Sophie Reads YA

ARC Review: Shot on Goal at a Second Chance by Dineen Miller

10:00

Shot on Goal at a Second Chance
Series: None
Author: Dineen Miller
Published August 5th 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
My father used to say my first love was ice hockey. Little did he know how right he was.Hockey has always been part of my life. How could it not when my father was one of the most renowned players in the game? I even fell for a hockey player once. Needless to say, I won’t make that mistake again.

Except he’s suddenly back in my life. I just purchased a team, and guess who covers them for the network?

Would it have been a dealbreaker if I’d known I’d have to see him on the regular? Probably not. I didn’t sacrifice my dream for him years ago, and I won’t now either.

But my heart is falling faster this time around and somehow, being a one-woman-show isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

Should I give this thing between us a second chance? Or let our attempted shot on goal remain a thing of the past?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Rebecca Piedmont has just bought the scandal ridden Florida Sun Kings hockey team, and moved down to Sarabella, Fl. She knows it’s not going to be easy to turn the team around, but it was always a dream of her and her late fathers, and she ready to do what it takes to live up to his memory. The team are pretty good, but there’s been no management or investment for years, and the GM is undermining her at every turn. So when her past love Zach Keller walks into the opening press conference, 23 years since she last saw him, Rebecca doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But could this be fate?

Wow, a really wonderful story of second chances and finding love once again. A quick book - only 138 pages - I read it all in one setting, and couldn’t put it down. Zach and Rebecca didn’t shy away from the fact that his leaving her all those years ago broke her heart, nor the fact that her father had a part to play in them not reconciling earlier. Rebecca didn’t have an easy time of finding a new coach or battling a misogynist GM, but she did it perfectly, knowing that Zach was there to support her, but not to take over. I’m intrigued in the team, and wonder if there’s any books focusing on them - if there are, I’ll be reading them!

Dates Read:
August 8, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

September

Stacking the Shelves: September 13th 2025

10:00

3 Stars

ARC Review: Influencing the Rancher (Indigo Hills #0.5) by Aubrey Kent

10:00

Influencing the Rancher
Series: Indigo Hills #0.5
Author: Aubrey Kent
Published September 1st 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
When a cowboy falls, he falls hard. Even for the woman who's already halfway out the door.

Zane Wyatt has sworn off women and the heartbreak they bring. But one unexpected afternoon with a curvy influencer shatters his resolve. Now she’s in his small town, lighting up his ranch, and testing every wall he’s built around his guarded heart.

Capri Sutton lives her life in front of a camera—smiles polished, posts perfect. But behind the filters, she’s just a single mom searching for stability and a place to call her home. The last thing she expects to find in the Texas Hill Country is him—a brooding, maddeningly handsome cowboy with eyes that see right past her perfect filters.

She’s sunshine and sass. He’s grump and grit. She’s got the world watching. He’s got walls that only she can tear down.

The clock is ticking. Their chemistry is explosive. And if they’re not careful, one magical afternoon might be the only one they ever get.
Goodreads

Review

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

When influencer Capri Sutton is challenged by a handsome cowboy for taking photos near his land, she never expected that interaction would change her life. Zane Wyatt is very secretive and protective of his land and his family, and thinks the worst when he sees the beautiful Capri next to his fence. Realising he made a mistake, he invites her back to take as many photos as she wants, and soon he knows he never wants her, or her daughter Maddie.

This was such a fun and cute novella, that I wish was longer. Capri and Zane had chemistry which was off the charts, and though it was quick how they got together, it was fate - they were just meant to be together. I adored the way that Zane made sure to include Maddie in the different activities they did, fully respecting Capri as her mother, and making sure it was clear he was in it for the long haul. There's hints to the other books in the series, and I'm really intrigued by the extended cast of characters.

Dates Read:
August 29, 2025

Rating
3 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: Starting Over with You (Beer League Belles #2) by Toni Aleo

11:00

Starting Over with You
Series: Beer League Belles #2
Author: Toni Aleo
Published August 29th 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
Welcome back to Thistlebrook, where raccoons start turf wars at the library, firefighters have dad jokes locked and loaded, and starting over is messy, hilarious, and a whole lotta sexy.

Kenni Colburn has spent the last nineteen years being the perfect wife, the greatest hockey mom, and the glue holding everyone else together—while her husband built a secret second family. But now that her twins are off to college, she’s done being the woman who puts herself last. Kenni is packing up her car and heading home to Thistlebrook to reclaim her maiden name, her happiness, and maybe even her wild streak.

Dean has been in love with Kenni since he was fourteen, but timing has never been on their side, especially since she’s his sister’s best friend and is also the sister of his baby mama.
That might not have been his finest moment…
Dean is not only the best dad imaginable, but the most reliable firefighter in a community that loves him even if he didn’t marry the woman he knocked up.
She wasn’t the one, and he wasn’t settling for anything but the best.

Now, Kenni is back—fierce and finally free—and Dean knows he’s not letting her slip away this time, even if it means burning every excuse to ashes.

Small towns are supposed to be quiet, but in Thistlebrook, exes return, secrets explode, friendships rally, and second chances set the entire romance section of the library on fire, sometimes literally. Kenni is ready to start over, but she never expected to fall into the arms—and the bed—of the man who’s always been there.

Heartfelt, hilarious, and brimming with found family, small-town chaos, and a swoony firefighter hero who’s waited too damn long, Starting over with You will leave you cheering for Kenni’s era—and maybe texting your bestie to grab Fireball and smash some dinner plates inscribed with the names of all the people who did you wrong against the side of the Smoky Mountains.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

After 19 years of marriage, Kenleigh Colburn is ready to find herself again. She's only held out with her cheating husband this long so that their sons can graduate and get set up at college, but she's not giving him anymore of her time. Returning home to Thistlebrook and reconnecting with the rest of the SI (Shenanigans Incorporated), Kenni is going to reclaim her future. There's just one small problem - Dean Moore. Kenni's been in love with Dean ever since she was a teenager, but he's her best friend's brother, and also her sister's baby daddy. So when he starts flirting with her, Kenni doesn't know if she should run for the hills, or into his arms.

I think I liked this one even more than book 1, and that's saying something. Kenni and Dean had undeniable chemistry, and I'm all about a second chance, best friend's brother kind of book. This did it all perfectly, and the way none of the characters - not just the MMC and MFC - shied away from the messiness of it all was wonderful. The cousins chat interludes were lovely, and the final chapters made the book outstanding. We also got to see a little bit of Fable and Jett (maybe not as much as I would've liked), and more of the townspeople. I hope there's another book, and that it's about Noelle and Sebastian, because their story looks like it could be epic!

Dates Read:
August 9-10, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: At the Edge with You (Beer League Belles #1) by Toni Aleo

10:00

At the Edge with You
Series: Beer League Belles #1
Author: Toni Aleo
Published May 30th 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
I never thought I’d see her again.

Fable Winthrop was my only partner on the ice. I’d been the hockey player turned figure skater overnight, and she was the prim, proper ice princess who didn’t take my crap.
I did everything to make her smile, I worked hard to get her the gold, and I loved every moment of it. Even though her parents warned me to stay away from her, I fell desperately in love with her. Since I couldn’t have her the way I wanted, I made her my best friend, the girl who knew me better than anyone, in the hope that, after it was all over, we could choose each other.

But after winning the gold, her parents pulled us apart.

I chose the rough, fast world of hockey. She stayed in figure skating, not only winning two more golds, but carving out a name for herself as one of the best coaches in the sport.

Now, twenty years later, she’s back. And after a letter from the grave, she is the co-owner of my rink.
The rink was supposed to be mine, and now, she’s not only in my space, she’s in my head. We have to work together like we did all those years ago, but so much has changed. Not only are we older, but the past weighs heavy on both our hearts. While Fable still reminds me of the girl I remember, she’s a woman now.
And she’s still in my heart.

When the chance comes to skate with her again, I jump onto my blades faster than I could say yes. I don’t just want a second chance at skating; I want a second chance with her.

But Fable has spent years building walls around her heart, and our past continues to chase me. We were unstoppable once—two kids who could conquer the ice together. Now, I have to prove to her that we still can.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

It's been over 20 years since Fable Winthrop and Jett Cook won gold at the Olympics, or even saw each other again. Jett was sent to college to play hockey, whereas Fable was on a solo route, winning another two golds before fleeing town and doing everything she can to forget her family, and Jett. But now she's back in town, and stuck here for at least a year due to stipulations in her grandfather's will. If she leaves, Jett loses the ice rink he's made his own, and Fable would never do that to him. She's tried to forget about her childhood friend and crush, but being partners once again is stirring up the old feelings, and she doesn't want to fight them any longer.

I loved this book! From the first few pages, I was hooked, and the fact that it was dual POV made it all the better. We got to see both Jett and Fable's characters, seeing their flaws and their mistakes, but also what made them uniquely perfect for each other. The yearning and sheer love they had for each other was magnificent, and the fact that it was not all plain sailing, but there were arguments and animosity as they rediscovered themselves and each other, made it even more enjoyable. The extended cast of characters, especially the Belles, were a hoot, and I only wish that Fable's parents got their comeuppance because they were truly vile and disgusting characters. I need to read book 2, and hope that Jett and Fable play a large part in it!

Dates Read:
August 7-8, 2025

Rating
4 Stars