The Hot Mess Library

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

New Release: Forced Proximity - Lani Lynn Vale

RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Forced Proximity

Series: Content Advisory #7

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Mafia Romance

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Other Woman Drama

Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine

Release Date: November 4, 2025

BLURB

Finnian “Apollo” Reins met Dru Noel Rossi at his lowest.

She was a bright ray of sunshine in his darkest, cloudiest night.

He had no clue that he needed her. He was just struggling to keep his head above water, going from day to day, waiting for it to be his time to go.

But then she catches his eye in the swankiest restaurant in Washington DC. She’s wearing all black and sticks out like a sore thumb among the elitists’ otherwise dressiest affairs. She may have been severely underdressed, but that didn’t stop Finnian from following her every move and becoming obsessed.

So of course, when she leaves, he follows her. And wouldn’t you know it, she goes right back to his hometown.

But that’s not the first coincidence between the otherwise complete opposites. It’s just a long line of chance encounters that force them together, time and time again, and show them what they’re missing.

She’s the sweetest thing he’s ever met, and understandably, is hesitant to get anywhere near a Truth Teller like him.
The Truth Tellers MC got their hard, terrifying reputations for a reason.

But Finnian wears her down with his charm, while showing her what it’s like to be with someone that won’t hesitate to take out the entire world as long as it makes her smile.

He has to have her in his life, and he’ll do just about anything to make that happen. A little light stalking, financial blackmail and forced proximity never hurt anybody.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228202260-forced-proximity

BOOKBUB LINK: https://www.bookbub.com/books/forced-proximity-content-advisory-book-7-by-lani-lynn-vale

PURCHASE LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/4gLihNw
UK: https://amzn.to/48GFPRC
CA: https://amzn.to/46vPM31
AU: https://amzn.to/3KrBnfG
B&N: https://bit.ly/46GhMj7
Kobo: https://bit.ly/48FtD3w
Apple Books: https://apple.co/4pNoKM5
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/mqxeKZ

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES

US: https://amzn.to/3KxHTRU
UK: https://amzn.to/3KP1SeU
CA: https://amzn.to/3INObwk
AU: https://amzn.to/3Is3ElI
B&N: https://bit.ly/3VJzP34
Kobo: https://bit.ly/46trYwC
Apple Books: https://apple.co/4gQUOdN

COMING SOON

#8 He’s A Mean One – Releasing December 9

US: https://amzn.to/4ozbCsr
UK: https://amzn.to/3LrmQkl
CA: https://amzn.to/42Vj495
AU: https://amzn.to/4oAyWWI
B&N: https://bit.ly/4qyEgMj
Kobo: https://bit.ly/49qgf3A
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3Le7Hmt
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/mV90jZ

AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

AUTHOR LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lani-Lynn-Vale/author/B00IOX7R3S

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lani-lynn-vale

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005499525196

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LaniLynnVale

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/114951082190362

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanilynnvale

Website: http://www.lanilynnvale.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lanilynnvale

Monday, November 3, 2025

Review: Forced Proximity - Lani Lynn Vale

Forced Proximity by Lani Lynn Vale
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Forced Proximity is book 7 in the Content Advisory by Lani Lynn Vale and boy is it a good one. The book focuses on Apollo and Dru, both who have their own baggage and have been through their own heartbreak, no more so than Apollo who has lost his son Tavi and who is finding it difficult to move forward, that is until he meets Dru, a woman with her plan to help her slightly psychotic sister who becomes obsessed with men, think stalking and you’re not even close!

These two come together in the most unfortunate circumstances and from there they are inseparable as they navigate their relationship, and everything thrown in between. Apollo is such a good guy, and he is a perfect fit for Dru, even with their baggage. I really liked Dru as a character too, she is the perfect fit for Apollo, both vulnerable and strong with a wicked sense of humour!

Like the rest of this series, there are some fun times, hard times, sexy times and everything in between as the two characters navigate being together whilst people and circumstances try and get in the way. This is a spicy and fun read and a great addition to the series.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

View all my reviews

Friday, October 31, 2025

Review: Killer of Mine - Alexis Grace

Killer of Mine by Alexis Grace
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Killer of Mine is book one in the Of Mine series by Alexis Grace and boy is it a great read. The story focuses on Freya, the daughter of a serial killer who is trying to keep under the radar, but of course that isn’t going to work when the FBI and its agents are actively looking for a serial killer and they believe Freya knows more than she is letting on, resulting in them arresting her then keeping her at their home. To add to the complexity of the story, it has a why choose twist with River and his team as they try and get to the truth of what Freya knows (in some pretty devious ways), whilst fighting the attraction they have for her.

Know that the story does end in a cliffhanger, but if you read the first book, it’s definitely going to leave you wanting more. This is certainly a high action book with lots of twist and turns, suspense and drama well as some romance and steamy scenes to keep you page turning.

I’m excited to see more of Freya and her men and will definitely be reading the next book in the series!

View all my reviews

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Release Blitz: Ugly Duckling - Lani Lynn Vale

RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Ugly Duckling

Series: Content Advisory #6

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Mafia Romance

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Cinnamon Roll Hero

Single Dad/Nanny

Release Date: October 7, 2025

BLURB

It wasn’t easy being considered the ugly friend.

She’s known since she was young that life wouldn’t be easy, and that she would have to work hard for everything she got. Life was tough when you had a face that only a mother could love.

For years, Sutton Sway goes through life knowing that she’s never going to have a happily ever after that she’s always dreamed of. So she settles. She marries not for love, but for companionship, choosing a man that she never should’ve looked twice at, all so she could have a family of her own.

That family never happens, and within a year, she’s divorced and right back where she started.

Just when she’s at her all-time low, thinking life couldn’t get much worse, in walks Gunner Penn.

Gunner Penn, her protector. The man that saved her from all her high school bullies and proved to her that there were good men in this world.

He was the man that she’d compared all other men to, and probably always would.

But he’s not the Gunner she remembers. He’s harder, less forgiving, and a whole lot less happy.
He hates everyone and everything and doesn’t care who he offends.

That hate and anger for the world and its occupants doesn’t seem to include her, though.
No, Gunner Penn doesn’t hate her at all.

In fact, he’s loved her since high school. She was just too traumatized by life to see it.
But she sees it now. She feels it. She lives and breathes it.

Gunner Penn lost her once. But he won’t lose her a second time.

Not if there’s breath left in his body.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219415177-ugly-duckling

BOOKBUB LINK: https://www.bookbub.com/books/ugly-duckling-content-advisory-book-6-by-lani-lynn-vale

PURCHASE LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/4lP0shp
UK: https://amzn.to/46gR1CM
CA: https://amzn.to/45IzcfZ
AU: https://amzn.to/47TSfoQ
B&N: https://bit.ly/46eAXl0
Kobo: https://bit.ly/4p1knwk
Apple Books: https://apple.co/46eB0gG
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/m08qYM

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES

COMING SOON

#7 Forced Proximity – Releasing November 4

AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

AUTHOR LINKS