Thank you Atria for the ARC!

I thought I was walking into a tennis rom-com with a possible love triangle, but instead I got a beautifully intimate story about vulnerability in relationships, complex family dynamics, and the most unique twist on soulmates in a contemporary romance novel - and lots of tennis! haha. This book completely took me by surprise and I loved every single minute of it.

My favorite part about this book was how the idea of soulmates was incorporated not just as a theoretical concept, but as material fact with discernible markings to make it known on individuals with a soulmate. It threw me for a loop at first, but it was so fun to just accept it as reality and get lost in the idea of it all. It made this for an impossible romance to forget.

Octavia and Ariel's character development was so well done. Despite the very unfortunate way that their connection started, it was really heartwarming to see the way they turned it around. Ariel was exactly the kind of coach that Octavia always deserved and it was touching how he slowly made her fall in love with tennis again. I think through each other and especially in large part through Leo, they each learned to be vulnerable not only with each other, but with their families as well. Leo really was the glue that held them together and such a bright spot in a lot of the heavy that both Octavia and Ariel were carrying. Octavia fought through a lot demons that her father had saddled with and Ariel was bearing a world of pain - both emotional and physical - that he felt he had to deal with alone. I love that he found two people to help share the load and love him exactly how he was.

The three of them complemented each other perfectly. Leo and Octavia were obviously good together, but I think Ariel made them whole. Aside from their emotional growth (which was so tender and beautiful) their sexual chemistry was insaaaane omg. I loved the way they explored each other and how hot the different dynamics within their throuple were, all while allowing themself to be emotionally vulnerable. 10/10 smut.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention sweet little Eduardo!!! I thought he was the most precious kid and I loved what he brought to the story. He softened Octavia in the most unexpected way and their bond was one of my favorite parts about this book. Ariel was such a good father to him too and I loved how fierce he was about protecting him and loving him completely separate from how well he played tennis.

One thing that I wish we'd gotten was Leo's POV. Even though he was probably the most open of them all to start and it was pretty clear how he was feeling, I still think it would have really rounded the story out to have his POV. I still really enjoyed this though. The tennis of it all was thrilling and I was entirely invested in the subplots with all of the side characters. LOVED this and I can't wait to read more from this author

I'm kind of torn on this one! The start was so strong that I was convinced it was going to be a 5 star read, but as the story went on to incorporate the whole pirate treasure hunt plot line — largely in the form of excerpts from a historical fiction romance novel tied to the main story — I lost interest. I was much more invested in Lucy's whole part in the overall story, including the past/present chapters with the history between her and Ben. I liked the writing though and would definitely read this author again!

The book stars with a football related freak accident that I honestly wasn't expecting, but that immediately had me glued to my seat to see where the rest would go. I loved the second chance romance aspect of it all, especially with the flashback chapters interspersed to give us the whole picture on Lucy and Ben's shared past. It was clear in both the past and the present how completely gone Ben was for her and it was really sweet how easily he took to her daughter, Elise, as well. He was such a good man and his backstory hurt my heart.

There were lots of twists and turns that kept this such an enthralling story!! The momentum was often stopped in its tracks though with the historical romance excerpts and I regretfully tuned them out at the start not recognizing their importance. So, by the time things started moving in that story I was a little lost on who was who and what was happening, but even once I was caught up, I just didn't really care?? I was much more interested in the treasure hunt of it all going on in the present.

All in all, an interesting read and I LOVED the narrators for Lucy and Ben. I liked the narrator for the historical romance excerpts as well - very fitting for that portion of the story.

I love a book that can be laugh out loud funny while also unexpectedly hitting me with an emotional gut punch after gut punch. To laugh AND cry from the same book is a hard feat, but Pot Shot made me feel it all. It provided perspectives on what loneliness feels like and a gut wrenchingly vulnerable look into chronic illness. I did not have this book on my radar but omg, I am so glad I came across it. Every aspect of this book was thoughtfully written and the author's attention to detail was impeccable. Highly recommend.

It's been a while since I had a book make me laugh out loud like this one did. The beginning was so goddamn ridiculous but it was the most hilarious way to get introduced to our main characters, Nomi and Julian. We also very quickly got to meet a lot of the side characters and despite how many of them there were, they all were so distinct and unique. I loved how much the supporting characters added to the story, not only with the humor but also the heart and emotion of the book. I loved them all!!

I honestly learned so much while reading this book. First, about Crohn's disease and day-to-day life of someone with a chronic illness. I can appreciate how vulnerable the author must have been writing about something she herself has personal experience with and it just reaffirmed to be kind because you never know what someone is going through.

I also learned a lot about cannabis. It's never really been my thing, especially living in a state where it's so far from legal, but I was fascinated by all of the various strains, uses, and forms that it could be consumed. It really made me wish I lived in a state where it was accessible like this.

Nomi was a badass. She not only incredibly knowledgable, she was also so generous with her knowledge and her time. The way she helped her community and advocated for them was beautiful and I admired her character so much. I had a lot of empathy for her character and it definitely hurt to read about all the ways she felt isolated due to her illness. I am so glad she not only is surrounded by an incredible community but also that she had Julian by her side by the end.

Julian was a man who you had to trust the process with lmao. You're going to hate him before you absolutely fall head over heels for him, but his character development was some of the best I've read all year. I think the early scene in the book showing his likable (very high lmao) side was key to holding out hope for his character. His backstory was tragic, and painful in a way that was different than Nomi's, but similar in the sense of how lonely he was. His love for Nomi was fierce and I loved how all in he was. Such a good redemption arc.

I can't wait to read more from this author. Truly loved every second of this.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

4.5 stars

“You don’t even see it. How you bring color back to people. How you’re here and then—it’s all fucking gray when you’re gone.”

Madge Maril did it again!!! There is something about her writing that is transfixing and completely pulls you in to the story. The banter, the romance, the tension!! Cat and Faust, as individuals, were uniquely compelling characters, but together, they were electric. This was an exciting F1 romance with complex main characters who I absolutely fell in love with. Faust is on a whole other level of book boyfriends!!

Cat was all sharp edges and quick wit. I was obsessed with the way her mind worked and how brilliant she was when it came to all things fashion. The author cheekily referenced the infamous cerulean scene in the Devil Wears Prada, but at times, that's how it felt when Cat talked fashion - and I LOVED it. She was very clearly used to being in control so it was fun to see the way Faust kinda turned her whole world on its axis. The way he cared for her and praised her - ugh will be living in my head rent free for the foreseeable future.

Faust contained multitudes. He was the grumpiest feminist who was so thoughtful in the way he lived his life. He was a quiet man who loved quietly, but in a manner that held so much weight. He was so perceptive and he definitely used that to love Cat in earnest and in all the ways she didn't even know to ask for. Also, his mouth??? His praise??? Good lord, he didn't say much, but when he did, he did not hold back. It was intoxicating - I can only imagine how Cat felt lmao. He was just ugh such a good man with the best heart. I need more!!

The plot was entertaining and I really enjoyed all of the side characters!! Slip Stream was my first F1 romance and I just love how Madge Maril writes this fictional world. It's so exciting and I can't wait to see what she does next.

This was very nearly a full 5 stars, but I felt like there were things that were skipped over or that should have been expanded on. I also was a little bummed that there was no epilogue (the last chapter basically was one but I felt like we needed just a little more past them getting back together) but that's me being greedy. I still wholeheartedly loved this and would highly recommend.

Thank you to House of Hearts Lit for the arc!

Ahhh this series is quickly becoming one of my new favorite sports romance series AND Marie M. has definitely cemented herself a favorite author of mine. There is so much heart and humor in her books, as well as characters who feel so real. Face Off with Fate had all the banter, emotions, and steam!!! 10/10

It did not take long for me to immediately fall in love with Graciella. She was so quick with her wit and I loved how strong willed she was. I also admired the fuck out of her work ethic and how fierce she was in all aspects of her life. She’s someone I wish I could be best friends with lol. I loved the way she constantly poked fun at Monroe and how loyal she was to both him and Goldie. Her relationship with Goldie was absolutely precious and made me so emotional towards the end.

One thing about me is that I love a grump, but even more so when he’s a grumpy single dad, so needless to say, I LOVED Monroe. He was such a good dad and so devoted to caring for Graciella, too. I loved how he didn’t shy away from giving her the same energy she gave him lmao their back and forth bantering was so funny. It made me so emotional to see the way everyone showed up for him in a way he didn’t have on the past.

Graciella and Monroe were hot together and omg, so here for their chemistry. They were such an easy couple to root for and I had the best time reading about them.

I also LOVED the way the Mexican culture was woven into the book. From the way Graciella talked, to the phrases she used, to experiences that are so common in our culture, to the food and more - it was really awesome seeing my own experience reflected back so intimately like that.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I cannot wait for more!!

Ok this was so cute and honestly the perfect summer romance!! There's just something about a summer read with a fake dating plot line that hits just right. I also loved how the author mixed in some heavier conversations surrounding grief and complicated family dynamics that I think added a lot of depth to the story. I listened to the audiobook and I loved the narrators!! They were perfect for Noelle and Jeremiah.

I really enjoyed the small town, coastal beach setting. There was something so cozy and idyllic about it all. That coupled with Jeremiah's family history with the home and the genuine love behind his family's business just made for such a comforting summer read.

It was really sweet to see the natural progression of Noelle and Jeremiah's friendship into something more. From the moment they met, it was clear that they had some real chemistry!! I think they both provided a safe space for each other to be themselves and be vulnerable in ways that normally wouldn't be and I think that spoke volumes to the way they felt about each other.

I loved how involved Jeremiah's family was in the story and specifically Noelle's relationships with each member of the family. It was heart warming to see the way they accepted her and brought her into the fold, especially considering how lonely she was being so far away from her mom.

I definitely enjoyed this and I can't wait to read more from this author!! I definitely see her setting up more for this series and I can't wait.

"And I swear the stars above have never burned so bright. Like they finally recognize me after all this time. Under their light, with him warm in my arms, I don’t feel forgotten. I feel kept."

THIS BOOK. MY HEART. This was such a tender story about queer love, grief, and found family that I know will have a lasting impact on me. Chip Pons wrote two main characters with so much heart and personality - I would absolutely die for Levi and Hayden lol. Cannot recommend this book enough. I mean, the concept of the former god of death turned grumpy funeral director falling for a sunshine-y florist is everything. Please read this!!

I will get into all of the very many things I loved about this book, but I have to start off saying that the Greenhouse scene will be living rent free in my head until further notice. One of the hottest scenes I've ever read with the best praise and creative use of shadows lmao. 10/10.

I love a book that is hot as hell while also having a ton of emotional depth, to the point that my heart was physically aching for our characters. The topic of grief and loss is explored in different ways throughout this book and through Hayden and Levi. Hayden - holding on to it for others through his work and the lasting, isolating affect its had on him, and Levi - holding on to his own grief from the loss of his brother and finally allowing himself to process it. It was heartbreakingly beautiful to see such poignant looks into grief, but most importantly, seeing how Levi and Hayden each helped the other share the load and subsequently realize they didn't have to carry it all alone. Those soft, vulnerable moments moments between them were everything.

Hayden and Levi's love was such a joy to witness on page. It was soft, tender, and burned so bright. Through his light and love, Levi breathed life back into Hayden and ended centuries of his loneliness and isolation. Alternatively, Hayden's created a safe place for Levi to land while he worked through his grief and allowed those tough emotions to come through. They each had their own unique struggles that humanized them in ways that made me beyond emotional. I loved them both with my whole entire heart.

Ok aside from the heavy and emotional of it all - this was also so FUN!! The witty banter, the lovable side characters, and the small town shenanigans provided exactly the kind of levity that the story needed to balance it out and every single one of those aspects made this such an entertaining read and just another way to immerse myself in the story. Also, Porter and Zane??? I hope this isn't the last we see of them because I definitely need more.

Anyway, I could go on and on. A top read of the year, no doubt!!

Probably one of my favorite memoirs I have read to date. It was a love letter to New York City, dogs, and finding yourself in your 20s. This was such a heartwarming, emotional, and relatable read that I think many people would be able to find comfort in. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author and it really just felt like sitting with a friend while she told me her story. Def recommend!

I loved the way Isabel's tales with love and her life in NYC were interspersed with stories of some of her foster dogs, almost as a way to kind of mark passages of time. The way she spoke about these foster dogs was so special and I could feel the love and care she had for them down to my bones. I truly admired everything she did for them. But what hit me the most was the story of her childhood dog, Ruby - it had me unexpectedly sobbing at 5:00 a.m. while I made breakfast. The way she spoke about her pets was so special and something I'm very familiar with.

I also really appreciated everything she spoke about her regarding her love life, living through the pandemic, and just trying to survive your 20s. It was all so real and relatable!! 10/10 memoir - especially if you're a dog lover.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

An incredible start to what is sure to be an exciting new series. Abby Millsaps has created such a fascinating fictional F1 world with characters who are easy to fall in love with. Upgraded was entertaining, relatable, and such a good time!!

As a girlie who is a picky eater (much to my dismay) due to sensory issues, I have never felt so seen reading a character like Evangeline. There were many, many parts of Evangeline that I deeply related to, but I've never read a book describe my experience with food so accurately and I really loved getting that representation because it made me think "I'm not difficult! This is a real thing!" It was healing in a way, especially getting to see all the ways Alaric accommodated her with no complaints and with all the joy in the world to make sure she was comfortable and fed. My favorite part of this whole book.

Alaric is probably one of my favorite mmc's I have read all year. He was so thoughtful, kind, generous, and the most compassionate man. Time and time again, he showed up for Evangeline and proved how much he cared about her through his actions. He was such a good man. I also loved the duality of like, how good he could be and then how dirty he could get, too. We love to see it!!

The found family mixed with the F1 world was done so well. I was truly entertained with the F1 of it all (despite not knowing a single thing about the sport) and invested in all of the characters who make up the "Even Better Eleven" - she seamlessly created this tight knit group of friends who I already can't wait to get more of. I am so excited to see what she will do with this series. Definitely recommend!!