ARC Review: Head Coach by Lia Riley

Head Coach

Author: Lia Riley
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Series: Hellions Angels #2
Pages: Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 159 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 21st 2017

Summary:

Neve Angel’s life is all work and no play, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. One of Denver’s top sports reporters, she's fought hard to make it in a male-dominated world, and she won’t back down from a fight with anyone–not even the Hellions’ gruff head coach, Tor Gunnar. Her hostile relationship with the icy Scandinavian is the stuff of local legend.

Tor Gunnar hates dealing with the media; at best, they are a nuisance and at worst, a distraction. And no one distracts him more than the scrappy, sexy reporter who gets him hot under the collar. When he wins a not-so-friendly bet with Neve, he decides it’s high time they either kiss or kill each other, and invites her as a date to an out-of-town wedding.

But what happens when enemies become lovers? Will they be able to smother their sizzling attraction, or is it time to start playing for keeps?

Review:

Head Coach was a fun read. I enjoyed it very much.
Lots of things to like. A fun cute & fluffy with some great chemistry thrown in.
I like this installment in the series much better than Mister Hockey.
The romance was just like in the first book a bit cliche and very vanilla.
But very enjoyable.

In this installment Riley went much more into the character building. Which is why I like Head Coach better than Mister Hockey.
We get to see old character, which was awesome. I was looking forward to reading Tor's story after MH, and I wasn't disappointed by his POV. While I found Nev at times exasperating, I did really connect with her.
My favorite part however were the group scenes. I loved the support cast and the interaction between friends and foe alike. Interesting dynamics set up two strong & flawed characters. Very well done!

Why only 3.5 Stars?
Well, there is the vanilla romance. But more than, that it's boasting a lot of rom-com cliches.
And then there is the plot. It's kinda predictable. I don't mind that so much. But there was this build-up, to poof being solved so conveniently. I mean way to conveniently.

While there is a thread going through and they are clearly set one after the other. The books work as standalone. Let me tell you however: read them both. They are a wonderful weekend treat!

I shall be trying to be patient until March 2018, because I can't wait to read the next instalment. It will be interesting for sure!


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Review: Mister Hockey by Lia Riley

Mister Hockey

Author: Lia Riley
Series: Hellions Angels #1
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Pages:ebook, 256 pages
Genre: Romance
Release Date: July 11th 2017

Summary:

Her biggest fantasy is about to become a reality. . .

Jed West is Mr. Hockey. The captain of the NHL’s latest winning team, the Denver Hellions–and the hottest player on the ice—at least according to every magazine. .and Breezy Angel. Breezy has been drooling over Jed at games for years, and he plays a starring role in her most toe-curling fantasies. But dirty dreams don’t come true, right?

Then Jed saunters through the doors of her library, a last minute special guest for a summer reading event, and not only is he drop dead gorgeous up close, his personality is straight up swoon-worthy. He even comes to the rescue when she has an R-rated “Super Book Worm” costume malfunction. But when he mistakenly assumes she’s more into books than pucks, she’s too flustered to correct his mistake. And then comes a big kiss, followed by a teensy-tiny problem. Jed’s dating policy is simple: Never date a fan.

So what’s a fangirl going to have to do to convince her ultimate crush that he’s become less of a perfect fantasy, and more like the perfect man. . .for her?

Review:

Mister Hockey sounded so promising. I mean I love hockey and I love Riley... so this had to be a winner right?
I wish.
This is not bad by all means. But great it ain't either. I know I expected a lot. I mean its hockey and Riley... but ... I know Riley has done better.
My biggest issue: it's way to cliche. I mean basically, most cliche points were ticked here.
The romance is totally insta everything. The story line is extremely predictable and most characters feel a bit formulaic
Yet, it is also written by Riley. So it is well written and I found myself oddly absorbed in it. I guess it's a bit of guilty pleasure?
I mean I know this is very cliche, it's cutesy and all that, but I still enjoyed reading it
I blame it on Jed, who despite everything is an awesome male lead. Hot, sweet, kind hearted, a great guy and a hockey player.. oh and the right kind of alpha. What else could one possibly want? Exactly.
And while we at it, let me just admit this, I am totally looking forward to Neve's story. And yeah I know it might be just as cliche and just a cutesy but eh, guilty pleasures are great fun after all.


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ARC Review: It Happened on Love Street by Lia Riley

It Happened on Love Street

Author: Lia Riley
Publisher: Forever
Series: Everland, Georgia #1
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 25th 2017

Summary:

The most romantic place she never wanted to be . . .

Pepper Knight moved to Everland, Georgia, as step one in her plan for a successful legal career. But after this big-city gal's plans go awry, going home with her tail between her legs isn't an option. So when the town vet-and her sexy new neighbor-offers Pepper a temporary dog-walking job, she jumps at the chance. No one needs to know that man's best friend is her worst nightmare . . . or that Everland's hot animal whisperer leaves her panting.

The last thing Rhett Valentine wants is to be the center of small-town gossip. After his first love left him at the altar, he's been there, done that. These days, life is simple, just the way he likes it. But sultry southern nights get complicated once sparks fly between him and the knockout next door. When she proposes a sexy, secret fling-all the deliciousness and none of the prying neighbors-it seems too good to be true. And it is. Because Pepper's determined to leave Love Street, and when she goes, she just might take his heart with her . . .

Review:

So let's just cut to the chase. My issue with this is mostly Pepper. She annoyed me most of the book. She was too ditzy, dramatic and too goodie-goodie. I could not relate to her "need" to take care, because it simply felt fake. Then again if you read the book you will realise that actually that part is quite brilliantly done. And while she grated on me, I loved the rest of the cast. They, at least most of them, were a tad eccentric but really likable. Rhett and Beau are total heart-throbs. And I don't mean just the fact that they are aparently uber hotties, but they are really interesting and good guys.

The story line is a super sweet cute & fluffy set in an adorable small town, complete with the town villain ala Psycho. Seriously the mother reminded me a bit of the film, lol.
At times it was a tad to saccharine for me. BUT I am rather jaded, so I am sure, that I am one of the few people who will feel like that.

The writing is witty and light hearted. I actually expected something with a tad more substance. I think that I'll always will measure everything Riley writes on Every Breath. I know this isn't fair whatsoever, but it is one of my favorite books, I still revel in Riley beautiful descriptions of Patagonia and I simply can't help it.
I love that Riley however isn't stuck in the same same and each series has it own vibes. Totally creative. I am more of a Wanderlust series person, still this is cute. (even if it's possibly too cute) It reminds me of some great rom-com movies.
Saying  all this, the question remains: will I read Tuesday's story? Hell yes! I wish I could get my hands on it N.O.W.
Because while I found some of Rhett's confession a tad over the top and I felt like giving Pepper a good smack every now and then, the rest of the story was thoroughly entertaining.
A fun and quirky rom-com.


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Review: Snowbound at Christmas

Snowbound at Christmas

Author: Jennifer Ryan, Maisey Yates, Lia Riley
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Series: Montana Men #5.5, Brightwater #3.5, Copper Ridge: Novellas #4
Pages: ebook, 384 pages
Genre: Romance
Release Date: November 15th 2016

Summary:

When a snowstorm pummels the western half of the country, three couples find once off-limits love just in time for Christmas. An unforgettable holiday anthology from bestselling authors Jennifer Ryan, Maisey Yates, and Lia Riley.

Close to Perfect: A Montana Men Novella by Jennifer Ryan

At sixteen, Abigail gave Dex the gift of a lifetime, but the cost of it was more than he ever knew. Now she s back in town with a secret that has been ten years in the making and this time it s Dex s turn to make the ultimate sacrifice or risk losing her forever.

Snowed in at Copper Ridge: A Copper Ridge Novella by Maisey Yates

Mia Landry has always had it bad for brooding cowboy Devlin Grayson. Too bad he s her best friend s older brother. But when they find themselves snowed in at Copper Ridge Lodge, Mia finally has the chance to tell the man of her dreams exactly what she wants him.

Hot Winter s Night: A Brightwater Novella by Lia Riley

While Brightwater is being covered in snow, Goldie Flint is stuck in her flower shop. She never expected her hero to be Kit Kane, the former love of her life. Kit knows that what he had with Goldie isn t just in the past and with the help of a little bet, an ornery grandmother, and a lot of snow, he s ready to show her that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance.

Review:

A holiday romance collection, where all three stories are based around a couple that ends up stuck in a snow storm?
So my kinda thing.
I love snowy romances. That's no secret.
But I have to confess: I really like holiday novellas. Don't ask me why, I just really do. The setting is just swoony and perfect and maybe its because I met my husband around then? Color me nostalgic, but it works for me. Especially if it's a novella.
Snowbound at Christmas feature three stories. They all part of a cowboy series, but all work as a standalone:

Close to Perfect: A Montana Men Novella by Jennifer Ryan

I haven't read a book by Ryan before so this is my first of her and the series.
I liked the writing style.
The plot was sweet. A tad too sweet for me at times. But also too dramatic. But all in all I enjoyed it
The character building left me divided. I liked the MCs. Love Dex.
But to be frank the entire female cast was a bit too over the top. Too bitchy, too sweet you name it, it's all there. Frankly I didn't mind so much with Abby, but Libby... meh.
Couple the female over the top characters with the plot then it's just simply too much for me.

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Hot Winter's Night: A Brightwater Novella by Lia Riley

So honestly the reason I requested this ARC? Lia Riley. I would read anything she puts her name on.
And then there is the whole winter/snowy romance thing, I am a sucker for that. But I would have requested anything....
I was happily grinning, all swoony after reading Hot Winter's Night. It is exactly what I want in a snowy cute & fluffy. Kit is a hotilicous, caring go getter and I really like Goldie as well. Her feistines, her want to success and overcome. Both of them are fighters, yet couldn't find what their way to each other. Starcrossed lovers, perfectly done. The twist a the end? Just bloody brilliant. Because I guessed a few things, but not THAT.
Great characters, swoony setting and fun storyline make this a perfect holiday novella.
Short and sweet, maybe too short? I was left wanting more Breakwater goodness, which makes me think, I haven't read them all have I? *runs to check her GR account*

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Snowed in at Copper Ridge: A Copper Ridge Novella by Maisey Yates

Another first for me. But definitely will be reading more by Yates.
This was just swoony hotilcious holidays cute & fluffy.
I totally adore all the characters, love the way the story was told and honestly can't wait to get my hands on more stories about them. There will be more about them, right? I mean I fell in love with the Graysons...
4 Stars 

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While the first didn't really work for me. I did enjoy reading the book. Which is why I am going to round it up to 4 Stars. It's a lovely collection of cute&fluffies and just was what I wanted from this.

A must read for lovers of the genres and a great introduction to the authors and series.



Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Edelweiss exchange for an honest review