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Hockey Ever
After #2
Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren
Blakely
Published: June 3,
2026
Genre: Fake Dating,
Sports Romance, Hockey Romance
Taken from Goodreads: A grumpy/sunshine fake dating hockey romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!
My Thoughts: Oh
this book, I listened to it. The people
I work with think I am losing my mind.
They heard me laughing, saw me blushing, and heard me sighing. This book had me finding time to listen when
I should have been doing something else but I just needed one more chapter,
which lead to 2 or 3 more chapters.
Hockey romance is my jam and Lauren Blakely knows how to
write it. Then she picked out the best
full-cast of narrators and the book came to life for me. Lake and Remy are wonderful characters, they
fake date with the best of the world. I
love the twists and turns, the cute romance, and the way Lake goes above and
beyond to show his true feelings.
Thank you Hambright PR for a copy of the audiobook via
BookFunnel in exchange for my honest review.
Add to your MUST-LISTEN list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
The Queen's Coronation by Jennifer
Ryan
Published: June
2, 2026 by Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s History, British History
Taken from Goodreads: As a young Queen Elizabeth II prepares to take the throne, three women in her employ will discover where they belong in a rapidly changing world in this heartwarming novel from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
My Thoughts: I love
the Royal Family, getting glimpses into their lives is one of my favorite
things to read about. The Queen’s
Coronation is a great look at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation and how her life
changed. I also enjoyed seeing how the
staff of the Royal Family were put to work, how they formed families and
relationships, how much their lives were overtaken by the Royal Family.
This is the story of three women who all are working for
Queen Elizabeth during her coronation.
Each has their own story to tell but together they have many things in
common. They are each dealing with
personal lives that are not easy or what they pictured for themselves. They each have their own losses and are
struggling with working through them. I
enjoyed how much they came together with their love and support for each
other. Even when they did not agree
with each other, they stayed true to their friendships.
The Queen’s Coronation is a beautiful story that features a
Queen that will change the future. The
three women who share their story, help that Queen see that the future is hers
while also taking hold of their own futures.
Thank you Ballantine Books for a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
A Jewel of a Crime: A Venus Bixby Mystery
Valerie Taylor
(Venus Bixby Mystery, #3)
Publication date: June 2nd 2026
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery
Venus Bixby is ready for a fresh start. With green streaks in her hair and “Rock the Shamrock” polish on her nails, she’s sold her dance studio and set her sights on a glamorous second act: traveling the world to recover stolen art. But before she can book her first flight, she stumbles over the new studio owner’s dead body behind a drawn curtain.
In a town like Chatham Crossing, secrets don’t stay buried and gossip travels faster than the morning coffee line. Suddenly Venus is a suspect in a very public investigation. As she scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers a troubling secret from her late husband’s past: he purchased an emerald ring she’s never seen—and now it’s missing.
When a string of burglaries rattles the town, Venus begins to suspect the murder and the stolen emerald are connected. With rumors swirling, neighbors whispering, and her passport dreams slipping, she’ll need sharp instincts—and a dash of Irish luck—to catch the real culprit.
A Jewel of a Crime is a sparkling cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, amateur sleuthing, loyal cats, and twists that keep the pages turning. Includes cookie recipes and a nostalgic oldies playlist.
—
EXCERPT:
“Where do you think Margo is?”
Rather than barge uninvited into the classroom looking for her, Gabby and I bided our time and hung out in the lobby. I shifted from one foot to the other while Gabby perused the business cards pinned to a brand-new combination whiteboard and corkboard.
“When I come back with that vase, I’ll bring a few business cards to tack up here.”
“Great idea!” I rifled through my purse until I found a couple of cards promoting Oldies & Goodies and Cats & Their Cradle. I affixed them to the cork and smiled. Part of me wondered whether Sam would take them down before anyone ever saw them.
Still no Margo. Did she not hear the bell when we entered a few minutes ago? Maybe not over Ol’ Blue Eyes. I considered writing a message on the whiteboard. I picked through the pens in the Tremont Regency Hotel mug on the desk, but there didn’t appear to be any of those dry-erase markers.
“Where could she be?” Gabby asked.
“Probably in the back. Should we check?”
I gently opened the glass door to the main classroom. A rush of crisp air reminded me how we’d kept the temperature in the low sixties so the students wouldn’t get overheated. The smell of fresh-cut grass suddenly wafted over me. My nose recognized dance floor wax, forcing me to stifle a sneeze.
The same song we heard when we walked into the lobby still played. Must be on a continuous loop. I listened closely. Ah, Frank was singing “Witchcraft.” An appropriate theme for the day.
The walls were painted a creamy shade of white. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors lined one wall and a row of barres ran parallel to the floor. The mirrors reflected framed images on the opposite wall. I turned to examine them up close. I walked along the wall, studying and touching each gently. Definitely Sam and Margo in their younger years.
This egotistical display was so unlike the studio Paul, and then I, owned. Our walls were proudly adorned with photographs of the young dancers who graced our ballroom.
Where are those pictures? Why didn’t they ask if I wanted them? What else did they keep from me?
“Margo?” I called.
Silence.
At the far end of the room, there was a royal purple floor-to-ceiling drape pulled closed across the width of the ballroom. As I walked toward it, I waved toward Gabby. “I’m gonna check back here.”
I noticed a universal restroom to my right. I motioned to Gabby. “You check in there.”
Then I drew back the curtain. “Never mind. Found her!” I cried out.
Author Bio:
Valerie Taylor lives in Connecticut and considers herself a typical "average Jane." She might remind you of the reclusive neighbor who fancies herself a novelist. Unlike many of her peers whom she admires, she does NOT have a degree in literature. But she is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: WHAT'S NOT SAID, WHAT'S NOT TRUE, and WHAT'S NOT LOST. The roots of those three novels, as well as the books in the Venus Bixby Mystery series—A WHALE OF A MURDER and SWITCHED AT DEATH and A JEWEL OF A CRIME—most likely took hold during her early years watching Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, and The Twilight Zone. Her love of oldies music stems from hours listening and dancing to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and being in the Bobby Darin fan club.
GIVEAWAY!
A Jewel of a Crime Blitz
My Whiskey Redemption: Birdie Whiskey by Melissa Foster
The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch, Book 6
Audiobook Review: Listening
to My Whiskey Redemption was amazing. I
had already met most of the characters and to hear their voices, hearing their
emotions… the characters that I felt I knew just came to life and because my
friends. Audiobooks are my go-to work listening but
this one had me taking extra walks, doing extra chores, and finding other times
that I can listen just a little more.
eBook Review: Truly
wonderful Melissa Foster. Characters
that are real with life problems. A
storyline full of love, heat, friends and family. A HEA ending that has no cliffhanger. I look forward to every book Melissa writes
knowing that it is a chance to catch up with past characters, meet new ones,
and read a book that I will not be able to put down.
This book is Birdie Whiskey’s story. She wants to meet her soul mate so badly and
knows that Redemption Ranch is the place to do it. Little does she know what meeting that soul
mate really means for her. She meets
Crew, hooks up, and her life changes forever.
Birdie is a character that I met in past books and I knew
when it was time for her story it would be epic. I was not disappointed. She found that person that encouraged her uniqueness,
joined her in adventures, and never tried to slow her down. He encouraged, supported, and loved
everything about her.
My Whiskey Redemption is a story of second chances, making
amends, true love, embracing uniqueness, and happily ever afters.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange
for my honest review.
Purchase your own copy : Melissa's shop: Amazon: Kobo: GPlay: Goodreads:
Meet theAuthor (taken from her website): Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole.
Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send
her an email invitation to your next event!
Redline by Amber Vant is now live!
Rule one: don't get involved with Formula One drivers.
Rule two: definitely don't live with one.
Carter Hayes knows exactly what Formula One destroys.
She watched it take everything from her family once before, which is why moving onto the Valerio estate is supposed to be temporary. A deal. Nothing more. Her father gets a second chance as Dominic Valerio's new head coach, and in return, Carter's dream university is paid for. All she has to do is keep her head down, finish school, and stay far away from racing drama.
Dominic ruins that plan immediately.
He didn't want her father as his coach.
He doesn't want strangers in his home.
And he definitely doesn't want a girl who sees through him faster than anyone ever has.
What starts as irritation turns into rivalry.
Rivalry turns into tension.
And tension becomes impossible to escape when they're living only steps apart.
Because the closer Carter gets to Dominic's world, the more she realizes the real danger isn't Formula One.
It's crossing a line neither of them can come back from.
Some limits exist for a reason.
Others are meant to be pushed past the redline.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4dJO2qn
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4v0ZJ2v
Meet Amber Vant
Amber Vant is an author specializing in romance, particularly Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels.
She resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband and their lively cat, both of whom keep her laughing with their playful personalities.
When she's not writing, Amber enjoys traveling the world, exploring new destinations one plane ride at a time.
Connect with Amber
Website | https://www.ambervant.com/
Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22032791.Amber_Vant
Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/author/ambervant
Facebook | https://facebook.com/authorambervant
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ambervant/
Bookbub | https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amber-vant
Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorAmberVant/
Other | https://snapchat.com/t/93aAIEBq
Newsletter | https://www.ambervant.com
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His Reckoning by Nicole Baker is now live!
Moving into Sawyer Maccini's penthouse was never part of the plan.
Neither was becoming the one woman he can't control.
He's a billionaire with a reputation for being ruthless, untouchable... and completely uninterested in relationships.
I'm a romance author who suddenly can't write a single word.
We shouldn't work.
But late nights turn into stolen glances.
Tension turns into something sharper.
And the man who swore he doesn't need anyone starts watching me like I'm the only thing he can't afford to lose.
The problem? Sawyer doesn't break.
He doesn't bend and he definitely doesn't fall.
But I'm starting to think I might be the one thing that brings him to his knees.
And when everything he's been running from finally catches up to him...
He'll have to decide-- lose control...or lose me.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4cGEFHq
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4vxTyn4
Meet Nicole Baker
Nicole resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She spent ten years working in finance before she decided to pursue writing. Nicole loves writing romance novels that feature a strong female lead who knows what she wants in and out of the sheets. She writes about real struggles and people who are trying to find happiness in love and life!
Connect with Nicole
Website | www.nicolebakerauthor.com
Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22485571.Nicole_Baker
Amazon | https://bit.ly/4cC6hfH
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/people/Nicole-Baker-Author/100077989801979/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nicolebaker_author/
Newsletter | https://nicolebakerauthor.com
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