Review: Tricked by my Ex by J. Sterling

TRICKED BY MY EX
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: J Sterling
Release Date:
October 1, 2023

EVE:
Seven years ago, my boyfriend broke up with me over the phone. The worst part was, I never even saw it coming. At first, I figured he’d regret it and come racing back to me, begging for my forgiveness. But when that never happened, I realized that I needed to put Tyson Hunter behind me and move on with my life.

Getting over a guy like him was easier said than done. Especially when I couldn’t seem to avoid his face. He was everywhere: on billboards, commercials, magazine covers and movie posters. I guess that’s what happens when your ex is a famous actor.

TYSON:
Dumping Eve was the worst mistake of my life and I’d do anything to take it all back. That’s why I showed up tonight, at an event that she planned, hoping for a second chance to make things right.

But how do I make up for seven years of silence?

 

I’ve never been able to move on past you, Eve.

If you’re looking for a quick but satisfying novella, look no further. Now admittedly I’m not usually a novella girly but it’s been ages since I’ve read a J Sterling book and I needed a fix. And boy am I glad I did.

This is a steamy second chance romance with plenty of feels layered in for an entirely satisfying HEA.

Eve and Tyson were college sweethearts and Eve was convinced Tyson was her endgame, until the chance of a life time for Tyson made him walk away. But neither has been able to fully move on from the other. Now Tyson is a Hollywood golden boy and Eve is a successful party planner/decorator. So what’s a man to do when he wants another chance with the woman that is just as likely to murder him when she sees him? Trick her into attending a halloween party where he dresses in an unrecognizable costume for a chance to speak with her.

This is a shorty but it still hit every spot and the HEA was so satisfying! If you’re looking for a quick read for spooky season, this is it!

Review: Hollow by Karina Halle

HOLLOW
Series: A Gothic Shade of Romance #1
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: Gothic Romance
Release Date: September 28, 2023

From the New York Times bestselling author of River of Shadows and A Ship of Bones and Teeth comes a smutty spooky dark academia gothic romance retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, where Kat Van Tassel doesn’t have to choose between Brom Bones and Ichabod Crane, and there are worse things haunting them than the Headless Horseman.

Ever since she was a child, Kat Van Tassel knew that her parents had arranged for her to marry her best friend, Brom Bones, when she became of age. That was until Brom mysteriously vanished from the secretive village of Sleepy Hollow when he was just a teenager.
Now, at nineteen, Kat is fulfilling the tradition of attending Sleepy Hollow Institute, a shadowy and prestigious school that is run by her powerful family. There she starts to fall for her new teacher, the enigmatic, smart, and much older Ichabod Crane, whose fascination with dark magic and the occult brings out a new side of Kat—in more ways than one.
Until Brom Bones suddenly appears in her class. Her childhood friend doesn’t remember what happened to him in the four years that he’s been gone, all he knows is that he’s back in Sleepy Hollow for good. The only problem is, he’s not the same man that Kat knew. Cocky and brash as a youth, this Brom is violent and prone to bouts of madness. It doesn’t help that his reappearance coincides with gruesome decapitations that are plaguing the town, with rumors swirling about a vengeful ghost called The Headless Horseman.
Determined to get to the bottom of the murders and Brom’s volatility, Crane takes Brom under his wing to study him, and they begin to grow close, just as they do with Kat. But the more that the threesome submits to their sexual desires on the path to the truth, the more dangerous Sleepy Hollow becomes.  The Headless Horseman might claim them as his next victims…if something even more terrifying doesn’t get to them first.

Hollow is a standalone book of aprox 90K words and may contain some triggering situations, even though this is NOT considered a dark romance. You can view the content warning when the book is live by using the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon. Hollow has foul language, graphic sexual situations including mmf, and is not suitable for those under 18.

AMAZON

A perfect gentleman would have told her that he’d prefer to walk, to keep space between them.
But I am not a perfect gentleman.
Truth be told, I’m not a gentleman at all.
I’m a deviant.

Being in my spooky season era, I was desperate to get my hands on this book. So it’s no surprise that I basically read it in a sitting, right? Right.

Now, this is either a book you will click with or you won’t at all. I fall into the former. Sleepy Hollow is one of my favorite spooky season movies. So a retelling where Katrina doesn’t have to chose between Brom or Ichabod? Sign me up! But keep in mind that this is a book set in the 1800s, so if you’re applying modern morals to it, it also probably won’t be your cuppa. But I digress.

This book had such a vibe. A dark and spooky vibe. I will admit that while I am a whole a$s grown woman, there are parts of this book I had to read with all the lights on and every door open with my dog by my side. What? I may be grown but I’m still a chicken, okay? But I digress again.

This story is basically a retelling of Sleepy Hollow but with a twist. Ichabod Crane is a professor at an illusive school that has some dark secrets that never leave the grounds. Katrina has just entered her first year of the school even though it’s the last place she wants to be. But after the death of her father, her mother’s wish is for her to do her duty and attend the school. And Brom? Well, that’s a plot twist and then some. Brom and Katrina are promised to each other in marriage when they are just babies. Kat has been in love with Brom for years. But after a fateful night together, he disappears and no one hears from him for years. Only for him to turn up with no memories of where he’s been and a unique connection to Ichabod. And I won’t tell you more than that.

I can definitely see why this is now split into two books, where there’s a lot of story to unpack here. Hollow read so quick because I was desperate for answers that I only seemed to get small kernels of teasing about. The mystery, the horror vibes, the spooky setting, all of it combined for a deliciously addictive read that I can’t wait to read the conclusion for. We get a small peak into the MM side here so I’m very hopeful to get more in book two because these two definitely have a ton of chemistry to be peeled back and when you add Kat to the mix it just gets better.

Review: Fall Into You by JT Geissinger

FALL INTO YOU
Series:
Morally Gray #2
Genre: 
Contemporary Romance
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Release Date: September 28, 2023

Ruthless. Arrogant. Ice cold.

Everyone warned me that the CFO of McCord Media was a nightmare to work for. I knew it going in, but I figured I could keep my head down and stay under Cole McCord’s radar.

I figured wrong.

Because a month before I started as his assistant, Mr. Ruthless and I spent one scorching hot night together in bed.

In my defense, I had no idea that the gorgeous stranger I hooked up with at my girlfriend’s birthday party would turn out to be my new boss. But company policy forbids work relationships, so it’s strictly business from now on.

If only we could stop falling into bed together.
If only he didn’t make me feel things I’ve never felt before.
If only he wasn’t keeping a secret that could destroy us both.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s note: Fall Into You is a standalone romance with dark themes and spicy bedroom scenes intended for mature readers only.
 

AMAZON 

I want to own her, body and soul. Even more than that, I want her to own me.

I live for JT Geissinger style of banter and she definitely brought her A game when she wrote Shay and Cole. You may remember Cole as the constantly murderous looking McCord brother in Liars Like Us. So obviously I was instantly enamored with him. What? I like the grumpy ones, okay? And the brood is seriously strong with this man.

Be careful what you wish for, baby. And if I ever say I love you, be afraid. Because my love isn’t soft. It isn’t pretty. It’s the monster hiding under your bed in the dark.”

Shay is sass personified. I was instantly charmed by her character. After a breakup with her douchebag ex, she’s looking to dip her toes in the meaningless sex a bit. So she and her girlfriends find themselves in a bar and Shay finds herself in the crosshairs of a handsome stranger’s glare. One thing leads to another and they have an unforgettable night.

You don’t even know my last name!”
“You don’t know mine either.”
“I could be abusive. I could be a psychopath!”
“We both know you’re not.”
“But I could be.”
“Just kiss me already. People are staring.”
“Let them fucking stare.”
“Don’t make me beg. This is embarrassing.”
His eyes glitter dangerously. His laugh is low and hard. “You’re not embarrassed in the least.”
“I was earlier. Now I’m just horny.”

After the nigh, Cole walks away but neither stop thinking about the other. But the last thing Shay expects when she starts a new job is for the grumpy boss everyone has warned her about to be the one and only Cole whose last name she only now learns is McCord.

This was a fun little romp of a read. Admittedly, I did wish for a bit more development with Cole. I wanted to peel back the layers into the dark cavern he hides beneath the expensive suits. But I feel like we only graze the surface of the man he is in the dark of night. I suppose I expected more Killian vibes all things considering, but most of it is really off the pages.

There is a big even that happens in the last 5% of the book which had me questioning how truly necessary that event was outside of being the formula that finally drives them together. I just wish we got a bit more epilogue considering all the dramatics in the end. Don’t get me wrong, it was still entertaining, but I wanted more of them together. I just loved these two so much, I couldn’t help but want more after their constant push and pull throughout the book.

If you’re looking for a deliciously steamy romance with a touch of swoon and feels with plenty of banter and two characters you will fall for instantly, look no further.


J.T. Geissinger is a #1 international and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty novels. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over ten million copies worldwide and been translated into more than twenty languages.

 

She is a three-time finalist in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.

Connect with J.T. Geissinger 

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Review: Brutal Secret by Laurelin Paige

BRUTAL BILLIONAIRE
Series:
Brutal Billionaires #2
Author: Laurelin Paige
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 27, 2023

It was supposed to be one night. Now he’s obsessed.

When my one-night-stand turns into an all-time-fail, I vow not to tell anyone about the much older hottie who walked out on me mid-deed. (On my twenty-first birthday, no less.)

Too bad I bump into my almost lover at my mother’s wedding a few months later.

That’s when I discover he’s none other than Reid Sebastian—my new step cousin and the billionaire son of my step-dad’s rival. Which means he’s my rival, too, obviously.

While I thought he was cruel before, he’s become obsessed with torturing me. And because we’re family, he’s always around.

Now we’re playing a brutal game that neither of us can possibly win.

But I have a secret—the more we play the more I want him. Even if it means we both lose everything.

Brutal Secret is a complete standalone forbidden, age-gap, forced proximity romance set in an intriguing world of billionaires, power, and scandal. While it is recommended to read Brutal Billionaire first for best reading experience, it isn’t necessary to thoroughly enjoy the story.

AMAZON

 

I need to know now, Emmalina, if any of this is going to be a problem or if you’re going to stop teasing me and let me peel you out of this skirt so I can drive these curves with my tongue.”

Well then! This was nothing what I expected and everything I didn’t know I needed.

Confession time, I am not a big fan of virgin heroines. And stop looking at me like that, ok, I’m just not. Mainly because most of the time they’re naive, sheltered, pushovers and I am not here for it. But it took all of one chapter to make a liar out of me because I absolutely loved the h3ll out of Lina. This girl is sass personified. She goes to the bar with her friend determined to finally punch her v-card and get it over it. When a sexy bartender catches her eye, opportunity awaits. But when they get to his hotel and halfway close to the deed, he realizes she’s a virgin and sends her packing. Only to learn the next time that he sees her that she’s his new step-cousin. Plot twist!

Reid Sebastian is the definition of a manwhore. Commitment issues? He’s got them. But when the man lays his eyes on Lina again, he’s obsession personified. He wants her desperately but is also determined to stay away from her considering their family feud with his father and Lina’s new step father. Reid’s reputation also precedes him. But forced proximity is also working against him and when he’s forced to be near Lina, there’s only so much fight a man can have.

This was a different vibe then I’m used to from Laurelin. It was more lighthearted, sexy and sassy. Lina is quirkiness personified and I loved how she gave as good as she got with Reid. I also love that there’s none of the typical third act breakup and no unnecessary drama. I’m seriously obsessed with this series and can’t get enough. If you’re looking for a fun and sexy read with an obsessed hero and a quirky, sassy, curvy heroine, look no further!

With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. 

When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Killing Eve or Letterkenny, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio. 

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

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Review: Love The Way You Spy by Lexi Blake

LOVE THE WAY YOU SPY
Series: 
Masters and Mercenaries: New Recruits Book 1
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date:
September 19, 2023

Tasha Taggart isn’t a spy. That’s her sisters’ job. Tasha’s support role is all about keeping them alive, playing referee when they fight amongst themselves, and soothing the toughest boss in the world. Working for the CIA isn’t as glamorous as she imagined, and she’s more than a little lonely. So when she meets a charming man in a bar the night before they start their latest op, she decides to give in to temptation. The night was perfect until she discovers she’s just slept with the target of their new investigation. Her sisters will never let her hear the end of this. Even worse, she has to explain the situation to her overprotective father, who also happens to be their boss.

Dare Nash knew exactly how his week in Sydney was going to go—attending boring conferences to represent his family’s business interests and eating hotel food alone. Until he falls under the spell of a stunning and mysterious American woman. Something in Tasha’s eyes raises his body temperature every time she looks at him. She’s captivating, and he’s committed to spending every minute he can with her on this trip, even if her two friends seem awfully intense. His father will be arriving in town soon, and he’s excited to introduce him to a woman he could imagine spending the rest of his life with.

When Dare discovers Tash isn’t who she seems, the dream turns into a nightmare. She isn’t the only one who deceived him, and now he’s in the crosshairs of adversaries way out of his league. He can’t trust her, but it might take Tasha and her family to save his life and uncover the truth.

AMAZON 

 

He was the perfect amount of nasty Dom and sweet potential boyfriend.

When I saw that there will be a spinoff with all the kids of the original characters, I may have peed myself in excitement. And I’m not particularly a lover of second generation spin offs but boy was I chomping at the bit for this one. Why? Because I never want this series to end, for one. And also because I will never tire of Ian, and daddy Ian of adult children who give him a run for his money? Sign me up.

Tasha Taggart is the eldest of Ian’s brood and I just knew her story would be good. This is a bit of a flip on the usual, where we have a kick ass female spy and the unseeing business man who she falls for. The set up was utterly delicious. Tasha wants a night off for some fun before going all in on a mission. She meets a handsome man at the bar and is all the more excited to discover that he’s a Dom. They spend one unbelievable night together and she sneaks out of his room, only to discover the next day that he’s also her new target. She may have some concerns but she’s also eager to jump at the chance to see Dare again.

Dare is just coming off a nasty divorce that was arranged by his even nastier father. To say that the man has some trust issues, is saying it mildly. But he’s also 100% golden retriever energy when he’s not a big bad Dom in the bedroom. He falls hard and fast for Tasha and he doesn’t even try to fight it. That is, until he finds out that his Tasha is not who he thought she was.

The entire gang is back, and seeing Ian in protective daddy mode is even more entertaining than in his friend mode. There are some new secondary characters introduced who I can’t wait to read more about. There are some cameos from old favorites. And all of it is wrapped up in a suspenseful and sinfully sexy romance that I devoured from beginning to end.

Review: Off The Grid by K. Bromberg

OFF THE GRID
Series:
Full Throttle #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date:
September 14, 2023

Spencer Riggs is fighting for his place, his name, in the elite sport of Formula 1.
His ultimate dream. A future determined by his past. His legacy.
He’s passionate, reckless, and unswerving in his pursuit of all things.
Including me.

Camilla Moretti was determined to never return to one thing: Formula 1.
Shadows had kept her away, but family devotion brought her back. After all, Moretti Motorsports is her legacy.
She’s dynamic, intelligent, and spectacular, and someone I can’t seem to stay away from. Nor want to.
I have an objective. A lifelong goal.
But I might throw it all away for her.


Off the Grid is a steamy, standalone romance set in the Full Throttle world. Tropes include a British hero, close proximity, secret rendezvous, Formula 1, enemies to lovers, and workplace romance.

AMAZON 

Before the end of my . . . tenure here…I’ll get you to fuck me somewhere in the paddock.”
“I’ll be your paddock pussy?” she asks, amused. “You’re pretty sure of yourself.”
“I’m a racer, Camilla. I live for the danger. I have to be sure of myself. And this? This I’m sure of.”

This was the series I didn’t realize I was waiting for and I. Am. Obsessed.

Riggs is a racing prodigy hoping to follow in his father’s legacy in Formula 1. He finally gets his chance but then a stupid bet in a bar comes back to bite him in the @ss…quite literally.

Camilla has been called back to help her father run Moretti Motors. She’s been running from the sport for the past few years and reluctant is an understatement. But her ailing father wants her to follow her own legacy and step unto the help of Moretti. Her first order of business? Their brand new Formula 1 hopeful and surprisingly the man who gave her both the most memorable and embarrassing night at a bar days ago.

When I tell you that sparks are immediate between these two, I mean they were sizzling together. The hate/lust banter was just as good as the enemies to lovers vibe. Though they’re not quite enemies since Riggs flirts with her at every step and she wants nothing to do with him…seemingly. But beneath her cool and snarky front, she knows the man makes her melt. It doesn’t take long for her to start seeing the many layers of Riggs that aren’t easily seen. He’s not just a playboy racer, he’s so much more. With more time they spend together, the more she falls for his stability, tenderhearted care, and protective nature. But Camilla is hiding a secret from her past that still haunts her.

There is a strong emotional undercurrent to this book with Camilla’s story and I absolutely loved how K Bromberg handled it. I loved how Riggs fights for her, and I loved even more when we see her fight for him right back.

This was such a satisfying start to what’s sure to be an absolutely addictive new series and I’m hooked! I loved these two and I can’t wait for the next book and couple!

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate but can’t help to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow and her mind scattered in too many different directions.

Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Kristy has sold over one and a half million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over thirty times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform, Passionflix, with the first movie (Driven) out now.

With her imagination always in overdrive, she is currently scheming, plotting, and swooning over her latest hero. You can find out more about him or chat with Kristy on any of her social media accounts. The easiest way to stay up to date on new releases and upcoming novels is to sign up for her newsletter (http://bit.ly/254MWtI) or follow her on Bookbub (http://smarturl.it/KBrombergBB)

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Text Kbromberg to 77948 to stay up to date on all things Driven movies and new releases

 

Review: Fighting The Pull by Kristen Ashley

FIGHTING THE PULL
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: River Rain #5
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: September 12, 2023

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes the new book in her River Rain Series, Fighting the Pull.

Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He’s decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He’s married to his mission, so he doesn’t have time for love.

There’s more lurking behind this decision. He hasn’t faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents’ divorce. He doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps, breaking a woman’s heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he’ll never marry.

But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She’ll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview.

Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler.

They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can’t help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder.

As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOKKOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

I think you missed the part where I don’t want the interview anymore, Mr. Wheeler.”
“Call me Mr. Wheeler one more time, baby.”
I went perfectly still.

It’s been a hot minute since I read a KA book and I’m not even sure why. She’s pure comfort read for me. Sassy heroines, protective and possessive uber alphas, family dynamics and drama, and all the steam. And this book definitely packed all of that in.

Now admittedly, in my usual way of doing things back a$$wards, I read this book first before reading the rest of the series. And while I’ll definitely be going back to rectify that, you can certainly enjoy this as a standalone. However, I can’t help but feel I did myself a disservice by not reading at least After the Climb first. It did take a me a minute to wrap my mind around all the mixed family dynamics, but Ashley does a fantastic job summarizing the main details so I never felt lost.

I really loved Hale and Elsa. Hale is your typical KA alpha. He’s a touch tortured, a splash broken, dirty talking, possessive and protective. His first impression of Elsa is not great but boy do sparks fly between them when they come face to face. Hale quickly comes to see that Elsa is not quite the vapid gossip news that he assumed she was. This is a woman with passion, drive, and clear morals.

Elsa was such a wonderful heroine. She is a driven career woman herself and doesn’t take any $hit, even from Hale. Her family is one crazy ride and watching that crazy ride out was certainly entertain and frustrating at the same time.

The romance was satisfying as always, but I do wish we got to see Hale’s dominant side a bit more. There was more alluding to it and this dirty bird just wished for more. It was still deliciously spicy, but the promise was more than the reality in parts. We do get the third act breakup, which had me wanting to punch Hale in all the painful places. And while he sees the error of his ways quickly enough, I also can’t help but wish that Elsa made him grovel a bit more for her forgiveness.

There is a bit of suspense added in with a stalker that made it that much more entertaining and I enjoyed it so much! I will definitely now be reading the rest of the series!

 

Review: The Good Girl by Nikki Sloane

THE GOOD GIRL
Genre: Erotic Romance
Series: Nashville Neighborhood #5
Author: Nikki Sloane
Release Date: August 29, 2023

What are you supposed to do when your best friend’s little sister—a classic good girl—asks you to help her go bad?

You should say no.

You shouldn’t pretend to date her so she can piss off her parents.

You definitely shouldn’t agree to take her virginity and show her all the experiences she’s been missing out on.

And you really shouldn’t keep it a secret from her brother, the one who’s your best friend and business partner.

But I don’t always make the best choices. In fact, I can be kind of a dick sometimes.

And I know if I don’t do it, someone else will . . . and I can’t have that. If anything, it means I get to be the good guy for once.

I just wasn’t prepared for how gifted this good girl would be at going bad.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOKKOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

 

I was a good girl, but sometimes, especially when I thought about him, all I wanted to be was bad.

*clapping in giddy reader*

Oh but how I’ve been waiting for Preston’s book. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever. But you know what they say about good things coming for those who wait? See what I did there? Ha! But I digress. Where was I? Ah, yes. I was in the process of telling you that this was easily my favorite book in the series to day! I fell so hard for Preston and Sydney.

Just so we’re clear,” my voice was low, “I’m the one who says when the lessons happen. I’m the teacher, and you? You’re going to be my perfect little student, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
A devious smile peeled back my lips. “Good girl.”

We met Preston first as the ex boyfriend of Cassidy and son of her new lovah, Dr Lowe in The Doctor. Yes, it’s as deliciously dirty as it sounds. Preston was the ex who I loved to hate in that book. He was immature, selfish, but with just the hint of something redeemable that you couldn’t help but grab onto. He continued to make a guest appearance in the rest of the series and you can see his character arc grow.

Sydney is the younger sister of Colin from The Frat Boy. Yes, the frat boy turned porn star. That one. So of course his sister is the good girl to her brother’s irreverent bad boy vibes. She’s the girl that tried like h*ll to please her ridiculously strict parents and ultimately gave up. SO what’s a good girl to do when she finally gets pushed too far? Find someone to teach her to be oh so bad of course. And who better than her brother’s best friend and the man her brother threatened to stay away from her? Yes, that’s also as deliciously dirty as that sounds.

Sydney and Preston agree to a secret arrangement. She will use him to teach her to be bad, and he promises her three very dirty lessons. No feelings, no dating, no complications, and most importantly no one can know.

I enjoyed this story so much that I binged on it in one sitting. I loved Preston’s character growth and redemption arc throughout this series. But man, he really shines in this book. He’s grown up and matured and he’s not the same immature boy we met in The Doctor. Sydney may be a good girl, but she’s not ingenue. This is s girl who can hold her own and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. I loved her and her quiet perseverance. I also loved the way she had Preston tied in knots. He was a goner before he even knew he was a goner.

The story was easily my favorite in the series and oh so satisfying. And that ending? Perfection. Do yourself a favor and read the series in order to really get the most out of this one. Trust me.

USA Today bestselling author Nikki Sloane landed in graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. For eight years she worked for a design firm in that extremely tall, black, and tiered building in Chicago that went through an unfortunate name change during her time there.

Now she lives in Kentucky, is married and has two sons. She is a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA© Finalist, a Passionate Plume winner, a two-time HOLT Medallion finalist, and couldn’t be any happier that people enjoy reading her sexy words.

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Review: Soul of a Witch by Harley Laroux

SOUL OF A WITCH
Series:
Soul Trilogy #3
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Harley Laroux
Release Date:
August 31, 2023

Everly

I am the servant of a merciless God. I am the daughter of Its preacher. All my life, my power has been controlled by others. They raised me to be meek and stifled my magic.

But no more.

A brutal murder led me to discover a mysterious house full of magic – and the ancient, powerful demon within. He says my power can change the world, that I can kill the evil creature I once worshipped.

But at what cost?

Callum

For two thousand years, I’ve been alone. Slaughtering fallen Gods as I searched for the witch that haunted my dreams, begging for my help.

Now that I’ve found her, I will protect her with my life. But when the fate of Earth, Heaven, and Hell hangs in the balance, not even her soul is safe from destruction.

If a choice must be made, I’ll let the world burn if it means having her as my own.

Soul of a Witch is book 3 in the Souls Trilogy . Each book within the Souls Trilogy is interconnected, following a different couple through a similar timeline in the fictional world of Abelaum.

Content Note
This book contains sexual scenes, kink/fetish content, horror elements, and drug use. Please see the book preview for complete CW.

AMAZON 

I was told not to play with dangerous things, but my mother is dead, and my father is wicked.
So I think I’ll play how I please.”

Talk about an ending with a bang. I’ve been sitting on pins and needles for this conclusion. Harley has been edging us maddeningly with the few snippets of Callum in the previous two books. But nothing prepared me for the full force of this demon!

That’s right, darling,” he whispered. “Last night I crawled for you, and tonight, I’ll crawl for you again. I’d drag myself through broken glass on my hands and knees if that’s what you wanted. No matter the pain. Regardless of the degradation. The harder it is to please you, the more I’ll try to succeed.”

First things first, this is not a standalone. You need to read this series in order for the full story arc, otherwise you will be lost. Each book is a new couple, but the story arc continues through the trilogy. This brings the epic conclusion.

Everly has been the mysterious secondary character that didn’t fit in her devious family. And while she comes off shy and almost meek, you can clearly see signs that still waters run deep with her. And boy do they! When she meets the archdemon Callum, he brings out her strength and wickedness. Nothing is more satisfying then seeing the most feared demon bow to his queen and let her command him. Well, I guess it’s almost as satisfying as when he switches into his dominant mode. But I digress.

This brought the much anticipated conclusion and I loved that it wasn’t a big bad demon to save the day but a witch and her demon, with some help of course. I devoured this in a sitting and the spice was extra spicy. I’m not usually a fan of pegging in my romance, but it really worked here. Callum is obsessed beyond reason with his witch and I was so here for it. If you’re looking for an epic, spicy paranormal romance with demons, witches, and gods, look no further! Deliciously satisfying.

Review: Fragments by Nyla K

FRAGMENTS
Series:
Alabaster Penitentiary #4
Genre: Dark, Erotic MM Romance
Author: Nyla K
Release Date:
August 15, 2023

Survival is all that matters in here.
Still, it gets tricky when evil lurks around every corner, wanting to play.
To the arsonist, everything is a game.
Warren Xavier isAlabaster Pen’s resident manipulative liar. The former pretty boy prince of Manhattan’s elite is now locked away with the rest of us. Nothing but time to sit and stew… Scheme and obsess. And I’m the unlucky soul he’s made the object of his cunning affections.
On the outside, I would never entertain the kinds of things Ren wants from me… Unfortunately, being trapped for so long in such a hellish place can wear down even the strongest of minds.
I’d be a fool to fall into his mess of lustful deviance again. After all, I’ve been burned before.
But that silver tongue is wrapped right around my heart. The next time his flames engulf me… I might let them.

Prison life can be fun when you hold the handcuff keys in your sullied hands.
My skills give me power over guards, prisoners… Pretty much everyone. I control these men without lifting a finger. Maybe bending at the waist…
But not him. Not the one I truly want.
Lex “Luthor” Deon is too perfect to be rotting in this dungeon. He’s a hacker, a genius; a shimmering diamond lodged in a dreary black pit of decay. Sweet, loyal… inexperienced.
In short, he’s way too good for me.
But I’m too stubborn and volatile to ever let him go.
I won’t allow fragments of the past ruin us. When it all comes crumbling down, Lex will have to make a choice… Risk everything, or play it safe.
Whether he likes it or not, he wants to believe me…
But sometimes even I can’t tell when I’m lying.


**Fragments is a dark MM romance set in the world of Alabaster Penitentiary. While it follows a new couple with their own HEA, it is recommended to read the rest of the series first to avoid spoilers and get the full effect of the Isle. May contain sensitive subject matter. Heed foreword and proceed with caution.**

AMAZON 

When people see you as bad, they stop expecting you to be good.

Oh how I have waited for this book. And what a book. This was one which beech. And I mean THICK. Like 700+ pages thick.

We’re already in Hell. Whether it’s wrong or not, I will keep Lex Luthor Deon here so he can burn with me forever.

As a reminder, do not read this series out of order. The timelines in each book overlap and run parallel to the previous books, unearthing revelations and plot twists that will leave your head reeling. And that’s precisely what this book did. It left me reeling. My favorite in this series remains Dash, Distorted, and boy did this one deliver some mind exploding revelations about his story. Things that left me scratching my head in his book suddenly made sense in this one. Not all of them. But a good chunk for sure.

I have to appreciate the level of plotting that Nyla has put into this series. These are not just inter connected standalones, they’re so much more. She drops a hint in one book, only to hit you over the head with a revelation about it in the next one. No small part of the story is untouched. Everything is there for a reason.

Now this one is a book that I have a feeling most people will either love…or not. I don’t see much in between. Ren is a complex character full of self loathing and obsession for the one man that he can’t have. We get a hint at his proxy kink in the previous books, but you really experience his whorish ways in this one. But you also get to understand him. To somehow fall in love with every broken piece of him too.

Lexington is impossible not to love. The poor, sweet soul who happens to be a virgin, rotting away in a prison for something he didn’t even fully understand. But as all things in Alabaster Pen, not all is at it seems. And everything you think you know, you quickly find that you didn’t have a clue.

Is this what you want, Ren?” I hiss, so close to him, the tips of our noses are almost touching. “A fucking reaction, you goddamn attention whore?? Well, here it is!”

Ren and Lex’s journey is not an easy one and at times had me wanting to chuck my kindle at a wall for these two to just get their sh*t together. Their push and pull is borderline toxic. Heck, actually it’s pretty dang toxic. The story is told in fragments (see what I did there?). You get snapshots of both Lex and Ren’s past before they land in Alabaster and also the time they spent there that brought them to the point of hate/love they have today. Admittedly, I’m not sure how a book can feel too long but yet I don’t think any page was wasted at the same time? Like I’m genuinely confused. I feel like it took me forever to read it. But when I think back, I can’t think of any page that can be removed without taking away from the story.

The ending while delivering a HEA for Ren and Lex, still leaves you with more questions than answers. So obviously I’m now ravenous for Kang’s book next.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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