A Wild Card Kiss
Lauren Blakely
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Release Date February 25, 2022
A sexy standalone romance between a single dad athlete and the woman who got away!
Things that suck on my wedding day -- walking in on my groom kissing another woman twenty minutes before the ceremony.
Things that suck worse? The woman he’s kissing is my mom.
I head straight for the bowling alley bar down the street and ask for a double. And in walks a deliciously charming local football hero -- Harlan Taylor.
Yes, I’ll take another drink in the form of a one-night stand with this hunk of a man. In the morning, he asks if I want to get together again. More rebound nookie? Yes please!
But then I learn his football team just hired my yoga studio to teach downward facing dog to their star player, making my O-delivering hottie officially off limits.
Trouble is, the more time I spend working with the sexy single dad who dotes on his daughter, the more I’m feeling all the things far too soon.
There’s no way this can end well, but tell that to my runaway heart…
A Wild Card Kiss is a sexy, flirty sports romance featuring a charming, pie-baking, single dad who's never forgotten the red-hot kiss he planted on the feisty, sassy blonde one night years ago and a jilted bride heroine determined to move on from heartbreak. This story contains sexy times that can cure getting-left-at-the-altar blues, and heart-tugging swoony romance that’ll melt the most jaded hearts.
I loved Harlan in the Ballers and Babes series and always wanted to see him get his own book, so I was so glad this author is diving back into her San Francisco Renegades football world!
Harlan and Katie shared one hot encounter over seven years ago, but it was a "right person, wrong time" situation and never amounted to anything.
Their lives moved on. They focused on success in their careers. Harlan is no longer a "player" off the field, and is now a dad considering what he will do after his time as a football player ends. Katie's life was just about to make a big transition. But another chance meeting just might be the distraction she needs. Harlan is still hot-as-hell, sweet, flirty, and willing to get dirty. Katie is the girl that got away. Is it possible they got it right this time?
Well...
Well...
This is the story of two people with great potential just trying to get the timing right...but life seems to keep throwing them challenges. Just when they think they might be able to explore more, something gets in the way and some things are out of their control. But these two still manage to spend some time together and the connection and attraction is also something that they cannot completely rein in. But they have their conflicts and they are not easily fixed due to circumstances.
It's a flirty, steamy, sweet, swoony, second-chance, off-limits love story. I just adored them and they made me smile so much. I loved the fact that they have such a strong connection and genuine like for the other with fun banter and hot chemistry. They are also mature, responsible, and know what they want. They just have to figure out some things first.
Harlan is the perfect combo of easy-going, flirty, loving, charming Southern gentleman, and also a big, strong, confident, football player. Katie is spunky and smart and not afraid to go after what she wants. They are sweet and passionate together, and so much fun! Harlan is just the total package and brings all the swoon! I also loved how they interacted with his cute daughter, Abby. These sweet daddy/daughter vibes just touched my heart. They have their ride-or-die support systems, and I enjoyed some visits from old friends.
Harlan and Katie have a great story, filled with almost moments until the time is just right! I loved them together from the very start and each missed opportunity only had me wishing they could find their happily ever after the next time around. But it’s also a story about perfect timing, because without their bad timing, Abby would not have been part of the story and I loved her (and Danielle’s) inclusion in the story.
It has been a while since Lauren’s readers were in the San Francisco Renegades’s world of football, but the wait was well worth it! Harlan’s career has been steady and his leadership on the team is strong. But he is also reaching a point where he needs to make some decisions, and his thoughts weigh heavy on him (despite prodding from those around him) as he decides what his future will hold.
These two characters are strong as individuals, which make the most fun reads as couples. They are both driven in their careers and have strong thoughts about their plans for themselves. But just because they are each single doesn’t mean they have been avoiding finding the right someone. But it isn’t until they are together again that they realize there may have been a little bit of fate holding the cards even though neither really believes in that kind of thing.
Even though these two have several near misses (or near hits?) and a long timeline, the story moves quickly and keeps pace throughout. Part of that is the author’s snappy writing style and the rest is the absolute jun they have together. I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut lately and this is one of the stories that has helped pull me back out and reminded me what I love about reading and this genre.
When that toe-curling, knee-weakening, sizzling sleepover between best friends definitely shouldn’t happen again...
How to resist sleeping with your best friend when you’re stuck in a hotel room in Vegas with the charming, glasses-wearing hottie.
1. Slather your face in a grapefruit mask
2. Wear a big, fluffy robe
3. Make him do the same.
Oops.
Didn’t work. Turns out our libidos had other plans.
But, no biggie. After epic, soul-shattering banging, I’ll just put the genie back in the bottle the next morning. Only, that’s easier said than done. After years of scraping by, Nolan and I just landed the big break of a lifetime for our scrappy online restaurant review show. We’re going to New York for a month.
Just the two of us. TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.
But I’ve already lost my best friend once, so I’ll do whatever it takes to resist thoroughly delicious Nolan again.
Until I learn whatever it takes might cost me everything.
KISMET #3
Release Date: April 22, 2022
Pre-order here
When a scorching hot one-night stand with a stranger turns into a deliciously forbidden office romance...
My first evening in London feels like kismet when I bump into a charming, book-loving Englishman, and by the end of the night, he’s making me see stars. I’m floating when we make plans to meet again.
Then fate decides to pull a fast one on me.
My first evening in London feels like kismet when I bump into a charming, book-loving Englishman, and by the end of the night, he’s making me see stars. I’m floating when we make plans to meet again.
Then fate decides to pull a fast one on me.
Turns out my smoldering new lover is my red-hot competition, and we’re vying for the same promotion at the elite auction house I crossed an ocean for.
If that’s not enough, the hottie and I are forced to work together on a brand new collection.
Every. Single. Tempting. Day.
What's an American woman in London to do?
Staying far, far away would be the safe choice, especially when I learn about his past and how it mirrors mine.
But I don’t always play it safe with my heart…
Contents Include: A grumpy/sunshine office romance, secret gardens, knee-weakening kisses by the river and a hero who loves books.
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 sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, sexy romance and USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.
With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 55 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. She likes dogs, cake and show tunes, and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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