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Calamity Falls #13
Never in My Wildest Dreams
A blizzard strands two strangers in a cabin on Christmas Eve, and there's only one bed. Neither of them expects the surprise that comes nine months later.
Lorelei Calloway was on top of the world. A world-famous pop star, she relied on her inner circle to keep her grounded— until she found out the truth. They’d been betraying her all along. Refusing to break down in front of the paparazzi, she asks her manager to rent a cabin where she can escape to heal her wounds.
Booker Hayes is a good man in a world of sharks. When his boss demands he choose money over his conscience, he takes off for Christmas break to his cabin. Exhausted from a long day of travel and fighting a blizzard that’s shut down the town, he falls into bed—only to be awakened by a shrieking woman wielding a bat.
Well, oops. It looks like, in her distraught state of mind, Lorelei entered the wrong cabin. She promises to leave the moment the roads are cleared. Except…the next thirty-six hours bring them a passion and connection neither of them has ever experienced.
But when Wi-Fi returns, reality hits, and it’s time to return to the real world. They’ve chosen not to share names or personal details, so goodbye means forever.
Or does it? Two years later, fate decides to throw them back together as maid of honor and best man in their best friends’ wedding. Only, Lorelei’s changed since she last saw him. She’s got a daughter.
One with Booker’s sea glass-green eyes and daredevil spirit.
Lorelei Calloway was on top of the world. A world-famous pop star, she relied on her inner circle to keep her grounded— until she found out the truth. They’d been betraying her all along. Refusing to break down in front of the paparazzi, she asks her manager to rent a cabin where she can escape to heal her wounds.
Booker Hayes is a good man in a world of sharks. When his boss demands he choose money over his conscience, he takes off for Christmas break to his cabin. Exhausted from a long day of travel and fighting a blizzard that’s shut down the town, he falls into bed—only to be awakened by a shrieking woman wielding a bat.
Well, oops. It looks like, in her distraught state of mind, Lorelei entered the wrong cabin. She promises to leave the moment the roads are cleared. Except…the next thirty-six hours bring them a passion and connection neither of them has ever experienced.
But when Wi-Fi returns, reality hits, and it’s time to return to the real world. They’ve chosen not to share names or personal details, so goodbye means forever.
Or does it? Two years later, fate decides to throw them back together as maid of honor and best man in their best friends’ wedding. Only, Lorelei’s changed since she last saw him. She’s got a daughter.
One with Booker’s sea glass-green eyes and daredevil spirit.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2024
1014 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Erika Kelly
45 books1,858 followersAward-winning author Erika Kelly writes sexy, passionate, and emotional contemporary romance. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she lives in the southwest, drinks a lot of tea, and is always waiting for her cats to get off her keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
June 5, 2024
My rating: 5 stars
What I loved: I really enjoyed this whole book. The way Slick/Booker(H) and Hellcat/Lorelei(h) met had me cracking up. The chemistry they had was hot!! When Booker finally talked to his friends had me tearing up and I’m was so happy that they are all together again. The part when Lorelei sees her ex at the end had me smiling. Their daughter was adorable especially when she called him mister. Lastly, I loved reading Blue Fire’s little part… Slater is still one of my favorite book boyfriend ;)
What I didn’t like: Not going to lie but I was really mad about how Booker’s mom lied. I understand it but she should have told him the truth when he was better.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Surprise pregnancy. h is a famous musician and just found out that her long term boyfriend had been cheating on her with her best friend. She has her agent rent a cabin to get away from it all. H just realized he doesn’t want to press his client into a deal that is not good for him and his boss let him know if he doesn’t he will be fired. H feeling the pressure of doing what right for his client and not his boss, decides to take a break and go to his cabin. When he gets there he goes right to bed only to find out that he isn’t alone. h thought the H’s cabin was the one she rented but it wasn’t. They both share the cabin due to a snow storm. While there they decide not to tell each other their names. Things get heated and after 36 hours, H leaves for work, leaving a note with his phone number. h not seeing the note decides it’s time to go back. A couple of years later they meet back up, when their friends are getting married. H finds out he has daughter. H and h decide to give it a go. Along the way the H finally has a talk with his childhood friends and they rebuild their relationship. H and h have a couple of bumps/ insecurities they need to work out but by the end they get their HEA with a bonus scene of their wedding.
Final thoughts: I really enjoyed this series. It’s not only about finding love but also about having true friendships. Definitely was a sweet change up from all the drama books I’ve been reading. Can’t wait to read about Cole’s dad.
What I loved: I really enjoyed this whole book. The way Slick/Booker(H) and Hellcat/Lorelei(h) met had me cracking up. The chemistry they had was hot!! When Booker finally talked to his friends had me tearing up and I’m was so happy that they are all together again. The part when Lorelei sees her ex at the end had me smiling. Their daughter was adorable especially when she called him mister. Lastly, I loved reading Blue Fire’s little part… Slater is still one of my favorite book boyfriend ;)
What I didn’t like: Not going to lie but I was really mad about how Booker’s mom lied. I understand it but she should have told him the truth when he was better.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Surprise pregnancy. h is a famous musician and just found out that her long term boyfriend had been cheating on her with her best friend. She has her agent rent a cabin to get away from it all. H just realized he doesn’t want to press his client into a deal that is not good for him and his boss let him know if he doesn’t he will be fired. H feeling the pressure of doing what right for his client and not his boss, decides to take a break and go to his cabin. When he gets there he goes right to bed only to find out that he isn’t alone. h thought the H’s cabin was the one she rented but it wasn’t. They both share the cabin due to a snow storm. While there they decide not to tell each other their names. Things get heated and after 36 hours, H leaves for work, leaving a note with his phone number. h not seeing the note decides it’s time to go back. A couple of years later they meet back up, when their friends are getting married. H finds out he has daughter. H and h decide to give it a go. Along the way the H finally has a talk with his childhood friends and they rebuild their relationship. H and h have a couple of bumps/ insecurities they need to work out but by the end they get their HEA with a bonus scene of their wedding.
Final thoughts: I really enjoyed this series. It’s not only about finding love but also about having true friendships. Definitely was a sweet change up from all the drama books I’ve been reading. Can’t wait to read about Cole’s dad.
June 6, 2024
I'm a latecomer to this series, but this book is fine as a stand-alone.The story starts with the main characters, Lorelie and Booker, stranded together in a snowstorm with a single bed (which I loved!). This was a lovely contemporary romance of two people who never thought they'd find each other again after their initial encounter. Both have had struggles with the people in their lives and with their careers. Trust doesn't come easily to either, but a life together would require them to overcome their issues and trust each other. Can they do it?
I loved the emotion in this book and how Lorelie and Booker were so comfortable together from the beginning. They were both vulnerable and perfect together. What a great, feel-good story!
Thanks to Grey's Promo for the copy of this ebook. All thoughts are my own.
I loved the emotion in this book and how Lorelie and Booker were so comfortable together from the beginning. They were both vulnerable and perfect together. What a great, feel-good story!
Thanks to Grey's Promo for the copy of this ebook. All thoughts are my own.
June 11, 2024
Stranded in a cabin with a sexy stranger, at Christmas, in a blizzard! my kind of story. Welcome back to Calamity Falls !
Lorelei is run away from her life, hiding from the prying eyes, mending her broken heart. She is a top selling touring recording artist and has just had her world pulled out from under her by the two people closest to her, so Lorelei runs.
Booker Hayes, sports agent who makes sure his clients are well taken care of, but when his boss gives him an ultimatum, money over the right moral choice, Booker runs. Straight to his cabin, which happens to be Christmas and a full-on blizzard. Booker arrives at his cabin to find a complete stranger sleeping in his bed.
The few days are spent in anonymity, no real names. Once the awkwardness is out of the way, its like they've known each other for years. They talk for hours about dreams they both have, the devastating hurt they have both felt from family and friends. Chemistry ignites these two and its dynamite!
When realizations hit, assumptions are made and the wi-fi returns, Booker runs. HOME!
Two and a half years later, Lorelei and Bookers worlds collide again at a wedding of mutual friends/clients. $hit is about to get real!
I really enjoyed reading this, it has chemistry galore. It's about healing from past trauma, heartbreak and learning to trust. Compromising and realizing what's important at the end of the day. Fighting for those that you love.
Thank You Erika for the pleasure in reading this ARC !
Lorelei is run away from her life, hiding from the prying eyes, mending her broken heart. She is a top selling touring recording artist and has just had her world pulled out from under her by the two people closest to her, so Lorelei runs.
Booker Hayes, sports agent who makes sure his clients are well taken care of, but when his boss gives him an ultimatum, money over the right moral choice, Booker runs. Straight to his cabin, which happens to be Christmas and a full-on blizzard. Booker arrives at his cabin to find a complete stranger sleeping in his bed.
The few days are spent in anonymity, no real names. Once the awkwardness is out of the way, its like they've known each other for years. They talk for hours about dreams they both have, the devastating hurt they have both felt from family and friends. Chemistry ignites these two and its dynamite!
When realizations hit, assumptions are made and the wi-fi returns, Booker runs. HOME!
Two and a half years later, Lorelei and Bookers worlds collide again at a wedding of mutual friends/clients. $hit is about to get real!
I really enjoyed reading this, it has chemistry galore. It's about healing from past trauma, heartbreak and learning to trust. Compromising and realizing what's important at the end of the day. Fighting for those that you love.
Thank You Erika for the pleasure in reading this ARC !
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November 23, 2024DNF’ing this right now. The ratings for this are high so I’m hoping to come back to it. Just not grabbing my attention right now.
August 30, 2025
A cute romcom with a little spice. Enjoyed the storyline, very different from most romcoms I’ve read. Glad that the author stayed with a good story and didn’t just spice it up everywhere. I did feel it was drug out a bit though.
June 20, 2024
Delightful read with wonderful characters! I loved being back in Calamity Falls and visiting with all my favorite townspeople. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS is romantic and sexy with fantastic back and forth banter between the MCs that made them so relatable. This series never disappoints!
June 2, 2024
I absolutely loved Never in My Wildest Dreams by Erika Kelly, it is an incredible stranded with one bed and then second chance love story. It is the thirteenth book in her Calamity Falls series. I love all the books in the series. Erika Kelly continues to show that she is an amazing storyteller and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. It was impossible to put Never in My Wildest Dreams down and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I love how Erika develops her characters in such a way that you fall in love with them and care about them much like a good friend. Never in My Wildest Dreams is a stranded with one bed that turns into a second chance love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in an Erika Kelly love story, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Never in My Wildest Dreams is the story of Booker Hayes, agent for Elite Sports Management, and Lorelei Calloway, a pop star. After finding out that her longtime boyfriend was cheating on her with her best friend and running from the fall out of discovering what her mother was doing behind her back, Lorelei escapes to Calamity Falls to spend time with her Dad. Paparazzi find her out with her sister, and she escapes to a cabin in the woods that was arranged by her manager. Inadvertently Lorelei has been staying in the wrong cabin. Booker, fearing that he might be fired from his job, escapes to his cabin to think and clear his mind, only to discover Lorelei. Neither one of them reveal their real identities, and since Lorelei dyed her blonde hair dark, Booker did not recognize. They were both vague as to their careers and Lorelei called Booker, “Slick” and Booker called Lorelei, “Hellcat.” I love how they discovered one another. A snowstorm has knocked out power to the cabin, and Hellcat and Slick decide to share the one bed together. Slick wants Hellcat to be comfortable with him since they are sharing a bed and shares secrets about his past with Hellcat that he has not shared with most of the people in his life. Conversation between Lorelei and Booker flows so easily, I love that both Hellcat and Slick share secrets with one another that they have not shared with anyone before, especially the secrets Slick shares regarding his friendship with his best friends growing up, how they abandoned him following a career ending injury and how he recently discovered that he is not the biological son of the man that he knew as his Dad prior to his death and the impact on his relationship with his mother. As Hellcat and Slick spend time together, things change between them, and they begin a romantic relationship. When the WIFI returns, Slick sees a message on Hellcat’s phone and decides to leave the cabin and make career changes in his life. He left a note with his name and phone number, but Hellcat did not find the note. Fast forward two years, and unknowingly Lorelei and Booker are the maid of honor and best man in their friends’ wedding. Last minute changes to the wedding’s location have the bride’s and groom’s closest friends heading to Lorelei’s Paintbrush Ranch in Calamity Falls. Lorelei and Booker agree to plan the wedding and the activities, only to discover their true identities. Booker learns that his is father of Stevie, their almost two-year-old daughter. Love the reason behind Lorelei naming her Stevie. I love Booker’s relationship with Stevie and that she calls him “Mister” and how Booker overhears her telling a playmate, that her father hasn’t found her yet. I love the conversations between them once again and how they have rekindled their relationship. A surprise plot twist changes things between Lorelei and Booker and Booker leaves Calamity. I loved that Never in My Wildest Dreams is more than just a romance, there are dilemmas that both Lorelei and Booker are facing that need to be resolved. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. I love changes that Lorelei and Booker make in their lives to have a life with one another and their family. I love the heart-to-heart conversations that Booker has with his former best friends and how they are able to mend their friendship and how he reconciles with his mother. I love the ending of their love story and how both Lorelei and Booker change because of their love for one another. My favorite part is the epilogue and how it goes above the happily ever after. I love Booker’s proposal and the engagement ring he had made and what happens following the proposal. I love the significance of the names that Lorelei chooses for their dog and their child. I also loved the wedding bonus scene; I love the location of the wedding and everything that Booker did to plan their wedding. Have your Kleenex nearby for the wedding vows. I love Lorelei and Booker’s love story and the descriptions of the Calamity setting. I love how Erika Kelly managed to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. I really enjoy how the book is told from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Never in My Wildest Dreams, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoy all the interactions among the characters, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. Never in My Wildest Dreams is filled with poignant and bittersweet moments as well as plot twists. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Never in My Wildest Dreams, who does not love a stranded with one bed and then second chance love story. Highly recommend this incredible love story and am so looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Received an advanced copy from the author.
July 25, 2024
It was 3.5. I just couldn't get over that he never saw a picture of the star and figure out her name. Also why he'd leave a note and in a bad spot. Also all that happened in a week of knowing each other. I hate quick stuff.
June 3, 2024
This is the final story with the Renegades guys and is the story of Booker and Lorelei. This is a second chance romance with a surprise baby thrown in for fun! From the first story in the group Booker just seems like an a$$. We finally learn what happened with the friendships between he and his friends and it is heartbreaking. We also know who Lorelei is from previous stories and learned about her heartbreaking past in previous stories too. I loved Lorelei but felt that she was able to begin dealing with her past in a previous story. To me this is Booker’s story. His chance to deal with his past and figure out what his life will look like.
This story takes place in two parts – the mountain cabin and then after. Booker and Lorelei meet when they are both at their lowest. Each of them is at a cross road in their lives and escape to a mountain retreat to hide away for a while. There is a mistake in the living arrangements and they both end up at the same place. For 2 days they are stuck in a snowstorm and get to know everything about each other – except their names and jobs. They were able to really open up to each other and share some of their deepest fears, vulnerabilities, and dreams. Perhaps it is due to the fact they their anonymity remains but whatever the case, they open up to each other quickly and realize that they have far more in common than it might seem. What I really loved is the heartfelt and wonderful advice that each gives to the other. They seem to be able to laser focus in on the other’s weaknesses and hurts and offer really good insight and truly helpful advice. They establish a really deep connection that also has a VERY strong physical component as well. Their chemistry is on fire! Booker is scared of the connection and feelings that he NEVER develops so he leaves in the middle of the night. He leaves a note behind but when Lorelei realizes that he’s gone, she’s in a rush to leave too and never sees it.
Fast forward to 3 years later and they run into each other again in the weirdest way! They are in their best friends’ wedding without knowing who the other is! The wedding is at Lorelei’s ranch with her little girl in attendance too. 😊 Meeting each other again and Booker getting the shock of his life in meeting his daughter is the second half of the book. This part of the story was tough because even though they found each other again and rediscovered their feelings for each other, communication issues are a ‘thing’ this time and they cause trouble for the couple. There are missteps this time that they didn’t have the first time, but they quickly find their way through. It was really nice to see them rediscover their feelings for one another and see how quickly they returned. They learned to communicate again and grow together and learn to fight for the HEA that they each desperately want. Their connection, chemistry and banter is still spot on even 3 years later!
This was a GREAT story and not to be missed! It tugged on my heart strings because of the depth of feeling that Booker needed to face. He has spent his entire life not facing his feelings and he had a lot of room to grow. One of my favorite parts of the entire story is the resolution of the friendship with his teenage friends. I am SO happy that the guys forced him into a conversation and were brave enough to push it even when Booker tried to shut it down. The heartbreak between all of them was palpable and I was SO happy to see them get to the bottom of their issues with one another. Communication, especially miscommunication, is a huge issue in this story and I was so glad to see resolutions on all fronts. These guys and their friendship were so important to Booker and his future, that I was really happy to see him get what he needed. And you could seriously feel the relief for the others guys too. There were HEAs all over in this story!
Bravo Ms. Kelly – great story!! I have had a mad crush on Cole for a while but I think Booker might share my heart now too! Calamity Falls has been a wonderful place to visit and the stories have been amazing! I look forward to seeing what comes next.
This story takes place in two parts – the mountain cabin and then after. Booker and Lorelei meet when they are both at their lowest. Each of them is at a cross road in their lives and escape to a mountain retreat to hide away for a while. There is a mistake in the living arrangements and they both end up at the same place. For 2 days they are stuck in a snowstorm and get to know everything about each other – except their names and jobs. They were able to really open up to each other and share some of their deepest fears, vulnerabilities, and dreams. Perhaps it is due to the fact they their anonymity remains but whatever the case, they open up to each other quickly and realize that they have far more in common than it might seem. What I really loved is the heartfelt and wonderful advice that each gives to the other. They seem to be able to laser focus in on the other’s weaknesses and hurts and offer really good insight and truly helpful advice. They establish a really deep connection that also has a VERY strong physical component as well. Their chemistry is on fire! Booker is scared of the connection and feelings that he NEVER develops so he leaves in the middle of the night. He leaves a note behind but when Lorelei realizes that he’s gone, she’s in a rush to leave too and never sees it.
Fast forward to 3 years later and they run into each other again in the weirdest way! They are in their best friends’ wedding without knowing who the other is! The wedding is at Lorelei’s ranch with her little girl in attendance too. 😊 Meeting each other again and Booker getting the shock of his life in meeting his daughter is the second half of the book. This part of the story was tough because even though they found each other again and rediscovered their feelings for each other, communication issues are a ‘thing’ this time and they cause trouble for the couple. There are missteps this time that they didn’t have the first time, but they quickly find their way through. It was really nice to see them rediscover their feelings for one another and see how quickly they returned. They learned to communicate again and grow together and learn to fight for the HEA that they each desperately want. Their connection, chemistry and banter is still spot on even 3 years later!
This was a GREAT story and not to be missed! It tugged on my heart strings because of the depth of feeling that Booker needed to face. He has spent his entire life not facing his feelings and he had a lot of room to grow. One of my favorite parts of the entire story is the resolution of the friendship with his teenage friends. I am SO happy that the guys forced him into a conversation and were brave enough to push it even when Booker tried to shut it down. The heartbreak between all of them was palpable and I was SO happy to see them get to the bottom of their issues with one another. Communication, especially miscommunication, is a huge issue in this story and I was so glad to see resolutions on all fronts. These guys and their friendship were so important to Booker and his future, that I was really happy to see him get what he needed. And you could seriously feel the relief for the others guys too. There were HEAs all over in this story!
Bravo Ms. Kelly – great story!! I have had a mad crush on Cole for a while but I think Booker might share my heart now too! Calamity Falls has been a wonderful place to visit and the stories have been amazing! I look forward to seeing what comes next.
June 9, 2024
I have to give Erika Kelly a lot of props for writing a low angst book with two very broken (in different ways) main characters. Honestly I worried about that going into this book with these character’s backgrounds, but not only did she pull it off she managed to show these characters working through their individual problems by sharing them with each other and then breaking them down and giving each other a different perspective. I loved the way these two met, their first night together was funny, yet at the same time the reader got to see the hero was a decent man and the heroine while a bit on edge sensed she was safe in his company. There was a lot of emotion in this book as these characters healed their hearts, souls, and minds and while learning to love and trust again.
After realizing her long time boyfriend was unfaithful to her with her best friend, well known pop star Lorelei Calloway went into hiding in a cabin near Calamity Falls. She needed time to heal, and make sense of her world not only with her ex and ex best friends but with her mother who lied to her for most of her life. Reuniting with her father and his new girlfriend and her siblings after she brings paparazzi to their doorstep, she moves into a cabin set up by her agent. However when a strange man ends up in her bed one night she is prepared to take him down.
After an ugly exchange with his boss, and his best friends and colleague giving him more to think about all Booker Hayes wants to do is get to his cabin and sleep. So when he arrives and realizes someone is living in it and that someone is a woman threatening to un-man him he’s confused, angry, and still just wants to sleep. A workaholic sports agent, Booker has no idea who Lorelei is other than a woman he assumes is squatting in his cabin.
These two spend a pretty magical day and night together and then Booker reads something that sends him reeling and since they didn’t share personal information despite looking for her every time he was in Calamity he hasn’t seen her in almost three years until he shows up to help with the wedding of one of his clients and she is the maid of honor he needs to work with on getting it all done.
I really love the set-up of this book because you could feel these two connecting from that first night even when they were at odds about their situation and every moment they spent in that cabin you could feel that bond growing. To say I was upset when Booker left and upset again when I realized the book continued almost three years later was putting it mildly, but the way their story unfolded was perfect. From Booker meeting Stevie and not knowing she was Lorelei’s daughter, to Lorelei confronting Booker for leaving without a conversation, to Lorelei being crushed when she realizes the man helping her arrange her best friend’s wedding is her child’s father, to Booker being a bone-head once again, and to every little moment in between Never In My Wildest Dreams kept me enthralled.
This book was everything I look for in a romance, it wasn’t easy as these characters had to overcome some baggage that was holding them back but their almost immediate connection, and the almost three years apart gave them perspective and let them grow and while they both tended to fall back into the spiral that tried to keep them from the life they both deserved, in the end they both figured out they would and could do better not only for each other but for their daughter.
After realizing her long time boyfriend was unfaithful to her with her best friend, well known pop star Lorelei Calloway went into hiding in a cabin near Calamity Falls. She needed time to heal, and make sense of her world not only with her ex and ex best friends but with her mother who lied to her for most of her life. Reuniting with her father and his new girlfriend and her siblings after she brings paparazzi to their doorstep, she moves into a cabin set up by her agent. However when a strange man ends up in her bed one night she is prepared to take him down.
After an ugly exchange with his boss, and his best friends and colleague giving him more to think about all Booker Hayes wants to do is get to his cabin and sleep. So when he arrives and realizes someone is living in it and that someone is a woman threatening to un-man him he’s confused, angry, and still just wants to sleep. A workaholic sports agent, Booker has no idea who Lorelei is other than a woman he assumes is squatting in his cabin.
These two spend a pretty magical day and night together and then Booker reads something that sends him reeling and since they didn’t share personal information despite looking for her every time he was in Calamity he hasn’t seen her in almost three years until he shows up to help with the wedding of one of his clients and she is the maid of honor he needs to work with on getting it all done.
I really love the set-up of this book because you could feel these two connecting from that first night even when they were at odds about their situation and every moment they spent in that cabin you could feel that bond growing. To say I was upset when Booker left and upset again when I realized the book continued almost three years later was putting it mildly, but the way their story unfolded was perfect. From Booker meeting Stevie and not knowing she was Lorelei’s daughter, to Lorelei confronting Booker for leaving without a conversation, to Lorelei being crushed when she realizes the man helping her arrange her best friend’s wedding is her child’s father, to Booker being a bone-head once again, and to every little moment in between Never In My Wildest Dreams kept me enthralled.
This book was everything I look for in a romance, it wasn’t easy as these characters had to overcome some baggage that was holding them back but their almost immediate connection, and the almost three years apart gave them perspective and let them grow and while they both tended to fall back into the spiral that tried to keep them from the life they both deserved, in the end they both figured out they would and could do better not only for each other but for their daughter.
June 4, 2024
4.25stars— NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS is the fourth instalment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary, adult RENEGADES HOCKEY erotic, romance series set in the author’s CALAMITY FALLS world. This is thirty-five year old, sports agent Booker ‘Slick’ Hayes, and twenty-six year old pop star Lorelei ‘Hellcat’ Calloway’s story line. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Booker and Lorelei) following two time lines NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS focuses on the relationship between our story line couple. Approximately two years earlier, sports agent Booker Hayes had to make a decision about his future, a decision he would make while taking a break at his cabin during the Christmas holidays but Booker never expected to come face to face with a feisty young woman who claims she was renting the cabin for the foreseeable future. Enter pop star Lorelei Calloway, the woman with whom Booker would fall in love but all was not as it appeared to be. Neither one ‘willingly’ introduced themselves to the other, and several days spent together ended when Booker was called home to avert a potential disaster. Fast forward two and half years, at a mutual friends’ wedding Booker would come face to face with his past in the guise of Lorelei Calloway, the woman who was now the mother of his two year old daughter. Booker had never intended to ghost our story line heroine but perceived betrayal pushed Lorelei out of his life, and out of the life of the daughter he never knew. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Booker and Lorelei, and the potential fallout as Booker must come to a decision regarding his future, and a future with the family he never knew he had.
The world building follows several pathways including the original introduction and holidays spent together between our story line couple. Booker never knew Lorelei was a famous singer, a Grammy winning pop star who was betrayed by friends, a pop star who needed alone time to consider her path going forward. Booker Hayes knew betrayal first hand having lost not only a shot at professional hockey, but also the loss of several lifelong friendships. A week at the cabin would culminate with a new direction for our hero, as well.
The relationship between Lorelei and Booker begins as strangers, snowed in, at a cabin prior to the Christmas holidays. With limited information about one another, and a missing letter that was never read, Booker and Lorelei would never know what a week together meant for one another. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Booker’s one-time friends Declan Cadel, Cole Montgomery, Jaime Dupree; Booker’s mother, and his partner George; Lorelei’s father Beau, and Booker’s client Ginny.
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS is a story of second chances; of secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships, forgiveness and love.The premise is captivating and compelling; the romance is seductive and erotic; the characters are dynamic, charismatic and determined.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Booker and Lorelei) following two time lines NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS focuses on the relationship between our story line couple. Approximately two years earlier, sports agent Booker Hayes had to make a decision about his future, a decision he would make while taking a break at his cabin during the Christmas holidays but Booker never expected to come face to face with a feisty young woman who claims she was renting the cabin for the foreseeable future. Enter pop star Lorelei Calloway, the woman with whom Booker would fall in love but all was not as it appeared to be. Neither one ‘willingly’ introduced themselves to the other, and several days spent together ended when Booker was called home to avert a potential disaster. Fast forward two and half years, at a mutual friends’ wedding Booker would come face to face with his past in the guise of Lorelei Calloway, the woman who was now the mother of his two year old daughter. Booker had never intended to ghost our story line heroine but perceived betrayal pushed Lorelei out of his life, and out of the life of the daughter he never knew. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Booker and Lorelei, and the potential fallout as Booker must come to a decision regarding his future, and a future with the family he never knew he had.
The world building follows several pathways including the original introduction and holidays spent together between our story line couple. Booker never knew Lorelei was a famous singer, a Grammy winning pop star who was betrayed by friends, a pop star who needed alone time to consider her path going forward. Booker Hayes knew betrayal first hand having lost not only a shot at professional hockey, but also the loss of several lifelong friendships. A week at the cabin would culminate with a new direction for our hero, as well.
The relationship between Lorelei and Booker begins as strangers, snowed in, at a cabin prior to the Christmas holidays. With limited information about one another, and a missing letter that was never read, Booker and Lorelei would never know what a week together meant for one another. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Booker’s one-time friends Declan Cadel, Cole Montgomery, Jaime Dupree; Booker’s mother, and his partner George; Lorelei’s father Beau, and Booker’s client Ginny.
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS is a story of second chances; of secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships, forgiveness and love.The premise is captivating and compelling; the romance is seductive and erotic; the characters are dynamic, charismatic and determined.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 6, 2024
A blizzard + a cabin + 2 strangers = a heartfelt romance
With another trip to Calamity Falls Erika Kelly delivered a wonderfully entertaining, romantic, heartfelt story which was hard to put down. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS had me hooked from the beginning with some amazing characters and a terrific storyline. This is a second chance, grumpy/sunshine romance which swept me off my feet. Told in dual POV and divided into before and after, this is the story of singer Lorelei Calloway and sports agent Booker Hayes, unexpectedly thrown together in an isolated cabin during a blizzard.
Lorelei experienced two life altering events in a short period of time, first she discovered her boyfriend and her best friend were cheating on her, and second was the betrayal by her mother. Needing to escape she rents a remote cabin near Calamity; except she ends up in the wrong cabin. Booker has a decision to make about his career, and he needs peace and quiet, alone time. His boss is putting pressure on him, and Booker is not happy, so he decides to head to his cabin. Except when he arrives, he finds he's not alone. And so, the fun begins.
Two strangers, no names, no personal details, two days stuck during a blizzard, and plenty of time on their hands. I loved the original snark Lorelei and Booker shared, the little bites at each other were amusing, however it wasn't until their banter really got going that their cool friendship began to alter. I loved watching them enjoy their time together, the deep conversations they shared, the snowball fights, and the cooking lessons. Neither are interested in a relationship, nor are they in the right headspace for one, but when strong feelings develop between them then inevitable occurs maybe there is some hope for them. Booker realizes he needs to sort out what is going on at work, leaves a note for Lorelei and leaves, a note Lorelei never finds.
Almost three years later Booker is back in Calamity for a friend's wedding he is helping to organize, but little does he realise that the person he will be helping is Lorelei, to say they were shocked and surprised when they come face to face is an understatement. Not only that, but Booker also learns he is a father. This second part of the book was really sweet and heartwarming with Booker trying to learn how to be a dad while attempting to win back Lorelei's heart. Lorelei has fears because of her past and Booker is concerned because of his work commitments, but both know they want to be together. Will they be able to have what they have always desired, happiness and a family?
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS was such a fantastic read. It had everything I love in a romance book, wonderful characters, terrific storyline, heaps of emotions, amazing banter, sizzling heat, and secondary characters I wanted as my friends. So many times I had my hand on my heart sighing, laughing out loud, and wanting to shake some sense into both Lorelei and Booker. Erika Kelly is such a fabulous storyteller, so make sure her books are on your list.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE SIGH INDUCING STARS ✨✨✨✨✨
With another trip to Calamity Falls Erika Kelly delivered a wonderfully entertaining, romantic, heartfelt story which was hard to put down. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS had me hooked from the beginning with some amazing characters and a terrific storyline. This is a second chance, grumpy/sunshine romance which swept me off my feet. Told in dual POV and divided into before and after, this is the story of singer Lorelei Calloway and sports agent Booker Hayes, unexpectedly thrown together in an isolated cabin during a blizzard.
Lorelei experienced two life altering events in a short period of time, first she discovered her boyfriend and her best friend were cheating on her, and second was the betrayal by her mother. Needing to escape she rents a remote cabin near Calamity; except she ends up in the wrong cabin. Booker has a decision to make about his career, and he needs peace and quiet, alone time. His boss is putting pressure on him, and Booker is not happy, so he decides to head to his cabin. Except when he arrives, he finds he's not alone. And so, the fun begins.
Two strangers, no names, no personal details, two days stuck during a blizzard, and plenty of time on their hands. I loved the original snark Lorelei and Booker shared, the little bites at each other were amusing, however it wasn't until their banter really got going that their cool friendship began to alter. I loved watching them enjoy their time together, the deep conversations they shared, the snowball fights, and the cooking lessons. Neither are interested in a relationship, nor are they in the right headspace for one, but when strong feelings develop between them then inevitable occurs maybe there is some hope for them. Booker realizes he needs to sort out what is going on at work, leaves a note for Lorelei and leaves, a note Lorelei never finds.
Almost three years later Booker is back in Calamity for a friend's wedding he is helping to organize, but little does he realise that the person he will be helping is Lorelei, to say they were shocked and surprised when they come face to face is an understatement. Not only that, but Booker also learns he is a father. This second part of the book was really sweet and heartwarming with Booker trying to learn how to be a dad while attempting to win back Lorelei's heart. Lorelei has fears because of her past and Booker is concerned because of his work commitments, but both know they want to be together. Will they be able to have what they have always desired, happiness and a family?
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS was such a fantastic read. It had everything I love in a romance book, wonderful characters, terrific storyline, heaps of emotions, amazing banter, sizzling heat, and secondary characters I wanted as my friends. So many times I had my hand on my heart sighing, laughing out loud, and wanting to shake some sense into both Lorelei and Booker. Erika Kelly is such a fabulous storyteller, so make sure her books are on your list.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE SIGH INDUCING STARS ✨✨✨✨✨
June 6, 2024
#HELLCAT #SLIDER. BOOKER+Lorelei=Stevie
Never In My Wildest Dreams: A Calamity Falls Small Town Romance, Renegades (Hockey), book 4 (The Renegades (Hockey)) by Erika Kelly is an emotional romance set in a unique backdrop. It's about a workaholic sports agent, Booker, who needs to consider his next life move, and a pop singer, Lorelei, hiding from the press. Both find themselves stranded together in a winter storm in Booker's cabin with no heat and one bed. Due to a miscommunication, Lorelie ended up seeking solitude in the wrong cabin when she was awakened by the body of a naked man in her bed, causing a total freak out between her and Booker, who only wants to sleep for he has to face work decisions that could change his life. Booker and Lorelie become two strangers, sharing bits and pieces of their lives that they never shared with others. They try to determine their next steps without sharing their identities or professions. They have a magnetic attraction that they decide to act on, which connects them on a soul-deep level that tears down defenses guarding their heart. Due to miscommunication, Booker leaves the cabin, knowing his next steps, and he writes a note for his Hellcat with a phone number on it. Lorelie/Hellcat never finds the note and feels abandoned and hurt by Slick's/Booker’s leaving without a goodbye. Booker is invited to one of his clients, Ginty’s wedding. Due to circumstances, the destination wedding location was changed back to the bride's best friend's home in Calamity Falls, which belongs to Lorelie Calloway, a former pop princess now a stay-at-mom of almost two years old. Booker and Lorelie are the new wedding planners for their friends, NHL player Ginty and country music star Noa, who brings Slick (Brooks) and Hellcat (Lorelie) face to face once more. Both of their lives have changed career-wise. Lorelie is no longer touring or performing but has become a full-time stay-at-home renovator of an old outdoor adventure camp with cabins she hopes to turn into a unique retreat. While there, he learns she has a daughter, his daughter. Feelings emerge emotions are stretched, and old fears and insecurities resurface that could destroy Booker and Lorelei's desire for a relationship and becoming a real family with a HEA. Decisions must be made about whether Booker or Lorelie will fight for their love and how Stevie will be affected. This series is also the backdrop of 4 close friends who were daredevils growing up when Booker had a horrific accident when freebasing off a cliff. In My Wildest Dreams, each man reacts, and how that one incident affected all their lives is played out to its conclusion. I love every story Erika Kelly has written. She is the ultimate storyteller, and the reader is drawn into the make-believe world of Calamity Falls, where one never wants to leave.
Never In My Wildest Dreams: A Calamity Falls Small Town Romance, Renegades (Hockey), book 4 (The Renegades (Hockey)) by Erika Kelly is an emotional romance set in a unique backdrop. It's about a workaholic sports agent, Booker, who needs to consider his next life move, and a pop singer, Lorelei, hiding from the press. Both find themselves stranded together in a winter storm in Booker's cabin with no heat and one bed. Due to a miscommunication, Lorelie ended up seeking solitude in the wrong cabin when she was awakened by the body of a naked man in her bed, causing a total freak out between her and Booker, who only wants to sleep for he has to face work decisions that could change his life. Booker and Lorelie become two strangers, sharing bits and pieces of their lives that they never shared with others. They try to determine their next steps without sharing their identities or professions. They have a magnetic attraction that they decide to act on, which connects them on a soul-deep level that tears down defenses guarding their heart. Due to miscommunication, Booker leaves the cabin, knowing his next steps, and he writes a note for his Hellcat with a phone number on it. Lorelie/Hellcat never finds the note and feels abandoned and hurt by Slick's/Booker’s leaving without a goodbye. Booker is invited to one of his clients, Ginty’s wedding. Due to circumstances, the destination wedding location was changed back to the bride's best friend's home in Calamity Falls, which belongs to Lorelie Calloway, a former pop princess now a stay-at-mom of almost two years old. Booker and Lorelie are the new wedding planners for their friends, NHL player Ginty and country music star Noa, who brings Slick (Brooks) and Hellcat (Lorelie) face to face once more. Both of their lives have changed career-wise. Lorelie is no longer touring or performing but has become a full-time stay-at-home renovator of an old outdoor adventure camp with cabins she hopes to turn into a unique retreat. While there, he learns she has a daughter, his daughter. Feelings emerge emotions are stretched, and old fears and insecurities resurface that could destroy Booker and Lorelei's desire for a relationship and becoming a real family with a HEA. Decisions must be made about whether Booker or Lorelie will fight for their love and how Stevie will be affected. This series is also the backdrop of 4 close friends who were daredevils growing up when Booker had a horrific accident when freebasing off a cliff. In My Wildest Dreams, each man reacts, and how that one incident affected all their lives is played out to its conclusion. I love every story Erika Kelly has written. She is the ultimate storyteller, and the reader is drawn into the make-believe world of Calamity Falls, where one never wants to leave.
June 6, 2024
Never In My Wildest Dreams: A Calamity Falls Small Town Romance, Renegades (Hockey), book 4 (The Renegades (Hockey)) by Erika Kelly is an emotional romance set in a unique backdrop. It's about a workaholic sports agent, Booker, who needs to consider his next life move, and a pop singer, Lorelei, hiding from the press. Both find themselves stranded together in a winter storm in Booker's cabin with no heat and one bed. Due to a miscommunication, Lorelie ended up seeking solitude in the wrong cabin when she was awakened by the body of a naked man in her bed, causing a total freak out between her and Booker, who only wants to sleep for he has to face work decisions that could change his life. Booker and Lorelie become two strangers, sharing bits and pieces of their lives that they never shared with others. They try to determine their next steps without sharing their identities or professions. They have a magnetic attraction that they decide to act on, which connects them on a soul-deep level that tears down defenses guarding their heart. Due to miscommunication, Booker leaves the cabin, knowing his next steps, and he writes a note for his Hellcat with a phone number on it. Lorelie/Hellcat never finds the note and feels abandoned and hurt by Slick's/Booker’s leaving without a goodbye. Booker is invited to one of his clients, Ginty’s wedding. Due to circumstances, the destination wedding location was changed back to the bride's best friend's home in Calamity Falls, which belongs to Lorelie Calloway, a former pop princess now a stay-at-mom of almost two years old. Booker and Lorelie are the new wedding planners for their friends, NHL player Ginty and country music star Noa, who brings Slick (Brooks) and Hellcat (Lorelie) face to face once more. Both of their lives have changed career-wise. Lorelie is no longer touring or performing but has become a full-time stay-at-home renovator of an old outdoor adventure camp with cabins she hopes to turn into a unique retreat. While there, he learns she has a daughter, his daughter. Feelings emerge emotions are stretched, and old fears and insecurities resurface that could destroy Booker and Lorelei's desire for a relationship and becoming a real family with a HEA. Decisions must be made about whether Booker or Lorelie will fight for their love and how Stevie will be affected. This series is also the backdrop of 4 close friends who were daredevils growing up when Booker had a horrific accident when freebasing off a cliff. In My Wildest Dreams, each man reacts, and how that one incident affected all their lives is played out to its conclusion. I love every story Erika Kelly has written. She is the ultimate storyteller, and the reader is drawn into the make-believe world of Calamity Falls, where one never wants to leave.
May 28, 2025
Lorelei Gentry, aka world renown pop singer, Lorelei Callaway, has been hiding out in the wilds of Wyoming for the past 3 months in a cabin she’s rented…or at least she thought she had. She finds out she’s in the wrong cabin when sports agent/workaholic, Booker Hayes drags himself to his winter hideaway to spend Christmas by himself for some much-needed self-reflection, especially with regards to his career.
Booker is THE perfect book boyfriend. Ok, I can say that after I’ve finished the book. Ms. Kelly’s character development with Booker will have readers swooning, wanting some of that sweet, thoughtful action aimed at them.
Unfortunately, AFTER he settles Lorelei down and relieves her of the baseball bat she’s wielding, the heat gets turned up in the cabin between the two. It has to, the couple is stuck together with no electricity as a result of the nasty winter storm that Booker just drove through.
Lorelei has isolated herself from the public after she finds out her 12-year relationship with her partner is nothing but a lie, and the lie involves her old BFF Cissy. For the past year Cissy and her scumbag ex, Landon, have been hooking up right under her nose. Lorelei is shattered by the lies and deceit from the 3 people closest to her, which also involves her mother. She claims Calamity Falls as her home now, at least until she can figure out what’s next in her life.
Booker has A LOT of baggage from his past, from finding out he was adopted, to learning that his best friends from his teenage years did not dessert him after a tragic accident cuts his NHL career short before it even gets started.
Lorelei and Booker engage in a hot and steamy no names exchanged Christmas Eve celebration. Just as Booker starts to think of extending their time with each other, he sees a text from who he thought was her ex, wanting to get back with her. Exit Booker.
Fast forward to almost 3 years later and the two come together at their best friend’s wedding. Only now, Booker finds out he has a beautiful 2-year-old daughter named Stevie. The note Booker left for Lorelei was never found by her and Booker didn’t learn of the Christmas gift he gave Lorelei until the wedding.
The warmth and angst and emotions that Erika pours into her storytelling creates a world that you feel you’re a part of. You don’t want to leave.
I could NOT put this book down. Once I started it, my nose was glued to the pages until I reached the end. This is the first book that I’ve given 5 stars to this year, it was THAT GOOD!!!
Booker is THE perfect book boyfriend. Ok, I can say that after I’ve finished the book. Ms. Kelly’s character development with Booker will have readers swooning, wanting some of that sweet, thoughtful action aimed at them.
Unfortunately, AFTER he settles Lorelei down and relieves her of the baseball bat she’s wielding, the heat gets turned up in the cabin between the two. It has to, the couple is stuck together with no electricity as a result of the nasty winter storm that Booker just drove through.
Lorelei has isolated herself from the public after she finds out her 12-year relationship with her partner is nothing but a lie, and the lie involves her old BFF Cissy. For the past year Cissy and her scumbag ex, Landon, have been hooking up right under her nose. Lorelei is shattered by the lies and deceit from the 3 people closest to her, which also involves her mother. She claims Calamity Falls as her home now, at least until she can figure out what’s next in her life.
Booker has A LOT of baggage from his past, from finding out he was adopted, to learning that his best friends from his teenage years did not dessert him after a tragic accident cuts his NHL career short before it even gets started.
Lorelei and Booker engage in a hot and steamy no names exchanged Christmas Eve celebration. Just as Booker starts to think of extending their time with each other, he sees a text from who he thought was her ex, wanting to get back with her. Exit Booker.
Fast forward to almost 3 years later and the two come together at their best friend’s wedding. Only now, Booker finds out he has a beautiful 2-year-old daughter named Stevie. The note Booker left for Lorelei was never found by her and Booker didn’t learn of the Christmas gift he gave Lorelei until the wedding.
The warmth and angst and emotions that Erika pours into her storytelling creates a world that you feel you’re a part of. You don’t want to leave.
I could NOT put this book down. Once I started it, my nose was glued to the pages until I reached the end. This is the first book that I’ve given 5 stars to this year, it was THAT GOOD!!!
June 1, 2024
Take one handsome, muscular and dominant male. Add in a sassy, beauty with a tendency to overthink everything and who chatters when she is nervous. Set them in cabin with one bed during a snowstorm and voila….you get the start of a charming love story. Goodness, Lorelei and Booker certainly put up a lot of roadblocks to trip over and delay their happily ever after. Both have erected heavy-duty guards around their hearts after the people closest to them hurt them and betrayed their trust. They don’t want to open their hearts to love, which is rather ironic since both have the biggest, warmest and most generous hearts. They go out of their way to help others, especially those they care about, but somehow don’t think they are worthy of love.
While stranded during a snowstorm, Lorelei and Booker don’t tell each other their names, even after everything gets very hot and intimate between them. Instead of actually talking about what they were feeling, or if they wanted to take things further, a misunderstanding or assumption sets off the fear of rejection and opening themselves up to more pain. It sends them both running. Fate brings them back into each other’s lives through mutual friends some two years later, though Lorelei is no longer alone. Once again their intense attraction and the love both Lorelei and Booker have tried to bury rushes back to the surface. But there is a new little heart to consider in their relationship…… their daughter’s. I have got to say, that though I loved these two characters, sometimes I just wanted to be able to shake some sense into them. Both have let their past colour their present. They are afraid to talk about their feelings, to trust each other not to break their hearts. Booker takes the biggest leap forward, making big career decisions for the sake of keeping Lorelei and his newly found daughter in his life. They both have to sort out and deal with the fears, doubts and insecurities that are burdens from their past before they can attain their happily ever after.
Little Stevie is most definitely a scene stealer. Many of the interactions between her and her father melt my heart and leave me a little teary-eyed. That sweet little girl makes it impossible for Booker resist her, to not want to be her father and treat her as a precious treasure. This book touched my heart, was impossible to put down and immediately found its place on my “keepers” list.
This fabulous book has my two thumbs up, 1,000 stars recommendation.
While stranded during a snowstorm, Lorelei and Booker don’t tell each other their names, even after everything gets very hot and intimate between them. Instead of actually talking about what they were feeling, or if they wanted to take things further, a misunderstanding or assumption sets off the fear of rejection and opening themselves up to more pain. It sends them both running. Fate brings them back into each other’s lives through mutual friends some two years later, though Lorelei is no longer alone. Once again their intense attraction and the love both Lorelei and Booker have tried to bury rushes back to the surface. But there is a new little heart to consider in their relationship…… their daughter’s. I have got to say, that though I loved these two characters, sometimes I just wanted to be able to shake some sense into them. Both have let their past colour their present. They are afraid to talk about their feelings, to trust each other not to break their hearts. Booker takes the biggest leap forward, making big career decisions for the sake of keeping Lorelei and his newly found daughter in his life. They both have to sort out and deal with the fears, doubts and insecurities that are burdens from their past before they can attain their happily ever after.
Little Stevie is most definitely a scene stealer. Many of the interactions between her and her father melt my heart and leave me a little teary-eyed. That sweet little girl makes it impossible for Booker resist her, to not want to be her father and treat her as a precious treasure. This book touched my heart, was impossible to put down and immediately found its place on my “keepers” list.
This fabulous book has my two thumbs up, 1,000 stars recommendation.
May 29, 2024
Welcome back to Calamity falls, where celebrities can act like normal people so it’s easy for them to fall in love.
I’ve first met Booker Hayes in The Deeper I Fall, can’t say he made a great impression, yet with every new book I was more and more curious about this man. When he inherited a hockey team with his childhood best friends, he chooses not to get involved and let them deal with it. Their friendship fell apart after an accident that changed the course of his future, what he didn’t know was that it changed his friend’s lives too.
I choose to start with him because I knew him first, never would have paired him with a music star.
Lorelei Caloway’s life imploded when she found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her with her best friend, couple that with the betrayal from her mother, she needs to stay away and reflect on what she’ll do next. What better place to do that than in a remote cabin in Calamity.
Little did she know that instead of going to the place she rented, she wound up in Booker's cabin. Imagine their surprise when he came there to spend a few days and found her in his bed.
To say I was pleasantly surprised by him is an understatement, at every turn his reaction made me like him more and more.
So, the book consists of two parts. The first one is the Christmas Eve they spend together, being strangers makes it easy for them to be real, even if they didn’t exchange names and real facts about what troubles them, they have a lot in common and manage to give insightful advice. Scared by the strong feelings born in such a short time, Booker left while leaving a note, hoping shell reach out to him.
Fast forward, they meet again while organizing their friend's secret wedding. Both are surprised and shocked, especially Booker, when he finds out he’s a father.
It was hard yet beautiful, because he might not have wanted a family, but he liked Lorelei enough to hope they’ll met again., so his daughter might have been a surprise, but ended up being a pleasant one.
While trying to figure out how to be a parent and convincing Lorelei that he wants her too, he finally spends enough time with his friends to mend their broken friendship. All he ever wanted was at the tip of his hands, he just needed to reach out and grab it. Which in the end he did, with a little push from his friends.
I loved Lorelei, but I feel like this was Booker's story, he needed to find his way home and heal from the aftermath his injury left on his heart.
I’ve first met Booker Hayes in The Deeper I Fall, can’t say he made a great impression, yet with every new book I was more and more curious about this man. When he inherited a hockey team with his childhood best friends, he chooses not to get involved and let them deal with it. Their friendship fell apart after an accident that changed the course of his future, what he didn’t know was that it changed his friend’s lives too.
I choose to start with him because I knew him first, never would have paired him with a music star.
Lorelei Caloway’s life imploded when she found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her with her best friend, couple that with the betrayal from her mother, she needs to stay away and reflect on what she’ll do next. What better place to do that than in a remote cabin in Calamity.
Little did she know that instead of going to the place she rented, she wound up in Booker's cabin. Imagine their surprise when he came there to spend a few days and found her in his bed.
To say I was pleasantly surprised by him is an understatement, at every turn his reaction made me like him more and more.
So, the book consists of two parts. The first one is the Christmas Eve they spend together, being strangers makes it easy for them to be real, even if they didn’t exchange names and real facts about what troubles them, they have a lot in common and manage to give insightful advice. Scared by the strong feelings born in such a short time, Booker left while leaving a note, hoping shell reach out to him.
Fast forward, they meet again while organizing their friend's secret wedding. Both are surprised and shocked, especially Booker, when he finds out he’s a father.
It was hard yet beautiful, because he might not have wanted a family, but he liked Lorelei enough to hope they’ll met again., so his daughter might have been a surprise, but ended up being a pleasant one.
While trying to figure out how to be a parent and convincing Lorelei that he wants her too, he finally spends enough time with his friends to mend their broken friendship. All he ever wanted was at the tip of his hands, he just needed to reach out and grab it. Which in the end he did, with a little push from his friends.
I loved Lorelei, but I feel like this was Booker's story, he needed to find his way home and heal from the aftermath his injury left on his heart.
June 2, 2024
What happens when a bossy, alpha male heads to his remote cabin for some alone time and finds a beautiful, sassy woman in his bed in freezing Wyoming? A beautifully written, second chance love story, that's what!
Booker Hayes has some difficult decisions to make, so after getting to his cabin in the middle of a snowstorm, all he wants is to crawl into bed, sleep and then sit by his fire and smoke his cigars in total solitude. But when he climbs into bed, it's to find another person in there. A beautiful woman, who is scared, yet brave, sassy but vulnerable, who has rented this cabin to hide away from the public, because she is Lorelei Calloway, a world famous singer. She may be world famous, but only if you listen to her music and watch TV, which Booker doesn't do, so he has no idea. As they begin to spend time together, they become closer and eventually the chemistry takes over and combusts. But after thirty six hours together, Booker does what he always does, he runs, and with no personal information shared, that was it. Over!
Two and a half years later, Booker is best man at his clients wedding, really his friend, but Booker has a hard time acknowledging that people are his friends, because of past trauma in his life. The maid of honor just so happens to be his sassy hellcat from the cabin, the woman he left behind, who has a daughter, Stevie, an almost two year old with Booker's eyes and Lorelei's sassy independent nature. The attraction is still there for Lorelei and Booker, and he knows from his own family experience that he wants to be a hands on father, so he has some serious decisions to make. But the trauma of betrayal on both sides make letting go and trusting each other incredibly difficult, and with the adorable Stevie now in the picture, the stakes are much higher.
This was such a wonderfully written story. The characters made me laugh with their witty banter, their snarky come backs and the chemistry was palpable. The previous betrayals that they had experienced shaped their version of the present and the truth and made it virtually impossible to trust. You could feel the indecision of Booker and Lorelei, the sadness and mistrust they carried and the changes they made to overcome these issues and get their HEA. I don't know if this was Booker's story or Lorelei's story, but they were both incredibly strong characters that you couldn't help but love. So grab it, get comfy and read!
Booker Hayes has some difficult decisions to make, so after getting to his cabin in the middle of a snowstorm, all he wants is to crawl into bed, sleep and then sit by his fire and smoke his cigars in total solitude. But when he climbs into bed, it's to find another person in there. A beautiful woman, who is scared, yet brave, sassy but vulnerable, who has rented this cabin to hide away from the public, because she is Lorelei Calloway, a world famous singer. She may be world famous, but only if you listen to her music and watch TV, which Booker doesn't do, so he has no idea. As they begin to spend time together, they become closer and eventually the chemistry takes over and combusts. But after thirty six hours together, Booker does what he always does, he runs, and with no personal information shared, that was it. Over!
Two and a half years later, Booker is best man at his clients wedding, really his friend, but Booker has a hard time acknowledging that people are his friends, because of past trauma in his life. The maid of honor just so happens to be his sassy hellcat from the cabin, the woman he left behind, who has a daughter, Stevie, an almost two year old with Booker's eyes and Lorelei's sassy independent nature. The attraction is still there for Lorelei and Booker, and he knows from his own family experience that he wants to be a hands on father, so he has some serious decisions to make. But the trauma of betrayal on both sides make letting go and trusting each other incredibly difficult, and with the adorable Stevie now in the picture, the stakes are much higher.
This was such a wonderfully written story. The characters made me laugh with their witty banter, their snarky come backs and the chemistry was palpable. The previous betrayals that they had experienced shaped their version of the present and the truth and made it virtually impossible to trust. You could feel the indecision of Booker and Lorelei, the sadness and mistrust they carried and the changes they made to overcome these issues and get their HEA. I don't know if this was Booker's story or Lorelei's story, but they were both incredibly strong characters that you couldn't help but love. So grab it, get comfy and read!
June 18, 2024
There is something about Calamity Falls ❤️
This is a perfect mix of sweet, swoony, spicy, emotional, and an overall good time. There just something about Calamity Falls that always brings me back. If you haven’t read any of the other books, it’s totally fine. You will know more of the characters, but you won’t be lost.
Surprise babies are hard- but somehow this author manages to make them just right. Circumstances prevented Lorelei from contacting Booker - like the fact that neither of them actually knew each other’s names - after their brief 36 hours together. Neither expected the connection the formed, or the permanent reminder she left with. And when the are unexpectedly reconnected two years later at mutual friends wedding, he learns he has a daughter.
They both have so so much baggage. But they both manage to not be horrible about it. Neither planned to have the feelings they did, they both made mistakes along the way to their HEA, but they also both acted like adults and not toddlers.
Speaking of toddlers. My only complaint is a huge one because it made me irrationally angry the more it went on. Like it made my eye twitch. She said her baby is “one year and ten months old”. First of all that was an odd way to mention it, but whatever. I think maybe she said that initially to point out it was clearly HIS kid. But the author chose to write her like she was a much older age- speaking more like a 3 -4 year old with intermittent bouts of baby talk. We are talking full on complex sentences then randomly baby babble mispronounced words but still in full sentences. One. Year. Old.
He heard the boy ask Stevie, “Where’s your daddy?” Curiosity got hold of him. He had no idea how she’d answer that. But she didn’t miss a beat. “He hasn’t found me yet.”
This is just one of many examples of this kid’s advanced language skills. Again- she’s “one year and ten months old” 🙄🙄 This is pretty advanced speech for even a precocious speaker. I had one, so I get it. Complete sentences? Come on.
Is it petty? Maybe. But it drove me batty. And I’m Petty Betty. So, there’s that.
All in all, I love this author. I love this town. I will always come back for a read that I know will hit me in all the feels (even the annoyed ones at times).
This is a perfect mix of sweet, swoony, spicy, emotional, and an overall good time. There just something about Calamity Falls that always brings me back. If you haven’t read any of the other books, it’s totally fine. You will know more of the characters, but you won’t be lost.
Surprise babies are hard- but somehow this author manages to make them just right. Circumstances prevented Lorelei from contacting Booker - like the fact that neither of them actually knew each other’s names - after their brief 36 hours together. Neither expected the connection the formed, or the permanent reminder she left with. And when the are unexpectedly reconnected two years later at mutual friends wedding, he learns he has a daughter.
They both have so so much baggage. But they both manage to not be horrible about it. Neither planned to have the feelings they did, they both made mistakes along the way to their HEA, but they also both acted like adults and not toddlers.
Speaking of toddlers. My only complaint is a huge one because it made me irrationally angry the more it went on. Like it made my eye twitch. She said her baby is “one year and ten months old”. First of all that was an odd way to mention it, but whatever. I think maybe she said that initially to point out it was clearly HIS kid. But the author chose to write her like she was a much older age- speaking more like a 3 -4 year old with intermittent bouts of baby talk. We are talking full on complex sentences then randomly baby babble mispronounced words but still in full sentences. One. Year. Old.
He heard the boy ask Stevie, “Where’s your daddy?” Curiosity got hold of him. He had no idea how she’d answer that. But she didn’t miss a beat. “He hasn’t found me yet.”
This is just one of many examples of this kid’s advanced language skills. Again- she’s “one year and ten months old” 🙄🙄 This is pretty advanced speech for even a precocious speaker. I had one, so I get it. Complete sentences? Come on.
Is it petty? Maybe. But it drove me batty. And I’m Petty Betty. So, there’s that.
All in all, I love this author. I love this town. I will always come back for a read that I know will hit me in all the feels (even the annoyed ones at times).
May 27, 2024
“She was his favorite person in the world, and he never thought he’d see her again.”
Never In My Wildest Dreams was a sweet, emotional and angsty story that’s filled with wonderful characters. I feel like I’ve been waiting for both Booker and Lorelei’s stories forever and together, they are perfection. I loved their little family.
“I’m a forever woman. When I give my heart, I go all-in.”
After being betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, Lorelei is hiding from the world and trying to heal from her wounds. When she finds a stranger in her bed during a blizzard, sparks fly and she finds herself falling fast. With Booker, she’s able to reveal her deepest fears and vulnerabilities and he helps to give her a new perspective.
“She did something to him. Made him feel soft things he’d never felt before.”
Booker shut himself from people after he suffered a tragic accident right after graduating high school. He doesn’t do friends or relationships and lives only to work and make money. Lorelei opens his heart for the first time and really makes him feel and question the way he lives his life. How will he react when he finds out that they have a daughter after their passionate encounter? Is he ready to make a change?
“If there’s one thing you have no control over, it’s falling in love. It hits you right out of nowhere.”
I loved Booker and Lorelei’s fun, flirty, and snarky banter and the chemistry between them was tangible. Without knowing anything about each other, they are able to truly open up and show themselves to each other without any past misconceptions. Both Lorelei and Booker have a lot of baggage that they have to overcome in order to make a relationship work and they both make a lot of mistakes and jump to conclusions, but all in all, both show tremendous character growth throughout the story. Watching them become a family with Stevie was absolutely heartwarming and I loved seeing friendships mended as well. Full of emotional growth, found family, passion and an all-consuming love, Never In My Wildest Dreams was a beautiful story of self-discovery and healing.
Never In My Wildest Dreams was a sweet, emotional and angsty story that’s filled with wonderful characters. I feel like I’ve been waiting for both Booker and Lorelei’s stories forever and together, they are perfection. I loved their little family.
“I’m a forever woman. When I give my heart, I go all-in.”
After being betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, Lorelei is hiding from the world and trying to heal from her wounds. When she finds a stranger in her bed during a blizzard, sparks fly and she finds herself falling fast. With Booker, she’s able to reveal her deepest fears and vulnerabilities and he helps to give her a new perspective.
“She did something to him. Made him feel soft things he’d never felt before.”
Booker shut himself from people after he suffered a tragic accident right after graduating high school. He doesn’t do friends or relationships and lives only to work and make money. Lorelei opens his heart for the first time and really makes him feel and question the way he lives his life. How will he react when he finds out that they have a daughter after their passionate encounter? Is he ready to make a change?
“If there’s one thing you have no control over, it’s falling in love. It hits you right out of nowhere.”
I loved Booker and Lorelei’s fun, flirty, and snarky banter and the chemistry between them was tangible. Without knowing anything about each other, they are able to truly open up and show themselves to each other without any past misconceptions. Both Lorelei and Booker have a lot of baggage that they have to overcome in order to make a relationship work and they both make a lot of mistakes and jump to conclusions, but all in all, both show tremendous character growth throughout the story. Watching them become a family with Stevie was absolutely heartwarming and I loved seeing friendships mended as well. Full of emotional growth, found family, passion and an all-consuming love, Never In My Wildest Dreams was a beautiful story of self-discovery and healing.
June 3, 2024
More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
I loved everything about this book, that’s where we’ll start. Lorelei was hiding from the world but she was at the wrong remote cabin, so when Booker got to his place, they were both at a loss on what to do. But the blizzard outside meant nobody could leave and the strangers were forced to share a bed. One thing led to another and Lorelei got a surprise nine months later. Those short days at the cabin took up at least a third of the book, maybe more, and really give a deep look into these characters.
They were both hurting from betrayals by those closest to them and despite being from different worlds, they clicked on every level. Their time in the cabin together was magical so it broke my heart when they parted, but fate brings them back together in due time. Nothing happened the way I expected so the twists to this story kept surprising me, which I loved. I really liked these characters from the start but by the end, I adored them.
Their story is sweet and steamy and I couldn’t put it down. The author has such a way with words, her stories come to life so vividly, like a movie in my head. Anyone who’s been reading my reviews for any length of time knows I am totally against third person POV and it really distracts me from the story in most cases. But with Erika’s words, I didn’t even notice the POV until chapter seven, maybe later. She’s just magic with her words. This book was everything I wanted and more, so I can’t recommend it enough. It actually made me cry happy tears more than once and is one of my favorite reads of 2024.
June 6, 2024
I didn’t realize how much I missed Calamity Falls until I read Never in My Wildest Dreams.
Slick & his Hellcat are something special and little Stevie is just going to melt your heart.
I was expecting Booker and Lorelei to have complex stories from the mentions of them in previous installments but never in my wildest dreams did I expect the two of them to end up together. I don't think Erika Kelly could've given us a more perfect story and ending for them as individuals and as a couple.
Two strangers stranded in a cabin during a blizzard on Christmas Eve...what could go wrong? After a heated meet cute that involved an accidental break in months earlier, a bat, no heat and lots of banter Booker and Lorelei embark on a whirlwind night of passion before he leaves without a word. He left a note she never found and little did they know he left her with a whole lot more than either of them knew.
Fast forward 2 years and they cross paths again when she's the maid of honor and him the best man in their mutual friend's wedding. To say they were shocked to see each other again is an understatement. Neither ever forgot the other but a secret threatens to tear them apart again before they even have a second chance. Little Stevie has eyes just like him the instant connection he feels with her is for a reason.
The way Erika Kelly wove this beautiful story was nothing short of perfection. My heart was so happy that Booker finally made peace with his past and got his group back together, and a family that he never thought he wanted. Booker and Lorelei had both been through so much hurt and betrayal and the fact that they leaned on one another through their healing was romance magic. If two people ever deserved an HEA it's Booker and Lorelei.
I cannot recommend this book - and the entire series enough. Erika Kelly created literary perfection with Calamity Falls and this group of friends and family.
Slick & his Hellcat are something special and little Stevie is just going to melt your heart.
I was expecting Booker and Lorelei to have complex stories from the mentions of them in previous installments but never in my wildest dreams did I expect the two of them to end up together. I don't think Erika Kelly could've given us a more perfect story and ending for them as individuals and as a couple.
Two strangers stranded in a cabin during a blizzard on Christmas Eve...what could go wrong? After a heated meet cute that involved an accidental break in months earlier, a bat, no heat and lots of banter Booker and Lorelei embark on a whirlwind night of passion before he leaves without a word. He left a note she never found and little did they know he left her with a whole lot more than either of them knew.
Fast forward 2 years and they cross paths again when she's the maid of honor and him the best man in their mutual friend's wedding. To say they were shocked to see each other again is an understatement. Neither ever forgot the other but a secret threatens to tear them apart again before they even have a second chance. Little Stevie has eyes just like him the instant connection he feels with her is for a reason.
The way Erika Kelly wove this beautiful story was nothing short of perfection. My heart was so happy that Booker finally made peace with his past and got his group back together, and a family that he never thought he wanted. Booker and Lorelei had both been through so much hurt and betrayal and the fact that they leaned on one another through their healing was romance magic. If two people ever deserved an HEA it's Booker and Lorelei.
I cannot recommend this book - and the entire series enough. Erika Kelly created literary perfection with Calamity Falls and this group of friends and family.
June 6, 2024
I can hardly believe we are on book 14 in the Calamity Falls series by Erika Kelly. Each instalment has been a romance reader's dream, and "Never In My Wildest Dreams" is no exception. From the very first page, I was transported into a world of passion, heartache, and hope—a testament to Kelly's extraordinary storytelling.
This novel introduces us to Wildcat (Lorelei) and Slick (Booker), two characters who, despite their lack of real names at first, are vividly real and deeply compelling. Stranded together in Booker’s cabin in Calamity Falls, their instant connection and undeniable chemistry pull you into a whirlwind romance. The banter between them is heartwarming, and the scene with the cheese grater is an unexpectedly delightful gem. However, both Wildcat and Slick carry the scars of past hurts, making trust a fragile thing and ending their brief but intense interlude all too soon.
Fast forward two and a half years, and we enter the second half of this enchanting journey. Fate brings Booker back to Calamity Falls, a place filled with both joyous and bittersweet memories. Reconnecting with old friends stirs up old wounds, and the story takes a profound turn when he comes face-to-face with Lorelei, the one woman he has never been able to forget with a secret about to rock his world.
This reunion isn't just a rekindling of old flames; it's a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the courage to trust again. Erika Kelly weaves a tale that transcends the typical romance narrative, offering readers a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. "Never In My Wildest Dreams" is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love and the wild, unpredictable journey it takes us on.
For fans of the Calamity Falls series and newcomers alike, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated, to laugh, to cry, and to fall in love all over again with Erika Kelly’s unforgettable characters and their extraordinary stories.
This novel introduces us to Wildcat (Lorelei) and Slick (Booker), two characters who, despite their lack of real names at first, are vividly real and deeply compelling. Stranded together in Booker’s cabin in Calamity Falls, their instant connection and undeniable chemistry pull you into a whirlwind romance. The banter between them is heartwarming, and the scene with the cheese grater is an unexpectedly delightful gem. However, both Wildcat and Slick carry the scars of past hurts, making trust a fragile thing and ending their brief but intense interlude all too soon.
Fast forward two and a half years, and we enter the second half of this enchanting journey. Fate brings Booker back to Calamity Falls, a place filled with both joyous and bittersweet memories. Reconnecting with old friends stirs up old wounds, and the story takes a profound turn when he comes face-to-face with Lorelei, the one woman he has never been able to forget with a secret about to rock his world.
This reunion isn't just a rekindling of old flames; it's a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the courage to trust again. Erika Kelly weaves a tale that transcends the typical romance narrative, offering readers a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. "Never In My Wildest Dreams" is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love and the wild, unpredictable journey it takes us on.
For fans of the Calamity Falls series and newcomers alike, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated, to laugh, to cry, and to fall in love all over again with Erika Kelly’s unforgettable characters and their extraordinary stories.
May 24, 2024
Lorelei Calloway, 26 was a famous pop star who thought she had it all until she found out the only guy she had ever been with cheated on her with her friend. So she asked her manager to rent her a cabin where she could escape from everything. When she got there it was remote and didn't have the lock on the door but she found a way in and had been there for three months. Imagine her shock when she is woken up by someone crashing in her bed.
Booker Hayes has had it with his boss and needs to get away to think. He decides to take off for the Christmas break and go to his remote cabin. Having traveled all day and now in a blizzard he's exhausted and falls into bed only to have a woman with a bat screaming at him. Booker meet Lorelei.
During the next 36 hours she finds out she's been in the wrong cabin the whole time. They talk and spend the whole time together getting to know each other but never sharing exactly who they are. When the WIFI comes back on and his job issues show up he leaves. But knowing they had been together he leaves her a note along with his phone number but never hears from her again.
Two year later his friend/client is getting married and he is the best man. Guess the shock when he shows up to the Paintbrush Ranch and finds Lorelei not only owns it but is the bride's best friend. And on top of that, she has a little girl, Stevie with his eyes.
Brooker doesn't get involved in relationships, having been burnt by his friends when he was younger. He's a workaholic who only cares about his clients and how he can help them. But now he has more to think about and figure out what he wants to do about it. "Is what you have worth fighting for?"
Will he make the right choice?
5 stars
Loved this story! Brooker and Lorelei are both broken. This story is about healing and learning to love again.
Booker Hayes has had it with his boss and needs to get away to think. He decides to take off for the Christmas break and go to his remote cabin. Having traveled all day and now in a blizzard he's exhausted and falls into bed only to have a woman with a bat screaming at him. Booker meet Lorelei.
During the next 36 hours she finds out she's been in the wrong cabin the whole time. They talk and spend the whole time together getting to know each other but never sharing exactly who they are. When the WIFI comes back on and his job issues show up he leaves. But knowing they had been together he leaves her a note along with his phone number but never hears from her again.
Two year later his friend/client is getting married and he is the best man. Guess the shock when he shows up to the Paintbrush Ranch and finds Lorelei not only owns it but is the bride's best friend. And on top of that, she has a little girl, Stevie with his eyes.
Brooker doesn't get involved in relationships, having been burnt by his friends when he was younger. He's a workaholic who only cares about his clients and how he can help them. But now he has more to think about and figure out what he wants to do about it. "Is what you have worth fighting for?"
Will he make the right choice?
5 stars
Loved this story! Brooker and Lorelei are both broken. This story is about healing and learning to love again.
May 31, 2024
🌟🌟Never In My Wildest Dreams🌟🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5
🌶 1/5
Author: Erika Kelly @erikakellyauthor
Available June 6th!
This book sucked me in from page 1! Booker worked long and hard hours to secure the best deals for his athletes. Compensations, marketing deals, promotional signs, you name it, he was there for it. Until his boss asked him to do something unethical. He has to get away to Calamity to his secret cabin and try to wrap his head around what he was going to do. George, his good friend from college, had been bugging him about about going off on their own and he was starting to see the glitz and glam attached to that. Especially since his boss "pretended" to be a father figure and it was all a rouse.
Lorelei was a famous musician that needed somewhere to hide out. Her boyfriend and best friend committed the ultimate betrayal and she needed time to heal outside of the public eye. She rents a cabin in Calamity and she knows this is where she will find her peace. Until she wakes up with a man in her bed! She is in the wrong cabin! She is squatting in Booker's cabin instead of the cabin she is paying $25k a month to stay in.
After a crazy meet, they make peace with staying with each other for the next day. Fast forward a couple years and they are actually planning the wedding of their best friends and don't even know it! There is so much that happens but I feel like if I talk about it, it ruins the magic of the book.
You NEED this book!!!!! I devoured it. The characters were fun, the world building was amazing, and the plot twists oh my goodness! Thank you @erikakellyauthor and @greyspromo for letting me part of your ARC team! And the bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5
🌶 1/5
Author: Erika Kelly @erikakellyauthor
Available June 6th!
This book sucked me in from page 1! Booker worked long and hard hours to secure the best deals for his athletes. Compensations, marketing deals, promotional signs, you name it, he was there for it. Until his boss asked him to do something unethical. He has to get away to Calamity to his secret cabin and try to wrap his head around what he was going to do. George, his good friend from college, had been bugging him about about going off on their own and he was starting to see the glitz and glam attached to that. Especially since his boss "pretended" to be a father figure and it was all a rouse.
Lorelei was a famous musician that needed somewhere to hide out. Her boyfriend and best friend committed the ultimate betrayal and she needed time to heal outside of the public eye. She rents a cabin in Calamity and she knows this is where she will find her peace. Until she wakes up with a man in her bed! She is in the wrong cabin! She is squatting in Booker's cabin instead of the cabin she is paying $25k a month to stay in.
After a crazy meet, they make peace with staying with each other for the next day. Fast forward a couple years and they are actually planning the wedding of their best friends and don't even know it! There is so much that happens but I feel like if I talk about it, it ruins the magic of the book.
You NEED this book!!!!! I devoured it. The characters were fun, the world building was amazing, and the plot twists oh my goodness! Thank you @erikakellyauthor and @greyspromo for letting me part of your ARC team! And the bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING!
June 7, 2024
5 Stars for Slick and Hellcat!
I have been waiting for Booker's story and it was everything I wanted it to be and more! I loved Booker and Lorelei ... the sassy banter between them was so realistic and it warmed my heart. I knew from the beginning that they had something special together ... too bad they didn't see it. This book made me laugh-out-loud one minute and had tears running down my cheeks the next minute. I loved that the story with Booker's childhood friends (Declan, Jaime and Colt ... the male leads in the three precious books in this series) continued and we finally find out as to how things actually went down. Then there is Stevie ... she is just so sweet ... I loved the way she talked ... two going on twenty! Calamity Falls is a place I'd love to visit and can't wait to see who will be up next in this series!
After Booker's boss gives him an ultimatum ... either get the client to sign the contract or be fired. Booker knows the contract is not good for his client, so he escapes to his cabin near Calamity Falls to think through his options. When he climbs into bed in the middle of the night, the last he expects is to find a warm body ... a female warm body. Lorelei needed a break from her life after she caught her long-time boyfriend and best friend in bed together. She gets her assistant to find her a cabin near her father in Calamity Falls, but she unknowingly goes to the wrong cabin. When a big brute of a man climbs into bed with her, she has no problem standing up to him ... her and her bat! But because of a snowstorm, Booker and Lorelei are stuck together in this cabin for a few days ... days that will change their lives forever.
I received an early copy for a honest review.
I have been waiting for Booker's story and it was everything I wanted it to be and more! I loved Booker and Lorelei ... the sassy banter between them was so realistic and it warmed my heart. I knew from the beginning that they had something special together ... too bad they didn't see it. This book made me laugh-out-loud one minute and had tears running down my cheeks the next minute. I loved that the story with Booker's childhood friends (Declan, Jaime and Colt ... the male leads in the three precious books in this series) continued and we finally find out as to how things actually went down. Then there is Stevie ... she is just so sweet ... I loved the way she talked ... two going on twenty! Calamity Falls is a place I'd love to visit and can't wait to see who will be up next in this series!
After Booker's boss gives him an ultimatum ... either get the client to sign the contract or be fired. Booker knows the contract is not good for his client, so he escapes to his cabin near Calamity Falls to think through his options. When he climbs into bed in the middle of the night, the last he expects is to find a warm body ... a female warm body. Lorelei needed a break from her life after she caught her long-time boyfriend and best friend in bed together. She gets her assistant to find her a cabin near her father in Calamity Falls, but she unknowingly goes to the wrong cabin. When a big brute of a man climbs into bed with her, she has no problem standing up to him ... her and her bat! But because of a snowstorm, Booker and Lorelei are stuck together in this cabin for a few days ... days that will change their lives forever.
I received an early copy for a honest review.
June 6, 2024
📚: Never in My Wildest Dreams by Erika Kelly
Tropes:
👉 One Night Stand
👉 Surprise Pregnancy
👉 Pop Star FMC
TWs 😟: Mentions of career ending injury, mentions of cheating
Main Takeaway 🏹: Hellcat and Slick are 🔥
Synopsis 📜: Booker is being pressured to betray his morals for a big payday at work so he takes off to his cabin to regroup and figure out his next move. When he gets there, he finds a woman squatting in his space. Lorelei is a pop princess who was betrayed by her boyfriend, best friend, and mother so she finds a remote cabin to retreat to and figure out her life but she ends up in the wrong cabin but doesn’t realize it for three months when the owner of the cabin shows up just as a blizzard takes over the area. After the shock wears off of both of them and they spend some time together, they share a steamy night together before Booker disappears on her. Fast forward 2.5 years when they cross paths again as the best man and maid of honor at their best friend's wedding. Things have changed for both of them but Booker will have to make some serious decisions and changes to his life when he realizes what he’s been missing.
Personal Thoughts 🤔: The chemistry between these two is unreal! They banter from the very beginning and their nicknames for each other were perfect and not ones that I have ever read in a romance novel before, which was so refreshing. Their only problem is their inability to trust that they feel the same for each other. They both have issues from their past that they have to work through to get to each other fully and their journey is an amazing read!
Tropes:
👉 One Night Stand
👉 Surprise Pregnancy
👉 Pop Star FMC
TWs 😟: Mentions of career ending injury, mentions of cheating
Main Takeaway 🏹: Hellcat and Slick are 🔥
Synopsis 📜: Booker is being pressured to betray his morals for a big payday at work so he takes off to his cabin to regroup and figure out his next move. When he gets there, he finds a woman squatting in his space. Lorelei is a pop princess who was betrayed by her boyfriend, best friend, and mother so she finds a remote cabin to retreat to and figure out her life but she ends up in the wrong cabin but doesn’t realize it for three months when the owner of the cabin shows up just as a blizzard takes over the area. After the shock wears off of both of them and they spend some time together, they share a steamy night together before Booker disappears on her. Fast forward 2.5 years when they cross paths again as the best man and maid of honor at their best friend's wedding. Things have changed for both of them but Booker will have to make some serious decisions and changes to his life when he realizes what he’s been missing.
Personal Thoughts 🤔: The chemistry between these two is unreal! They banter from the very beginning and their nicknames for each other were perfect and not ones that I have ever read in a romance novel before, which was so refreshing. Their only problem is their inability to trust that they feel the same for each other. They both have issues from their past that they have to work through to get to each other fully and their journey is an amazing read!
June 6, 2024
Steamy Second Chance with All the Feels
Do I love a grumpy/sunshine, second chance, secret baby romance? Yes, yes I do. Did I dive headfirst into Erika Kelly’s Never In My Wildest Dreams and live there for several days while I absorbed all the delicious conflict, steam, and swoon? Yes, yes I absolutely did. Because what starts as a forced proximity, holiday romance is so much more than Christmas trees and snow. It’s a beautiful adventure in self-discovery, fate, and the power of intention.
Kelly brings together two amazing souls in Booker and Lorelei, not just once, but twice. And both times are beautiful and poignant and filled with humor and depth, but also such perfect elements of vulnerability and chemistry that you can’t help but yearn for their HEA. In the beginning, both characters face personal demons keeping them from being who they are truly meant to be, and by the time they reunite, their individual reinventions bring even more intensity to how perfectly suited they are for each other. Of course there’s also a healthy level of angst, because no relationship is perfect, and their bumps in the road are significant. But ultimately, their love for each other is pretty epic, and their HEA a guaranteed tearjerker.
Never In My Wildest Dreams is book 4 in Kelly’s The Renegades series, but it was my first foray into her writing and will definitely not be my last. The supporting characters encountered in this novel made me crave their stories, and I am so ready for a multi-series binge to catch up on everyone’s HEA.
Do I love a grumpy/sunshine, second chance, secret baby romance? Yes, yes I do. Did I dive headfirst into Erika Kelly’s Never In My Wildest Dreams and live there for several days while I absorbed all the delicious conflict, steam, and swoon? Yes, yes I absolutely did. Because what starts as a forced proximity, holiday romance is so much more than Christmas trees and snow. It’s a beautiful adventure in self-discovery, fate, and the power of intention.
Kelly brings together two amazing souls in Booker and Lorelei, not just once, but twice. And both times are beautiful and poignant and filled with humor and depth, but also such perfect elements of vulnerability and chemistry that you can’t help but yearn for their HEA. In the beginning, both characters face personal demons keeping them from being who they are truly meant to be, and by the time they reunite, their individual reinventions bring even more intensity to how perfectly suited they are for each other. Of course there’s also a healthy level of angst, because no relationship is perfect, and their bumps in the road are significant. But ultimately, their love for each other is pretty epic, and their HEA a guaranteed tearjerker.
Never In My Wildest Dreams is book 4 in Kelly’s The Renegades series, but it was my first foray into her writing and will definitely not be my last. The supporting characters encountered in this novel made me crave their stories, and I am so ready for a multi-series binge to catch up on everyone’s HEA.
June 12, 2024
Although this is not the first book in this series, it's the first one I read and although it did stand alone pretty well, I still felt I was missing some background which I feel would have enhanced the story.
It's a journey of two halfs, Lorelie and Booker first came together when they accidentally landed up together in a cabin, with one bed and a blizzard meaning they were stuck together until the weather cleared. Both wanted to get away problems they were having in life, needing space and time to work through what had been happening. But, now forced together by circumstances, they find themselves sharing so much with each other, helping each other with sage advice but also sharing a real chemistry between which with only one bed in the cabin leads to some steamy times. What they don't do is share any personal details, no names or contact numbers.
The clock moves forward 2 years and somehow, they find themselves as best man and maid of honour at their best friends wedding. But Booker is in for a shock when he meets Lorelie's daughter who has his eyes. Lorelie and Booker walk quite an emotional road, whilst they deal with the betrayal of the past and learn to trust each other. There's a myriad of lies and secrets revealed which coupled with the inevitable bad communications at key times leads to wrong conclusions and break ups. But, you also get more than just the mending of Lorelie and Booker's hearts, you get a really warm feeling of friendships renewed and love winning the day.
It's a journey of two halfs, Lorelie and Booker first came together when they accidentally landed up together in a cabin, with one bed and a blizzard meaning they were stuck together until the weather cleared. Both wanted to get away problems they were having in life, needing space and time to work through what had been happening. But, now forced together by circumstances, they find themselves sharing so much with each other, helping each other with sage advice but also sharing a real chemistry between which with only one bed in the cabin leads to some steamy times. What they don't do is share any personal details, no names or contact numbers.
The clock moves forward 2 years and somehow, they find themselves as best man and maid of honour at their best friends wedding. But Booker is in for a shock when he meets Lorelie's daughter who has his eyes. Lorelie and Booker walk quite an emotional road, whilst they deal with the betrayal of the past and learn to trust each other. There's a myriad of lies and secrets revealed which coupled with the inevitable bad communications at key times leads to wrong conclusions and break ups. But, you also get more than just the mending of Lorelie and Booker's hearts, you get a really warm feeling of friendships renewed and love winning the day.
August 29, 2024
This book is the first book in awhile that really stole my heart. I had to stop reading at parts because I was crying so much. Lorelei and Declan meant in a very accidentally way.
After Declan was given ultimatum from his boss, whom h considered a Father Figure he decided he needed to get away and think about his career so what was a better time than to go to his cabin over the Holidays where no one could contact him.
Lorelei had just found out her whole life was a lie. Her Mother only cared that Lorelei was an extremely successful singer ( think Taylor Swift success ) and she loved that life until she found out everyone had lied to her. Her Mother had told her that her Father wanted nothing to do with her. She grew up believing her Mother only to find out not only did she lie but, had siblings she didn’t know about. And her boyfriend and best friend were sleeping together right under her nose. Lorelei was devastated. The best way to get out of the spotlight was to rent a cabin and just hide away. But, Lorelei accidentally ended up in the wrong cabin, which she didn’t know it was the wrong cabin until Deacon showed up. So maybe it was the right cabin. Sigh…..
It’s funny, it’s sad and some parts are heartbreaking. But, I loved it.
I didn’t realize this Author had a whole series surrounding the town of Calamity Falls. I’m checking those out now.
I wish the author would have had audiobooks. I’m in the car a lot so I tend to listen books while driving.
Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this book. 10 Stars if I could.
After Declan was given ultimatum from his boss, whom h considered a Father Figure he decided he needed to get away and think about his career so what was a better time than to go to his cabin over the Holidays where no one could contact him.
Lorelei had just found out her whole life was a lie. Her Mother only cared that Lorelei was an extremely successful singer ( think Taylor Swift success ) and she loved that life until she found out everyone had lied to her. Her Mother had told her that her Father wanted nothing to do with her. She grew up believing her Mother only to find out not only did she lie but, had siblings she didn’t know about. And her boyfriend and best friend were sleeping together right under her nose. Lorelei was devastated. The best way to get out of the spotlight was to rent a cabin and just hide away. But, Lorelei accidentally ended up in the wrong cabin, which she didn’t know it was the wrong cabin until Deacon showed up. So maybe it was the right cabin. Sigh…..
It’s funny, it’s sad and some parts are heartbreaking. But, I loved it.
I didn’t realize this Author had a whole series surrounding the town of Calamity Falls. I’m checking those out now.
I wish the author would have had audiobooks. I’m in the car a lot so I tend to listen books while driving.
Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this book. 10 Stars if I could.
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