Monthly Archives: February 2026
Audio Review: Safe Haven by Kristen Proby
Safe Haven
Kristen Proby
Triple Creek Ranch Series, Book 1
281 pages, Kindle Edition
February 17, 2026 by Montlake
Narrated by:
Connor Crais
Savannah Peachwood
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an emotional romance where two best friends reunite at Triple Creek Ranch, proving that home is where love finds its way.
Fifteen years ago, my best friend found salvation at the Triple Creek Ranch, transforming from an angry foster kid into a hockey legend. Now, with his adoptive father’s death forcing him home, Ryker’s trading his hockey stick for ranch life—and I’m not sure my heart can handle having him this close again.
I’ve spent the past decade raising my troubled nephew alone while building my career as an audiobook narrator. When my boy needs a fresh start, Ryker offers us sanctuary at the ranch. But living under the same roof with the man who’s always owned my heart ignites feelings I’ve tried hard to bury.
Between helping manage a struggling ranch, watching my nephew find his way, and dealing with the shadows of Ryker’s fame, we discover our connection is stronger than ever. But when threats from his past surface, we’ll have to decide if our second chance is worth fighting for.
5 Stars
Safe Haven is a small town, friends to lovers, make you swoon over and over again. Willow and Ryker are pure perfection.
Willow is absolutely amazing. She is an audiobook narrator. What an amazing job! She is the guardian of a teenage boy, who has been through quite a bit and she gives him her heart 100%. She’s genuinely sweet, caring and very relatable in so many aspects. Her chosen family means the world to her. Extremely loyal and would do anything in the world for those she loves.
Ryker, the hockey star. Spending 15 years on the ice was absolutely amazing for him but his mind and body say it’s time to put up the skates. Ryker has had a tough life. When two people were willing to take a chance on him. He found a family. He never thought he would have. He may come across brash and intimidating, but he truly is one of a kind. He’s understanding and caring. He’s giving and willing to teach and understands when comfort and caring are needed. He’s like the perfect man.
I absolutely adored Safe Haven. Willow and Ryker met when they were teenagers. And over the years developed a deep bond that’s hard to explain. Watching their relationship going from friends to lovers was beautiful. This one definitely checks off all the boxes.
This was a very emotional rate for me hearing I had to grab the tissues almost from the beginning. Aiden is also a very big part of the story. To see Aidan ‘s growth while Ryker and Willow are evolving their relationship to something more makes the story hit the heart even more. Kristen Proby delivers another winner with Safe Haven.
I had the pleasure of listening to this story as an audiobook. Narrators Savannah Peachwood and Connor Crais truly made the story come alive. Delivering every emotion expertly and pulling you into the story so deeply.
Review: Accidental Runaway Groom by Carrie Ann Ryan
Accidental Runaway Groom
Carrie Ann Ryan
Clover Lake Series, Book 2
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 9, 2026
I picked up a groom on the side of the road on the way to a wedding.
One problem: I wasn’t the bride.
And he didn’t mean to run away.
Sometimes things happen for a reason and six months later, I’m back in Clover Lake and Sharp McBride is single, not-so-heartbroken, and my new best friend.
Only neither one of us wants to be just friends.
I don’t know where his heart belongs, and I don’t want to be the person to break what’s left. Yet I’m only in town for a short time and I’m not sure I’m made for small time life.
And if we’re not careful, this time I might have to be the one who runs away.
**Accidental Runaway Groom is a next generation, grump rancher, friends to lovers, not-what-you-think romance set in the Montgomery World & Clover Lake series featuring Jamie Montgomery & Sharp McBride. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**
4 Stars
Accidental Runaway Groom is a sweet and fun Novella in Varrie Ann Ryan’s Clover Lake Series.
Sharp is a man trying to do the right thing. But when he wakes up on the day of his wedding in an old truck in a field, and not his home, the math is not mathing. When a Kind stranger picks him up on the side of the road and drives him to the church where his wedding is taking place, little did Sharpe know the moment he walked into that church his life was truly changing.
Jamie is just driving along on her way to a wedding when a man is standing there on the side of the road. Being the kind person she is she stops to make sure he’s OK and ends up giving him a ride to his own wedding. She follows him into the church and let’s just say it was more of a spectacle than a wedding. From that day, Jamie and Sharp began texting and became friends. Six months later, Jamie’s back in Clover Lake for a little bit of time, but she does know the person she made friends with as a person she would like more with but will not be a part of breaking anymore of his heart that is left.
Carrie Ann Ryan does it once again with Accidental Runaway Groom. A novella that can deliver the same level of emotion that a full-fledged novel does. We get heat, heart and family. As a long time reader, it’s very much a treat to be getting the next generation of Montgomery’s. Sharp and Jamie complement one another beautifully. A story that shows sometimes blessings are hidden as something else to surprise you with at a later date.
Review: Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James
Of Ink and Alchemy
Sloane St. James
Black Rabbit Series, Book 1
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
All’s fair in love and war at a tattoo parlor―until a stalker enters the picture―in this deliciously dark romance from the author of the Lakes Hockey series.
Even before her father’s death, Kelly Everhart always knew Logan Teller was someone she could rely on. Now he’s taken over the Black Rabbit tattoo shop and brought her along with him. And while Kelly still finds her former crush and current mentor hot as hell, they’re firmly in the friendzone. Or so she thinks . . .
Logan’s been biding his time, but he’s no longer leaving anything to chance―not since Kelly started getting serious with her boring boyfriend. And as Logan manipulates the situation and sabotages the couple every chance he gets, Kelly starts to notice all the ways her Jason doesn’t quite measure up to the man who’s always been such a huge part of her life.
When her relationship with Logan suddenly goes from playful and platonic to strictly sinful, Kelly can’t stop herself from falling head over heels. But just as things are heating up between them, she starts receiving anonymous messages with information only a few―including Logan―could possibly know about her. Can she trust him after all?
Of Ink and Alchemy is a dark romance with a morally gray MMC and mature content featuring explicit scenes.
4.5 Stars
Kelly Everhart is living in and trying to break out of the shadow that is her namesake. Being the daughter of a major influential tattooist, her name alone, gives her big shoes to fill and exceed. With her father ‘s passing Kelly deals with major loss while putting everything of herself into her art. Logan, her father ‘s protégé, now her mentor and her best friend is a constant in her life. Yes she has crushed on him and is attracted to him, but everything is strictly in that friend zone. Or is it?
Logan Teller is an amazing tattooist and current owner of black rabbit tattoos. Logan yes oh my God I need a fan myself hot. Description of his face and those glasses my goodness ladies. Logan is obsessive and possessive and morally gray. Logan always knew that Kelly was the one for him and he decided to buy his time patiently waiting for the girl that he deemed his. My goodness does this man have the most delicious dirty mouth on him. Promising Kelly’s father that he would care for her when he was no longer here was an easy one to make, but waiting for her to choose him makes him do a few questionable things. All in the name of love right.
Of Ink and Alchemy was a sinfully delicious read. Level five on the spice, with that dark and slightly forbidden edge and some well written suspense, makes this story unbelievably good. Chefs kiss all the way. Logan and Kelly worked so well together. They’ve known each other for years and have a friendship that is bonded deep. There is one Smexy scene that is so emotionally fueled. I can’t even begin to describe how good it was.
Feelings boiled with hatred, combined with chemistry that is about to explode. Yes, that one was really hot. This is my first time reading anything from Sloane St. James and will definitely not be my last. Her writing style is amazing, and she was able to paint this beautiful vivid story with words.
As always, please check the trigger warnings as this does contain darker content. Your mental health comes first and please only read what is comfortable for you.
Coffee Books Life 