Book Review: ‘Something Like Love’ by Piper Rayne

Title: Something Like Love (Chicago Grizzlies #3)

Published: 6th February 2024

Publisher: Piper Rayne Inc

Author: Piper Rayne

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PiperRayne

Twitter: twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne

Blurb:

I want to.

I can’t.

I’ve been friends with Cooper Rice from the moment we met. He was just as famous a decade ago on our college campus as he is now being the star quarterback for the Chicago Grizzlies.

But he’s not only talented on the field, he’s also the gorgeous football star women fawn over, posing in underwear and razor ads.

Here’s a secret those women don’t know—Cooper Rice isn’t a playboy. He’s the kind of man who wants to settle down with a family. He’s content ordering pizza and massaging my feet after my long shift as an emergency room doctor. He listens to me as if he’s as invested as I am in my patients. He has never let me down.

This is exactly why I refuse to live without Cooper in my life. Eight years ago, I made him promise me that we’d never cross that line. And just like I knew Cooper would, he’s held to that promise.

Despite our best efforts, our relationship is evolving, shifting into new territory and I find myself unsure if I want Cooper to keep that promise. Ignoring the obvious could tear us apart, but so could giving in, meaning there’s a chance I’ll lose Cooper forever no matter what decision I make.

Review:

Just knew our guy Cooper was going to make us swoon. He has such a big heart and it has belonged to Ellery from the moment they met. From the very beginning we all knew that these two were completely head over heels for each other and we needed to find out what was keeping them from crossing that line from best friends to lovers.

Big spanner in the works at the start of the book is the fact that Ellery thought it was a great idea to say yes to being asked out by a guy on Coopers team. That guy was clueless with what was clear to everyone. He may have asked Cooper if he was cool with him asking but we know our guy would never decide who she could be with or not. He’s just that guy. At the moment forever in the friend zone.

I liked that we got to have snippets from their past when they met and how their friendship grew. Kept giving us clues as to what stopped them from giving in to what they both wanted. Doesn’t take long to figure out Ellery’s logic for wanting to just stay friends so she wouldn’t ever lose him but the longer she dates Bradley the more their friendship is strained and starts to change for the worse. Dates might have been just a few dinners or coffees here and there but the thought of them being a thing is driving Cooper crazy. You just knew it wouldn’t take long for jealousy to get the better of him and something to happen make them finally talk.

Feelings always have a way of coming to the surface, these ones just took over ten years. Great when they do but it’s almost like the moment they gave in and wanted to start something their minds went in two different speeds for the future. Cooper seeing what he has always wanted and Ellery wanting to slow things down. I know she was scared but it annoyed me that she almost had one foot out the door from the start. Also with how she didn’t seem to have a backbone with her dad and how he wanted to plan out her whole life and she just let him. Can they both get out of their heads and see that they can have a future if they just try and live it without outside stress and pressures? The love is there but is it enough to build a life on or will crossing that line be the start of the end?

Loved the connection between all the characters and how they all interact with each other. Cooper was a classic golden retriever kind of guy and Ellery was her own worst enemy at times. Don’t live in your head overthinking or you might lose what you value most. Great way to end the series, all three guys loved up with their perfect matches. Can’t wait for the next chapter in this world of characters where the hockey guys have taken over The Den and given it the new name of The Nest. Who are the women who will get them to turn their heads?

5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from Valentine PR for my honest review.

Author Interview: ‘The Little Things that Kill’ by Annie Fox

About the Book:

They say it was suicide, but Nicole knows damn well she didn’t kill herself and won’t take this lying down.

16-year-old Nicole, high school drama queen (onstage and off), dies and finds herself on Substation Fifteen, an afterlife campus for teenage suicides. She can’t, for the life of her, remember how she died, but she’s sure it wasn’t by her own hand. In thirty days Nicole faces the all-important Evaluation. If she can’t piece together the mystery of what actually killed her she won’t be moving on. Her only route to uncovering the truth is a fact-finding trip to Earth, beginning at her own funeral, where the facts she finds may be harder to piece together and accept than death itself.

Our journey unfolds simultaneously “up there” in Substation Fifteen and in Northern California, told by three, first-person teenage narrators: Nicole’s best friend, Isabel, a germaphobic young witch with undeniable gifts; Nicole’s romantic rival, Cassie, a tough girl hiding heartbreaking vulnerability; and Nicole “Dead Girl” herself, whose adoring single dad raised her on abundant love and one really big lie. This tale of hope and redemption will appeal to fans of afterlife storylines like13 Reasons Why, If He Had Been With Me, and The Lovely Bones.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon – UK / US

Author Interview:

1: Tell us a little about yourself and what got you in to writing?

I’m the youngest of three children and the only girl. I’ve always had an active imagination, and I have always loved stories.  My mom taught me to read when I was three and I’ve been devouring books ever since. When I was nine my parents gave me a diary and I began writing. In addition to enjoying the process of putting my own words on paper, I discovered that I loved reading my words back to myself, pretending that someone else had written them. Maybe that’s a strange thing for a child to do, I don’t know, but for me, it helped me gain confidence in my ability as a story teller.

2: Do you have a favourite time and place where you write?

Mornings are usually best for me because I get up early and things are quiet then. But afternoons can work well too, after lunch. Evenings are not typically great writing times for me. I fade when the sun goes down! 

As to “where” is my favorite place to write… anywhere that’s quiet. Cafes never work for me. Too noisy and I find myself getting drawn into the conversations around me. But on the hand I am never “quiet” when I’m writing. (I’m actually speaking these words right now!) Also, in order not to bother anyone else while I’m improvising aloud as I write and endlessly revise dialogue, I need to be alone, preferrable in an empty room with a closed door. 

3: Where do your ideas come from?

Not totally sure. Sometimes, as with my current novel, The Little Things That Kill, the seed of the story came from a newspaper article. But other ideas, like how to solve a problem in a particular scene, may come from a song lyric I hear on the radio or a line from a podcast interview or a conversation with a stranger. I also try to be as open as possible to the Muses – that is, the goddesses from ancient Greek mythology who were thought inspire all literature, science and the arts. Sometimes, if I’m lucky, great ideas just “come” and for that I’m always grateful. But effort is also involved. There’s a writer saying that I totally agree with: “When the Muse comes calling, make sure she finds you working.” Which means… get yourself to the keyboard, keep showing up, and your characters will let you know how they want their story to be told.

4: Do you have a plan in your head of where the story is going before you start writing or do you let it carry you along as you go?

A little of each. I start with a kernel of an idea and a character and/or a set of characters. I usually know where I want the story to end up. But the coolest part of writing, for me, is not knowing every twist and turn. So, in a way, I’m discovering the story along with my characters and my readers! To do that, I need to know my characters really well and trust them to lead me. Sometimes it feels like I’m just taking dictation! 😉

5: What genre are your books and what drew you to that genre?

I love kids. I have degrees in human development and education. I’ve always written for young readers, starting out as a picture book writer/illustrator with my first published book People Are Like Lollipops. That book was so much fun to write and illustrate and I sold to a publisher so quickly (also fun) that I thought, “Ok, I can do this forever!” But I was drawn to writing deeper stories for older children and those stories weren’t snatched up by publishers. I kept writing though. I found a publisher for my kids’ and teens’ non-fiction books. I wrote and designed computer games for kids the likes of Microsoft, Disney, etc. I never stopped writing (even during the 7 years I wrote screenplays and no one in Hollywood wanted them). I’m a writer. That’s a huge part of who I am and I never let anyone convince me otherwise. That’s made all the difference in my career. If you’re a writer… keep writing.

6: What dream cast would you like to see playing the characters in your latest book?

Ooh. Great question! Because the three main characters in my latest book are sixteen-year-old girls, I would cast unknown actors in the film version. 

7: Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?

I do read a lot, in a wide variety of genres. I read biography (for example, My Life in France by Julia Child). I’m also a fan of American history. Doris Kearnes Goodwin is a writer I always learn from. I also enjoy much lighter stuff… like caper fiction by Carl Hiassen or Dave Barry. Two novels I recently read and enjoyed immensely (for different reasons) were: The Art of Racing in The Rain by Garth Stein and The 100-Year-Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

8: What book/s are you reading at present?

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult.

9: What is your favourite book and why?

If I had to choose just one, (with the caveat that my response could easily change depending on when I answer the question) I’d say Wicked by Gregory McGuire because it was inspired by The Wizard of Oz (one of my all-time favorite films from childhood that still resonates with me) and because Wicked is such a uniquely imaginative story with some absolutely brilliant character development and so many layers of moral and political themes going on. 

10: What advice would you give for someone thinking about becoming a writer?

Stop thinking and start writing! Sorry, that slipped out and I don’t mean to be glib, but if you’re “thinking about becoming a writer” what’s holding you back? Writing is probably one of the most personal ways of expressing oneself… digging deep into memory and stretching one’s understanding of self and others. Writing can take all kinds of forms… the private stuff in one’s journal that is never intended to see the light of day, to memoir and fiction that is written FOR an audience. Bottom line, to be a “writer” all you need to do is write. And to dothat all you need is a paper and penor some kinda techie device. For someone “thinking about becoming a writer” I’ve got a question for you: “What is it about the thought of being a writer that appeals to you?”

11: What are the best Social Media Sites for people to find out about you and your work?

AnnieFox.com and Tiktok.com/@anniefoxauthor

About the Author:

Sometimes she writes for little kids (PEOPLE ARE LIKE LOLLIPOPS, ARE YOU MY FRIEND? ARE WE LOST?). Sometimes she writes for adults (TEACHING KIDS TO BE GOOD PEOPLE). More and more these days, she writes for teens (THE GIRLS Q&A BOOK ON FRIENDSHIP, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL SERIES). Her debut YA novel THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KILL, is coming on February 13, 2024

Annie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, David, and Gracie the Dog.

Release Blitz: ‘Skies Over Caledonia’ by Samantha Young

Skies Over Caledonia by Samantha Young is now live! 

He’s a down-to-earth highland farmer. She’s the rebellious daughter of Hollywood royalty. They might seem like they’re from different worlds, but that won’t stop them from engaging in a marriage of convenience…

It’s been five years since Jared McCulloch’s grandfather Collum passed away and he inherited his farm in the Scottish Highlands. After his grandad saved him from his past life, Jared is determined to honor Collum’s legacy. But not only has a series of bad luck put him in danger of losing the farm, his estranged father is disputing the will. In a desperate situation, Jared realizes he’ll do just about anything to save the land.

Even marrying Allegra Howard, a woman he’s avoided at all costs.

A woman who tempts him beyond reason.

There’s only one place that makes Allegra Howard feel safe; one place that feeds her artist’s soul. Allegra wants to settle down in Scotland and expand her business. But there’s a hitch: immigration intends to return her to US soil.

Panicked, Allegra finds the one person just as desperate as she is. The same person she’s lusted after for years. In exchange for marrying her, she’ll invest financially in Jared McCulloch’s farm.

However, living together only forces them to acknowledge their searing mutual attraction. And with it comes an undeniable emotional connection Jared’s not sure he’s ready for.

Yet, blurring the lines of their arrangement is the least of his concerns when someone begins terrorizing the farm.

Allegra and Jared came together to save what matters most and now that might just be each other. And unless they can figure out which of their pasts has returned to torment them, they could lose their chance at a real future together…

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/41wg1C5

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/SkiesOverCaledonia

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3NAJQvv

Meet Samantha

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.
She resides in Scotland.

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FWgYdn

Amazon: https://amzn.to/48eBBwI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaYoung

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520019958258238

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsamanthayoung

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2D241eO

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/samyoungauthor

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/authorsamanthayoung

Release Blitz: ‘Shattered Vows’ by P. Rayne

Shattered Vows by P. Rayne is now live! 

Once upon a time, I thought I’d found my happy ever after. Until she ruined it all.

I’d been on the hunt for four long years, and I finally found her.

I planned the perfect revenge. Kidnapping Rapsody on the day she was set to marry another man and forcing her to face my wrath while trapped in the confines of my family’s gothic manor.

Despite my desire to punish her, there is still an undeniable pull between us. But as the walls of the manor close in around us, we both have to confront the truth. Can we trust each other, or will my dark past consume us both?

SHATTERED VOWS is a dark contemporary romance that weaves together the themes of desire and redemption and is a Rapunzel reimagining with the following tropes: age gap, anti-hero, gothic romance, secret society, forced proximity, opposites attract, enemies to lovers, morality chain, billionaire, and second chance.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/svpr

Duet Narration by: Tor Thom & Muffy Newtown

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4bDsJnl

Meet P. Rayne

The darker side of USA Today Bestselling Author, Piper Rayne. 

Connect with P. Rayne 

Website: https://piperrayne.com/p-rayne

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Gzm5B3

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.-Rayne/author/B0BR8M62DL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/P-Rayne-Dark-Romance-Author-101312172854095

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorprayne

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@praynedarkromance

Release Blitz: ‘Chasing Wild’ by Kristen Proby

Chasing Wild by Kristen Proby is now live! 

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an all-new Small Town, Friends to Lovers, Law Enforcement romance.

Summer Quinn’s life changed five years ago when she walked in on her boyfriend and her best friend in bed together. She silently left, ghosting both of them, and never looked back. She came to Bitterroot Valley, looking for a fresh start, and that’s exactly what she got.

After purchasing the local floral shop from her eccentric aunt and finding herself again in the absolute delight she brought to the community, Summer feels welcome and safe in her new home.

But things have started to happen. At first, she could blow it off as bad luck, or kids starting trouble. But then the bad luck turns into serious, life-threatening incidents that can’t be ignored.

Bitterroot Valley is Chase Wild’s town. His family settled the area almost a hundred and fifty years ago, and as a police officer, Chase takes pride in keeping his community safe. Sure, he’s had his eye on the gorgeous florist since she moved to town, but he’s kept his relationship with her strictly professional.

Now, someone’s trying to scare Summer. She claims she doesn’t know why, but Chase is determined to get to the bottom of it and drive the danger out of his town. As time passes, and the more he gets to know Summer, the harder it is to keep his hands off of the beautiful woman. With their connection growing, he’s falling in love with her and will do anything to keep her safe.

As Chase learns the truth of who is threatening Summer, will he be able to protect her, and will their love withstand the challenges ahead?

Chasing Wild is a standalone, contemporary romance novel, and book two in the picturesque Wilds of Montana series. 

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SwMtjK

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/ChasingWild

Audible: https://adbl.co/4doKpDY

Narrated by: Stella Hunter & Connor Crais

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3waZsQE

Meet Kristen

Kristen Proby is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over seventy published titles. She debuted in 2012, captivating fans with spicy contemporary romance about families and friends with plenty of swoony love. She also writes paranormal romance and suggests you keep the lights on while reading them.

When not under deadline, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and their fur babies, riding her bike, relaxing with embroidery, trying her hand at painting, and, of course, enjoying her beautiful home in the mountains of Montana. 

Connect with Kristen

Website: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550037.Kristen_Proby

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BD4vfq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByKristenProby

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684662744993031

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenproby

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenprobyauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-proby

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/handbagjunkie