About the Book:

Title: The One with the Kiss Cam
Series: The One #1
Author: Cindy Steel
Release Date: November 16, 2023
Genre: Romantic Comedy

It was just one date.

My friend told me I needed more fun in my life, so I reluctantly said yes. Fun wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. After watching my own mother’s love life implode time and time again it’s only natural that I have a few rules to protect myself.

Actually, it’s just one rule…

Avoid relationships with men so I don’t get attached.

I wasn’t worried. Getting attached has never been a problem for me. This guy was just a warm body in a chair. I was here for the basketball game. I was absolutely NOT here for my date.

Or the kiss cam.

Or the kiss.

Or the impromptu evening with the one man who seems bent on throwing my tidy world off of its axis.

But when my life takes a nose dive, he’s also the man who seems bent on proving to me that good men do exist, dreams can come true, and sometimes throwing out the rule book is when the magic really starts to happen.

Book Review:

This was such a fun book! I have enjoyed all of Ms. Steel’s books so far and this one is full of the same banter, laughter, and swoon! Nora has been told she needs more fun in her life. It’s not exactly in her wheelhouse, especially after watching her mother’s love life implode time and time again. She just has one rule to protect herself, avoid relationships with men so she doesn’t get attached. It had never been a problem, the guy was just a warm body in a chair. She was here for the basketball game, not her date. Or the kiss cam. Or the kiss. Or the impromptu evening with the one man who seems bent on throwing her tidy life off its axis But when Nora’s life takes a nose dive, he’s the one who seems bent on proving to her that good men do exist, dreams can come true, and sometimes throwing out the rulebook is when the magic starts to happen.

This book has everything, banter, comedy, romance, fun side characters, and amazing main characters. Nora was such a great FMC. She tried so hard and gave her all in her work and efforts. I empathized with her and the protective walls she built for herself. She was still dealing with her family and particularly her mother’s choices. It seemed like life was just not going her way. I loved watching her learn to take chances and to trust. Duke was so lovely! What an amazing MMC, his thoughtfulness, his care, the playfulness. They were adorable together!

This book had me smiling throughout! I loved getting into the world and was excited to see what would come next. I was rooting for Nora and Duke and engaged throughout! There are also multiple lovely side characters who add to the amazing story. This is a recommendation for anyone looking for a sweet and charming romance full of humor and heart. It is a contemporary closed door romance with only kissing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

About the Book:

Title: Season’s Scheming
Author: Katie Bailey
Release Date: December 1st, 2023
Genre: Romantic Comedy

When Maddie Grainger’s longtime boyfriend dumps her on TV for the entire world to see, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom.

Until her parents announce that they’re spending the holidays with her ex’s family… And he’ll be bringing the woman he left her for.

All Maddie wants for Christmas is to stick it to her cheating ex. But how?

Enter Sebastian Slater, the NHL’s most infamous player.

On a drunken night out in Vegas, Maddie asks the superstar athlete to pose as her new boyfriend. She’s kidding, mostly. But Seb shocks her by making a counter offer: he doesn’t want to date Maddie for the holidays… he wants to marry her.

Show up at her ex’s cabin alone, or with a surprise new hockey-playing husband? Maddie opts for the ultimate level up.

Because maybe, just maybe, revenge is a dish best served betrothed.

Book Review:

What an adorable book! I actually laughed out loud at it too! It is a quick holiday read full of swoony moments, hilarious characters, and all around holiday fun! When Maddie Grainger’s longtime boyfriend dumps her on TV for the entire world to see, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom. Until her parents announce they will be spending the holidays with her ex’s family and the woman he left her for. All she wants is to stick it to her cheating ex, but how? Sebastian Slater, the NHL’s most infamous player, might be her answer. A drunken night out in Vegas, leads to Maddie asking the superstar athlete to pose as her new boyfriend, a joke, mostly. But Seb has a counteroffer, marriage. Show up at her ex’s cabin alone, or with a surprise new hockey-playing husband? Maddie chooses the ultimate level up. Because maybe, revenge is a dish best served betrothed.

I flew through this story! It is a novella and a perfect holiday pick-me-up. Maddie was such a fun narrator. I felt for her, she was coming out of a difficult time in her life and had a lot of changes. I appreciated how she chose to move forward and her vibrant personality. I definitely related to her lack of outdoorsy-ness too! I also loved the relationship she had with her brother. As someone who is close with their siblings, I love reading about siblings! She and Seb were adorable too! They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company and I loved seeing the growth of their relationship. They were so swoony and charming! I loved how they supported one another, even amidst their unusual relationship. Seb was a lovely MMC and I loved his hockey team too! They were hilarious and I would love to read more about them. They really stood together as a team.

This was a low-stress read with plenty of banter and romance! I enjoyed the side characters and was rooting for the main characters. It also has a cameo from a previous book’s character! This is a closed door romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.