It’s always an amazing feeling when one of my highly anticipated reads meets my very high expectations, but to have it far surpass them? SPECTACULAR. After reading and loving Mile High, I was really nervous going into this, sort of a strange mix of excitement and dread that it wouldn’t be able to live up to my love of the first book in the series. And that just wasn’t the case at all – this pulled me in from the first few pages, and it EASILY held my attention for the 500 that followed. Which, yeah, is not the easiest feat. I’ve come to love (certain) beefy romances over the last year or so, because they really feel so immersive and so much deeper than the quick and sexy romances I also enjoy bingeing. This had such a slow, DELICIOUS burn, and I loved watching both of the leads work through their issues and get themselves into a place where they were able to let love into their lives again. These reluctant roommates turned lovers stole my heart in a big way – particularly the SWEETHEART of a hero, who was just absolutely swoony by the end. Like, hand pressed to my heart in giddy happiness kind of swoons. So you know I loved this so, so much.
The story follows Ryan, a basketball star who has kept up a squeaky clean image throughout his career. He’s all business on the court and off, leaving room for nothing else in his life except the game. So when his twin sister – also known as his one weakness – asks Ryan to let her best friend crash with him after a bad breakup, he begrudgingly agrees. Ryan has only met Indy twice, and both times she made memorable, terrible impressions on him as an emotional hot mess. Indy isn’t all that enthusiastic about moving in with Ryan either, but she’s trying to build up her savings and emotionally recover from the end of a relationship she thought would last forever. As the two get to know each other better, they realize that they have more in common than either would’ve expected, and Ryan is forced to acknowledge that Indy is the kind of girl he could fall for… if only he was able to fully trust her motivations.
I know beefy books aren’t for everyone, but when they work, they REALLY work. And this was one of those situations. I was completely hooked on this couple, and there was never a point where the book dragged for me. I wanted every bit of it, and I savored it for days. We get the great sexual tension of them trying to live together and figure each other out, the angst of trying to stay away, the yearning of wanting to get past their fears, and finally the sweetness of getting things right. Along the way, we see Ryan grow and change (as well as Indy), and I ADORED the man he revealed himself to be. SUCH a great hero, such a sweet, devoted man – and such a possessive caveman once he acknowledges his desires. They both have emotional baggage from past experiences, and I loved how they were able to work through them together. Their quiet, steady love was just all-around fantastic, and even the conflicts ended up making them stronger. Did I mention that the book is super sexy as well? A slow burn to SIZZLE if there ever was one. So this ended up far exceeding my very high expectations, and cemented itself as one of the best romances I’ve read in quite awhile.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VZlugt
Blurb:
RYAN
She’s a distraction, that’s what she is.
I’m the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago’s NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister’s best friend, to move into my apartment. She’s messy, emotional, and way too tempting.
But when the team’s General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can’t think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate.
The only problem? Faking it feels far too natural.
Having a fake girlfriend wasn’t supposed to be messy but having Indy under my roof and in my bed is complicated, especially when she wants all the romantic parts of life that I could never give her.
INDY
I never imagined I’d be living with my best friend’s brother, NBA superstar Ryan Shay. Even more unbelievable? He needs me to act as his loving girlfriend who’s suddenly changed him into a friendly and approachable guy.
Because, well…he’s not. He’s controlling of his space and untrusting of others.
Our arrangement isn’t one-sided, though. I’m in a wedding coming up, one where every one of my childhood friends, including my ex-boyfriend, will be in attendance, and there’s no better date than my ex’s celebrity hero.
Blurred lines make it almost impossible to separate real from fake. Falling for my roommate was never part of the deal, especially when Ryan is quick to remind me that he doesn’t believe in love.
I’m a romantic and can’t help fantasizing that he’ll change, but soon enough, I find myself questioning if sharing a roof with my best friend’s brother was the right move after all.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VZlugt
Start the series today!
Easy to read as standalones, but better together – and both excellent!
Zanders
Chicago hockey isn’t complete without me—everyone’s favorite player to hate. I know my role, and I play it well. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy spending the majority of my game time in the penalty box before leaving the arena with a new girl on my arm each night.
What I don’t like is the new flight attendant on our team’s private plane. She works for me, not the other way around. But I’ll be sure to remind her of that, and I can guarantee, by the end of the season, she’ll be begging to quit her job.
But every road trip blurs the lines, and I can’t quite figure out if I keep pushing that flight attendant call button in order to push her buttons or if it’s more than that.
Stevie
I’ve been a flight attendant for years. I thought I’d see it all, but when my new job lands me onboard working for the most egotistical and self-righteous diva in the NHL, I start to second guess everything. Including the promise I made to myself of never hooking up with an athlete again…no matter how annoyingly tempting he may be.
Evan Zanders is unfiltered, unapologetic, and too attractive for his own good. He loves his image, but I hate everything about it.
Everything but him.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YlLaGH
About the Author:
Liz Tomforde writes sports romance novels that depict realistic and healthy relationships. Her books offer a mix of witty banter and real-life struggles. Her heroes are alpha yet vulnerable, and her heroines are strong.
Born and raised in Northern California, Liz is the youngest of five children. She loves all things romance, traveling, dogs, and hockey.
When she’s not traveling or writing, Liz can be found reading a good book or taking her Golden Retriever, Luke, on a hike in her hometown in Sonoma County, CA.
For more information, please visit liztomforde.com. You can find Liz on Instagram @liztomforde.author
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