Tag:

friends with benefits

Christmas in Coconut Creek

by Jill December 19, 2023

written by Jill

Blurb:

There are a few things Coconut Creek has that Pine Ridge does not.

Palm trees, sandy beaches, butterfly museums—infuriatingly attractive special forces veterans.

When Colorado elementary school teacher Ophelia Brody decides to ditch her divorced family for a Christmas in the sunshine state with her college roommate, she doesn’t expect a mile high meet cute to tailspin the entire trip. Frankie Casado is cocky , he’s presumptuous , he’s shameless —and he’s just the right distraction from her depressing, fruitless dating life back home for a few weeks. It just so happens the retired fighter pilot is in somewhat of a rut of his own, and the circumstances around their coincidental meeting and unavoidable physical attraction are the perfect excuse for a festive fling.

The rules are Ophelia teaches him how to date again, and Frankie shows her exactly what she should be demanding behind closed doors. Friends with benefits until the ball drops in the New Year.

But a little bit of long-lost Christmas magic just might find a way to stir up more than their complicated pasts.

Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
Christmas in Coconut Creek

Karissa Kinword

Series: Yes
Book 1 in the Dirty Delta series

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 4/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

This book was SO GOOD!

I loved everything about the dynamic between Ophelia and Frankie. Their dialogue and behaviour towards each other was refreshing, and they were far more realistic characters than I typically read.

I adored their meet cute, it totally had me laughing out loud, as did a lot of the book!

It was beautiful to read about them tearing down each other’s walls, with an undeniable connection leading to so much more than a fling.

I’m so glad there will be more books in this series, I’m not ready to fully let go of these two yet!

Tropes + topics:
✈️ Friends with benefits to lovers
👙 Military veteran pilot
✈️ Elementary school teacher
👙 Vacation fling
✈️ Forced proximity
👙 Age gap
✈️ Grumpy sunshine
👙 Slow burn
✈️ No 3rd act breakup
👙 Dual POV/first person

Note: Edit is mine, photos are not. Photos found on Pinterest. If there are any issues with any of the photos being posted, please email me and let me know at hello@readinginpjsblog.com

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

December 19, 2023 0 comments

The Graham Effect

by Jill November 3, 2023

written by Jill

BLURB:

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.

Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word
with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
The Graham Effect

Elle Kennedy

Series: Yes
Book 1 in Campus Diaries
💜 College Sports Romance

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

this is definitely a phenomenal start to a series we didn’t know we needed! 😍 (or did we?)

So much fun to return to Briar & the newest generation!

Gigi Graham is such a fun spitfire, with a heart of gold. Luke Ryder is the sweetest broken boy, who just needs someone in his corner to stay.

Their relationship developed so perfectly. I LOVED their communication – they were both totally no BS people and completely honest with each other along the way.

My only teeny tiny *me* issue was when I was reminded I’m far closer to Garrett & Hannah’s ages than Gigi 🤭
We don’t often see much of the parents in college romance, so I can forget that 🙃 but we NEEDED them in this one – and of course all her hot uncles (I’m looking at you, Dean Dilaurentis).

Tropes + topics:
🏒 Grumpy sunshine
🏒 Hockey players (both MCs)
🏒 Friends with benefits
🏒 Secret dating/forbidden
🏒 College/new adult
🏒 No third act breakup
🏒 Dual POV/first person

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own!

For more of my Elle Kennedy reviews, click HERE.

Note: Edit is mine, photos are not. Photos found on Pinterest. If there are any issues with any of the photos being posted, please email me and let me know at hello@readinginpjsblog.com

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

November 3, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Meryl Wilsner

Cleat Cute

by Jill September 21, 2023

written by Jill

Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become friends with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.

Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace’s skill and was star struck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she’s hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.

As the World Cup approaches, and Grace works her way back from injury, the women decide to find a way they can play together instead of vying for the same position. Except, when they are off the field, Grace is worried she’s catching feelings while Phoebe thinks they are dating. As the tension between them grows, will both players realize they care more about their relationship than making the roster?

Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
Cleat Cute

Meryl Wilsner

Series: No

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

Spice: 3/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

This was my first Meryl Wilsner read and it won’t be my last!

Grace and Phoebe are total opposites: Grace is the veteran, grumpy, soccer star team captain, and Phoebe is bubbly, ambitious and fresh to the pro world.

While the miscommunication in this book may be frustrating for some, it made complete sense for these two.

I loved the diversity in this book, especially with the main characters. It wasn’t a main focus, but they were both neurodivergent, Phoebe with ADHD (making her chapters a little chaotic) and Grace most likely on the Autism spectrum.

My hesitation giving this 5⭐️ is just small things that bugged me – the nickname “baby girl” just creeps me out, and all the characters (main and sides) had so many nicknames. This was especially confusing since it’s written in 3rd person POV.

As for the audiobook, I enjoyed one narrator and not so much the other one unfortunately.

What you’ll find in Cleat Cute:
⚽️ Opposites attract
⚽️ Sapphic romance (FF)
⚽️ Soccer – Captain & Rookie
⚽️ Friends with benefits
⚽️ Grumpy sunshine
⚽️ LGBTQ+
⚽️ Neurodiverse MCs
⚽️ No 3rd act breakup
⚽️ Dual POV/3rd person

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press Romance and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies to review. All opinions are my own!

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

September 21, 2023 0 comments

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Elle Kennedy

Book Review: The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

by Jill July 18, 2023

written by Jill

Cassie comes to Avalon Bay for the summer, visiting her grandmother (and father and his family) who still live there. She’s looking for a fling before heading back to college in the Fall.

Her first night in town she meets the incredibly gorgeous, funny and sweet Tate, and thinks she’s found the perfect hookup guy.

They get along so well that they decide to just stay friends – or rather Tate puts Cassie in the friend zone, not wanting to risk breaking her heart. Their attraction to one another can’t be denied, and soon they can’t ignore it anymore.

Book Review:
The Summer Girl

Elle Kennedy

Series: Yes (#3 in Avalon Bay)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Oh my gosh I LOVED this! Both main characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was no surprise they did with each other! Cassie is this adorable rambler, and Tate is considered a f*ck boy who everyone still loves, since he treats them all with respect and honesty.

The tension in this book is yummy, and that window scene 🥵

I totally didn’t expect to be in tears with this one, but I was! There was also a twist I didn’t see coming, which I love.

I tandem read this book – ebook and audio – and Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job on the audio!

This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. Good Girl Complex (the 1st book) does set up some things that happen in this one though.

What you’ll find in the Summer Girl:
☀️ Friends to friends with benefits to more
☀️ Cinnamon roll hero
☀️ Neighbors
☀️ Virgin FMC
☀️ Lovable MCs
☀️ Beachside town
☀️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2023 0 comments

Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

Orson and Theo start out as no commitment – just two friends, who are attracted to each other, having a little fun. Neither wanted anything more, and especially not to be in a relationship.

When Theo needs insurance, and Orson is looking for a tax break, they decide to get married, in secret. Their friends are not in the loop on this one!

They end up as roommates, and as they get to know each other better, outside of their physical relationship, they can’t help but fall for each other.

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever

author

Series: Yes (3/4)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Do you ever read a book and think – wow, I could totally be bff with this author??
That’s Julie Olivia for me.

This was my 2nd read of hers (my first was the Fake Santa Apology Tour), and I immediately went back and read the rest of this series. For all her books I just felt like the way she writes just makes sense to me! The humor, the references, the dialogue, everything.

Theo & Orson – seriously, so darn cute & fun to watch their relationship develop! Two humans looking for fun & non-commitment, who just happen to be absolutely perfect for one another.
There were so many parts to this book that I just loved so much – I was smiling through a lot! The steam was also perfection 👌🏼

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Marriage of convenience
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐️ Roommates/forced proximity
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Friends with Benefits to more
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you SO MUCH to Julie Olivia for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 15, 2023 0 comments

friends with benefits

Book Review: Christmas in Coconut Creek

Karissa Kinword

Book Review: The Graham Effect

Book Review: Cleat Cute

Meryl Wilsner

Book Review: The Summer Girl

Elle Kennedy

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever

author

Book Review:
Christmas in Coconut Creek

Book Review:
The Graham Effect

Book Review:
Cleat Cute

Book Review:
The Summer Girl

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever