Chasing Harlow by Jay McLean

Standalone
Rating -
Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance / sports
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - a couple of descriptive scenes, the rest closed door
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 426 pages




Thank you, Kat @Kitty Kats Crazy About Books, for putting this book on my radar.

There is something to be said about Jay McLean's writing that I can't capture properly with the right words.
I can laugh and cry and bite the shit out of my nails to get through her stories and enjoy the heck out of it.
I can absolutely HATE one of the main characters... looking at you, Harlow... and still love the story SO. MUCH!

For me, Chasing Harlow was all about Jace. He was this young man on the verge of greatness and his life was a mess. He was a mess. And he had this great support network he had no idea how to use. These people were basically throwing themselves at him, wanting to help, and he was blind to it until it was almost too late.

The author captures such strong emotions with her characters. These broken, bruised, incredible characters.

Can I just say that I freaking loved Jonah so much? He was the friend that Jace deserved.



Jay McLean is a full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her three boys, investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.

She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.

Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! Every week I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a romantic trope.

Today I'm sharing with you the first five Sports Romance books that I loved and reviewed on the blog. I haven't read a lot of stories dealing with athletes or competitive sports games, but the ones I have read have been mostly amazing. The heroes are crazy hot, right? If you've got a recommendation, please let me know.

Secrets of an Alpha Male by J.D. Hawkins

Connor is a sexy MMA fighter who went from no one to someone overnight. He's cocky, arrogant, and not very pleasing to read... until he meets Frankie. Her mellow attitude and chill vibes bring out the best in Connor, making this an entertaining read about a hero who redeems himself before the end.

Breaking Cage by A.J. Pryor

I haven't read another book from this author since and I'm confused as to why. I enjoyed this book! It may have been a sports romance, but it had hints of mystery and intrigue as well. The hero, Derek, was an enigma and Hannah was desperate and determined to find out everything about him.

Disengaged by Jamie Magee

This was the first time that a sports romance read was so dark for me. I wish I could find a book with a similar vibe. I never knew what would happen next and I can really appreciate a story that is so far from predictable that I can't hazard a guess about anything.

Destiny on Ice by S.R. Grey

I'll never forget Mr.51 LOL!! This story was romantic and funny, sweet and charming and honestly... the same can be said for all of the books of this series. The Boys of Winter were hot, talented and absolutely devoted to the women in their lives.

Intended for Bristol by L.P. Dover

One thing I really enjoy about this author's books is how warm they feel, even when they're full of angst and drama. Jaxon was a sports star who kept messing up and Bristol was the woman who made him finally face his shortcomings. There is romance, sweetness and a touch of suspense.

Today's flashback is the Wrecked and Ruined series by Aly Martinez. This is an emotional contemporary romance that involves very hot athletes and the women that love them. There is pain and strife and I fell in love with this author's writing before the end of book one.

Have you ever read these books? Are you interested?

Changing Course

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was twenty-one years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone who doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present, and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

Stolen Course

I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily ever after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me.

Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn’t intentional. It was far worse. Everyone claims it was just an accident, but I can see through the lies. Even if it’s with my dying breath, I will make her pay for what she did.

Fate hates me. It robbed me of my first love and left me to navigate through this world emotionless and numb. Then, one day, spiteful fate gave me a woman to fill my shattered soul and make me feel again. It gave me Emma Jane Erickson. Now I spend my days searching for the answers that will ruin Sarah and my nights falling in love with her sister—the one person who is bound and determined to save her.

But what happens when everything you know to be true explodes around you? Who will be left to pick up the pieces, and who will need to be saved from the wreckage?

Among the Echoes

My name was Dr. Erica Hill. I was a victim, then a witness, and then I ceased to exist altogether.

I may still be breathing, but stripped of my identity, I have long since stopped living. I am invisible, and my life depends on my ability to stay in the shadows.

But he sees me.

Slate Andrews is the embodiment of everything I have been taught to avoid. He’s rich and famous, and one image of him with a woman would earn millions for any paparazzi lucky enough to snap it. He has vowed to protect me with his life, yet he exposes me with his every breath. I should be stronger and walk away. I should disappear. But I’m terrified he would come after me.

I’m on the run, determined not to take him down with me but absolutely unable to let him go.

My name is Riley Peterson… at least for today.

Broken Course

Seven years ago, my life changed forever. One accident and the person I saw in the mirror no longer resembled the woman I used to be. I was lost and confused inside my own body. I felt alone and disconnected from the world, carrying the incredible weight of guilt and loss that wasn't even mine to harbor.

Then fate led me to Leo James. He taught me that crazy could be perfectly normal and it shouldn't hurt to breathe. Don't get me wrong. Leo isn't perfect. He has his own cross to bear, and the truth is, that might be why I fell for him in the first place. But despite everything he does for me, learning to forgive myself is infinitely harder than overlooking the flaws of another.

Now, the secrets and lies of our past have begun to dictate our future—threatening to ruin us before we get the chance to try. Perhaps we were cursed from the start. Or maybe, just maybe, the remnants of our fractured lives will fit together to form one whole, where love isn’t questioned and being happy is…well, easy.

Can a second broken soul be enough to fill the voids of my own? Or will such scarred pasts prove too much for our love alone to overcome?

──────　♔　──────

Risk on Ice by S.R. Grey

I, Alex Hartwell, just screwed up big-time.

Now the hockey team I was traded to, the Las Vegas Wolves, have me on a short leash.

You’d think a hotshot defenseman like me would have known better.

Guess not.

But I’m trying real hard to behave now.

Why else would I agree to stay at my teammate’s house for the next three months in order to keep the team happy?

It should be a breeze, as Sebastian Alderman is cool. Only problem is I didn’t count on his hot sister, Kelsi, staying there too.

FML, as Hockey Code 101 says sisters are off-limits.

Yeah, I can’t take the risk. Even if Kelsi and I are wildly attracted to each other. Not to mention, she’s pretty effing cool.

But I better behave.

Or not only will the Wolves be breathing down my neck, but Sebastian will be too.



You want sweet? It doesn't really get sweeter than this story.
You want smooth? The love that blossomed between Alex and Kelsi couldn't have been easier.

The author made these characters seem genuine and realistic. What happened between them felt organic and necessary. There was absolutely no muss and no fuss. Imagine a story that is about what the couple shares, without the drama.

Risk on Ice was a sweet and beautiful story. It won me over with how utterly simple and natural it was.

So if you're looking for an adorable couple who do adorable things... look no further than this!



S.R. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the popular Boys of Winter hockey books and Men of Fall football novels. Both series can be read in any order or as standalones. Other New Adult and Romantic Suspense works of hers include the Judge Me Not books, the Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas.

Ms. Grey resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams, sometimes all at the same time.

──────　♔　──────

Unbroken II by Aaron L. Speer

Ava Beckinsale is living her dream. She's the new World Champion and determined to defend and honour the belt she worked so hard to win.

As soon as she thinks she has a handle on her reign, out of the shadows comes Tanika Taniela. An undefeated fighter held down for years, hidden away with a secret she was told to keep buried.

But Tanika is done hiding, and she's craving a chance to claim Ava's belt.

When the unknown fighter unleashes her rage, revealing her secret to the world on international TV, the fighting world erupts, battle lines are drawn, and Ava is dragged into the last place she wants to be, once more a pawn in the MMA machine.

Now, the new champion's emotions and principles are getting in her way, but allies emerge from the unlikeliest places, and Ava has to return to a lesson she thought she'd already learned: sometimes your greatest opponent is yourself.



Ava's the female MMA Champion of the world and as you can imagine, she's on top of the world. However, being so high only means that the fall could hit harder. And yet, she's determined, fierce, and simply so amazing that life's hurdles and the politics of the game are going to have a hard time getting her down.

She's a freaking badass! The author did an incredible job of bringing Ava to life for me and I found it so easy to like her. Her heart... this woman's heart was beautiful!

To be honest, I'm not the best at perfectly imagining what a character would look like in real life, but for Ava, I did find myself constantly picturing one real person...


Athletic, beautiful, competitive, generous, kind. loyal, relatable, and smart. She was my kind of heroine. She outshone almost everyone in this book. Almost.

Because it was IMPOSSIBLE to not see Tanika. She was loud, she was proud, and she definitely wanted to be seen.


Seriously. She was a hot mess, but for some reason, all of her mad schemes, yelling for attention, controversial behavior, and randomness worked. I can't imagine being trans and trying to fit into a world that doesn't want to accommodate you, but that's just what she did. And not only did she do it, she succeeded. And the way it was captured for us to read... utterly captivating.

Even when it got really messy.


And don't even get me started on the romance between the champion and the former champion. Can you imagine getting it on with someone who not only kicked your ass, but you kicked her ass right back?

I truly enjoyed these characters and their journeys. They were so different and yet not so much. Their trials, their tribulations, their support teams, their yearnings all forced them to face exactly what they wanted. For Tanika, that was acceptance. For Ava, it was more about feeling complete. Aside from a bit of yuri anime back in the day (or a lot lol), I haven't read girl love before. At least not in a contemporary way. However, it's Aaron L. Speer and I trust him. Good call on my part because this story... it just works!


Are you new to Speerzie? Come get Fanatical with our Favourite Aussie Bloke, and get your FANG BITE. Good Neck Action isn't just for Vamps… MMA fighters like it too:
➡ FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Speerverse/
➡ Amazon: https://viewAuthor.at/AaronLSpeer
➡ Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/SpeerverseNews
➡ GoodReads: https://tinyurl.com/AaronLSpeerOnGR
➡ BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/AaronLSpeerOnBB
➡ IG: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_l_speer/
➡ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aaron_Speer
➡ Enter Fans: https://tinyurl.com/SpeerverseFanatics
If you’re ever caught needing a Speerverse Fix and can't find your FANG BITE, No worries! Just remember:
➡ https://www.aaronlspeer.com
Want to drop Aaron a line? Buy a signed book or have a question? He loves to hear from readers:
➡ teamaaronlspeer@gmail.com

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.

Find your copy of Fair Catch here:
Goodreads | Amazon

Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance.

Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.

Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.

Add to Goodreads
One-click from Amazon

Confession time:
My name is Noel Sandlund and I play professional hockey—defense to be exact.
I lead a pretty good life. I’m not hurting for money and the ladies seem to like me.
And now things have gotten even better—I think I may have fallen in love.

See, while I was in Sweden playing in the world hockey championships this off-season, I met Maisie Troy.

And, man, she’s it for me.

A jock, a journalist and a second chance . . .

MacKenzie Decker was a question Avery never got to ask, much less answer.
They met when she was a young reporter fueled by ambition, and the ink on Deck's first NBA contract was barely dry. Years later, they've climbed so high and lost so much, but one thing hasn't changed. The attraction that simmered between them in a locker room before is still there. With success like theirs, everything has been possible . . . except them.

That was then.
But what about now?

Owen Gasnier is a gentleman even inside the Octagon. As much of a gentleman as one can be having an undisputed record with every win by a knock out. People LOVE him.

Overworked barista Tegan Holland doesn't know he exists. Not until ten minutes before her friend Fiona drags her to the biggest cage fight Sydney has ever seen.

By the time he heads back to his training camp in the States, she'll never forget him. But should she let him forget her? He's chasing his dream. He doesn't have time for her. Does he?

For Owen, the hits just keep coming. Trash talking opponents, sensationalist media, and someone's out to ruin him for good. He can't put Tegan in the middle of it. Can he?

Soon, will any of it matter? Cause life has other plans, and NOTHING hits harder than life.