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The Riggs Family #3
The Sneak Peak
My Best Friend. Young. Tempting . She bid on me at my company’s charity auction and won. Back then, she was too young, with hearts in her eyes and her whole life ahead of her. That’s how we started, and after all this time, she’s become my best friend. Being a single dad of twins and running Colorado's most successful summer sports company requires control and focus. Both of which are slipping through my fingers. I just crashed her date and watched her kiss another man. The whole time her eyes were on me. Now, she’s living in my house, nannying my kids for the summer, and saying she wants to “explore” things that drip with the kind of filthy curiosity that I crave. I don’t want her to have anyone else, but I know it'll change us if I take what I want. And, if we destroy our friendship it’ll ruin me. Or worse, end up breaking my kid’s hearts and hers.
This is a spicy small-town interconnected, standalone romance.
This is a spicy small-town interconnected, standalone romance.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2023
447 people are currently reading
3402 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Wilder
9 books2,036 followersForever a hopeful romantic, I write deliciously witty and wild characters. My stories range from small-town swoon-worthy men to fiercely powerful families and lead characters who aren't afraid to ask for what they want.
You will always find a little bit of fate, a whole lot of steam, and a wildly romantic ride.
You will always find a little bit of fate, a whole lot of steam, and a wildly romantic ride.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
May 19, 2023
5⭐️ 3🌶️
• Age Gap • Single Dad • Best Friends to Lovers • Sexual Exploration • Close Proximity • Anxiety Representation • Premonitions •
Loved it!! I love the way Victoria tells her stories!
This is the story of Michael Riggs who became a single dad after a one night stand resulted in pregnancy and Grace, his best friend who he knows has had a crush on him for years. Due to their differences in age, Michael wants Grace to go live her life and follow her dreams without him holding her back. But she’s decided she’s tired of waiting for him to realize he’s what she really wants.
The representation of anxiety is excellent and very believable. And the support the anxious character receives is nothing short of loving and patient. Grace takes charge on multiple occasions to relieve Michael from having to make decisions and it works so well. She’s definitely a go-getter and she knows what she wants. She’ll play the game to get it and have fun while doing it.
Michael is a generous and dominating lover but also very aware of Grace’s emotional state the entire time. He’s constantly checking in with her to make sure she’s okay and he’s not hurting. And the dirty talk 🥵🥵🥵
Per usual, all the secondary characters are great. The Riggs family is the best and always good for a laugh. Giselle and Law both lack filters and it’s glorious! After seeing Law more in this one, I’m excited for his book next!
• Age Gap • Single Dad • Best Friends to Lovers • Sexual Exploration • Close Proximity • Anxiety Representation • Premonitions •
Loved it!! I love the way Victoria tells her stories!
This is the story of Michael Riggs who became a single dad after a one night stand resulted in pregnancy and Grace, his best friend who he knows has had a crush on him for years. Due to their differences in age, Michael wants Grace to go live her life and follow her dreams without him holding her back. But she’s decided she’s tired of waiting for him to realize he’s what she really wants.
The representation of anxiety is excellent and very believable. And the support the anxious character receives is nothing short of loving and patient. Grace takes charge on multiple occasions to relieve Michael from having to make decisions and it works so well. She’s definitely a go-getter and she knows what she wants. She’ll play the game to get it and have fun while doing it.
Michael is a generous and dominating lover but also very aware of Grace’s emotional state the entire time. He’s constantly checking in with her to make sure she’s okay and he’s not hurting. And the dirty talk 🥵🥵🥵
Per usual, all the secondary characters are great. The Riggs family is the best and always good for a laugh. Giselle and Law both lack filters and it’s glorious! After seeing Law more in this one, I’m excited for his book next!
May 19, 2023
Wow!
I needed a moment to gather my thoughts after finishing this, and I’m still a bit speechless and not really sure what to write in my review!
To be completely honest, I was preparing myself to be a little bit disappointed. Not because I didn’t think Victoria would write a fantastic book- we already know she always does- but because I loved Hide and Peak SO much, I just didn’t know how another book could come anywhere close to it. But somehow, she did it!
Grace has been crushing on Michael Riggs since she was a teenager, even bidding on him at a charity auction so he was her prom date!
If you’ve read the holiday epilogue for Hide and Peak, you’ll know Michael found out he had 6 month old twins, and as he navigates becoming a new father, he and Grace build a strong friendship and become best friends. She continues to harbour feelings for him, but doesn’t believe they’ll ever be reciprocated.
There is a time jump in this book which I didn’t expect but it works brilliantly. We get to see the rest of the Riggs family too which I loved!
Grace is up there with Giselle for me as a fantastic FMC. She is strong, knows her own mind and worth, incredibly kind and loving.
Michael has made no secret of his struggles with anxiety and this is portrayed so accurately and sensitively throughout the story.
There was 1 chapter where I think I held my breath the entire time, and I could feel exactly how both characters were feeling during it. I don’t know how Victoria does that but her writing is absolutely incredible. Just beautiful.
It’s really hard not to talk about all my favourite bits without giving away any spoilers so let me just leave you with a few quotes that really stuck out to me:
‘The way she looks at me always makes me feel like a greater version of who I am.’
‘It doesn’t feel like anything less than inevitable, him and me.’
“I want your good, but I’ll be there for the bad.”
“That’s what Daddy said you were. His gravity.”
It’s super spicy, it’s beautiful, it’s heart wrenching (in the best possible way) and I cannot recommend it enough. Read it as soon as it’s released- in the words of Giselle “Get. Your. Riggs. On.”!!
Can’t wait for the next book- Law (aka ‘Captain Thirst Trap’) is hilarious and I’m desperate for his story now!
Huge thank you to Victoria and the author agency for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I needed a moment to gather my thoughts after finishing this, and I’m still a bit speechless and not really sure what to write in my review!
To be completely honest, I was preparing myself to be a little bit disappointed. Not because I didn’t think Victoria would write a fantastic book- we already know she always does- but because I loved Hide and Peak SO much, I just didn’t know how another book could come anywhere close to it. But somehow, she did it!
Grace has been crushing on Michael Riggs since she was a teenager, even bidding on him at a charity auction so he was her prom date!
If you’ve read the holiday epilogue for Hide and Peak, you’ll know Michael found out he had 6 month old twins, and as he navigates becoming a new father, he and Grace build a strong friendship and become best friends. She continues to harbour feelings for him, but doesn’t believe they’ll ever be reciprocated.
There is a time jump in this book which I didn’t expect but it works brilliantly. We get to see the rest of the Riggs family too which I loved!
Grace is up there with Giselle for me as a fantastic FMC. She is strong, knows her own mind and worth, incredibly kind and loving.
Michael has made no secret of his struggles with anxiety and this is portrayed so accurately and sensitively throughout the story.
There was 1 chapter where I think I held my breath the entire time, and I could feel exactly how both characters were feeling during it. I don’t know how Victoria does that but her writing is absolutely incredible. Just beautiful.
It’s really hard not to talk about all my favourite bits without giving away any spoilers so let me just leave you with a few quotes that really stuck out to me:
‘The way she looks at me always makes me feel like a greater version of who I am.’
‘It doesn’t feel like anything less than inevitable, him and me.’
“I want your good, but I’ll be there for the bad.”
“That’s what Daddy said you were. His gravity.”
It’s super spicy, it’s beautiful, it’s heart wrenching (in the best possible way) and I cannot recommend it enough. Read it as soon as it’s released- in the words of Giselle “Get. Your. Riggs. On.”!!
Can’t wait for the next book- Law (aka ‘Captain Thirst Trap’) is hilarious and I’m desperate for his story now!
Huge thank you to Victoria and the author agency for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 11, 2023
✨
It was fun, sweet, heartwarming and unexpectedly hot🤰🏼.
Tropes:
⛰️ Age gap;
⛰️ Single dad;
⛰️ Forced proximity;
⛰️ Grumpy & sunshine;
⛰️ Friends to lovers;
✨
It was fun, sweet, heartwarming and unexpectedly hot🤰🏼.
Tropes:
⛰️ Age gap;
⛰️ Single dad;
⛰️ Forced proximity;
⛰️ Grumpy & sunshine;
⛰️ Friends to lovers;
✨
May 12, 2025
Michael & Gracie are easily one of my favorite couples I have ever read. The tension, the yearning, the PASSION! It is SMOKING HOT!
-Single Dad
-Age Gap
-Nanny/Best Friend
-Sexploration (wink wink)
-Small Town
I BEG YOU READ THIS SERIES ASAP
-Single Dad
-Age Gap
-Nanny/Best Friend
-Sexploration (wink wink)
-Small Town
I BEG YOU READ THIS SERIES ASAP
May 7, 2023
Wow. I have no words! I was instantly hooked from the beginning of this story. The longtime crush that grew into a friendship, Michael and Grace were everything and more. I can’t even describe how beautiful but also insanely hot this book was. Like holy sh*t! Victoria, you did not mess around with the spice! Both Michael and Grace were dirty talkers and it was SO good. Now I need to read all the other books in this series.
Thank you to the Author Agency & Victoria for this arc for my honest review!
Thank you to the Author Agency & Victoria for this arc for my honest review!
May 30, 2023
3.75/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
3/5 🌶️
July 29, 2025
4.5 stars!
June 8, 2025
I have always been curious of Michael. In previous books he was the quiet, struggling one. But even though we knew he had severe anxiety he was skilled and professional in his work. When we learned at the end of Hide And Peak that he was the accidental father of twins I couldn't wait for his book. Now, however, after reading it, I feel a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong. I love the Riggs family and Strutt's Peak and it was, for the most part, an amazing read, but many things were missing for me.
Michael and Grace's friendship began not long before he became a father. She had a crush on him, he knew it (actually, the whole town knew it), but because of the 12-year age difference between them, he didn't want to start anything intimate. She was 18, he was 30, and it was understandable that nothing happened between them. Seven years later, they are best friends with hots for each other. The twins' mother is unreliable and mostly out of the picture, so Grace decides to become their nanny during the summer to help Michael with his busy schedule. She's also ready to finally let go of a long-lasting crush. But it turns out Michael isn't ready to let her go and so begins an affair with lots of sex (kink) exploration and .... not much else. I'm the last person who will say the book had too much sex in it, especially if it was super hot, but their explorations combined with a lot of restrospections about their friendship and how it grew over the years took up the space of what should be the building blocks of a new relationship and partnership. I didn't mind them, though. A lof of them were trully wonderful and sweet. But we got a lot of intimate moments from their past, but other than sex, we didn't get that in the present. It was almost like when they decided to sleep together, they immediately stopped being friends and became ONLY lovers. There are almost no everyday moments, not many scenes between Grace and the twins. We know she spends time with them during the day, but we are told about it, not shown. Also, there are not many scenes with Michael and the twins. We, again, are told that he struggled when they came along, that it was a difficult 6 years, but we don't get many scenes with the father and children together. This is my biggest problem with this book. It is made of separate elements that don't connect or do so very superficially.
Another thing is the third act breakup. Michael's anxiety was handled carefully in the book. He is in therapy, taking medication and dealing with his anxiety attacks. I won't spoil what happened to trigger him, but during one particular moment he has a crisis and takes it out on Grace and breaks their relationship. It was so blown out of proportion. It didn't make sense. He wasn't hurtful towards her before, and one time something happened (and it wasn't even that big of a crisis) he brakes up with the one person who has been by his side for 7 years? Even Grace says at one point that he wouldn't have done it when they were friends. It was drama for drama's sake. He later groveled, and that's always a good thing, but the sour aftertaste from that scene remains.
The last thing that bothers me, and unfortunately this is almost a trend in small town romances, is the gossiping. I know it can be endearing, but when your own mother is the center of town gossip and messes with your private life it pisses me off to no end. It's not funny or quirky. It's distasteful and even a little gossip can do a lot of damage.
My three stars are for the stuff I love about this series: the impeccable writing style, the Riggs family esspecialy Law and Asher, but also the twins. They were wonderful and I would love to see more of them in the future.
Michael and Grace's friendship began not long before he became a father. She had a crush on him, he knew it (actually, the whole town knew it), but because of the 12-year age difference between them, he didn't want to start anything intimate. She was 18, he was 30, and it was understandable that nothing happened between them. Seven years later, they are best friends with hots for each other. The twins' mother is unreliable and mostly out of the picture, so Grace decides to become their nanny during the summer to help Michael with his busy schedule. She's also ready to finally let go of a long-lasting crush. But it turns out Michael isn't ready to let her go and so begins an affair with lots of sex (kink) exploration and .... not much else. I'm the last person who will say the book had too much sex in it, especially if it was super hot, but their explorations combined with a lot of restrospections about their friendship and how it grew over the years took up the space of what should be the building blocks of a new relationship and partnership. I didn't mind them, though. A lof of them were trully wonderful and sweet. But we got a lot of intimate moments from their past, but other than sex, we didn't get that in the present. It was almost like when they decided to sleep together, they immediately stopped being friends and became ONLY lovers. There are almost no everyday moments, not many scenes between Grace and the twins. We know she spends time with them during the day, but we are told about it, not shown. Also, there are not many scenes with Michael and the twins. We, again, are told that he struggled when they came along, that it was a difficult 6 years, but we don't get many scenes with the father and children together. This is my biggest problem with this book. It is made of separate elements that don't connect or do so very superficially.
Another thing is the third act breakup. Michael's anxiety was handled carefully in the book. He is in therapy, taking medication and dealing with his anxiety attacks. I won't spoil what happened to trigger him, but during one particular moment he has a crisis and takes it out on Grace and breaks their relationship. It was so blown out of proportion. It didn't make sense. He wasn't hurtful towards her before, and one time something happened (and it wasn't even that big of a crisis) he brakes up with the one person who has been by his side for 7 years? Even Grace says at one point that he wouldn't have done it when they were friends. It was drama for drama's sake. He later groveled, and that's always a good thing, but the sour aftertaste from that scene remains.
The last thing that bothers me, and unfortunately this is almost a trend in small town romances, is the gossiping. I know it can be endearing, but when your own mother is the center of town gossip and messes with your private life it pisses me off to no end. It's not funny or quirky. It's distasteful and even a little gossip can do a lot of damage.
My three stars are for the stuff I love about this series: the impeccable writing style, the Riggs family esspecialy Law and Asher, but also the twins. They were wonderful and I would love to see more of them in the future.
May 8, 2024
5 ⭐️| 3.5 🌶️
💙Age gap
💙Single dad x nanny
💙Small town
💙Friends to lovers
💙Anxiety rep
💙sëxual exploration
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 (incl. böndage, breath play, 🍑 stuff)
I don’t know what I was expecting from Michael and Grace but this EXCEEDED my expectations big time. Friends to lovers isn’t usually my favorite, but I absolutely loved how this was written, with a few flashbacks to their friendship/ other moments to give context to their relationship now.
Grace was always perceived as the town sweetheart. The story followed her feeling free to explore her sexuality, show her fangs where necessary, and have Michael celebrate it all. It had me kicking my feet and pumping my fists in the air.
Michael has anxiety and I thought including his therapy sessions, the way he deals with his triggers, and having Grace be his anchor, were very well done, and weren’t just glossed over and magically solved because they fell in love.
The sexual relationship between Michael and Grace was not only HOTTT but the longer it went on, the more emotional it became, and it was beautiful to continue unraveling their connection.
Miles and Sammy were the absolute most adorable kids ever and I loved their misnomers throughout and the way they absolutely cracked Graces heart wide open.
Highly recommend this book (the series, really)!
💙Age gap
💙Single dad x nanny
💙Small town
💙Friends to lovers
💙Anxiety rep
💙sëxual exploration
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 (incl. böndage, breath play, 🍑 stuff)
I don’t know what I was expecting from Michael and Grace but this EXCEEDED my expectations big time. Friends to lovers isn’t usually my favorite, but I absolutely loved how this was written, with a few flashbacks to their friendship/ other moments to give context to their relationship now.
Grace was always perceived as the town sweetheart. The story followed her feeling free to explore her sexuality, show her fangs where necessary, and have Michael celebrate it all. It had me kicking my feet and pumping my fists in the air.
Michael has anxiety and I thought including his therapy sessions, the way he deals with his triggers, and having Grace be his anchor, were very well done, and weren’t just glossed over and magically solved because they fell in love.
The sexual relationship between Michael and Grace was not only HOTTT but the longer it went on, the more emotional it became, and it was beautiful to continue unraveling their connection.
Miles and Sammy were the absolute most adorable kids ever and I loved their misnomers throughout and the way they absolutely cracked Graces heart wide open.
Highly recommend this book (the series, really)!
August 14, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Michael and Grace’s story after her first mention in book one. I was very pleasantly surprised - this was SO good!
Look, I’m not usually a friends to lovers gal but this was written in a way that I just devoured. The flashbacks of their friendship and other pivotal moments of their past, added a really beautiful layer to this story.
Ok but Grace and Michael had such a special friendship. I loved how confident Grace was in going after what she wanted; she was bold and brazen - finally acting on her long standing crush. Michael was of course on board, pushing aside his doubts and reservations. I loved it. Add in the sexual exploration which omf was bloody HOT 🥵- this book was everything I loved! Their connection was so hot but also deeply emotional; the trust, care and respect was equally as hot as the dirty talk.
Miles and Sammy were such a cute addition and I loved Grace’s relationship with them. They were all in with Grace, just as she was with them. I also really loved the way Michael’s mental health struggles were written, showing his therapy sessions on the page added another layer to this story and the connection between Michael and Grace.
Look, I’m only giving this 4.5 ⭐️ and not 5 BECAUSE the third act really hurt my heart. I get it, but it still made me sad.
LAW - IM READY FOR YOU, BABY!
Look, I’m not usually a friends to lovers gal but this was written in a way that I just devoured. The flashbacks of their friendship and other pivotal moments of their past, added a really beautiful layer to this story.
Ok but Grace and Michael had such a special friendship. I loved how confident Grace was in going after what she wanted; she was bold and brazen - finally acting on her long standing crush. Michael was of course on board, pushing aside his doubts and reservations. I loved it. Add in the sexual exploration which omf was bloody HOT 🥵- this book was everything I loved! Their connection was so hot but also deeply emotional; the trust, care and respect was equally as hot as the dirty talk.
Miles and Sammy were such a cute addition and I loved Grace’s relationship with them. They were all in with Grace, just as she was with them. I also really loved the way Michael’s mental health struggles were written, showing his therapy sessions on the page added another layer to this story and the connection between Michael and Grace.
Look, I’m only giving this 4.5 ⭐️ and not 5 BECAUSE the third act really hurt my heart. I get it, but it still made me sad.
LAW - IM READY FOR YOU, BABY!
July 25, 2024
Grace and Michael's journey pulled me in quickly! I love this series and all these characters but I still think G is my favorite so far❤️❤️
I love the single dad aspect, it always makes things even sweeter. I’m a big fan of that trope and don’t ever plan to stop loving it!! The spice was on point, definitely am a list girl so one can appreciate how they use it here.
This story had so many aspects i so adored from forced proximity, best friends, age gap, and even a little exploration in the spicy category plus all the two best :single dad and age gap!
My little negative was there were no clear indications of when we went from friend, to friends with benefits to more. It all just kinda blurred together. So it would have been nice to feel more of the transitions between each and I’m not sure the flashbacks did much for me in some areas.
Overall, I would recommend this book for readers who are looking for an enjoyable and steamy romance! I can't wait for the next installment in The Riggs Family series. Law….I’m coming for you!!!
I love the single dad aspect, it always makes things even sweeter. I’m a big fan of that trope and don’t ever plan to stop loving it!! The spice was on point, definitely am a list girl so one can appreciate how they use it here.
This story had so many aspects i so adored from forced proximity, best friends, age gap, and even a little exploration in the spicy category plus all the two best :single dad and age gap!
My little negative was there were no clear indications of when we went from friend, to friends with benefits to more. It all just kinda blurred together. So it would have been nice to feel more of the transitions between each and I’m not sure the flashbacks did much for me in some areas.
Overall, I would recommend this book for readers who are looking for an enjoyable and steamy romance! I can't wait for the next installment in The Riggs Family series. Law….I’m coming for you!!!
May 17, 2023
Caroline read another single dad x small town romance?! What a surprise! 😂🤣 y’all know this is my kryptonite 😮💨
But seriously. This. Dang. Book. I couldn’t put it down, in fact, I fell asleep reading it with kindle in hand 🤣
Michael and Grace have been best friends since she won a date with him at a town auction. You might not think this is a big deal, but it was for her prom date and she was 18 at the time when he was 30 🤭 OOP.
Fast forward several years and they are best friends and coworkers…and Grace has been lusting after him this WHOLE TIME.
Victoria really knows how to write an amazing small town with just a little drama, fun family dynamics and a whole lot of spice. (Including some kink exploration!!!) I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished reading it last week!
But seriously. This. Dang. Book. I couldn’t put it down, in fact, I fell asleep reading it with kindle in hand 🤣
Michael and Grace have been best friends since she won a date with him at a town auction. You might not think this is a big deal, but it was for her prom date and she was 18 at the time when he was 30 🤭 OOP.
Fast forward several years and they are best friends and coworkers…and Grace has been lusting after him this WHOLE TIME.
Victoria really knows how to write an amazing small town with just a little drama, fun family dynamics and a whole lot of spice. (Including some kink exploration!!!) I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished reading it last week!
May 14, 2023
✨ ARC review ✨
I LOVED this book.
In this book, Michael and Grace are best friends and Grace ends up nannying his twins during the summer. Hence the Grace and Michael's summer slutfest.
We've got flashbacks to understand their relationship better (there's an age-gap), which I felt were really important.
The smut is amazingly hot. Michael is dominating but always listening to Grace's wants. And of course, *kink exploration* 🔥
There is an important and wonderful mental health representation and it's a big part of the story 👌
You don't need to read the other books in the series to understand it, however I will definitely read them in the near future because the Riggs family is amazing and I love the author's writing.
I LOVED this book.
In this book, Michael and Grace are best friends and Grace ends up nannying his twins during the summer. Hence the Grace and Michael's summer slutfest.
We've got flashbacks to understand their relationship better (there's an age-gap), which I felt were really important.
The smut is amazingly hot. Michael is dominating but always listening to Grace's wants. And of course, *kink exploration* 🔥
There is an important and wonderful mental health representation and it's a big part of the story 👌
You don't need to read the other books in the series to understand it, however I will definitely read them in the near future because the Riggs family is amazing and I love the author's writing.
May 12, 2023
I just discovered Victoria Wilder, and she seriously needs to be more recognized! This series caught my attention from the start of the first book, and Michael is a character I've had my eye on, so getting to read this book early was a treat!
It's been an entire week since I dragged my best friend into a closet, demanded that she give me her panties, and then French kissed her pussy.
Gracie has had the biggest crush on Michael for years, but the age gap just made things out of reach, especially when Michael didn't see her as anything past a friend. But Gracie would take anything he could give, until she's grown up and realizes he's never going to see her as something more. And lo and behold, just when she decides to stop focusing on him, Michael gets his head out of his butt. Soon, they create a list of all of the kinks Grace wants to explore and for Michael to help her.
“She’s kidnapped every feeling from my body and owns every second.”
Victoria Wilder has officially become a new fave and auto-buy author! The Riggs Family series continues to live in my brain rent-free.
THE SNEAK PEAK really shown bright! The crush-to-best friends-to-lovers in an age gap was handled amazingly well. And the kink exploration was SO HOT!!!
Do NOT let the cover fool you. THIS ONE IS SPICY! The dirty-talk had me fanning my face so much! I had no idea Michael was this filthy, but I was here for it!
The romance was beautiful! The fact that they truly were each other’s best friend showed and it made everything they went through and how they interacted so believable.
Michael’s kids were also the sweetest! I loved their relationship with Grace. And the ending involving them had me in TEARS!
The Riggs Family series is one you don’t want to miss out on. Lots of empowering and strong women, men who are devoted to their family and women, a family that is so tight and close, you want to be a part of it. Honestly, Victoria Wilder has done no wrong and I can’t wait to continue diving into her backlist.
It's been an entire week since I dragged my best friend into a closet, demanded that she give me her panties, and then French kissed her pussy.
Gracie has had the biggest crush on Michael for years, but the age gap just made things out of reach, especially when Michael didn't see her as anything past a friend. But Gracie would take anything he could give, until she's grown up and realizes he's never going to see her as something more. And lo and behold, just when she decides to stop focusing on him, Michael gets his head out of his butt. Soon, they create a list of all of the kinks Grace wants to explore and for Michael to help her.
“She’s kidnapped every feeling from my body and owns every second.”
Victoria Wilder has officially become a new fave and auto-buy author! The Riggs Family series continues to live in my brain rent-free.
THE SNEAK PEAK really shown bright! The crush-to-best friends-to-lovers in an age gap was handled amazingly well. And the kink exploration was SO HOT!!!
Do NOT let the cover fool you. THIS ONE IS SPICY! The dirty-talk had me fanning my face so much! I had no idea Michael was this filthy, but I was here for it!
The romance was beautiful! The fact that they truly were each other’s best friend showed and it made everything they went through and how they interacted so believable.
Michael’s kids were also the sweetest! I loved their relationship with Grace. And the ending involving them had me in TEARS!
The Riggs Family series is one you don’t want to miss out on. Lots of empowering and strong women, men who are devoted to their family and women, a family that is so tight and close, you want to be a part of it. Honestly, Victoria Wilder has done no wrong and I can’t wait to continue diving into her backlist.
May 2, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5
𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞.
Can I just relocate to Strutt's Peak? Pretty please? 🙏 I'm utterly obsessed with this world Victoria has built and the ever entertaining Riggs family! I was SO excited for Michael's story and he did not disappoint. While he's definitely the "broken boy" of the family, it makes his journey all that more beautiful. After finding out he fathered twins from a 1 night stand, Michael takes custody of the kids and leans on his best friend Grace to help right his world that got turned upside down. Grace is the town sweetheart but don't let her fool you, she is resilient and has a set of claws and backbone hidden behind that nice exterior. She's also been crushing on Michael since high school.
"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.”
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Friends to lovers isn't normally my fav but it totally worked here! Both had been crushing on each other for YEARS but the age gap and feelings of unworthiness had kept them strictly as friends. When the damn finally breaks and they allow themselves to explore their feelings..... H.O.L.Y. 🔥🔥🔥 CHEMISTRY. Michael might normally be the quiet brother but let me tell you... man has a FILTHY (and very descriptive) mouth 🥵 and Grace isn't afraid to voice what she wants either 😏😏 I loved that basically the whole town was like "FINALLY" 🤣🤣 and while the conflict was kind of painful it absolutely made sense with the story and the resolutionnnnn 🥺🥺
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.”
This ... and the first 2 books in the series... are 100% MUST READS 🙌🙌
Read if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Age Gap
- Single Dad/Nanny
- Sexy bucket list
🌶🌶🌶.5
𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞.
Can I just relocate to Strutt's Peak? Pretty please? 🙏 I'm utterly obsessed with this world Victoria has built and the ever entertaining Riggs family! I was SO excited for Michael's story and he did not disappoint. While he's definitely the "broken boy" of the family, it makes his journey all that more beautiful. After finding out he fathered twins from a 1 night stand, Michael takes custody of the kids and leans on his best friend Grace to help right his world that got turned upside down. Grace is the town sweetheart but don't let her fool you, she is resilient and has a set of claws and backbone hidden behind that nice exterior. She's also been crushing on Michael since high school.
"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.”
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Friends to lovers isn't normally my fav but it totally worked here! Both had been crushing on each other for YEARS but the age gap and feelings of unworthiness had kept them strictly as friends. When the damn finally breaks and they allow themselves to explore their feelings..... H.O.L.Y. 🔥🔥🔥 CHEMISTRY. Michael might normally be the quiet brother but let me tell you... man has a FILTHY (and very descriptive) mouth 🥵 and Grace isn't afraid to voice what she wants either 😏😏 I loved that basically the whole town was like "FINALLY" 🤣🤣 and while the conflict was kind of painful it absolutely made sense with the story and the resolutionnnnn 🥺🥺
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.”
This ... and the first 2 books in the series... are 100% MUST READS 🙌🙌
Read if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Age Gap
- Single Dad/Nanny
- Sexy bucket list
November 8, 2023
2.75⭐️s (I'm being generous, I think)
This was A LOT more kinky/smutty than I was prepared for. Sure, there's a lot of steam in the previous two books but Ms. Wilder spares nothing. I'm actually surprised at the 3🌶 star ratings that many have given - I think it deserves at least 4. Wilder gets right to it with the prologue and it doesn't take long for our MCs to get together. But there are A LOT Of problems with this book. Like a lot. Starting with an 18 year old bidding (albeit for charity) $3550 to take a 30 year old man to prom. How is that not an alarm bell? And yet everyone seems to think her crush is cute. WTF? Credit to Michael for trying to put it to rest but the whole 7 years going by without addressing it seems a bit OTT. Still, I'll give it to them, whatever, it's for the story. I can suspend belief. I also really do not understand why Molly never had an abortion, given her level of interest in being a parent - was it spite? That is never really address/resolved. Again, it's for the story. And the there's the whole babysitting storyline which is SO unconvincing (but for the story, I get it); also, I'm not a fan of babysitting with benefits. So all this (and some other minor things related to the twins and Jack the billionaire) bothered me.
There is a fair amount of sex and it's pretty detailed and leaning towards S&M so you've been warned. Despite all the sex, there actually is somewhat of a storyline - I think you definitely need to know the earlier storylines to appreciate this. It actually feels mostly a transition book to Book 4.
[I'm waiting for Daddy Asher and Cal's book - or novella - b/c we've had too many crumbs about that train wreck and I need to know what's going].
Seeds for book 4 have been planted (Law and the new CEO) and you know I'm going to read it despite all my complaints above! LOL.
This was A LOT more kinky/smutty than I was prepared for. Sure, there's a lot of steam in the previous two books but Ms. Wilder spares nothing. I'm actually surprised at the 3🌶 star ratings that many have given - I think it deserves at least 4. Wilder gets right to it with the prologue and it doesn't take long for our MCs to get together. But there are A LOT Of problems with this book. Like a lot. Starting with an 18 year old bidding (albeit for charity) $3550 to take a 30 year old man to prom. How is that not an alarm bell? And yet everyone seems to think her crush is cute. WTF? Credit to Michael for trying to put it to rest but the whole 7 years going by without addressing it seems a bit OTT. Still, I'll give it to them, whatever, it's for the story. I can suspend belief. I also really do not understand why Molly never had an abortion, given her level of interest in being a parent - was it spite? That is never really address/resolved. Again, it's for the story. And the there's the whole babysitting storyline which is SO unconvincing (but for the story, I get it); also, I'm not a fan of babysitting with benefits. So all this (and some other minor things related to the twins and Jack the billionaire) bothered me.
There is a fair amount of sex and it's pretty detailed and leaning towards S&M so you've been warned. Despite all the sex, there actually is somewhat of a storyline - I think you definitely need to know the earlier storylines to appreciate this. It actually feels mostly a transition book to Book 4.
[I'm waiting for Daddy Asher and Cal's book - or novella - b/c we've had too many crumbs about that train wreck and I need to know what's going].
Seeds for book 4 have been planted (Law and the new CEO) and you know I'm going to read it despite all my complaints above! LOL.
May 19, 2023
THIS BOOK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Grace has had a crush on Michael forever, but because of their age difference Michael had kept her firmly in her friend zone. He’s a single dad and she had her entire life ahead of her. When Grace decided to start dating, something in Michael snapped. He crashed the date and watched another man kiss her, but Grace kept her eyes on Michael the entire time. When Michael needed help with his twins over the summer, Grace moved in. Would it be possible for them both to get everything they ever wanted?
I’m obsessed with Michael and Grace. This book was everything I could ever want. I’ve wanted Michael’s story since the first book of the series. The quiet brother dealing with severe anxiety. I knew his story would be epic. Victoria Wilder did not disappoint. He was everything. A man dealing with significant anxiety, trying to be the best for his kids and his job and his family. He wasn’t grumpy. He was stoic, reserved, anxious, passionate and he had a heart of gold. Grace calmed him. She was soothing, nurturing and playful. When the spark finally lit between them, absolute 🥵🌶️🔥🫠. The mouth of Michael Riggs will live in my brain forever. And Grace was not to be ignored! They were amazing together. One of my favorite couples, hands down. The passion and connection between them was palpable. I loved everything about this book. I’ve never read a book where I loved the conflict so much. It was so powerful. My absolute favorite of the series and one of my top reads of 2023 so far.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Grace has had a crush on Michael forever, but because of their age difference Michael had kept her firmly in her friend zone. He’s a single dad and she had her entire life ahead of her. When Grace decided to start dating, something in Michael snapped. He crashed the date and watched another man kiss her, but Grace kept her eyes on Michael the entire time. When Michael needed help with his twins over the summer, Grace moved in. Would it be possible for them both to get everything they ever wanted?
I’m obsessed with Michael and Grace. This book was everything I could ever want. I’ve wanted Michael’s story since the first book of the series. The quiet brother dealing with severe anxiety. I knew his story would be epic. Victoria Wilder did not disappoint. He was everything. A man dealing with significant anxiety, trying to be the best for his kids and his job and his family. He wasn’t grumpy. He was stoic, reserved, anxious, passionate and he had a heart of gold. Grace calmed him. She was soothing, nurturing and playful. When the spark finally lit between them, absolute 🥵🌶️🔥🫠. The mouth of Michael Riggs will live in my brain forever. And Grace was not to be ignored! They were amazing together. One of my favorite couples, hands down. The passion and connection between them was palpable. I loved everything about this book. I’ve never read a book where I loved the conflict so much. It was so powerful. My absolute favorite of the series and one of my top reads of 2023 so far.
May 15, 2023
Peaks of Color has crawling
Hide and Peak has licking of all places
And yet, The Sneak Peak is spicier than both books!
The Sneak Peak is delicious in all the right ways. It has thick tension, a comforting relationship that only gets better with time, beautiful growth from both characters and the added bonus of PTA boobies . . . I mean humour.
To be honest, I was nervous about this book. In the previous Riggs Family books, Michael is obviously working through mental health things. It’s never my favourite to set it all up and then forget about it for the spice. It also drives me crazy when authors wave a magic wand for the anxiety to just go away.
Victoria does a beautiful job at validating Michael’s anxiety, finding him help, and acknowledging healing and growth take time.
The other thing I can appreciate in this book is, we didn’t have to wait till 40%+ to get into it. We are IN IT right from the start. We don’t have to build it up or wait for the tension, it is there from the first page.
My only small gripe is, there were no clear indications of when we went from friend, to friends with benefits to more. It all just kinda blurred together
But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Victoria writes The best FMCS. They are strong, confident, incredible woman who inspire me! I love them all.
So, if you like
- crush-friends-lovers
- Single dad
- Mental health rep
- Kink exploration
- Forced proximity
- Strong FMC
- Age gap
- Soul Mates
Pick up this book, and fall in love with Strutts Peak and the Riggs family
Hide and Peak has licking of all places
And yet, The Sneak Peak is spicier than both books!
The Sneak Peak is delicious in all the right ways. It has thick tension, a comforting relationship that only gets better with time, beautiful growth from both characters and the added bonus of PTA boobies . . . I mean humour.
To be honest, I was nervous about this book. In the previous Riggs Family books, Michael is obviously working through mental health things. It’s never my favourite to set it all up and then forget about it for the spice. It also drives me crazy when authors wave a magic wand for the anxiety to just go away.
Victoria does a beautiful job at validating Michael’s anxiety, finding him help, and acknowledging healing and growth take time.
The other thing I can appreciate in this book is, we didn’t have to wait till 40%+ to get into it. We are IN IT right from the start. We don’t have to build it up or wait for the tension, it is there from the first page.
My only small gripe is, there were no clear indications of when we went from friend, to friends with benefits to more. It all just kinda blurred together
But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Victoria writes The best FMCS. They are strong, confident, incredible woman who inspire me! I love them all.
So, if you like
- crush-friends-lovers
- Single dad
- Mental health rep
- Kink exploration
- Forced proximity
- Strong FMC
- Age gap
- Soul Mates
Pick up this book, and fall in love with Strutts Peak and the Riggs family
May 16, 2023
Victoria Wilder gave us all of the good tropes with this third book in The Riggs Family series. Age gap, single dad and nanny, forced proximity, and super hot k!nk exploration. This automatically ticks so many boxes for me and Wilder is a great new author that is really growing with each book she writes. The chemistry between Grace and Michael was sizzling and I just love the setting of Strutt's Peak that the author has created. It's really unique among the plethora of small town romances readers have to choose from.
I also thought the anxiety rep was done really well, and we love a man in therapy. Alas, one thing I struggled with was the representation of therapy itself. The therapist character made bad judgment calls and was overall very prescriptive, which is unrealistic to any talk therapy I've experienced and also pretty unhealthy. I understand why authors make therapists more "pushy" in books than they really are. It helps the characters be self aware more quickly and solve problems faster. It moves the plot forward. However, a good therapist in real life should never be so bold and this really takes me out of the story. It's personal to me as a person with mental illness. This has been a problem for me with a lot of books where the mc seeks therapy, so it isn't limited to this one book. I just enjoyed those scenes less than the rest of the book overall.
I do recommend this book. It is sweet, steamy and I loved the characters.
Thanks to the author for the ARC, it was a pleasure.
I also thought the anxiety rep was done really well, and we love a man in therapy. Alas, one thing I struggled with was the representation of therapy itself. The therapist character made bad judgment calls and was overall very prescriptive, which is unrealistic to any talk therapy I've experienced and also pretty unhealthy. I understand why authors make therapists more "pushy" in books than they really are. It helps the characters be self aware more quickly and solve problems faster. It moves the plot forward. However, a good therapist in real life should never be so bold and this really takes me out of the story. It's personal to me as a person with mental illness. This has been a problem for me with a lot of books where the mc seeks therapy, so it isn't limited to this one book. I just enjoyed those scenes less than the rest of the book overall.
I do recommend this book. It is sweet, steamy and I loved the characters.
Thanks to the author for the ARC, it was a pleasure.
May 12, 2023
A top read of the year, and one of my favorite single dad romances to date.
^yup, I said that 🔥
5+⭐️, 3.5🌶️
Yalllllllll! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥single dad
🔥crush to friends to lovers
🔥nanny
🔥forced proximity
🔥kink exploration
🔥yalllll, the mouth on Michael Riggs
The way I could NOT put this book down, I devoured it in less than two days.
I loved seeing Michael slowly let his walls down to admit what he really wanted - Grace. Who has wanted him for years, but had settled for friendship. Until finally that wasn’t enough. Especially when it became clear it wasn’t enough for him either, after he crashed a date of hers. That scene in the pantry > what a way to start the 🔥🌶️👏🏻!
Michael might be a quiet brooding grump during the day, but man… the mouth on that man once the clothes start coming off🥵🥵🥵. Truly might be 👏🏻un👏🏻matched👏🏻.
But also, the way Michael’s struggle with anxiety was written and shown through out the book was so real and raw and amazinglyyyyy well done. I think that may be one of the things that seals him as an all time favorite book boyfriend > because he was so real in his struggles while also being so dirty and hot and swoony, all rolled into one.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
Trust me when I say >> GO. READ. IT. RIGHT. NOW.
You will NOT regret it!
^yup, I said that 🔥
5+⭐️, 3.5🌶️
Yalllllllll! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥single dad
🔥crush to friends to lovers
🔥nanny
🔥forced proximity
🔥kink exploration
🔥yalllll, the mouth on Michael Riggs
The way I could NOT put this book down, I devoured it in less than two days.
I loved seeing Michael slowly let his walls down to admit what he really wanted - Grace. Who has wanted him for years, but had settled for friendship. Until finally that wasn’t enough. Especially when it became clear it wasn’t enough for him either, after he crashed a date of hers. That scene in the pantry > what a way to start the 🔥🌶️👏🏻!
Michael might be a quiet brooding grump during the day, but man… the mouth on that man once the clothes start coming off🥵🥵🥵. Truly might be 👏🏻un👏🏻matched👏🏻.
But also, the way Michael’s struggle with anxiety was written and shown through out the book was so real and raw and amazinglyyyyy well done. I think that may be one of the things that seals him as an all time favorite book boyfriend > because he was so real in his struggles while also being so dirty and hot and swoony, all rolled into one.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
Trust me when I say >> GO. READ. IT. RIGHT. NOW.
You will NOT regret it!
May 7, 2023
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🖤single dad ✅
🖤 small tourist town ✅
🖤 age gap ✅
🖤 sport climbing✅
🖤 kink exploration ✅
🖤 forced proximity ✅
Grace and Michael are my absolute favorite! Their chemistry is off the charts and I was giggling and kicking my legs in the air the entire time I was reading. The sexual tension was pouring off of these two and I WAS LIVING FOR IT! 👏
The flashbacks were done so well and it gave us peeks into their history together, which I LOVED. Victoria made the story feel so real and it made me want to pack my bags and move to Strutt’s Peak. 🏔️
I love a good age gap romance and Victoria knocked it out of the park with this one! Add the link exploration on top and this book was utter perfection.
This book is available May 12th- save the date so you can
GET👏YOUR👏RIGGS👏ON👏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🖤single dad ✅
🖤 small tourist town ✅
🖤 age gap ✅
🖤 sport climbing✅
🖤 kink exploration ✅
🖤 forced proximity ✅
Grace and Michael are my absolute favorite! Their chemistry is off the charts and I was giggling and kicking my legs in the air the entire time I was reading. The sexual tension was pouring off of these two and I WAS LIVING FOR IT! 👏
The flashbacks were done so well and it gave us peeks into their history together, which I LOVED. Victoria made the story feel so real and it made me want to pack my bags and move to Strutt’s Peak. 🏔️
I love a good age gap romance and Victoria knocked it out of the park with this one! Add the link exploration on top and this book was utter perfection.
This book is available May 12th- save the date so you can
GET👏YOUR👏RIGGS👏ON👏
Read
July 26, 2023DNF @ 75%
This is an age gap, single dad, friends to lovers romance that I thought I was going to love so much. And parts of it I did. I loved their friendship and how they both are so into each other, but how it took time to develop. But once they got together, I was so bored. It became all about the spice at that point and how they could test every boundary together. Which was fun at first, but I was over it quickly.
This is an age gap, single dad, friends to lovers romance that I thought I was going to love so much. And parts of it I did. I loved their friendship and how they both are so into each other, but how it took time to develop. But once they got together, I was so bored. It became all about the spice at that point and how they could test every boundary together. Which was fun at first, but I was over it quickly.
December 27, 2023
Definitely a captivating read, but I felt like it was missing something…
Tropes: age gap, friends to lovers, single dad, sexy bucket list, and small town romance
Tropes: age gap, friends to lovers, single dad, sexy bucket list, and small town romance
May 27, 2025
The Sneak Peek by Victoria Wilder (The Riggs Family, #3)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The friendship of Gracie and Michael is notorious in the town of Strutt’s Peak, with its unprecedented beginnings—Gracie at the age of 18 taking 30 year old Michael to her prom—the two have always attempted to maintain a platonic relationship. Despite Gracie McKenna’s longtime crush on her best friend, she has put her feelings on the back burner in exchange for being there for Michael as he battles single-parenthood and his mental health. Correspondingly, despite moments of mutual attraction, Michael has acknowledged that he has no time for romance with newborn twins. Nonetheless, Victoria Wilder sets ‘The Sneak Peek’ in the midst of Grace and Michael departing from their platonic relationship, into a much more passionate and intimate stage. Once Michael finds Grace’s new adventure for sexual exploration has begun, he takes it upon himself to be her teacher. The successes of the third instalment in the Riggs Family series, is within the intimacy of the two and their banter throughout it all.
With an aged friendship like Grace and Michael’s, the author provides glimpses to their past in quick flashbacks for more understanding. Here, the reader becomes privy to moments where Michael’s single dad era has begun and the progression of Grace being a quirky adolescent, to a woman who is secretly admired by her best friend. Presently, Grace still yearns for Michael and despite her attempts to date around, her mind is still consumed with her best friend of eight years. Michael, on the other hand, is only realising now how much his relationship with Grace is at threat as she dates around. The beginning stages of the novel exclusively entails a little flirting, Grace attempting to let go and Michael trying to figure out his feelings. With the pressures of a small town and close family, the two decide to indulge and throw themselves in what is an entertaining bond.
Weirdly enough, despite there being clear tension articulated on page, its physicality seemed to be absent. It’s clear that Grace and Michael have an attraction for each other, which in the beginning is mostly explored through cheeky dialogue. Nevertheless, the yearning for touch or affection seemed to lack power in their attraction. I desired for more lingering touches, rather than sexual text messages being exchanged. Fortunately, once the two become intimate, there is no doubt that the connection they have is unmatched. With the premise of their sex being able to explore one another’s kinks, there is an indisputable passion when they are together that emphasises once again their romance.
The author does not shy away in providing the audience character development in Michael and Grace respectively. The former shows the human experience of anxiety, and dealing with the stresses of life. Michael’s perspective accurately details the undergoing of healing and how mental health is a journey in of itself. Grace’s POV takes a contrasting route. Whilst there is a primary focus on her longtime longing for her best friend, her journey through her career is also a trait attached to her personality. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to take much weight in the plot and it almost feels as a filler to what is a mundane character. The author attempts to impose uniqueness, by adding ‘visions’ that Grace has about her future. For me, this trait felt gimmicky and provided no depth to the plot and the story of Grace and Michael’s love story. I do feel that a lot of intricate details from Grace’s personality was omitted to keep the plot as simple as possible. For Michael, his mental health was explored thoroughly. Our first introduction to him is tumultuous and we witness him in a suffocating mindset, allowing for his experience to be broken down more in later chapters. For Grace, this analysis was absent.
In replacement of a third-act breakup, a tumble of adversity sweeps the plot as it nears the ending. Readers witness a surprise visit from Molly (the biological mother of Michael’s children), an unsuspected business opportunity for Grace and the misfortunes of a small town—Michael realises his therapist is much more closer to his home than he would like. The weight of all these problems gets the best of Michael, and his inability to handle his tumultuous emotions threatens their relationship. It’s a difficult read, especially in the POV of Michael, however, it is necessary for his character development. In these shaky times, is where we witness the grovelling by Michael, but Grace finally adhere to integrity and setting explicit boundaries.
Ultimately, ‘The Sneak Peek’ is a novel that pulls readers through plenty of emotions. Victoria Wilder articulates the gravity of mental health, but also the passion of an aged love beautifully in this novel. Despite the lack of sexual tension, and at times a mature voice, this novel was very immersive and engaged readers into the crazy world of Strutt’s Peak.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The friendship of Gracie and Michael is notorious in the town of Strutt’s Peak, with its unprecedented beginnings—Gracie at the age of 18 taking 30 year old Michael to her prom—the two have always attempted to maintain a platonic relationship. Despite Gracie McKenna’s longtime crush on her best friend, she has put her feelings on the back burner in exchange for being there for Michael as he battles single-parenthood and his mental health. Correspondingly, despite moments of mutual attraction, Michael has acknowledged that he has no time for romance with newborn twins. Nonetheless, Victoria Wilder sets ‘The Sneak Peek’ in the midst of Grace and Michael departing from their platonic relationship, into a much more passionate and intimate stage. Once Michael finds Grace’s new adventure for sexual exploration has begun, he takes it upon himself to be her teacher. The successes of the third instalment in the Riggs Family series, is within the intimacy of the two and their banter throughout it all.
With an aged friendship like Grace and Michael’s, the author provides glimpses to their past in quick flashbacks for more understanding. Here, the reader becomes privy to moments where Michael’s single dad era has begun and the progression of Grace being a quirky adolescent, to a woman who is secretly admired by her best friend. Presently, Grace still yearns for Michael and despite her attempts to date around, her mind is still consumed with her best friend of eight years. Michael, on the other hand, is only realising now how much his relationship with Grace is at threat as she dates around. The beginning stages of the novel exclusively entails a little flirting, Grace attempting to let go and Michael trying to figure out his feelings. With the pressures of a small town and close family, the two decide to indulge and throw themselves in what is an entertaining bond.
Weirdly enough, despite there being clear tension articulated on page, its physicality seemed to be absent. It’s clear that Grace and Michael have an attraction for each other, which in the beginning is mostly explored through cheeky dialogue. Nevertheless, the yearning for touch or affection seemed to lack power in their attraction. I desired for more lingering touches, rather than sexual text messages being exchanged. Fortunately, once the two become intimate, there is no doubt that the connection they have is unmatched. With the premise of their sex being able to explore one another’s kinks, there is an indisputable passion when they are together that emphasises once again their romance.
The author does not shy away in providing the audience character development in Michael and Grace respectively. The former shows the human experience of anxiety, and dealing with the stresses of life. Michael’s perspective accurately details the undergoing of healing and how mental health is a journey in of itself. Grace’s POV takes a contrasting route. Whilst there is a primary focus on her longtime longing for her best friend, her journey through her career is also a trait attached to her personality. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to take much weight in the plot and it almost feels as a filler to what is a mundane character. The author attempts to impose uniqueness, by adding ‘visions’ that Grace has about her future. For me, this trait felt gimmicky and provided no depth to the plot and the story of Grace and Michael’s love story. I do feel that a lot of intricate details from Grace’s personality was omitted to keep the plot as simple as possible. For Michael, his mental health was explored thoroughly. Our first introduction to him is tumultuous and we witness him in a suffocating mindset, allowing for his experience to be broken down more in later chapters. For Grace, this analysis was absent.
In replacement of a third-act breakup, a tumble of adversity sweeps the plot as it nears the ending. Readers witness a surprise visit from Molly (the biological mother of Michael’s children), an unsuspected business opportunity for Grace and the misfortunes of a small town—Michael realises his therapist is much more closer to his home than he would like. The weight of all these problems gets the best of Michael, and his inability to handle his tumultuous emotions threatens their relationship. It’s a difficult read, especially in the POV of Michael, however, it is necessary for his character development. In these shaky times, is where we witness the grovelling by Michael, but Grace finally adhere to integrity and setting explicit boundaries.
Ultimately, ‘The Sneak Peek’ is a novel that pulls readers through plenty of emotions. Victoria Wilder articulates the gravity of mental health, but also the passion of an aged love beautifully in this novel. Despite the lack of sexual tension, and at times a mature voice, this novel was very immersive and engaged readers into the crazy world of Strutt’s Peak.
March 20, 2024
I don’t know if I’ve ever been more frustrated with both mmc, Michael, and a fmc, Grace, in a long time. There were so many times where I wanted to put this book down but needed to see if there was a way for the author to redeem it and, good god, she came so close to having this be 3-4 stars but no. Let’s get into it!
So, we start this with a flashback to years prior with the mmc having sex with a random woman, who ends up getting pregnant from this encounter with twins and ends up leaving the twins with him when they are 6 months old.
When the Michael and Grace first meet, she is 18 and he is 30, she works for his family and every year Michaels father will put all his single kids up for auction Grace decides to bid on him so he can take her to prom. A 30-year-old.... took an 18-year-old.... to her prom... and no one thought that was a problem, actually the only one who had a problem with it was kind of Michael, who shuts her down romantically at the above-mentioned prom.
Now onto the present, after waiting for this guy for almost ten years, this is something that is mentioned so so much, the amount of time they wasted when they could have been together. She decides she’s done; she asks him what he sees when he looks at her and when he doesn’t answer she FINALLY realizes she's wasted too much time on a guy who will never see her as more than a friend, his nickname for her is kid. So, she goes on a date with an Olympian which he crashes and watches as there making out he takes a pic of her mid make out sends it to her and tells her to ask him the question again. Oh, she is also moving in with him and his kids for the summer because their mom who was supposed to watch them cancelled last minute
So after almost a decade of waiting for this man she finally starts moving on and now he makes a move, she has a list of things she wants to do and he’s going to help her do it, I usually love this trope but I hated it in this book because it felt like after every time it gets mentioned how much time they missed or Michael being an ass.
There was a scene where they are touching themselves in the sauna of the gym they decide the need to leave unless they want an audience but as they’re leaving, while holding hands they see his brother with two girls and he DROPS her hand and as she’s walking away after he DROPPED her hand she ‘stakes her claim on him’ so the girl doesn’t get any ideas and is waiting for him to come home in his shirt not at all upset and even wanting to talk about it. I almost put the book down I just wanted her to stand up ONCE like she came off as so weak and desperate for this man I wanted to shake her and tell her to make him work for it a little bit.
Where I thought the redemption would come in, Grace gets a call from her pregnant friend who is also a trainer who can no longer fly and needs Grace to go to New Zeeland for 12 weeks. Molly shows up to watch the kids but on the second night she leaves the kids alone while Michael and Grace are out, the only point I’m giving Michael is this he just found out his therapist is dating Graces mom, but the things he says and accuses Grace of is horrible and I wouldn’t forgive it easily which is why I decided to finish the book, I was like wow ok we’re going to get a bit of a groveling trope we’re going to see him fucking do something to win her back. Don't know why I thought that would happen.
The Grovel he texts her asking her to forgive him she reply's with always, my eyes almost bugged out of my head when I read that. He shows up at her house the next morning only to discover she left for New Zeeland the night before, when he had his tantrum, I was so happy when she left even though I knew she’d come back I also really wanted to see what he would do to win her back the answer NOTHING I feel robbed. He sends her a text message everyday for a list he has.... that’s it a fucking list over text I almost started laughing because of how much it reminded me of the blue heart text messages iykyk... the only point he gets for this is because he asked his BIL for his plane to fly to NZ but he loses the point because he didn’t actually go. When she’s coming back she finds out her mother told Michael she was seeing one the same Olympian she went on the date with so now she thinks she needs to win him back. At this point I've been skimming to try and finish this michael says that he plans to take the kids to NZ to see her, so he’s about to be auctioned off for a date.... even though he says he isn’t single ok, and what do you know guys who’s in the audience and bids the same amount as she did YEARS prior and SHE APOLOGIZES TO HIM, and then I guess they live happily ever after.
So, we start this with a flashback to years prior with the mmc having sex with a random woman, who ends up getting pregnant from this encounter with twins and ends up leaving the twins with him when they are 6 months old.
When the Michael and Grace first meet, she is 18 and he is 30, she works for his family and every year Michaels father will put all his single kids up for auction Grace decides to bid on him so he can take her to prom. A 30-year-old.... took an 18-year-old.... to her prom... and no one thought that was a problem, actually the only one who had a problem with it was kind of Michael, who shuts her down romantically at the above-mentioned prom.
Now onto the present, after waiting for this guy for almost ten years, this is something that is mentioned so so much, the amount of time they wasted when they could have been together. She decides she’s done; she asks him what he sees when he looks at her and when he doesn’t answer she FINALLY realizes she's wasted too much time on a guy who will never see her as more than a friend, his nickname for her is kid. So, she goes on a date with an Olympian which he crashes and watches as there making out he takes a pic of her mid make out sends it to her and tells her to ask him the question again. Oh, she is also moving in with him and his kids for the summer because their mom who was supposed to watch them cancelled last minute
So after almost a decade of waiting for this man she finally starts moving on and now he makes a move, she has a list of things she wants to do and he’s going to help her do it, I usually love this trope but I hated it in this book because it felt like after every time it gets mentioned how much time they missed or Michael being an ass.
There was a scene where they are touching themselves in the sauna of the gym they decide the need to leave unless they want an audience but as they’re leaving, while holding hands they see his brother with two girls and he DROPS her hand and as she’s walking away after he DROPPED her hand she ‘stakes her claim on him’ so the girl doesn’t get any ideas and is waiting for him to come home in his shirt not at all upset and even wanting to talk about it. I almost put the book down I just wanted her to stand up ONCE like she came off as so weak and desperate for this man I wanted to shake her and tell her to make him work for it a little bit.
Where I thought the redemption would come in, Grace gets a call from her pregnant friend who is also a trainer who can no longer fly and needs Grace to go to New Zeeland for 12 weeks. Molly shows up to watch the kids but on the second night she leaves the kids alone while Michael and Grace are out, the only point I’m giving Michael is this he just found out his therapist is dating Graces mom, but the things he says and accuses Grace of is horrible and I wouldn’t forgive it easily which is why I decided to finish the book, I was like wow ok we’re going to get a bit of a groveling trope we’re going to see him fucking do something to win her back. Don't know why I thought that would happen.
The Grovel he texts her asking her to forgive him she reply's with always, my eyes almost bugged out of my head when I read that. He shows up at her house the next morning only to discover she left for New Zeeland the night before, when he had his tantrum, I was so happy when she left even though I knew she’d come back I also really wanted to see what he would do to win her back the answer NOTHING I feel robbed. He sends her a text message everyday for a list he has.... that’s it a fucking list over text I almost started laughing because of how much it reminded me of the blue heart text messages iykyk... the only point he gets for this is because he asked his BIL for his plane to fly to NZ but he loses the point because he didn’t actually go. When she’s coming back she finds out her mother told Michael she was seeing one the same Olympian she went on the date with so now she thinks she needs to win him back. At this point I've been skimming to try and finish this michael says that he plans to take the kids to NZ to see her, so he’s about to be auctioned off for a date.... even though he says he isn’t single ok, and what do you know guys who’s in the audience and bids the same amount as she did YEARS prior and SHE APOLOGIZES TO HIM, and then I guess they live happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
This book had me on such an emotional roller coaster. I really did not know what I expected to read for Michael's story but this book blew me away. Michael and Grace have known each other for a long time and have been best friends since she bid on him at an auction so he would go to prom with her. Well Michael's world spirals a bit from there when he finds out he has twins and he has to be a full time dad. He is so stressed and anxious all the time but Grace calms his soul. Now that they find themselves thrown together again when Grace nannies for him over the summer, the tension just reaches a boiling point. Let me tell you, a semi-jealous and definitely possessive Michael might just be my favorite version of him. Holy moly this man makes you melt!
I loved their love. It was a beautifully written friends-to-lovers, age gap romance where you get to giggle along with them but also cry when their world falls apart towards the end. The big event and pain between these two never felt frustrating or tough to follow but that doesn't mean that I didn't ball my eyes out. My heart broke for Michael and yes, I was mad at him for how he handled it but this is Michael. You can't stay mad for long. The big gesture at the end was perfect too for these two. Everything about their story was just perfect.
I loved their love. It was a beautifully written friends-to-lovers, age gap romance where you get to giggle along with them but also cry when their world falls apart towards the end. The big event and pain between these two never felt frustrating or tough to follow but that doesn't mean that I didn't ball my eyes out. My heart broke for Michael and yes, I was mad at him for how he handled it but this is Michael. You can't stay mad for long. The big gesture at the end was perfect too for these two. Everything about their story was just perfect.
March 31, 2025
Okay Michael I see you.
This was a sweet and cute friends to lovers, single dad romance. Friends to lovers is not normally my go to but I liked Grace and Michael’s relationship even with the age gap, they just understood each other. Sammy and Miles were adorable too.
Single Dad.
Friends to Lovers.
Anxiety Rep.
Nanny.
Spice. Spice.
This was a sweet and cute friends to lovers, single dad romance. Friends to lovers is not normally my go to but I liked Grace and Michael’s relationship even with the age gap, they just understood each other. Sammy and Miles were adorable too.
Single Dad.
Friends to Lovers.
Anxiety Rep.
Nanny.
Spice. Spice.
October 30, 2023
AI written & badly executed
March 14, 2024
Michael. Michael. Michael. What a surprise you turned out to be!
I did not expect Michael to be the Riggs sibling that would absolutely blow my mind but he did, in all of the best freaking ways. His friends to lovers romance with Grace was beautiful, but sexy, and written so freaking well. I could feel the tension as they fought what was so evident between them and I was almost positive that I’d spontaneously combust if they didn’t finally give in to their need for one another.
Victoria Wilder’s portrayal of Michael’s anxiety was well written and seeing Grace act as his anchor just made me ship them that much harder. They may be my favorite couple of the series so far, but I have a feeling that Law is going to make me fall HARD. I can’t wait!
I did not expect Michael to be the Riggs sibling that would absolutely blow my mind but he did, in all of the best freaking ways. His friends to lovers romance with Grace was beautiful, but sexy, and written so freaking well. I could feel the tension as they fought what was so evident between them and I was almost positive that I’d spontaneously combust if they didn’t finally give in to their need for one another.
Victoria Wilder’s portrayal of Michael’s anxiety was well written and seeing Grace act as his anchor just made me ship them that much harder. They may be my favorite couple of the series so far, but I have a feeling that Law is going to make me fall HARD. I can’t wait!
May 14, 2023
Get. Your. Riggs. On.
Michael and Grace have been best friends for years despite the 12 year age gap, and even though their friendship began when she bought him in a charity auction as her prom date, it has withstood the test of time, travel, meddling PTA members, and even surprise children. When Grace moves in for the summer to help Michael with childcare, the long simmering crush that she *just* decided to be done with flares up again and this time it seems like Michael might be crushing back. Perfect timing considering she has been looking for someone trustworthy to help her explore the more adventurous side of sex that she has been lacking.
—————————————
Seriously though…The Sneak Peak is the third book of the Riggs Romance series and features Michael Riggs, who might possibly, very nearly, so absolutely come close to edging out Henry as my favorite Riggs sibling. I mean Everly is the ultimate badass boss babe, Henry is…well SWOON x1000, and we all know Law is going to blow our minds, but Michael? He’s a Daddy. My jaw very nearly dropped in a few parts and there isn’t much in romance books these days that makes me blush.
My favorite part of the entire Riggs series (and this one is no exception) is that the women equal the men in their excellence. You will not find simpering, docile, polite girls in Strutt’s Peak. Only strong, smart, fierce and funny women who are in control of their sexuality. No one can compare to Gisele’s bold personality and her epic one-liners, but Grace and her quiet steadfastness, her wit, her territorial streak towards Michael and his kids, and the way she expressed her unapologetic needs and desires was refreshing.
I adore a friends to lovers trope and this didn’t let me down. There are a lot of happy moments in The Sneak Peak, and some real crushing ones too. Michael may be a dirty talking champion in bed, but he is tender and quiet and struggles with anxiety, and brings a lot of sweet moments to the relationship between him and Grace.
Tropes- friends to lovers, age gap, small town, single dad, kink exploration.
Notables:
-I’m always happy when the kids in a book aren’t annoying. Sam and Miles were funny and adorable.
-Far spicier than the first two books by far, and definitely centered more on just Michael/Grace with not as many appearances or family scenes with the entire Riggs family. About halfway through we finally start seeing a bit more of the whole family.
-Please just give us a book or even a novella with Asher and the sexy cop. Please.
Fave lines- “I hadn’t imagined meeting my mom’s girlfriend, or whatever she might be, like this. Nice to meet you, nice rack. Be good to my mom. Cheers.”
“And he’s a total daddy in the streets, so if he’s a freak in the sheets, you need to tell me. For science.”
“You see people in a way that makes us feel good. We had to earn your attention. And it’s worth it. With you, it’s always worth it.”
“Keep your top on, Bev!”
5⭐️
4🌶
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Michael and Grace have been best friends for years despite the 12 year age gap, and even though their friendship began when she bought him in a charity auction as her prom date, it has withstood the test of time, travel, meddling PTA members, and even surprise children. When Grace moves in for the summer to help Michael with childcare, the long simmering crush that she *just* decided to be done with flares up again and this time it seems like Michael might be crushing back. Perfect timing considering she has been looking for someone trustworthy to help her explore the more adventurous side of sex that she has been lacking.
—————————————
Seriously though…The Sneak Peak is the third book of the Riggs Romance series and features Michael Riggs, who might possibly, very nearly, so absolutely come close to edging out Henry as my favorite Riggs sibling. I mean Everly is the ultimate badass boss babe, Henry is…well SWOON x1000, and we all know Law is going to blow our minds, but Michael? He’s a Daddy. My jaw very nearly dropped in a few parts and there isn’t much in romance books these days that makes me blush.
My favorite part of the entire Riggs series (and this one is no exception) is that the women equal the men in their excellence. You will not find simpering, docile, polite girls in Strutt’s Peak. Only strong, smart, fierce and funny women who are in control of their sexuality. No one can compare to Gisele’s bold personality and her epic one-liners, but Grace and her quiet steadfastness, her wit, her territorial streak towards Michael and his kids, and the way she expressed her unapologetic needs and desires was refreshing.
I adore a friends to lovers trope and this didn’t let me down. There are a lot of happy moments in The Sneak Peak, and some real crushing ones too. Michael may be a dirty talking champion in bed, but he is tender and quiet and struggles with anxiety, and brings a lot of sweet moments to the relationship between him and Grace.
Tropes- friends to lovers, age gap, small town, single dad, kink exploration.
Notables:
-I’m always happy when the kids in a book aren’t annoying. Sam and Miles were funny and adorable.
-Far spicier than the first two books by far, and definitely centered more on just Michael/Grace with not as many appearances or family scenes with the entire Riggs family. About halfway through we finally start seeing a bit more of the whole family.
-Please just give us a book or even a novella with Asher and the sexy cop. Please.
Fave lines- “I hadn’t imagined meeting my mom’s girlfriend, or whatever she might be, like this. Nice to meet you, nice rack. Be good to my mom. Cheers.”
“And he’s a total daddy in the streets, so if he’s a freak in the sheets, you need to tell me. For science.”
“You see people in a way that makes us feel good. We had to earn your attention. And it’s worth it. With you, it’s always worth it.”
“Keep your top on, Bev!”
5⭐️
4🌶
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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