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Colleen Mc (The Book Lover Blog)

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An emotional, slow burn romance

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-15-25

Story Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Audio Narration Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice Meter: 2.5 🌶

Keeping with her signature style, Claudia Burgoa's latest Decker novel, Ice, Love, & Other Penalties, is an emotional, angsty romance. The story explores trauma and other heavy themes, but they are handled with sensitivity.

Indie and Ty are the main characters and the romantic pairing of the story. Ty is a single-dad and NHL player, and Indie is hired as his daughter's nanny. The romance is a slow burn, with plenty of fun banter mixed in with more serious, deep conversations. Indie and Ty helped each other to heal and formed a strong connection.

The audio is narrated by Emma Wilder and Robert Hatchet. Their performance was clear, articulate, and expressive. The emotion in their delivery accurately portrayed the feeling and tone of the story. Overall, the audio format was enjoyable.

Ice, Love, & Other Penalties is available now in digital, physical, and audio format.

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*TW/CW: This book contains sensitive subject matter such as SA, rape, self harm, suicide. For the full list of potential triggers, please visit the author's website.

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A spicy, tense, exciting story!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-13-24

Where We Belong is the first romance I've rated 5 stars in a couple of years. I used to devour MC romance, but I hadn't read one in a while. When I read Where We Belong, it consumed me. For the first time in a long time, I read well into the night, fully immersed in this world, completely engaged in Killian and Laura's story.
It was spicy, tense, emotional, and exciting. I loved the push and pull vibe between these main characters. The tension and their connection were strong. The supporting characters certainly added intrigue, and I was sad when the book came to an end, but glad there were more books to follow.

The duet audio performance made the characters and story come alive. The voices used by the performers were well suited to their characters. I stayed engaged for every chapter, simply enjoying the delivery of the story. I loved this book when I read it, and I fell in love all over again while listening to it.

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A wonderful debut!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-12-24

Content warning: This book contains scenes of violence and other sensitive subject matter*~

Healing the Broken is the debut novel by author K. Street. Say what now? Yes, debut novel, and what a debut it is!! I was completely taken with this story, I thought that it was very well executed. From the very beginning, you just knew that it was going to be an emotional ride.

Ryann and Cash are the main characters, in fact, there are very few secondary characters. They met as teenagers and now they have crossed paths again years later. The connection between them is still there, but Ryann’s scars run deep and she’s built a castle around herself as protection. Cash was a phenomenal hero, he was protective, caring, and determined to win Ryann’s heart. No matter what, he was by Ryann’s side every step of the way, willing her to open up to him, striving to help her heal from the demons of her past. Honestly, there isn’t much else that I can say without spoiling it, this is one of those books that is best to go in blind.

The audio is performed in alternating narration, and the performers had me hooked quickly. They delivered the story with clarity, and the tone, pacing, and amount of emotion they put into the dialogue held me firm as a captive listener. One funny mention, I read Ryann's name as Ryan when I read the paperback and only realized it was pronounced Ry-ann once I listened to the audiobook. That was the only thing that took getting used to!

Healing the Broken has elements of suspense, romance and angst, and moments that are sure to break your heart. K. Street has crafted a beautifully written novel with a perfectly chosen title, as this is most definitely a story about healing what is broken. This author is someone to look out for!

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A quick listen

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-12-24

Play by Play is a short novella, so for me it was a very quick read/listen.

The romance between Samantha and Jase had some charm, but due to the story's short length, I felt they went from Point A to Point B much too fast. Character growth and emotional development was lacking.

The dual narration was done well and it held my attention. I enjoyed the voices that were chosen for each character and felt they matched with what I would have imagined the characters to sound like.

In the end, while I didn't find myself invested in Play by Play's romantic storyline, I did enjoy the narration. I am also interested in reading about the other Riggins brothers in their individual full-length novels.

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An enjoyable romance with a second-chance feel

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-12-24

If you enjoy football romance, Kandi Steiner's latest standalone novel The Wrong Game is a great choice to add to your reading list this Fall. The audio production was well done, and i enjoyed the narrators chosen to deliver the story.

It has been described as having an enemies-to-lovers trope, but I didn't get that vibe at all really. During my reading experience, I got more of the second chance feel. Either way, Gemma and Zach's story was entertaining. They had some playful banter and a few push and pull moments. Top that off with passion, steam, a couple sweet gestures and a serving of angst, and that made for an interesting romantic journey. Nelson Hobbs and Virginia Rose (narrators) each spoke with a clear tone and pacing, their voices fitting what I pictured for their respective characters.

Kandi has a beautiful writing style. I love that her storylines always have some aspect that makes them feel relatable. Overall, I enjoyed Gemma and Zach's story and how real their emotions and life happenings were, I just didn't connect with them on as deep of a level as I would have liked.

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A fun, sexy, entertaining story!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-11-24

TAMING HIM is a steamy southern romance with next to no conflict or angst. It’s sweet and entertaining, and just what I was in the mood for.

River is a hard-working nurse dedicated to her job and her patients. She’s in need of a little break, especially after the crappy break-up with her now ex-boyfriend.
Alex Bishop works hard on his family ranch. He’s a true southern gentleman, but he’s also a man who gets around and has no interest in being tied down.

When they meet for the first time on vacation in Key West, there’s an immediate attraction, but River isn’t going to fall for his cheesy pick-up line so easily. His charm, though - well that’s a different story...but she’s not the only one falling fast on this sweet summer getaway.

River and Alex had an easy banter and quickly felt a strong pull to one another. I took a bit longer to feel that spark, but a little further into their vacation, as the story developed more, I began feeling the love connection. Their chemistry was burning bright, and as I read more of part two, that’s when all the cute and swoony moments happened for me.

The audio performance was engaging. I found the character accents and voices to be consistent, and the story flowed at an even pace. I was glad that the story was told using duel narration.

Overall, this was a fun, sexy and enjoyable read. I loved getting to know the Bishop family and I can’t wait for NEEDING HIM next!

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*TW/CW: Death of a minor; sibling loss; cancer

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It's ok

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-11-24

I struggled hard to get through the book- it took me about a month. The tone of voice used for Lenny was not one I enjoyed and I found it highly distracted me while trying to immerse myself in the story. Even when part one (character is a teenager) transitioned to part two (now adult) her voice and speech didn't 'mature' or 'age.' My dislike for this FMCs narration did effect my overall enjoyment of the book.

The male narrator for Kelley was smoother, and easier to listen to. His voice fit the character I pictured and I thought he did a great job. I would have preferred to listen to the whole story in his point of view. I also felt more for his character than I did Lenny. He was easier for me to connect to and root for.

Aside from the narration, when I take only the actual story into consideration, my overall opinion is I liked it but didn't love it.

If you enjoy YA/New Adult romance that's sweet, sometimes angsty and intense, Chasing Butterflies has that feel. I would never discourage someone from listening to an audiobook, so give it a try if you're interested, it just didn't click with me.

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