Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend by Kate Watson

Synopsis:

It's not about the wedding, it's about the marriage...license.

Sean

When my ex cheated and begged me to take her back, I made a rash, too-public vow: the next woman I kiss will be my wife. It seemed like a good idea at the time—anything to stop being everyone’s second choice. The ultimate fallback guy.

Then the Kayla Carville walks into my bar, all bold and stunning. When she hears my ex tearing me apart, she kisses me to shut her up. And when she learns about my stupid promise, she offers me a way to save face: we’ll claim we’re engaged.

The thing is, this isn’t about some stupid vow anymore. It’s about finding the courage to stop being the backup goalie and finally go for what I really want.

If I can.

Kayla

My ex is the worst, so my dad bought me a baseball team.

Classic billionaire-dad move.

Now I’m living in a small Southern town that hates me, trying to convince everyone I’m an absolute delight, not some generic “Boss Babe.”

They’re not buying it.

Except for Sean O’Shannan, the hot hometown hockey hero and bar owner who gave me the courage to break up with my fiancé months ago. He’s the kind of guy who remembers my smoothie order, saves a seat for me at the church potluck…and proposes when he discovers I don’t meet the team’s “ownership residency requirement.”

Saying yes is easy.

The hard part?

Not falling for my husband.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Confession time. A few months ago, I went through all the books on my bookshelves and donated the ones that just weren't me anymore to my local library. Ever since then, I've had empty bookshelves staring at me. And that just won't do. I've been on the hunt for the perfect knick knacks and the perfect colorful books to add to my dark colored ones. What does that mean? I'm definitely over here judging books by their covers. When a cover jumps out at me, I'm downloading a sample and hoping for the best. After several duds, I finally hit the jackpot.

Y'all. I don't even know where to begin telling you just how much I adored this book. From the moment Kayla and Sean laid eyes on each other for the second time, I became their biggest cheerleader. I laughed with them, cried with them, had butterflies with them, and became invested in all things them. These two had me kicking my feet, squealing like a little girl, and letting out all the little dreamy sighs that just seem to make the reading experience even better for me. 

Both Kayla and Sean struggle with past feelings, manipulations, hurts, and the fear of letting themselves be vulnerable enough to love and be loved in return. Their entire story is full of: I choose you. I see you. You are enough. Big gestures. Small gestures. Fierce protectiveness. Lifting the other up. Standing by each other. Being there when they are needed the most. Their story felt real. I felt like I was right there with them in Mullet Ridge, sitting in the corner table at Fruitful Union, drinking smoothies, and listening to them tell me all about their happily ever after. And y'all. I was there for it. All. Of. It.

My first visit to Mullet Ridge was absolutely amazing! I loved getting to know the town and the people in it, even if some of them are the absolute worst. I'll definitely be visiting them again real soon. I already hear Fletch calling me and wanting me to know his story as well. Mullet Ridge might become a favorite place to visit.

I know I've read a few books by Ms. Watson, and I'm trying to figure out why in the world I haven't been reading more by her. That's definitely going to change. And I'm definitely glad I judged this book by its cover. 😉

Heritage of Blood by K.P. Haven

Synopsis:

Two people from different worlds entwined by fate.

Kate

All I want is to save enough money to chase my father’s dream and help my mom.
Fate had other plans.
A chance incident entangles my life with the dangerous Luka Morozov. I’m drawn to him—despite the dangers of his world. But what happens when he won’t let me go?

Luka

I always knew I would lead the Bratva one day—it’s in my blood. But when a deadly chance encounter leaves me dreaming of the haven of blue eyes, I can’t stay away. I’ve been conditioned all my life, growing up, that personal relationships are a weakness that can be exploited.

“The thought of not having Kate would be my true weakness—I would never be the same.”

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. I'm fairly new to the clean dark romance and mafia romance books. I'm still trying to figure out my comfort zone. I've seen several no spice readers promoting K.P. Haven, so I thought I would give her a try.

Y'all. I had the hardest time putting this book down. I read late into the night and picked it right back up in the wee hours of the morning. I was enthralled with all things Kate and Luka. The emotional turmoil throughout their story had such a strong hold on me. I couldn't help but feel every single emotion right along with Kate and Luka. It's real, it's raw, it's gritty, but it was so heartachingly beautiful. I may or may not have cried on a few occasions while reading their story. It was everything I didn't know I needed.

Kate and Luka's relationship was quite the journey. Luka was suspicious of her from the beginning and did his best to keep her at arm's length. He'd spent his life believing that personal relationships were a weakness, never expecting Kate to challenge everything he'd been taught to believe. But little by little, the walls he'd built around himself began to crumble. What started with suspicion and distrust grew into a love neither of them could have anticipated. Seeing how fiercely they came to love each other and how willing they were to fight for one another made their story all the more powerful.

As I said earlier, this is my first book by Ms. Haven, and it definitely won't be my last. I love discovering an author whose writing draws me in and leaves me wanting more. I can't wait to read more of her books!

TW/CW copied from author's website:

* death of a parent (off page/flashback)

* mild language 

* death/torture

* mention of human trafficking

* gun violence

* kidnapping

While most of these are not key themes, if any are triggering to you, please practice self-love and set this book aside.

Shattered by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Six legions. Two immortals. One secret that could kill them both.

Centuries ago, the immortal world shattered. The Queen was murdered, the royal bloodline lost, and the six ruling legions have been slowly crumbling ever since. Without the Queen, their magic corrupts—and their people with it.

Jade has spent her life fighting for control—of herself, her business, and the world around her. When the ruthless CEO who engineered her downfall is revealed to be an immortal from a rival legion—and her fated mate—everything she built threatens to come undone.

Niko has one goal: slay the First Legion’s leader and avenge the past. Destroying Julian’s corporate interests should have been simple—until he discovers his sworn enemy’s fiercest defender is also the woman fate marked as his. Torn between duty and desire, Niko must decide whether his thirst for revenge is stronger than the soul-deep bond he was born to claim.

Bound by passion but divided by loyalty, Jade and Niko are enemies by birth ... and something far more dangerous by fate.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Y'all. I do this to myself all the time! I know better than to start a book by Ms. Hawke during the week, but does that ever stop me? Nope! Your girl here just kept right on reading. Of course, my week seemed to drag on with very little reading time. But once my day off rolled around, all bets were off! I stayed in bed late into the morning because I just had to finish this book!

There's just something special about Jade and Niko. These two certainly don't make things easy on each other, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. Their strong personalities made for some entertaining moments, and I enjoyed seeing what would happen whenever they were together. But there's a lot more standing between them and their HEA. Jade has some difficult truths to face, and these two have plenty of obstacles to overcome. There's a whole lot at stake, and seeing how these two navigate it all kept me turning the pages.

With revenge, divided loyalties, and secrets that could change everything, there's so much more to this story than meets the eye. I loved how the story kept unfolding and revealing more along the way. There's definitely more to this world than we see in this first book, and I'm curious to see what comes next!

This book was a phenomenal start to what I already know will be an AMAZING series! I have adored every single one of Ms. Hawke's books and I don't see that ever changing. There's a reason she's a favorite and an auto-buy for me. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! But I'll definitely wait for the weekend before I start it... 😉

His Faith by Kess Avalon

Synopsis:

She was his calculated move. Until she became his only weakness.

Faith
I never planned to become anyone’s wife.
Definitely not his.
But when my father tries to sell me off to clear his debts, I'm left with one choice… choose my own husband.
Ethan Blackwood is ruthless, controlled, and dangerous in ways I don’t fully understand.
Our marriage is supposed to last one year.
I never planned on him being someone I’d never want to leave.

Ethan
Marrying Faith Dalton was a calculated move. Nothing more.
Then she looked past the name, the power, and the reputation—and saw something I couldn’t afford to let matter.
Now nothing is going according to plan.
Because I’m learning the most dangerous thing to enter my world…
Is her.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

What happens when you're dying to read His Faith, but you're behind on your 2026 reading goal? I don't know about you, but I lock myself in my room, spend an entire day reading nothing but novellas and eating just enough so my body will stop demanding sustenance. That's it. Absolutely nothing else got done. That's how invested I was to dive into this book.

And y'all. I'm SOOOO glad that I did! How many ways can you say perfection? That's exactly what this book was for me! I was kidnapped and held hostage from beginning to end. And even then, I didn't want to leave Ethan and Faith.

The journey towards their happily ever after is a long and grueling one but oh so heartachingly beautiful. The emotions enveloping me the entire time were palpable. I felt every little thing that they felt, and my heart kept breaking into a million little pieces for both of them.

I absolutely loved the self-discovery journey they both went through. Each choosing the other. Each of them helping to strengthen the other in the way they needed it the most. The love was there before they put a voice to it. They were there for each other when it mattered most and refused to give up on each other. They were fiercely loyal to each other and did everything in their power to be there through the darkest times. They were the light that each other needed to get them through whatever life threw at them.

They chose each other. In their own time, at their own pace. They chose what forever looked like to them.

Y'all. Be prepared for the rollercoaster of your life. This story has so many twists and turns that you'll never see coming. My suggestion? Sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. It will NOT disappoint!

*dreamy sigh*

This. Book. Is. AMAZING!

Ms. Avalon has officially made it to the top of my favorites list. The moment I open one of her books, the world around me ceases to exist and I'm immersed into whatever world she has created. I absolutely love every moment I spend devouring her books. They are just that good!

I wasn't going to do a casting... but I couldn't resist. These two are seriously perfect in my opinion. *dreamy sigh*

Vigilant Vows by Kess Avalon

Synopsis:

A fake marriage to save my nephew becomes dangerously real when the man I've secretly loved proves he'll risk everything for me.

Cora
One phone call shattered my world—my sister's dead, and I'm suddenly the guardian of a two-month-old nephew I didn't know existed.
At twenty-four, I'm fighting for custody against my sister's abusive husband in a Texas courthouse, and I'm losing.
The court wants stability.
A two-parent home.
Everything I can't give Elias on my own.
Then my boss—the gorgeous, untouchable Jason Georgiou—offers me a solution: marry him.
It's supposed to be temporary. Just for the custody battle.
Except nothing about the way Jason holds Elias feels fake. And the heat between us is becoming impossible to ignore…

Jason
I've loved Cora from the moment she walked into my office, but I never thought I deserved her.
Now she needs me, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect her and Elias—even if it means putting a ring on her finger and pretending this marriage is just for show.
But there's nothing fake about the way I feel when she looks at me like I'm her hero.
Or how right it feels when Elias falls asleep in my arms.
Cora thinks this is temporary, that once the custody battle is won, we'll go our separate ways. But I'm not letting her go.
This marriage might have started as a lie, but I'll fight to make it real…

My Review: 5 Stars

I sat down this morning thinking that I was just going to read a few chapters because there was stuff that I had to get done. A few chapters turned into an hour. An hour turned into two. Two hours turned into three. Three hours turned into forget it. I'm just going to finish the book. There's always tomorrow to get things done, right?!

It's been a while since I've done a review. In fact, the last time I reviewed a book was in January after reading the first three books in this series. Did it feel like I had spent 7 months away from the Bound by Vows crew? Not even a little bit. It was like meeting up with a best friend that you haven't seen for ages. We just picked up right where we left off. 

Jason and Cora have been fighting their feelings for each other for a while now. The feelings of doubt and not being good enough for each other kept them from seeing what everyone else around them had been seeing for a while. But their eyes start to open as Cora's world flips upside down the moment she receives a call about her sister's death and learns that she's been named soul guardian of a nephew she knew nothing about. 

Y'all. I was immediately sucked into all things Jason, Cora, and little Elias. With danger lurking around the corner and not knowing who can be trusted in the small border town they were in, Jason became fiercely protective of Cora and Elias. There was no way he was going to let either of them down. He was going to do whatever he could to keep his family safe. Watching their journey unfold had my heart melting into a big ol' pile of goo. And I was here for every single minute of it! *dreamy sigh*

Another amazing book by Ms. Avalon! I seriously love how she can suck me in from page one! I can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books! 

And for my casting... I absolutely adore these two! What do you think?

Deceptive Vows by Kess Avalon

Synopsis:

A fake engagement becomes dangerously real when two killers discover love is the deadliest game of all…

Thea
I've survived the streets, built walls no one can breach, and perfected the art of being untouchable.
So when my engagement to a Russian stranger is arranged to stop a human trafficking ring, I agree—because it's fake.
Just business.
Just revenge.
But Nazar Volkov isn't what I expected. He sees past my sharp edges to something I thought died long ago.
And that terrifies me more than any enemy ever could…

Nazar
In my world, caring about someone is a liability I can't afford.
Until I meet Thea Kalantzis—a woman as lethal as she is beautiful, who doesn't need my protection because she's perfectly capable of protecting herself.
She's everything I never knew I wanted in a partner.
Now our fake engagement feels anything but fake. I've fallen hard for my deadly bride, but she's determined to keep this strictly business.
Problem is, I'm not giving up without a fight…

My Review: 5+ Stars!

When two broken souls meet, they find their missing pieces in each other.

That single line embodies the heart of Thea and Nazar's story. From the very first pages, I was completely invested in their journey. They wiggled themselves into my heart and didn’t let go, quickly becoming my favorites in this series.

Thea and Nazar are perfection! Oh how I adored them! I fell in love with these two almost immediately and found myself rooting them on from the very beginning. They both had things in their past that haunted them and held them back from finding love. If ever two souls belonged together, it would be these two. They balanced each other out and were there for each other during the hard times. Their HEA was absolutely beautiful!

Thea and Nazar’s story is one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon... tender, emotional, and deeply satisfying in all the best ways. This one hit me in all the feels! 

Y'all know how much I adore side characters. They can make or break a book for me. I loved seeing old faces and meeting new ones. I'm secretly hoping one of said characters will get their own book. I really need to see them get their own HEA! 

I am loving this series! Ms. Avalon keeps hitting it out of the park, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting, I seriously LOVE these two! What do you think?!

Content warning: PG-13 Swoony kisses, violence, past trauma, human trafficking (plot related, no detail).

Promised Vows by Kess Avalon

Synopsis:

Nothing ruins a strategic arranged marriage faster than love…

Anna
I had absolutely zero interest in marrying a stranger.
Too bad I had no choice. My brother was more than willing to sacrifice my freedom to forge an alliance with the Kalantzis mafia family.
But the one thing I still have complete control over, the one thing I’ll never give my new husband, is my heart.
No matter how much his smoldering gaze makes me wonder if I should…

Ari
In my world, alliances make or break a family.
So, marrying the daughter of my rival was sensible. I never thought I’d feel anything for her.
But I do.
I’m obsessed with my new bride.
Now, our sensible alliance is anything but. Because I can’t afford to trust these emotions. Or her.
Not when both our lives are on the line…

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh my heart. Y’all. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be phenomenal! It had me feeling all the feels from the very beginning.

From the moment I started reading, I was transported back to Chicago, where I lived and breathed all things Anna and Ari. I couldn’t wait to watch their story unfold. And oh, what a story it was!

Both Anna and Ari are bound by duty. In their world, arranged marriages are nothing more than a business transaction. But the instant connection they felt when they first met sent any thoughts of business right out the window.

I absolutely adored Anna and Ari! They quickly became favorites of mine. I loved watching their relationship develop from duty, to friends, to something more. I loved the way they loved each other, respected each other, and showed up for each other. Their HEA was hard-fought, but oh, how it made my heart smile. Another heart-achingly beautiful story for a couple who is perfectly imperfect together.

Ms. Avalon has officially added herself to my auto-buy list. Her stories are unique and beautiful. They deal with hard things, yet they’re so well written that I have the hardest time putting her books down. To say that I’m invested would be an understatement. I can’t wait to see who she has planned to capture Thea’s heart. Whoever it is, I already love him!

I'm not going to lie, this casting was a bit hard for me. But it's also one of my favorites. Definitely in love with these two. What do you think? 

Content: PG-13 - Steamy kisses, mild swearing, innuendo, abuse, violence, child trafficking and sexual assault (off page).

Desperate Vows by Kess Avalon

Synopsis:

Desperation can make you do insane things. Like marry a monster…

Claire

Fathers are supposed to protect their daughters.
But my father wants to force me into an arranged marriage to get his hands on my trust fund. I can’t let that happen.
So, I’m going to marry someone else first.
Lucas Kalantzis is a Greek mafia boss with eyes as dark as his soul. I chose him because I thought he’d be easy to leave when the time was right.
Now, I’m starting to realize just how wrong I was…

Lucas

A temporary marriage of convenience to a stranger in exchange for a load of cash? Sure. Why not?
But Claire Benoit isn’t just any stranger. She’s a pretty little pawn I can use to get revenge on my enemy—her father. It was the perfect plan.
Until she looked at me with those sweet, innocent eyes of hers and ruined everything.
Now, I’m thinking I need a new plan. One that ends with Claire being my real wife.
Til death do us part…

My Rating: 5 Stars

Y'all. The only thing I knew about this book before diving in was the MMC was morally gray. It was part of an Instagram post that a favorite author was tagged in and it just seemed to pop out at me, so I decided to give it a try. 

I started it late morning and then lost all track of time as I was sucked into the world of Claire and Lucas. I was held hostage for hours with no food or water, no bathroom breaks, it was just me in Chicago hanging on every word, every moment, anything that would bring me to the HEA both Claire and Lucas deserved. 

I absolutely adored these two! Complete opposites in every single way, but perfectly imperfect for each other. Their journey was filled with struggles, overcoming past traumas, discovering who they are both as a couple and individuals, it was real, it was raw, it was emotional. Some things were hard to read, but I was so invested in their heartachingly beautiful story that I just could not put it down.

I've seen reviews by others that didn't know how to rate the book, didn't know what to think. But, for me, it was a break I didn't know I needed from what I have been reading over the last several months. It was something serious, something different. I had no clue what I was getting into when I started reading, but I loved every minute of it.  

Here's where I would've said... I love discovering new to me authors. But I can't. I didn't realize until after I finished the book and looked at the cover that it's written by Bree Livingston. Never in a million years would I have ever guessed Ms. Livingston and Ms. Avalon were one and the same. To me, the writing styles are completely different, which I love. I'm definitely excited for the rest of the series!

As for my casting, I saw these two from the very beginning. I love it when that happens!

Content: PG-13 - Mild swearing, innuendo, abuse, child trafficking and sexual assault (off page), steamy kisses.