Review: Forgive Me For My Sins by Angel Anders

April 12, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

FORGIVE ME FOR MY SINS
Series: In The Carolinas #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Angel Anders
Release Date: April 12, 2024

A married socialite escaping her husband.
A tormented priest running from his past.
A forbidden love that will consume them both.

Avery’s husband has been unfaithful. While trying to come to terms with her new reality, a man hidden in the shadows of her church catches her attention.

It turns out the man is the new priest everyone’s been expecting, Father Lachlan O’Connell. Only he’s nothing like what she thought he’d be. He is sin personified, and her every fantasy come to life.

They both know there’s a palpable attraction between them that they can’t act on. He’s off-limits, and she’s trying to divorce her husband. Working on the upcoming church gala together is going to be the ultimate test.

What happens when they give into temptation?

AMAZON 

I don’t think having Avery be just my friend is an option anymore. I think I’d like to keep her for myself.

Look, if you know me, you know I love a good taboo/forbidden read. And when a bookish friend releases a book that has a priest falling for his parishioner? I’m all over it.

Now have I read my fair share of this trope, without a doubt. But I did love the unique spin that Angel put on this story with both Father Lachlan and Avery. Avery is an unfulfilled trophy wife who thought she was marrying the man of her dreams, only to realize that she ignored every red flag that showed his true colors. Now she finds herself in a loveless marriage to a narcissist and to add insult to cliche injury, she finds out he’s cheating on her with his assistant.

Lachlan is a man running from his past and has found salvation in priesthood. But when he spots Avery for the first time, it shakes the very foundation of him. She becomes temptation personified and when she doesn’t shy from admitting her connection to him, she becomes his damnation.

Now the story itself could have used a little bit more polish. But with this being a debut, I didn’t dwell on this much. My one quibble is the repetitive nature of the taboo element. When I’m reading a forbidden romance, I want to feel the forbidden elements. But here, the amount of times we get reminded of Lachlan’s priesthood did begin to wear on me after a while. I also wished there was more relationship development. While the characters are well developed and multilayered, I couldn’t help but feel that their connection was more driven by sex than anything else. The spice was great, but at points of the story it also began to be more of a distraction.

For a debut novel, this was fantastic and I can’t wait to see Angel grow into her own because she definitely has a a great start to a series with this book. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the forbidden genre but want it a bit lighter, this a great book. If you’re looking for a spicy romance with a dirty talking priest, this will definitely hit the spot.

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Review: Hush Hush by Lucia Franco

December 28, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

HUSH HUSH
Author: Lucia Franco
Genre: Forbidden, Age Gap Romance
Release Date: August 14, 2019

A new, seductive forbidden romance that caters to Manhattan’s elite…

I knew the rules:

Never reveal my true identity.
Play the game, give the illusion.
Don’t get close to the clients.

The dark and glamorous lifestyle of the rich and shameless open my eyes to a lavish world of sin and wealth, and a man I can’t have.

A man I desperately want—James Riviera.

We’re treading a fine line as we live the ultimate double life until we make a startling discovery that tests both our loyalties.

I only had to follow the rules, but rules are meant to be broken.

AMAZON

Outside, on the streets, you’re a woman with no filter who can hold herself up to anyone, which I fucking love, but in bed, I think you need someone to make you forget your name. I can do that. I want to be that man for you. Between the sheets, you should be saying, ‘Yes, please, more, harder’—my fucking name and nothing else.”

I read this book in a desperate attempt to take myself out of a weeks long book slump and boy did it deliver. It delivered on everything I needed and some things that I didn’t even knew I needed.

First, I can’t believe this is my first Lucia Franco book, and it sure as hell won’t be my last, because WOW.

If you follow my review, you know I love me a sex positive FMC. I love a woman who unapologetically owns what she loves and doesn’t shame it or try to find a name or excuse for it. And I absolutely loved Aubrey. With only her grammy left as living family, Aubrey struggles to make ends meet with several jobs to get her through school. She’s focused on school and graduation and has no time for men outside of an orgasm they can offer. She lives with her wealthy best friend, who lives a luxurious life style that she shares with her friend. But little does Aubrey know how she affords those things when she says she doesn’t want to touch the trust from her family.

An exclusive escort for the rich and entitled, in a secret club who only the elusive few 1% can afford offers a solution she never knew she would entertain. But the money is too good to say no to. But then she meets a client who makes her want more. And when she learns who the client really is, everything is turned on it’s head. But by then, she’s far too deep in.

I have to admit that as much as I loved Aubrey, I disliked her relationship with Daniel. While I get why she clung to him, and she really opens up about it in the end, I also disliked it. It was especially frustrating knowing how Daniel shared why his previous relationship fell apart with her and she still made the choices she did. To be honest, the cheating in this book didn’t bother me. I knew what I was going into, and I knew this book would be deeply rooted in the gray.

I loved the forbidden romance and age gap between Aubrey and James. I loved his dominance as much as I loved her hidden fragility. When I tell you I devoured this book, I mean I devoured this book in one sitting. I couldn’t stop reading. I was immediately immersed and obsessed. And while I didn’t love some of the choices these two made, I simply loved them too much to care.

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Review: Resisting Mr Granville by Sam Mariano

November 13, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

 Resisting Mr. Gainsville
A Blurred Lines Series Standalone
Author: Sam Mariano
Genre: Taboo/Forbidden Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2022

 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…

The night I met Mr. Granville, he was slipping out of my mother’s bedroom.
She was passed out drunk and I was on my own, but that was nothing new. It wasn’t even the first time one of her boyfriends looked at me for a little too long—just the first time I felt anything like interest in return.
My mother and I had never been close, but I knew I had to pretend not to notice his hot gaze lingering on me when he was supposed to be there to see her, had to resist the temptation to lap up all the attention he offered me.
Until the one night I didn’t.
 
After they broke up, I thought I’d never see Milo Granville again.
But my less-than-impressive grade in chemistry had me striking a deal with his brilliant son: he would help me bring up my grade, and I would pretend to be his girlfriend so he could get the attention of the girl he actually liked.
Pretending to date the youngest Granville has me spending a lot of time with the Granville men, and while he loves having me around again, seeing me with his son is not something Mr. Granville enjoys.
He seems determined to remind me of the night that changed everything between us…
As if I could ever forget.
Milo is devilishly handsome and too commanding for his own good, but I have to resist the attraction raging between us.
Too bad Mr. Granville is just as intent on tempting me at every turn.
 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…”

Well…that wasn’t at all what I was expecting. And I’m not sure if I mean that in a good way.

The blurb to this book is what hooked me. A forbidden age gap romance with a man who not only happens to be your mom’s ex, but also your friend’s father? Yes, please and thank you. I have never jumped on a book more quick. Heck, I’m pretty sure I left skid marks behind in my rush to get to it. But that’s not what this book was. Now how the heck do I review this without spoiling it? I’m going to do my damn best here.

First of all, I sat on my rating for days after finishing it. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. So here we sit with a middle of the road 3 star “I liked it but I won’t think of it again” rating. So let’s digest it.

The reason I love the forbidden trope is the feeling it gives. I love the tension of the ‘we want to but we can’t. That burn. The anticipation. The pit in your stomach feel when they finally give into the inevitable. However, this book didn’t have it. And the forbidden element of the romance had nothing to do with the age gap or the father thing. But I won’t spoil that for you. All I will say, is I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It reminded me of Cradence…but also didn’t feel right…or complete. Not story complete, but romance complete.

The romance between Milo and Kennedy was inevitable. Their chemistry instant, but also a slow burn. Milo wants her the minute he lays eyes on her. The fact that her mother is a total and complete piece of sh*t leaves you with no guilt about their “forbidden” relationship. The forbidden dynamic came completely out of left field, and while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t love it either. It felt almost love triangle-y…and that’s not ultimately my jam. I felt a bit let down with the end and desperately hoping we get a book for a certain someone next. But I digress.

I think ultimately my issue is that what I thought I was getting was not what I got. I enjoyed it still, but it just didn’t fully hit the spot. Especially since I was going in with a set expectation from the blurb. Would I recommend it? Yes. It was still an enjoyable read that was a bit on the tamer side than what I’m used to from Mariano but still with a dose of an edgy grit.


Sam Mariano writes the books she wants to read. She loves edgy, twisty romantic reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable daughter… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days. Feel free to find her on Facebook or Instagram—she loves hearing from her readers!


AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292083204528925 
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_hSzL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sam__Mariano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammarianobooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7375051.Sam_Mariano
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-mariano

 
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Review: Power by Cassandra Robbins

November 4, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

POWER
Genre: Forbidden Age Gap, Contemporary Romance
Author: Cassandra Robbins
Release Date: November 4, 2022

From USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Robbins comes her most forbidden romance to date. An explosive age-gap, complete stand-alone love story about infamous attorney Jett Powers and the woman who brings him to his knees.

Jett Powers is brilliant, nasty, and forbidden.

He takes what he wants, has no regrets, and makes no excuses.

Not to mention he’s tall, dark, and irresistible.

From our first secret encounter, I’m addicted.

He’s the last man that should be making my stomach flip, and heart pound.

Unfortunately, my mind and body are not in sync.

Because Mr. Powers is not mine.

He can’t be.

He’s my mother’s fiancé.

AMAZON

Look, you’re my mom’s fiancé. I should never—”
“That’s right, Raven. I am your mother’s fiancé. Who was just inside you.”

Well then, wasn’t this just the most deliciously kinky little romp of a book.

If you’re looking for something quick, dirty, with spice oozing from every page, but yet with just enough plot thrown in, look no further. Daddy Powers is here and nasty is an understatement for the shock and awe factor this man brings. He’s dirty charisma personified. How does a character make you feel both dirty and swoony at the same time? I don’t know but I want more of it.

This is a forbidden romance with a delicious age gap. Jett Powers is a man engaged, though theirs is not a relationship based in love. More like power, ambition, and sex with zero emotion. He’s made peace with the fact that the only love of his life is his successful law career. But then his fiancé’s 18 year old daughter comes for a visit, and let’s just say that things get interesting.

The spice starts almost immediately and the story is riddled with it. Not that you’ll hear me complaining. That sh*t was hot. I think my one and only quibble is I wanted the burn of the forbidden angst. That’s my favorite part of a forbidden romance, the we want to but we can’t feels. The angsty burn. This story didn’t really have it. These two pretty much jump straight into the deep end without much thought. Not that I’m complaining. Because, again, that sh*t was hot. But you get me.

And though I felt there was more sex than plot at times, that’s not to say there wasn’t plot. There was just enough thrown in, actually. There was still great character development and the romance development was delicious. I loved watching the notorious Mr Powers fall for Raven. But my favorite part? The epic grovel at the end. MY GOD. I lived for that grovel. The man messed up big time and he wasn’t afraid to crawl for his woman. GAH. So good.

If you’re looking for a spicy forbidden romance with a delicious dirty talker and an even more delicious grovel, look no further.

Cassandra Robbins is a USA Today, Amazon Top 100, KDP All-star and International bestselling author. She threatened to write a romance novel for years. Robbins finally let the voices take over with her debut novel, The Entitled. She’s a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic driven to create obsessive, angst-filled characters who have to fight for their happily ever after. Cassandra resides in Los Angeles with her hot husband, two beautiful children, and a fluffy Samoyed, Stanley. Her family and friends are her lifeline but writing is her passion.

Connect w/Cassandra: 

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest  | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter Signup

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Review: June First by Jennifer Hartmann

May 17, 2022 by ·

JUNE FIRST
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Forbidden/Taboo
Author: Jennifer Hartmann
Release Date: May 17, 2022

Want to know what happens to a man who barely claws his way out of a tragedy, only to fall right into the arms of the one girl in the world he can never have?

Another tragedy, that’s what.

When I was six years old, my father made a choice that altered the course of my entire life.
Because of what he did, the only girl I ever loved became the only girl I couldn’t have.

In a lot of ways, I did have her…
I had her first steps, her first words, her first smile. I had her milestones, her heartbreaks, her dreams. I had her heart so woven in with mine, I didn’t know where she ended, and I began.
Only, as the years pressed on, lines became blurred—and the blurrier the line, the easier it is to cross.

They say tragedy comes in threes.
For me, that was true.
The first one changed me, the second one broke me, and the third one healed me.

But at the center of all that tragedy… there is a love story.
And at the center of that love story,
There is June.

** Forbidden/taboo relationship, please read with caution **

AMAZON 

June. My sweetest blessing and greatest sin.

June First was a riveting, poignant, and unforgettable blend of emotion and and a one in a lifetime love. It was one of the most unique stories I’ve read in a long while, and one that is likely to stay with me for quite some time.

She claimed me like the sunrise claims the morning sky with lightness and blush, promise and wonder. She claimed me like a cyclone, funneling through a quiet town, taking no prisoners.

My biggest recommendation for you is to go into this book absolutely blind. The blurb sounds vague and give you a little and nothing, but trust me, you don’t want more detail.

This is a taboo/forbidden romance, but not in the predictable way. It was unique in all of the best ways. A relationship like this would be almost impossible to pull off without making it almost cringey or have an ick factor. Yet Jennifer Hartmann did it flawlessly.

The story itself is a bit lengthy in parts, with many details and pivotal moments that span years in the life of June and Brant. It spanned their highest highs and lowest lows. At times the details felt slow paced, but I can’t think of one page that could have been removed, so there’s that.

I laughed, I sobbed, I swooned. I fell so hard for this beautiful romance. And it was beautiful. It was imperfect and painful, and gut wrenching in parts. And it was completely unforgettable. The secondary characters who stole and broke my heart. The love that bloomed in tragedy. The story that I’ll never forget.

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Review: To Burn In Brutal Rapture by Nyla K

October 16, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

TO BURN IN BRUTAL RAPTURE
Genre: Forbidden/Taboo Romance
Author: Nyla K
Release Date: October 22, 2020

From the author of PUSH comes a new epic tale of unexpected forbidden romance…

The ache of tragedy sunk deep, like the claws of a wicked monster.
To heal was to remember what my godfather told me when I was six…
Pain is a part of life. If you prepare for it, it will hurt less.
He would know, after all. Lazarus Weston is pain personified.
The scowling man with stormy eyes and tattoos covering his excessive muscles is not only my godfather, but also my dad’s business partner and best friend. A permanent fixture in our lives. Well, in Dad’s, not mine.
But when grief mixes with confusing new feelings, I’m forced to see Lazarus differently, in a way that severely complicates my world.
Because he’s too old for me. He’ll never be mine.
I’m not allowed to have him, but obsession burns a fine line between can’t and won’t.

I can’t want her…
The curse on my heart is heavy, the tale of my malediction drenched in brutal loss. Wearing ink like scars reminds me of the tomb I left behind.
I’ve been expecting pain all my life, yet I’m still unprepared, failing to see my downfall until she’s wrapped around my soul like barbed wire.
Tracien Wright. My best friend’s daughter. Part of my life strictly through association. She was never meant to be more than that.
But Traci is a trickster. A skilled predator in the most unexpected package, oblivious to her own power.
She’ll learn the hard way that not all beasts should be hunted.
I’m not what she thinks I am, having rose from a pit, only to bury myself in secrets and lies.
Deep down I’d love nothing more than to have her. But I don’t get to keep nice things.

**To Burn In Brutal Rapture is a standalone novel which contains sensitive subjects that may be triggering to some. Open-minded readers only! Please do not read or post spoilers.**

AMAZON

We’re a chemical reaction. Explosively beautiful. Dangerously exquisite.”

Clearly I have been living under a rock. How am I only reading this book now when it’s been out for almost a year? Me! ME! The reader that lives for all things taboo and forbidden. And it simply doesn’t get more deliciously forbidden than father’s best friend. This is an age gap with a bite, folks, and I was so here for it. DANG.

Every droplet of joy in this life comes at a price,” his jagged voice breaks through the silence, and the sounds of people chatting in the next room. “Happiness… It always turns to pain in the end.”

One thing I will advise is for you to go into this book absolutely blind. Seriously. I didn’t even read the full blurb let alone reviews. I first discovered Nyla with Distorted and am now just systematically making my way through her backlist because I’m obsessed. All I knew about this book was it was taboo and I needed it!

Now what can I tell you about this story? Well, almost nothing. *evil grin* It’s for your own good, trust me. But I will say, the one thing I’ve come to strongly appreciate about Nyla’s writing is that she’s not afraid to go there. This is clearly an author that writes for herself and her characters and not what she thinks is safer or would be more accepted. And I seriously love that. These characters are flawed and fucked up, my second two favorite f words. Ha! There are some twists to this story that were just UGH. To be honest, I’m still processing them and don’t know how I feel. Did I like it? No idea. I’m conflicted as fuck. But I digress.

One of the things that can be a make it or break it for me when it comes to age gap, is the heroine. I’m just not a reader that enjoys reading about sheltered ingenues. But Tracien (Trix) while young, was one of the most relatable characters. This is a girl with some deep rooted issues of her own, stemming from the loss of her beloved mother, to lusting after her father’s best friend. She’s not perfect by any means. She’s an old soul of sorts and that clearly comes across. She’s also not the typical rich girl and I loved that about her.

Lazarus was one of my favorite tortured souls. This is a man that your heart just hurts for.

But that’s all you’ll be getting from me. I will tell you that this story is fucked up. It’s downright uncomfy at times. It’s also sizzling hot and full of depth and emotion. I devoured this thick ass book in a span of two days and had a hangover from hell to follow. Did I love all parts of it. Well, there were parts that I’m still figuring out how I feel about. But what I will say, is if you like age gap/forbidden tropes, this one is simply not to be missed.

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Review: Entice by Ava Harrison

September 17, 2019 by · Leave a Comment

ENTICE
Genre: Contemporary, Forbidden Romance
Author: Ava Harrison
Release Date: September 16, 2019

Eight years ago, I gave Grayson Price a piece of my heart.

To him, I was the strange girl whose mom had just abandoned her.

To me, he was a savior, an anchor, someone who stood beside me on that beach.

The next time I saw him, I was twenty, and he was thirty-six.

He didn’t remember me.

And when he flirted…

I didn’t tell him.

By the time he found out, it was too late.

We tried to deny our desire, but our attraction was too enticing.

Eight years ago, I gave Grayson Price a piece of my heart.

Too bad he’s my dad’s best friend.

AMAZON 

 

She was an itch I needed to scratch, an addiction I needed to kick, but I needed a few more fixes before I gave her up.

The second I read the blurb to Entice, I knew this would be my first Ava Harrison book. I’m a sucker for a forbidden romance, and it just doesn’t get more forbidden than your father’s best friend.

An age-gap romance is not always an easy one to pull off, but Ava Harrison handled this effortlessly. With fifteen years between them, there’s something about the connection that River and Gray share that just makes sense. Even though River is only twenty-one, she’s definitely mature beyond her years. Having the childhood that she had with a flighty hippy mother and a teenage father that she didn’t know until she was over 12 years old guaranteed that. River struggles with plenty of abandonment issues, but she’s not some spoiled brat, even though she had all the luxuries when she came to live with her father.

Gray is her father’s best friend. Even though they had a falling out years ago, Gray and Tyler are attempting to build their friendship back. Gray is assisting Tyler with a business deal that can make or break Tyler’s life. This added element adds an additional deliciously forbidden layer to River and Gray’s connection.

This is a slow burn since Gray spends a good chunk of the story fighting his attraction to River but ultimately not being strong enough to resist the pull between them. I loved his brooding intensity, even though he had plenty of moments that I wanted to shake him for his stubbornness and cold and hot demeanor.

I really enjoyed the story, though I did feel for how slow and somewhat dragged out the relationship development was, the ending felt a bit rushed and glossed over. I would have loved for the family dynamic and some other things at the end to be further fleshed out. But as it was, it still made for one enticing read. Ha!



Ava Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.

When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.

 

Connect w/Ava:

Website: http://avaharrisonauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avaharrisonauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/avaharrison333

Instagram: http://instagram.com/AvaHarrisonAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13857011.Ava_Harrison

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2POWs37

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ava-harrison

NL Signup: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/m7k3s9

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Review: Overture by Skye Warren

February 19, 2019 by · Leave a Comment

OVERTURE
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Forbidden
Author: Skye Warren
Release Date: February 19, 2019

Forbidden fruit never tasted this sweet…

The world knows Samantha Brooks as the violin prodigy. She guards her secret truth—the desire she harbors for her guardian.

Liam North got custody of her six years ago. She’s all grown up now, but he still treats her like a child. No matter how much he wants her.

No matter how bad he aches for one taste.

Her sweet overtures break down the ex-soldier’s defenses, but there’s more at stake than her body. Every touch, every kiss, every night. The closer she gets, the more exposed his darkest secret.

She’s one step away from finding out what happened the night she lost her family. One step away from leaving him forever.

OVERTURE is the first novel in a brand new series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren.

AMAZON

It’s an exquisite torture, wrong on every level, and I never want it to end.

An underage music prodigy, her fierce protector, taboo romance, and a sweet sizzle of a slow born that’s expertly crafted made Overture one delicious page turner!

I love the sweet torture of a good slow burn, and this book definitely delivered on that front. It sets the stage for what I could already tell is going to be one epic romance. The heroine is a musical prodigy on the cusp of her eighteenth birthday and desperately in love with her legal guardian. Samantha has never been what society would consider normal. Her violin has been her closest companion and all she knows. She lives and breathes for her music. I was almost a little afraid that I’d get frustrated by her because she’s so sheltered, but there’s something so fierce about her that I just loved. Yes, she’s young. Yes, she’s inexperienced. But she’s certainly not sheltered, no matter how much Liam tries. This is a girl that lived a hard life and never truly felt the warmth of a parent’s love. She knows abandonment and pain. She also knows what she wants, and that’s Liam.

I’m the one who made the overture. He’s the one who will retreat.

Liam is everything I love in Skye’s heroes; he’s fiercely protective, broody and broken. And while he’s not related to Sam by blood, their age difference alone is reason enough to keep his hands off of her. No matter how much he yearns otherwise. There’s such a deliciously torturous back and forth dance of seduction and retreat that these two go through and I couldn’t get enough of it. Liam fights his feelings for Sam with everything he’s got. He’s a soldier first and her protector. He can’t imagine a world where he can be her lover. He’s to broken to offer her his heart. And he doesn’t want to hold her back from her potential.

If you’re looking to dip your toes in the taboo genre without totaling immersing yourself in the waters, this is the perfect book! I love a good forbidden romance, but this one is like a three on a ten scale. I wanted that taste of forbidden and that slightly uncomfortable feeling of rooting for something oh so wrong. The romance here didn’t quite feel like that. Perhaps because it WAS such a slow burn that it allows the reader to truly understand both of these characters and get comfortable with their differences. I can’t help but wish it was a touch more taboo-ish, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

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Review: Passion & Ink by @Naima_Simone

February 17, 2019 by · 2 Comments

PASSION & INKY
Series: Sweetest Taboo #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic, Taboo
Author: Naima Simone
Release Date: February 18, 2019

Blackballed from my job.

Moved back to my hometown with my tail between my legs and family issues crushing my back.

Slinging drinks in a dive bar.

Yes, the past year has been hell.

So when a man who’s temptation wrapped in golden skin and sin offers me one night of no-holds barred, dirty sex, I’m all in.

I deserve it.

But now those few unforgettable hours have me facing blackmail from my own father: He’ll pay for my mom’s medical bills, but only if I never again touch the man who has quickly become my obsession.

Because the man? My obsession?

He’s my stepbrother.

AMAZON

I want to be consumed by him until there’s nothing left but ash and the fragrance of sex, of us, left.

It’s no secret that I love a good forbidden/taboo romance but the stepbrother trope has never really been my thing. But after loving every other book by Naima Simone, I couldn’t help but give this a chance. The cover had nothing to do with that decision either (*ducks for lightning to strike*). What? It’s a hot cover. Get off mah tits, here!

So what can I tell you about this book? Naima Simone can write some hot, and I mean HOT, sex scenes. Holy mother of ovaries, people. The chemistry factor of this book is downright incendiary. Yes, the characters get together pretty much right away, but it does nothing to diminish their growing chemistry. If anything, it only stokes the fire.

Cypress is back in Chicago with her tail tucked between her legs after her dream job goes down in flames. Slinging drinks in a bar is how she’s making ends meet while she puts together her plan B. Cypress is not a longterm relationship sort of girl, but she’s not opposed to one night with a sexy stranger that seems to ignite her blood and send shivers down her spine with just a look. She’s all set never to see him again, until she finds out that the man that rocked her body is also the stepbrother that she hasn’t seen in over ten years. They have every reason to stay away from each other, but the chemistry between them proves impossible to resist.

The dynamic between the two families is a crazy one to say the least. Both Cypress and Jude have enough emotional baggage to fill up the Grand Canyon. There’s crazy stalker ex girlfriends. There’s family drama and codependent mothers. There’s also plenty of drama between the three brothers. Suffice it to say, if you don’t like crazy family drama, this book may not be for you. But me? I gobbled it right up.

I loved the connection between Jude and Cypress. They’re both very broken in their own ways, but I absolutely loved the way that they unknowingly hold the other up. There’s plenty of emotion packed into the romance, not just with Jude and Cypress, but with their family dynamic as well. And while I’d normally find the stepbrother thing to be a touch tawdry, it really worked here. Maybe because they didn’t grow up together and didn’t even recognize each other when they run into each other ten years later? Maybe because both of these characters have an incredible amount of depth and plenty of layers to really connect the reader to their romance. Whatever the case may be, I couldn’t get enough of them.

I devoured this book in practically one sitting. I loved everything about it; the drama, the emotion, the sizzling hot romance, and the splash of angst. It was deliciously addicting and I’m so hooked on this series now. I can’t wait to see what Simon’s book will bring but if it’s anything like this one, I know we’re in for one hell of a ride!

2 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: , ,

#DGRFave & Review: Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

April 21, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

BIRTHDAY GIRL
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: April 17, 2018

JORDAN

He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.

He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.

He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can’t happen.

My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.

Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one.

I am.

PIKE
I took her in, because I thought I was helping.

She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.

As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.

The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.

But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.

And her boyfriend’s father.

Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

*BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.

AMAZON

You make my heart pound so hard it hurts, Jordan. You, your mouth, and who you are, it all makes me want to touch you. It makes me not want to stop this.”

When I saw that Penelope Douglas was coming out with a surprise release, I didn’t even blink before adding the book. When I read the blurb, I think a small part of me cringed, while a bigger part of it was screaming GIMME!! See, I love a forbidden romance. But there’s something about the whole father thing that just gives me the blehs too. It takes an immensely talented author to pull off a story like this without making it torrid, pervy and cringe worthy. Luckily for me, Penelope Douglas is that rare unicorn of authors that can not only pull it off, but make you fall in love with it too.

And that’s what I am. Her boyfriend’s father. Nothing more. But deep in my heart, the small ember growing bigger and bigger every day knows that’s a lie.

Jordan is a heroine that’s impossible not to like. Mature beyond her years due to the way she grew up, this is not your typical 19 year old. With a mother that left years ago and a deadbeat trailer trash father, it’s been her and her older sister fending for themselves. With an adorable adoration of all things 80s, Jordan was easy to connect with. While her sister has no problem supporting herself and young child by being a stripper, Jordan wants more. Moving in with her boyfriend’s father rent free will allow her to save up enough to put herself on her feet and to get that more that she craves. But it also brings a whole lot more complications in the form of an interaction to her boyfriend’s young father that seems to only intensify over time.

I think what really made me connect with Jordan is how well Douglas handled this character’s development. There’s glimpses into a teenage girl; enough to make you remember her age. But at the same time, she’s not sheltered and naive. This is a woman that knows what she wants. She’s not shy and afraid to go after it. She’s solid. She’s mature beyond her years. But yet she’s still a young woman.

I simply adored the way the romance unraveled and developed between her and Pike. There was something so real and raw about it. It wasn’t torrid, even though it was forbidden. You understand their attraction. You believe in it. You yearn for it. The tantalizingly slow build makes it even better.

I know everything we’re doing is wrong, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to anyone, but right here—right now—I don’t want to be anywhere else. I wish I could die as happy as I am right now.

Pike is a man that was forced to grow up fast when he became a father at 19. Giving up on his dreams to support his new son was not something he ever gave a second thought about. This is clearly a man that wants a relationship with his son but due to circumstances, it’s a struggle. I don’t want to give too much away about the dynamics, but trust me when I tell you that you will understand. You’ll even root for him.

The romance and age difference is handled with tact and done incredibly well. The situation with the boyfriend is as well. There was simply nothing about this book that I didn’t love. This was clearly a book the author wanted to write and was meant to, and it came across vividly clear in the writing. I fell so hard for this story and these characters.

Birthday Girl is a story of forbidden romance, yes. But it’s so much more than that, too. It’s a story of strength and forgiveness. Of making mistakes and learning how to write them. It was raw, and sexy, and unique. I loved every single page of it and cannot recommend it enough.

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