READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - SELFIE (Lessons in Love, #3) by Kay Cove

Don’t settle for a man who tells you he loves you. Choose one who shows you.

Selfie, an all-new forced proximity, age-gap, billionaire romance and the third standalone book in the Lessons in Love Series from bestselling author Kay Cove is now available!

BLURB

When my mom passed, I made her a promise that I’d take care of my little sister.

Then I find out my fiancé tricked me into draining her trust fund. There’s only one thing to do—make it right. At all costs. It’s my job to protect her…and I failed. 

Luckily, I come across a job opening as an executive assistant in a new state. Between the generous salary and a place to stay, it’s a no-brainer. Time to start over.

The only problem is that my new boss is a nightmare. The job description left out the part about working for Las Vegas’s biggest billionaire bosshole. And the worst part? He’s trying to get rid of me.

But Nathan Hatcher is dead wrong if he thinks his permanent scowl and impossible tasks are enough to make me quit. I only need to survive one year to secure the salary advance. Besides, what’s far scarier than my boss is the idea of letting my mom and sister down. 

But it’s not long before I realize that there’s a fine line between hate and lust. A tragic secret lies behind Nathan’s broody stare, and the man I loathe may want me more than he hates me.

Even worse? With the way my heart races every time he enters a room…I seem to want him too.

 

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AYqFsB

Add Selfie to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/skcgr

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . ELFIE (Lessons in Love, #3) by Kay Cove. . . Billionaire Bosshole Meets His Match: A Scorching, Redemptive Romance!

"Don’t settle for a man who tells you he loves you. Choose one who shows you." This defining statement perfectly encapsulates the emotional depth and ultimate payoff of SELFIE, which absolutely hooked me as my first read by Kay Cove!

This is an all-consuming, age-gap, forced-proximity billionaire romance that pits two fiercely broken people against each other. Our heroine, Spencer, is a woman who been through a lot at an early age and became a better, independent woman for her trials in life. Now, driven by a promise to her late mother and a devastating betrayal, she takes a job as an executive assistant with a plan: survive for one year, secure the salary advance, and protect her sister.

The only thing standing in her way is Nathan Hatcher, Las Vegas's biggest "bosshole." Nathan is broody, perpetually scowling, and actively trying to make her quit. The forced proximity of them working and living together ignites an intense, thrilling dynamic as Spencer refuses to back down. What starts as a clash of wills soon reveals a fine line between hate and lust.

I was captivated by the mystery behind Nathan's walls. We learn that a tragic secret lies behind his cold stare, proving that the man who seems to hate her actually wants her more. This story is a beautiful blend of steam and sacrifice, proving that even a powerful billionaire must learn to show his love rather than just command it. If you crave intense chemistry and deep character redemption, do not skip this compelling tale of love and longing!

Start the Lessons in Love Series today: https://amzn.to/4jZQHNi 

For more information about Kay Cove and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.kaycove.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - CHEAP SHOT (Portland Timberwolves, #2) by AJ Alexander

 Coach has one rule: don’t touch his daughter

Cheap Shot, an all-new brother’s best friend, single mom, small town, hockey romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

BLURB

After a heartbreaking loss in the Western Conference Championship, I’m stuck with an ultimatum: play for the Timberwolves or kiss my professional hockey career goodbye. Left with no other option, I move back to my small town, determined to prove I can make my own way—free from the shadow of my older brother’s success. Then I literally run into Michele Mercer.

Sparks ignite between us the moment I lay eyes on her—frustration and attraction blending into something I can’t ignore. Michele is headstrong, independent, and refuses to take crap from anyone, especially me. But when she’s assigned as my physiotherapist, I think I’ve found my chance—until I discover she’s the coach’s daughter and completely off-limits.

I should focus on making it into the starting line up. I should remember that the only person I can count on is myself. But the closer I get to Michele, the more I forget everything but her.

Coach has one rule: don’t touch his daughter or you’re off the team. My problem? I can’t stop thinking about her, and the last thing I’m going to do is let her go. 

𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐩 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟐 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . CHEAP SHOT (Portland Timberwolves, #2) . . . Forbidden Ice: The Coach's Daughter is a Cheap Shot of Undeniable Heat! "There was just something about the coach's daughter that he could not resist or obey a direct order," and this book is a steamy penalty box of forbidden desire! As a fan of hockey romances and AJ Alexander's incredible storytelling, this one delivers on all counts. I especially appreciate how this is another authentic and heartfelt interracial romance. Our hero, a hockey player facing an ultimatum after a heartbreaking loss, moves back to his small town to play for the Timberwolves. He's determined to prove himself, but then he literally runs into Michele Mercer. The spark between them is instant—a blend of frustration and scorching attraction that he can't ignore. Michele is everything the hero needs: headstrong, independent, and unwilling to take crap from anyone. But when she's assigned as his physiotherapist, the stakes get dangerously high. He quickly learns she's the coach's daughter and completely off-limits—with the strict rule: don't touch his daughter or you're off the team. The heat is deliciously palpable as the hero fights his attraction. He should focus on the starting lineup; he should keep his distance. But the closer he gets to Michele, the more he forgets everything but her. The desperate struggle to maintain distance while their passion ignites is absolutely intense. He can't stop thinking about her, and the last thing he's going to do is let her go. This is a must-read, sexy, brother's best friend, single mom romance that proves some rules are meant to be broken.

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/cheapshot

Add Cheap Shot to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/cheapshotgr  

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.authorajalexander.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LOVE YOU ALWAYS by AJ Alexander

A woman who’s waiting for her love to return home …

A man who doesn’t believe he deserves her.

Love You Always, an all-new brother’s best friend, age-gap, small town romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend, Brady Thomas, since I was old enough to know what love was.  It didn’t matter that he was older than me or that my brother would disapprove, there was no changing the way that I felt about him.  I planned to keep my feelings a secret, telling myself it was nothing but a silly crush. Then Brady did the unthinkable, he kissed me before leaving without a word.  

That one kiss changed everything. Instead of getting the happily ever after I dreamed of,  I spent months waiting for any hint that our  kiss meant something to him. That he felt something, anything close to what I feel for him, but the only thing I got was the silent treatment.

Now, a little over a year later, Brady is back in town stirring up all the feelings I’ve been trying desperately to forget.  The moment our eyes lock across my brother’s bar I feel the walls around my heart begin to crumble. But I refuse to make the same mistake twice. 

If Brady wants a chance at my heart, then he’s going to have to fight for it.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LOVE YOU ALWAYS . . . The Silent Treatment Ends: A Blazing Brother's Best Friend Romance!

Sometimes what you need most is right before your eyes. Sometimes what you can't see will heal you and make you a better person. This rings profoundly true in LOVE YOU ALWAYS, an intense and emotionally charged brother’s best friend, age-gap, small-town romance.

Our heroine has been secretly in love with Brady Thomas, her brother’s best friend, since she was old enough to understand love. Despite the age difference and her brother’s potential disapproval, her feelings were undeniable. The tension comes to a head when Brady breaks his silence—not with words, but with a blazing kiss before leaving town without a word.

That single kiss changed everything, leaving her to spend months waiting for any hint that she mattered to him. Instead, she received the devastating silent treatment. Now, over a year later, Brady is back in town, and the moment their eyes lock across her brother’s bar, all those fiercely suppressed feelings come rushing back.

She refuses to make the same mistake twice. This time, if Brady wants a chance at her heart, he's going to have to fight for it! This is a passionate, second-chance story about a man who believes he doesn’t deserve her finally coming home to face the music and prove that what he felt was real. AJ Alexander delivers a deeply satisfying story of healing, commitment, and the power of finding your forever in the most unexpected—yet closest—place.

Start reading today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://geni.us/loveyoualways  

Add Love You Always to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/lyagrd    

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 
https://www.authorajalexander.com

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LISTEN-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - THE LITTLE THINGS (Second Hope, #1) by Jessica Prince

The Little Things: A Small Town Age Gap Romance 

Second Hope, #1

by Jessica Prince

August 12th 2024

Narrators Ava Erickson & Rock Engle

BLURB

I’ll admit, I made more than my fair share of stupid decisions, but all it took was an accidental felony and a teensy kitchen fire to turn my life upside down.

When my parents cut me off, selling my swanky Los Angeles apartment and shipping me off to some ranch in the middle of nowhere to teach me a lesson, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me.

Then I got to Safe Haven Ranch and met my new boss.

Zach Paulson is an older, grumpy cowboy who thinks I’m nothing more than a spoiled princess and doesn’t want me on his turf. He also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous, and can wear a faded pair of Wranglers better than any other man alive.

The dumbest thing I can do is fall into lust with the temperamental rancher. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly known for making good choices.

But I’m determined to do better this time. I want to prove to myself and everyone else that I’m more than the shallow, self-absorbed socialite I’ve been playing at for years. I have a plan. Keep my head down, do my work, and don’t make any mistakes.

The problem is, I’m not the only one with a crush, and all my defenses are useless against a man like Zach when he puts his mind to getting what he wants.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE LITTLE THINGS (Second Hope, #1) . . . Grumpy Cowboy Meets Spoiled Socialite: A Charming Romance of Self-Discovery! THE LITTLE THINGS is a delightful and emotional start to the Second Hope series, centered on a hilarious and heartwarming story of self-discovery and an irresistible age-gap romance.

Our heroine, who admits her life has been a string of "stupid decisions," is shipped off by her fed-up parents from a swanky Los Angeles apartment to a ranch in the middle of nowhere. It's here, at Safe Haven Ranch, that the spoiled socialite is forced to confront herself and meet her grumpy new boss, Zach Paulson.

Zach is the quintessential older, temperamental cowboy who assumes she's nothing more than a shallow princess. However, the chemistry between them is undeniable—especially since he wears a faded pair of Wranglers better than any man alive! The tension is fantastic as the heroine is determined to prove that she is "more than the shallow, self-absorbed socialite" she's been playing at. Her plan to keep her head down and avoid mistakes is hilariously derailed by the fact that the grumpy cowboy has a crush of his own and is relentless in his pursuit. This is a genuinely charming story about finding purpose, breaking down defenses, and the magnetic pull of an unexpected love.

Audio Narration Review

The dual narration by Ava Erickson and Rock Engle is perfect for this story! Ava Erickson brings the right amount of sass and vulnerability to the heroine's journey of change, while Rock Engle's deeper tone perfectly embodies the grumpy, gorgeous demeanor of the older cowboy, Zach. Their voices bring the small-town, intense chemistry to life, making this a wonderful listen.

Author Info

Born and raised around Houston, Jessica is a self proclaimed caffeine addict, connoisseur of inexpensive wine, and the worst driver in the state of Texas. In addition to being all of these things, she’s first and foremost a wife and mom.

Growing up, she shared her mom and grandmother’s love of reading. But where they leaned toward murder mysteries, Jessica was obsessed with all things romance.

​When she’s not nose deep in her next manuscript, or binging on sit-coms, you can usually find her with her kindle in hand.

Be sure to Connect with Jessica at:

Website: www.authorjessicaprince.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjessicaprince

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessprince_writes

Or sign up for her newsletter at https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/d3e1z0

She pinky promises not to spam you.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - A FIERCE MAN (Appalachian STAR, #7) by Deanndra Hall

A Fierce Man
Appalachian Star, #7 
by Deanndra Hall
Release Date: July 16th 2024  
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

The world needs more people who care, but does she care too much? 

PRIEST

Redemption

I did my time—hard time—for a long time. I'm not an innocent man, but I paid the price. I'm working on a new, squeaky-clean résumé. After 28 years, I learned how to behave, and how to inspire others. And that's what I do. It's who I am. Enduring years of never-ending, horrific abuse in prison, I can safely say that I'd do anything to protect weaker individuals from danger.

AGGIE

Redemption

I'm the happiest when I'm in front of my students, changing lives and making a difference. That's what I do and who I am. After being burned by my ex-husband, I focus my life—and heart—on my pupils, kids who truly need me.

But when an outreach project brings me face-to-face with an ex-convict, something shifts. Maybe, just maybe, my heart isn't as shattered as I imagined. Priest seamlessly weaves his way into my world. However, a dangerous student with a vendetta threatens to sabotage our newfound connection. Suddenly, my life hangs in the balance. With the help of the Appalachian STAR team and a determined Priest, I just might be absolved of all of my fears. Can I let down my guard for this persistent, Fierce Man?

AMAZON

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . A FIERCE MAN (Appalachian STAR, #7) . . .     

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

Amazon | BookBub

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - TO HAVE AND LET GO (The Women of Boone County, #2) by Julieann Dove

To Have and Let Go
Women of Boone County, #2
by Julieann Dove
Release Day July 9th 2024

BLURB

Chelsea Hayes is no stranger to running away from her problems. That could explain why she moved six states away from Boone County. And the reason she works a second job to go talk in circles to a therapist bi-weekly, to avoid hitting the dead end and facing her demons. 

Unfortunately for Chelsea, a call back from home forces her to hang up her running shoes and return to face some ghosts that never left, even if she did.

Patrick Jergan is new in town. Someone to take away some of the tension from all the things spinning out of control in Chelsea’s life. But like Chelsea, he’s fighting his own set of problems. The two might make a good match, except for one thing…or one person. He’s the topic her therapist knows nothing about. In fact, no one in town knows of their past. If they did, there would be no end to the tongues wagging. 

Amazon* | Goodreads

*kindleunlimited

"If you haven't discovered Julieann Dove's books, start right now with Coming Home, the first book in her latest series. It's filled with the complex characters and smalltown charm I love." Sherryl Woods, New York Times #1 bestsellling author of The Sweet Magnolias and Chesapeake Shores series.

The Book Junkie Reads . . .  Review of . . .  TO HAVE AND LET GO (The Women of Boone County, #2) . . . If you haven't yet, pick up The Women of Boone County book one. It is not totally necessary but it gives you a place to start falling in love with the writing, the characters, the county, and the friendship of these women. I have to admit that before I started book two for the first time, I went back and re-read book one of the series. 

With this trip to The Women of Boone County we have a look in on the life of Chelsea. She is a woman that don't stay around when things get a little tough. She has own reasoning behind making a run for it. With some time and patience she begin to unravel the past to have a future. Then there's a new comer to the county, Patrick.  The two have much in common. Come find out what To Have and Let Go have in store for the Women of Boone County.

 

Author Info

Julieann Dove takes great pleasure in writing about love and all the mess that goes along with it. How else does happily ever after become realized, if not for some type of hardship and journey? When she’s not writing, she loves playing with fabric at her sewing machine, baking new recipes, and playing in the dirt, trying to get things to grow. Julieann loves old movies, and never tires of listening to music—it’s where she finds most of her inspiration for her books.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

Giveaway

Enter to win a signed copy of Coming Home, book one. (US only) and a $15.00 Amazon gift card. International will receive gift card & ebook of Coming Home.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - WILD HEART (The Hearts of Sawyers Bend, #6) by Ivy Layne

 WILD HEART 
The Hearts of Sawyers Bend, #6
by Ivy Layne
May 14th 2024

BLURB

Sometimes you need the dark to protect the light

Quinn Sawyer is a mystery.

She’s an heiress. She’s a backcountry guide.
She has a suite in a mansion, but she sleeps in the woods.
I can’t make sense of her. I shouldn’t care.
My job is to keep her safe, not get to know her.
She’s my best friend’s little sister. She’s a client.
And she can never be mine.
I’ve lived a life steeped in darkness, and Quinn is pure light.
She invades my dreams, and I wake wanting her. Needing her.

I vow to keep my distance. For almost a year, I stay away.
But when the danger stalking her family comes for Quinn,
I’m the only man who can keep her safe.
I can protect her from the danger outside.
The real question is, can I keep her safe from me?

Wild Heart is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It’s sixth in The Hearts of Sawyers Bend series, featuring the Sawyer family of Sawyers Bend.

AMAZON

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . WILD HEART (The Hearts of Sawyers Bend, #6) . . . The Dark Knight Protecting His Light!WILD HEART is a captivating addition to The Hearts of Sawyers Bend series, delivering a sizzling forbidden romance between two beautifully complex characters!

Quinn Sawyer is an absolute enigma. She's a mystery—an heiress who sleeps in the woods, a woman who is pure light, yet is constantly pursued by danger. Her protective bodyguard and the hero of this story, her best friend's little brother, lives a life steeped in darkness. The intensity of their relationship, fueled by the hero's struggle to keep his distance, makes for an utterly compelling read.

The core question—Can he keep her safe from the danger outside, and the bigger question, can he keep her safe from him?—drives the plot with incredible emotional tension. I loved the high stakes when the danger stalking her family finally comes for Quinn, forcing the hero to break his vow and step into the light for her.

A note to new readers: As a reviewer, I felt a little lost or confused in some areas, which confirms that while this is a standalone romance, I strongly recommend reading the prior books in the series. I am sure this experience would be even better if I had the whole story.

For fans of forbidden love, protective heroes, and resilient heroines, Wild Heart is a fantastic, emotional read with a guaranteed happy ending!

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - DOWN FOR THE COUNT by S. Marie and Victor Rahl

Down for the Count

Authors: S. Marie & Victor Rahl

Published: January 8th 2024

Genre/Tropes: MMA, Forced Proximity, Intense, Gritty, Mafia, Suspense, Alpha Male, Forbidden, Single Mom

The real me lives in the shadows, the seedy underbelly, where sin Is the only air we know how to breathe.

My dreams of going Pro are at my fingertips. But in one moment, one hit, those dreams come crashing down around me.

The money, the fame, the life I wanted to give my mother. All gone.

Once I was Kingston “The King” Reyes. Women and men had chanted my name. Worshiped me. Now I work as a postal worker by day…and at night, I crawl into the dark, seedy underbelly of sin. An illegal underground fight club, where I still reign with my fists, but where every fight could be my last.

The “Brothers,” Dutch and Dom, hold my leash while they pay for my mother’s cancer treatments. I’m their puppet, their boy toy for wealthy women and power. You don’t cross them unless you want to end up on the bottom of a river.

Corrupt darkness coats my skin, marks my bones. I don’t see any light or hope, until on my route, I meet a pint-sized, mute, little girl, who seems to look right through me. She sees past the bruises and scars, while I can hear beyond her silence.

Yet it is her mother, Sawyer, I should run from. Sexy, feisty, and smart, Sawyer’s darkness draws me in. Challenges me.

She is everything I can’t have. Everything forbidden.

But everything I want.

No matter the consequences . . .

HARDBACK EDITION

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . DOWN FOR THE COUNT . . . Intense. Determined. Driven. Protective. Love. Respect. Abuse. Violence. Selective mutism?

We begin with a flashback to the time when he was all on top and then it all crashed down around him. All in just a hair's breadth of time. It was all taken away. The future he dreamed of and worked so hard for, over. It just took that simple moment. Now, years later, his life is not what he was planning for. But here comes another moment in time. A moment that will change his life yet again. Will this one be a good or bad change? Kingston is not sure but willing to move forward anyway.

She thought herself in love years ago. She was wine, dined, and bedded. The difference between her and the others. She chose to keep her baby. She was willing to do almost anything to make sure her daughter would have what was needed. She was not looking to bankroll a high life. When she missed the signs of something being wrong with her daughter she blamed herself. Selective mutism, this was something she never heard of. Now, she has to deal. Sawyer did not see dealing with him in the picture. 

Down. Dirty. Raw. Intense. Action. Suspense. Sweet. Romance. Reunion. Relief. There was a lot in this story. There were moments when I did not think Kingston would make it to the end. Down for the Count gave a good ending but it was not the highlife ending some may wish for. It was sweet and pulled a little bit on the heart strings. I recommend picking this one up.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR S. Marie lives in the PNW with her dog Cooper, traveling and writing stories that are full of spice, angst, and emotional damage.

Meet Victor Rahl, the Spanish-born athlete and model who conquered the wrestling world in his homeland before making his mark in the USA. You might recognize him from Love Island USA Season 5, where he joined the OG cast for an unforgettable summer in Fiji.

But Victor's talents don't end there. He's become a sensation in the world of romance novels, thanks to TikTok, where he not only reads these novels but also supports women. In just a few months, he's graced the covers of over 20 romance novels, making him a sought-after book model.

Off-camera, Victor is a passionate traveler who loves immersing himself in different cultures and adores all kinds of animals.

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