Review: Dropping the Mitts by Lasairiona McMaster*

 

'Love can blur even the fiercest of rivalries.

Penelope

When I kiss a guy dressed as Pacman at a party, it feels like fate. But fate must have a twisted sense of humor—because falling for the son of the man who ruined my family was never part of the plan.

Tate Myers, star hockey player and my sworn enemy, ignites a hate in me that’s hotter than any slapshot. Yet the heart wants what it wants—even if it means crossing every line I’ve drawn.

Tate

Getting snubbed by a chick dressed as Taco Belle at a party sucked almost as much as taking a slapshot to the face. My jaw and my world shatter, but the tall, curvy goddess next door keeps me afloat with her pranks.

I have no idea why she hates me, but right now, I hate myself, too. This is my second chance at making her fall for me, and I’m determined to win her over.

Can love conquer a bitter rivalry born on frozen ground, or will family feuds tear them apart?'

We are back with Book 5 in the Cedar Rapid Racoons series and this time we are meeting Tate and Penelope. Now we have met Penelope in the past but it is time to find out her story. Which seems to have started before the others. As with the other books in this series, this can be read as a standalone but I would recommend the series. 

Now Tate and Penelope's story consists of 45 Chapters as well as an epilogue. This story starts straight at the beginning of Penelope and Tate at the point where they first met, on a fateful Halloween night. 

Now Tate is a hockey loving Jock who actually falls first in this enemies to loves tale. Though Tate may not be aware at first why these two fall into the category 'Enemies to Lovers'. 

Penelope on the other hand is sassy and brilliant. Lasairiona always writes a strong female character but she has outdone herself with Penelope. There is just something about Penelope that stands out to me, not sure what but I love everything about Penelope. Not only will you love Penelope but you will also love her cousin Karlya who is also brilliant, full of aggressive love. I love this girl as a character and keeping my fingers crossed that she will get her own story. 

In all the interactions between Tate and Penelope they have lots of banter and pranking between them. If you love playing a good prank, then take notes of the ones in this book because they are brilliant! All these interactions just make readers fall more in love with this duo. 

Now I do have to warn you to take note of the Trigger Warning page and have some tissues handy when it comes to this book. Tate suffers more than a College Hockey player should, and I predict you will shed some tears at his experience, but he is strong and spoiler alert he does get through it. 

Now one thing I absolutely loved as a fellow Swiftie, is all the Taylor Swift references throughout the book. Not only are there mentions of songs and albums but there is one scene involving the songs 'You Belong with me' and 'Our Song' that I loved and wish I was a fly on the fictional wall for. I also love the fact that Tate is a fellow swiftie.

Overall I fell in love with this book and read it in less than a day. Not only do I love the Enemies to Lovers trope that is very much present within this book, but I also love all the banter that shows up and stays for the duration of the book. I feel like with every book Lasairiona writes I always claim that I find a new book boyfriend in the male main character. However this time, I feel like I found my new favourite book couple! Click HEREHERE to get your hands on a copy of this book. 

Until Next Time

Emma

XX

Review: My Brother's Team Mates by Lasairiona Mc Master & Melissa Ivers*

 

'What do you get when you cross a curvy seamstress with three hot hockey players? A pucking disaster.

My escape plan seemed foolproof - retreat to my brother's empty apartment after catching my ex with another man. But I stumble into an unexpected complication: his hockey player roommates...and I'm stark naked.

Despite my mortifying entrance, and against my better judgment, they’re willing to let me stay but with a few rules:

1. No funny business.

2. No telling the team captain - aka my brother - Harrison.

3. It's temporary until I can find somewhere else to live.

At first, the boundaries hold. But simmering tension and close quarters makes resisting temptation harder with each passing day. The simmering tension threatens to combust, blurring the lines we swore not to cross.

But how can we go back after crossing that line? And what happens when my brother inevitably finds out?'

So this book is collab between one of my Favourite authors Lasairiona McMaster and an author who is new to me Melissa Ivers. This is a Why Choose, roommates to lovers book. Which consists of 46 chapters and trust me when I say spice is included. 

First let's meet our main characters, for this book we have 3 hot hockey players of Jace, Roman and Mateo. These three are roommates and all play under their Captain Harrison. Whose sister Charlotte happens to be our Curvy main female character.

Now this book starts with Charlotte in a bit of a puddle, since she has just caught her 'boyfriend' cheating on her. So what else can she do when her brother is out of town for a hockey match then crash at  his place. Due to a schedule mishap (on charlotte's part) and a suitcase left in the wrong room, Harrison's roommates get quite the surprise.  What is a girl to do when she is naked in front of three hot hockey players. Well ask to keep quiet to room with them a while. What were you guys thinking she would do??

Jace, Mateo and Roman are best friends and roommates who have a history of not being shy in the bedroom. They all immediately fall head over heels in lust with Charlotte but due to the brotherly relationship with Harrison, none of them want to ruin. Though Jace may be hiding more than just lust from Charlotte and his roomies. 

So some of the other tropes that you will find in this book are forced proximity, BI awakening and alpha/possessive hero. Now I happen to be a fan of all these tropes. The only trope that I was on the fence about was the Why Choose. This particular trope has never been one I wanted to explore, but I am so glad I read this book because in this case I loved every second of it. Now I am not saying that I will be picking up more Why Choose romances but my mind has been opened to the trope. 

When it comes to spice in this book, I will admit you did have to wait until the chapters were in double digits. However it was well worth the wait. The spice was brilliant and everything you would want from this romance. These authors managed to write some realistic spice scenes but without the acrobatic feast it could have been. Oh and even though they make you wait for the spice, when you get to the spice, there are no holds barred. 

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am so glad I gave it a go. Once I was into this book, I did not want to put it down. It is a well written book that I encourage you to check out. I can say for certain another Why Choose romance may be in my future. You can get your copy HERE.

Until Next Time

Emma

XX