Book Review – Shameless King by Maya Hughes

bookreview

shamelessking

aboutthebook2
Genre: NA/College/Sports
Series: Kings of Rittenhouse (Interconnected Standalones) Book 1
Release Date: June 28

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A deliciously steamy enemies with benefits romance.

Declan McAvoy. Voted Biggest Flirt. Highest goal scorer in Kings of Rittenhouse Prep history. Everyone’s impressed, well except one person…

After a blow out in high school, Makenna Halstead and I were happy to never have to cross paths again. Except life has a way of knocking you straight in the teeth with a puck when you least expect it. She hasn’t just returned to my life, she crashed into it like a wrecking ball…into my college kingdom, into my class, and smack dab into the seat next to mine. My new lab partner to be exact.

For years we hated each other… I may be a King on the ice, but she is the Ice Queen. She has no problem calling me out, doesn’t back down, and her piercing blue eyes have me picturing more than than just my arms wrapped around her.

Now we’re stuck with each other and there’s no getting around that fact that we have to work together. My hockey career hangs in the balance. Problem? Oh, yeah.

I can’t deny it. I want her. More than I ever thought I could want a woman. I’ve got one semester. Only four months to convince her everything she thought about me was wrong.

Will my queen let me prove to her I’m the King she can’t live without?

Only one way to find out…

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reviewrating

4halfhearts

A must read guilty pleasure romance with plenty of humor, heart, and swoons

reviewthoughts

Sports romance are seriously becoming my new favorite thing this year. If you didn’t know, I’ve never bothered with them before since I’m not into sports and I was always a bit skeptical that I wouldn’t enjoy the romance that much. Well, I’ve been proven wrong multiple times and I’ve read some really amazing sport romance stories over the last few months that completely melted my heart and had me swooning the entire time. Shameless King by Maya Hughes was no exception and I was totally hooked with Declan and Mak’s love story.

Cue the giggles, laughs, spinetingling shivers, and waterworks! This book had it all and was such a deliciously swoony and charmingly entertaining read. I LOOOVEEEE enemies to lovers stories and this one definitely hit the spot. It was fun, steamy, angsty, and adorably romantic. I absolutely loved the tension, drama, all the lighthearted sweet moments and even the parts that had me desperately holding back tears. It didn’t work though and I shamelessly teared up/cried a few times.

I thought the writing style was great — easy to read, affecting, and wonderfully heartwarming. I felt for the characters and went through their emotions as if I was there with them. I just love it when stories are able to do that and this book definitely had me clutching my heart.

The romance was AMAZING and I was addicted from the start. I rooted so hard for Declan and Mak and enjoyed every single moment between them. Their hilarious dialogue, playful bickering, study sessions, sexy time, and even their fights and misunderstandings. I honestly really loved seeing them slowly fall for each other. From enemies to friends to two people who are undeniably and completely in love with each other, Declan and Mak had me laughing, holding my breath, and cheering for them. They challenged and pushed each other to be better, but at the same time accepted each other’s flaws. I thought they were just so perfect together. Not to mention, their chemistry was sizzling, steamy and so swoony.

Mak was a fantastic MC and I related with her a lot. I really enjoyed her POV and could easily picture myself being friends with her. Declan…LOVEEEED him to pieces! He’s undoubtedly charming, funny and so irresistible. He’s definitely my favorite “King” from the group. I also liked the supporting characters. I thought they were really interesting and I can’t wait to get to know the other Rittenhouse Kings. However, if I have to choose, I’d really love to read about Emmett and Avery next. There’s definitely something more to their story and I’m really curious to see what their HEA will be. But, whoever is next, and whatever the story is, I know it’s going to be just as swoony, emotional, and satisfyingly entertaining as this book.

A must read guilty pleasure romance, Shameless King by Maya Hughes had me relentlessly flipping through the pages. With fantastic writing, engaging plot, realistic characters, and plenty of heartwarming moments, this was an absolute delight to read. I’m so happy Maya contacted and introduced me to this fun and adorable enemies to lovers story. If you love hockey, humor, hot guys, and stories with a big heart, then this book might just perfect for you.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought, opinions, and swoons are my own.

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“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your glasses before.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a tux before.” Her pink tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip. The wetness left behind drew my gaze to it, and I wanted to have my own sample of her lips.

“You’re never been to prom before.” My hands pressed into the small of her back, closing the tiniest of gaps that had been between us. Why did she feel so good in my arms? The blues and greens from the fish tank washed over us like a spell had been cast and we were living in our own little underwater bubble.

“Almost didn’t come to this one.”

“Why not?” I leaned my head back, savoring the trail her fingertip blazed along the base of my neck.

She never let herself have any fun. Normally, it also meant no one else could have any fun and it irked the shit out of me, but tonight I just wanted to hold her close on the dance floor all night.

“It’s not really my thing, but I figured it’s a rite of passage and all, so I decided to come.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m glad you did.”

Even with the pretense of her helping me out of a dance with the devil—aka Hannah—gone, we stayed out there through a string of slow songs. At least I think they were slow songs; our tempo didn’t change. It was the first time we’d probably had a civil conversation with each other in years. So weird that it would happen now. It was like one of those high school movies I swore I never watched, but I had at least a few times, where the big thing happened between the two nemeses.

My head dipped down slightly. It was like the warning sirens blaring on a submarine. My blood pounded in my veins, and I needed to taste her lips like I needed my next breath. It was an uncontrolled dive, and I didn’t know exactly what I was doing, but she wasn’t pulling back. She wasn’t pushing her hands against me or cocking her hand back for a slap; if anything, she leaned in even more.

Her eyes almost fluttered closed as my lips parted, so close to hers. Her body went stiff, and her eyes snapped open wide. “Are you drunk?” She pushed back in my arms.

I let them drop. “No, I’m not drunk. I’ve had a couple drinks, but that’s it.” I took a step toward her, and she took a step back.

Before I could say anything else, a booming voice came out over the squealing PA. “And now it’s time to announce our prom king and queen.” One of the prom committee girls grabbed me by the arm. “We need you up front, Declan.”

With a strength I didn’t think someone of her size could possess, she pushed me from the middle of the dance floor. I glanced behind me at a stone-faced Mak with her arms crossed over her chest. She was back at our table and had her glasses back on her face. Things were back just how they’d always been.

The bright lights hanging from the ceiling shined in my face as they went through whatever the hell they were doing up onstage. I kept my eyes on Mak with the corners of my mouth turned down as she slowly made her way toward the double doors.

“And this year’s prom king is Declan McAvoy!” Someone placed a crown on my head, and everyone cheered. The doors closed behind Mak, and I couldn’t help but feel like that was the end to something. The end of something that hadn’t even really started. But I know one thing. If I’d known how long it would be until I got to hold her again, I’d have held on a bit longer.

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My chest tightened, but this time it wasn’t out of worry or anxiety or pain; it was something else. Something I’d never felt before and never thought I’d feel with him.

You can’t always live for other people. Sometimes you need to live for you.

It meant something to her, so it meant something to me.

I didn’t know what to do about Declan. I loved him. I tested those words out in my head before I said them out loud. It was so unexpected. I hadn’t planned on him at all, but sometimes life had a way of interfering with the best laid plans.

Looks like we’re stuck together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

authorbio2

Maya Hughes is an author of hot romance novels with heart. Her debut novel Passion on the Pitch is about an American girl finding love with an Irish footballer (soccer player).

Maya is a longtime fan of romance novels, sci-fi books and films, and burning up massive amounts of time procrastinating on the internet.

 

When she’s not writing, reading or procrastinating, Maya loves to spend time with her awesome kids and amazing husband, who has supported her every step of the way.

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I really hope you enjoyed reading my review. Shameless King is out now so don’t forget to grab a copy.

Have any of you read this book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day loves!!

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Book Review – Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken

bookreview

infraction

aboutthebook2

Published January 9th 2018 by Skyscape

Genre(s): New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Sports

Kindle Edition, 278 pages

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken proves that everyone scores to win. But off the field, a fumble can change the entire game.
Pro footballer Miller Quinton would do anything for his best friend and teammate—including “fake dating” his friend’s sister. What no one knows is that seven months ago in Vegas, Miller and Kinsey did a whole lot more than just kiss. Miller knows that this cheerleader is off-limits to him and any guy on the team. Still, he can’t stop himself.
Kinsey’s whole world is on the verge of crumbling. Her dad has cancer. Her overprotective brother is falling apart. Dating Miller may be a fake-out, but he’s the one guy who can make her forget about everything—including all the reasons she stayed away from football players. With each heated moment, Miller feels more like a safe place…even though he’s not safe at all.
Now temptation is testing every rule in the game of love. But how long can they go on playing when winning is a harder goal than either of them imagined?

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AMAZONBARNES & NOBLE

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5hearts

An Amazingly Well-Written and Wonderfully Emotional Story

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Just take my heart why don’t you! Rachel Van Dyken is my new best friend and I’m just so damn in love with her writing style. She’s a remarkable storyteller and I know without a doubt that she’s going to be one of my favorite new to me authors this year!

In the previous book, Quinton Miller and Kinsey Romonov both did more than kiss in Las Vegas. Months later, Jax, Kinsey’s overly protective brother and Miller’s best friend, asked them to start fake dating in order to keep Kinsey’s ex-boyfriend away from her. Miller and Kinsey agreed to play their part and just be friends. But, how can they fake their feelings when they’re slowly falling for each other? Will they risk everything to finally have their HEA, or will Jax and their past get in the way?

Infraction is an amazingly well-written and wonderfully emotional story filled with heart-wrenching and charmingly hilarious moments, endearing and adorable scenes, and incredibly witty and lovable characters. I loved Fraternize, so I couldn’t wait to start reading about Miller and Kinsey… but, I honestly wasn’t expecting to fall ridiculously in love with Infraction cause really how do you top the sizzling chemistry, enticing writing, and all the awesomeness from the first book? Boy was I wrong… so wrong. Not only did I get to read Miller and Kinsey’s story, but I also learned more about Jax and had the best time catching up with Sanchez and Emerson. This book certainly exceeded all imaginable expectations I had and I fell in love page after page after page.

I rooted so hard for Miller in first book and fell undeniably and completely in love with him in this one. I love Sanchez, I really do and I think he’s charming, funny and sexy, but Miller… it’s always been Miller for me. There’s just something so real and vulnerable about him that I love and yeah… that man makes my heart flutter and have the best swoons. He’s honest, loyal, sweet, handsome, protective, adorably hilarious and just a really great guy.

Kinsey’s my girl and I absolutely adore her with all my heart. The first time I met Kinsey in Fraternize, I knew she would be a firecracker and someone who’d shake things up. Well, she definitely shook Miller’s world and had him going crazy over her. She’s fiesty, cute, quirky, and a fighter. She may not always be the strongest or bravest in the group, but she tries and that’s what really matters. I loved that she matured a lot in this book and overcame some of her fears and insecurities.

Jax was someone that I didn’t really pay attention to in the previous installment. I did like him and thought he was interesting, but this book made me SEE him. I liked his POV and really enjoyed reading bits and pieces of his story. I understood why he acted the way he did and I actually kind of admired him for trying to be a hero. It may seem annoying at times and I would probably be frustrated with him if I was Kinsey, but his intentions came from his heart.

I don’t want to make this review any longer and risk spoiling all the fun for you, so I’m just going to mention a few more things before I wrap this up. This series will always have a special place in my heart. I loved Miller and Kinsey together and their chemistry was just so swoony. Sanchez and Emerson were super adorable and I can’t get over how funny Sanchez was in this one. Jax warmed up to me and I fell a little for him. The ending had me crying, but it was absolutely perfect! All the fun bantering between the characters, the bromance, the friendship, the swoony and sexy moments, the unexpected twists, and even all the heartbreaking parts that made me cry the ugliest tears… I loved all of it and just about everything else. So damn in love with this!

Oh and this also made me crave chicken and waffles…

If you’re looking for an amazing romantic and emotional read for the summer, then take a chance on this series. And don’t forget to bust out your favorite comfort food and a tissue box. You’re going to need it.

I purchased an e-reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

booksintheseries

fraternize

aboutthebook2

Published September 12th 2017 by Skyscape

Genre(s): New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Sports

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
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With amazingly written storylines, lovable characters, and heart tugging moments, Fraternize gave me plenty of achingly delicious swoons and feels. I adored every single moment from beginning to end and had one of the most delightfully emotional and affecting experience.

 

authorbio2

rachelvandykenRachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

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I really hope you enjoyed reading my review and get the chance to meet all these awesome characters. This series is seriously one of the best I’ve read this year.

Have any of you read this book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day loves!!

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