The Games Gods Play is the first installment in Abigail Owen’s The Crucible Trilogy. I should have picked this book up sooner, especially since it features Greek Mythology in a fantasy world with a romantic subplot. Something I always enjoy reading because I love it when authors put their spin on Greek Mythology, and Abigail Owen has the Greek Gods choosing mortals to compete in deadly trials to determine which will be the next ruler of Olympus. If you are like me, you’ll despise the Gods for making mortals do the deadly trials for them.
Made to Order by Gwyn McNamee is a short story that definitely hooked me from the start and took less than an hour to read. It’s steamy and features two characters who are hard not to love.
Delicate Escape is the second book in Catherine Cowles’s Sparrow Falls series. I’m officially a fan of Catherine Cowles after only two books, this one and the first book, because both immediately pulled me in. Her emotionally driven storylines and irresistible characters make her writing and stories riveting.
Re-read May 2026 before watching the TV adaptation. I still love Garrett and Hannah’s story. My original review remains the same below. I will forever love Garrett and Hannah’s fake dating storyline, which will always be one of my favorite tropes, even if it’s predictable.
If I could rate this series a million stars, I would. Five stars aren’t enough for this book or the series. (I’m crying while typing up this review, that’s how much this series has meant to me.)
I was in the mood for a Baseball Romance as it’s baseball season, so I picked up Double Play, the first book in Jill Shalvis’s Pacific Heat series. Already familiar with Jill Shalvis’s writing, I knew I was going to enjoy this book because her stories are always heart-warming. Double Play immediately captured the spirit of baseball romance, putting me in the mood to attend a game this summer because it’s been a long time since I attended a baseball game. Who knows, maybe one of the baseball players will fall for a reporter, as Pace Martin did for Holly Hutchins in Double Play. =) You never know.
Check out A Book Lovin’ Mama’s Blog Challenge Update for Romanceopoly, Books Read for April 2026, Monthly Review Round-Up for April 2026, StoryGraph Wrap-Up Graphic, and Upcoming Reviews for May 2026.
Overall, an excellent read, I give it five stars. It kept me on edge, and the steamy moments between Bishop and Gage are intense. It definitely is one of my favorite books in the series, and I highly recommend it.
