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Love in The Rockies #3
End Game
She wants what he has. He just wants her.
Mara Roberts is strong and fiercely independent, thank you very much. She’s worked hard to create a life she can feel safe in, constructing walls so high around her heart it’s nearly impossible for anyone to see her vulnerability. The one thing she loves most in the world is her bartending job at Larkspur, the hottest nightclub in Denver. She’s far too busy (and guarded) to lead much of a romantic life, aside from a few casual situationships with pretty girls she meets at the bar.
So when Mara has an earth-shattering night with the mysterious Leo in his sexy penthouse, she resolves to keep the encounter at just that—a one-night stand—despite the obvious blazing chemistry between them. She figures she can slip away the next morning and never see him again, never having to risk her heart. As it turns out, however, she won’t escape him that easily. When Leo is in need of a fake-girlfriend and begs for her help, he makes her an offer she simply can’t refuse—because he has exactly what she wants.
As things heat up and lines are blurred, Mara is worried that she won’t be able to break free from any of it unscathed in the end. Just how far will she let things go to get what she wants?
Mara Roberts is strong and fiercely independent, thank you very much. She’s worked hard to create a life she can feel safe in, constructing walls so high around her heart it’s nearly impossible for anyone to see her vulnerability. The one thing she loves most in the world is her bartending job at Larkspur, the hottest nightclub in Denver. She’s far too busy (and guarded) to lead much of a romantic life, aside from a few casual situationships with pretty girls she meets at the bar.
So when Mara has an earth-shattering night with the mysterious Leo in his sexy penthouse, she resolves to keep the encounter at just that—a one-night stand—despite the obvious blazing chemistry between them. She figures she can slip away the next morning and never see him again, never having to risk her heart. As it turns out, however, she won’t escape him that easily. When Leo is in need of a fake-girlfriend and begs for her help, he makes her an offer she simply can’t refuse—because he has exactly what she wants.
As things heat up and lines are blurred, Mara is worried that she won’t be able to break free from any of it unscathed in the end. Just how far will she let things go to get what she wants?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2024
21 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Michaela Jean Taylor
8 books192 followersMichaela Jean Taylor is a hopeless romantic from the western desert who writes grippingly tender romance novels featuring diverse characters and messy, beautifully relatable storylines.
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INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/michaelajeanbooks
TIK TOK: www.tiktok.com/@michaelajeanbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
April 1, 2024
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating:🌶🌶 (Initial One-night stand (12%) They aren't fully intimate again until 90%)
Happy Ending (Said ILYs)
📌Arc in exchange for honest review
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Attempted SA (on-page) Domestic Violence (off-page (vivid recount)) Violence (on-page) Pressure of Living to Parent Expectations (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 Bi-FMC
📌 FMC has previously been in an abusive relationship. Afterward, she had one-night stands (exclusively with women). She also has an FWB situation with OW named Charlea. MMC is the first male sexual relationship she's had in a while
📌 No OPD besides jealousy. OW is present in the book, and MMC is a bit jealous of her. MMC was previously engaged, and she does not make a comeback.
📌 No Third-act Breakup: They aren't technically together (outside of the fake relationship) throughout the book. There is some drama at the end that leaves to question whether or not the MMC is going to move states.
Spice Rating:🌶🌶 (Initial One-night stand (12%) They aren't fully intimate again until 90%)
Happy Ending (Said ILYs)
📌Arc in exchange for honest review
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Attempted SA (on-page) Domestic Violence (off-page (vivid recount)) Violence (on-page) Pressure of Living to Parent Expectations (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 Bi-FMC
📌 FMC has previously been in an abusive relationship. Afterward, she had one-night stands (exclusively with women). She also has an FWB situation with OW named Charlea. MMC is the first male sexual relationship she's had in a while
📌 No OPD besides jealousy. OW is present in the book, and MMC is a bit jealous of her. MMC was previously engaged, and she does not make a comeback.
📌 No Third-act Breakup: They aren't technically together (outside of the fake relationship) throughout the book. There is some drama at the end that leaves to question whether or not the MMC is going to move states.
March 27, 2024
I received this book as an ARC. This love story about Leo and Mara was wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading. This can be read as a standalone, however, I can’t wait to go back and read books #1 and #2!
Spice:
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
• fake dating
• billionaire mmc
• bisexual fmc
• one night stand
Spice:
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
• fake dating
• billionaire mmc
• bisexual fmc
• one night stand
March 30, 2024
Mara and Leo are officially yours, and I've never been more excited about handing over a love story to you readers 💚
March 29, 2024
4.5 stars, rounded up!
if you came here wondering about this, THIS ISNT A SPORTS ROMANCE!!! (yes i’m saying that bc i don’t do any prior research on anything and always go in blind so i rlly thought this was gonna be sports)
i love nothing more than a man who’s an absolute simp, and is also rich. simp? great. rich simp? even better. bc THOSE are the men who will build you a whole yoga studio in his home.
every trope in this was perfect, black cat fmc, roommates, marriage of convenience, all of it. *chefs kiss*
i knew within 20% of this book that i’d be going back to read michaela’s entire backlist. leo was sexy and spicy, mara was who i wanna be when i grow up. literally what more can you ask for?
please check tw for this one, but the darker parts of the story were beautifully done and really added a layer of depth to this story. mara is one of the best fmc’s i’ve read.
i was given in arc for review, and i am so glad i was. thank you so much michaela! all opinions expressed are my own!
if you came here wondering about this, THIS ISNT A SPORTS ROMANCE!!! (yes i’m saying that bc i don’t do any prior research on anything and always go in blind so i rlly thought this was gonna be sports)
i love nothing more than a man who’s an absolute simp, and is also rich. simp? great. rich simp? even better. bc THOSE are the men who will build you a whole yoga studio in his home.
every trope in this was perfect, black cat fmc, roommates, marriage of convenience, all of it. *chefs kiss*
i knew within 20% of this book that i’d be going back to read michaela’s entire backlist. leo was sexy and spicy, mara was who i wanna be when i grow up. literally what more can you ask for?
please check tw for this one, but the darker parts of the story were beautifully done and really added a layer of depth to this story. mara is one of the best fmc’s i’ve read.
i was given in arc for review, and i am so glad i was. thank you so much michaela! all opinions expressed are my own!
April 7, 2024
✨I wanna thank the author for the opportunity to read this ARC!!✨
I honestly usually read contemporary romance not for true enjoyment, but to break up the dark romances I read. They usually piss me off with how dense the FMC is, how the couple won’t just FUCKING TALK to each other, the stupid miscommunication third act breakups, etc… I can go on forever. (don’t ask me why I keep coming back, I have no answers for you)
But this one?
I love this damn book.
———————————————————————————
WHY I LOVED THE BOOK:
The characters were fully fleshed out characters. There were no caveats to their personalities made just to drive the plot. Bad people didn’t suddenly change their ways because of the ~power of love~ or because they were put in their place. Neither MC was in denial of their feelings or willfully ignorant to the feelings of the other. They made decisions as adults with brains that wanted what was best for the other but not at the expense of their own goals.
Character development is probably the overarching reason I love this book. It’s like MJT wrote the characters then picked a conflict (Leo becoming Mara’s boss) and wrote the story based on what real-life Leo and Mara would do. I feel most romance stories are written first, then the characters are written to fit that story.
Books that feel written the way it seems MJT wrote this one are always my favorites.
And Leo being commanding sexually?? HOT. And that it wasn’t his entire personality or the entire reason they couldn’t be together? Just a “normal” guy who likes taking control in bed?? Someone mean in bed that isn’t also an asshole or murderer to the general public? Yeah we love a morally grey MMC in theory, but irl I want me a Leo.
LITTLE THINGS I LOVED:
•Logan and Amelia/Nora and Andre cameos!
•The formatting was so good on Kindle. The text messages and handwritten note... *chefs kiss*
•The cat surprise! Not gonna spoil that. It was a fun little moment that came at the end.
Things that irked me a bit:
•I thought Seth was the Seth from Amelia’s spin the bottle game in Only You😕 not that I liked him, I just love an Easter Egg
•I felt like I missed the part when Mara decided to change course. Not a big deal, just caught me off guard a bit
•The “dragon” nickname/metaphor seemed a little out of place on Mara. She was never unnecessarily “vicious” so it felt odd. I get what MJT was trying to get at though, and I loved it. I mean- “If you need someone to bite, I can take it. Whatever you need so that the fire doesn't eat you alive-let it out with me, sweetheart.” UGH😍😍
NOW LETS GET INTO SOME MINOR SPOILERS
———————————————————————————
AGAIN
SPOILERS AHEAD
I say ‘minor’ because we all know there’s a HEA here. But it’s still a spoiler because I loved the way MJT closed the book and I don’t want to ruin the moment for anyone else.
———————————————————————————
I love the way this ended. It was so REAL. Mara wasn’t suddenly healed because a man fixed her. She feels “safe enough to try” to heal, and that is soul-warming. This is what we should all be looking for in a relationship: feeling safe and supported enough to work on our traumas.
Contemporary romances seem to always end with the MCs being made ~whole~ when they finally accept love from the love interest. Fuck that fairytale shit. Gimme real HEAs over that any day.
And let me have a minute to gush over Mara.
She’s the complete opposite of the extremely selfish, disrespectful, and ignorant FMCs I associate with contemporary romances. Her trauma led her to a dream of running a bar that was fun and safe for all people to enjoy. She’s such a kind human. The care she took when supporting Leo made me misty-eyed. She let him tell her how he was feeling, she didn’t ever assume or transpose her own feelings onto him. She didn’t tell him how she felt about his parents when he was reeling from interacting with them. She knew it was about him and that her own feelings should be secondary. She asked him what he needed from her, she didn’t assume. And she took him at his word when he told her what would help. Nothing is worse than someone assuming what you need and doing what they thought would be helpful instead of what you asked for.
I want to be Mara when I grow up.
I honestly usually read contemporary romance not for true enjoyment, but to break up the dark romances I read. They usually piss me off with how dense the FMC is, how the couple won’t just FUCKING TALK to each other, the stupid miscommunication third act breakups, etc… I can go on forever. (don’t ask me why I keep coming back, I have no answers for you)
But this one?
I love this damn book.
———————————————————————————
WHY I LOVED THE BOOK:
The characters were fully fleshed out characters. There were no caveats to their personalities made just to drive the plot. Bad people didn’t suddenly change their ways because of the ~power of love~ or because they were put in their place. Neither MC was in denial of their feelings or willfully ignorant to the feelings of the other. They made decisions as adults with brains that wanted what was best for the other but not at the expense of their own goals.
Character development is probably the overarching reason I love this book. It’s like MJT wrote the characters then picked a conflict (Leo becoming Mara’s boss) and wrote the story based on what real-life Leo and Mara would do. I feel most romance stories are written first, then the characters are written to fit that story.
Books that feel written the way it seems MJT wrote this one are always my favorites.
And Leo being commanding sexually?? HOT. And that it wasn’t his entire personality or the entire reason they couldn’t be together? Just a “normal” guy who likes taking control in bed?? Someone mean in bed that isn’t also an asshole or murderer to the general public? Yeah we love a morally grey MMC in theory, but irl I want me a Leo.
LITTLE THINGS I LOVED:
•Logan and Amelia/Nora and Andre cameos!
•The formatting was so good on Kindle. The text messages and handwritten note... *chefs kiss*
•The cat surprise! Not gonna spoil that. It was a fun little moment that came at the end.
Things that irked me a bit:
•I thought Seth was the Seth from Amelia’s spin the bottle game in Only You😕 not that I liked him, I just love an Easter Egg
•I felt like I missed the part when Mara decided to change course. Not a big deal, just caught me off guard a bit
•The “dragon” nickname/metaphor seemed a little out of place on Mara. She was never unnecessarily “vicious” so it felt odd. I get what MJT was trying to get at though, and I loved it. I mean- “If you need someone to bite, I can take it. Whatever you need so that the fire doesn't eat you alive-let it out with me, sweetheart.” UGH😍😍
NOW LETS GET INTO SOME MINOR SPOILERS
———————————————————————————
AGAIN
SPOILERS AHEAD
I say ‘minor’ because we all know there’s a HEA here. But it’s still a spoiler because I loved the way MJT closed the book and I don’t want to ruin the moment for anyone else.
———————————————————————————
I love the way this ended. It was so REAL. Mara wasn’t suddenly healed because a man fixed her. She feels “safe enough to try” to heal, and that is soul-warming. This is what we should all be looking for in a relationship: feeling safe and supported enough to work on our traumas.
Contemporary romances seem to always end with the MCs being made ~whole~ when they finally accept love from the love interest. Fuck that fairytale shit. Gimme real HEAs over that any day.
And let me have a minute to gush over Mara.
She’s the complete opposite of the extremely selfish, disrespectful, and ignorant FMCs I associate with contemporary romances. Her trauma led her to a dream of running a bar that was fun and safe for all people to enjoy. She’s such a kind human. The care she took when supporting Leo made me misty-eyed. She let him tell her how he was feeling, she didn’t ever assume or transpose her own feelings onto him. She didn’t tell him how she felt about his parents when he was reeling from interacting with them. She knew it was about him and that her own feelings should be secondary. She asked him what he needed from her, she didn’t assume. And she took him at his word when he told her what would help. Nothing is worse than someone assuming what you need and doing what they thought would be helpful instead of what you asked for.
I want to be Mara when I grow up.
April 5, 2024
Last month I received End Game as an e-Arc to review before it was released. I didn't reach the release date, but a few days later I finished this cutest romance and I'd love to tell you all about it! As you might see, this book is part of a series, but it reads like a standalone. So don't worry if you haven't read the rest: just pick it up if you like...
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- female rage
- workplace romance
- billionaire mmc
- he falls hard
- a happy ending
About 'End Game'
The book starts by introducing us to Mara, a hard working bartender in nightclub Larkspur. After her nightshift, Leo - a friendly mysterious guy who wants to celebrate, runs into her and invited her to celebrate with him. Everything feels just so good and they end up spending the night together. Just a one time thing, promisses Mara to Leo... then something big happens that she couldn't ever think of. All she knows, is that it is unavoidable to not see Leo ever again.
On top of that, Leo needs her to be his fake girlfriend for ten days, when his terrible parents announce to visit him. Will she survive the attractive, insufferable but secretly amazing and sweet Leo? Can she stop herself of falling in love? Can she discover the true Leo behind his mask ánd is she ready to open up herself?
Romance, slow burn & spicy moments
This book was just a hell of a ride! Mara has such a fun personality. I love how full of passion she is about the nightclub, how she cares about her colleagues and how she wants to help everyone around her. I think Mara would be an awesome true friend.
Leo is also such a sweetheart. At first you think he has the perfect billionares life, but of course he doesn't. His parents are - to say it nicely, just shit and he's having a hard time choosing what hé wants. When Mara steps unexpectedly in his life, she changes him for the better without meaning to do so. And on the other hand, he is there for her and really cares about her wellbeing.
End Game starts of spicy due to the surprising, almost out-of-nowhere one night stand, and it felt a bit quick (why would you go out drinking champagne with a random stranger?) - but it also makes sense after knowing her better: Mara didn't feel very good for a long time and for some reason, she allows herself to have fun and to have a good time with him. After some 'shocking' events, Mara decides on not having any romantical actions with Leo anymore (even though she's really falling for him). The slow burn is ready to make a move and the sparks between Leo and Mara burn bright!
Writing & conclusion
Michaela Jean's writing is so lovely! It's quick, very visual like we're here with them in the night club or in Leo's penthouse, and swoon worthy. I have adored the relationship coming to life between Leo and Mara and I just couldn't stop reading. Michaela Jean has created two loving characters who deserve the world: you just need to read this book if you love a good romance! I hope I could convince you to pick it up ❤
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- female rage
- workplace romance
- billionaire mmc
- he falls hard
- a happy ending
About 'End Game'
The book starts by introducing us to Mara, a hard working bartender in nightclub Larkspur. After her nightshift, Leo - a friendly mysterious guy who wants to celebrate, runs into her and invited her to celebrate with him. Everything feels just so good and they end up spending the night together. Just a one time thing, promisses Mara to Leo... then something big happens that she couldn't ever think of. All she knows, is that it is unavoidable to not see Leo ever again.
On top of that, Leo needs her to be his fake girlfriend for ten days, when his terrible parents announce to visit him. Will she survive the attractive, insufferable but secretly amazing and sweet Leo? Can she stop herself of falling in love? Can she discover the true Leo behind his mask ánd is she ready to open up herself?
Romance, slow burn & spicy moments
This book was just a hell of a ride! Mara has such a fun personality. I love how full of passion she is about the nightclub, how she cares about her colleagues and how she wants to help everyone around her. I think Mara would be an awesome true friend.
Leo is also such a sweetheart. At first you think he has the perfect billionares life, but of course he doesn't. His parents are - to say it nicely, just shit and he's having a hard time choosing what hé wants. When Mara steps unexpectedly in his life, she changes him for the better without meaning to do so. And on the other hand, he is there for her and really cares about her wellbeing.
End Game starts of spicy due to the surprising, almost out-of-nowhere one night stand, and it felt a bit quick (why would you go out drinking champagne with a random stranger?) - but it also makes sense after knowing her better: Mara didn't feel very good for a long time and for some reason, she allows herself to have fun and to have a good time with him. After some 'shocking' events, Mara decides on not having any romantical actions with Leo anymore (even though she's really falling for him). The slow burn is ready to make a move and the sparks between Leo and Mara burn bright!
Writing & conclusion
Michaela Jean's writing is so lovely! It's quick, very visual like we're here with them in the night club or in Leo's penthouse, and swoon worthy. I have adored the relationship coming to life between Leo and Mara and I just couldn't stop reading. Michaela Jean has created two loving characters who deserve the world: you just need to read this book if you love a good romance! I hope I could convince you to pick it up ❤
March 29, 2024
4.5⭐️ “Whatever you need so that the fire doesn’t eat you alive—let it out with me, sweetheart. I want to burn with you.” 🔥
Mara is managing a bar she hopes to eventually own one day. She leaves work and ends up meeting a mysterious man on her way home, which unexpectedly turns into a one night stand, and even though the chemistry was blazing, she decides she can never see him again. To both of their surprises, they just can’t seem to be rid of each other.
This book started off with a bang (literally and figuratively 🤭) and had me hooked immediately! We met Mara in the previous book in this series and know her as an independent girl with a hard exterior. She doesn’t let people in too easily and has a past full of trauma, but somehow Leo breaks through her shell. I worry with books that start off with a one night stand if I’m able to feel the chemistry in such a short amount of time, but I had zeroooo issue here 🫠 these two had chemistry that was dripping off the pages! The way they speak to each other in such a loving manor but also with a little spice and snark had me absolutely melting. Their banter was so good. It is also a single POV book but Leo so obviously fell hard and so fast that you never really wondered what he was thinking. They both opened up about their pasts and treated each other with such care, I just love them so much 🥹
Microtropes & moments I loved:
Caretaking
He cooks for her
He’s a cat daddy
The yoga room
She stands up for him
The bar “date”
He looks like Sodapop from the outsiders??
The movie watching 👀
The piano 👀👀
Tropes:
One night stand
Fake dating
Workplace
Forced proximity
Billionaire
He falls first
Bi FMC
Mara is managing a bar she hopes to eventually own one day. She leaves work and ends up meeting a mysterious man on her way home, which unexpectedly turns into a one night stand, and even though the chemistry was blazing, she decides she can never see him again. To both of their surprises, they just can’t seem to be rid of each other.
This book started off with a bang (literally and figuratively 🤭) and had me hooked immediately! We met Mara in the previous book in this series and know her as an independent girl with a hard exterior. She doesn’t let people in too easily and has a past full of trauma, but somehow Leo breaks through her shell. I worry with books that start off with a one night stand if I’m able to feel the chemistry in such a short amount of time, but I had zeroooo issue here 🫠 these two had chemistry that was dripping off the pages! The way they speak to each other in such a loving manor but also with a little spice and snark had me absolutely melting. Their banter was so good. It is also a single POV book but Leo so obviously fell hard and so fast that you never really wondered what he was thinking. They both opened up about their pasts and treated each other with such care, I just love them so much 🥹
Microtropes & moments I loved:
Caretaking
He cooks for her
He’s a cat daddy
The yoga room
She stands up for him
The bar “date”
He looks like Sodapop from the outsiders??
The movie watching 👀
The piano 👀👀
Tropes:
One night stand
Fake dating
Workplace
Forced proximity
Billionaire
He falls first
Bi FMC
March 4, 2024
Mara is strong, independent, bisexual, doesn't do relationships, bartender/bar manager.
Leo is new in town, celebrating something big, and happens to be in the right place at the right time.
When these two meet at a local convenience store, sparks fly and they hit it off right off the bat. Mara is clear, she is here for a one-night stand only, Leo is on board but boy are things between them explosive.
The next day, their paths cross again because Leo just bought Mara's bar. Will these two be able to move past their one-night stand, will their electricity burn them both?
_____________________________________________________________
I devoured this book! Michaela's writing has grown so much over this series of interconnected stand-alones and it has been such a pleasure to see her grow and craft amazing stories! Mara and Leo felt so real to me, I felt like I knew them both my entire life and as if a movie were playing in my head the whole time. I loved how layered both of these characters were, each had their own past that really influenced who they were.
This book started with a one-night stand, which immediately sparked my interest, then the forced proximity/enemies (ish) to lovers, so good! This was a book I could not put down, the spark between these two was so strong I needed to know what would happen next with each turn of the page.
Leo is a top-tier book boyfriend.
Tropes:
one night stand
fake dating
workplace rivals
billionaire mmc
cat dad
forced proximity
I was provided an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Leo is new in town, celebrating something big, and happens to be in the right place at the right time.
When these two meet at a local convenience store, sparks fly and they hit it off right off the bat. Mara is clear, she is here for a one-night stand only, Leo is on board but boy are things between them explosive.
The next day, their paths cross again because Leo just bought Mara's bar. Will these two be able to move past their one-night stand, will their electricity burn them both?
_____________________________________________________________
I devoured this book! Michaela's writing has grown so much over this series of interconnected stand-alones and it has been such a pleasure to see her grow and craft amazing stories! Mara and Leo felt so real to me, I felt like I knew them both my entire life and as if a movie were playing in my head the whole time. I loved how layered both of these characters were, each had their own past that really influenced who they were.
This book started with a one-night stand, which immediately sparked my interest, then the forced proximity/enemies (ish) to lovers, so good! This was a book I could not put down, the spark between these two was so strong I needed to know what would happen next with each turn of the page.
Leo is a top-tier book boyfriend.
Tropes:
one night stand
fake dating
workplace rivals
billionaire mmc
cat dad
forced proximity
I was provided an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2024
Mara and Leo.
Oh how I loved this😭
📢📢📢 Please do check content warnings before reading if you have any triggers. No this is not a dark romance, but there are triggering elements. Prioritise your mental health, besties!📢📢📢
Mara is a bartender at Larkspur who is following her dream of working her way up to owning the place after falling in love with it. After her usual night shift, she heads to Rudy’s Market for a fresh turkey and provolone sandwich from the deli, a frequent routine of hers. What she doesn’t bank on however, is the fine looking man in a three piece grey suit that heads in and requests Rudy’s most expensive ($17) bottle of champagne, extending her an invite to join in on his celebration…
You’ll have to read it to get the rest🤭
Sweet but spicy, one dreamy ass man, both ‘damaged goods’ and so different, yet so similar. A chance encounter at Rudy’s sparks their story, and my oh my is it a journey I’d take again any day of the week.
They deserved each other so much, I want me a Leo🥺
I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on this, truly you will absolutely adore it (and devour it like I did).
Tropes:
🔸billionaire mmc
🔸bisexual fmc rep
🔸fake dating
🔸forced proximity
🔸swiftie mmc (one of his cats is literally named Taylor Swift (the other one being Dolly Parton, respectfully))
🔸one night stand
Coming to you March 29th!!😙🤌🏼🎉💚
Oh how I loved this😭
📢📢📢 Please do check content warnings before reading if you have any triggers. No this is not a dark romance, but there are triggering elements. Prioritise your mental health, besties!📢📢📢
Mara is a bartender at Larkspur who is following her dream of working her way up to owning the place after falling in love with it. After her usual night shift, she heads to Rudy’s Market for a fresh turkey and provolone sandwich from the deli, a frequent routine of hers. What she doesn’t bank on however, is the fine looking man in a three piece grey suit that heads in and requests Rudy’s most expensive ($17) bottle of champagne, extending her an invite to join in on his celebration…
You’ll have to read it to get the rest🤭
Sweet but spicy, one dreamy ass man, both ‘damaged goods’ and so different, yet so similar. A chance encounter at Rudy’s sparks their story, and my oh my is it a journey I’d take again any day of the week.
They deserved each other so much, I want me a Leo🥺
I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on this, truly you will absolutely adore it (and devour it like I did).
Tropes:
🔸billionaire mmc
🔸bisexual fmc rep
🔸fake dating
🔸forced proximity
🔸swiftie mmc (one of his cats is literally named Taylor Swift (the other one being Dolly Parton, respectfully))
🔸one night stand
Coming to you March 29th!!😙🤌🏼🎉💚
March 30, 2024
Just when I thought no couple would compare to my faves (Andre + Nora), Michaela has to just swoop in with Leo + Mara 🥲💚
Every girl deserves a Leo, I’m just saying. Not biased or anything. Some of my top tier tropes for End Game include billionaire romance, fake dating, and forced proximity. Triple whammy and Michaela did the damn thing.
Mara + Leo are absolutely, positively EPIC.
They’re ‘meet cute’, I just can’t get over.
Their triumphs- individual and collective -are amazing and beautiful to watch them navigate.
End Game threw me into the worst reading slump, y’all. It was entirely too good and my brain just couldn’t process that it was over. The characters, setting, plot, spice. Gimme all of it. Definitely one of those books that I wish I could read for the first time all over again ♥️
Check the TWs (or in my case, the shopping list) before diving in to End Game.
Every girl deserves a Leo, I’m just saying. Not biased or anything. Some of my top tier tropes for End Game include billionaire romance, fake dating, and forced proximity. Triple whammy and Michaela did the damn thing.
Mara + Leo are absolutely, positively EPIC.
They’re ‘meet cute’, I just can’t get over.
Their triumphs- individual and collective -are amazing and beautiful to watch them navigate.
End Game threw me into the worst reading slump, y’all. It was entirely too good and my brain just couldn’t process that it was over. The characters, setting, plot, spice. Gimme all of it. Definitely one of those books that I wish I could read for the first time all over again ♥️
Check the TWs (or in my case, the shopping list) before diving in to End Game.
March 10, 2024
i enjoyed end game so much <3
there was no 3rd act breakup, they were grumpy x sunshine, FAKE DATING, FORCED PROXIMITY!!
i absolutely LOVED how obsessed Leo became with Mara after literally one night i was hoping one day someone would become as obsessed with me (in a healthy way ofc lol)
he was always so adorable and gentle and sweet with Mara, and Mara was kind of like 'leave me alone i don't care' but then when it came down to it, i did love that she communicated with him and said 'it's real for me' and i was like YES GET YOUR MAN DON'T LET HIM LEAVE
at the end of the day, i truly loved Leo and Mara's story <3
thank you so so much Michaela Jean for my ARC of End Game in exchange for my honest review!
End Game goes live March 29th!! Go preorder now!!
there was no 3rd act breakup, they were grumpy x sunshine, FAKE DATING, FORCED PROXIMITY!!
i absolutely LOVED how obsessed Leo became with Mara after literally one night i was hoping one day someone would become as obsessed with me (in a healthy way ofc lol)
he was always so adorable and gentle and sweet with Mara, and Mara was kind of like 'leave me alone i don't care' but then when it came down to it, i did love that she communicated with him and said 'it's real for me' and i was like YES GET YOUR MAN DON'T LET HIM LEAVE
at the end of the day, i truly loved Leo and Mara's story <3
thank you so so much Michaela Jean for my ARC of End Game in exchange for my honest review!
End Game goes live March 29th!! Go preorder now!!
March 28, 2024
I take my romance novels with a Tang of spice in them and this one is just perfect!
As promised, the book begins with a hot scene, an irresistible meet-cute followed by a one-night stand and never-see-you-ever agreement. Only to hear right into each other, and even more - work with each other!!
Nightclub manager Mara is bisexual, fierce independent and beautiful and oh so brave and when she meets the gorgeous Leo, sparks ignite immediately. Their chemistry is mature and the growing affection between is written beautifully by the author. Being a nightclub manager is so difficult and dangerous and as a woman, you'll have to be confident and brave to come out every night and face the worst.
This is my second book by the author and I'm so glad to read an ARC. Her writing is gentle and her careful approach to some sensitive matters is applaudable. I'd have killed to have a dual POV and swoon upon her hot MMC but I did it anyway.
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Many thanks to the author for my ARC. All opinions mine.
As promised, the book begins with a hot scene, an irresistible meet-cute followed by a one-night stand and never-see-you-ever agreement. Only to hear right into each other, and even more - work with each other!!
Nightclub manager Mara is bisexual, fierce independent and beautiful and oh so brave and when she meets the gorgeous Leo, sparks ignite immediately. Their chemistry is mature and the growing affection between is written beautifully by the author. Being a nightclub manager is so difficult and dangerous and as a woman, you'll have to be confident and brave to come out every night and face the worst.
This is my second book by the author and I'm so glad to read an ARC. Her writing is gentle and her careful approach to some sensitive matters is applaudable. I'd have killed to have a dual POV and swoon upon her hot MMC but I did it anyway.
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Many thanks to the author for my ARC. All opinions mine.
April 2, 2024
This was a cute fluffy read. I absolutely loved that Mara was a strong character who owned up to her flaws. The MMC on the other hand fell a bit flat for me. All in all, this book was well written and a fun time. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to the author, Michaela Jean Taylor for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, Michaela Jean Taylor for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2024
Another sweet love story from Michaela!
I really enjoyed Mara and Leo’s story, Mara was so feisty and Leo was such a cinnamon roll.
I thought the way they helped each other through their trauma was sensitive and well-written, and the side characters were complex without being too much.
If you love:
♥️ fake dating
♥️ he falls first
♥️ healing arc
♥️ HEA guaranteed
then absolutely check this one out!
Thank you Michaela for the ARC ☺️
I really enjoyed Mara and Leo’s story, Mara was so feisty and Leo was such a cinnamon roll.
I thought the way they helped each other through their trauma was sensitive and well-written, and the side characters were complex without being too much.
If you love:
♥️ fake dating
♥️ he falls first
♥️ healing arc
♥️ HEA guaranteed
then absolutely check this one out!
Thank you Michaela for the ARC ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
ARC:
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
One of my favorite parts - Chapter 22 page 245
Favorite Characters: Mara, Frank, Leo, Rudy, Georgie, Marge, Swift & Dolly (lol), Nora, Sam, Rocco, Roger
Least Favorite Characters: Seth, Alaric, Christine, Tanner
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
The instant attraction between the main characters was fascinating. It’s the perfect example of ‘when you know, you know’ 😎. Mara’s smart comments made this story such a joy, what a STRONG woman, very guarded when it came to her emotions, and super independent (which I loved). Leo comes in to shake her entire world and surprise her in ways she couldn’t even imagine 😌. Loved how he made her feel respected, appreciated, THOUGHT OF - he held her to a higher standard than others.
They really had a connection beyond words, so beautiful and intimate. They were each others yin and yangs… Though it took her a while to open up and come to terms with her feelings - Mara was there to support and soothe him. He’d do the same for her. This book has a special place in my heart and I want to thank Michaela for the mental health aspect of this book - I adored it, one of the FMC’s main goals is working on her healing journey from the trauma in her past. She incorporates this on a daily basis. The affirmations she’d say to herself were so important! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. Thank you to Michaela again🤍
Release Date: March 29th
𝐏𝐒 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞… 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬!!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
One of my favorite parts - Chapter 22 page 245
Favorite Characters: Mara, Frank, Leo, Rudy, Georgie, Marge, Swift & Dolly (lol), Nora, Sam, Rocco, Roger
Least Favorite Characters: Seth, Alaric, Christine, Tanner
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
The instant attraction between the main characters was fascinating. It’s the perfect example of ‘when you know, you know’ 😎. Mara’s smart comments made this story such a joy, what a STRONG woman, very guarded when it came to her emotions, and super independent (which I loved). Leo comes in to shake her entire world and surprise her in ways she couldn’t even imagine 😌. Loved how he made her feel respected, appreciated, THOUGHT OF - he held her to a higher standard than others.
They really had a connection beyond words, so beautiful and intimate. They were each others yin and yangs… Though it took her a while to open up and come to terms with her feelings - Mara was there to support and soothe him. He’d do the same for her. This book has a special place in my heart and I want to thank Michaela for the mental health aspect of this book - I adored it, one of the FMC’s main goals is working on her healing journey from the trauma in her past. She incorporates this on a daily basis. The affirmations she’d say to herself were so important! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. Thank you to Michaela again🤍
Release Date: March 29th
𝐏𝐒 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞… 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬!!
March 29, 2024
This was such a fun read fake dating/ one night stand Ive read in a while.
I found myself in the FMC in some instances and this made me love the book even more
If you love
•fake dating
•one night stand
•he falls hard
•billionaire mmc
•forced proximity
Then read this
Thank you so much Michaela Jean Taylor for the arc🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I found myself in the FMC in some instances and this made me love the book even more
If you love
•fake dating
•one night stand
•he falls hard
•billionaire mmc
•forced proximity
Then read this
Thank you so much Michaela Jean Taylor for the arc🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
March 29, 2024
4/5
"You are my endgame, Mara."
"My bright and shining Leo—my supernova."
I loveeeeeed this book. It's yummy. The pace of the book was totally my type and it kept me on toes with the romance, spice and the mystery about the character's life.
The character and the plot is very well written. And I actually loved how the characters took time to open up and did not just dumped up their trauma.
Sometimes I felt like, I'm listening to a couple's private conversation.
And sometimes it felt too real and raw.
I FREAKING LOVE MARA. She's just the best. I could relate to her personally and her backstory had me in tears and the way it was written..I could just.. picture it in my head and oh lord I just wanna hug Mara so bad. She's such a badass. I LITERALLY NEED HER SHIRTS. Girly made me bi panic so bad- I'm literally stuck in whether I want her or I want to be her.
LEOPOLD aka LEO, he's such a sunshine billionaire with troubled past. He's really like..he literally embodies "the people that smile all day, cried the hardest at night" statement. He's so dreamy and adorable and lovable and just such a man written by women??? I NEED HIM.
The connection between the characters.. their attraction is so thick.. so inevitable and so hot. At time it felt like I'm thirdwheeling (which I obviously was). And the progress in their bond.. it's so significant...and like...you know the feeling of I like this person..and I'll let them..be a part of me.. I want them to be a part of me? PLEASE I LOVED THAT. I also loved how they both respected each other's boundaries and not pushed over the limits. Apart from the 'love at first sight thing' that felt...a little too much.. I actually loved their bond and I LOVE THEM.
ALSO DOLLY AND SWIFT MY BABIESSSSS. LITERALLY LOVED THOSE BABIES. MY GRUMPY DOLLY AND SOFTIE SWIFT.
Mara's bond with these babies..and Leo's bond with these babies...ah it's such a feeling.. YOU HAVE TO READ IT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING.
I'm so grateful to receive an early reader copy of this art. Thank you so much to the author <3
"You are my endgame, Mara."
"My bright and shining Leo—my supernova."
I loveeeeeed this book. It's yummy. The pace of the book was totally my type and it kept me on toes with the romance, spice and the mystery about the character's life.
The character and the plot is very well written. And I actually loved how the characters took time to open up and did not just dumped up their trauma.
Sometimes I felt like, I'm listening to a couple's private conversation.
And sometimes it felt too real and raw.
I FREAKING LOVE MARA. She's just the best. I could relate to her personally and her backstory had me in tears and the way it was written..I could just.. picture it in my head and oh lord I just wanna hug Mara so bad. She's such a badass. I LITERALLY NEED HER SHIRTS. Girly made me bi panic so bad- I'm literally stuck in whether I want her or I want to be her.
LEOPOLD aka LEO, he's such a sunshine billionaire with troubled past. He's really like..he literally embodies "the people that smile all day, cried the hardest at night" statement. He's so dreamy and adorable and lovable and just such a man written by women??? I NEED HIM.
The connection between the characters.. their attraction is so thick.. so inevitable and so hot. At time it felt like I'm thirdwheeling (which I obviously was). And the progress in their bond.. it's so significant...and like...you know the feeling of I like this person..and I'll let them..be a part of me.. I want them to be a part of me? PLEASE I LOVED THAT. I also loved how they both respected each other's boundaries and not pushed over the limits. Apart from the 'love at first sight thing' that felt...a little too much.. I actually loved their bond and I LOVE THEM.
ALSO DOLLY AND SWIFT MY BABIESSSSS. LITERALLY LOVED THOSE BABIES. MY GRUMPY DOLLY AND SOFTIE SWIFT.
Mara's bond with these babies..and Leo's bond with these babies...ah it's such a feeling.. YOU HAVE TO READ IT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING.
I'm so grateful to receive an early reader copy of this art. Thank you so much to the author <3
March 29, 2024
4.75 ⭐️
I have loved each of her three books, Only You (book 1, Logan & Amelia), This Love (book 2, Nora & Andre), and now End Game (book 3, Leo & Mara). All 3 books are part of an interconnected standalone series, Love in the Rockies. While books 1 and 2 were more closely connected, as the friend group was a big part of them, End Game is still connected, as Nora is a bartender at Larkspur, but it is also very different, in such a good way.
Mara is bar manager at Larkspur bar, her pride and joy. She puts her everything into this bar, her time, effort, emotions. She is an absolute super woman for going through her past, and not letting it destroy her. I really felt connected to Mara, as we have a similar past, and we both found our one, to help us overcome it. She was so hesitant to let Leo in, but he was respectfully persistent. Being able to experience their friendship blossom, honestly would have been good enough for me. It was such a healing journey for Mara, I felt like my heart was being repaired as well.
Leo is a golden retriever, billionaire who really just wants Mara. His first encounter with our fierce and sassy FMC, was him running to a convenience store to buy some champagne to celebrate his business deal closing, Mara happened to be there after her shift and well, one night stand here we come 🤩 their immediate connection, their firey chemistry, their back and forth, just everything about them, I love I love I love
I have learned many things while I read this, mainly being I love a guy falls first romance, and I have a new microtrope obsession of the MMC taking off (or putting on) the FMC’s heels, I’m SWEATING!!! I love it I love it.
Leo and Mara are the perfect opposites attract love story, and I think you should give them a shot. 💚 thank you @michaelajeanbooks for the arc, I love you endlessly, and I’m so proud of you.
What to expect:
💚 Bi-Representation
🐱 Forced Proximity
🥃 He Falls First
💚 Fake Dating
🐱 One Night Stand
🥃 Caretaking Microtrope
💚 Emotional Healing
🐱 Workplace Romance
🥃 SLOW burn (after the ONS)
I have loved each of her three books, Only You (book 1, Logan & Amelia), This Love (book 2, Nora & Andre), and now End Game (book 3, Leo & Mara). All 3 books are part of an interconnected standalone series, Love in the Rockies. While books 1 and 2 were more closely connected, as the friend group was a big part of them, End Game is still connected, as Nora is a bartender at Larkspur, but it is also very different, in such a good way.
Mara is bar manager at Larkspur bar, her pride and joy. She puts her everything into this bar, her time, effort, emotions. She is an absolute super woman for going through her past, and not letting it destroy her. I really felt connected to Mara, as we have a similar past, and we both found our one, to help us overcome it. She was so hesitant to let Leo in, but he was respectfully persistent. Being able to experience their friendship blossom, honestly would have been good enough for me. It was such a healing journey for Mara, I felt like my heart was being repaired as well.
Leo is a golden retriever, billionaire who really just wants Mara. His first encounter with our fierce and sassy FMC, was him running to a convenience store to buy some champagne to celebrate his business deal closing, Mara happened to be there after her shift and well, one night stand here we come 🤩 their immediate connection, their firey chemistry, their back and forth, just everything about them, I love I love I love
I have learned many things while I read this, mainly being I love a guy falls first romance, and I have a new microtrope obsession of the MMC taking off (or putting on) the FMC’s heels, I’m SWEATING!!! I love it I love it.
Leo and Mara are the perfect opposites attract love story, and I think you should give them a shot. 💚 thank you @michaelajeanbooks for the arc, I love you endlessly, and I’m so proud of you.
What to expect:
💚 Bi-Representation
🐱 Forced Proximity
🥃 He Falls First
💚 Fake Dating
🐱 One Night Stand
🥃 Caretaking Microtrope
💚 Emotional Healing
🐱 Workplace Romance
🥃 SLOW burn (after the ONS)
March 26, 2024
5/5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶
This is the third book by Michaela that I have read and absolutely adored!!! She is one of my favorite authors, and I will read anything she writes… I love how emotionally connected I get to her characters, and Leo and Mara ones I am very attached to! This romance is spicy, tender, protective, vulnerable and so much more I won’t spoil. It starts out with a one night stand, and even though there is scorching chemistry and an unmistakeable pull between them, Mara is set on it being a one time thing with no strings. She had been given too many scars from a man in the past. But of course, fate interferes and they find themselves in a situation where they will be seeing quite a lot of each other, because Leo just bought the bar where she works (and she is going to hold quite the grudge because she had hoped to save up and buy it herself). But Leo wants more, and he is going to show Mara that she can be safe with him, that not everyone will hurt her. Oh, and he’ll have to do it while they fake date so he can appease his parents. Can you tell where this is going? Yeah, it gets gooooood… That’s all I am going to say because I don’t want to spoil it!!!
Honestly, I can’t even put into words the magic that was written into this story, please just promise me you will read it! If you like open door contemporary romance books, then this is a must read! While this is part of an interconnected stand alone series, you don’t need to have read the other two (but those are amazing, you need to read those too).
Tropes:
-one night stand
-workplace romance
-fake dating
-billionaire MMC
-he falls hard
-forced proximity
This is the third book by Michaela that I have read and absolutely adored!!! She is one of my favorite authors, and I will read anything she writes… I love how emotionally connected I get to her characters, and Leo and Mara ones I am very attached to! This romance is spicy, tender, protective, vulnerable and so much more I won’t spoil. It starts out with a one night stand, and even though there is scorching chemistry and an unmistakeable pull between them, Mara is set on it being a one time thing with no strings. She had been given too many scars from a man in the past. But of course, fate interferes and they find themselves in a situation where they will be seeing quite a lot of each other, because Leo just bought the bar where she works (and she is going to hold quite the grudge because she had hoped to save up and buy it herself). But Leo wants more, and he is going to show Mara that she can be safe with him, that not everyone will hurt her. Oh, and he’ll have to do it while they fake date so he can appease his parents. Can you tell where this is going? Yeah, it gets gooooood… That’s all I am going to say because I don’t want to spoil it!!!
Honestly, I can’t even put into words the magic that was written into this story, please just promise me you will read it! If you like open door contemporary romance books, then this is a must read! While this is part of an interconnected stand alone series, you don’t need to have read the other two (but those are amazing, you need to read those too).
Tropes:
-one night stand
-workplace romance
-fake dating
-billionaire MMC
-he falls hard
-forced proximity
March 10, 2024
4.5/5⭐️
This was easily my favorite book that I have read from Michaela and my favorite in this series! This one night stand, fake dating, boy obsessed romance is such a fun read that will have you rooting for the main characters from the moment they meet!
I loved seeing Mara in this book. We get a little introduction to Mara in This Love and she was SUCH a great leading lady for the next Love in the Rockies book! I loved seeing her journey and seeing her go from very anti-love to thinking that maybe she can open up to a certain someone.
Leo Callahan was SUCH a great book boyfriend! Even though we didn’t get his POV in this story it was so clear his intentions and thoughts throughout the book. I loved being able to dig deep and really see the vulnerable side of Leo and see him let down his walls.
Vulnerability was such a theme in this story and Michaela really wrote it so so well. Showing how truly hard it is for someone who has built their walls up so high to let them down and really showing how hard it is to let people in. It was done so well and I truly applaud her for it.
I also just loved the cameos of the other characters from the series!!
Huge thank you to Michaela for allowing me to be an arc reader for this book. I always enjoy my time in the rockies!
This was easily my favorite book that I have read from Michaela and my favorite in this series! This one night stand, fake dating, boy obsessed romance is such a fun read that will have you rooting for the main characters from the moment they meet!
I loved seeing Mara in this book. We get a little introduction to Mara in This Love and she was SUCH a great leading lady for the next Love in the Rockies book! I loved seeing her journey and seeing her go from very anti-love to thinking that maybe she can open up to a certain someone.
Leo Callahan was SUCH a great book boyfriend! Even though we didn’t get his POV in this story it was so clear his intentions and thoughts throughout the book. I loved being able to dig deep and really see the vulnerable side of Leo and see him let down his walls.
Vulnerability was such a theme in this story and Michaela really wrote it so so well. Showing how truly hard it is for someone who has built their walls up so high to let them down and really showing how hard it is to let people in. It was done so well and I truly applaud her for it.
I also just loved the cameos of the other characters from the series!!
Huge thank you to Michaela for allowing me to be an arc reader for this book. I always enjoy my time in the rockies!
March 9, 2024
Thank you to the author for the eARC and a chance to get to know these characters before release day in an exchange for an honest review.
3.75⭐️ rounded up
Hear me out, I REALLY enjoyed this book! The characters, the plot lines… all of this was exactly what I’m looking for in a story. A filthy rich, heart full of gold man meets a feisty, take no shit FMC. The spice was excellent, and don’t even get me started on the fake dating!! I enjoyed the bisexual representation and the healing that both characters had to go through in the face of past traumas was very heartwarming. What kept this from being a full 4 or even 5 stars was that I was just hoping for more depth in some areas. I felt a bit rushed and I wish we could have spent a little more time working through those traumas with the main characters before getting to that HEA. I really appreciated that there was no third act breakup though, and the addition of Dolly and Swift the cats was so freaking adorable! This felt like a modern-day spin on Pretty Woman and I had such a great time reading.
3.75⭐️ rounded up
Hear me out, I REALLY enjoyed this book! The characters, the plot lines… all of this was exactly what I’m looking for in a story. A filthy rich, heart full of gold man meets a feisty, take no shit FMC. The spice was excellent, and don’t even get me started on the fake dating!! I enjoyed the bisexual representation and the healing that both characters had to go through in the face of past traumas was very heartwarming. What kept this from being a full 4 or even 5 stars was that I was just hoping for more depth in some areas. I felt a bit rushed and I wish we could have spent a little more time working through those traumas with the main characters before getting to that HEA. I really appreciated that there was no third act breakup though, and the addition of Dolly and Swift the cats was so freaking adorable! This felt like a modern-day spin on Pretty Woman and I had such a great time reading.
March 29, 2024
This is the first time I read a book from Michaela Jean Taylor and I love it!
Mara is the famous bartender of the Larkspur, a club which she work for a lot of time, her dream is to buy Larkspur from his owner once she has the money to do that, after a nightshift she goes to her usually local store where she met a fascinating handsome man Leo, who offer her to spend the night together with her, the chemistry of both is explosive! In fact the both of two are immediately finding each other attractive and end up in a hot and spicy detailed one night stand (and I promise you need a cold shower!).
After leaving Leo's partment, while still thinking at the best sex she eved had Mara receive an important call from the owner at Lakspur once she arrived in the office she found out that the owner sold the club, and when the new owner enters Mara can't believe herself! Because her new boss is no other that her night stand Leo!
The rest is up to you to discover by reading all I can I say is that Leo is such a good character, kind, gentle and it is obvious that he fall so hard for Mara, while Mara is your typycal good girl who gone bad after a difficult past, I loved how Michaela show us the weakness of both characters and how both of them, lower their defences to surrender to the love who is growing between them! Totally recommended!
Mara is the famous bartender of the Larkspur, a club which she work for a lot of time, her dream is to buy Larkspur from his owner once she has the money to do that, after a nightshift she goes to her usually local store where she met a fascinating handsome man Leo, who offer her to spend the night together with her, the chemistry of both is explosive! In fact the both of two are immediately finding each other attractive and end up in a hot and spicy detailed one night stand (and I promise you need a cold shower!).
After leaving Leo's partment, while still thinking at the best sex she eved had Mara receive an important call from the owner at Lakspur once she arrived in the office she found out that the owner sold the club, and when the new owner enters Mara can't believe herself! Because her new boss is no other that her night stand Leo!
The rest is up to you to discover by reading all I can I say is that Leo is such a good character, kind, gentle and it is obvious that he fall so hard for Mara, while Mara is your typycal good girl who gone bad after a difficult past, I loved how Michaela show us the weakness of both characters and how both of them, lower their defences to surrender to the love who is growing between them! Totally recommended!
March 27, 2024
I devoured this book, and I couldn't put it down. Mara is a bartender who doesn't do relationships. Lately, she has been hooking up with women who come into her bar, and she doesn't do attachments. I loved that Mara was bisexual because it was so great to see the rep in this book. She has been hurt in the past by a man, and she hasn't been with a man in awhile... until she meets Leo after work. Leo invites her back to his penthouse, and they have an amazing night together. Leo might want more, but she only wants the one night with him.
Mara thinks that she'll never see Leo again.. until she finds out that he is the new owner and boss of her bar. Leo has a proposition for Mara- he needs a fake girlfriend to show his parents that he is doing well in his life, and Mara agrees. The deal is that he will give her part of the bar. As they work together, she makes sure that he knows that this is a business arrangement, but she can't fight her growing feelings for him. He is a cat daddy, and he really takes his time getting to know Mara. Oh, and by the way, he is also a billionaire who wants to take care of her.
Mara and Leo bond over their pasts, and their relationship was so meaningful. The story is told from Mara's point of view, and I would have loved to see chapters from Leo's point of view also.
Thanks to the author, Michaela Jean Taylor, for the ARC of this book.
Mara thinks that she'll never see Leo again.. until she finds out that he is the new owner and boss of her bar. Leo has a proposition for Mara- he needs a fake girlfriend to show his parents that he is doing well in his life, and Mara agrees. The deal is that he will give her part of the bar. As they work together, she makes sure that he knows that this is a business arrangement, but she can't fight her growing feelings for him. He is a cat daddy, and he really takes his time getting to know Mara. Oh, and by the way, he is also a billionaire who wants to take care of her.
Mara and Leo bond over their pasts, and their relationship was so meaningful. The story is told from Mara's point of view, and I would have loved to see chapters from Leo's point of view also.
Thanks to the author, Michaela Jean Taylor, for the ARC of this book.
March 28, 2024
Arc Review 📚
Rating 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 3/5 🌶️
Pub date 3/29/2024 🗓️
Tropes 🤍
- Workplace romance
- Billionaire MMC
- Fake dating
- Forced Proximity
- One night stand
- He falls hard
Review 📚
Sweet, Swoony, and Sexy! What more do you need 🤭 no but seriously I am obsessed with this book!
Their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS! What started off as a one night stand turned into “ Mara, is it wrong to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about you? About our night together? I’ve missed you so much.” THIS!!
What made their chemistry so good was the BANTER OH MY LORD 🤭 I was giggling, kicking my feet, and I couldn’t get enough 😏 AND THE SPICY SCENES 🥵 I was bl-ush-ing 🥵🤭😏🫨
I loved that Leo the mmc was portrayed as the more vulnerable one and Mara the fmc had walls that Leo had to break through. Mara reminds me of myself and I loved reading about her happy ending!
I’m obsessed with everything about this book! The writing, plot, tropes, and the love between the characters! My kindle was GLUED to my hand while I was reading this book! This was my first Michaela book and she now has a reader for life!
Order here 👉🏻 End Game (Love In The Rockies) https://a.co/d/6IVr5sL
Rating 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 3/5 🌶️
Pub date 3/29/2024 🗓️
Tropes 🤍
- Workplace romance
- Billionaire MMC
- Fake dating
- Forced Proximity
- One night stand
- He falls hard
Review 📚
Sweet, Swoony, and Sexy! What more do you need 🤭 no but seriously I am obsessed with this book!
Their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS! What started off as a one night stand turned into “ Mara, is it wrong to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about you? About our night together? I’ve missed you so much.” THIS!!
What made their chemistry so good was the BANTER OH MY LORD 🤭 I was giggling, kicking my feet, and I couldn’t get enough 😏 AND THE SPICY SCENES 🥵 I was bl-ush-ing 🥵🤭😏🫨
I loved that Leo the mmc was portrayed as the more vulnerable one and Mara the fmc had walls that Leo had to break through. Mara reminds me of myself and I loved reading about her happy ending!
I’m obsessed with everything about this book! The writing, plot, tropes, and the love between the characters! My kindle was GLUED to my hand while I was reading this book! This was my first Michaela book and she now has a reader for life!
Order here 👉🏻 End Game (Love In The Rockies) https://a.co/d/6IVr5sL
March 30, 2024
4/5⭐️ 1,5/5🌶️
first of all, I want to thank the author for the ARC!! I truly enjoyed reading this book, and it actually got me out of a reading slump (🥳🥳)! The story was flowing and easy to read, and I really liked the writing style!
I love it when the man is a huge simp, and let me tell you, Leo was WHIPPED from day one! He is so attentive to Mara’s needs and willing to do anything for her (plus, he can cook and loves cats… how much more perfect could he be?). Mara is such a great character too, I love her personality and Leo is perfect for her🥹 Their relationship is so sweet (a bit spicy🌶️ too, if you know what I mean) and there was no miscommunication/third act breakup, which was GREAT.
(please check the tw before reading the book, it’s not a dark romance but some heavy topics are talked about so please check first!!)
the tropes:
- one night stand
- fake dating
- billionaire MMC
- forced proximity
- he falls hard
first of all, I want to thank the author for the ARC!! I truly enjoyed reading this book, and it actually got me out of a reading slump (🥳🥳)! The story was flowing and easy to read, and I really liked the writing style!
I love it when the man is a huge simp, and let me tell you, Leo was WHIPPED from day one! He is so attentive to Mara’s needs and willing to do anything for her (plus, he can cook and loves cats… how much more perfect could he be?). Mara is such a great character too, I love her personality and Leo is perfect for her🥹 Their relationship is so sweet (a bit spicy🌶️ too, if you know what I mean) and there was no miscommunication/third act breakup, which was GREAT.
(please check the tw before reading the book, it’s not a dark romance but some heavy topics are talked about so please check first!!)
the tropes:
- one night stand
- fake dating
- billionaire MMC
- forced proximity
- he falls hard
March 10, 2024
Book Review — End Game by Michaela Jean Taylor *ARC
⭐️ — 4.5/5
Short version: I love the characters, their backstories, and the plot. It felt like some aspects were a bit rushed when I would have loved to see those expanded a bit. Overall a great read and highly recommended when it releases 3/29/24.
Full Review: Mara is a kick ass FMC — she has a past that broke her a bit and she’s built herself back up to be a strong, independent, successful woman. Seriously this is what FMC dreams are made of.
Leo is a billionaire cinnamon roll who stumbles into Mara’s life. His presence is a point of contention at first, but he is persistent and weasels his way into her good graces.
A fake dating contract, a good bit of family drama, some forced proximity, and workplace rivalry all rolled into one really great story. And the nod to Dolly and T Swift made me bust out laughing because of course Leo loves them. Of course.
Book 36 of 110.
⭐️ — 4.5/5
Short version: I love the characters, their backstories, and the plot. It felt like some aspects were a bit rushed when I would have loved to see those expanded a bit. Overall a great read and highly recommended when it releases 3/29/24.
Full Review: Mara is a kick ass FMC — she has a past that broke her a bit and she’s built herself back up to be a strong, independent, successful woman. Seriously this is what FMC dreams are made of.
Leo is a billionaire cinnamon roll who stumbles into Mara’s life. His presence is a point of contention at first, but he is persistent and weasels his way into her good graces.
A fake dating contract, a good bit of family drama, some forced proximity, and workplace rivalry all rolled into one really great story. And the nod to Dolly and T Swift made me bust out laughing because of course Leo loves them. Of course.
Book 36 of 110.
March 27, 2024
I wasn’t sure about this book in the beginning. But once it got going I couldn’t read it fast enough.
The bar Margaret, Mara, has made this bar her home and put everything into it. In the hopes of one day owning it. Imagine her shock and betrayal when she finds that the owner already sold it without her knowing. In comes Leo, her one night stand from the night before, and she thinks it can’t get any worse.
Through some anger and miscommunication there is a lot going on. But Leo has a proposition for her. Fake date him to get his parents off his back and he will give her part ownership of the bar.
Things get interesting. And when they realize there is more than fake dating they actually communicate it. Yay! I hate when they both fall for each other but keep it a secret and ruin everything. That doesn’t happen here and there is no third act breakup! Yay again!
I really enjoyed the characters and the plot line. The banter was 💯! I finished it so quickly and wanted more. But it was a perfect ending and I’m so happy for these characters!
I received this as an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
The bar Margaret, Mara, has made this bar her home and put everything into it. In the hopes of one day owning it. Imagine her shock and betrayal when she finds that the owner already sold it without her knowing. In comes Leo, her one night stand from the night before, and she thinks it can’t get any worse.
Through some anger and miscommunication there is a lot going on. But Leo has a proposition for her. Fake date him to get his parents off his back and he will give her part ownership of the bar.
Things get interesting. And when they realize there is more than fake dating they actually communicate it. Yay! I hate when they both fall for each other but keep it a secret and ruin everything. That doesn’t happen here and there is no third act breakup! Yay again!
I really enjoyed the characters and the plot line. The banter was 💯! I finished it so quickly and wanted more. But it was a perfect ending and I’m so happy for these characters!
I received this as an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
March 5, 2024
5⭐️
First, I want to thank Michaela for giving me the opportunity to receive an arc to this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!
Michaela has become one of my favourite authors. I just absolutely love the way she writes.
I loved seeing some bisexual rep! Mara and Leo's story was so beautiful! I adored reading their journey. Their chemistry was palpable from their first encounter. I liked the way it was so easy for Leo to be vulnerable with Mara. And he was always so careful with her. And it was so amazing to see Mara finally feeling comfortable with a man after everything and being able to love and be loved!
Also Dolly and Swift have all my heart!
I can't wait to read more of Michaela's work!
First, I want to thank Michaela for giving me the opportunity to receive an arc to this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!
Michaela has become one of my favourite authors. I just absolutely love the way she writes.
I loved seeing some bisexual rep! Mara and Leo's story was so beautiful! I adored reading their journey. Their chemistry was palpable from their first encounter. I liked the way it was so easy for Leo to be vulnerable with Mara. And he was always so careful with her. And it was so amazing to see Mara finally feeling comfortable with a man after everything and being able to love and be loved!
Also Dolly and Swift have all my heart!
I can't wait to read more of Michaela's work!
March 8, 2024
Ahhh my heart!!!
I absolutely loved End Game, just as much as I enjoyed the previous two books (Only You & This Love). Although reading the previous books isn't necessary, there are some subtle references to characters like Nora and Logan, which enhance understanding of Mara's backstory.
This installment incorporates the fake dating trope (one of my favorites), a billionaire boss, and characters striving to heal from past hurts. Plus, the absence of a third act break-up relieved my anxiety, despite knowing everything would eventually be resolved.
Leo's unwavering support and persistence, even amid his own struggles, showcased his devotion to Mara. Similarly, Mara recognizes Leo's true essence and potential, making them the perfect match—a true embodiment of being made for each other.
Icing on the cake was the full names of each of Leo’s cats!
Don’t hesitate - read this book as soon as you can!
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review
I absolutely loved End Game, just as much as I enjoyed the previous two books (Only You & This Love). Although reading the previous books isn't necessary, there are some subtle references to characters like Nora and Logan, which enhance understanding of Mara's backstory.
This installment incorporates the fake dating trope (one of my favorites), a billionaire boss, and characters striving to heal from past hurts. Plus, the absence of a third act break-up relieved my anxiety, despite knowing everything would eventually be resolved.
Leo's unwavering support and persistence, even amid his own struggles, showcased his devotion to Mara. Similarly, Mara recognizes Leo's true essence and potential, making them the perfect match—a true embodiment of being made for each other.
Icing on the cake was the full names of each of Leo’s cats!
Don’t hesitate - read this book as soon as you can!
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review
March 13, 2024
**ARC Review **
End Game // Michaela Jean Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mara and Leo.
Mara, a woman who is very guarded when it comes to her emotions, not into relationships, and fiercely independent.
Leo, a billionaire cinnamon roll who stumbles into Mara’s life when she least expected it but becomes obsessed with her in a healthy way after one night together. 🤪
Both are damaged goods healing from their past traumas who show one another it’s okay to be vulnerable. They deserve each other. 🥺
You have to read the story to know the rest. 😉
I giggled & kicked my feet, but most of all I LOVED this book!
I can’t wait for y’all to get your hands on this book, I truly hope you devour it like I did! Leo is book boyfriend material. 🙈
Please check trigger warnings as this isn’t a dark romance but there are mentions of SA, DV & others.
Thank you Michaela Jean for this ARC in exchange for a review! Go order yours now. 🫶🏻
End Game // Michaela Jean Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mara and Leo.
Mara, a woman who is very guarded when it comes to her emotions, not into relationships, and fiercely independent.
Leo, a billionaire cinnamon roll who stumbles into Mara’s life when she least expected it but becomes obsessed with her in a healthy way after one night together. 🤪
Both are damaged goods healing from their past traumas who show one another it’s okay to be vulnerable. They deserve each other. 🥺
You have to read the story to know the rest. 😉
I giggled & kicked my feet, but most of all I LOVED this book!
I can’t wait for y’all to get your hands on this book, I truly hope you devour it like I did! Leo is book boyfriend material. 🙈
Please check trigger warnings as this isn’t a dark romance but there are mentions of SA, DV & others.
Thank you Michaela Jean for this ARC in exchange for a review! Go order yours now. 🫶🏻
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