In a Nutshell Reviews: The Adult Romance Edition

In a Nutshell Reviews are my version of mini-reviews, because sometimes, you just want the highlights.

Intercepted
Alexa Martin
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Berkley Books
Rating:  out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there's a new player on the horizon, and he's in a league of his own...

Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights.

Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation.

Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season.

When I heard there was a football romance being written by a football wife, I knew I had to read it, and all I can say is #NoRegrets.

• Pro: One of the best things about this book was Marlee. She was sassy, but could back all her talk up with action. She had to make some really tough choices in this book, and I really admired the way she picked herself up and made lemonade out of lemons. Most importantly, she learned to make the decisions that were best for her. 
• Pro: I didn't like Gavin - I LOVED Gavin!!! He was just all sorts of perfection, and I couldn't have asked for a better hero. 
• Pro: Female friendships always rate real high with me, and Marlee was lucky to have two amazing women in her life - Naomi, her bestie, who was always there for her, and Brynn, her boss-friend, who took a chance on Marlee, when she was starting anew. I loved them both, and adored the dynamic they had together. 
• Pro: Gavin and Marlee were magical together. I loved their ease, their banter, and the genuine affection, which I felt between them. 
• Pro: This book was more than a romance, it was the story of woman, who had to find her way back to herself after years and years of living in her boyfriend's shadow, and she did so in such a fabulous way. 
• Pro: The ending made me so happy. Martin gave me some of my favorite things with that ending. Seriously, my face hurt from how much it made me smile. 

Overall: A fantastic debut, which has me chomping at the bit for the next book.

GUYS. Your new bookish bestie hits shelves tomorrow in all her sassy, hashtagging glory (and with a dose of yummy football hero) so get ready to meet Marlee in @AlexaMBooks' sensational debut, INTERCEPTED! #comingsoon #ownvoices #WAGS https://t.co/gnsWXMzhAQ pic.twitter.com/HxqECVa3mS

— Berkley Romance 📚 (@BerkleyRomance) September 10, 2018

Swagger
Liz Lincoln
Series: Milwaukee Dragons, #2
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Loveswept
Rating:  out of 5 stars
Goodreads

“Tight end,” noun: 1. a position in American football, 2. NFL star Marcus James, 3. what any hot-blooded woman can’t stop staring at every time Marcus walks by.

Bree Novak is so close to earning her Ph.D. she can taste it, but she’s supposed to be writing her dissertation, not giving lectures while her advisor slacks off. The semester gets even crazier when veteran tight end Marcus James—Bree’s celebrity crush—enrolls in her “Intro to Physics” class. The man’s even hotter in person than he looks on Sunday Night Football. So why is Bree hoping he drops out? Maybe it’s because Marcus, with his cocky smile and chiseled body, is the ultimate distraction. . . .

Drafted out of college years ago by the Milwaukee Dragons, Marcus is taking advantage of a season-ending knee injury to finish his bachelor’s degree. Plus, thanks to a required science credit, he’s also getting to know the geek goddess who teaches physics. With brains and beauty, Bree is living proof that opposites attract. She’s even kind enough to give Marcus extra help with the material, as if she didn’t have anything better to do. And the more time Marcus spends with her, the more he realizes he’s not just crushing on his teacher—he’s falling for her.

Don’t miss any of Liz Lincoln’s mouthwatering Milwaukee Dragons novels, which can be read together or separately: ON THE LINE | SWAGGER

Sports romances are among my favorites. Therefore, seeing the second Dragons book was going to feature a STEM heroine had me really excited.

• Pro: Marcus had everything I look for in a hero, and won me over immediately. I especially loved it, when he would go through his memory index to try and figure out what he did wrong, and the way he attempted to curb his hero tendencies in order to respect Bree's desires to "save" herself. And bonus! He was a closest nerd, who engaged Bree in quite the Star Wars - Star Trek debate. 
• Pro: I liked the common ground that Lincoln laid down between Marcus and Bree. They were both rather successful, but not in the eyes of their families, which was really sad. At least they had each other. 
• Con: The ending was ok, but I would have liked a little more for these two. I really, really liked Marcus, and he deserved more. The good news is, that this is a series, and we can always get some awesome life update on Marcus and Bree in a later book.  
• Con: I was a little surprised that the couple from the first book were so far removed from this story. Usually there is more of a connection between the current and previous MCs. I think I let out an exhale, when we finally got a mention of them. I just expect more updates on past couples in companion books.  
• Pro: The set up was great. Most of this sports romance took place off the field, because Marcus was recovering from an injury, but Marcus' "fragile" state worked well in the story, and made it more believable. 
• Pro: Marcus and Bree were a fun coupling. The chemistry was great, and each brought out the best side of the other. I really enjoyed watching their romance blossom. 

Overall: If you're in it for the romance, you will enjoy this one, because there is no doubt in my mind, Marcus will win your heart.

Wild on My Mind
Laurel Kerr
Series: Where the Wild Hearts Are, #1
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Love runs wild at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo, where a motley crew of big-hearted animals helps the most unlikely couples find love.

When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of newborn cougar cubs, the last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crush―and high school nemesis―Bowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn't seem to remember the trouble he caused her.

As a single father and owner of a cash-strapped zoo, Bowie struggles to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo's animal rehabilitation programs―until he learns just what she's planning...

This time, Katie is determined to resist Bowie's charm. But a lovelorn camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo's menagerie help Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie's heart?

I think I wore a HUGE smile on my face the entire time I read this book, because it was just so darn charming. If it doesn't already exist, we need to create a "cozy romance" category, because that is exactly where this book belongs.

• Pro: I LOVED the setting! It was so amazing spending all that time in the zoo. I really enjoyed being around the animals and learning so much about them. 
• Pro: Although I was disappointed in high school Bowie, I loved grown-up Bowie. He worked so hard to overcome some major obstacles, and became an amazing father, "son", and man. 
• Pro: Katie had a good reason to protect her heart, and I understood why she handled Bowie the way she did, but I was overjoyed, when she dealt with her past, and finally gave herself a shot at a great future. 
• Pro: There were so many fabulous family moments. I loved Katie, her parents, and her over-protective brothers. Their interactions were fun and heartwarming, but Bowie and his daughter, Abby, absolutely owned my heart. They were nothing short of precious together. 
• Pro: This may not have been a second chance romance, but it was about second chances. Bowie and Katie shared a painful past, and I liked that Kerr made them face that past head-on, but also allowed for redemption and forgiveness. 
• Pro: At first, I thought Fluffy the honey badger's POV was odd, but then I started to look forward to the little rascal showing up, because he was hilarious. It was different and definitely added some additional fun to the story. 

Overall:  A sweet and heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances, and love, which showed that  many obstacles can be overcome with your friends, family, and animals by your side. 

** ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Have you read any of these books?

Let us know in the comments!