Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of my favorite genres to read so I had high expectations going into this book. They were absolutely met and I loved it so much! I loved Kendall and Pete so much, they are absolutely perfect for each other. Also, that chemistry was off the charts. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fiery forbidden sports romance.
Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Everything to Me (Playing for Keeps Book 2) by Lauren Fraser
Everything to Me is the second book in the Playing for Keeps Series .This is a Sports Romance story that is a perfect rainy afternoon read. I pretty devoured this book in one sitting. I was pulled in from the beginning and didn’t want to put it down. This is a fairly new author to me but I have read other books by her. This is a story about Kendal and Pete . She’s had a crush on him forever and he’s her brothers best friend. So of course when she’s in need of a place to stay he agrees to let her stay there. These two have great chemistry between them. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I can’t wait for more
Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this sports romance story. This is the second book in this series, it can be read as a standalone. I have enjoyed reading this author from the first book I picked up. I enjoy her writing skills as well as her attention to details that make her stories pop. This book is no different. I was pulled into the story from the start. The characters are relatable and they bring the story to life. They are engaging and have great growth throughout the story. This is a story about Kendall and Pete. He is her brother’s best friend forever and when she needs a place to stay while she is in town. Why not, right? You will need to read this book to find out what happens next with these two. They have great chemistry and are my favorite. They made the story easy and entertaining to read. I highly recommend this book
Review by @bjwagner
Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I always like books like this one. The story of Kendall and Pete was good and had just the right amount of spice. I definitely think I needed the first book since there were some situations that were alluded to but it didn’t take too much away. As nice as Pete was, I had a difficult time connecting to his character. I enjoyed the storyline and it was a nice, quick read.
Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kendall has known Pete most of her life and had a crush on him just about as long. He is a friend of her brothers, and both are professional baseball players. Kendall works in advertising and is visiting the area that Pete lives. Her brother suggests that instead of staying in a hotel, Kendall should stay with Pete. Kendall and Pete decide to use their week together to “get each other out of their system”…but the plan backfires. There is plenty of hot sex, but the biggest question still remains, can the two make a real relationship when the chips are down.
Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Baseball star Pete decides to help his buddy out and take in his sister Kendall for a business trip. When she gets there she is not the teenage girl he remembers anymore. Lauren hits this bestfriends sister book out of the park. If you love age-gaps, sports romance, and brothers bestfriend tropes this book is for you! Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down.
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BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ 
Lauren has always been a dreamer, weaving stories to keep herself entertained. Through her stories she can travel anywhere in the world and money is not an object. Now, who wouldn’t want that? Unfortunately, the demands of the real world pushed her dreams to the side for a while.
After talking to her children about going after what they wanted and not letting fear stand in their way, she realized she needed to lead by example and chase her own dreams. She enjoys going hiking, camping and paddleboarding with her husband and two daughters.
Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Leslie is one heck of a wildcat. Trevor is on heck of a football player and between the two of them they light up the sheets in what was a very sexy one night stand. But then Trevor decides he wants more. Will Leslie give in or tell him to get lost since she is having a heck of a time at Firehouse 15. This book follows their journey as they try to tackle the flames they create and try to figure out how to have a life together with all the obstacles in their way.
Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book that I have read from the author and let me say that I am HOOKED!!These characters are amazing and funny. These two characters are really relatable and perfect for each other. Being able to read the story through a females viewpoint of being a firefighter was something that I had not experienced or seen before when looking for romance novels. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and see who will be the main character next. This author writes amazing books, if you love a good romance novel you should read this!
Wildcat by Carina Alyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Quick sports firefighter reluctant romance read. Lived up to the steamy title description 🔥
4.75 rounded up.
Fairly quick romance read. Definitely has those steamy scenes that make you yearn for more.
There’s 3 POVs in this novel, the FMC, the MMC, and the Chaplain (love his quick chapters and his internal monologue). This novel is set in ‘95 so there is limited technology compared to contemporary romances and I thought the author did a fantastic job with it (it’s like watching Buffy from the beginning all over again and both loving the reminiscence and cringing at it).
Loosely based on the ’95 Cleveland Brown football season. I loved the football references and the background, showing that the author not only did her homework but really understands the game. It’s still easy to read too which isn’t always the case. I really enjoyed reading Trevor’s mentality about his job, his relationship with Leslie, and the difficulties of standing behind a strong woman and supporting her without smothering her.
The ease of reading and understanding also goes for the firefighting aspect. I loved the fact that Leslie is a spitfire and is fighting for her right to be a firefighter in the mid-90s. We see some softer sides of her, such as her dancing background and learning how to open herself to a relationship with Trevor, but overall she is a kick-a$$ woman taking names with no regrets.
At 150 ebook pages, this novel reads fast but leaves you feeling completely satisfied. I will certainly be searching out the other books in this series!
Cw: hazing, violence against women, 90s nostalgia.
Wildcat by Carina Alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first read from this author and I’m definitely excited to read more. From page one I knew I’d sink right into this story and I was right. I found that I simply couldn’t put it down once I got started. There’s plenty of steam and romance but the overall storyline is great to. The characters are complex and relatable making it so easy to picture their world around you. Leslie is a character that you can’t help but root for and connect with. The chemistry between her and Trevor jumped off the pages. The author makes sure you feel this story for a long time. Four big stars and highly recommended!
Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is only for those over 18 due to the adult nature of its content.
Leslie McClunis is a firefighter and a ballerina which make a perfect combination for discipline, stamina, flexibility and determination, not to mention that she is as strong in mind as well as body. Trevor Hampton is a star defensive end and has the build to back it up, at well over six feet tall and built almost as wide, he has the team in his heart and a determination not to lose at anything.
Leslie is being her usual grouchy self at a class she has to take to help her to act more “feminine” or at least that is what her chief has suggested it for, it’s not like she wants to be that, she prefers to be treated as one of the guys and have the same rules as they do. However, her firehouse have other ideas, but when a man sits next to her and is just the tall, dark and handsome she is looking for, she is more than just distracted and she decides there and then to propose they go next door for a drink.
Trevor is taken aback by the fiery redhead who has just propositioned him and normally he would just politely say no, but something intrigued him and when they go for that drink, she is extremely forward and has him wanting her as much as she apparently wants him. After a night of passion, Trevor wakes up on this pint sized wildcats bed, only to find that she is at work, but after what just happened, he is determined to make it more than a one night stand.
Leslie is more than happy just to hit and run, so when Trevor tracks her down and insists that she goes out with him again, she is both annoyed and flustered, this is definitely not how things are supposed to work, but he is having none of it. Will Trevor be able to convince Leslie that making this more than just a one night fling is the right thing to do, or will she kick him to the kerb faster than he can say firefighter? This is a steamy romance with a whole heap of action on the side which will hook you in as the story plays out and keep you there until the end.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the perfect book to have read for Valentine’s Day, add it to the shelf of steamy HEA’s!
The Author gives us a beautiful second chance romance filled with wonderfully written characters and a heartwarming love story. I am interested to see how the next book evolves and hope we can learn more about our characters pasts.
This is my first read by this Author and I look forward to reading more!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Power Play is a second chance love AND a sports romance. Two of my favorites in one!! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book, this writing style, the characters. I love it all so much. The story is about Levi and Brynn (Mac). Ten years previously they walked away from each other, walked away from their love and went down different paths. Now, a chance encounter has brought them together again and at first they don’t even recognize each other. Levi is still in love with her and never got over her. Brynn still has feelings from before but she is only a few months divorced from her ex husband. Brynn is very reluctant to pick back up where they left off so many years ago, and Levi doesn’t understand her apprehension. The ending is just perfect! This was such a fulfilling, easy, read. I give it 5 stars and will definitely read again. I always reread my favorites. I LOVE so many of the other characters…Tia and Bridger specifically. I can’t wait for their book. Hopefully we will get an update on Levi and Brynn in it.
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hot Hot Hot!!! I love second chance romances, probably because I have my own HEA due to a second chance. Brynn and Levi couldn’t be more perfect for each other!! This story gives you all the feels and was a great way to break into a new series!! The characters are well developed and the author brings the story about in such a way that you really care for them. I am very much looking forward to the next book in line!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am a sucker for second chance for romance stories. I really liked Levi’s character and who he was. Bryn took a bit for me to connect with and understand.. Part of that could’ve been her mothers influence. Levi, however, he was a success in the story as well as how it was written. I look forward to reading others in the series.
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it! I absolutely love hockey so it was a given this book would be right up my alley, and I wasn’t wrong! Mix in some romance and you have an excellent book!
I loved the storyline and the characters. Every person never forgets their first love and this book is a good example of that!
If you love hockey and love romance stories then I would highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by C.J Cartwright
4 Stars
Levi and Brynn haven’t seen each other in ten years. The pain of a first love ending haunts them both. Neither have fully recovered from it. Many things have changed since they were teenagers. Levi is now a professional hockey player (captain no less) and Brynn is recently divorced, striving to gain her freedom and take her life back. Chance has brought them together again and their chemistry is still burning hot. Can they finally have their happily ever after or will the wounds of the past ruin their future together?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters were likeable. Levi and Brynn’s chemistry was off the charts and their story is so romantic. The thing I love most is that there wasn’t too much drama. The story flowed well, it’s just a feel good read. I’m hoping to read about Tia and Bridger’s story next.
Review by @AnnaHirsch
View all my reviews
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Levi has always had his eyes on hockey ever since he was a small child, now the captain of Astoria Bay his career is going great but he has always struggled with love, although his heart has always belong to the girl he left behind years before.
Brynn has had enough of life at the moment going wrong, recently divorced and looking to get her career online she is ready for a change. Hoping that her photography business will take off she is running on empty at the moment. Until she scores a job snapping pictures of a rich family hoping this will catapult her into the society circles, if only she knew what was instore.
This story was the first I had read by this author and what a well written story it was. I was drawn into the main characters from the word go and was invested in the love story which finally happened in the end. I am always in for a good Alpha male character and Levi is a lovable, strong emotional character from the start, this with the complementary strong female role in Brynn and the story jumped off the page.
I also thought he secondary characters added another dimension to the whole story and there is obviously scope for each to have their own story told. I can’t wait to read the next instalment and more instalments to come.
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brynn is a recent divorcee and starving fine art photographer that has moved to Astoria Bay to start over and not have to call her parents to return home. Levi is the captain of the Astoria Bay Thunder, the professional hockey team of the area. Brynn and Levi have history but neither one knows they are in the same city again yet. Brynn has been hired to photograph a birthday party for a fellow Thunder players younger brother where she meets Bridger, who feels she might come in handy as a photographer in the future. Brynn is hired by Bridger to photograph the team for a calendar to raise money for the youth hockey program. That is when things begin to go downhill or do they?
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1)
I wasn’t sure about Brynn when I started this book, she seemed like she was a mess and needed to get her life together, which was totally true. She had a charm about her especially when she was awkward and uncomfortable that endeared her to me.
Levi, where do I start with him? He’s the hot Captain for the Astoria Bay Thunder who is content with living life hockey season to hockey season then Brynn shows up.
The chemistry between the two is off the charts and could have melted the rink.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love a second chance romance!! Levi and Brynn meet years later after dating, and that flame is still burning. This was a sweet and hilarious read! If you want to relax and read a good feeling story, this is it. I’m not a big sports person, but I actually enjoy a good sports read. Great fun characters and great romance!!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love Hockey so this book was perfect. Even if you dont know hockey dont worry it will still catch your attention! Between Bridger an Tia’s fun attitudes an Mac an Levi’s steamy romance you will not be bored! This book will leave you wanting more the team, characters an author!
#DawnMitchell
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book has a great hook, fun characters that everyone can relate to and a story we all know. You never forget your first love. A name change can’t even do the trick! Brynn and Levi take us through a story we all know and from start to finish you can’t help but root for them! With some fun-loving spicy side characters as well, this books keeps you wanting more!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am not a sports fan but give me a book about sports romances and i am all for it. And i love the hockey ones the most so this was right up my alley.
Levi and Brynn were so great to read about and their chemistry was off the charts and enough to melt the ice.
I have found a new to me author who I will now be binge reading everything they have written.
Cannot wait for the next book!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you love second chance romance books do not hesitate to read this one! I absolutely loved Brynn and Levi’s story. Based on how the book began I truly thought it was headed in a completely different direction than it went. Brynn and Levi fell in love as young teenagers, she from money, he from the wrong side of the tracks. After things and people conspired to keep them apart for a decade they miraculously find their way back to one another, of course not without a few bumps in the road getting there. Do yourself the favor and read this one!
Wildcat by Carina Alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This I the first book that I have read by this author and also the first book in the Metro-Gen after hours series. This is a short steamy romance that has humor suspense and drama. I loved the Characters and their quirks.
Leslie McClunis is a firefighter that loves cuss like a guy and kick her one-night stands to the curb in the morning like a guy. She isn’t looking for Mr. Forever just Mr. Right now. She doesn’t have time for a relationship
Trevor Hampton is football’s biggest, baddess defensive end. So, he isn’t used to being shown the door. After Leslie shows him the door, he realizes he wants her for more than one night? He vows to do anything to get his firefighting wildcat.
Can Trevor break down Leslie’s walls? Can he convince her that she can be herself while with him? Can they over come the obstacles in the way?
You will really need to read this story in order to find out….
Tracy
Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a good romance and a short read that was steamy, full of spice and fun. I had not read any of this author’s work before, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect when going in to the book. Trevor and Leslie had a steamy, spicy and fun chemistry about them. I loved how their two worlds collide a female firefighter and an NFL football player coming together after a one night steamy stand. I liked the many different perspectives through out the book. I loved how much Trevor cared and loved Leslie enough to go and help her when she didn’t want the help being an independent women. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work and seeing if we hear anymore of Trevor and Leslie than the future references at the beginning of the book.
Wildcat by Carina Alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Before reading this book I had not read any of this author’s work but I was intrigued by the blurb and thought it looked like just the type of book I’d like. Thankfully I had made a good choice as I really enjoyed this book and if this is a typical example of the author’s work then I’m sure this will be a fantastic series.
Firefighter Leslie McClunis is a little ball of fire all on her own but despite this is the butt of cruel jokes and actions by her fellow colleagues at the fire station. Trevor Hampton is an NFL star who wants Leslie McClunis and isn’t used to women not falling at his feet and doing anything he wants.
I really enjoyed reading Leslie and Trevor’s story. When Leslie isn’t fighting fires, she’s creating fires all of her own, in the bedroom with Trevor (or any other room for that matter). This book is HOT and not just from the fires.
I loved how Trevor fought to get his woman and then fought to get her to allow him to fight for justice for her. He may be a big tough NFL player but he’s really a sweet guy who wants the world for his woman and isn’t scared to fight to get it.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this series.
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brynn and Levi’s story of finding their way back to each other is filled with comedy, regret, heart break and ultimately love. Brynn has just getting on her feet and working to keep her independence, she really wants to stand on her own two feet. She wants no help from her family which from the bits and pieces you get throughout the story makes perfect sense. She decides to return to her passion, photography. With a bit of a ruff start on that front she takes side jobs taking pictures at events. One such job is the start of reuniting her with her first love, Levi. While working a birthday party Brynn meets Bridger, who takes her card and later contacts her about a job taking photos for a team fundraiser. After accepting the job Byrnn wins a radio contest to on of the hockey games. From here, Brynn and Levi start back on the road to finding each other, learning who the other is now, working through past hurts. Will they be able to have what they once did? Power play is worth the read to find out. It has great support charterers, flows well even has a bit of comedy. There were a few areas I would have liked more of the back story to, but those places do not take away from the story. I would recommend reading this book. It is worth it.