Kiss My Putt (Summersweet Island Book 1) by Tara Sivec

After spending my entire pro golfing career being known as the quiet, controlled, no-nonsense golfer on the tour, there’s nothing more humiliating than throwing all of that down the drain—or into a water hazard—on national television. Needing some place to hide, to lick my wounds and figure out what I even want to do with my life once this blows over, I can only think of one place I need to be. Summersweet Island, where everyone treats me like one of their own, and they’ll all be happy to have me home again.

Well, except maybe one person. It’s been two years since I last set foot on Summersweet Island or spoke to anyone there. But I’m sure Birdie Bennett, my best friend since I was 15 and the clubhouse manager of my favorite golf course, has had plenty of time to forgive me for that tiny little misunderstanding where I blocked her on social media and blocked her in my phone. Oh, and I guess I kind of, sort of accused her of being a stalker. It’s fine!

Once my sexy, spunky, former best friend gets over the shock of seeing me again and stops trying to drive a 9-iron into my skull, I can finally let her know I’ve also kind of, sort of always been in love with her...

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I don't know why I didn't know that it was coming out, but I only discovered best-selling romance author (and one of my personal favourites), Tara Sivec's newest book, Kiss My Putt was coming out about three weeks ago. Then imagine my joy and elation when she announced it was being released on Kindle Unlimited! Best. Day. Inawhile.

I picked this up as soon as I was aware of that (not that I wouldn't have bought it full price, but, I already have a large list of books begging to be read), and savoured this over three days. More because I was exhausted and couldn't keep my eyes open, but even last night I had to keep reading justonemorechapter, and ended up going to bed at 2:30am again.

To the novel itself! It was STEAMY. As in, seriously seriously steamy. I'm not sure why but I'm thoroughly enjoying sports romances at the moment, mainly hockey (that is my catnip), but I'll take anything. Having said that, this was the first time I've read a golf romance, but, it worked. Adding in a best friends to enemies to best friends to lovers trope, also great.

On a personal note, I will say that best friends to lovers does somewhat stick in my craw, only because I went through that. And then discovered after about eight or so months that I'd never actually been his best friend and he just used me for his own benefit and was promptly thrown away, despite having made major changes for him. Reading this kind of trope always makes me second guess that situation, and it does suck. I thought I'd lost my best friend and love of my life, but, I guess I didn't and it was a lucky thing he chucked me when he did and he sucks. But, I digress. Let's pretend that never happened to me, and just read this in isolation.

One of the things that I absolutely love about Ms. Sivec's books is that she instantly throws you into the book, but fully immersively. The book isn't just based on the lead characters with secondary thrown in briefly just to say they have, it's well-rounded and pushes a plot that encompasses and progresses the romance, rather than a romance novel just pushing romantic situations. Her books always make me laugh out loud and just honestly cheer me up.

If you're looking for a steamy hot summer read, complete with a lot of laughs, this is your book.

Rating: 4/5

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Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase

Abigail Haddock is stunning, sensible, and some would say…stuffy. But it’s not really her fault. She was raised in one of Wessco’s oldest, most affluent, aristocratic families—“stuffy” is their middle name. So is successful. Abby’s working overtime to distinguish herself as a top-notch physician, just as her family legacy demands. She doesn’t have time for nonsense.

Tommy Sullivan’s all about nonsense. Sure, he’s an elite bodyguard with lethal skills and co-owner of the renowned, S&S Securities Firm—protector of the wealthy and titled. But he’s also rowdy, fun and thoroughly irresistible. Tommy knows how to have a good time, and he’s never seen someone more in need of a good time than Abby. The lass needs long, wet, filthy kisses—STAT—and he’s just the man for the job.

It doesn’t take long for a wildly sexy, sinfully satisfying, no-strings attached arrangement to turn into something more. Something sweet and addictive and real. But Tommy and Abby are too royally stubborn to admit it. Opposites attract, everyone knows that. But can their red-hot relationship last—can they love…for forever?

I first read Ms. Chase's novels on a 23+ hour plane journey, and it definitely clicked with me that if I was staying up reading her novels instead of falling asleep, there was something great about them. Since then, I have read through most of her series and thoroughly enjoyed all of them (although I will confess that I still haven’t made it through Tangled, something that is on my to-read list).

We've been seeing previews for Dirty Charmer for some time and I couldn't wait to read this as soon as it launched. I practiced excellent self-patience however, and finished the novel I was currently reading (Up Close & Personal), but couldn't resist and jumped into this straight after at 1:03am, and finished about 2:35am - I tried many times to put it down and go to sleep, but, I couldn't resist.

We've met Tommy, our male-lead before in the other Wessco novels, and the great thing about the way Ms. Chase writes her series, she also includes her secondary cast to the point that you're excited to read their story - these characters aren't just popping out of the blue, you're already invested in them. To this point, I was already excited to read Tommy's story and when it was finally in my hands, I just couldn't put it down.

While I loved reading the novel and finished it in a record amount of time, I don't think this one was my favourite in the series. Don't get me wrong, it was a great novel, but it just didn't quite resonate with me. It was a steamy, fantastically-flowing read, but aside from Tommy's sexual charisma and charm, I didn't feel like we had too much substance to him other than that. While there was love for his family and his sense of honour and duty to protect, and he's already been written as a good guy, it just felt like there was something more lacking, and similarly with Abigail. Both are written as interesting characters, but I didn't fall in love with either of them. Plus, I felt that most of the novel was written focusing on their incredible chemistry, and their romance was introduced late in the novel.

This was still a great read and a book that I did thoroughly enjoy, and one that I would recommend as a steamy summer read.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Weekly Round-Up

I can't believe it's Friday again! The weather is currently glorious outside, and many more books have been read this week. 

As I've said before, this website is for positivity and celebrating all those books that I've read and loved and want to share. I do read quite a few other books, but not all make it onto this list as I'll be honest, I stop reading them before I finish. Why is that? Well, one of my biggest turn-offs at the moment is reading a book that's had a recent death, and for some reason most of the deaths I'm currently seeing in the romance genre are those of a parent, and I'm really not sure why. Reading is an escapism for me and I love reading books that make me happy. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you have to have some rain to have sunshine, but is that really necessary to include death in the mix? I'm curious whether it's just me who stops reading a book because of this - let me know your thoughts.

In the world of romance, a new Netflix film arrived last night - The Wrong Missy. We were supposed to watch last night, but it'll most likely be moved to tomorrow. Give me a shout if you've seen it and recommend it.

Harlequin is celebrating Friday with us too with a sale, buy 3 books, get 2 more free by entering MAYB3G2 at checkout, only valid today May 15th until Midnight E.T.

We're four days away from the release of Emma Chase's Dirty Charmer, one that I've eagerly been awaiting. What read are you waiting for next?

Have a fantastic Friday and weekend!

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