Thursday, 17 July 2025
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
ARC Review: "ON GUARD" by Kels & Denise Stone
Hello readers!
Today's article is about a new sport romance I read the last month thanks to @valentine_pr who send me the digital arc. Are you ready to be On Guard? 😏
Title: On Guard
Author: Kels and Denise Stone
Publishing Date: April 9, 2025
Publisher: Between the Sheets Publishing
Pages: 452 (paperback)
Price: 18,99 $
This book is available on KU!
Synopsis:
DANTE HASTINGS
You might have heard of me.
I
was the defending Olympic champion—until I used my fist instead of my
sabre during a match. Needless to say, I was suspended. Which means no
competing for a year…and cleaning up my image.
So,
instead of continuing to dominate the fencing world, I’m working on a
film that’s poised to be next year’s blockbuster action flick.
The
upside? Working with Reese Sinclair, my celebrity crush whose poster
was on my wall growing up. Spending time with her will help wash the
tabloids of my suspension and convince the league that I’m reformed.
But
America’s sweetheart is nothing like I imagined. She’s stubborn,
ambitious, and struggling to prove herself in a role that no one thinks
she can handle. Still, her determination runs red-hot, and I can’t help
but admire her.
When our
late-night training sessions turn into something more, I start to
realize that I’m outmaneuvered by feelings I never saw coming.
REESE SINCLAIR
The girl next door. The best friend. The love-struck heroine.
I’ve played them all.
But
with thirty creeping closer, I need to prove to myself that I can be
more than Hollywood’s darling. And this movie is the opportunity I’ve
been waiting for, the project I can use to break out of my typecasting.
The problem? I’m not cut out for action-packed stunt work.
Enter: Dante Hastings. He’s hedonistic, insufferable, infuriatingly gorgeous—and my last shot at making this career move work.
I
should stay away. His reputation alone could sink mine. But the more
time we spend together, the more I see past all his tabloid exploits and
rule-breaking. He knows what it means to fight for something.
But a leading lady doesn’t simper over her co-workers, right?
Yet as much as I try to resist, part of me wants to let Dante put the sin in Sinclair.
Review:
Rate: 3.25 stars ⭐
Family standalone series and sport romance are two of my favorite elements in a novel, and after loving Close Knit so much I was eager to keep going with The Hastings series.
On Guard has new main characters, Dante and Reese, and focuses on several serious topics which include being able to freely express without the restraints created by the image that people or society depicts on us, the woman's right to fight for being respected and treated as professionals; the importance on believing in someone and don't give up on them just because they're "difficult" to deal with, especially if we're talking about children and teens.
I really suffered for all the pressure Reese and Dante are put under, but they are always mature enough to have each other back, without overstepping. And talking about Dante, his growth path is my favorite: I loved the way his self-centered ego leaves space to his true nature, showing the caring and dedicated man he is. He respects Reese in such a loving way, more focused on her than maybe himself (and in that I missed a little bit of balance, if I have to be honest), and he believes so much in Em she succeeds in expressing her true potential in fencing. After a comprehensible rough start, he was always there for her, challenging her but also trying to keep her away from the wrong track. It was cool seeing him in a coach position, even if Lev remains iconic. It reminds me a little of coach Jensen from the Off Campus series (if you don’t know it, what are you waiting for?).
Plus, Dante exudes charm like a very dangerous weapon, and I love his confidence in certain open doors moments, it indeed made certain moments even steamier. At the same time, I admit I was a little bit confused about his preferences, whether he enjoys have or give control to the partner. That is still an open question for me.
I was also expecting to see more of the Hasting family, but nonetheless the text exchange with Dante and his sisters were so hilarious I really loved them! And that moment with Dante and his parents? It moved me so much.
In all truth, if I compare it with Close Knit, I feel there’s something off.
I’m aware
that we have two wealthy main characters, but everything seemed to be a little
bit exaggerated. And it's not only about Dante’s rich and decadent attitude,
because thankfully he is so much more, but the majority of things he and Reese
do together is always (or have something to do with) something special,
reserved or luxurious. I'm sure that people can go out of their comfort zone or
enjoy new things even if not expensive, “prohibited” or peculiar. Maybe what was
missing in On Guard is the value of little and small things, while in Close
Knit I found more balance in that sense. Same as per the fact of Reese doing
bad girl's things. Isn't it a cliché itself, especially while we're stressing
the issues around the "good girl label"? Where’s the “bad” in what
she does with Dante? Clearly, we’re not talking about tea time with some ladies
in a country club and the majority of that was oriented to making media talks,
but this whole point felt flat. Plus, thinking about the idea Reese gave me in
the initial part of the book, she doesn’t seem a person that has a certain look
and aspect only for some third party’s requests, so even if I understand what
lead to certain moments, those as well seemed a little bit exaggerated, instead
of cherishing her rediscovering herself, embracing all the changes she felt she
needs.
So, probably some things could
have arranged better, but with its pros and cons On Guard is still a lovable
and enjoyable romance I really suggest you to savor and try. I’m sure Dante Hasting
won’t disappoint you.
To the next review!
Chiara
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Recensione: "ADDICTED FOR NOW" di Krista & Becca Ritchie
Friday, 18 April 2025
Recensione: "HATE MAIL" di Donna Marchetti
Thursday, 12 December 2024
[REVIEW] Why did "FUNNY STORY" by Emily Henry win the Goodreads' Choice Awards' Romance Category?
Hello readers!
I discovered I've never posted yet my Emily Henry's annual review😱, so what better time to do it after her double win at the Goodreads Choice Awards?
As always, I have to thank @prhinternational for the arc and the chance to read this beauty in advance, and to Julia Whelan because I've already re-read it in audiobook format (my first one!!) and it was an amazing experience. So, why is this story so good to win again in the romance category? After the usual information you'll find my opinion about it.
Title: Funny Story
Author: Emily Henry
Publishing Date: April 23, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 384 (paperback)
Price: $19.85 (paperback - large print)
Plot:
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?
Review:
Rate: 5 stars!⭐
Emily Henry never disappoints me. I've said that. I'm usually very superstitious about saying things like that because disappointment could always hit, but this author (as Mariana Zapata and very other few ones) owns my heart. It's like she knows exactly what story narrate to me and when. But, let's be honest, it's always the right time for an Emily Henry's romance, because I always find some connections with myself or my life. This book is no exception.
Funny Story is one of those novels that catch your attention from the very beginning. I adore every one of her incipit because they're crafted with a meticulous attention worthy of an artist, and that helps entering in the story like you just got inside a parallel world where those people really exist. I think that's why, for me, reading one of her works has the same feeling as coming home again. You can feel her characters breath, and you live their ups and downs beside them.
Here we meet Miles and Daphne in a very low moment: Peter and Petra, their partners respectively, left them few months before Daphne and Peter's wedding, discovering just now, after an entire life as best friends, they love each other.
So, since Peter expected that, after their romantic escape, Daphne would find another place to live, she decided to ask Miles to be his roommate, since she had no other place to go and her mother lived away.
At first they might seem too different to be even friends, but it was simply amazing to discover how easily they started to get along and really know each other, with a so natural chemistry I was swooning for them even before the 20% of the book. I liked the spontaneousness of their relationship and how they fit together as they were just meant to be. I've seen very few romance couples express this exact feeling with such a strong intensity without great acts or dramas to overcome, but Miles and Daphne are just two puzzle pieces that match together, it can't be otherwise. You can't stop smiling reading their scenes.
Another interesting point was how an almost immediate attraction became a slow burn one, held back by their both attempts to not ruin their new friendship (besides others matters). And, in addition, there's the fake relationship trope. It was fun to read how this started and how Emily used it to push them together, but at the same time turned it into an obstacle to really understand that their feeling for the other one were real and reciprocated.
I didn't expect to be so connected with Daphne. Well, we both love books, and that's always a good starting point, but I totally understood her struggle to make friends. She's a quite type of person, who opens herself only with someone she really trusts, always feeling a little bit clumsy and not very interesting for people to stick around. I totally relate with her fears to "not be enough" for others, and being easily replaceable when someone more cool appears around (same for Georgia in The Ex Vows). Plus, I also deeply understood Ashleigh's speech about Daphne being a we girl. I think it's good to be someone who does things with people we love or care about, but it's essential to still be independent of our other half, because when this "we" becomes too much, we risk to loose our identity, or personal group of friends, and it's not right. That's not how an healthy relationship works.
That's why I loved even more when Daphne took a chance to open up with Ashleigh, and her relationship with Julia. It was adorable to see her creating her place in the community, and how people included her without a second thought. She gained back herself, and the sweetest thing about that is that Miles helped her without taking control of it.
Moreover, it was (painful but) interesting to see Daphne's relationship with her father. Their versions related to past events didn't always coincide, sometimes at large measure, others with slight but significant differences, and Emily has been a master to make us notice that her father was hurt by that too. That means that sometimes people don't want to see when we failed others, and without expressing that, they wouldn't understand that what they are and were doing is wrong. Communication still remains the foundation of every relationship, and not only romantic ones. One of my favorite phrases (from Miles) is:
"Do you want to know why your dad doesn't stick around? [..] Because you see him. And he can't stand it."
Because it's also true that sometimes is easier not to think about other people and their feelings, and just following our desires, but that will mean that someone will suffer for this. I appreciate how Emily always makes us face with those overlooked realities that, actually, creates more problems, issues and hurts that others.
Let's move on to Miles. There will ever be a Emily Henry's male character I won't like? No, probably not. I super appreciated this caring, sensible man, that has empathy but at the same time is absolutely honest, without being mean. He was my hero for always being polite with Peter, even if he didn't deserve it. And he really, really didn't deserve it. Miles was steady and supportive when Daphne needed it, respecting her space, and I loved how Emily balanced it showing his own uncertainties, that made my heart ache. His complicated relationship with his parents hasn't been developed too much, but it was enough to understand his (and Julia's) emotional background.
Then, we have the "main antagonists" of this story: Peter and Petra. It was easy to not like them, considering their behaviors towards the protagonists, but at the same time it was clear they weren't completely bad people, so I couldn't despise them with all my heart. Well, at least when love was not concerned, because in that matter they clearly needed help and should start not being so selfish.
Anyway, each one of those characters has their own complexity and it was a pleasure to read about them. This is the case I would have loved the book had no end, because I didn't want to leave them. I still don't want to leave them! 😂 I hope we will see them in the future, in some mini novellas as Layover or in other books.
P.s. Is it only me, or we had a Beach Read's Easter Egg?
So, that's why I totally voted for it at the Goodreads' Choice Awards and I was so happy about Emily winning again - but there were multiple books that I equally adored, I have to say that. A pity you can pick just one.
Again, thank you, Emily, with all my heart for this beautiful book (I know she won't ever read it, but in case) 💗, and to @prhinternational for this free copy.
And what about you, readers? Have you already read it? What did you think?
Let me know!
To the next review💖
Chiara
Tuesday, 29 October 2024
ARC Review: "FIND ME IN THE FIRE" (Nighthawks,#5) by Pru Schuyler & "MR. HEARTBREAKER (The Nest, #1)" by Piper Rayne
Hello readers!
How are you?💖
Be prepared because you'll have a good amount of reviews in the following days. Today we talk about sport romance, to be more precise, hockey romance. Do you like them? I do, a lot. I think they're one of my favorite sub-genre at the moment and I just can't get enough.
Here I present you two of new releases I read in the past weeks.
A warm thank you to the authors for the chance to read these books in advance.
FIND ME IN THE FIRE
Title: Find me in the Fire (Nighthawks,#5)
Author: Pru Schuyler
Publishing Date: September 21, 2024
Publisher: Independently published
Pages: 368 (paperback)
Price: $18,99
Plot: When the inferno begins, will they find each other amongst the flames or become lost in the smoke?
Piper Hartwell exudes confidence and sex appeal, having no problem speaking her mind or going after what she wants. As a highly successful wedding planner, she is detail-oriented and a bit of a control freak. But behind that hardened shell, sky-high walls, and painted-on smile lies a girl who has sworn off love, knowing firsthand the damage it can leave in its wake.
Brett Burns, a powerhouse forward for the New York Nighthawks, lives every second with his heart on his sleeve, loving nothing more than spending time with his family and his team. He is playful, kind, and a hopeless romantic to the core. When the two run into each other at a Nighthawk player’s wedding, they can’t deny their intense chemistry, happily giving in to their every desire. Piper quickly informs Brett of his skillful shortcomings in the bedroom despite his impressive tools.
Desperately wanting to see her again, he offers that they become exclusive friends with benefits. She gets her no-strings-attached relationship while he gets sexy lessons from the girl of his dreams. They are a perfect pairing, but their deal has to remain hidden because Piper is the daughter of one of Brett’s assistant coaches, and their relationship threatens Brett’s professional hockey career. Their plan should go perfectly. But the late nights, intimate moments, and secret hookups in the arena begin to lead to something more. Before they know it, they become intertwined in one another’s lives in ways they never see coming, including discovering a dark secret that lingers in the shadows.
Although their forbidden romance is fiery hot, there’s a problem when you start playing with fire...you can get burned. But sometimes, that blazing heat can forge things stronger than they ever were before.
Review:
Rate: 3.8 ⭐
First of all, thanks to the author for the chance to read this book in advance.
This is my first Prue Schuyler's book and I'm quite confident it won't be the last.
The starting point was totally cup of my tea, but I didn't expect how this story unfolded. It was a good surprise, a little different from the usual.
I didn't immediately connect with Piper, but just because I'm shyer than her and totally way more insecure; that said, I appreciated her growth during the entire story. I would have been interesting to explore more how the ending between her parents affected her, but what I've read was absolutely enough to create a solid ground to explain Piper's averse feelings towards love and relationships. The scenes between her and her father were so bittersweet they squeezed my heart in a tight grip! (Btw, it would have been amazing to read about Coach's love story too💞)
Brett was my baby since the very beginning. I loved his relationship with Piper. He was always respectful and gave her the time and space to process things, even his feelings, so it was good to see that, when he understood he loved her, he didn't make her consider him just a distraction anymore. It was such a good relationship to read about, I'm totally satisfied with it.
Then: the hockey.
I'm starting watching NHL for real and that has been useful in matches' chapters and scenes, because Pru Schuyler clearly knows what she's talking about and I loved it! I adore when a sport romance ACTUALLY talks about sport and takes the reader inside its dynamics. Plus, Brett's team was so fun to read I really enjoyed those moments.
So, a good starting point (for me) to discover this author who, I have this feeling, could do even better than this - and "this" is already very good.-
MR. HEARTBREAKER
Title: Mr. Heartbreaker (The Nest,#1)
Author: Piper Rayne
Publishing Date: October 13, 2024
Publisher: Piper Rayne Inc.
Pages: 308 (paperback)
Price: $14,61
Technically, Rowan Landry, the hot as hell center for the Chicago Falcons, is no longer my brother’s teammate. Or his best friend. Their college days are long behind them, and they barely talk now.
Also, I’m not dating him—we’re just sleeping together. There’s a difference.
Except there’s not a lot of sleeping going on, and neither one of us wants to stop what we’re doing. It’s all fun and games until my brother is traded to the Falcons, because Rowan doesn’t know I’m the new goalie’s little sister. Oops.
Review:
Rate: 3 ⭐
Again, thanks to the authors and @valentine_pr_ for the chance to read this book in advance.
This is the first installment of a series that is focused on "The Nest" inhabitants, an apartment building where some of the Falcons' players live.
The novel has a raw start: Kyleigh discovers her mother cheating on her dad and then, while attending a wedding party she helped her mum organizing, she meets Rowan and they end up in bed together. She don't tell him that she already knows him not only as an hockey fan herself, but also because he played with her brother in college - and the two of them were pretty close. It's clear she expects just a night of passion and nothing more, especially after her mother betrayal, that destroys her idea of love and relationships. Unfortunately fate has other in mind: they meet again almost immediately and the urge between them is so strong they decide to continue their only physical relationship until their chemistry will blow out; instead, they find themselves falling in love with each other. And then Connor arrives in the picture.
Generally, I enjoyed this story and I appreciated the comradeship between Rowan and his team, besides Rowan support toward Kyleigh, even if he didn't know what troubled her almost until the very end. After that, I really liked them as a couple, without the stereotypical moment where they doubt they're not good for the other. I also appreciated how Kyleigh and Connor's father dealt with his personal situation (even if his reaction and following actions were always a little bit too... detached? I didn't feel great emotions coming from him or his wife). Then, the romance. This book has
multiple sex scenes that are really well written. So, if you're a fan of
an open door story, I think Mr. Heartbreaker could be your cup of tea. If not, you would have to skip a good amount of pages, I'm afraid.
Furthermore, the secondary characters: they were all recognizable, and the authors added little pieces of details that it obvious will create the bases for the next books. I love this kind of things, and I hope that each novel will always have different dynamics to explore.
At the same time, I have to admit that, even if I'm not (at all) against a good amount of sex scenes, having them for the majority of the first 39% of the book has been a little bit too much. I would have loved if they had been more spaced out, leaving room for something else that concretely showed how gradually Rowan and Leigh started to bond and have feelings for each other. In my opinion, the passage between strangers with benefits to friends to lovers could be handled a little bit better, because it's almost nonexistent.
Another thing that didn't entirely convinced me was Connor's reaction. I understood it, but it felt juvenile, especially because no one seemed to find a way to make him come to his senses - and they're all adults. The thing is that every issue in this book misses some depth and empathy. I wasn't able to be totally involved in what I was reading, and that disappointed me because the potential was there to be explored in a better and mature way.
Anyway, with ups and down I still enjoyed the reading and I'm curious about the next book of the Nest series, hoping it will convince me more than the previous one.
Have you already read them?
What did you think about them?
See you to the next reviews!
Chiara













