits.

Review:

We are back baaaabyyyyy! Book 2!

We start where we left off. Maud is old but she doesn't let that stop her from what she wants even if that means blood will be on her hands. We get to see some flashbacks as she goes along her trip.

Maud....we love you even though you are technically a serial killer. She doesn't kill for the thrill of it...sometimes people get in her way, and she isn't about that life. 

I loved watching her on her trip to South Africa. I was curious who in her tour group would fuck up and who she'd have to take out. You know one of them will piss her off....it was only a matter of when and who. Color me surprised by who the victim would be. 

Awww, the ending was good. I want more though!!! Sadly this is it. 

This was a fun listen. I loved the narrator. She did a great job. 

But yes, a quick listen, BUT so dang good. You gotta read these. I loved that we got some good flashbacks. Dark, but good.

5 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #39

- Library Love #24

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Series: Spellshop (#2)

Format: 374 pages, Paperback

Published: July 15, 2025 by Tor UK

Cozy fantasy/library

I like this series, it is sweet, cozy and low stakes.

Terlu was turned into a statue. The capital was set on fire, and somehow someone sent the statue away to an island filled with greenhouses.

And that is the drama we get. Oh no, the green houses are failing! And the hot gardener does not know what to do.

Sure I like my fantasy with war, gods, and such. But this is just so cozy to read. Saving a greenhouse or several. Meeting a romantic interest. Becoming friends with talking plants.

Lovely.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet, one day, Terlu awakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She's starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes and freshly baked honey cakes - at least until she's ready to sail home.

But Terlu can't return home and doesn't want to - the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing - causing the death of everything within them - Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn't alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Re-listen: Carmilla by J Sheridan Le Fanu

Author: J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrator:  Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius

Title: Carmilla

Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal, Fantasy
Pages: Audiobook
Published: 1872
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Summary: 

One of the very first vampire thrillers, this audio adaptation follows 18-year-old Laura as she recounts the story of her mysterious, intriguing and beautiful house guest Carmilla, who is stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and taken in by Laura's widowed father. The girls develop a friendship which turns into a passionate meeting of souls. A relationship of vampire and prey, the story is told through Laura's eyes as she is drawn further into Carmilla's terrifying world of pleasure and pain.

A masterpiece of erotic Gothic horror, Carmilla encompasses mystery, suspense, forbidden lust, violence...and lots of blood...

Review:

I decided, randomly, to do a re-listen. This was a fun listen in 2019! :D

This is one of the earliest vampire thrillers. Laura recounts her story of the mysterious and beautiful house guest. Carmilla was stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and is taken in by Laura and her father. Friendship....passion....and pain. 

The narration is just so good, and it makes the story so spooky and perfect for Spooky season coming up. I still found some bits slightly overdone...like the sound bits. But still entertaining overall. 

Yes. This is short and good. A nice way to start Fall. 

I'm shocked there hasn't been a movie (maybe there is, but I never heard of it) or something. This is intense and good. 

4 stars.

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #38

Book Review: The Goal by Elle Kennedy

Author: Elle Kennedy

Title: The Goal

Series: Off Campus #4

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Format: Ebook

Pages: 350

Published: September 26, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.

Review:

I was a little hesitant about this one due to not being a fan of Sabrina. Tucker is a nice boy, and Sabrina has been super cold in the past. MAINLY against Dean, and I get her reasons, buuuuuuuuuuuuuut yeah. 

Tucker and Sabrina have a one night stand, and now....oopsies....a baby is now on the way. This isn't on their list of goals at all. Both are graduating and have life goals that do not include each other or a baby. However, they can't get each other out of their minds. They decide to take the risk and change their plans just a smidge. Sabrina will still be going to Law school, but she will allow Tucker to stay and help...a bit. Tucker won't be going back to Texas. He'll stay and start his business there instead. Will Tucker be able to convince Sabrina to let down her walls and allow them to be a complete family?

Oh, sweet, sweet Tucker. I wanted to shake Sabrina! LET HIM LOVE YOUUUUU! YOU LOVE HIM TOO!!! GAH! 

Yes, yes, I get that she has LOTS of issues, so trusting a man with her heart is the last thing on her list. But damn, girl. I wanted to scream!!!!!! Tucker is an angel and so patient. But I did love her will and persistence. She is so smart and so driven. I loved that for her. She will be an amazing lawyer. 

I enjoyed watching them figure it out and go from lust to love to having a family (spoiler, not spoiler...it is a romance after all). But damn...Sabrina....that house you are living in is NOT a good situation for you or the baby. :/

Don't get me wrong, I ended up loving Sabrina by the end. I loved the scene between her and Dean at the end. They'll never be besties, but they finally understood each other. See how talking it out can help? 

I'm sad to be done with this part of the series. Yes, yes, there is 'The Legacy' left to read and the spin-offs. However, the core four are done, and I still don't have season 2 of the show released yet! I guess I'll have to keep reading the others ;) hehe. 

But yes, this was a great series. I can see myself reading these four for sure. 

I'll give this 4 stars even though Sabrina drove me to insanity. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #23

Audiobook Review: Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy

Author: Monica Murphy

Narrator: Rock Engle & Meg Sylvan

Title: Playing Hard to Get

Series: The Players #1

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Format: Audiobook 

Published: December 1, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Knox Maguire is the king of our college campus, the star offensive tight end on the football team.

He is the complete opposite of me in every way. I'm quiet. He's loud. I'm shy. He's definitely not. Everyone loves him. No one knows me.

Fresh out of a breakup, I don't really trust him, and why should I? Knox is the ultimate player. When I become his English tutor, I tell myself we need to keep things between us strictly business. Watching my mother deal with my ex-athlete father long ago taught me to stay far away from that type of man.

Yet Knox is impossible to resist. Next thing I know, we're getting hot and heavy in the library—and that was never part of the plan. When Knox admits he can't stop thinking about me, I have a realization: I can't stop thinking about him either.

Instead of keeping my distance, I pull him in closer. Until somehow, we're spending all of our time together, and I find myself falling for Knox. Hard.

Will this actually work between us? Or am I getting played?

Review:

I was looking for a football romance since football season was on the way! 

Here we follow Knox, our resident football player, and Joanna, our resident book nerd and tutor. They couldn't more different, but they start bounding as Joanna helps Knox with his reading. Knox has dyslexia, and he's put off his English class for as long as possible, but he needs it to graduate college. Joanna is still working on her broken heart and Knox has a bet to not have sex until after the season is over. However, lust and love can't be stopped sometimes. 

This was a very sweet story. Yes, there is spice, but this was relatively low-key drama. Yes, there is a smidge, but nothing over-the-top or wasn't fixed after TALKING. I liked it!

I liked Joanna, and I did warm up to Knox. Knox was kinda annoying, but I did warm up to him especially when you could see him fall in love. It was sweet. 

My only issue was the Joanna has issues with football because of her dad being a footballer who abandoned her family. I feel like that lil factoid was breezed over. I think we needed some more time to dive into that and maybe….get a resolution? IDK. Maybe we’ll see something in book 2?

I am curious about book 2 because I feel like that will rock many boats, and I'm curious how Knox will react. Mmmmm I may have to download it. 

The narrators were good. They did well. 

But yes, this was very sweet and made me excited for Fall and football. I liked the low-key drama....it was fitting. I just really liked them talking, falling in love, and the spice was spread out enough not to be too much. It was nice. I think I needed something low-key in my life right now. Life has been lifing. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #37