READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LOST IN OVERTIME by Claudia Burgoa

LOST IN OVERTIME

Second Chance, Hockey MMF
Why Choose Romance
by Claudia Burgoa
April 15th 2026 

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Two Rivals. One Woman. No Choosing.

Alberto Wade and Callaway Winthrop were my best friends first—until one night broke us, and the three of us stopped being an us.

Now they’re enemies in the league, an “infamous rivalry” splashed across headlines like it’s just hockey.

It isn’t.

It’s me.

It’s what they’ve always wanted and have never been able to agree on.

It’s the way their hate on the ice has always sounded too much like longing off it.

Now, a shocking trade and an emergency back home drag us back into the same orbit. Older. harder. Still dangerous. Still looking at me like I’m the only thing they’ve ever wanted.

They still want to win.

They still want me.

I still refuse to choose.

But second chances come with scars, secrets, and promises we never got to finish—until a single mistake turns into two pink lines . . .

I’m pregnant—with a baby that isn’t theirs.

The timing is brutal. The fallout is inevitable. And the only way we survive what comes next is if they stop making me choose—stop pretending their rivalry is the only fire between them—and finally admit what’s been burning between all three of us all along.

Because this time . . .

They’re not just fighting for a season.

They’re fighting for us.

USA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa delivers a deeply angsty MMF why-choose hockey romance featuring two pro-hockey rivals, the woman they can’t stop loving, hurt/comfort, found family, and a love that risks careers, reputations, and the one thing they never meant to want—each other.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LOST IN OVERTIME . . .  Lost in Overtime: A 5-Star Why-Choose Masterpiece!

Claudia Burgoa has delivered an MMF romance that doesn't just push boundaries—it shatters them. This second-chance hockey romance between Vesper, Monty, and Callaway is the definition of "intense." While the ebook was a solid, gripping experience, the audio took it to a whole new level.

The Trio: Rivals, Friends, and the "Why Choose" Dream

The "Why Choose" trope is your personal brand of "fairytale in real life," and this book executes it to perfection. Vesper is a heroine after my own heart—fiercely independent, sharp-tongued, and wielding sarcasm like a shield. She’s the anchor for two men who have been at each other’s throats in the league for years.

Monty (The Stoic Goalie): The strong, protective hero with a "tender underbelly" that only Vesper truly sees.
Callaway (The Golden Boy): The man who just wants the people he loves to love him back with "no reservations."

The added stakes of the "two pink lines"—a pregnancy that complicates an already messy, yearning-filled past—raised the angst to a fever pitch. It forced them to stop playing the "rivalry" game and finally address the fire burning between all three of them.

The Narration: Erin Mallon, Robert Hatchet, & Gomez Pugh

The audio was "amazing," and that’s down to this trio of narrators who really understood the assignment:

Erin Mallon: You already know she’s a favorite of mine, and she nails Vesper’s sharp, sarcastic edge while making her vulnerability feel earned.

Robert Hatchet & Gomez Pugh: These two were new to me, but they brought incredible "sauce" to the roles of Monty and Callaway. They captured the raw yearning, the stubbornness, and the deep-seated history between the two hockey rivals perfectly. 

Why This Hockey MMF Wins:
The "Real Life" Fantasy: Burgoa handles the MMF dynamic with such care, showing that "Why Choose" isn't just about the heat—it’s about the emotional connection that creates a true "us."

Heart-Wrenching Angst: The friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers arc is a rollercoaster, but the "heartfelt" resolution makes the pain worth it. 
The "Added Factor": Pregnancy tropes in a Why Choose romance are risky, but here it acted as the ultimate catalyst for them to finally drop the act and fight for the family they could be.

My Final Verdict
Lost in Overtime is a triumph of the Why Choose genre. It’s a "passion-filled" dive into a second-chance romance that proves when you find the people who fit your soul, you never have to choose—you just have to grow together. A 5-star standout that confirms Burgoa’s status as a master of the hockey romance!

Tropes:

🏒MMF

💜Second Chance Romance

🏒Hockey Romance

💜Forced Proximity

🏒Rivals-To-Lovers

💜Bi- Awakening

🏒Best Friends to Lovers

💜Possessive/Protective Heroes

🏒Surprise Pregnancy (Not Theirs)

Presented by

READ-2-REVIEW - DARK ROMANCE - YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION by Rebel Rose

 YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION 
by Rebel Rose
March 30th 2026

Genre: Dark Romance

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I asked for obsession.
I didn’t know it came without boundaries.

The first note is an introduction.
The second, intimate.
By the third, I’m addicted.

I have his attention.
But the disturbing part?
He also has mine.

I should be afraid.
I’m not.
Something reckless stirs—hungry, wild, alive.

It starts as a game.
One I’m too eager to play.
But when it turns dark…I want him more.

His name is a secret.
His face—masked.
The mystery is the thrill.

I don’t want to know what he’s capable of.
I want to feel it.

Then someone threatens me.
And the game?
It stops being pretend.

The law won’t protect me.
But he will—brutally.

I fight for justice in the light.
He hunts for vengeance in the dark.

And when a man like him decides you’re his obsession?
He doesn’t let go.

The Book Junkie Reads . . .  Review of . . . YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION . . .  A 3-Star Walk on the Dark Side

Rebel Rose is a new name on the roster, and she dives straight into the deep end with this dark stalker romance. While the "mystery and thrill" of a masked obsession are clearly the draw here, this story proved that sometimes the most beautiful covers hide the most "intense and brutal" realities. 

The Game: Notes, Masks, and Shadows
The premise is classic dark romance: a game of anonymous notes that turns from an addiction into a "hungry, wild" obsession. Our heroine fights for justice in the light, while her stalker hunts in the dark. It’s a "reckless" dynamic where the thrill of the unknown is the primary currency—until the game stops being pretend and turns into a fight for survival. 

However, while the setup promised a high-speed chase, the execution hit several speed bumps. For a story built on "obsession without boundaries," there were moments where the narrative slowed down significantly, losing that "racing" heart rate that usually carries a dark romance. Taking over a week to finish a book is a rarity for you, Miley, and it speaks to the uneven pacing that kept this from being a top-tier read.

A Necessary Warning Label
You hit the nail on the head regarding trigger warnings. While the cover art is "beautiful" and the genre is stated, the level of intensity regarding exploitation and sexual trauma needs a clear signal. For those who have navigated these issues in real life, this is a "tread lightly" situation. It’s a 3-star effort that had moments where you were "ready to go," but ultimately struggled to bridge the gap between expectation and reality. 

Why This Ride Was "Mid-Tier":
The Pacing: The transition from "addicted" to "dark" had too many lulls, making it difficult to maintain the necessary tension for a stalker trope.

The Expectation Gap: When a book promises "brutal" protection and "vengeance in the dark," the payoff needs to be consistent, and this felt a bit disjointed.
The Cover Art: It definitely pulled you in, but the content didn't quite live up to the visual promise. 

My Final Verdict
You Have My Attention earns 3 stars for the effort and the "sizzling" potential of its darker themes. It’s an intense ride for those who can handle the "dark side of kink," but it serves as a reminder that even the most "riveting" mystery needs a solid pace to keep the fire burning. If you’re looking for a dark obsession that truly doesn’t let go, this one might require a bit of patience! 

That "week-long read" is a definite sign that the pacing wasn't clicking!

Presented by

READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LYRICS REMAIN UNCHANGED (Heartbreak Mixtapes, #2) by Claudia Burgoa

Lyrics Remain Unchanged: MMF Best Friend's Little Sister Romance 

Heartbreak Mixtapes, #2

by Claudia Burgoa 

February 25th 2026

From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes a high-heat, high-angst rockstar-billionaire MMF romance with a lie big enough to save a life—and a second chance at HEA.

Fall 2000, New York—I disappear.

Headlines circle like vultures, but only two men know the truth:
Eddie Reznor, who makes problems vanish and lets his guard fall only for me, and Barret Hetfield, the bright-but-bruised rockstar Eddie once rescued . . . and never stopped loving.

We hide while the city gossips. We let the world believe I’m gone so I can finally breathe.

In the quiet, we re-learn the shape of us—therapy that holds me together, small rituals, guitar chords, and midnight tea.

My body is relearning trust under hands that listen and a voice that won’t let me disappear.

Eddie is the line I hold. Barret is the spark.
I want to choose both.

Their plan keeps me alive. Their heat keeps me fierce.
And love like this won’t stay secret.

When the façade cracks and the cameras close in, I have to choose: keep vanishing, or step into the light with the two men who are already home.

This time, the melody is different. But the lyrics remain unchanged.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LYRICS REMAIN UNCHANGED (Heartbreak Mixtapes, #2) . . .  Lyrics Remain Unchanged: A 5-Star Symphony of Healing

Claudia Burgoa has officially ruined me with this one! Set in the gritty, nostalgic hum of Y2K New York, this isn't just an MMF romance—it’s a soulful exploration of what happens when "reckless and untouchable" connections shatter and slowly, painfully, knit back together. It’s complicated, it’s real, and it proves that love doesn't have to be confined to be true.

The Trio: Cleo, Eddie, & Barret

Cleo is a survivor, guarded by a past that taught her trust is a "dangerous currency." Watching her walls stay up—and seeing her men respect that—was everything. Eddie, the powerful fixer, and Barret, the soulful musician with his own history of addiction, don't try to "fix" her. Instead, they show up with consistent compassion, proving that the most intense protection isn't a shield, but a presence. 

Their journey to a secluded island wasn't just a getaway; it was a sanctuary. The layered POVs gave so much depth to their "messy" honesty, making every guitar chord and shared midnight tea feel like a hard-won victory in their collective recovery. 

The Audio: A Trio of Heavy Hitters

While the reading experience was incredibly intense, the audio brought a whole different "sauce" to the story:

• Vivienne LaRue: She captured Cleo’s "guarded" nature with such grace. You could hear the vibration of her trauma and the slow, cautious way she began to breathe again.

• Jason Clarke: As Eddie, Jason brought that "powerful businessman" authority, but it was the moments where he relinquished control that really hit home. 

• Lance West: He was the perfect Barret. He voiced the "soulful musician" with a raw, "bright-but-bruised" energy that made the addiction and recovery themes feel devastatingly authentic. 

Why This Mixtape Wins:

• The "Patience" Trope: It’s rare to see characters show this much respect for a heroine’s boundaries. They didn't rush her; they waited for her. 

• The MMF Balance: The chemistry was undeniable, but it never sacrificed the gravity of the themes. It was "sizzling" yet somber.

• The Y2K Vibe: There's something about a New York "vanishing act" in the year 2000 that feels so much more visceral and high-stakes.

Final Verdict

Lyrics Remain Unchanged is a 5-star masterpiece of Romantic Suspense and Found Family. It feels like reconnecting with old friends and finally saying everything that was left unsaid. Whether you’re here for the "intensely physical" connection or the hopeful journey of recovery, this melody will stay with you long after the final chord! 

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Wonderful characters Realistic Entertaining Page-turner Romantic Easy-to-read Found family Unique love Conversation Healing

Presented by

READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - (Silence, #3) GUILTY SILENCE by Freya Barker

Guilty Silence
Silence, #3

by Freya Barker
Release Date: February 9th 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 
Tropes: Later in Life | Friends to Lover | Unrequited Love | Secret Past | Single Father | Multi-Racial | Heroine in Peril | Age Gap 

Bess Choi is proud of what she’s accomplished. Owner of Strange Brew, a popular coffee shop in Silence, she’s worked hard and has overcome many obstacles to build the life she has. It’s a good life, one that includes work she loves, an apartment to call her own, and plenty of good friends.

But an unexpected phone call comes as a brutal reminder of a time she thought she’d left far behind. Suddenly, she’s faced with the choice to turn her back on the beautiful life she created, or break her guilty silence.

Chief Deputy Hugo Alexander isn’t sure when exactly he started seeing the quiet coffee shop owner as more than simply a good friend. It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when she went from a supportive friend to him and his teenage son, to the woman who features in his dreams and fantasies.

Unfortunately, Bess Choi seems to have him firmly locked in the friend zone, and it’s not until worrisome things start happening around her, she cautiously starts lowering the barriers.

But when he discovers she might be in far more danger than she’s been willing to let on, he’s done tiptoeing around.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO

The Book Junkie reads . . . Review of . . . Guilty Silence (Silence, #3) . . .  ☕ Guilty Silence: A 5-Star Blend of Suspense and Soul!

Freya Barker continues to be a powerhouse in the world of inclusive romance! Her true understanding of "love with no boundaries" shines in this third installment of the Silence series. She doesn't just write romance; she recognizes the complexities of the racial world we live in, making Bess and Hugo’s journey feel deeply authentic and necessary. ☕🛡️✨ ☕ The Coffee Shop Owner and the Deputy Bess Choi is a heroine to admire. She’s built a beautiful life with her shop, Strange Brew, but she’s haunted by a "guilty silence" from a past she thought was buried. When that past comes calling, she has to decide if she can risk the life she’s built to do what’s right. I loved her strength and the way she cautiously lowered her barriers! ☕🛡️ Chief Deputy Hugo Alexander is the ultimate protective hero. A single father who realized his "supportive friend" was actually the woman of his dreams, he’s tired of being in the friend zone. Once he realizes Bess is in danger, the "tiptoeing" is over! Watching a later-in-life romance where the stakes are this high is incredibly satisfying. 🚓👨‍👦 ✨ Why This Installation Wins: The Multi-Racial Dynamics: Freya Barker’s inclusivity is top-tier. She crafts a world where different backgrounds blend seamlessly into a beautiful, high-stakes narrative. 🌏💖 The "Later in Life" Realism: There is a maturity to Hugo and Bess’s connection. It’s not just about "instalove"; it’s about friendship, shared history, and the protective instincts of a man who has something to lose. Heroine in Peril: The suspense kept the pages turning! The "secret past" trope was executed perfectly, making the romantic payoff feel deeply earned. My Final Verdict Guilty Silence is a 5-star masterpiece of Romantic Suspense! It’s "sizzling," grounded, and perfectly highlights why we love Freya Barker. Hugo and Bess prove that no matter how long you’ve been "just friends," or how dark your past is, love has no boundaries when you finally decide to speak up. 🚓☕🔥 Bess and Hugo were such a powerful pair!

Reasons I enjoyed this book: Easy-to-read Entertaining Great world building Page-turner Realistic Wonderful characters Small town Community

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!

AMAZON | APPLE | NOOK | KOBO

 

Be part of the buzz — join The Hype Hive today!

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - SINCERELY, MR. BRADEN (The Bradens at Ridgeport) by Melissa Foster

 SINCERELY, MR. BRADEN

The Bradens at Ridgeport

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Come along for the fun, sexy ride as this business-savvy, pleasure-oriented billionaire gets the shock of his lifetime and finds out his ever-efficient virtual assistant is not the man he thinks he is but a beautiful businesswoman who knows many of his secrets and has some of her own in Sincerely, Mr. Braden.

I run a multibillion-dollar retail conglomerate and pull strings most CEOs can only dream of. Winning is second nature. Chasing more is in my blood. My secret weapon? My virtual assistant of several years, Taylor Mitchell. He keeps my life in perfect order, and I trust him implicitly, which is why I gifted him a lavish weekend at my house on Saint Aurelle Island.

I didn’t plan on dropping by unannounced, but when the chance to finally meet him arises, I jump on it. Imagine my surprise when I find Taylor’s beautiful sister, Eleanor, in his place.

The moment I meet Ellie Mitchell, my world shifts.

What was supposed to be a brief hello with my buddy T turns into an unforgettable weekend with an incredible woman. I’ve spent a lifetime keeping people at arm’s length and walking away unscathed, but Ellie obliterates every wall I’ve ever built.

What I learn next shatters my world.

I don’t know which betrayal cuts deeper: The lie she told me or the truth that I still want her.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . SINCERELY, MR. BRADEN (The Bradens at Ridgeport, #2) . . . 💌 Sincerely, Mr. Braden: A Billion-Dollar Betrayal and the Ultimate Reveal!

Good morning! It is always a treat to dive back into the Braden world, especially when it involves a business-savvy billionaire getting the shock of his life. Melissa Foster has crafted a "fun, sexy ride" that proves even the best-laid plans are no match for a Braden in love. 💻 From Virtual Assistant to Reality Seth Braden is used to being in control. He’s spent a lifetime keeping people at arm’s length, relying on his ever-efficient virtual assistant to keep his life running smoothly. When the chance to finally meet the man he’s talked to for years arises, he jumps on it—only to find the beautiful Eleanor "Ellie" Mitchell standing in his place. What was meant to be a brief meeting turns into an unforgettable weekend that obliterates Seth’s walls. However, the magic they make together is threatened by the truth: Ellie has been the one behind the screen all along. For Ellie, those years of conversation only made her fall deeper in love with him, but for Seth, the revelation makes more waves than a hurricane. ❤️ The Allure of a Braden Man Seriously, how do the men Melissa Foster creates keep getting more sexy and desirable? While Treat Braden was your first Braden love, Seth is a powerful contender for the top spot! I loved watching him grapple with the "betrayal" of his own assumptions. The chemistry here is electric, fueled by years of intellectual connection that finally explodes into physical passion. ✨ Why This Story Hits the Sweet Spot: The Big Reveal: The "he is actually a she" trope is handled with so much heat and emotional weight. Deep Connection: Because they spent years communicating virtually, their bond has a "hidden depth" that goes beyond the surface. Vulnerable Alpha: Seeing a billionaire who usually walks away unscathed finally meet his match in Ellie is incredibly satisfying. The Braden Magic: It has all the heart, family loyalty, and steam we expect from this legendary series. My Final Verdict Sincerely, Mr. Braden is a masterful exploration of truth, trust, and the beautiful mess that happens when secrets come to light. It’s sexy, heartfelt, and proves that love doesn't need a formal introduction to be life-changing. If you love a hero who learns that the best things in life can't be scheduled, this is a five-star must-read! 💌🔥✨ Reasons I enjoyed this book: Family Friends Community Romantic Witty Great world building Happily Ever After Page-turner Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Entertaining

Presented by

LISTEN-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY NOVELLA - DARING HER LOVE: A Braden Novella by Melissa Foster Narrators Andi Arndt & Aiden Snow

DARING HER LOVE  
A Braden Novella
Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #10
Melissa Foster
Narrators: Andi Arndt & Aiden Snow
4 hrs and 1 min
January 2nd 2026

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Race-car driver Eric James will stop at nothing to make Kat Martin his. This fun, sexy standalone novella features Kat Martin, Brianna Heart’s best friend from Hearts at Play (The Bradens at Weston), and race-car driver Eric James, a lifelong friend of the Bradens. You do not need to listen to Brianna’s story, or any other Braden book, to enjoy this one.

Kat Martin knows what she wants in a man—someone stable, adoring, and definitely not the type of guy who treats sex like a pit stop. After all, she’s built her life on making all the right choices. That is, until she meets seductively enticing Eric James, and suddenly wrong has never felt so right.

When it comes to his career, race-car driver Eric James is intense, obsessive, and passionate, and when it comes to sex, there’s only one kind: daring, unbridled, and no strings attached.

One stormy night, a delayed flight and the dangerous allure of the unknown lead Kat to throw caution to the wind, and she indulges in a rendezvous that she vows to immediately forget. But the secret tryst stirs something more in Eric, and he has other plans.

**This book was previously published by 1001 Dark Nights with the same title and a different cover.**

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . DARING HER LOVE (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #10) . . .    A High-Octane Braden Masterclass in Chemistry!

It’s great to dive back into the Love in Bloom world with you. Melissa Foster proves once again why the Bradens are romance royalty with this novella.

Originally a part of the 1001 Dark Nights collection, Daring Her Love is a fun, sexy, and incredibly intense addition to the series that would have been a tragedy to keep from the masses!

One Stormy Night and a Dangerous Allure
Kat Martin is a woman of "right choices"—she wants stability, adoration, and a man who takes his time. Then she meets Eric James, a race-car driver who is as intense and obsessive in the bedroom as he is on the track. When a delayed flight strands them together on a stormy night, Kat throws her rulebook out the window for a rendezvous she never intended to remember.

But Eric isn't a man who forgets. What was supposed to be a "no-strings" pit stop turns into something much deeper. Eric is relentless in his pursuit, determined to show Kat that "wrong" has never felt so right.

Audio Perfection: Arndt & Snow
The narration for this novella is a total dream team. Andi Arndt and Aiden Snow bring an "exceptional" energy to Kat and Eric’s connection:

Aiden Snow (Panty Melting): His voice is pure, concentrated heat. Like you said, Aiden Snow could warm you up if you were stranded in an ice storm for hours! He perfectly captures Eric’s daring, unbridled passion.

Andi Arndt (Amazing as always): Andi nails Kat’s transition from a cautious, stable woman to someone who is willing to take a high-speed risk on love.

Why This Story is a Must-Listen:
Instant Intensity: Their first meeting is packed with a "panty-melting" intensity that sets the tone for the entire book.

The Braden Family Connection: It was wonderful to see the "old characters" again, especially Papa Braden. His brand of love and acceptance remains the heart of this entire series.

Standalone Speed: Even though it’s book #10 in the Braden lineup, it works perfectly as a sexy standalone for anyone needing a quick, high-heat fix.

Relentless Romance: Eric’s refusal to let Kat go after their "secret tryst" makes for a romantic and deeply satisfying payoff.

My Final Verdict
Daring Her Love is a super sexy, high-speed journey into the heart of the Braden world. The chemistry is so "amazing" that it’s clearly seen by everyone around them. Between the high-stakes world of racing and the top-tier narration, this is an exceptional five-star listen that you’ll want to put on repeat! 🏎️🔥🏁

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster's writing and see why millions of listeners have fallen in love with the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone or may be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in. Checklists and family trees can be downloaded from Melissa’s website.