Here are four quickie reviews of books I’ve read lately.

Knockout by Sarah MacLean

Lady Imogen keeps showing up at crime scenes involving explosions and detective Thomas Peck is going to figure out why, even if it kills him.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I just loved Imogen and Tommy. Imogen brought some much-needed chaos to Tommy’s regimented life and Tommy loved Imogen for her, nothing more and nothing less. The chemistry was explosive (pun intended). Whenever they were in each other’s orbit, all the external pandemonium seemed to fall away and nothing else existed for that small moment in time. This book was a whole lot of fun to read and I’m super excited for the next one. Oh, and now I feel like reading The Rules of Scoundrels series again. I can highly recommend this entire series if you like steamy historical romance with sassy heroines and nail-biting action.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: August 22, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Hell’s Belles

I’m Your Guy by Sarina Bowen

Tommaso needs someone to furnish his house in time for Christmas. Carter says yes, because he is in desperate need of a job, but he just might’ve taken on more than he bargained for.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love Carter and Tommaso and they fit together perfectly. Tommaso completely lucked out having Carter as his first relationship since coming out (mostly privately). The dynamic in the hockey team, Carter’s fabulous friends, and Tommaso’s family’s attempts to make sense of his sexuality were all done so well and contributed to make this story great. The conflict with his uncle and cousin still feel unresolved to me. It didn’t need to be a huge blow-up for me, but I feel like something is missing. This is an excellent series if you like steamy MM romance with hunky hockey players.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 10, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Hockey Guys

Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Wes and Jamie have to keep their relationship secret. But how long will it last with Wes’s nosy teammate moving in upstairs?

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was so emotional. The writing very successfully conveyed the guilt and anxiety that both Wes and Jamie felt about keeping their relationship a secret. Both of them got stuck in their heads and I felt every agonizing moment where they chose to keep everything to themselves. On a lighter note, Blake was a hurricane that just bowled you over until you can’t help but love him.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 8, 2016
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Him

When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt

Gideon Hawthorne has been working as the Duke of Windemere’s fixer and is ready to strike out on his own. The Duke offers him the thing he wants most for one last job – Messalina, the duke’s daughter.

⭐⭐⭐ I liked this just fine. Gideon and Messalina were a bit too hot and cold. It seems just as they find a way forward for their marriage, something happens that sets them back again. Gideon is a complex character. He is violent and will do whatever is needed to reach his goal of coming out on top, even killing. At the beginning he is presented as unlikable and nothing more than a ruffian-for-hire. And then later on, with the way he treats Messalina, her sister, and his employees, you can’t help but like him. I’m still glad I read it and will definitely read Julian’s story next.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: December 1, 2020
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Greycourt

Hope you enjoyed these quickie reviews. Have you read any of these books yet?

^{**Image by Freepik}