Review: The Grumpy Player Next Door

The Grumpy Player Next Door by Pippa Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THIS BOOK! I was the epitome of the rolling on the floor laughing emoji while reading this book! That shouldn't be a surprise, but it surprised the hell out of me because I wasn't sure that Pippa Grant could top my previous favourites, and yet...

It was great going back to Shipwreck and seeing the insanity that is the Rock family - especially when Tillie Jean and Cooper's teasing/pranking is on full display. I love pirates, so really any mention of pirates and I'm sold. Shipwreck is top in my books!

This was Tillie Jean and Max's story - I could wax poetic about them all day and how I laughed so hard my coffee shot out my nose during one particular roof scene involving my other favourite animal character - Long Beak Silver is the BEST, I said what I said! I love how even though there were some serious issues dealt with for Max predominantly, the laughter never felt forced or ill timed. And I did laugh A LOT throughout this book. Like a LOT. I think I need a new keyboard based on how many times I spit out some kind of liquid because I was laughing too hard even though I KNOW not to drink and read Pippa Grant books. That's a dangerous combination folks, don't do it! Your electronics will thank you!

The best way for you to experience how it's totally possible to stick two people who have some serious issues (some of them worse than others) together and wonder if they'll come out the other side with a happily ever after is to READ THIS BOOK!

Normally I would give you some of my favourite lines and some incredible gif action here - but I have to do this one on my phone and that makes that sooooo much harder for me to do accurately (the gifs) and I can't quote nearly an entire book. Seriously, you should see my highlights - there are so many there is barely any clear text in the book. I'm trying to narrow it down - so when I have the ability to get on my computer and make that happen I will circle back and add a handful.

One-click this baby today! You're going to love it, I swear.

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Review: Guarded Souls

Guarded Souls by Amanda Carol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've mentioned a whole bunch how I love enemies to lovers books. I've also mentioned that I love a survivor story. And a forced proximity story... Seriously, this book is all of that and more!

Amanda Carol wrote one of my favourite PNR series with The Awakened Trilogy and while I am DYING to have more books in that world ( #TeamBennettNeedsLoveToo ) I am overjoyed to have something new from her to read!

Guarded Souls is the first in her new Heroes of River Falls series. It's a story about a grumpy detective who's grieving the loss of his partner and best friend becoming the one thing that stands between a sweet, kindhearted yet sassy photographer and her stalker ex boyfriend who's hell bent on making her pay for putting his abusive ass behind bars. Welcome to the town of River Falls, the home of Aubrey Daniels and Dean Holden, and the place where they met and proceeded to be put through the wringer to fall in love.

Sounds like one HELLUVA romantic suspense doesn't it? Right?!?!

And who doesn't love a romantic suspense with a first responder as the hero? It can't be just me, seriously!

I caught a glimpse of the Gentleman Jack bottle he was looking at. I turned my head to look at him, and my breath hitched at how close we were. I could see a dusting of freckles on his nose, and his dark green eyes narrowed in on my face.

“I wouldn’t recommend the Gentleman for you—it’s way too classy,” I whispered low enough so no one else but Dean would hear. “Why don’t you try Fireball? It’s cheap, and it’s something you’ll regret in the morning.”

He leaned in closer, a smirk forming on his full lips. “It sounds like you know that from experience.”

With our gazes locked, he pulled the bottle of Gentleman Jack off the shelf, then left.

Seriously, these two! There's banter, but there's also a connection and a bond because they've both experienced the pain of loss and what it means to be the one left to live on through a traumatic experience. I swear, I wanted to wrap Dean up in blankets (there were a few moments for Aubrey too) which should tell you just how much feeling there is in this story. There's just something about the heartache that I like.



Aubrey's history is full of pain and heartache while for Dean, that's what his more recent past has been like. Everyone deals with grief in different ways and that point is hammered home with the difference in the ways Aubrey and Dean handle their respective grief at the monumental losses they've faced. This story is raw, it is very real, and the relationship between the grumpy, hurting, asshole detective and the sweet and kind photographer is one that I have absolutely fallen in love with!

It's the perfect mix of romance and suspense, and the characters feel real and welcoming and just suck you into their world. I swear, I loved the roller coaster ride for my emotions. Please take the trigger warnings to heart, there are moments that are just absolutely gut wrenching. Chapter 21 - I dare you to not sob!!! Absolute GUT PUNCH right in the feels!

I could wax poetic about Guarded Souls all day, but I want you to read it not just read about other people reading it! Sooo…

Let me leave you with some of my...



Favourite Lines -

There was something about her that when she opened her mouth, she didn’t give a shit what I’d been through; she would give it right back to me. She gave what she took, and if I wasn’t careful, she could take all of me.

“You know, if you took a picture it would last longer.” His husky voice brought me to my senses.

“I’d love to,” I quipped back. “Then I’d have something to remind myself that you can keep your mouth shut."

“Will somebody please explain what’s going on?” I commanded, and Aubrey narrowed her eyes on me.

“What’s going on is none of your damn business.”

I jerked back. Usually, this was the other way around. The way she would meet me tit for tat was becoming a bit of foreplay for me.

Dean was only wearing a button-down flannel with the sleeves rolled up. I guessed his muscles kept him warm, or his hatred for the world—it was anyone’s best guess.

I looked at her, and damn did a part of me want to wrap my arms around her. The more time I spent with her, the more my walls started to crack. I needed to plaster that shit up now. I could hear Wyatt now.

You’d be an idiot to let this one go.

Well, sorry pal. I had to let her go. I would be poison to her, never allowing her to blossom.

I never thought that I would be hiding in shadows until the sun came up ever again.

I felt the corners of my lips tip up, and her mouth gaped open.

“Is that a smile?” She lifted a brow.

“No.”

“Oh my gosh. Is the Dean Holden smiling? Hell must have frozen over.” Aubrey chuckled, and I couldn’t help but smirk. She lifted her camera and snapped a picture, then glanced down at the screen. She stopped laughing, but her smile stayed as she looked up at me.

“You should smile more often. It suits you.”

I was scared. I was scared of never seeing my friends again. I was scared of being away from home, my safe haven. I was scared of falling in love with someone who had the potential to break my heart. I was scared to let down the people I loved…I was scared of Ray finding me.

I’m scared of dying.

His kiss was intoxicating, bourbon and mint, my new favorite flavor.

Sinking down onto the floor, I came to one realization that rocked me to my core.

I had finally surrendered myself to Dean Holden, and there was no coming back.

Kissing Aubrey was like breathing in fresh air after a night of rain. I had forgotten all the pain and the grief as my mouth moved against hers. I gave in to temptation, and I would sell my soul to the devil if it meant getting to taste her just one more time.

If kissing Dean meant giving in to temptation and possibly damnation, then let me be damned.

“You know, if you take a picture, it’ll last longer,” he said, but I could hear the playful tone in his voice. The last time he said this to me, we were not on great terms.

I smiled. “Don’t tempt me with a good time, Holden.”

“C’mon, Holden, crack a smile for once in your life,” she joked, and I grimaced. “A real smile.”

“I am smiling,” I said through my teeth, half-amused, half-annoyed.

“No. You look like you have a stick up your ass.”

I shot her a look, and I heard the distinct click of her camera going off.

Her first and only experience was with someone who didn’t cherish her. He used and abused her. That’s not a man. A man knows the real value of a woman—that was why Aubrey would never be “mine.” She belonged to no one but herself, and I counted my lucky stars that this woman trusted me enough to allow me to cherish her in all the ways he never did.

She’s my partner. My best friend. My equal.

She wasn’t a possession and never would be when she chose to be with me.

Yes… I am going to say what I always say now but I swear with everything that I am that I MEAN IT. RUN, don't walk I need you to RUN -





And one-click this baby today! You're going to fall in love with Aubrey and Dean and be demanding the rest of the series because I know I am demanding the hinted at Saving Grace couple's story (*cough, cough* Is that Cassie and Dylan I spy? *cough, cough*). And if we all beg loud enough, maybe she'll have them ready for us faster. I don't like waiting…





I promise you, you will not regret picking this one up and tucking in with it!




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Review: Stars Collide

Stars Collide by Mia Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do you know what I love more than anything? Nerdy heroes. And not just like average nerds, but ones who are super intelligent, a little awkward, and if they have a past that needs me to wrap them in blankets? PERFECT!



... Bonus points when the man of their dreams is a sweet, sensitive jock who had as epically awful of an upbringing!

“What if instead of a shooting star, I’m just a plain old star, minding my business and floating through space, when all of a sudden I get sucked into your orbit. You’re a bigger, brighter star than me, and I can’t stay away. Slowly, we move toward each other, until we’re touching, merging…” I pull him a little closer. “Colliding. Then what are we?”

Jeremiah’s eyes turn glassy. “A blue straggler.”

“Exactly. Now we’re both better than we were. Now we’re bigger, brighter, and so brilliant. It took both of us to make this new star.” I shrug. “I think that sounds amazing.”

“It does.” A surprising tear slides down his cheek. “You listen to me, don’t you?”

“Every word. Even the words you never speak.”

That's exactly what you get from Stars Collide, the first in Mia Monroe's new Written in the Stars series. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know that I'm a huge fan of Mia's books. I love Mia doesn't shy away from issues that are important - climate change even makes an appearance in this book! Mind you, this is a science and astronomy nerd's dream read so I would expect nothing less! If you're looking for a story that will touch your heart, make you laugh and make you swoon at just how much love can be shared between Gabriel and Jeremiah.



Gabriel Parlati was born into a wealthy family, never needing for anything monetarily but behind closed doors what he needed was true affection and love. Some family secrets should stay buried but the ones in Gabriel's family closet need to be revealed because that boy needs freedom! He needs to break away from a father who's controlling and all about appearances and a mother who doesn't seem to care about him at all. He luckily has his uncle Richard who finds a way to bring him onto the staff at the planetarium when he returns from his life as a soccer star in Italy. He's been chasing love and approval from his parents for so long at the expense of who he is, but it never seems to come to fruition. He's sacrificed his wants and needs and now he's thrown into the impossible situation of being placed in direct competition with the man of his dreams for said man's dream job as Director of the planetarium. Oh Gabriel! That Jeremiah was your kryptonite is probably one of the sweetest things I've ever read and made my geeky heart soar!

Jeremiah's childhood was a roller coaster of tragedy, but in that he knew two things to be certain: he had his twin brother Samuel to love, protect and support, and he loved space. He's built so many walls around his heart because of how he grew up. He knows what it's like to fight for the things he wants and when this beautiful man is dropped into his path and he has to train him on all things involved in the running of the planetarium before the board meeting where he could potentially steal his dream job? Oh J, I get why you held him at arms length. You tried so damn hard not to let him in, not to be taken in by Gabriel's charms but you know what? You were meant to be! He's your lobster.



There were sparks from the first moment but it took a little forced proximity when locked together in the planetarium overnight to have them break down each other's walls and find a path to happiness. And it was worth every single minute!!!

Just like Tattoos and Temptation (which you should go read if you haven't! GO!!! NOW!!!!!), the Written in the Stars universe is filled with adorable side characters and hinted at relationships. I have to admit that my personal favourite side character (so far) is Julien and ( spoiler alert!!! ) he's up next!!! The ensemble cast of characters just make Mia's books so much stronger and easier to connect with in my opinion. And I can't wait to see every single one of them find their happiness!



Let me leave you with some of my...


Favourite Lines -

"What are you gonna do about Jeremiah?"

"Try to learn. I kind of have to. Oh, did I mention he's my kryptonite?"

Nate's eyes widen. "Oh no. He's a cute nerd?"

"The cutest. Like ever."

“Gabesy?” I shake my head. “Come on, Julien, he hasn’t even worked here a week and he has a nickname?”

“That’s why he gets Gabesy. I don’t know him well enough yet to give him a personality nickname. I would think you figured that one out, Doctor Space.”

“What is your usual?” Gabriel asks after a moment.

“Hazelnut latte.” Gabriel mumbles something under his breath that sounds strangely like “like your eyes,” but that couldn’t be it.

Being close to him feels like being sucked into a black hole. Or what I imagine it to feel like. There’s an invisible pull, as strong as gravity, drawing me closer, luring me to explore, but then my senses kick in and I resist, knowing that giving in would only lead to my demise. You can’t survive a black hole. And romance? Same.

“What is this?”

“Coffee.” He lifts one of the cups, checks the side, then takes a sip. “Got hazelnut for you and black for Samuel. That’s what Easton said he likes.”

“Thank you.” That was thoughtful. Stop being nice, job stealer.

His eyes shift up suddenly, meeting mine. They’re beautiful, soulful and soft with long, thick lashes. His expression doesn’t change, but the tension seems to fade just slightly.

“Thanks for asking,” he says quietly.

“You’re welcome.”

Note to self: Avoid gazing directly into Gabriel’s eyes. It’s about as safe as staring at the sun.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to get burned.

“Yeah. Okay, so Star Wars. Fan?”

“I like it enough.”

“All of them?”

“No. I grew up on the original trilogy, so it’s my favorite. I literally get chills when I hear the Darth Vader music.”

“I’ll be honest, kids. I love space. I think it’s very cool, but I really like the planet we already live on. Instead of spending billions of dollars to convert Mars to a habitable planet, we could spend a lot less to take care of this one, so we don’t have to move to Mars.”

“How?” the girl up front asks.

“We can do a lot to halt climate change. That would help. We can recycle, be careful with water, and take care of what we have.”

The kids shout out several questions all at once, until the room erupts in chaos. I stand back watching Gabriel panic. Am I being an asshole right now? Yes, yes, I am. But Pluto is not being promoted to a planet as long as I have air left in my lungs.

“I looked him up. I was curious. His whole life is detailed in sports article after sports article. He had sponsorships and even a calendar.”

“Oh shit,” Samuel whispers. “He’s in a calendar?”

“Yeah. A couple years back.”

“Is he naked?”

“Focus,” I scold, even though that was my first thought too.

Will either side win, or am I doomed to feel so much internal conflict every time he graces me with one of his sweet smiles?

Tune in next week for more As the Planetarium Turns.

“I’m glad you got sucked into my orbit.”

“Your eyes. From the moment I saw you, they pulled me in. Your glasses are like two frames around priceless hazel art.”

And that epilogue!!!! Who's with me and can't wait for Julien to find his happily ever after in Gravity? Add it to your TBR today!



Run, don't walk - RUN - and one click this baby today! I promise you won't regret it.




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