Burn The Breeze by June Lark | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eARC of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Burn The Breeze by June Lark 

My rating: 4/5

Publication date: 23rd October 2025

Blurb:

Lina Larsen used to believe in love at first sight. That is, until a one-night stand went terribly wrong. What makes it worse, he’s now working on her family ranch, and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to get rid of him.

Reed Ownstead thought he was getting back at his ex-wife when he brought the spitfire barrel racer home, only to discover he was way over his head. When his ex and daughter move to Willows, he decides to follow and get a job at Thornbrush Ranch, only to find it was the home of the rodeo star he wronged.

Now with a stalker following Lina on the rodeo circuit, vandals terrorizing the ranch, and Reed needing to take custody of his daughter, they have no choice but to be forced together. Stuck in a trailer on the road, temptation quickly becomes a whole lot stronger than hate.

When it turns out that land and lives are at stake back home, Lina must face the biggest race of her life—to save those she loves most or watch it all go up in smoke.

Review:

It felt like I read Among The Willows, the first book in the Thornbrush Ranch series ages ago when really it was only back in March. Cowboy romances are my favourite and I loved that book so I was really excited for Lina and Reed's book.

Lina Larsen is a barrel racer and she is so badass. I love a strong female character and she and Reed Ownstead have a bit of a rocky meeting. When Lina discovers her dad has employed Reed on the ranch, she is determined to drive him away.

Reed, however, is battling his own demons and is trying to get full custody of his five year old daughter Penn. His mother is involved with Junior, who popped up in the previous book.

When Lina discovers that she has a stalker and her dad asks for Reed's help by chaperoning her on her competition circuit, the close proximity has them realising their true feelings for each other.

I loved going back to this group of characters and I always enjoy that there is a sort of crime aspect to these books. Perfect for me who loves all things crime, thriller and romance.

Bring on Sage's book! 

King Of Obsession by Jessica Jude | Book Review

[I received an eARC copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: King Of Obsession by Jessica Jude

My rating: 4/5

Publication date: 4th November 2025

Blurb:

Rhett

Being a rockstar has been the dream since the first time I picked up a guitar. The fame, the lights, the rush of playing sold-out concerts. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

But reaching that dream means keeping my past buried. To pull it off, I need someone to play along. Someone the world will believe. Lucky for me, I already know the perfect girl.

Unlucky for me? She wants nothing to do with me.

So now I have to do what I do best—charm her until she wants me as much as I want her.

It’s only for six weeks. What could possibly go wrong?

Saylor

Rhett Cole was my first kiss. My first heartbreak. The boy I couldn’t forget, no matter how hard I tried. When he walked away eleven years ago, I learned the hard way that fairy tales don’t come true for girls like me.

Now he’s back, more famous than ever, asking me for the impossible. Be his fake girlfriend for six weeks? Spend hours stuck on a tour bus with him? Share his bed?

Oh, and offering enough money to cover my bills for the next year.

It sounds simple. But nothing about Rhett Cole has ever been simple.

I’ve heard his promises before. And if I let him get close again, I know exactly how this ends.

But the more I push him away, the harder it gets to remember what’s fake… and what’s dangerously real.

Review:

King Of Obsession is the third book in the Hand of Revenge series, although you don't need to have read the first two to enjoy this one (I didn't but will definitely be going back to read them!) 

Saylor is recently separated from her military husband and works at a charity job that she really enjoys. When she is made redundant, she is nervous about how to pay the bills, especially now military housing support is stopping.

Rhett Cole is a "nepo baby" rockstar who has recently signed a record deal with a label which has taken a chance on him. His contract specifically states that he is to have a squeaky clean image so he hides the fact that he had recently completed a stint in rehab.

Rhett and Saylor bump into each other and while Saylor pretends she doesn't recognise him, Rhett definitely remembers her. She is the girl he had a thing with back at summer camp over a decade ago.

After not being able to stop thinking about Saylor, Rhett has a proposition for her - come along on tour, pretend to be his girlfriend and keep him on the straight and narrow. Saylor however is still angry with him for not getting in touch with her after summer camp. But this job could really help her financially...

I ate this book up. I forgot how much I love a rockstar romance and this one is done very well. It isn't all fluffy and rainbows, the pace was great, especially when it came to the two of them acknowledging their past.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series! 

Cowboy Casual by Holly Renee | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eARC for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Cowboy Casual by Holly Renee 

My rating: 4/5

Publication date: 7th October 2025

Blurb:

Blaire Monroe is the only woman I've ever loved, and the only one I've let break my heart.

It's been ten years since she ran from this town, chasing a life that didn't include the cowboy next door who blurred the line between best friend and something more.

Now she's back.

Fresh off a busted engagement and hiding out on her grandmother's crumbling strawberry farm like the past never happened.

Like she doesn't still linger in every part of me I've spent years trying to erase.

But Blaire isn't the kind of girl you forget.

She's wildfire: reckless, untamed, and impossible to hold without getting scorched.

We collide the second we're in the same room.

Too much heat. Too much history. Not nearly enough distance.

The tension crackles, the pull is impossible, and before long, we're right back where we swore we'd never be—pressed against the wall, her hands in my hair, my mouth on hers like I've been starving for a decade.

I tell myself I can handle it.

But the truth is, this cowboy was never meant for casual.

Not with her. And sure as hell not again.

Review:

Cowboy Casual is the first book in the Calloway Ranch series and oh my goodness, I can't wait for more! I love when the first in a series makes you also adore the supporting characters and gets you excited for their books.

Blaire Monroe has just discovered that her fiancé Grant has been cheating on her for the past year. Her father, Senator Monroe, took her from her life on her grandmother June's strawberry farm a decade ago, promising her a great education, good job and the promise of marrying a good man.

On discovering Grant's infidelity, she goes back to June's, and very quickly bumps into her childhood sweetheart, cowboy Colt Calloway, who was all too happy for her to leave all those years ago. She has never understood why and is still hurt by it.

I LOVED this! Colt is a mustached single dad and his book is a proper slow burn, second chance romance.

The supporting characters are fantastic and the relationship between Blaire and Colt was written very well, and properly explored both of their feelings both now and what happened ten years ago.

I love when a single dad book does not just forget about the child. Colt's daughter Ruby was a big part of the book and even how Blaire integrated into her life was so sweet.

I can't wait for Hunter's book!

Revolve by Bal Khabra | Book Review

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Title & Author: Revolve by Bal Khabra 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication date: 14th October 2025

Blurb:

Sierra Romanova was an Olympic figure skater before a life-altering accident left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she's ready to reclaim the spotlight.

Kicked off his hockey team for reckless behaviour, Dylan Donovan has little to no chance of making it to the National Hockey League draft. But Dylan's whole world revolves around the ice so, if hockey is forbidden, at least there's figure skating.

When Sierra finds herself in desperate need of a new partner, the only person who can match her skill is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack.

On the ice, their chemistry is electric. But can they stand the heat off the rink?

Review:

I absolutely loved Collide and Spiral, the previous two books in the Off The Ice series, but I think Revolve might just be my favourite!

Dylan Donovan has been suspended from the hockey team for failing a drug test which also includes no rink time at all. Sierra Romanova is a talented figure skater who is getting back into skating following a brutal fall. She is determined to compete again but after her previous partner just left her following the accident, she needs to find someone quick.

What she doesn't realise is that before ice hockey, Dylan used to skate with his sister so the two are put together thanks to their coaches. 

Both characters backstories are very emotional, Sierra with her accident and Dylan with his parents. Dylan is a typical playboy but something is different about Sierra and I particularly enjoyed how she really was not sold on him at the beginning. Their relationship development was beautiful.

Sierra is such a strong character and you could feel her turmoil about not being enough and how she thought about her scars. Dylan was just what she needed.

A really lovely romance!

Spiral by Bal Khabra | Book Review

[This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Spiral by Bal Khabra 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication date: 28th January 2025

Blurb:

Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight.

Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina whose lack of popularity online has put her at a major disadvantage for securing the roles she dreams of. When Sage finds herself with the chance to change her luck by fake-dating Elias, she takes her shot.

Soon enough, the flimsy rules they set in place fall away. But before things can spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they're willing to take the leap together or if they'll have to call it quits.

Review:

There are so many things I love about this book!

Spiral is the second novel in the Off The Ice series, featuring Elias Westbrook who has recently joined ice hockey team Toronto Thunder. Although great with the assists, he has yet to score a career goal. He is under the microscope with the boss and the media scrutiny he gets isn't helping either. 

Sage Beaumont is a ballerina trying to land her dream role. When her uncle, the general manager of Toronto Thunder, asks her to perform at an event, she meets Elias. She could use his status to gain popularity for her ballet auditions and he could use a steady girlfriend to keep the tabloids away. What can go wrong with fake dating?

I absolutely adored Sage's character. She has had a troubled childhood, has worked so hard for herself while also being her brother's guardian (who is also diabetic so props for that representation!). Elias's character arc was one of my favourites and I loved how he slowly let Sage in, something he has struggled to do.

The two really come together to help each other out but also push each other to be the best they can be. I really enjoyed Sage's ballet scenes, despite not knowing a lot about ballet myself, but what ties this book all together is the found family aspect between the main characters and the supporting ones.