Review: My Dinner with Hayden: A Heated Rivalry Short Story

Details the first "official" meeting between Ilya and Hayden (Shane's best friend and teammate) after Hayden knows they are a couple. As expected there is friction and they need to learn to stop being immature and learn to get along.

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Review: Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Opens in 2016 with Shane and Ilya firmly in some type of (secret) relationship where their (real) feelings are still being decided/debated/denied.  I liked that it then goes back in time to when they first meet (Dec 2008) as 18 year olds.  We learn about their secret hook-ups throughout the years as they figure things out.  

This takes place both before, during, and after the first book (Scott and Kip).  It takes the events of the first book with Scott coming out for Shane and Ilya to have their come to Jesus moment and realize a relationship IS possible.  And for Shane to fully accept himself instead of being ashamed/feeling like he is wrong.  

I liked that this showed a different way.  While Scott's was coming out to his team and later the whole world, Shane and Ilya are doing it differently (out to Shane's team and family, close friends only).  The ending is both (IMO) a HFN and HEA.  

I look forward to bingeing the HBO series.  

AND in another note:  here is information to register concern related to the Paramount/Skydance merger with Warner Bros Discovery:

Template Letter:

Dear FTC Commissioners and DOJ Antitrust Division Officials,

I am writing as a concerned citizen and advocate for women’s rights and media diversity to urge you to block the Ellison-Paramount-Warner merger. This merger would create a dangerous monopoly in streaming and content creation, giving Paramount unprecedented control over pricing, distribution, and programming. Consumers will face higher costs and fewer choices, while diverse storytelling risks being sidelined for profit-driven, homogenized content. Additionally, it threatens thousands of jobs, disproportionately affecting women in the industry, and undermines progressive voices on issues like gender equity and reproductive rights.

Compounding these harms is President Trump’s public interference, demanding changes to CNN ahead of the 2026 midterms — a clear abuse of power that endangers press freedom and independent journalism vital to democracy. Under antitrust laws, this deal risks substantially lessening competition and must be thoroughly investigated and blocked to protect consumers, creators, and our free press. Thank you for enforcing these critical safeguards.

 [add in name/address]

How to Submit:

FTC: Use their online antitrust complaint intake form at www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/antitrust-complaint-intake or submit comments on proposed mergers via www.ftc.gov/enforcement/submit-merger-antitrust-comment.

DOJ Antitrust Division: Email antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov or use their Citizen Complaint Center at https://www.justice.gov/atr/citizen-complaint-center.

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Review: An Unconditional Freedom

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We first met Daniel in the first 2 books and this is his story.  Daniel was born free and grew up with Elle (book 1). He was later kidnapped and sold into slavery before he was freed by one of the protagonists of the previous books.  Now his goal is vengeance.

Janeta is the daughter of a plantation owner and slave (even though her father married her mother).  She was told she was "better then" and "different" from the slaves.  She was used to having the best and being waited on.  When the man she was in love with wanted her to help the South, she agreed.  She joined the Loyal League with plans to give information to Henry so he could join the Sons of the Confederacy.

I liked Daniel right off the bat, but Janeta took longer to like.  She was so spoiled and naive.  However, she was always learning and recalibrating her positions.  Both were able to lean on each other.  This was a harder book to read when comparing to events of today (ICE raids, dismantling of any DEI, slavery education in the National Parks, the list goes on and on).  

This whole series has been wonderful!

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Review: Valentine's Slay

Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma had been Noah's crush since high school. Noah now works as an undertaker, so imagine his surprise when he hears "help" coming from Emma's freshly dug grave. It turns out someone might have tried to murder her.
Fun, short read. I liked them together. Good to have an epilogue considering the length.

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Review: Death to Valentine's Day

Death to Valentine's Day by Catherine Cowles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maia broke up with her childhood boyfriend a year ago. She's been in a funk for a year (after realizing she wasted so much time). Her friends talk her into going to an 'I hate Valentine's Day" party. Decker has been in love with Maia since they were kids. A complication? Her ex is his younger brother (who also happens to be a cheating, self-important asshole).
I liked the alternating points of view. The romance worked since they knew each other well. The murder "mystery" is a bit of an afterthought and did not add to the story. It felt unnecessary.

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Review: A Play for Love

A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rory meet Oliver briefly during a Romeo and Juliet scene for her college theater mid-term.  They had chemistry, but then didn't see each other again.  Fast forward 5 years.  Oliver is playing Cupid for rent money.  Rory is on a horrible "date."  He rescues her and they opt to spend the day together.  Turns out they had crushes on each other in college but both were too intimidated to do anything about it.  The big problem is Rory is leaving NYC in the morning to move back home.

They opt to do the long distance thing over the next couple of months.  And then a surprise at Rory's niece's play.  Nice!

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Review: Second Act Romance

Second Act Romance by Julie Soto
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Bex has one of the leads in "Oklahoma."  When food poisoning strikes and takes out a lot of the cast, Colby steps in.  He and Bex were previously leads with each other and had good chemistry.  Until Bex got sick and they had a miscommunication (because of course).

Now years later they are leads together again.  A lot of technical jargon.  Had a hard time getting into this story and I wasn't that crazy about the romance (there really wasn't any IMO).  

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