Off The Ice (Juniper Falls #1) By: Julie Cross

I need to give a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for sending out a copy of this awesome book for review. Ya'll over there are amazing, and I can't tell you how appreciated it is all you do for us bloggers 💙💙💙

All is fair in love and hockey…

Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.

Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.

It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.

For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.

Oh man. Where to start on this book *sigh*

I can't pass up a sports romances as I've made super clear in other reviews. Especially the hockey ones. They are my kryptonite haha. Although I do have to admit I do typically go for more of the NA's or just regular ol' sports romances vs a YA like this.

But I'm so glad I dove into this one.

It was such a good story. And was so much more emotional than I was expecting. And hit really close to home for me.

I know some that follow my reviews may know. But my mom got sick a couple years back now. And when It happened I had to put my life on hold to get her through surgeries, doctors appointments, physical therapy. All of it. And it took a lot out of me. And I had to halt things like school. So I guess what all that means is, that I could relate so much with Claire in ways.

And not just that but just her personality and drive. And loyalty. I found she was so similar tome. And that really gave me this rare look at a character I could fully Empathize with. And I think that was the biggest thing that pulled me into this book.

Don't get me wrong. The story itself was absolutely amazing. And the characters were so well written and mature for a bunch of dumb high schoolers haha.

But once I had related. It just made the book connect in such a deeper way, and I found myself pulling for Claire and Tate.

And Tate in general. His story was just as good as Claire's. And he's by far one of my favorite contemporary YA heroes.

There was just something about that boy. How real and raw he seemed. And I think that drew me in more. Made me want to cheer so much for him and Claire and see things work out.

Plus, there was actually hockey in this sports romance. I get so tired of books that brand themselves as sports books and then have no sports in them. And there was a really good balance of sports and the rest of the story. It made me a happy hockey nerd for sure haha.

Just everything about this book was perfect. And I don't use that word often unless I really enjoyed every aspect of a book. And that is exactly what happened in this one.

I'm so glad I took a chance on it

And can without even a shadow of a doubt give OFF THE ICE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Moonlight Seduction (de Vincent #2) By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

I need to send a huge thank you to not only Avon Romance for getting a review copy of this amazing book to me. But to also Jen and her amazing team. Y'all work so hard to make sure us bloggers are taken care of and I can't tell you enough how appreciated it is.

And I hope you all either start this fantastic series today, or go pick up your copy of MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION to get more of the yummy de Vincent boys 😉😉😉

The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel...

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up... and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman... one who’s being stalked from the shadows. Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.

Oh this book. Be still my romantic loving heart haha.

I loved this one. Which shock shock... It is a JLA book and I don't think I've ever not liked one of those haha.

But really. I loved this book and the characters.

I truly adored Gabe back in Moonlight Sins, and couldn't wait to get his story. And more of the hunky mysterious de Vincent's in general. They're just such an interesting group.

And I love seeing the dynamic Jen has going for the 3 brothers. They're relationships with one another is just so interesting to me. There's so many secrets and lies, and keeping of things close to the vest on each of their parts. But the more we get a peek into all their lives, the more I just can't help but like them. Even the cold and brooding Devlin haha (I'm so ready for that mans story after this one. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed on who his love interest may be. Although I have my guess after this one haha)
They dynamic evolves and changes with them. And the mystery behind their family just gets stranger and more complicated. And makes someone like myself, who likes to guess and analyze plots and what's about to happen so giddy. I can't help but love to keep guessing and using my super awesome bookish spidy powers to discover things. And I never get border with the plausibility of paranormal activity with this family. It's such a fun what if.

Plus the addition of Nikki back in the middle of things made it so much more interesting. I liked her and her spunk, and everything it brought to the dynamic between everyone. Not just Gabe. Her interactions with Devlin helped shine a lot of light on his character. Since we really only got smaller glimpses of him back in Moonlight Sins. And helped show just how kind and caring, yet scary Gabe could be as well. Yes we knew he was the nicest of the 3 brothers from back during Moonlight Sins. But as Nikki comes back into the picture, she gives us a way to really see just how that compassion really can play out. And how big of a heart the man has.
Plus she is just a well written and dimensional character. She's cute and funny. And I love the group of friends she brings into the story. They crack me up.

Plus Nikki just reminded me a lot of myself.
A couple year sago my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. And it brought my life to a screeching halt as I abandoned school and so many other things in my life to be there for her and help her out.And honestly I still find myself in a holding pattern from it this day. She's gotten better after numerous surgeries and PT and whatnot. But I could relate so much to Nikki and her need to help her family out. To be there for them, and even take a job she didn't really like or was in her skill set from school just to help keep her family going. And having that to relate to make me adore Nikki that much more. To see a little of myself in this already relatable character. And that's one of the biggest things I love in a book. I want something real.Something that makes me be able to picture these characters as real life people. And while the romance part may be a bit on the fantastical side of things sometimes. I like that it stories like this can be so relatable and give me hope that I can find my mysterious and handsome millionaire to fall in love with haha.

But just as a whole, this book just did such a good job and dragging me in. I could feel the internal struggle going on in Gabe, and was on the edge of my seat as the twists and turns kept coming. Jen did an amazing job writing this book so you never knew what to expect. And I enjoyed the fact that I never wanted to put it down

And that ending! Oh man! haha

Jen pulls us right back in and keeps us guessing. I loved everything about it so much.

I give

MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐