#BookReview ~ Walk of Shame by Avery Flynn (The Downside of Dating, Book 2) ~ @AveryFlynn @entangledpub #SportsRomance #Hockey

Walk of Shame by Avery Flynn

One night. No strings. And a really good puck.

About the Book:

Five years ago, Astrid O’Malley experienced the ultimate in public humiliation. Being dumped at the altar by her childhood sweetheart was horrifying enough. That fact that he was a professional hockey goalie and her dad was his coach? It was all anyone in sports could talk about.

Eff hockey. Eff goalies.

These days, Astrid lives a life (mostly) free of hockey and free to pursue whoever she wants with exactly zero shame in her game. Like tonight’s hook-up. This guy’s nailed the lumberjack aesthetic perfectly. Especially when he has the stamina and creativity to back it up.

Because the rule is: it’s one night only. Which is gonna be a problem because she’s just discovered he lives in the apartment upstairs.

And he’s joined her dad’s team. As the goalie coach. To train her ex.

Now Astrid is in some kind of hockey hell–filled with her ex, her family, and the best sex of her life. And somehow she’s been roped back onto the team.

Puck my life.

My Review:

Walk of Shame is the second book in The Downside of Dating series.

Walk of Shame is a fun romantic comedy. I fell in love with both Astrid and Cal. They are fantastic characters individually but put them together and they are extraordinary. The chemistry and steam is off the charts. The snark, competitiveness, and genuine affection between the two mains was enjoyable to read. I loved watching Astrid and Cal's love story unfold.

Walk of Shame is a cute romance between two unsuspecting characters. One was burned by a hockey player and hardened her heart. The other was consumed by hockey. They thought their lives were great until he walked into her bar, then they realized was great really meant.

The book is perfectly paced, well-written, and the setting and world-building expertly crafted. I devoured Walk of Shame because once I started reading the book, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

Avery Flynn is a one-click author for me. Every book is phenomenal. The themes, settings, and multitude of characters are unique, likable, and imperfectly perfect.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ The (Anti) Wedding Party by Lucy Knott ~ #RomCom #Romance

The (Anti) Wedding Party

It's the biggest day of their best friends' lives... and they might just ruin it.

About the Book:

Andi hates weddings. So when her best friend Alex tells her she’s getting married in Italy, and asks her to be her maid of honour, she knows she’s the wrong woman for the job. But Alex won’t take no for an answer, and so begins a week-long trip to a beautiful villa in Italy, full of potential disasters that it’s Andi’s job to avoid. But what if she’s the one causing them?

Enter Owen, fellow wedding-hater, Best Man and also the worst person for the job. Tall, sexy and warm, Andi can’t help but feel the ice around her heart begin to melt when he’s around. But as Andi and Owen grow closer, the disasters begin to multiply, try as they might to keep them at bay. Together, can they put their feelings aside and pull off a successful wedding for those they love most?

My Review:

The (Anti) Wedding Party stars Andi as the cynical, wedding-hating main character. Her parents' marriage was a failure and Andi's own fiancée cheated on her on their wedding day, in the bathroom, with one of the maid's of honor. Her hatred of anything matrimony related permeates off the pages. 

Andi is dismayed when her bestie Alex announces her engagement and asks Andi to be her maid of honor. Andi knows she's not the person for the job and expresses her displeasure during a time when all there should be is excitement. I wasn't a fan of how Andi reacted to Alex's news. Personal dislike for anything wedding related is fine but you don't drag your friends down during a very exciting and happy time in their lives. Andi does finally buck up and she and her mom travel to Italy for the festivities.

Paired up with Alex's fiancée Charlie's best man, Owen, there are now to wedding-haters in very prominent positions. Between the banter, hating on the very reason they are in Italy, and the disasters that continue to crop up, is a successful wedding even possible? Andi and Owen need to pull it together in order to make the wedding between Alex and Charlie as epic as possible. 

This book had its ups and downs but ultimately we got the story we desired. I was not impressed with Andi's character and did not relate to her at all. In fact, she and I would probably never be friends in real life. However, she was the perfect character for the role she played in the book. The author did a great job creating her and helping her to evolve past her wedding-hating ways. Owen can take some credit for that, too. He was a fantastic character.

Ultimately, this was a fun story with great writing and wonderful imagery. I don't need to like all the characters in the book for it to be a fantastic read. Sometimes having a downer in the book aids the needed controversy or conflict. Eventually that controversy or conflict is solved, allowing said character to grow and move forward in their life.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously published on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

https://amzn.to/48T26YR

Meet the Author:

Lucy Knott loves nothing more than curling up in a cozy writing spot, with coffee and biscuits on hand, and writing the day away.

She loves love in all its forms and adores writing warm, happy stories full of romance, sibling bonds and best friends who know each other inside and out. You’re also guaranteed to find the most delicious food in her books, with Lucy being a lover of Italian food and anything and everything sweet.

When not writing Lucy enjoys spending time with her partner and her family, cooking her Nanna and Grandad’s Italian dishes (that you can find in her and her twin sister, Kelly’s cookbook, Fame Da Lupo), baking all kinds of cake and cookies, and getting lost in a good book.

Social Media Links:

You can find Lucy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @LucyCKnott

https://www.tiktok.com/@lucycknott

https://twitter.com/LucyCKnott

https://www.instagram.com/LucyCKnott

Publisher Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriaFiction

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AriaFiction

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headofzeus/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headofzeus

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Cover Reveal ~ Mirror's Fate by Justine Alley Dowsett ~ #DarkFantasy #Romance #Fantasy @MirrorWorldPub

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the cover reveal for

Mirror's Fate by Justine Alley Dowsett

About Mirror's Fate:

Balance is Everything

The Mask Tendro picked up after the battle in the Mirror World is more than it seems. When he puts it on he is flooded with all the memories of his previous lives and all the ways his future could play out. Choosing to destroy the Mask instead of giving into the temptation of hiding beneath it, Tendro decides that this time he’s going to do things differently. And that means staying one step ahead of Caralain in his own world and the one that Mirrors it.

Mirena agrees to help Tendro with his plan, even though it will have her facing harsher consequences for her involvement in the attack on the Capital. But in order to break the cycle, they’re both going to have to tread into uncharted territory and face down friends and enemies alike. Alliances shift, fates change, and the past comes back to haunt them as they finally unravel the secrets of the Mirror Worlds and their places in them.

Release Date: 

July 17, 2025

Genres: 

Dark Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy


Meet the Author:

J.A. Dowsett (she/her) writes scifi and fantasy with strong romantic subplots. Her books range from young adult (the Crimson Winter trilogy, Neo Central) to adult fantasy romance (Mirror Worlds, Ismera). She loves superheroes, Dungeons and Dragons, and Star Trek. In her spare time, she owns and operates Mirror World Publishing, an independent Canadian press specializing in Escapism Fiction. She lives in Windsor, Ontario.

Connect with J.A. Dowsett:

Website: 

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Justine-Alley-Dowsett/e/B004MNQAUA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4637105.Justine_Alley_Dowsett

#BookReview ~ Against All Odds Anthology (Far, Far Away Vol. 3) @MirrorWorldPub #Fantasy #SciFi #Romance #Escapism

About Against All Odds:

Love wins against the odds, in tumultuous times, unlikely circumstances, and dangerous places...

Volume three of our Far, Far Away series brings seven authors together to put a spotlight on stories of marginalized love.

Step across the galaxy to a world where love defies gender, race, and the outbreak of war. Fight for love of all kinds when the well-being of family and friends are threatened by magic power-tools. Witness an unlikely and dangerous affair between a god and his human handler. Then learn the meaning of self-love through the lived experience of a sentient Sapphire.

Through these powerful, unique tales, love is revealed to be the ultimate risk, it gives you purpose when the world turns dark and strange, and it proves time and again that it crosses all barriers, whether they are those of culture, time, distance, or strife. In this collection, love really does conquer all.

Stories in the Anthology:

“Worldsteppers” by Jane Lupino

“Do It Yourself” by Titania Blesh

“The Pomegranate Question” by Mason Michalak

 “The Value of a Sapphire” by Andrea Barton

“Chasing Llyranite” by Shannon Nell

“vAMP” by Taylor Calder

“White Snake, Jade Terrapin” by Pat Woods

My Review of the Anthology:

Against All Odds is a fantastic collection of love stories that face obstacles, challenges, and danger. Love that is unconventional, unusual, and nontraditional. Each story is unique, engaging, and original. I was immersed in each author's world, enjoying the characters and their tales of love.

Each of the seven stories is five-star read. Grab your copy today and escape into the realm of love Against All Odds.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

Follow the Tour:

https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/2025/05/book-tour-schedule-against-all-odds.html

Release Date:

May 19, 2025

Publisher Links:

Website

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Blog

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.wordpress.com

Twitter/X

http://www.twitter.com/mirrorworldpub

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28439132-mirror-world

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-d6tf8fpn4_mjraKjM-hUQ

Purchase Links:

Ebook

Paperback

Amazon

#BookReview ~ Midnight by Cala Riley ~ #MCRomance #Romance

Midnight
The best and the worst thing happened to me when I was nineteen. I became the father to two beautiful twin girls, but it tied me to their mother. I never thought I would trust a woman again until I met her. Lainey. She's everything I should stay away from. Young, gorgeous, and comes with a lot of baggage. Not only does she work at my tattoo shop, but she is also my twin's nanny. So why can't I leave her alone?

Lainey
My only goal in life is to survive. When I walked into the Lotus MC club that night, that was the only thought on my mind. I had no idea what I was getting into until I met him. Midnight. Not only is he offering me a life raft, but there's more to him than the grumpy persona he puts on. When his life is thrown for a loop, I offer to jump in and help him. After all, he is my attractive boss who I owe my life to.


My Review:

Midnight is the fantastic fourth book in the Lotus MC series. The authors crushed the single father and the nanny trope. For the record, the authors also nailed the baby mama who uses the kids as pawns. As someone married to a man with a daughter, I saw firsthand how mothers use their kids to hurt fathers. It’s pathetic and disgusting and Midnight’s ex was aptly written and portrayed. I love the real-life elements I can relate to even when they aren’t the good elements.

Midnight is a beautiful and gritty MC romance, filled with suspense, action, and realism. The authors created a novel with all the feels. The description of the book pulled me in but the character-driven plot, outstanding character development and world-building, and writing style kept me engaged. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one sitting.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Wedded Chaos by by Tina Saxon ~ #BillionaireRomance #Romance #WeddedChaos #TinaSaxon

Bachelor party in Vegas.

What could go wrong?

About the Book:

The feisty, green-eyed brunette who stole my coffee thought she was being cute. The last thing this billionaire needs is a thief in his life—especially one with a sharp tongue, a fiery temper, and legs that go on for days.

But one wild night in Sin City changes everything. They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

The only thing I left in Vegas was my single status—and my wife.

Six years ago, my playboy lifestyle came to a screeching halt. These days, my life revolves around boardrooms, dance recitals, and mastering the perfect bun for my little girl. That is until Gracyn Carmichael comes crashing into it, flipping everything upside down.

Turns out she stole more than my coffee.

I can’t stay away, even with thousands of miles between us. She thinks our drunken wedding night was a mistake. I’m here to prove my wife wrong. Because when I want something, I close the deal.

But when the past we never saw coming collides with the future I’m trying to build…I might just lose it all.

My Review:

Wedded Chaos entertained me from the very first page. Gracyn quits her job at her dad’s establishment after an altercation with the manager. She is weeks away from graduating and becoming a teacher and a little relieved to have some time off to concentrate. A chance meeting in a coffee shop has Gracyn crashing a bachelor party to hang out with Brooks. When she awakens the next morning it’s in a hospital bed with a marriage certificate for herself and Brooks.

Two different sides of the country, two different lifestyles, but a whole lot of chemistry. The story is fast-paced as post-Vegas-wedding chaos has Gracyn trying to annul the marriage and Brooks dragging his feet. I love how this book is not predictable. So many events happen that you will not suspect, and it just makes this story that much more fabulous.

This is my first experience with Tina Saxon, and it will not be my last. Her story telling is fascinating and I love her writing style. I enjoyed every bit of Wedded Chaos. 

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

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#BookReview ~ Royal Ransom: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel: (Princess Procedural, Book 4) (Haven Hollow Book 42) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain #PWF #Paranormal #HPMallory #JRRain

 

ASIN: ‎ B0DTJFM238
Publisher: ‎ Rain Press
Publication Date: ‎ March 29, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 193 pages

Amazon
Goodreads

About the Book:

Reign of Winter

When I became Chief of Police in Haven Hollow, I thought my biggest challenge would be keeping the supernatural residents in line while raising my two adopted sons.

I was wrong.

My ex-fiancé, Fox Aspen, was kidnapped by the would-be queen of Winter, and his life is hanging on the line.

Not only that, my brother’s soul, which was trapped in his class ring, has been stolen by Wren, Janara’s right-hand-woman.

And if that weren’t enough to make me want to tear my hair out, my husband—yes, I have one of those, too—has disappeared after being possessed by a vampire deity.

Now my worst enemy, the usurper Queen Janara, has sent me a severed finger along with a chilling ultimatum: surrender, or everyone I love dies.

Becoming the queen I was born to be means sacrificing the life I’ve worked so hard to build. But staying human means abandoning those who need me most…

With refugees from Misty Hollow flooding my town, a murderous fairy queen hunting me down, and family I never knew I had thrown into the mix, I’m facing impossible choices at every turn.

I never wanted a crown, that’s true.

But I’ll be damned if I let Janara keep it.

My Review:

Royal Ransom is the 41st book in the Haven Hollow series, and the fourth book in the Princess Procedural spin-off. I love how the focus of each book in the series is on a different character. Taliyah is the narrator for the Princess Procedural tales, and I really love her stories.

This book follows right on the heels of the eighth and final book in the Misty Hollows series, As the Crow Dies. Refugees from Misty Hollow are dropped at the doorstep of Haven Hollow. As they flow through the portal from the Winter realm, Fox stays behind and is unceremoniously kidnapped by Janara, the evil would-be queen. Now, Fox’s life is on the line, and Taliyah has been sent an unsavory ultimatum. Since she’s in line for the throne, Taliyah turns to someone who may be able to sneak her into Winter without involving anyone in Haven Hollow.

This installment is dark, gritty, and full of action as Taliyah works through several challenges all tossed into her lap at the same time. She has to try and come to terms with her Princess Olwen side, saving Fox and the entirety of the Winter realm, and rescue her brother’s soul. High costs are paid on this book, ones that will have a lasting effect throughout future books. If anyone can serve and protect, while resisting the evil that flows around them, it’s Taliyah and entire Haven Hollow cast of characters.

Royal Ransom is a wonderful fourth book in the Princess Procedurals series (and book 41 in the Haven Hollows series) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain. This writing duo brings interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters continue to evolve and bond.  

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.