Sophie Reads YA: Montlake

ARC Review: Fixed Asset (Downrange #1) by Riley Edwards

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Fixed Asset
Series: Downrange #1
Author: Riley Edwards
Published November 4th 2025 by Montlake

Goodreads Synopsis
From USA Today bestselling author Riley Edwards comes a steamy, action-packed romance where danger and desire fuel a high-stakes game neither party is prepared to lose.

Catarina Keys doesn’t play it safe—and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. A free agent now, she takes a risky mission in Honduras, delivering high-stakes intel to a woman with an ironclad reputation. Reckless? Absolutely. But the peril of her current situation isn’t all that’s on her mind. She’s dangerously preoccupied with burning thoughts of him.

After a successful op together last year in Vegas, ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan thought leaving Catarina behind was the right move. It wasn’t. Now she’s back in the line of fire, and he can’t decide whether to save or spank her delectable ass. But first, he vows to uncover her mission. And whoever’s behind it.

When their paths cross again, they realize they’re pawns in a much bigger game. Jack’s desperate to protect her, but Catarina won’t give up her freedom. As the heat intensifies, will they play by the rules…or risk losing it all?
Goodreads

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

Catarina Keys knows what it takes to be a woman in a dangerous job. After all, she's put herself through risky missions time and time again to help other women be safe from predators. However, she may have bitten off more than she can chew on her latest mission in Honduras, and has been kidnapped to boot. Luckily, those who snatched her from the street include ex-Navy SEAL Jack Donovan, who Catarina had worked with in Vegas a year ago. Jack is spitting mad that Catarina has put herself in so much danger, and wants to give her a piece of his mind, or carry her off in his arms - he can't decide. As they agree to work together for the good of the mission, it's harder for them to stay professional.

Oh this was a good book. Definitely not my usual read, but I was invested in the entire gang from the moment they were all revealed. Catarina was such a strong character, but when she showed her vulnerable side with Jack, it was so heartfelt and real. There were times that their relationship was literally relationship goals, just with added danger. This book definitely set up for the rest of the series, and Mason & Calista's story especially. I can't wait to see how they're getting on in Fallen Hero.

Dates Read:
October 25-26, 2025

Rating
3 Stars

4 Stars

ARC Review: All Superheroes Need PR (Supers in the City #1) by Elizabeth Stephens

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All Superheroes Need PR
Series: Supers in the City #1
Author: Elizabeth Stephens
Published May 27th 2025 by Montlake

Goodreads Synopsis
He’s a villain looking for a hero rebrand. She’s the marketing genius who can make it happen in this fantastical romantic comedy by the author of the Beasts of Gatamora series.

Over two decades ago, forty-eight young, gifted superheroes fell to Earth and were eventually marketed as opposing heroes and villains. Now, one exceptionally gruff bad guy is looking to hop teams. Hello, PR director Vanessa Theriot.

His real name is Roland Casteel a.k.a. the Pyro. First, swap that with the less incinerating the Wyvern. Next, put him in spandex to highlight that near-godlike body. Finally, give that hero in training a heroine—if Vanessa will play the part in a pretend romance guaranteed to make the city swoon. She’s game. As shy as Vanessa is, it’s her job to be Roland’s very own Lois Lane. Who knew that fake dating would change their worlds?

But falling head over heels for real makes for a dangerous shift in the narrative. A monstrous supervillain is bringing out Roland’s bad side again. This time, it’s to save a woman who, against all the odds, is becoming the human love of his superhero life.
Goodreads

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

Years ago, 48 superheroes fell to Earth, and the world was never the same again. In the years since, the battle lines have been drawn, and the arrivals are either heroes or villains, with all the branding and publicity to make it profitable. Vanessa is the owner and manager of an up-and-coming PR company, and she needs the new contract in order to continue the business. Roland was formally a villain, but has now turned to the good side, and needs a complete rebrand - including a loving girlfriend to make it believable. That all sounds great, until Roland announces he will only work with Vanessa, and she needs to be his ‘girlfriend’. What may have started out as a Lois Lane fake romance, soon proves to be anything but.

Wow, this book was epic! I was not expecting how funny and gut wrenching it was - Elizabeth really knocked it out of the park here. Vanessa was an amazing FMC, vulnerable and imperfect, but loveable all the same, and when I say Roland fell hard, he fell hard, and was ready to go toe to toe with anyone and everyone who got in between him and her. I’m someone who loves superhero films, so when this book popped up on NG, I knew I’d enjoy it, but I loved it! The plot, the romance, the characters - everything was engaging and so diverse. A few things happened that I was not expecting, but the cover perfectly matches the book, and I am now desperate to get my hand on book 2. Elizabeth is now one of my auto-buy authors!

Dates Read:
June 20-21, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

3 Stars

ARC Review: End Game (Kings of Campus #1) by Monica Murphy

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End Game
Series: Kings of Campus #1
Author: Monica Murphy
Published September 17th 2024 by Montlake

Goodreads Synopsis
In this fun, sexy college romance, a transfer student finds herself living in a house full of football players—and falling for the one she knows she shouldn’t want.

Everleigh

Transferring to UC Santa Mira is supposed to be my ultimate college experience—until housing falls through at the last minute. So when I overhear a group of guys complaining they need another roommate, I jump at the opportunity.

They’re just football players. Even if one of them makes me weak in the knees, it doesn’t mean anything unless I let it. And I won’t.

We want different things. Wanting each other doesn’t change that.

Nico

It’s my senior year and final season with the Santa Mira Dolphins. The last thing I need is a distraction, but that’s exactly what this girl is. Ever is too leggy, too gorgeous, too thoughtful—and a whole lot of too much that gets under my skin.

I guess I get under hers too. I can’t help myself.

We live together. That alone makes it a bad idea…but I never could resist a little trouble.
Goodreads

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

Everleigh may have just made the biggest mistake of her life. Transferring to a new college in her junior year was always going to be tough, but having her housing fall through, her car broken into, and nowhere left to turn, she's all out of options. Luckily, she overhears 3 footballers say they need to find a new roommate, and manages to convince them to let her move in. She's finally found her feet, and her new roommates are great. The only problem is her growing crush on Nico, the one guy she should never want, but can't stop thinking about.

I've started getting into sports romances, and the synopsis for this one drew me in. I really liked the camaraderie between the household, and the secondary characters. Everleigh arrived at UC Santa Mira not knowing anyone, but the guys fully accepted her. Coop was like an older brother, and his sister, Sienna, became a great friend quickly. Dollar had a crush which was a little annoying at first, but he and Everleigh talked it over, and there were no hard feelings. With Nico though, it was different. He was a definite player, and against her moving in at first, because he was worried a girl in the house would change everything. And though she did, all her changes were for the better. Nico was definitely a character who needed someone like Everleigh in his life, and to get his head out of his ass and realise what he had in front of him. He was too used to getting it all on a platter, and Everleigh made him work for it, and consider a future, rather than just a one time thing. The secondary plot line of Sienna and Gavin was interesting, and I hope that they have a book soon.

Dates Read:
April 12-13, 2024

Rating
3 Stars

4 Stars