GRR Reviews Traded by Tess Thompson

Kara is a nurse in WITSEC after doing the right thing. She left everything behind, hoping for a fresh start. Brody is the SuperBowl winning QB coming home to rest and needed a nurse for his mom and his housekeeper / 2nd mom. So he hired her, and they slowly fell for each other. But he had a "no woman" rule after a bad breakup and she's full of secrets and refused ANY spotlight... Can this relationship ever work? 

The serendipity is strong in this, and the solution felt very "Gift of the Magi" -ish. But somehow I don't really think they click as a couple, as Brody just feels... schizophrenic... He's both not suspecting enough... AND too paranoid. At least there are no TSTL moments. 3/5

GRR Reviews Wild For You by Kendall Ryan

 Grant, the Seattle pro hockey team captain, is a loner who grew up in foster care. When a teammate Kress intimidated Ana at a team dinner, he instinctively stepped in to de-escalate the situation. When Ana, a few days later, requested assistance after another anger episode with Kress, Grant took her in. When a video surfaced of Kress abusing Ana in public, it is clear she can never go back. But is Grant crossing a line, taking in a girl that used to belong to his soon-to-be-ex teammate? Or had he already fallen for her? And when they had one night of passion, only to find weeks later she's pregnant, just who is the daddy? Or does that even matter? 

I... really don't feel much for this one. Grant is the quintessential good guy that ends up being a bit of a milquetoast. And Ana... not sure what to think of her. Yes, she's nice, didn't deserve the treatment at the hands of Kress, and finding a good guy like Grant is great. On the other hand, she's also flipping back and forth, about "doesn't want to look like she's sleeping her way up the ranks" and "I have to prove to myself I can live stand on my own" / "leeching off Grant". And Kress? For a villain he's a really pathetic one. Really not one of author's best works. 

2.5/5 rounded up to 3/5

GRR Reviews Change of Hart by ME Carter

Change of Hart, the debut novel by ME Carter, is the first book out of a series of 7. The sports references are right on, but the plot is predictable, and the woman seems to be (unintentionally) playing "hard to get". 

Jason Hart is the best pro defensive lineman in the NFL, and he's playing for the winning Dallas Cowboys. At a publicity event in a school, he met a little boy who lost his father, and he felt a connection, having lost his own father when young. So he invited the boy and his mother to an event... and met Addison, the recent widow. Now he's hopelessly smitten, even though he was an avowed bachelor just before this... 

Sports romance authors can choose to create fictional teams or use the names of real ones. and this one chose to use real team names with fictitious players. Both works and the references are quite accurate here. My main problem is I saw the plot twists coming from a while away, even though the author tried to present it onion-peel style. Such as why was Addison so resistant to any romantic attempt from Jason initially, then having a misunderstanding due to a nosy reporter (and I guessed at the truth long before it was revealed). No surprises there AT ALL. The push-pull is not bad but still not extraordinary. 4/5

GRR Reviews Back To You by Hunter J Keane

Noelle drove far with her nephew and niece to start over in Starlight Valley after a family tragedy. Her niece isn't happy that they're now in a strange town and living on a Christmas tree farm, but her nephew seems to be interested in this new world... Until Noelle realized this is also where Evan lived. // Evan had to abandon his dreams of pro hockey after an injury, and lost Noelle. Now he's back to help run his aunt's Christmas tree farm...  and so did Noelle. Is this the second chance that they needed? Or are they too hurt to see it?

Seen the setup before, decent polish. 4/5

GRR Reveiws You Can't Ruin Christmas by Olivia Noble

NOTE: 100 page novella

Mary was dumped by hockey star Sebastian just before Christmas... but her best friend, Sven (and incidentally, Sebastian's brother), is there to help her pick up the pieces. When Sven professed feelings for Mary, will Mary accept? When her family want her to visit, and bring Sebastian, will Mary try to pass off Sven as Sebastian?

Good holiday rom-com that started with a likable heroine and took off from there, with lots of escalation. Best followed with the next volume, as the events overlap. 5/5

GRR Reviews Something So Perfect by Natasha Madison

Matthew made too many mistakes as a hockey bad boy and was cut from the team at 23. When a different team wanted to give him another chance, he'll accept any terms, because he wanted to be back on the ice... Even accept a chaperone that will keep him out of trouble. He didn't expect the chaperone to be team owner's daughter, Karrie... //  Karrie was glad her father finally gave her a job... just not babysitting a washed-up hockey jock. And while Matthew is insanely hot and knew it too, he also drove her up the wall with his sweet-craziness. But as long as he's playing great and not ruining his image... it's okay, even if she ended up in his bed, right? But do they have a future together?

While dialog is good, somehow Matthew just feels a bit too... crazy? But the description is apt... it's sweet-kinda-crazy. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Lessons from a One-Night Stand by Piper Rayne

Austin is the teacher and baseball coach at the Alaskan high school for the town of Lake Starlight, for the past nine years, having given up on his dreams and moved back home for his family. Holly is the interim principal taking on a job for just a few months. Unfortunately for Austin, Holly was also his one-night stand, steaming up his jeep windows two nights ago. Austin can't believe he liked his boss, but she's not staying around. Then he finally got the news he dreamed of: being a professional baseball assistant coach for a college. But can he leave his family behind, when Holly may be staying?

Both Austin and Holly are on a quest to find themselves and what they wanted in life. Both are surprised to realize what they really wanted... is there all along! Nice character arcs. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Walker Island Box Set Vol I (1-3) by Lucy Kevin (aka Bella Andre)

THREE BOOK COLLECTION will be rated separately, with an overall rating at the end. These novels are pretty short (barely over 100 pages) and sweet.


Be My Love

Hanna Walker returns to her home, Walker Island, to make a documentary about her namesake, and to document the Walker / Peterson feud that had been going on for decades. She was surprised when Joel Peterson denied her request to access the island archives. When Joel found he can't stop Hannah, he joined her on her quest, determined to see the truth told. But as they started to unravel the mystery around the origins of the feud, they also found their attraction toward each other growing. And love may be the one thing that will finally end the feud once and for all...

Pretty good with a mystery as the framing plot, sort of opposites attract, plus a family feud, good conflicting responsibilities. 4.5/5


No Other Love

Morgan Walker is back at Walker island to launch her organic makeup line, after being a celebrity makeup artist in New York for many many years, and is about to get her own TV makeover show. Having her own family plot growing her own organic plants for her makeup line would be perfect, esp. when she'll be seeing her entire family of sisters and grandma. But that also means she'll see Brian, her ex, whom she broke up with seven years ago... for her career. And this time, he wasn't ready to let her get away again.

Not feeling too much with this one except regrets and promises. 3.5/5


When It's Love

Rachel wanted adventure... Until her BF dumped her when he found she's pregnant six years ago. Left to fend for herself as single mother, Rachel had help from her family on Walker island.  Rachel was not worried about the professional surfer Nicholas in town, as he's there to do a TV show. But when she's asked to step in for a lead role, she found that perhaps, she can use some adventure in her life after all...

Rachel basically has to learn to love again, while Nicholas... is the guy to offer her the chance. Good polish, nothing too special. 3.5/5

Overall rating 4/5

GRR Reviews Not Before Game Night by Khardine Gray

Cole, pro football player, was dragged into a bet by another player to defy coach's orders to NOT have sex night before the game. It should be an easy bet, since Vanessa, the girl that used to follow him around in high school, is now a gorgeous babe, and very near. // Vanessa knew Cole's bad news for more than ten years. Yes, she still has her V-card at 26, but she's NOT giving it to Cole, the man-whore. He had his chance a decade ago. Except, he's not quitting. And it may just be he found his soulmate... if he can convince her of that...

Not really feeling much about this one. And there's a logic problem in the plot. Cole actually stated that he LOST the bet and couldn't get Vanessa into bed and paid the bet off (200K). So for the darkest hour, somehow the bet came up AGAIN as the wedge issue. WTF?! 3/5

GRR Reviews her Hockey Superstar Fake Fiance by Cami Checketts

Jag left town a decade ago to become a hockey superstar. He succeeded, but in the process, his girlfriend Faith left him. He's back in town to spend the Holidays with his family, but he has a secret and a reporter on his *** hoping to get a scoop on his secret. Then he ran into Faith... // Faith can't believe Jag is back in town and pretending he didn't break up with her. She may be a widow (her husband's been dead a year, fast brain tumor), but she's NOT ready to forgive Jag. Until she read a letter left by her dead husband...

Pretty trope plot, but well-polished. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire Patriot by Sarah Gay

Millie, physical therapist, had her heart broken long time ago by then boyfriend Nate. Six years later, the hurt still hasn't subsided. But when Nate suffered a knee injury in the game, he confessed he still has feelings toward Millie. When Millie was assigned as his physical therapist, it is time for him to woo her all over again... and reveal WHY he broke off contact back then...

Good twists and backstory, but still nothing too special. 4/5

GRR Reviews Santa Cam by Maria Hoagland

Talia used to be an investigative reporter, but after one too many hatchet piece demanded by her editor, she had enough. She launched MyHeartChannel, but it's not doing well enough merely telling the truth. Searching for herself, she got roped into playing Elf during a Christmas community even... and she was surprised in finding Santa is none other than Camden, pro soccer star... someone she may have wronged before... // Camden just wanted to go home for Christmas, but rescuing a teammate ended up with him getting punched and a PR nightmare for the team... and he's forced to participate in community events for his "penance". Still stewing over the unfairness of it all, he found his "elf" is none other than Thalia, a reporter he had encountered before... but she's changed...

Nice, very nice. Kinda enemies to lovers, but more about the Holiday spirit and doing good than about personal love. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Chasing the Ball Girl by Trish Williford

Ryan Cruz is a man-whore, and being the star pitcher of the Blue Birds means he gets plenty of female attention anywhere he goes. Until he noticed their ball girl at the annual ball...  // Ball Girl Sammie just wanted to finish college (in pharmacology) and there are only a few months to go. She cannot afford any distractions, even though she has a crush on Ryan for years. When Ryan noticed her, she declined, knowing his playboy ways. So what does a player have to do, to prove he's no longer a player?

Kinda sweet, kinda stupid and lashing out at the wrong moment, with the right amount of groveling for the grand gesture. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Shattered Diamonds by Ann Omasta

Alex is a single dad raising her daughter alone, under the glare of the town, who believes he had a hand in his wife's death. Josie was the Olympic swim team darling until a shoulder injury shattered that dream and she was forced to return home. Being a nanny for the most notorious man in town wasn't exactly her choice, but with both searching for a purpose in life, perhaps they can find it in each other...

I honestly didn't feel too much chemistry between the two. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Choose me, Cowboy by Barbara Ankrum

Kate won't admit she never really gotten over Finn, even after six years. She just dates and never commits. Enough so her family wanted to run an intervention. After all, she's the kindergarten teacher in Marietta, Montana, and she needs to act prim and proper for her young students. She was shocked when she found that the new 5-year old twins in her class is none other than Finn's children, and Finn has been back in Marietta for a few months (and has been a single father for several years). Furthermore, Finn's ex Melissa, mother of the children, now wants to contest custody, after marrying a rich international tycoon. Kate offers herself as the logical solution: get married and present to the judge a proper family. It would just be a marriage of convenience, right?

While I like the tension, and the bull-riding bit was good, the end solution felt too much like a deus ex machina. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Second Chance Prodigal Groom by Taylor Hart

DJ left town to play football, leaving behind his love Aspen, his abusive father (who never forgave him for not joining the military), and his twin brother Travis. Having Aspen marry his brother after his departure only made it hurt worse. Not even Travis's death in the Middle East, the birth of his nephew, and his father suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's can drag him back to his hometown. Ten years later, the death of his team owner inspired the team to have no regrets... It is time for DJ to deal with his past... But is the past ready for him?

Very nice, lots of grief, regret, and redemption. OTOH, there's a bit about the dementia father actually saying stuff like "how long was I gone?"  I'm pretty sure Alzheimer patients aren't THAT self-aware, but then, what do I know? 5/5

GRR Reviews Nora's Promise by Sedona Hutton

Nora's sister Lynn died, and Nora has to raise her 9-year old nephew Ben. She didn't expect to be dumped by her boyfriend AND lose her job as office manager at the same time (since her "no kids! ever!" boyfriend is also her boss). But after an encounter with her grandpa from the beyond and a lead, Nora found Ben's biological father, a job, and a place to live in the little town of Serenity... // Davey, a winning NASCAR driver, was VERY careful when it comes to female fans, but his estranged mom's message about his possible son got him distracted for the final race that he crashed. He lost his chance for a first-place finish for the season. Bitter and angry, he went to his mom's place (first time ever), only to find that Ben is indeed his son, and his estranged mom did not willingly abandon him. He understood that his father was abusive and vowed to do better, but he needed Nora's help. And their relationship developed. But Nora's vegan ways soon affected his own relationship with his sponsors. Will Davey have to choose between his career and his family?

Good touches throughout, no obviously plot holes that I can sense, and characters all make sense, though some readers may be turned off by the paranormal bits (how grandpa came back a few times to guide her), and well as Nora's ability to actually converse with animals (telepathically) such as having a convo with a cow, and they knew they will be slaughtered for meat. Though there's not enough of it to be tagged paranormal. 5/5

GRR Reviews The Off-Season by Megan Green

Ian, better known as "Tag", is a shortstop for the Washington Rampage pro baseball team, and he was apparently betrayed by a woman he had taken to bed, VERY consensually. The woman is now alleging rape as legal blackmail, and Ian was told to make himself scarce in the off-season while the PR team negotiates for her silence. He went to a friend's cabin in the small town called Maple Lake in Colorado, where people didn't recognize him. He found himself neighbor to Lexi, who has her own demons to conquer, and he wanted to help her fix up her old house. Ian and Lexi fell for each other, but can their love survive both of their secrets?

Apparently, the public will believe tabloid reporters, then later, confessions that contradict such tabloid reporters. Public must be really gullible. *sigh*  4/5

GRR Reviews Second Shot by C M Seabrook

Kane was a best friend to Sam, his coach's son, and Brynne, his coach's daughter. The obvious rule applies: don't even THINK of touching her. And Kane became an excellent defenseman and went to NHL, where coach also went. But Sam died, and Brynne hated him forever for letting her brother go down that dark road. After the funeral, they had one night to forget. Then she disappeared for a whole year. Now she's back... with a son that's 3 months old. It's OBVIOUS who the father was... And Kane will get her back... Until the news leaked...

To put it plainly, Brynne's family is FUBAR because her father (coach) hid things from them, not wanting to shatter their illusions and memories, choosing to become a taskmaster instead, which only made things worse, since it turned both Sam (the son) and Brynne into runners/avoiders who deal with feelings by running away. And Kane, taking cues from coach (her father), did the same thing: took the blame and let Brynne think the worst of him when he could have said a few things to clear it up. But no, he had to be the strong silent (and suffering) type. ARGH. Yes, it's emotional, but it's angst. Nobody wanted to talk about things, everybody wanted to play God (it's better for you this way). ARGH!!!!!!    3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Perfect Comeback by Kacey Shea

Matt is a former MMA contender forced to retire after injury. He took his savings and started a gym, forever hating his wife-beater of a father (who asked him to throw his final fight). But his gym is hitting hard times, and he needs some extra income to help train his few contenders for the semi-pro matches, hoping one of them get noticed by NFC scouts. It was when he's acting as a bouncer for a bar when he noticed Mia... // Mia was completely burned out and jaded on relationships... She prefers to be by herself and her female friends, and one gay friend Jared. Mia is a total nerd and was not impressed by Matt's muscles and alpha attitude, When Mia and her gay friend was assaulted by a drunk patron, Matt took care of the problem and offered to train her in exchange for updating his gym website, despite Mia's prickly and sassy attitude. Mia and Matt eventually got together, but neither would admit it's a relationship...

Some parts are good, some parts are TSTL. Mia just came across as bitchy, not sassy, until she mellowed out a little, at least until the darkest hour. Then she did the "overheard something and got the wrong idea but won't give them a chance to explain" trope.  ARGH. Also, I am not sure a game designer is the best person to ask for website design? And a game designer is a very different position from a web PROGRAMMER...  I like the background laid out for Matt, but Mia's thoughts and phobias came a bit too late for it to be believable (not enough foundation laid). 3.5/5