Reviews by Tammy and Kim

Mistletoe All The Way

Lauren Blakely
Amazon
Goodreads
September 6, 2026

She wants to make him Mr. Holiday. He wants to stay a certified Grinch. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a small-town spicy holiday romance about a guarded cowboy veterinarian and a Christmas-loving optimist who team up for a town holiday competition.

Dr. Noah Lennox lives by three holiday rules—avoid his hometown, cheerful people, and Christmas itself.

But when his beloved grandfather announces he’s retiring and handing the cherished sleigh-ride farm to either Noah or his slick cousin Stephen, the first rule goes out the window. Back home in Evergreen Falls, the veterinarian vows to fight for the farm that means everything to him. The problem is, the town doesn’t exactly welcome its resident Scrooge with open arms.

Except for one very charming holiday enthusiast. Eloise Langston, a sunny tourism bureau hopeful, needs a win to land her dream job—and to pay the rent. Her holly jolly plan? Turn the broody, broad-shouldered grump into a festive front-runner to help the town’s Mr. Holiday Competition draw record crowds.

Transforming a camera-shy cowboy vet into a small-town sweetheart isn’t exactly in her job description—but neither is falling for him.

Soon, Noah and Eloise find themselves tangled in twinkle lights, fake kisses, and one very real attraction. But with the farm’s future at stake, Stephen’s scheming, and Eloise’s career on the line, there’s a blizzard of reasons to put their feelings on ice.

Or will they fight to turn their holiday fling into forever under the mistletoe?

A Grinch comes home to his small Christmas town and meets a Jolly. Eloise is a sassy, happy, Christmas-loving woman. His twin brother Chris is also the charming, popular, ho ho-ho-loving one of their duo. But Noah is bah humbug all the way, stuck in a Christmas-crazed town for the holidays. And he finds himself in a competition for his family's Sleigh Ride and horse farm with a sketchy and also Christmas-obsessed cousin. He needs a marketing guru, and somehow, his Jolly might be his ace in the hole.

These two are fun as they irritate each other. They give good banter. They are both a little sneaky and trick the other. She is pushing him out of his comfort zone and he is trying to follow along begrudgingly to help them both.

I loved these two trying to get one over on each other and their saucy and snarky banter, but I loved even more when they started working toward common goals. And they started to really see the other one's true heart, their motivations, and began to understand them. They are opposites in a lot of ways, but along the way, they find some common goals. Eloise just always wanted to be seen and supported, but she never had that. But he begins to want her to succeed to the point that it’s more important to him than himself winning. And she can dig under his grouchy façade and see how much he cares about animals and his family, and that some things socially are just harder for him. I loved them being partners in crime, and their chemistry is amazing. There’s a little bit of a mystery in the background as well that keeps it interesting, and of course, plenty of competition and Christmas shenanigans.

But my heart hurt because their situation had some definite challenges, and they both had fears and issues that made them realize it's complicated. But they can’t seem to stop the what-feels-good-now moments that they find, even though they know that eventually it’s all supposed to come to an end.

This is a Grinch vs jolly, grumpy-sunshine, twin brothers, opposites-attract love story centered around a small town Christmas competition with all kinds of mistletoe distractions and holiday shenanigans. I loved being back in Evergreen Falls with all the Christmas kitsch, competitions, and all the quirky side characters. I enjoyed the little cameos from other LB stories. This book just made me feel so good. It made me laugh with the snarkiness, but it also filled my heart with Christmas joy. But in between it was also steamy and at times heartbreaking. It brings so many feels.

I am dying for Noah’s hot vet brother, Chris, to finally get a book since he has been around for a while. And he was the perfect foil and sidekick for Noah in this one. So I’m really hoping that we come back to Evergreen Falls with him again, or maybe Chris just gets a different type of book on his own.

Noah only returns home when he needs to, and for a short time around Christmas to help run his family’s sleigh ride company. He is a busy vet in Evergreen Falls, and his workaholic ways fit with his preference for animals over people. Christmas is not his favorite season, even if it is a busy one for his family. It reminds him of the loss of his mom, and the commercialism of Christmas leaves him feeling less cheer than ever. But when his grandfather announces he is retiring and wants to hand the ranch to someone new, Noah steps up to give competition to his slimy cousin, who he doesn’t trust to care for the ranch the way it deserves.

Eloise loves all things Christmas: the traditions, the events, the community and the family. She is building her own marketing firm and has her sights set on filling in when the current marketing guru for the city retires in the new year. Building up a contestant and the crowds at a multiday holiday competition should give her the visibility to the mayor she is hoping to attract.

Noah and Eloise team up so both of their goals can happen: she needs him to cooperate and compete in the pageant, and he needs her to make him look like he actually enjoys the holiday. As they prep and plan for the various events in the competition, they find it difficult to fight the chemistry that began building from their first meeting, where she tricked him into thinking she needed help changing a flat tire.

I loved the little pranks and switcheroos they tried on each other, especially in the beginning. Noah’s tendency to pretend to be his twin brother created some hilarious confusion. Eloise is quick on her feet, and can plan a photoshoot with little time and fewer resources. I loved watching the scenarios she set up for Noah, and his reluctance (and interest) in playing along.

As their relationship built, the distance between their permanent homes became the biggest thing standing in their way. I wasn’t sure how they were going to be able to figure it out, especially with as adamant as each was about sticking to their prior goals. But I also love the final resolution, as the perfect situation for everyone involved.

This is a must read Christmas romance, with perfect humor and heat throughout. I look forward to the possibility of more from this town and their Christmas festivities next year!

I catch a glimpse of green and red above us.

I arch a brow. “What is that?”

“It’s called mistletoe. You hang it for the holidays.”

I lower my gaze to meet her eyes. “I know that. I meant when—” I circle back to earlier in the evening. “When you disappeared down the hallway. You were hanging mistletoe?”

“And this surprises you?” She smiles without an ounce of guilt.

“You’re right. I should have assumed.”

“I hung it in all the doorways,” she stage-whispers.

“Just what I always wanted,” I say dryly.

“Once I leave in the morning, it’ll keep you in the holiday spirit. Just like the tree. Since I can’t be here to keep you festive.”

Shame, that.

“So the mistletoe is your proxy?” I ask.

“Maybe. Mistletoe is festive, and Mr. Holiday should be festive.”

I set my hand on the doorjamb, leaning against it. “So you thought a sneak attack with mistletoe would help me get in the Christmas spirit?”

She drags her teeth across her lower lip, and holy f*&k. That’s too sexy. Too inviting. I stare too long.

“It wouldn’t hurt you to practice being festive,” she says with a bob of her shoulder. “It’s important.”

I swallow roughly. Glance at the lounge pants in my other hand. Check out the mistletoe again. Then I look back at her, standing here, chin raised, looking like . . . Ah, f*&k it.

I toss the pants to the bed. They land on the edge of the mattress. “Is kissing under the mistletoe festive?”

Her blue and green eyes flicker with anticipation. “I don’t know. Is it?” It’s a volley of a question.

I keep playing. “Should I find out?”

When she licks her lips, everything in me stirs. “For the sake of the season,” she says, and a jolt of excitement shoots down my spine.

F*&k it, indeed.

Other Holiday books from Lauren Blakely

My Favorite Holidate
Add to Goodreads
✦ Amazon ✦ Audible
Samantha Brentmoor & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast! Our 4.5 to 5 star reviews

Wanted: one hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous when you kiss me under the mistletoe at all the holiday parties. Bonus points if you make him cry.

To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.

And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.

But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.

Can all these winter wonderland nights seeking revenge turn into the real thing when we return to the office? Or are we destined to go the way of a Christmas tree on New Year’s?

Merry Little Kissmas

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Performed in duet by Vanessa Edwin & Connor Crais with a FULL CAST Signed & Personalized
Our 4.5 to 5 star reviews

I should’ve known better than to make a Christmas bet with my brother’s best friend. Six-foot-three, grumpy, and allergic to mistletoe and feelings.

My job sounded simple: find a holidate for the sexy single-dad hockey star before the team’s Christmas Eve gala. But Rowan’s sworn off romance forever. So when he bets I can’t find him a plus one, I up the stakes and volunteer as tribute.

I’ll fake date the holiday hater just to prove him wrong. Cue the mistletoe sabotage and Secret Santa subterfuge.

But soon our practice dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions feel a little too real—especially when he starts planning secret trysts in our snowy small town. Where I discover exactly how fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

And when I get to know his book-loving daughter and they invite me into their life, what began as a holiday bet is turning into a Christmas I’ll never forget.

What if the only gift I want the grump to unwrap this season… is me?

This is Rowan and Isla’s holiday romance. Tropes include: Holiday romance, Christmas romance, brother's best friend, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, small town, Christmas competition, workplace romance, hockey romance

Lauren Blakely

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

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From A to Us

Series: Vermont Trailblazers 3

Amy Aislin
Amazon

Release date – wide: October 6

Genre: contemporary m/m hockey romance

Tropes: friends to lovers, coach's son, sister's ex, age gap (10 years), forced proximity

Eli worked his butt off to earn a spot with the Vermont Trailblazers, and he has absolutely no intention of losing it. Unfortunately, his second NHL season has brought a sophomore slump, an endless parade of team obligations, and the possibility that enthusiasm might not be enough to keep his plates spinning—or keep him from being sent to the minors. So naturally, this is the perfect time for Nolan Madolora—his coach’s son, his sister’s ex, and the man Eli had an impossible crush on a decade ago—to walk back into his life.

Nolan knows a thing or two about not fitting in, which makes getting paid to figure out why the Trailblazers work so well together almost funny—he’s in Vermont to conduct a team culture audit and deliver an objective assessment. What he shouldn’t do is get involved with one of the players, especially when that man is Eli Parker: his ex’s little brother, ten years his junior, and all grown up in ways Nolan is trying very hard not to notice.

When Nolan and Eli stumble across an old set of unsent letters at the arena, amateur sleuthing gives them an excuse to spend more time together—and makes ignoring their growing attraction increasingly impossible to resist. Eli’s old crush has a chance of becoming something very real, while Nolan’s carefully maintained objectivity doesn’t stand a chance against the one person he never thought to look at twice. The closer they get—to the truth and to each other—the harder it becomes to remember all the reasons getting involved is a terrible idea.

Eli Parker is now in his second season at the Vermont Trailblazers, but the rookie glow has worn off, and he seems to be in a sophomore slump. He is trying to prove himself on and off the ice with the team, and it is a lot. He is energetic, fun, a bit klutzy, and overwhelmed.

Nolan Madolora is his coach's son and Eli's secret crush from ten years ago when Nolan used to date Eli's sister. He is now working as a consultant and performing an audit on team culture. Nolan has always felt like he has never really fit in. He always moved around and was introverted, so jumping into new cliques was always intimidating. But Eli finds him to be smart, funny, and supportive.

I liked seeing these two reconnect and find companionship, support, and passion. They find it easier to be themselves, be vulnerable, and feel safe with each other. And they also find a side quest as they try to solve a mystery about some old letters. But it also provides an opportunity for each of them to grow, take a look at their lives and priorities, and find their purpose.

I enjoyed seeing some of the other characters from other books, and I really liked Eli and Nolan together. They were just two really sweet guys just looking for their place.

Vermont Trailblazers Trilogy

The Best Parts of Him
Series: Vermont Trailblazers 1

Sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice.

Ryland Zervudachi lives for the game of hockey—and for the chance to build the kind of team unity that will carry the Columbus Pilots all the way back to the playoffs after last season’s crushing defeat. Off the ice, though, there’s one goal he hasn’t managed to score—the heart of Kyle Dabbs, the Vermont Trailblazers’ team captain and his long-time crush.

Kyle Dabbs has built a life centered on quiet strength. After a childhood scarred by his father’s verbal abuse, Dabbs pours his energy into his career on the ice and the book series he’s written to help kids like the boy he once was. He doesn’t need someone flashy, loud, and spotlight-loving like Ryland turning his world upside down.

But when an untimely appendectomy leaves Dabbs stuck at home, Ryland—recovering from an injury—shows up to help. Between late-night Scrabble competitions, pumpkin-carving mishaps, and long talks that peel back layers they’ve both kept hidden, Dabbs begins to see past Ryland’s bold exterior.

With chemistry sparking and walls crumbling, both men must decide if they’re ready to risk their hearts for something even better than a championship: love.

Around and Around We Go
Series: Vermont Trailblazers 2

Buy links: https://geni.us/AroundWeGo

Genre: contemporary m/m hockey romance

Tropes: second chance romance, forced proximity, found family

Kim's 4.5 star review

When you’re facing The End, it’s time to rewind to the beginning.

At thirty-eight years old, Sandro Zanetti is quickly aging out of hockey. But the Trailblazers are chasing a history-making third consecutive championship this season, so until his knees fail him, he plans on giving his all to the sport.

What he doesn’t need is the documentary film crew following the team’s every move. Because the director? Is Bennett Jackson.

Former college sweetheart.

Breaker of hearts.

Still unbearably handsome.

But their relationship is also history and has been for fifteen years.

Bennett Jackson is one project away from the credits rolling on his career after his last film flopped. This behind-the-scenes look at the hottest team in the league is his last chance at redemption…and possibly his last chance at redeeming himself with the one man who’s always held his heart.

Neither of them planned for old jokes to resurface or on the inconvenient fact that their chemistry is very much alive.

But as the action heats up on and off the ice—and on and off camera—their reunion looks less like a rerun of heartbreak and more like a revival of that first chemistry.

And Sandro and Bennett may discover that some stories deserve a sequel.

Amy Aislin

Website | Instagram | X

Amy's lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she's read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she's been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn't at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada's largest environmental non-profit.

An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter.

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Never Been Tamed

(Heartstone Ranch Book 2)
Amazon

October 6, 2026

I will not fall for my fake boyfriend.

Famous last words.

Dr. Ares Pierce may be new in town, but it only took one encounter to know he’s trouble. Sexy. Broody. Older. A broken look in his eyes.

The kind that says he’s carrying something heavy… and I should run.

But when my cheating ex-fiancé has the audacity to ask me to be in his wedding, panic takes over. A small lie to save face spirals out of control when I claim the sexy stranger beside me is my boyfriend.

And Ares plays along.

Soon we strike a deal: we keep up the relationship to help him win patients at the struggling clinic he’s trying to save, and I get a shield from the humiliation of my ex’s happily-ever-after.

Simple. Temporary. No feelings involved.

Except nothing about Ares Pierce is simple.

The more time we spend together, the harder it is to ignore the man behind the broody exterior… The one who makes me laugh when I least expect it and reminds me what it feels like to be wanted after the worst betrayal of my life.

But our arrangement comes with an expiration date.

Ares isn’t planning to stay in Infinity Ridge. And when he’s forced to choose between the career he built and the woman he never meant to love…

I’m terrified I’ll be the one left behind.

Again.

We’re back in Infinity Ridge, where this time Harper Stone meets her match.

Harper Stone is the self-sacrificing, people-pleasing, golden child of the siblings. She’s the caregiver to her elderly father, who is quite a handful, and has basically dedicated her life to that and their ranch. She’s sassy, feisty, and tenacious, but ultimately does what’s expected and takes care of everything. She has major trust issues, and her self-worth took a hit because of her cheating ex and now ex-best friend.

Ares Pierce's life and career in Chicago have hit a major snag, and now he’s back at Infinity Ridge for a mandatory sabbatical, and he also needs to deal with his late grandfather's family medical practice and help his grandmother. But he’s an outsider, so the townies aren’t so welcoming to him yet. He’s broody, mature, a chronic overachiever, and a bit overwhelmed. But he also does like to help people and wants to be productive while he is in town if he can just get people to let him.

But bantering with Harper is the first thing that makes him smile in a while. So when it looks like she could use a lifeline, he slides in to help her save face and they find themselves in a fake relationship deal to help it look like she’s not still pining for her ex and to help him get more townie credit and inspire patients to actually let him treat them.

They both are adamant that they’re not looking for a relationship, set rules and boundaries, and he’s only supposed to be there for a predetermined amount of time. They think they have it all completely under control…until they don’t.

This is a small-town, fake dating, fish out of water, city boy vs. cowgirl romance with snark and spice. I was invested from their grumpy, sarcastic, not-so-meet-cute through the fake dating shenanigans to finding a connection neither one of them expected. Their chemistry is amazing, and they cannot seem to stop things from getting out of their control.

I adored both Ares and Harper and loved seeing them have opportunities for growth and chances to feel seen. He helps her begin to heal, and she makes him actually live life, but there are challenges, complications, miscommunication, and potential for emotional damage. There is a lot of uncertainty mixed in with obligations, priorities, personal issues, and fear

This brings back the Stone and Gatlin families and townies from the first book. They are quite entertaining. I am excited to keep reading the siblings' stories.

ARC From Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley

Hearthstone Ranch Series

West Of Forever

(Heartstone Ranch Book 1)

Amazon

Kim's 5 star review

Tristan Stone is off limits.

It doesn’t matter that the grumpy, single dad did nothing wrong. He’s a cowboy and his last name means I’m bound by blood to hate him. My family would never be okay with me having feelings for our enemy.

When he stops—in the pouring rain—because I have a flat tire, the last thing I expect is for him to help me.

I do my best to ignore the water sliding off his hat and how he fills out those jeans. My best, however, is not good enough. Each night I close my eyes and dream of a future we can never have. And after he defends me at the bar and we share a magical dance? It only gets worse.

I know I should forget about him, but when I find him alone one night, I offer up a no-strings attached relationship that we both promise to keep secret. Sidelong glances across property lines morph into clandestine meetings under the stars wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Never mind that our families will never approve or that he told me he can never love again, I crave him.

Soon our no feelings agreement is in tatters, and my heart belongs to that broken cowboy. Will he break it or will he defy them all and choose us instead?

Always the Rebel
(Heartstone Ranch Book 3)
Pre-order Amazon
February 9, 2027

Veronica Stone learns that nothing in life ever goes to plan ... even when you write them down. So when the star of the Denver Coyotes walks into her life she's forced to choose if Drew King is worth facing every one of her fears and abandoning her life list.

Corinne Michaels

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Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed--reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

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Tough Guy and the Show Off

Relationship Goals #1
Mia Monroe and K.M. Neuhold
Amazon
October 2, 2026

Beau has been my right hand man on the ice for years, but this season I'm learning a lot of new things about his wrist shot.

We’ve been best friends since our rookie year. On the ice Beau is the tough guy, quick to slam any opponent into the boards so I'm free to show off with a goal. Off the ice, I'm his protector, his wingman, and the guy who's happy to speak for him when he's all done playing nice for the day.

We’ve roomed together hundreds of nights on the road, so I was bound to walk in on him cranking one out eventually. No big deal, we all do it. So why can’t I get the image of it out of my head now? The look on his face, the sounds he was making…

Chalk it up to mid-season stress and exhaustion, I guess?

And, hey, if we’re both going to be doing it anyway, no problem if we do it at the same time. We’re both only playing with our own sticks, right?

Neither of us are looking to be the token queer players in the league, but it’s getting harder and harder to deny that something is happening here.

Beau getting traded mid-season isn’t just going to screw up my game, it feels like a whole part of me has been ripped away. How are either of us supposed to get our heads around these feelings and still crush it on the ice?

If we can figure that out we might just have a scoring chance.

Tags: Wrist shots aren’t just on the ice, what’s a jerk off between besties, Show Off takes on a new meaning in private, the Tough Guy sure likes his cuddles, they’re a bonded pair, do not separate, no catching feelings allowed (spoiler: feelings will be caught) but wait, we’re straight guys. Do straight guys kiss? They do now.

Graphics from author's Facebook page

Beau and Travis are best friends, sometimes roommates, teammates, and together they are a force on the ice and play off each other well. Beau is the tough guy defenseman who lets Travis "Show" shine on the ice. Off the ice, Beau is the quieter, less social, protective teddy bear while Travis is the superstitious, golden boy, and center of attention. But together they are "ShowBeau-t" and magic. I just adored them and their friendship.

They’re just inseparable best friends and bros until one day Travis sees something he cannot seem to forget but makes things a bit awkward. So Travis takes it into his own hands to try to fix it.

And what if two bros wanna just let off a little steam together? They already do everything together, so it shouldn’t be that weird, right? But one thing leads to another, and these two seemingly straight guys are finding themselves in an unexpected situation. And when life gets a little bit more complicated, it makes things even messier and makes them realize that maybe there’s more to this than they thought.

This is a best friends, teammates-to-lovers, double bisexual awakening romance with two bros just hanging out together with secret activities.

I was not prepared for this book to sneak in and hit me so hard in the feels. It got to a point where I was really, really feeling for these guys, seeing how intense their connection is and how much they relied on each other, but then things got complicated. It really hurt my heart. But it also gave them opportunities for growth and to figure out what they really needed to be happy and what was most important to them. Once things got going, their physical chemistry was off the charts, and they had already had this very established personal friendship and were in sync on the ice as teammates as well. So the physical and eventually emotional component just added layers to an already strong bond.

I liked getting the little cameos from the Gymbos, and I’m looking forward to more in this series.

Website | Facebook | Neuhold's Nerds Group | X | Instagram

Author K.M.Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she’s not writing she’s a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero…just kidding, she’s likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.

Mia Monroe

Facebook | Facebook Group | Website | Instagram

Mia is a USA Today Bestselling author of queer contemporary and paranormal romance. She’s obsessed with HEA’s, tattoos, and all the ways to celebrate love.

She’s fluent in sarcasm, addicted to caffeine, and easily amused by memes.

Her books are low to mid-angst, high heat, and a celebration of queer joy.

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