Sleeper, Charmer & Troublemaker
I’ve been a longtime fan of funny lady Kayley Loring, and the Name in Lights series is the one that really cemented my love for her work! I rated all three books in this lighthearted rom com series as 5 stars, and I have a special love for Sleeper. They’re all light, sexy, easygoing and quirky, featuring single parents who are (or related to) former child stars. It’s such a fun series that I thought I’d re-share my reviews all together – these are easy to read as standalones, but better together. They’re also excellent on audio!
BOOK ONE: Sleeper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best Kayley Loring book I’ve read? Yeah, it was. This is all about the chemistry, with a light and sexy feel with minimal angst. I fell for our hero, Shane, from the start. He was so adorable, sweet, and loving with an alpha side that came out at just the right times. There’s also something so incredibly sexy about a good dad, and Shane’s kids play a major role in the story, which just amplified all of the cuteness and humor tenfold. I loved it from start to finish.
The story follows Shane, a former child star turned comedy actor who cannot seem to get any sleep. He’s got twin 5-year-olds from his failed marriage to a costar, a nanny who just quit, and an ex-wife who is out of town so she can’t pick up any of the slack. Sleep deprived and exhausted, he hires his best friend’s little sister as a temporary nanny. Shane and Willa only met once during the height of Shane’s teen stardom, and it left Willa with a crush that would just not quit. Now that they’re spending time together, sharing a home, and helping to raise two kids… everything feels way too easy and natural. Shane’s too good of a guy to start something with his best friend’s little sister, and Willa knows better than to open her heart to the guy with the power to crush it.
This just flew by – Loring’s writing gets better with every book, and I loved Shane’s perspective on things. There’s so much humor and a feel good vibe to the whole story. It’s definitely got its share of steamy scenes, but the connection between Shane and Willa is really the star of the show. I also kinda loved all the weird science facts – Willa designs fragrances, so there’s all these little factoids about scent. I pretty much had a smile on my face for the whole book, and I cannot wait to see what Loring comes up with next.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iLTuiR
Blurb:
SHANE MILLER SLEEP DIARY:
Went to bed at: Late.
How long it took to fall asleep: Forever. I have insomnia. Duh.
Number of caffeinated beverages you had consumed: Zero. Thanks for advising me to quit!
My stress level is off the charts.
I can’t sleep right on a normal day, and lately my days are filled with the best kind of chaos.
My ex-wife and husband number two are filming in Poland for three months,
so I’m turning down movie parts to focus on the most important role of my life—
impossibly charming and somewhat capable young single dad.
My son won’t stop asking questions.
My daughter won’t brush her teeth unless I sing her showtunes.
Our regular nanny quit.
The only person I could trust to hire as a temp nanny is my best friend’s sister.
If Mary Poppins and Bill Murray had a baby it would be Willa.
Fresh out of grad school and beautifully weird.
She hates my movies, and my kids adore her.
I couldn’t sleep last night because she wasn’t here.
Turns out I can’t sleep unless she’s in my house now.
Turns out she’s what’s been missing from my life all along.
If my friend had any idea what I want to do to his gorgeous troublemaker of a sister,
he would smother me with a pillow.
The chances of us succeeding as a couple are about as good as that little indie movie
that I made being a huge hit.
But it’s a chance I’m going to take.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iLTuiR
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3wd24Ks
BOOK TWO: Charmer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a FEEL GOOD, light, sweet, and SEXY read! I always look forward to Kayley Loring’s books, but I knew this was going to be a good one – and I was not wrong. It’s got a hero who may be a bit of a charmer, but he knows when he’s found the right girl. Nico is a playful musician with a playboy past who becomes the epitome of a swoonworthy hero by the end of the book. It’s the kind of read you can devour in one sitting; that will make you feel better about your day; that has such little angst that it will leave you with a smile on your face.
The story follows Nico, former child actor turned musician who has never had any trouble getting the girl – until now. He’s got his sights set on a waitress, and she has been putting up quite the fight. Kat’s a single mom who knows there’s no future for her and a musician who is constantly on the road, charms a different woman every day, and has never had a real relationship with anyone. So though she’d consider a fling (if she had time for one), she doesn’t take Nico’s advances seriously. But when he approaches her with a job opportunity, it changes the whole dynamic.
We met Nico back in Sleeper (absolutely not necessary to have read it in order to enjoy this, but a really good book), and I’ve been looking forward to his story ever since. It was obvious even then that the flirtatious musician is hiding a heart of gold, and that just became even more apparent as Charmer progressed. Loring excels at writing heroes you will fall for – they are always all about their girl, sweet and loving with a sexy side that comes out at the right moments. Nico shares some scenes with Kat’s son that will melt your heart… and also shares some steamy scenes with Kat that will set your Kindle on fire. If you’re looking for a book that’s just a light-hearted, easy read with quality writing, then you’ve found it with this.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QLA6im
Blurb:
NICO
She serves me coffee late at night when I come around to write lyrics,
but it’s not the caffeine I’ve gotten addicted to.
We’ve got the spark, but she’s the only woman in town
who seems to be immune to my charms.
When it’s time for me to leave for my cross-country tour,
I just can’t imagine not seeing her for months.
So I offer her a job on the road with me.
KAT
Everyone in LA knows that Nico Todd has a way with songs and with the ladies.
What he doesn’t know is that I would love to let him have his way with me.
But my life can only revolve around one infuriatingly cute guy—
the six-year-old that I live with.
Imagine my surprise when Nico finds out about my little boy
and tells me to bring him and my mom on the road too.
And imagine Nico’s surprise when he realizes my son
is the biggest charmer of them all.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QLA6im
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3kmAYxW
BOOK THREE: Troublemaker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kayley Loring’s books have such PERSONALITY; a completely distinctive writing style that just makes me smile. I always know I’m in for light, playful, sexy reads with her and that’s exactly what this is. A touch of the forbidden adds the only angst to this otherwise smile-inducing read; it’s the kind of light romance that you can devour in one sitting – and I did. The only problem? Well, now I have to wait until she releases her next book.
The story follows Alex, a single dad raising his son in L.A. Alex isn’t completely jaded by his failed marriage, but it’s taken him awhile to get back into a place where he’s ready for a relationship. Upon meeting the sweet yet sexy Emilia, Alex feels a spark that’s been missing for a long time. There’s instalust between them and the hint of something more, but Alex and Emilia are clearly not meant to be together – yet. Not only is Emilia just starting out fresh in a new city, but her vivacious new student is also Alex’s son. As the lust between them builds into something deeper, it gets more and more difficult to keep things platonic.
It’s a sexy, banter-filled slow burn with characters who are easy to like. I loved the texting and email exchanges, the tension, and the overall playfulness of the read. It’s SUPER low angst, with a teacher/student’s dad relationship that’s a catalyst for this relationship developing into more. And despite this being a slow burn, it’s one of the sexier reads from Loring. These two just have so much chemistry between them. There is one decision towards the end that had me scratching my head, but no major roadblocks to enjoying this light, sexy read. Can’t wait to see what the author writes next, because I’ll definitely be reading it!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3krKEaj
Blurb:
TO: Alex Vega
FROM: Emilia Stiles
SUBJECT: Hello
Dear Mr. Vega,
I felt it necessary to follow up on today’s meeting, since we weren’t able to speak candidly in front of your son.
I was shocked to discover that you are Ryder’s dad. Given that your ex-wife will be out of the country for a while and you are currently his primary caregiver, I’m sure you understand why we need to establish boundaries and etiquette. I think it would be best if we just pretend that we met in person for the first time today.
Your son is a very bright (flirtatious and talkative) student and since his education is a top priority for both of us, I hope I can count on you to respectfully refrain from grinning at me, using that sexy tone of voice, and undressing me with your annoyingly beautiful brown eyes if we should happen to interact with each other again in the future.
Thanks so much,
Miss Stiles
TO: Emilia Stiles
FROM: Alex Vega
SUBJECT: Re: Well, hello again…
Dear Miss Stiles,
Great to hear from you. My son’s education is indeed a top priority. As such, I respectfully agree to refrain from doing all of the aforementioned things.
However, I can’t promise to stop thinking about that kiss at the bar this summer. I’ve been thinking about it for the past month. It’s interesting how humorless and uptight you are about my son’s totally awesome personality, given that I have personally witnessed just how flirtatious and talkative you yourself can be when mildly intoxicated.
You’re so welcome,
Alex
P.S. I volunteered to be a chaperone for your next field trip. See you then.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3krKEaj
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3XhwkzL
About the Author:
Before writing steamy romantic comedy novels, Kayley Loring got a BFA in creative writing from a Canadian university and had a fifteen-year career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles (under a different name). She mostly wrote PG-13 family comedies that studios would pay her lots of money for and then never make into movies. In 2017 she decided to move to the Pacific Northwest and write about all the fun stuff that she wasn’t allowed to write about in those PG-13 scripts. Now she’s breathing cleaner air and writing dirtier words. It’s an adjustment she’s happily getting used to.
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