The Queen B* and the Homecoming King by Crista McHugh

The Queen B*, Alexis Wyndham, has only three rules when it comes to dating the star quarterback, Brett Pederson:

1. No obligations to spend every waking moment with each other.
2. No public displays of affection while at Eastline High.
3. And absolutely, under no circumstances, will she ever go to the Homecoming dance.

But as her life is completely upended time and time again, she begins to wonder if some rules are meant to be broken.

Book 3
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 coming-of-age stars.

Alexis is transforming before the reader's eyes. Turning from a hard young woman who refuses to compromise, to the version of herself Brett brings out – compassion and empathy. The ability to see a situation from more than just her perspective. She is learning how justice may be blind, but it's blinding her to everything outside of herself.

The truth may be black and white, but the emotions are hidden in the shades of gray. No longer closed off, Alexis is feeling more about everything and everyone in her life, learning how to compromise.

Brett isn't at the forefront of this installment, as through Alexis we see where their friends and family's lives are headed as well. Comfortable in their place in one another's life, Alexis is no longer fighting Brett's pull. She takes up a supportive role in her boyfriend's life, showing she is more than a protector and pessimist.

The characters are flawed but teeming with realistic human emotion. Heavy subject matter is explored in this novel and the previous one, done so in a manner in which it is realistic for the target age group – scary things which happen to teens every day, showing how resilient and strong they can be when faced with these situations. This may be a guide and comfort to those who may have experienced the same.

After reading all three books in a singular sitting, I am pleased overall and left wanting more. I look forward to reading more by this author, and highly recommend it to young adults and their more mature counterparts. We adults need to feel that spark of warmth only a budding crush can bring on.

Young Adult age-range: 13+. Parental discretion due to a handful of profanity/hate speech (realistically shown). Kissing. Heavy subject matter dealing with assault/bullying.

Also Available in The Queen B* Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Confessions of a Queen B* post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our The Queen B* Strikes Back post.

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Connect with Crista

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Brought to you by

Erica reviewed her personal copy of The Queen B* and the Homecoming King (The Queen B* #3) by Crista McHugh for this post.

The Queen B* Strikes Back by Crista McHugh

Alexis Wyndham isn’t quite sure what to think about her “friendship” with star quarterback, Brett Pederson. Sure, he has more intelligence than the entire football team combined. Not to mention that fact he’s a great kisser. When he asks her to help him with his college admission essays, she isn’t sure if he’s doing it to spend more time with her or if he’s just using her for her brains. But after her nemesis, Summer Hoyt, makes it clear she’s not finished chasing after Brett, Alexis begins realize how hard she’s fallen for Brett. Now the war is on, and the head cheerleader will find out why she should never take on a Queen B*.

Book 2
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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 deliciously angsty stars.

After reading Confessions of a Queen B*, I immediately jumped into the next in the series – also reading it in one sitting. Hard to imagine, but I found it even more addictive, pages clicking by at a rapid pace.

Alexis is trying to keep Brett in the friend-zone, due to fear after the betrayal Summer dealt her. With her sister and Brett both acting as Summer's minions, she finds it difficult to trust two of the most important people in her life.

Alexis is a justice-seeker, the protector of the bullied, the girl who rights the wrong by showing those being led astray the errors of their ways. We all need an Alexis – the devil's advocate, the voice of reason, the harsh reality that removes the pretty lies we tell ourselves.

BUT, in her own life, Alexis is a train wreck due to the fact her fear won't allow anyone in. She listens to her gut, but then she ignores it when it matters most, showing she isn't a superhero after all. The heroine of this tale is a high school girl, but she tries her hardest.

This series is heavy with the morals, dished up in a way that no one would realize they were swallowing a heaping helping. As for the morality bent, it's shown in a realistic light – the pros and cons of any given situation. There is no element of preachy-ness to it whatsoever.

Brett is truly a good guy, but he suffers from being a 'guy.' They seem to be blind to the manipulations girls use. But in this, I kind of lose respect for Brett, because no guy is THAT blind. Instead of frustration, I rooted for Alexis when her inner monologue mirrored exactly what every young woman, and grown alike, need for self-respect.

Off to read the conclusion – I already one-clicked and was writing this review as it downloaded on my Kindle. As of right now, Alexis is one of my favorite young adult heroines. Let's hope the conclusion keeps her in that top position.

Young Adult age-range: 13+

Also Available in The Queen B* Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Confessions of a Queen B* post.

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Connect with Crista

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Brought to you by

Erica reviewed her personal copy of The Queen B* Strikes Back (The Queen B* #2) by Crista McHugh for this post.

Confessions of a Queen B* by Crista McHugh

Alexis Wyndham is the other type of Queen B—the Queen B*tch.

After years of being the subject of ridicule, she revels in her ability to make the in-crowd cower via the exposés on her blog, The Eastline Spy. Now that she's carved out her place in the high school hierarchy, she uses her position to help the unpopular kids walking the hallways.

Saving a freshman from bullies? Check.
Swapping insults with the head cheerleader? Check.
Falling for the star quarterback? So not a part of her plan.

But when Brett offers to help her solve the mystery of who’s posting X-rated videos from the girls’ locker room, she’ll have to swallow her pride and learn to see past the high school stereotypes she’s never questioned—until now.

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Crista McHugh is a new-to-me author, hooking me from page one. The writing style was fluid, with swift pacing, causing me to read feverishly to see what happened next.

Our narrator is Alexis, the crusader of truth. After being betrayed/bullied by her childhood best friend – only a best friend has the ammunition to truly annihilate you – Alexis formed, not only a thick skin, but the persona of a Queen B*, not to be confused with Queen Bee.

Alexis is harsh, unforgiving, seeking justice, not vengeance/revenge. She is just, sticking up for the those who are bullied and treated poorly, especially by the popular crowd in school. But her world is knocked off its axis when she has to partner in Health class with Brett – the golden boy, quarterback, presumably the boyfriend of the ex-BFF-betrayer.

Alexis blogs the dark and dirty of the popular crowd, naming names, including the faculty of the school for their wrong-doing, but she's a difficult girl to get to know.

This fast-paced read took the reader on a journey as Alexis had to find a balance between being so guarded she didn't allow anyone in, but not so open she allows herself to get hurt. She tries to keep her ethics in check, when normally something so black and white isn't as it appears to be.

The storyline is a bit more mature than most, but I believe it's appropriate for younger readers, as they are in the trenches of junior high and high school, experiencing these events on a daily basis. Alexis shows the reader right from wrong, and all the various shades of gray in between.

There's no doubt about it – I'm off to one-click The Queen B* Strikes Back.

Young Adult age-range: 14+

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Connect with Crista

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Brought to you by

Erica reviewed her personal copy of Confessions of a Queen B* (The Queen B* #1) by Crista McHugh for this post.

In the Red Zone by Crista McHugh Blog Tour

All-Star linebacker Frank Kelly is as well-known for his off-the-field hits as he is for his on-field ones. When a dance club brawl ends with him in handcuffs again, he’s rescued by a well-connected woman who can get the charges dropped in exchange for a small favor. If he’ll agree to play the part of a doting boyfriend for two months, she’ll keep him out of the slammer and help restore his reputation.

Kiana Dyer may be the daughter of a Hall of Fame football player, but the charity organization she set up in his honor isn’t getting the media attention she’d hoped for. A staged romance with Frank Kelly is just the ticket she needs to get it in the spotlight. As the lines between fake and real start to blur, she begins to wonder if bailing him out was the best call she’s ever made. Just when everything seems to be falling perfectly in place, scandal surrounds her charity, and she’s the one left scrambling to clear her name.

Book 6
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“Fine.” The terse manner in which he said the word, though, showed he was anything but fine with ending the conversation that way, along with the way his car wove in and out of traffic as though the Downtown Connector was a NASCAR speedway. “Let’s talk about the fundraiser. I saw there was going to be a silent auction of some sports memorabilia.”

Finally, something she could talk to him about that didn’t make her horny or scared. “We have a few things of my dad’s.”

“I’ll gladly donate a couple of things, too, but I was wondering if you’re willing to open it up to sports other than football.”

“What do you mean?”

The car slowed back down to the flow of traffic, and his grip loosened on the steering wheel. “Well, football’s not the only sport where kids can get hurt.”

“We focus primarily on football, but we can supply gear to all youth sports programs.”

“Exactly, so why don’t I ask around and see if I can get some other local athletes involved in the fundraiser. Dougie, for example.”

Her heart stuttered for a few beats. “You mean you could get Doug Boutry to donate something to the auction?”

“Of course I can.” He gave her a charming grin. “You’ll find I can be pretty convincing. And it wouldn’t be limited to just Doug. I can ask my teammates to provide a few things, maybe even get the team’s owners to provide a couple of seats in the suite for a game. Just tell me what I need to do, and I’ll do it.”

She wiped her damp palms on her jeans as she considered his offer. “You’d be willing to do that for me?”

“Anything to stay on your good side.” He took the Midtown exit near her office. “I’m just surprised you didn’t think of it before.”

A dozen excuses sat poised on the tip of her tongue, but it was the most honest one that came out. “I have a hard time asking people for help.”

“And yet, you asked me,” he said softly.

“Yeah, but I had some leverage over you.”

“I would’ve done it even if you hadn’t bailed me out.”

She chuckled, and the last of the cold dread fled her soul, leaving behind an odd sensation she couldn’t quite pinpoint. There was a sincerity to Frank’s words that made her wonder how much of it was the truth. “For the record, I never bailed you out.”

“You got me out of the slammer, and that’s what counts.” His grin widened. “Can you imagine what someone as good looking as me would’ve had to endure if I’d stayed in there?”

His good-natured conceit lightened the mood, and she laughed wholeheartedly. Leave it to Frank to take her from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other in a matter of minutes. But it felt good, being with him. Even after she’d revealed her shortcomings, he’d managed to make her feel better. And he showed no evidence of losing interest in her, judging by the way his gaze kept flickering her way as he zoomed through the streets.

He drove into the parking garage of her building and parked next to her car. Before she could even grab the handle of her door, he was out of his seat and jogging around the car to open it for her. “Allow me, lovely lady.”

“Still trying to get on my good side?” she quipped while smothering a grin.

“You can say that.” He took her hand to help her out, but didn’t release it right away. His eyes darkened, and his face grew uncharacteristically serious. “Kiana, if I’m going too far, please tell me.”

Her breath hitched, allowing his scent to linger in her nose long enough for her to recognize the masculine notes of leather and cedar in his cologne. “Depends on what you’re planning to do.”

“Can we try that kiss again?” He held up his hands in surrender. “I promise not to lay a finger on you.”

That kiss had been nice. At least, until he touched the back of her neck. But maybe, just maybe, she could enjoy one more. She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his.

If the earlier kiss had been raw and unrestrained, this one was gentle and cautious. And frustratingly tame. Frank allowed her to control the tempo and the heat of the kiss, responding to the demands of her tongue, but obviously holding back. She opened one eye to see his hands shaking at his sides. A whimper rose from his throat, forming a silent plea that convinced her to tear down the wall he was trying to stay behind.

She grabbed his hands and placed them on her bottom.

A muffled gasp followed, and the chains that had been holding Frank at bay vanished. He grabbed her ass with vigor and pressed her against him while he deepened the kiss. A moan rose into the still night air, but she couldn’t tell if it was from him or her. All she knew was the rising desire building between them that made her want to forget everything but him.

She allowed herself this one moment of bliss, to fall into the arms of a man who knew how to kiss her in a way that made her toes curl. A man who caressed her generous curves like she was the most desirable woman on earth. A man who made her feel safe and secure in his arms even while he tempted her to engage in the most reckless behavior she’d embraced in over two years.

But she couldn’t be reckless anymore. She was a mother, and she didn’t want to make the same mistakes her mother had. The thought of her daughter tempered her lust long enough for her to end the kiss before it got out of hand.

“Damn, Kiana,” Frank said with shuddering breaths. “You have the most luscious ass I’ve ever held.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in a series. I have to admit I read it as a standalone and greatly enjoyed it, but I can imagine that some of the references to his brothers would make more sense if I'd read them all. I shall be rectifying that when I get the time.

I am a fan of the sports romance, and this delivered it in a slightly different and refreshing way. When I had finished it, my feeling was that it was a lovely passionate but gentle romance. Then I thought of some of the incidents, there is certainly drama too. What is lovely is Frank's persistence and Kiana's attitude, plus the great chemistry between them!

Easy and satisfying read, thank you Ms. McHugh.

Also Available in the Kelly Brothers Series

Book 1 ~ Free at most ebook retailers
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Connect with Crista

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

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Follow the In the Red Zone Blog Tour HERE.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of In the Red Zone (Kelly Brothers #6) by Crista McHugh to read and review for this tour.