thisteacherlovestoread's reviews
487 reviews

This is the first book in the Kingsmen Football Stars series, and it follows Shayna, a physical therapist who lands her dream job with the San Francisco Kingsmen. But there is a problem- the team's star quarterback, Lee Burrows, is the guy who broke her heart years ago in college.

Lee knows he messed up and is determined to make things right. The banter between them is on point, and watching their relationship slowly rebuild is both emotional and heartwarming.

Heads up: There's a prequel novella that gives you some backstory on Lee and Shayna. I wish I'd read that first, as it would have given me more context.

Audiobook Lovers: Callie Dalton and Joe Arden narrate this in duet style, and they absolutely kill it.

Overall: A steamy, emotional, and ultimately heartwarming read. If you're a fan of second chance romances, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

Okay, I'm obsessed! Playbook is the second book in The Holland Brothers series and it was EVERYTHING. I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook at the same time, and it was such a treat. The duet narration by Jacob Morgan and Juno Cooper was pure magic. They brought London and Brogan to life so perfectly. Jacob Morgan's voice alone could make a grown woman swoon – I was grinning ear to ear the whole time.

From the first page, you can't help but fall for these characters. The storyline is super fun, and watching their relationship blossom is heartwarming. If you're a sucker for the found family trope like me, you'll absolutely adore this book. I can't wait for the next one in the series!

I absolutely LOVED Sticks and Stones by S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis, so when book 2 of the Shadow Valley U series released, I was so excited. I couldn't put this book down! Even when I had to, it was basically living rent free in my brain, making me impatient to get home and dive back in.

Thorne and Briar's character developments were amazing to watch unfold, and their relationship developed in a real and honest way. I loved how they slowly started to trust each other and let their guards down. It was super heartwarming. Thorne is going on the book boyfriend list.

The story itself was emotional and honestly kinda heartbreaking at times. The way PTSD and panic attacks was addressed felt really real and authentic.

I loved every single bit of it: the main characters, the side characters, the whole storyline. I'm already dying for the next book in the series and the spicy holiday romance book coming out in 2025.

Tell Me Lies by Hannah Gray is another absolute gem from this talented author. I’ve become a huge fan of her work and this book is no exception. It's a swoon-worthy romance that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

Logan Stern, an NHL star and single dad, and Maci McKenzie, a romance writer struggling with writer's block turned nanny, have a chemistry that's off the charts. Their connection is both sweet and intense, and I couldn't get enough of their interactions.

I loved Maci's independence and her journey towards healing from past trauma. She's a relatable character who inspires you to keep going, no matter what. And Logan? He's a total dreamboat and an amazing father to his adorable daughter, Amelia.

A bonus for fans of Gray's other series: you'll love seeing familiar faces pop up throughout the story. It's like catching up with old friends.

If you're looking for a heartwarming, swoon-worthy romance, Tell Me Lies is a must-read. I can't wait to see what Hannah Gray has in store for us next!

Chloe Ryan and Walker Williams did a fantastic job narrating this audiobook. They are able to capture the emotions and personalities of these characters. Their voices really brought these characters to life!

 Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this audiobook. I voluntarily read and listened and gave my honest review.

**audiobook review**

Okay, so this was my book by Jacqueline Snowe and I gotta say, I enjoyed it! First Meet Foul is a classic grumpy sunshine trope with a sports twist. We've got Lorelei, the bubbly soccer star, and Luca, the grumpy football player who's all about his NFL dreams and taking care of his grandma.

They start out as roommates and try to keep things strictly "friends with benefits." But of course, feelings get involved, and the sparks fly!

I loved that this was told in dual POV. We get to see inside Luca's head, and oh boy, the internal struggle is real! He's all about control and sticking to his plan, but Lorelei throws a wrench in everything.

The narration by John William Maddux and Macie Miller was spot on. I'd never listened to them before, but they brought the characters to life and made the audiobook an enjoyable listen.

If you're looking for a cute and steamy sports romance with a touch of family drama, definitely give First Meet Foul a try!

What to expect:
* brother's teammate, roommate, and good friend
* forced proximity (roomates)
* football player x soccer player
* friends with (secret) Benefits
* dual POV

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an ALC of this audiobook. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.

OMG, I'm obsessed! This book was pure magic. I was grinning ear to ear for most of it, and there were definitely a few times I teared up. It's packed with so much emotion! I adored the focus on a single dad, always a plus, and the friendship between Elle and Rhodes is just perfection. Honestly, this is the best friends to lovers story I've ever read. The writing is amazing, and these two were clearly destined to be together. I couldn't put it down, and I'm already dying for the next book in the series!

Thank you Willow Aster and Valentine PR for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.

I was SO pumped to get my hands on this ARC! Rebecca Jenshak is an auto-buy author for me, and I was super curious about this new YA romance. While it's definitely for young adults, the characters feel incredibly real and mature, even though they're navigating the high school scene.

Claire and Austin- absolutely adorable. Their romance is sweet and believable, and their glitter bomb meet-cute is chef's kiss. I could totally relate to both of them – their feelings, their thoughts, the whole deal. Even the side characters were awesome.

I'm already craving more of this series and can't wait to see what happens with Claire and Austin in the future.

For fans of:

Rebecca Jenshak
YA romance
Sports romances (especially soccer!)
Friends-to-lovers
Secret relationships
Soccer star & former figure skater
Teammates' ex-girlfriends (the drama!)
This book has something for everyone!

Thank you so much to Rebecca Jenshak, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.

Okay, seriously, I devoured this book! A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall is one of those mysteries where you just have to know what happens next. It's set in a secluded cabin during a snowstorm, and the wealthy Dalton family, with all their secrets, is gathered there. You get this sense of dread right away, and it only gets thicker as the story unfolds.

Connor brings his new fiancée Theo, and things go south fast. I won't spoil anything, but let's just say the family dynamics are seriously messed up. This book is a twisty turny ride, and I was constantly trying to figure out who was lying and why. Marshall keeps you guessing until the very end, which I absolutely loved.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Karissa Vacker, was amazing. She gave each character a distinct voice, and it really brought the story to life. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book. I voluntarily listened to it and gave an honest review.

Okay, Hannah Gray is the QUEEN of emotional hockey romances. I don't know her secret, but every single book she writes pulls me in and takes me on this wild ride of feels. Shoot Your Shot is book 2 in her New England Bay Sharks series, and is an absolute must read.

Paige and Kolt are perfection. Their second chance romance had me flipping pages and totally invested in their journey from the first page to the last page. The story tackles some heavy topics with such care and raw emotion that it really resonated with me. Even though I haven't personally experienced some of the things these characters go through, their vulnerability and inner thoughts were so relatable.

This book is a 2025 anticipated read for me and I LOVED it! I'm completely hooked on this series and already counting down the days until the next book!

What to expect:

Emotional rollercoaster: Be prepared for a range of emotions!

Compelling characters: Paige and Kolt are both strong and flawed, which makes them incredibly realistic.

Thought-provoking themes: The book deals with important issues with sensitivity and depth.

A huge thank you to Hannah Gray and Wordsmith PR for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.

Piper Rayne's Mr. Broody is the second book in her The Nest series, and let me tell you, it was wonderful from the moment I pressed play. This audiobook has all my favorite tropes in one book. Single dad trope...check. Second chance... check. Hockey romance... check, check, check! 

Jade and Henry's story is a second chance romance dream come true. These childhood friends to lovers have undeniable chemistry, but it's built on a foundation of friendship and mature healthy communication, which made their journey feel incredibly real.

And Bodhi, Henry's adorable son. This little matchmaker stole the show! His perspective adds such a sweet and innocent layer to the story, making me fall even harder for these characters.

This A-list narration cast brought the story to life with incredible emotion and personality. J.F. Harding and Brook Bloomingdale deliver a captivating duet performance, while Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom add their own magic.

Mr. Broody is a must-listen for any romance fan. It's engaging, heartwarming, and emotional. I absolutely loved every single minute of it!

Thank you so much to Piper Rayne and Valentine PR for an ALC of this audiobook. I voluntarily listened and gave an honest review.