Sophie Reads YA: Avon

ARC Review: Playing the Field by Becky Ward

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Playing the Field
Series: None
Author: Becky Ward
Published June 5th 2024 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
Fun, sexy and full of heart, Playing the Field is perfect for fans of Icebreaker and The Cheat Sheet as well as shows like Welcome to Wrexham and Ted Lasso.

When business student Lily’s local football club relocates to a city fifty miles away, she’s just as devastated as everyone else in her town. Determined to keep the community’s love of football alive, Lily, along with her dad and football coach sister, set up a brand-new club, Crawford United, with the dream of making it big.

When notorious professional player Ben Pryce shows up out of the blue to help coach their new team, everyone is shocked. Despite being a top Premier League striker, he's been temporarily suspended from his team for an altercation with a fan. Ben’s here to revamp his image, and the attraction between him and Lily is as deep as it is instant.

But rule number one of Crawford strictly no mixing business with pleasure.

Despite his bad-boy reputation, Lily’s convinced there’s more to Ben than meets the eye. Embarking on a secret whirlwind romance, she soon finds out that this player has a heart of gold.

But will everyone else be convinced?
Goodreads

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

For Lily and her family, the news that their local football team's home ground is being moved 50 miles away, with no thought given to the fans, they decide to form their own team. It's not going to be easy, but somehow Crawford United is born, and Lily is ready to use her marketing skills to make the team the best it can be. However, when notorious professional player Ben Pryce turns up at practice, and wants to help the team, Lily is torn between letting him, and wanting him as far away from the team as possible. Especially when she starts to develop feelings for him.

I'm going to say that while this isn't my favourite football sports romance, it definitely was something special. The idea of a homegrown, local team, being founded and run by a family, with all the successes and failures inherent in football, was new and fantastic. I really enjoyed the family dynamic between the Crawford's, and then the team when they were formed. That was truly the best part of the story. However, though the romance was fine, I didn't like the lying and really bad miscommunication between Ben and Lily. The third act breakup was hard, and I wasn't invested that much that I was desperate to know what came next.

Dates Read:
August 14-18, 2024

Rating
3 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: Viscount in Love (Accidental Brides #1) by Eloisa James

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Viscount in Love
Series: Accidental Brides #1
Author: Eloisa James
Published July 23rd 2024 by Avon/Piatkus

Goodreads Synopsis
Two eccentric orphans bring together a grumpy viscount and the free-spirited heroine who steals his heart in the first novel in Eloisa James's new Accidental Brides series, in which haughty aristocrats find themselves married to the wrong women.

He wants a nanny, not a bride...

Suddenly guardian to twins, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is luckily betrothed to a suitable lady--until she elopes. With no time to woo, Dominic decides to marry his fiancée's unconventional sister. Torie isn't perfect, but their kisses are so passionate that society thinks he's actually chosen her.

She wants to marry for love...

Torie has never been able to make sense of words on a page, so she has turned her talents to art. She longs for a man who values her as she is... but marries for the sake of the twins. She doubts Dominic is capable of love, let alone respect, but as their heated debates turn into something more, Torie begins to imagine a life as a wife, not a nanny.

But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he'll have to give all he has to win her love.
Goodreads

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

For years Viscount Dominic Kelbourne has been engaged to the perfect Lady, but she's been putting off the wedding for some reason. So when Dominic's notorious sister and brother-in-law die, leaving their two young children in Dominic's care, he's happy he has the perfect bride to mother the twins. But she decides she's not ready to mother two potential bastards, and flees with another man, leaving her sister, Torie, to pick up the pieces. Torie has been on the shelf for the last 3 seasons, ever since her inability to read became public knowledge. Even so, she takes to the twins immediately, and can see herself being their nanny if that's what's needed. Dominic, however, decides he wants her for himself, and will stop at nothing to marry her, even if that means opening up his heart to love.

I really enjoy Eloisa's books, so seeing her latest available on NetGalley was a dream. Viscount in Love is the start to a new series, though some characters from previous books make a reappearance. We meet Dominc Kelbourne in this book, who had a difficult childhood with his father, raising him to be the perfect viscount, and not showing any form of weakness or love. His sister rebelled to the level that she has become notorious to the ton, and the stigma of her notoriety is causing damage to his own reputation. Finding the perfect bride is his wish, and he doesn't care about anything frivolous like love, especially not when the children come into his care. I absolutely love the found family trope, and though Dominic was actually family with the twins, he expected to raise them from afar, even better if he can send them off to school. However, he falls in love with them, and is their dad in every sense. Torie is fully embraced by them, and they love her like a mother from nearly the beginning. It was hard seeing some of the hate she got, especially from her own family, considering how intelligent she was, and such a wonderful artist too. They didn't have an easy romance, but it was definitely one that was worth the effort they put in.

Dates Read:
September 6-8, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: Wicked Serve (Beyond the Play #4) by Grace Reilly

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Wicked Serve
Series: Beyond the Play #4
Author: Grace Reilly
Published August 13th 2024 by Avon/Headline Eternal

Goodreads Synopsis
He’s my brother’s biggest hockey rival… but he’s bringing the heat for me.

Nikolai

Hockey is my life, and I need to make this last season count. But when I’m forced to transfer to rival school McKee University for my senior year, I risk pissing off the captain, who happens to be the older brother of Isabelle Callahan: the gorgeous beam of sunshine I messed around with in secret this summer.

Rekindling our fling could risk her brother icing me off the team—not to mention the fact that my scarred past makes having a real relationship impossible—and yet the moment I see Isabelle again, all my wild, burning feelings come rushing back.

Izzy

I have two goals for sophomore year: win back my old volleyball position, and forget I ever knew devilishly handsome hockey defenseman Nikolai Abney-Volkov. As the youngest and only daughter in a family full of athletes, failure isn’t an option.

But when Nik crashes back into my life, I can’t stay away from his broody charm. I’m determined to guard my heart this time, but between the furtive hookups and the heartfelt conversations, the lines between friends-with-benefits and more begin to blur.

As we fall deeper into a place we can’t come back from unscathed, we’ll have to make a choice: fight for a future together, or watch it go up in flames.

Filled with swoons, spice, sports, and koalas, Wicked Serve is a don’t-miss new adult college sports romance.
Goodreads

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

Izzy Callahan is a star volleyball player, but after spending the summer in New York, working for a prestigious wedding planner, she wants more than just the game. However, she also wants the only boy she shouldn't have - though she did this summer - Nikolai Abney-Volkov. Nik is her brother Cooper's arch nemesis, and the two have come to blows more than once on the ice. But Nik is sweet, and the time they spent together this summer proves how made for each other they are. It was just a fling though, and they're off to different colleges, where they'll be enemies again, right? Wrong, as Nik takes the fall for a younger team mate, and the only hope he has to finish his degree, and play hockey, is by transferring to McKee, and joining Cooper's team. Seeing Izzy again is one of the hardest things he's ever done, but he's damaged, and he legacy his father left him haunts his every move.

I've found my favourite book in this series! Nik and Izzy were the couple, and it was both heart wrenching, and heartwarming to read their romance. They were so right for each other, and they fought to be together so much! I'm in awe with how utterly made for each other they were, and the moments when it was just them, being vulnerable and opening up about their pasts, were perfect. I was worried how Coop and Nik's animosity would play out, especially given their past, and Coop now being Nik's captain, but Grace wrote their development from enemies to best friends so well. The epilogue was the piece de resistance, and really tied the whole series together! I need Grace to write some more books, and stat!

Dates Read:
September 1-2, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson

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Falling Hard for the Royal Guard
Series: None
Author: Megan Clawson
Published May 2nd 2023 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
Love is in the heir in this royally good rom com debut releasing in Spring 2023 – perfect for anyone who likes relatable heroines (with great hair), hot and aloof book boyfriends (with great hats), near misses, almost kisses and a corgi or two.

Despite living in an actual castle, happily ever after is evading Margaret ‘Maggie’ Moore.

From her bedroom in the Tower of London, twenty-six-year-old Maggie has always dreamed of her own fairy-tale ending.

Yet this is twenty-first century London, so instead of knights on white horses, she has catfish on Tinder. And with her last relationship ending in spectacular fashion, she swears off men for good.

And then a chance encounter with Royal Guard Freddie forces Maggie to admit that she isn’t ready to give up on love just yet… But how do you catch the attention of someone who is trained to ignore all distractions?

Can she snare that true love’s first kiss… or is she royally screwed?

A right royal rom com, perfect for fans of Red, White and Royal Blue and The Royal We.
Goodreads

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

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Maggie Moore has returned home, but her dad doesn't live in a normal estate. No, he happens to be a warden at the Tower of London, and lives inside the castle walls. For history lover Maggie, that would be a dream, but her job at the ticket office is mind numbing, her coworkers actively hate her, and she's embarrassed herself in front of the handsome royal guard, Freddie.

I liked this book. There were fantastic moments, and then one in particular which I hated. Maggie was such a likeable character, and her camaraderie with the guards and warden's was great. I liked the chemistry between her and Freddie, though they were very different people. The plot line surrounding Maggie going on 5 dates before she packs it all in was a great way to get Freddie to come to terms with his feelings and finally prove to Maggie he was all in. Such a fun read, and especially one that both history and romance lovers will enjoy.

Dates Read:
February 8, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

2023 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Unladylike Lessons in Love (The Marleigh Sisters #1) by Amita Murray

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Unladylike Lessons in Love
Series: The Marleigh Sisters #1
Author: Amita Murray
Published May 16th 2023 by Avon/May 30th 2023 by HarperCollins

Goodreads Synopsis
Not every Regency lady is looking for a husband…

As the daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, impulsive Lila Marleigh has already broken the rules of society into tiny pieces.

When a face she never thought she would see again appears and begs for help, Lila must court notoriety once more and pit her wits against the annoyingly handsome aristocrat, Ivor Tristram. But does she risk opening her heart to the one person who can break it…?
Goodreads

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

Lila Marleigh is not a typical society lady. The illegitimate daughter of an English Earl and his Indian mistress, she has lived a privileged life with her father. However, his death left her with her cruel stepmother and half brother, and finally fleeing their abusive home, she is set to make a name and life for herself, not relying on anyone. Embracing her scandalous reputation, she forms a salon out of her drawing room, and the gaming club is enough to survive on. So when Ivor Tristram demands she stops her affair with his father - who she has never met, or slept with - Lila is not about to accept any demands than an aristocrat makes, no matter how handsome he may be. Ivor refuses to take no for an answer, and that is the only reason he finds himself darkening Lila's door again and again, right, not because he wants to see her?

I don't really know how to rate this book. The characters were decent enough, and Lila and Ivor definitely had a strong chemistry and romance, but the story was a little disjointed and confusing. The stepmother hated Lila and Anya, but still accepted them into her home, and saw that they were educated. Maybe that was to keep her husband happy, but it was a bit of a plot hole I didn't understand. I did like that plot line which got Ivor and Lila working together. Lila's friend arrives at her home, pregnant and distraught that her love is set to be executed, and only Ivor can stop it. I think that was the main reason I kept reading, as I hoped the pair would be able to be free and together, as a family. The romance was spicy, and like I said, Lila and Ivor's chemistry wasn't really the problem, it just didn't grip my attention as much as it could've. I'll maybe read Anya's book when that's released, but I don't think I'll be in any rush,

Dates Read:
September 10-13 2023

Rating
3 Stars

2023 New Release challenge

ARC Review: You're the Duke That I Want (The Thunderbolt Club #1) by Lenora Bell

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2023 New Release challenge

Review: Knockout (Hell's Belles #3) by Sarah MacLean

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Knockout
Series: Hell's Belles #3
Author: Sarah MacLean
Published August 22nd 2023 by Piatkus

Goodreads Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with the next Hell’s Belles novel about a chaotic bluestocking and the buttoned-up detective enlisted to keep her out of trouble (spoiler: She is the trouble).

With her headful of wild curls and wilder ideas and an unabashed love of experiments and explosives, society has labeled Lady Imogen Loveless peculiar…and doesn’t know she’s one of the Hell’s Belles—a group of vigilantes operating outside the notice of most of London.

Thomas Peck is not most of London. The brilliant detective fought his way off the streets and into a promising career through sheer force of will and a keen ability to see things others miss, like the fact that Imogen isn’t peculiar…she’s pandemonium. If you ask him, she requires a keeper. When her powerful family discovers her late-night activities, they couldn’t agree more…and they know just the man for the task.

Thomas wants nothing to do with guarding Imogen. He is a grown man with a proper job and no time for the lady’s incendiary chaos, no matter how lushly it is packaged. But some assignments are too explosive to pass up, and the gruff detective is soon caught up in Imogen’s world, full of her bold smiles and burning secrets…and a fiery passion that threatens to consume them both.
Goodreads

Review
Imogen Loveless may be a Lady, but she would much rather be with the Hell's Belles, in the east end of London, investigating crimes, and using her explosive know how to stop villains in their tracks. The fact that her activities tend to bring Detective Inspector Thomas Peck around to investigate is just a bonus. Following a series of explosions at female run businesses, Thomas is the only one in the Metropolitan Police who seems to see a connection between them, and especially when the Hell's Belles are present at every crime scene. He knows that as someone from Spitalfields he should stay far away from the sister of an Earl, but the spark between him and Imogen is enough to raze all of London.

Well, this met every expectation I had, and then some. Like most other fans of this series, Imogen and Tommy were clearly #endgame from their first meeting, and it's been torture waiting so long for their story. Knockout both starts and ends with a bang. The Hell's Belles (and partners) find themselves involved in investigating the explosions at businesses which are fronts for female led enterprises, helping those who need to escape, or find a better life. Only the Belles really know the truth about it all, but anyone in the East End can see that there are forces at play targeting their livelihoods, and Scotland Yard doesn't care one bit. But not all of Scotland Yard is as apathetic. Tommy can see that something is connecting them, but his superiors would rather he spend his time on more important matters, such as protecting Mayfair, and finding the missing sister of an influential earl, preparing himself to take up the vacant role as head of investigation branch. Getting close to Imogen, who he sees as better and above him in every way, would be a mistake to his future prospects, but when they become vulnerable to each other, it's impossible to stay away. I loved how explosive the book was, both in literal explosions, but also in the twists and turns. The Belles are a true family, and Caleb and Henry embrace their 'sisters' as their own. Seeing the dynamic of Tommy joining the six of them, and working together when it seems that it's just them against the world was sheer perfection! I thought the final chapters were explosive enough, but the final pages took my breath away. Roll on Duchess's book - I can't wait!

Dates Read:
August 28, 2023

Rating
5 Stars

2023 New Release challenge