Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Scott by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey Blog Tour


What happens when you try to fix the past and end up threatening your future?

Scott is struggling. Grieving the loss of his brother, carrying the weight of his father’s expectations, and getting his ass kicked in the rink, he’s in a downward spiral. He needs a solution and fast, but when his steroid use is exposed, he’s close to losing his place at Owatonna and more importantly, on the Eagles Hockey team. Thrown out of his house, with nowhere to go and no future in sight, he only has one choice; agree to mandatory counseling, random drug tests, and get his act together. Only then will he have a chance at normal. Meeting Hayne, a senior connected to the world through his art, is a shock to the system. Moving in with him is his only option, but falling for the shy artist leaves Scott in an impossible situation, and one he can’t escape.

Hayne has always been that quiet, creative kid who sat in the back of class drawing instead of listening to the teacher. A talented artist, the shy and sensitive young man is struggling with the loss of his childhood friend. Seeing his sadness reflected in his usually colorful paintings, he decides to attend grief counseling and meets Scott, a lost soul in desperate need of light and color in his life. Taking in a homeless hockey player certainly was never part of his carefully orchestrated ten-year plan. But now that Scott is in his life, he’s discovering the joy of this man’s loving smile and tender touch is one of the most beautiful palettes on earth.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 2
Buy Links

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



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
College hockey player Scott’s self-destructive behaviour has his world imploding. He loses the plot on the ice, punches his best mate, confesses to his coach that he is on steroids. Hayne is an artist and an art major. He has a lovely, giving soul and he is full of emotion and generosity. As a reader that knows nothing about art, seeing Hayne’s passion and enthusiasm for painting was exciting. I’d never read a character like Hayne before, he is enchanting.

At first glance, Scott isn’t the most likely hero with his life all upside down but Hayne see Scott in a different light. It wasn’t long before I was seeing Scott in a different light too, I wanted to take care of him. This is a romance about two young men who are very different but fit together perfectly. Their romance is beautiful, and I loved seeing them look after each other and at a time in their lives when everything around them was changing.

This story is a good example of why I am so enamoured with m/m hockey romances. It is simply lovely.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series – and is a really good addition to the family of stories by this talented duet of authors. I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, and even better the Harrisburg Railers books, which links through to this series.

I do warn you that you will need to have a tissue or two to hand! And maybe not for the reasons you might initially expect. A beautiful, tough, and sweet story unfolds through this book, and much like Hayne's painting style, it is by turns frantic, frenetic, and colourful, but then slow, and grey and dark.

Whatever you do, do not be put off by the unlikely star, who does little to make us like him in the first chapter. Be patient, allow the story to be told, and whilst there may be no good reason for that action, mercy is a human trait that should never be forgotten.

I plan on reading this book again, it has many beautiful parts which will bring light and hope to a dull day. Thank you, RJ Scott and V.L. Locey once again.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This was a lovely surprise. Not quite the hockey romance I was expecting, it’s the story of a student who has to rebuild his life when he is given a one-year ban from hockey. Hayne is Scott’s unlikely hero. The athlete and the artist soon find they have more in common than either would ever have expected.

This is a heavier read than I expected. It is grief that initially brings Hayne and Scott together and the boys’ experiences and emotions feel very raw and very real. Other darker themes also weave through the story. So while the connection between Hayne and Scott feels very sweet and almost innocent, this is a pretty gritty read at times.

I love the connection between Hayne and Scott. They balance each other beautifully and their college romance is wonderful. This is the second book in this series, but it is the first one with a real focus on university life beyond hockey. I love the characters and I’m eager for several characters to get their own books.


Also Available in the Owatonna U Hockey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Ryker Blog Tour.




USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.

RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers.


Connect with RJ

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
RJ Scott’s Facebook Group



USA Today bestselling author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Doctor Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.


Connect with V.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Vicki’s Vixens Facebook Group



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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Scott (Owatonna U Hockey #2) by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey to read and review for this tour.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma


Hemdeep Singh knows exactly what he wants. With his intelligence and determination, he has what it takes to build his own legacy away from Bharat, Inc. and the empire his father created. But when his brother calls him home, Hem puts his dreams on hold once again to help save the company he walked away from. That’s when he encounters the devastating Mina Kohli in the Bharat boardroom, and he realizes he’s in for more than he had bargained.

Mina will do whatever it takes to recover control of her mother’s law firm, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Her newest case assignment is to assist Bharat in the midst of a potential takeover. It could be the key to finally achieving her goal while preventing her marriage to a man she doesn’t love—as long as her explosive attraction to Hem doesn’t get in the way.

As Mina and Hem work to save Bharat, they not only uncover secrets that could threaten the existence of the company, but they also learn that in a winner-takes-all game, love always comes out on top.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 1
Buy Links

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



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved this story full of company espionage, dodgy dealings, family loyalties, and a scorching, chemistry laden romance. The best news of all is that it is the beginning of a new series, and I am already looking out for the second installment being released.

Whilst both Hem and Mina have grown up in the US and with hard working parents who have enabled them to have a comfortable and wealthy life, they are still bound by the traditions and expectations of their heritage. The whole arranged marriage issue for Mina is particularly interesting, given her ability to be a successful independent woman. It was a really effective foil for the simmering tension between her and Hem.

Their instant connection, the wit and fun that they have together, given their complex professional relationship, is delicious and believable. I wanted to read on and on, as their everyday conversations were so much fun, their intelligent banter both engaging and clever.

The business dealings which brought the two of them together were well written, and whilst not desperately complex, the plot worked well. It also meant that we got to meet the other Singh siblings who clearly need a push to become happily settled members of the family.

This was such a good book, I put off a couple of plans so that I could just sit and finish it – so do be warned that you may well find it difficult to put it down!



Nisha Sharma is the author of the YA novel My So-Called Bollywood Life, and the adult contemporary romance The Takeover Effect.

Her writing has been praised in NPR, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, Hypable and more.

Nisha credits her father for her multiple graduate degrees, and her mother for her love of Shah Rukh Khan and Jane Austen. She lives in New Jersey with her Alaskan husband, her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dog Nancey Drew.

Connect with Nisha

Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


http://www.avonromance.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Takeover Effect (The Singh Family #1) by Nisha Sharma to read and review.

Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann


An international playboy finds true love in a sexy new standalone contemporary romance from Aliza Mann.

Ashton Lyle
is a man in control. His rules are simple:
Discipline.
Hard work.
No deviation.

And lucky for him no one is able to resist his mega-watt smile, dazzling wit, sexy British accent, and ability to manipulate any situation in business... and in bed.
That is, until he meets a woman with rules of her own.

Terra Ellis is a self-made woman who knows what she wants.
A successful entrepreneur, she has worked hard to cultivate an impeccable image.
A tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband has reinforced her drive but it has also made her question serious relationships.
After all, a busy woman has no time for romance.
That is, until Terra meets a man who sees through her façade.

Ashton and Terra are about to discover that some rules were made to be broken...

Add to Goodreads –



Buy Links

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



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
What happens when two people not looking for love meet? They seem to be drawn to each other and the romance is off the charts.

Ashton is a lady’s man and he doesn't think that love is in the cards for him. And he seems to be alright with that. He finds the ladies not looking for a relationship to get what he needs and gives them what he knows they need. He can watch a woman and know a lot about her, this is how he ran into Terra.

Terra is on another date from hell. Although this guy is a friend of a friend, she can't stand being with him any longer. When the man she noticed at the bar watching the group of older ladies approaches her, she doesn't know what to do. Then she realizes he is there to save her from Mr. Grab Hands. She isn't looking for a relationship, just a little fun, is that really too much to ask?

Ashton and Terra end up spending time together and it is messing with both of their heads. Neither one wants to admit to themselves that they are feeling something for the other.

Can they go out on a few dates without getting involved? Will Terra tell Ashton about her past? Can Ashton share his past with Terra? Will they be able to move on from each other if a relationship is not possible?

I really enjoyed this story and I hope you like it too. This being a first for me from this author, I can't wait to read more from her.



Ever since she was a small child, Aliza Mann loved to tell stories. It started in the backyard of her family’s home where she shared them with the neighborhood kids. Through the years she read anything she could get her hands on. In high school she found her love for romance. From the moment she opened the cover of a romantic historical page-turner, she found herself hooked.

Actively employed, she balances her love of writing a great story between two pseudo-adult children, a fabulous son-in-law, and the man of her dreams. A true book nerd, she is almost always reading and writing the world in a way that shows its true beauty, served with a heaping side of happily ever after. Aliza is also active in RWA and Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America organizations.

Connect with Aliza

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http://readloveswept.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann to read and review.

I Want You Back by Lorelei James


New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James kicks-off her Want You Series with a Lund family cousin hot enough to melt the ice and mend a broken heart.

Former NHL star Jaxson Lund has returned to the Twin Cities, but he's at loose ends, unsure if he belongs at Lund Industries, or where he stands with Lucy, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Mimi. Despite the signs she'd like to leave him in the penalty box, the attraction burning between them reinforces his determination to prove that he deserves a second chance...

Lucy Quade is in a good place with a steady job, a nice apartment, and a well-adjusted daughter, which is why she's hesitant when Jax insists on co-parenting. It's not that Lucy doesn't trust Jax...she's just unconvinced he can handle multiple responsibilities when he's been singularly focused on playing hockey. But when issues arise with Mimi, Lucy's shocked at how levelheaded and paternal he acts, giving her a glimpse of the Jax she used to know, the sexy, sweet man she fell for years ago.

Once Lucy lets her guard down, Jax goes all in to show her how good they are together, but will their past remain too large an obstacle to ever overcome?

Add to Goodreads –


Book 1
Buy Links

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



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Second chance romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

In this first book, we meet Lucy. She was the love of Jaxson's life. They had a baby girl, Mimi, and when Jaxson's hockey career was at its peak, he gave in to temptation and was not faithful to Lucy.

Lucy and Mimi have been on their own for a while. And despite a rocky start, Lucy did an amazing job at raising Mimi.

When Jaxson's career is finished, he comes home. But his career ending was not the only life change he had to make. With his life back on track, Jaxson wants to be a father to Mimi.

It was fun to see Jaxson and Mimi's interactions. Learning to be a father is probably Jaxson's most challenging lifetime achievement. But in order for Jaxson to feel like his life is completely back on track, Jaxson also wants to win Lucy back.

Watching Lucy and Jaxson figure out how to co-parent and learn whether or not they can trust each other again was, at times, a slow walk. There were funny times too, but mostly, this was a book about learning whether or not love conquers all. While this book was a sweet, second-chance romance, I was hoping it would move a little faster along. Also, there was a lot of talk about the business that Jaxson runs, but nothing really came to fruition.

I do hope that Gabi gets a book of her own, as her interactions with Nolan were both intriguing and hilarious.


Veronica – ☆☆☆
I Want You Back is a second-chance romance but not one like I’ve read before. Jax is a retired hockey star, working at co-parenting his 8-year-old daughter Mimi, and working in his family’s business empire. In the past, however, Jax was a cheater, an alcoholic, a barely present dad who made is ex Lucy’s life very difficult.

Honestly, at the beginning I had no idea why Lucy would give Jax the time of day never mind a second chance. While the story does tell us about some of the bad when it comes to their past, it mostly focuses on the good. We get to see their first handful of dates and see how they fell in love and that gave me hope that maybe they could have that again.

I confess I didn’t feel particularly connected to either Lucy or Jax when reading this but I was interested in seeing how Jax was going to redeem himself, which for me was the most interesting part of the story. I also really liked seeing Lucy and Jax dealing with issues of co-parenting Mimi and seeing them work hard to do the right thing.

I Want You Back is a good story. It was easy to put down because I wasn’t completely emotionally engrossed in it, but it was also easy to pick the story back up because I was genuinely interested in the outcome. This gets a solid three stars from me.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really lovely second-chance romance. If you are fan of sports romance, then this is an interestingly different take on the famous player dealing with fame, its impact on his behaviour, and reinventing himself on retirement. And making reparations for errors previously made.

Jaxson has a fabulous family, who have supported and helped him through some very difficult times. His brother Nolan, in particular, was there to give him the kick he needed to turn his life around.

In all this, the person who suffered no end from his behaviour is Lucy, his one-time girlfriend and mother to his daughter, Mimi. As he now seeks to develop a relationship with Mimi, he has to face how he behaved towards Lucy, and how that may have effected her.

Mimi ensures that this does not become overly dark, by being a fun child who deals well with the new situation she finds herself in, now that her dad is back in town. Lucy has a far more difficult time, but over time we see her come to terms with what happened, how it could be in the future, and admitting that she still loves him, even now.

I loved the family aspects, the fairness, and the effort that he put into making things right. There was also plenty of ice time, although not at the level he had been used to! Cannot wait for the next installment.



Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Need You Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series. Her books have won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award.

Connect with Lorelei

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Chat with Lorelei James Facebook Group


Berkley Romance


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I Want You Back (Want You #1) by Lorelei James to read and review.

Monday, April 1, 2019

Arctic Sun by Annabeth Albert


Everything’s bigger in Alaska, especially the HEAs. Annabeth Albert kicks off the brand-new Frozen Hearts series with Arctic Sun, an opposites-attract romance between a rugged outdoorsman and a smoking hot former male model.

He’s built a quiet life for himself in Alaska. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the unrelenting pull of a man who’s everything he shouldn’t want.


Ex-military mountain man Griffin Barrett likes his solitude. It keeps him from falling back into old habits. Bad habits. He’s fought too hard for his sobriety to lose control now. However, his gig as a wildlife guide presents a new kind of temptation in superhot supermodel River Vale. Nothing the Alaskan wilderness has to offer has ever called to Griffin so badly. And that can only lead to trouble…

River has his own methods for coping. Chasing adventure means always moving forward. Nobody’s ever made him want to stand still—until Griffin. The rugged bush pilot is the very best kind of distraction, but the emotions he stirs up in River feel anything but casual, and he’s in no position to stay put.

With temptation lurking in close quarters, keeping even a shred of distance is a challenge neither’s willing to meet. And the closer Griffin gets to River, the easier it is to ignore every last reason he should run.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Publisher’s Note: Arctic Sun deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including sobriety and eating disorders.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press – Harlequin

Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Audible
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This book may have inspired a few too many mountain man fantasies. The Alaskan setting made me incredibly homesick and River is a surprisingly loveable supermodel. This book starts light with the focus on the entertaining interplay between Griff and River but when the story pushes into the men’s pasts, it becomes a more complicated and darker read.

Griff hides and River runs but both of them struggle to face their issues head on. The result is a tense emotional tug of war as they dance around each other. I enjoyed the tension between these two, but it took time to feel like I actually knew either of them. There are hints from the start about Griff and River’s personal baggage, but nothing is really explained until the midpoint of the story – maybe even later. I get that both men are supposed to be secretive and closed but it is difficult for readers to relate to characters they don’t really know.

The pacing in this story feels off. A huge portion of the book focuses on the two-week Alaskan tour where Griff and River meet while the next few months of their lives are skimmed over in a few chapters. I really enjoyed the tour part of the book. The tour group is full of fun characters and great Alaskan experiences. I love the way River and Griff interact (or don’t) during the first part of the book and I love how River just won’t fit in the boxes Griff wants to assign him. I feel like the story starts to unravel when the tour ends. Both men feel a little bit childish and readers are still guessing at Griff and River’s pasts and their motivations.

I’m excited about this book as the start of a new series – I just hope we get a little bit more emotional depth and more coherent plotting in the next books. I love the setting and Griff’s family and contacts offer lots of possibilities for interesting storylines.




Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Connect with Annabeth

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Annabeth's Angels Facebook Fan Group


http://www.carinapress.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Arctic Sun (Frozen Hearts #1) by Annabeth Albert to read and review.

My Little Secret by L.A. Casey


She’s a good girl. He’s a very bad boy. Sparks will fly when fate brings them together in this fiery romance by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L.A. Casey.

Ashley Dunne is a bad boy, a notorious member of Dublin’s most ruthless gang. But when privileged daddy’s girl Ryan Mahony finds herself living on an urban estate they control, she can’t help feeling he’s not that bad at all…

Ryan and Ash were never meant to cross paths: she’s always been sheltered by her successful barrister father. But when he’s unexpectedly sent to prison, she’s forced to move in with estranged relatives in the city, where a chance encounter with Ash sends sparks flying. He’s the one man she’s been warned to avoid, but fate seems determined to bring them together…

While her head warns of danger, her heart tells her to be reckless for the first time in her life. She knows there’s more to Ash than his gangland reputation. But when he starts to rethink his future and attracts the wrong kind of attention, Ryan has to ask herself: is her life going off the rails—or has she finally found the right track?

Add to Goodreads –



Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 to 4 stars

This story started out kinda slow and I was wondering if it was going to get any better. But then it began to turn around and ended up being a really good story.

Ryan's life has fallen around her, since her father was sent to prison last year but she is going to live with her aunt and cousin that she hasn't seen in years. So basically, she is moving in with strangers. She has to adapt and move forward until she can figure out how to help her dad.

Ash Dunne is the bad boy that Ryan is warned to stay away from. He is part of a gang the runs drugs and just about anything else bad going on in town. He would like to change his life to help his brother with a brighter future instead of him ending up in the gang.

When Ryan meets Ash, she doesn't realize who he is and proceeds to chew him out. While Ash thinks it's funny and wants to get to know her better, Ryan is horrified when she finds out who he is, but she can't stay away from him. They seem drawn together and only see the good in each other. While Ryan is innocent, Ash has done some bad things.

Can Ryan forgive the things Ash has done to be with him? Will Ash let her go instead of ruining her life? Will they survive life together? Will they prove her dad is innocent? And who is after someone Ash loves?

I really liked this story, it just started slow but after a few chapters it picked up and moved along well. I have read L.A. Casey and her other series are great too. Looking forward to more from her in the future.



L.A. Casey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who juggles her time with her mini-me and writing. She was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys chatting with her readers, who love her humor and Irish accent as much as her books.

Casey’s first book Dominic, was independently published in 2014 and became an instant success on Amazon. Now a hybrid author, she is both traditionally and independently published and is represented by Mark Gottlieb from Trident Media Group.

Connect with L.A.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Montlake –


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of My Little Secret by L.A. Casey to read and review.

Hard Loving Cowboy by A.J. Pine


This cowboy's handsome, sexy, and definitely off limits...

Walker Everett spends his days at the Crossroads Ranch wrangling cattle and steering clear of anything that would complicate his already too-complicated life. Until Violet Chastain, the ranch's newest employee, asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her parents' anniversary party. She's the most beautiful woman he's ever met and needs his help. How can he refuse?

Violet isn't about to fall for a brooding bad-boy cowboy, no matter how sizzling their chemistry. But she also never expected Walker to go along with the charade. Before long, he's charming her parents at their weekly dinners and kissing her way more than necessary. Spending so much time together tests the limits of their "just friends" relationship, but what happens when their game of pretend becomes all too real?

Includes the bonus story Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Sara Richardson!

Add to Goodreads –


Book 3
Buy Links

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



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is Walker's story. He has struggled with alcoholism for as long as he can remember. With a less than ideal childhood and a family who won't quit, Walker only has one option: go to rehab and make it stick.

Walker's life is one where he measures himself against his brothers. Walker sees what they have and he's not sure if he's jealous or if he never wants that. He's somewhat rough and tough, a little gruff, and a lot crass. But he loves where it counts. I liked how his character developed, but it felt that it was so focused on his addiction that his character had a hard time growing in other areas. I wanted more from his character.

Then there is Violet. She's trying to find a way to pay for her mom's healthcare treatment. She seems incredibly naive in this book. She's smart and funny at times, but then she has these moments where I'm not sure if it's the same character. Her reaction to Walker is somewhat juvenile and despite their wanting each other, with the way we meet Violet, it doesn't seem like a good idea.

Overall, these characters fell flat for me. They seemed more young adult and juvenile than grown adults trying to make it work. Also, so much of the story was about Walker's issues. I would have loved to see him interact more with the ranch and his family.


Also Available in the Crossroads Ranch 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 Second Chance Cowboy 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 Tough Luck Cowboy post.



A librarian for teens by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she finds that twenty-fifth hour in the day, she might indulge in a tiny bit of TV [HL1] to nourish her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far-off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs.

Connect with A.J.

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http://forever-romance.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hard Loving Cowboy (Crossroads Ranch #3) by A.J. Pine to read and review.