Bran.d’s Blog

Feb 01

#justforthecameras

Even though I’ve just finished reading Just for the Cameras and absolutely LOVED it, I am counting down the days to the audiobook like it’s a holiday on my personal calendar 🦩🎧

This book was just too fun, too flirty, and too chaotic in the best way not to experience again in audio form. Graydon’s broody energy and Maple’s sunshine chaos are living rent-free in my head, so hearing them actually come to life is going to be next-level magic.

And listen… I know what’s coming and I’m STILL hyped for the text convos and the muffin scene like they’re brand new 💀🧁💬

Meghan Quinn’s humor is already laugh-out-loud on the page, but in audio it turns into a full cinematic rom-com for your ears.

This is one of those rare books where rereading won’t feel like a repeat, it feels like unlocking a deluxe bonus level. Same flamingos, same banter, same swoon… just with voices, timing, and extra sparkle ✨💖

Jan 10

#chasingthering

I had the BEST time with this book. 🏈🌴
Iris is the kind of person you immediately want to be friends with, and Roman is absolute book-boyfriend perfection—confident, swoony, and way more heart than helmet.

What starts as a “just for fun” Hawaiian fling turns into laughs, heat, real feelings, and so many grin-worthy moments.

Lauren Rowe nailed the banter, the chemistry is off the charts🥵, and the HEA made my football & family-loving heart so happy.

I enjoyed Iris & Roman’s story almost as much as they enjoyed each other… maybe more 😂❤️

Jan 02

#justbreakingtherules

Lauren Blakely delivers swoon after swoon in Just Breaking the Rules! 🏒💖 Mabel and Corbin’s story is exactly the kind of sweet, slow-burn romance that makes you melt.

Corbin is the ultimate mix of hockey-star heat and devoted single dad—bossy, possessive, and impossible to resist—while Mabel’s drive to prove herself makes her endlessly relatable. Their chemistry is electric, from braiding hair in the kitchen to testing recipes that feel like foreplay, every moment had me rooting for them. And let’s be honest—Afternoon Delight has never tasted sweeter than when these two are mixing business with pleasure! 🍰💘

The audiobook narration by THE Teddy Hamilton and Ms. Samantha Brentmoor is pitch-perfect. Teddy’s Corbin is playful, protective, and swoony, and Samantha’s Mabel is warm, spunky, and full of heart. Together, they bring the story to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there in the bakery with them.

If you love brother’s-best-friend, single dad, workplace, and hockey romance tropes—plus the tension of “don’t mix business with pleasure”—this one will hit every sweet spot. Full of heart, humor, and heat, Just Breaking the Rules is a delicious escape you won’t want to put down.

Nov 08

#mybrothersenemy

My Brother’s Enemy by Tijan is everything I love about her writing—raw, emotional, and impossible to put down.

Rain and Tyler’s story isn’t just about forbidden love or hockey rivalries (though it’s got both in spades); it’s about finding peace and healing after heavy, life-changing pain. Tijan handles some tough topics here with so much care and honesty—it broke my heart more than once, but she always finds a way to mend it back together.

Rain’s journey in particular hit me hard. She goes through so much, yet there’s this lovely life twist (okay, a few of them!) that made my heart so incredibly happy.

Tyler is a mix of fierce loyalty and unexpected tenderness—exactly the kind of hero who sticks with you long after the last page.

This one’s emotional, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable. 💔💫

Nov 05

#ifyouclaimme

Helena Hunting serves up another hockey romance that’s equal parts heart, heat, and humor—and I could not stop grinning through this one.

Connor Grace—Toronto Terror bad boy, Flip’s sworn nemesis, and king of controlled chaos—just asked the small-town librarian to marry him. Dred (short for Mildred) never saw this plot twist coming, but when it’s to make his grandma happy… well, who can say no to a fake marriage with a man who looks that good in a suit?

It’s supposed to be all for show, but every time Connor calls her his “sweet wife,” we know Dred’s heart is melting right along with ours. And the way he insists on calling her Mildred—because no one else does—ugh, it’s intimate, teasing, and 100% swoon-worthy. Connor might be hockey’s most hated player, but for Dred, he’s all in.

I loved watching these two find their footing, especially when Flip (Dred’s bestie and Connor’s nemesis) finally buries the hatchet. The banter, the feels, the found family vibes—it’s all there. And can we talk about the Babe Brigade?! Those ladies are loyal, fierce, and absolutely hilarious. I want to be honorary member 😍, please and thank you.

🎧 Audiobook Notes:
Jason Clarke. Yummy perfection, as always. He definitely had me swooning. Kay Auden—new to me, but such a perfect match for Dred—nails the warmth, wit, and quiet strength of her character. Together, they make Connor & Mildred’s story pop with the kind of chemistry you can feel in your bones.

If you love fake marriages that turn real🔥, grumpy/sunshine energy, found family magic, and a hockey bad boy who only has eyes for his librarian—If You Claim Me is an absolute must.

Aug 23

#playme

Adriana Locke’s Play Me is everything I love in an enemies-to-lovers romance.

Gray Adler’s move to the Nashville Royals puts him right under Astrid’s watch—and their first meeting guarantees sparks (the fiery, not-so-good kind). When Renn Brewer insists Astrid take on the role of Gray’s personal assistant, she suddenly finds herself managing the team’s newest bad boy.

But Gray isn’t just a cocky athlete. Beneath the tattoos and attitude is a man weighed down by a past he hasn’t fully faced. Watching Astrid challenge him, push him, and ultimately see the real him made this story so heartfelt. Their banter had me laughing, and their chemistry was absolutely addictive.

I also adored Astrid’s circle of friends and can already see this Royals series becoming one of my favorites. And I can’t forget Sugar Creek—Gray’s hometown, where his brother and best friend still live. Something tells me we’ll be heading back there soon, and I am so ready for it.

Adriana mixes humor, heat, and heart so seamlessly, and Play Me proves it yet again. I’m already counting down for the next Royals book!

Jul 30

#thrownforaloop

Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen totally scored a hat trick for me 🏒🔥💙⛸️

Chase is an NHL star trying to fix his game. Zoe’s a former Olympic figure skater, now coaching for the Legends — and also the girl he left behind ten years ago🥺. Their chemistry is still explosive. Their past? Playing on repeat. Especially when a viral video of their Wicked Game skating routine brings everything back to the surface.

This second chance romance hit all the right notes — sweet, steamy, and full of that slow-burn intensity I love. If you like your sports romances with heart, heat, and just enough drama to make you ache (in the best way), grab this one. Legends series is off to a fire start 🔥

Jul 04

#icouldbeyours

This one got me in the feels! 💖 This one is full of heart & heat y’all!

Essie is Nate’s the one that got away…and they’ve gone from maybe something to standoffish with each other since their first kiss.

I loved listening to Nate and Essie’s journey of second chances and healing. Plus, those snuggles (🥰) and the way Flip adds some fun tension😜! As always, Teddy and Savannah were fabulous. 📚✨

Things I loved…
Their nerd talk 🟰❤️🤓
The laundered pants scene 🍆😜🫠

🤣scenes:
Someone managed to slip in a picture of Rix making cucumber salad. Her face goes red, and Tristan fights a grin while our friends laugh, and the parents and other friends look confused.

“You should be proud,” Sam says to my dad. “Sam.” Hemi side-eyes her brother. “It’s a compliment,” Isaac explains. “I’m pretty sure Essie’s mom isn’t complimenting Muffy on Rix’s rack,” Hemi points out.

Mar 15

#thegirlfriendzone

✨📚 Okay, I’m going to spill the tea😜—just devoured this hockey romance and I can’t keep it to myself! Everyone’s raving about Miles, and let me tell you, it’s for a reason! 😍
This guy is not just swoon-worthy; he’s the ultimate caretaker who’s always there for his loved ones and team. He always goes above & beyond…including learning a “new” love language! Girl, he’s all in, and it’s downright #GOALS! 💕
And then there’s Birdie—with her sneaky little antics, she’s definitely earned her spot as the president😂

Leighton… I seriously admire her—she’s got that fiercely independent vibe and is such a #bossbabe! Her relentless hustle to prove herself is just inspiring.

If you haven’t picked this one up yet, you’re totally missing out on a story with some scorching chemistry, super sweet & fun moments, and all the feels! 🏒❤️

Mar 01

#theproposal

Re-Read Update:
Going back to “The Proposal” for a second read was just as much fun! I noticed little details and jokes that I missed the first time, especially the playful moments between Renn and Blakely. Their chemistry is even more evident, and it makes their story feel super real.

I also loved revisiting the Brewers and the other families—it felt like hanging out with old friends again. Foxxy’s lines had me laughing just as much, if not more, this time around.
Re-reading really brought out some new layers in the story, so if you loved it the first time, definitely consider giving it another go!