December 9, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- Biggest Player By Sara Ney

Margot’s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, she’s convinced he’s a walking red flag—or worse—a catfish.

Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, he’s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends have: someone to come home to…and if they’re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, he’s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly he’s hooked.

Margot’s convinced he’s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking “what if.” After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?

About The Author

My Review

Dex is the kind of cocky jock you want to roll your eyes at but can’t help falling for. After a public breakup with a high-maintenance model, he’s eager to show the world—and himself—that he’s capable of more than shallow relationships. Despite his swagger, Dex has a good heart, makes mistakes, and genuinely wants to grow. Enter the dating app that connects him with Margot.

Margot is a breath of fresh air—a sharp, confident, and grounded single mom with a smart, spirited daughter. Her instincts are spot on when she initially suspects Dex might be catfishing, which makes their real-life meeting all the more hilarious and memorable. The banter between them is fast, funny, and full of flirtation. Ney absolutely nails the chemistry, and the slow build between Dex and Margot (despite the instalove undertones) feels earned thanks to their vibrant personalities and emotional connection.

The book strikes a great balance between sweet and steamy. Memorable scenes like the bath, the leaky pipe, and rock climbing aren’t just sexy—they deepen the emotional bond between the leads and highlight their compatibility in both chaotic and tender moments.

Biggest Player delivers a swoony, spicy, and heartwarming sports romance that’s hard to put down. What makes this romance stand out is how real both characters feel. Dex isn’t just a pretty face; he’s vulnerable, funny, and refreshingly earnest. Margot, with her fierce love for her daughter and her no-nonsense attitude, grounds the story with heart and maturity.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 9 December 2025

The Wild Card By Carolyn Brown

Professional poker player Carla Wilson’s luck runs dry in Tucson, leaving her with nothing but an SUV running on fumes and a deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas. Her plan to sell the café and move on seems simple enough—until she meets the motherly cook who rules the kitchen with an iron skillet and the sunny waitress who treats her like a sister.

Then there’s Jackson Armstrong. The ex-military heir of a wealthy oil family has green eyes that make Carla forget her cards and a smile that suggests he’s playing for keeps. With a pair of matchmaking senior citizens and the café’s morning regulars cheering from the sidelines, Carla’s wandering soul begins to feel at home.

Now she’s discovering everything she never knew she needed—true friendship, a place to belong, and a love worth going all in for. Maybe Lady Luck knew exactly what she was doing from the start.

Review Card & Book Review- Storing Secrets By Janice Kay Johnson

Someone has secrets

They’ll kill to keep buried

Erin Reed’s life spirals into terror after she barely escapes an arson attack with her little boy in her arms. As the threats against her life multiply, she discovers that Detective Sam McKeige is a man she can rely on to protect her and her son. What begins as trust turns into something that might be love…if she and Sam get the chance to explore it. Can they uncover the identity of the serial killer who’s been stalking her before this monster rips the future away from them?

About The Author

My Review

Erin Reed is exactly the kind of heroine you root for—resilient, smart, and fiercely protective of her son. She’s juggling motherhood and running an antique business when a seemingly routine storage unit purchase thrusts her into the path of a dangerous criminal. The threat is immediate and terrifying, but Erin’s strength never wavers—she’s not a damsel waiting to be saved.

Enter Detective Sam, whose protective instincts are triggered the moment he meets Erin and her son. He’s still grieving the loss of his own child, and the emotional baggage he carries adds depth to his gruff demeanor. His desire to keep Erin safe is professional at first, but quickly turns personal.

The suspense is well-paced, with the looming danger keeping the tension high. The romance, though gradual, feels earned—rooted in trust, shared vulnerability, and the realization that love doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you. The connection between Sam and Erin’s son is especially poignant and adds emotional richness to the narrative. Overall, it is a satisfying romantic suspense with heart, grit, and emotional resonance.

My Rating

Link To Purchase