I received an advance reader copy at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

This is my first sports romance featuring fighting robots and I loved it.

Mari, the fat, bisexual, disabled leading lady is a character to root for, with a big heart and too much responsibility on her plate.

I loved the blend of humor and big emotions we witness on her journey doing what she loves featuring dynamic side characters, a hot hottie rival, as well as a few jerks and obstacles in her way.

As a chronically ill reader, I highlighted so many passages that rang true. Including moments when she has to trade off her actions in the moment vs how it'll impact her body later, during romantic scenes, as well as two brief instances of ableism and fatphobia from a few aforementioned jerks.

I was relieved that while we did see that ableism and fatphobia expressed, as readers we were not subject to Mari putting herself down or having it be shown as acceptable in the narrative for anyone else to do so.

All of this was so wonderfully done.

And as a bonus, I love fighting robots now.

An eerily calm, until it isn't, look at siblings starting over together in a new town. They arrive as grief stricken outsiders keeping secrets that can't be kept forever.

Absolutely loved this. The little breadcrumbs of information we're given as readers, providing insight into what happened and why the siblings needed a new start, began to add up and paint a picture that had me racing to get to the end.

This is a great one to fall into and trust the journey. You'll get to where you need to go. Just let the story set up and take its time to reveal what it needs to, either directly or indirectly.

I received an advance reader copy at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review. 

A second chance regency romance with mystery and eventual spice to kick off this new series.

What worked: I enjoyed the early aspects of the mystery, with Perry arriving injured and unsure whether he's seeing the ghost of his first love or a flesh and blood woman. It felt very old school romance novel with the drama and passion of first love and loss.

I also liked meeting the other family and friends we were introduced to and how their own stories might play out in the future. 

I would have enjoyed more time spent on re-introduction to society and navigating those waters. The time spent on Perry and Charlotte under the eyes of the ton really showed off their attraction and love in a beautiful way.

What had me skimming: Over the course of the novel, the mystery and pace both lagged. I love and enjoy long reads all the time, but this one could be daunting. There were a few repetitive sections and it felt like things could have been resolved sooner to keep the plot moving at a solid pace.