Read-2-Review

Sunday, December 28, 2025

LISTEN-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - IRRESISTIBLY WICKED (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) by Melissa Foster

Irresistibly Wicked: Zander Wicked

The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside, #7
by Melissa Foster

December 9th 2025

BLURB

Get ready to fall hard for everyone’s favorite playboy, Zander Wicked, in Irresistibly Wicked. When the woman who helps save his life needs a little saving herself, Zander takes on a role he never saw himself playing—husband of convenience. Irresistibly Wicked may be enjoyed as a standalone romance or as part of the larger series.

Zander Wicked lives life fast, on his bike, on the job, and with women. But one split second shatters his world and forces him to face truths he’s spent a lifetime outrunning. His family doubts he can change, but Zander knows better, and when the woman who helped save him needs more than a little help herself, he sets out to prove everyone wrong.

Shauna Flores knows what it means to fight for survival. As an EMT and a person in recovery, she’s rebuilt her life piece by piece while carrying the weight of a best friend she refuses to give up on. The last thing she expects is to end up bound to a man like Zander Wicked, or to find herself in a marriage of convenience that blurs every line between right and wrong.

Two people with checkered pasts, an arrangement that ties them together, and a future neither sees coming—one that will test their limits, their loyalties, and the lengths they’re willing to go to for the people they love.

Tropes: Small-town, found family, MC / biker romance, close proximity, protective hero, alpha hero, he falls first, strangers to lovers, chance meeting, reformed playboy, marriage of convenience.

Marriage of Convenience

Forced Proximity

Found Family

She's an EMT

He Falls First

Biker/ Blue Collar

ALL THE FEELS

That Opening Chapter

SHOP: https://shop.melissafoster.com/collections/irresistibly-wicked-collection
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NOOK: https://lnk.to/IW_Nook
KOBO: https://lnk.to/IW_Kobo
GPLAY: https://lnk.to/IW_GPlay

Audio narrated by Aiden Snow and Erin Mallon
EXCLUSIVE PRE-ORDER SHOP: https://shop.melissafoster.com/products/irresistibly-wicked-audiobook

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . IRRESISTIBLEY WICKED (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) . . . If you consider Melissa Foster’s characters family and her communities true homes, this audiobook is an absolute essential. This is Zander Wicked’s redemption story, and in audio, it is glorious.

The tropes we love—Marriage of Convenience, Reformed Playboy, and Protective Alpha—are executed with signature Foster depth. Zander, the notorious playboy, is forced to confront a lifetime of avoidance after a crisis shatters his world. He’s fighting to prove he can change, and his catalyst is Shauna Flores, the resilient EMT who helped save his life.

The marriage of convenience born of necessity quickly explodes into something far too real. Watching (and hearing!) Zander, the alpha biker/blue-collar hero, fall first is incredibly satisfying. His protective instinct shifts from a necessity to a fierce, abiding love that you can feel in every chapter.

Audio Excellence: Peachwood & Masters

The narration elevates this "All The Feels" story into a full-sensory experience.

Savannah Peachwood: A true fan favorite, Savannah "hits all the right spots." She perfectly captures Shauna’s strength and vulnerability as a woman rebuilding her life while carrying the weight of her past.

Sean Masters: Sean "makes his presence known" with a performance that embodies Zander’s alpha energy and his intense loyalty.

Together, their chemistry brings the Dark Knights at Bayside and the Cape Cod community to life, making the emotional rollercoaster of Zander and Shauna’s healing journey feel incredibly intimate.

Reasons You Need This Audiobook:

Wickedly Alpha & Intensely Loyal: Zander is the ultimate reformed playboy.
Relatable Heroine: Shauna is a powerhouse EMT with a heart of gold.
Community & Family: The unbreakable bonds of the Wickeds provide a backdrop that feels like coming home.
Steamy & Scintillating: The "Forced Proximity" heat is off the charts!

Final Verdict: This is a high-stakes, deeply satisfying romance that only Melissa Foster can deliver, made even better by a top-tier narration team. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Dark Knights or new to Bayside, Irresistibly Wicked is a five-star listen that will leave you breathless!

Be sure to check out Melissa’s other Dark Knights series and stories on Audio for just as amazing.

Get more WICKED sexy love stories

A Little Bit Wicked

The Wicked Aftermath

Crazy, Wicked Love

The Wicked Truth

His Wicked Ways

Talk Wicked to Me

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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

READ-2-REVIEW - HOLIDAY CONTEMPORARY - FAKE IT 'TIL CHRISTMAS by Claudia Burgoa

Fake it 'Til Christmas
by Claudia Burgoa
November 19th 2025

From USA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa comes a fake-dating holiday romance filled with slow-burn tension, awkward family dinners, and one grumpy man who might just ruin Christmas for anyone else.

BLURB

All I agreed to was a fake relationship.

A weekend of pretending I’m in love with my grumpy, emotionally constipated, private-jet-commuting neighbor.

Easy, right?

Except nothing about Soren Thorn is easy.

He doesn’t believe in horoscopes, hates throw pillows, and treats feelings like they’re contagious.

He’s all sighs, black coffee, and unreadable expressions—and for reasons I still don’t understand, he needs me to be his girlfriend for one very public, very awkward family event.

I thought I could handle it.

Play the part. Make it cute.

But then he started trusting me—with real pieces of himself.

Now I know his favorite coffee, some of his secrets, and the exact look he gives when he's about to self-destruct but pretends he’s fine.

And I’m starting to realize this whole fake dating thing might be getting too . . . well, not fake.

Because I don’t just want to survive the weekend.

I want to know what it would feel like if none of it were pretend.

What to expect:

Grumpy/Sunshine

Neighbors to Lovers

Fake Dating Shenanigans

Holiday Mayhem

Frenemies-to-Lovers

Romeo & Juliet vives (minus the tragedy)

All the cozy, spicy, small-town romance feels

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . FAKIN IT TIL CHRISTMAS . . . The Only Thing Fake Is Their Relationship!

Get ready to snuggle up with a mug of black coffee (Soren's choice, of course) and a whole lot of holiday shenanigans! Fake it 'Til Christmas is a deliciously witty, fabulously detailed, and profoundly heartfelt slow-burn romance that perfectly captures the chaos and cozy magic of the season.

This story is built on the most electric of foundations: Frenemies-to-Lovers, Fake Dating, and Grumpy/Sunshine. Our heroine is the wonderfully ambitious Winnifred Wendalyn Wolfcraft, aka Fred, the lovable "black sheep" who is determined to win her family’s annual Holiday Olympics title. Her grand plan hits a snag, however, leaving her desperate for a solution before heading back to their rival hometown, Winterberry Cove.

Enter her annoying, private-jet-commuting neighbor, Soren Thorn. Soren is the embodiment of "grumpy," a man who hates throw pillows, thinks feelings are contagious, and is dreading the engagement party with his demanding family. When Fred throws out the ridiculous idea, a lightbulb moment strikes: they’ll be each other’s fake dates to survive their respective family rivalries and holiday obligations!

The genius of this book lies in the execution of the slow burn. What begins as hilarious "frenemies, neighbor edition" head-bonking quickly morphs into something deep and real. As Fred and Soren navigate the awkward family dinners and Christmas mayhem, they start to trust each other with the real, vulnerable pieces of themselves. Watching the prickly Soren melt for the sunny, determined Fred is so worth the wait. This cleverly plotted journey is the perfect balance of drama, laugh-out-loud humor, emotional shenanigans, and a genuinely earned Happily Ever After.

The audio production turns this fabulous story into a five-star immersive experience.

Jason Clark is flawless as the grumpy, emotionally constipated Soren Thorn. Clark’s delivery of Soren’s sighs, his disdain for throw pillows, and the subtle shift in his tone as he allows Fred past his massive walls is pure magic. He expertly handles the reserved side of the slow burn.
Grace Grant brings the warmth and determination necessary for Fred. She captures the fun of the sunshine dynamic and makes Fred's desire to win and her struggle with family expectations relatable and deeply emotional.

Together, Clark and Grant master the witty banter and the escalating sexual tension, making the inevitable moment when their "fake" feelings turn real feel explosive and genuinely earned. This is a must-listen holiday treat!

Ready to binge? One-click on Amazon or start reading for free in Kindle Unlimited:

https://geni.us/fitxmaszon

➺ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHF8JS6Z

➺ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHF8JS6Z

➺ https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F5GDSFF5

➺ https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F5GDSFF5

Audio lovers, you’re gonna love this one. Narrated by @msgracegrant and @jasonclarkereads: https://geni.us/FiTCAudio

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - IRRESISTIBLY WICKED (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) by Melissa Foster

Irresistibly Wicked: Zander Wicked
The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside, #7
by Melissa Foster

November 19th 2025

BLURB

Marriage of Convenience

Forced Proximity

Found Family

She's an EMT

He Falls First

Biker/ Blue Collar

ALL THE FEELS

That Opening Chapter

Tropes: Small-town, found family, MC / biker romance, close proximity, protective hero, alpha hero, he falls first, strangers to lovers, chance meeting, reformed playboy, marriage of convenience.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . IRRESISTIBLEY WICKED (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) . . . The Reckless Playboy's Redemption: A High-Stakes Marriage Of Convenience That Forges A Dark Knight's Fiercest Love.

That blurb for Irresistibly Wicked: Zander Wicked is loaded with high-stakes emotional potential and classic Melissa Foster charm! Knowing you love her characters and communities makes this analysis and review particularly fun.

For those of us who consider Melissa Foster's characters family and her communities true homes, Irresistibly Wicked delivers an intense, scorching, and profoundly healing chapter that demands your attention from the very first page. This is Zander Wicked’s redemption story, and it is glorious.

The tropes—Marriage of Convenience, Reformed Playboy, Protective Alpha—are executed with signature Foster depth. Zander, the notorious playboy, is forced to confront a lifetime of avoidance after a crisis shatters his world. He's fighting to prove to his doubting family and himself that he can change. His chance comes in the form of Shauna Flores, the strong, resilient EMT who helped save his life.

Shauna is a deeply relatable heroine, having rebuilt her life piece by piece while battling her own checkered past and carrying the burden of helping her best friend. The marriage of convenience that binds them is born of necessity, but quickly explodes into something far too real. Zander, the alpha biker/blue-collar hero, falls first, and you can feel the intensity of his realization as his protective instinct shifts from a necessity to a fierce, abiding love.

This book is ALL THE FEELS. It’s more than just Forced Proximity; it’s two wounded souls finding sanctuary in the last place they ever expected. The unbreakable family bonds of the Dark Knights at Bayside and the Cape Cod community provide the perfect backdrop for this intense journey of healing. Zander is wickedly alpha, intensely loyal, and seeing him fight for Shauna—and for his own redemption—is the kind of high-stakes, deeply satisfying romance only Melissa Foster can deliver. This story will test their limits and their loyalties, guaranteeing an intense emotional rollercoaster that leaves you breathless.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Easy-to-read Entertaining Great world building Page-turner Steamy Wonderful characters Family Community

* * *

About The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside
Set on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, the Wickeds feature fiercely protective heroes, strong heroines, and unbreakable family bonds. If you think bikers are all the same, you haven’t met the Dark Knights. The Dark Knights are a motorcycle club, not a gang. Their members stick together like family and will stop at nothing to keep their communities safe. These men are wickedly alpha and intensely loyal, but they are not alphaholes.

Be sure to check out Melissa’s other Dark Knights series and stories.

Get more WICKED sexy love stories

A Little Bit Wicked

The Wicked Aftermath

Crazy, Wicked Love

The Wicked Truth

His Wicked Ways

Talk Wicked to Me

Presented by

Monday, October 27, 2025

READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - INSIDE SILENCE (Silence, #2) by Freya Barker

Inside Silence

Silence Series , #2
by Freya Barker
Release Date: October 27th 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Savannah (Savvy) Colter is not easily overwhelmed, which is a good thing, since she is the sheriff of Edwards County. It’s rare to find someone her age— a woman to boot—carrying such responsibility, but over the years, Savvy has more than proven herself worthy of the position…to most.

However, when in a matter of a few weeks an old flame resurfaces in Silence, and two particularly violent murders land on her desk, her steady and predictable life becomes a little much to handle.

New full-time single parent, Nate Gaines, reluctantly returns to his hometown, Silence, to offer his teenage daughter some much-needed stability. As a contractor he can work anywhere, and it’s not like he left a particularly fulfilling life behind, but he’s not too sure how much work he’s going to get here.

Although, some of the changes he encounters in Silence are a surprise. The most shocking one is seeing the woman he once craved like air, now wearing the sheriff’s badge he so despises.

Coming home is definitely not turning out the way he’d envisioned. Especially when a sudden crime spree has the law knocking on his door…again.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . INSIDE SILENCE (Silence, #2) . . . The Badge and the Broken: A High-Stakes Second Chance for Two Adults With Too Much History.

For those of us who appreciate a romance where the characters have actually lived some life and carry the scars and wisdom that enrich a relationship, Freya Barker is a must-read, and Inside Silence is no exception. This book takes the angsty premise of a second-chance romance and embeds it deep within a gritty, high-stakes romantic suspense setting.

We meet Savannah (Savvy) Colter, a woman who has earned her powerful role as County Sheriff. She's competent, steady, and exactly the kind of strong heroine we love. Yet, her carefully constructed life is shattered not just by two violent murders, but by the unwelcome, chaotic return of her "old flame," Nate Gaines.

Nate's situation is immediately complex and deeply sympathetic: a new full-time single parent desperately seeking stability for his teenage daughter. But Nate's baggage is heavy; he despises the badge Savvy wears, and his history means the law is knocking on his door...again. This is not a fluffy reunion. It’s a collision.

What makes this story compelling for an adult-focused reader is the immense, dual pressure on both characters:

Savvy must find the killer while compartmentalizing the intense pull toward the man who once "craved her like air," even as he becomes a person of interest in a crime spree.
Nate must confront his past, swallowing his contempt for law enforcement, and realize that the stability he seeks might only come by trusting the very woman whose job he despises.

This is a story about the hard work of rekindled love, where old passions meet new realities and deep-seated grudges. If you appreciate a narrative where the emotional stakes are as high as the suspense, and where bruised but capable characters fight to earn their slice of happy, you'll be captivated by this tense, heartfelt journey back to the small town of Silence.

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!