Running From Forever by Ashley Wilcox

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis:

My Review

Well damn damn damn and double damn. I think books need to come with a warning for people like me. Warning: This book has insta-love. Before I go into more detail, let me preface by saying that my 3 star rating here is not a bad thing. This was neither a hit or a miss for me, it fell into that weird limbo of an “OK” read. I feel like these are the type of reviews that are the hardest for me to write since I didn’t feel strongly about a book one way or another, neither loved nor hated it.



What worked for me


The writing. I truly enjoyed the author’s “voice” and writing style. This was my first book by Ashley Wilcox, and I will gladly read her future ones.

Merrick Tattooed bartender that happens to be a dirt bike racer? Hell to the yes, sign me up for that. I’m really looking forward to his book.

The twist in the middle of the book
Holy drama batman! I did NOT see that coming.

What didn’t work for me

Kayla. It started off so good. When Kayla admits to a history of being a slut and a party girl, I thought, “FINALLY! A book that doesn’t have an almost 30yr old virgin. Thank you Jebus!”
But then…she took a turn for the worse. Kayla moves to NY and leaves behind her boyfriend of 3.5 years to pursue a career and in search of something more for her life. She starts a new job…but then turns into a blushing slobbering fool over a man she JUST met in an elevator. All of a sudden, her new-found independence and job come second. And she becomes all about the sexy and mysterious Miles, who she pretty much knows barely anything about.

The insta-love
Let me summarize this.
Day 1: She meets Miles in an elevator. Looks and breathy hello’s are exchanged. Lust is in the air…
Day 2: Some more conversation and drinks at a bar. Miles pretty much puts her on the spot in front of her boss to let her know that they’re dating. Ummm…
Day 3: A date? I think it was a date?
Day 4: Sexy times ensue after their gala date
Day 5: Love is in the air

The multiple POVs
The book had 3 POVs, Kayla, Merrick, and Miles. Typically, this would really work for me. Unfortunately, in this case, I developed more of a liking for Merrick. For me, this was because we get zero background on Miles until the very end. At least, I think that was why.

Kayla and Miles
I never really felt a connection with them. For me, this was probably the speed at which everything happened. I found the relationship development really lacking. This is the biggest reason I struggle with insta-love in books.
I felt more of a connection between Merrick and Kayla.

This book was a quick and mostly enjoyable read. I read it in one sitting. While it was not a 5 star book for me, that’s not really a reflection of the writing. It truly had potential. But unfortunately, I always struggle with insta-love and it barely turns out to be a good experience for me. I think many would still enjoy this book, so don’t let my personal bias turn you off from reading it.

I am really looking forward to Merrick’s book next. The sneak peek we get of his story at the end of this one definitely has be intrigued.

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Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis:

My Review

Let me start out by saying I am not usually a reader of “sweet” romances. I like my romances with a kick, preferably a dirty one. But every now and then, a girl needs some sweet, and I got the perfect dose of it with this book.

I went into this with zero expectations, having never read a book by Jessica Lemmon before. After finishing, I can definitely say I will not hesitate in picking up any of her future books. I fell in like with this book. No, it wasn’t quite ‘sing the book’s praises from the rooftop’ love, but I liked it a whole hell of a lot.

So you read the book blurb, and you might be expecting Aiden to be some type of heart-breaking, womanizing, man-whore, right? No? Odd…I did. Maybe because that seems to be all I read lately. Aiden was NOT that. I LOVED Aiden. He was the perfect combination of sexy as hell, sweet and yet also endearingly vulnerable. My heart broke for everything that he went through. I really loved that the reason he left Sadie a year ago was not your typical commitment phobe issues.

When she’d first met Aiden, hot-handed, dead-sexy-smile, two-hundred-pounds-of-delicious-golden-muscle Aiden, he’d been to hell and back. Now he’d been to hell and back, and returned for one more round trip with frequent flyer miles. And he was still clawing his way out of the depths.

He recognized right away the mistake he made and now that he has another chance, he’s determined to show Sadie that she needs to take another chance on him.

He had so many things to say. Like how sorry he was, how he’d do anything to take back the day he’d lost her for good. How he wanted her with an intensity time and space hadn’t been able to erase.

Sadie was tough, quirky and sassy. I love heroines like her. When Aiden left her a year ago, he left her with a broken heart. She’s determined not to let any other man in again, especially the sex on a stick Aiden. So what happens when Aiden starts chipping away at all her hard built walls?

I loved how Aiden pursued Sadie. He wasn’t pushy, domineering, or high handed. He simply wore his heart on his sleeve and made no attempts to hide it from her.

Love wasn’t hard for him. Love was simple. Love was yes, followed by a hundred more yeses. What was so damn complicated about that?

But don’t get me wrong, while this book was sweet, it still had some steam. And Aiden definitely delivered on that end as well.

This book was just what I needed. It was sweet, with a side of steamy, and a fantastic hero.

We were also introduced to Aiden’s brothers, the broody millionaire Landon and the angry, grieving Evan. I hope that we will be getting their stories next, because the set up already has me intrigued.

This book, while part of a series, can be easily read as a standalone.

**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

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Convicted by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

This book was…I thought…And maybe…uhhhhh…To sum it up…
FUUUUUUUCK! My brain hurts! I need a mental health vacation. I need unicorns and rainbows. I need a hug. I need a drink. I need my sanity back. Actually, that’s probably long gone now.

Having read all 3 books back to back, I can tell you all one thing. If you plan on doing the same, I suggest having reinforcements.

I imagine, that if I had a conversation with Ms. Romig, it might go something like this.

Me: Any words of advice for the readers about to pick this book up?

Aleatha:

Me: Allrighty then…I’ll take that as a no??

So what was going through your head as you were writing convicted?

Aleatha:

And there you have it. But guess what? That’s all that you’ll be getting from me too. It’s impossible to fully review this book without revealing spoilers, so I’m not even going to try.

What I can tell you? This series is unlike anything you will ever read. It’s dark, twisted, convoluted, fucked up, and so brilliantly written that even when you’re curled up in a dark corner and rocking yourself back and forth, you’ll still want to continue reading.

Aleatha doesn’t ease you in with Convicted. Fuck no! She throws you right into the deep end of crazy and doesn’t let up up until the end. There are so many twists, the book will keep you at the edge of your seat until the last page. It is not every day you can pick up a book and get a hero that by all accounts you’re supposed to hate, yet somehow the author makes you fall in love with him. Stockholm? Maybe! This series has taken over my life for a week. I will never be the same after finishing it.

I cannot think of words that will give this book the justice that it deserves. Is it something that I would read again? Not even if you paid me. I think that if I pick this up again, they will be carting me away to the nearest psych ward. Is it a series that I will ever forget? Not in a million years. I hated it. I loved it. I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall. I wanted to rage, scream, cry, and beg for mercy. But it never let up.

I had to sleep on it before leaving a rating. After much deliberation, I know one thing: Any book that makes you feel and think as much as this did, deserves nothing less than 5 brilliant stars. Yes, it was one crazy ride. But damn, it’s not one I will be forgetting anytime soon.

Me right after I finished
Review to come. Once I get some of my sanity back. Which might take a while. Or never? I don’t even know. Who are you? Where am I? Who’s that? What was I talking about? Tonyyyyyyyyy

la la la la la la la la

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Truth by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

Let me start out by saying that I hated…no that’s not right. I despised…no, that’s not quite accurate. I LOATHED Tony in Consequences. I kept asking myself how in the fuck people could be team Tony with such a cruel, brutal, and in my eyes irredeemable asshole. (Now I should probably admit that my internal masochist was silently hoping that he would redeem himself. That bitch is eternally optimistic and has a thing for irredeemable assholes. I just didn’t think it was possible with Tony.)

So imagine my surprise where halfway through this book I not only began to feel for him, and actually (gasp) like him, but became a full fledged team fucking Tony.

This book fucked with my head.

Claire once read that time doesn’t pass at normal speeds within a black hole. If one were to travel into a black hole for only moments and return again, centuries would have passed. That explained the sensation she felt, once again peering into his dark gaze.

Tony was a giant magnet. His pull affected everything, from the rotation of the earth, to her mind’s ability to reason.

Oh Claire, I feel for you. I was right there with you.

I’m not even sure how to go about reviewing this book without revealing any spoilers. So I’m not even going to try. I was questioning where Aleatha Romig would take this series. I struggled through some parts of Consequences. It was one tough fucking pill to swallow. This book? I have one thing to say to you, Ms. Romig

I forever worship at the altar of your greatness.

Holy shit. I’m speechless. My mind? Blown! My sanity? Well what little of it was left…gone! I will never be the same. Truth was a crazy thrill ride filled with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. And then when you read the end?

This book will keep you guessing until the end, it will make you question EVERYTHING and you will still not be close to what the truth is. I couldn’t put it down. My brain hurt. I was going crazy. I needed a shot or 5 of vodka once I finished. But FUCK! What a ride!

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MacRieve by Kresley Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Hot and Hotter stars










“You’ve let me tend tae your fire, and tonight it’s searing me clean. I can be what you need.”



He was so domineering. And a dirty talker. Apparently, she liked both.

Book Blurb:

My Review

That is totally me right now. Yes, fairy wings and all. Why you ask? Well, because I’m fun and eccentric that way. But mainly, it’s because I just read a Kresley Cole book and IT.WAS.AWESOME!

I admit that after reading some mixed reviews on this book, I had put off reading it. I have loved every book i this series, and I was terrified that book 13 might take me off of my IAD buzz.

I should have known better. Kresley definitely did not disappoint! MacRieve turned out being so much better than I even hoped. Now this might have been a case of not having any expectations while going into the book. But whatever the reason may have been, I couldn’t put it down until I read the very last page.

The one thing that I have to give praise for, is to this day IAD books continue to focus on only 2 POVs. While there is a whole lot of world building and action that takes place, I never see it take away from the main couple. There are no unnecessary side characters POVs. We get to touch base with many favorite characters, like my personal favorite Nix (and her bat), but the main focus is the couple.

The one thing that I definitely did notice change, is the books are certainly becoming much more sexual. Or at least this one was. Which you will not find this girl complaining about. But then again, I’m a smut connoisseur 🙂

So finally we get the story of the first half of the Hot and Hotter twins, MacRieve. And let me tell you, it was quite brutal. Poor Will has been through quite a bit in his long life, with the recent addition of his stint in The Order’s prison and favorite play thing of a demented scientist.

When he escapes the prison, he’s not quite right. And then his life takes a turn when he unexpectedly finds his mate.

Kresley Cole has yet to write a heroine that I haven’t loved, and Chloe was no exception. I loved her sass, and the way she stood up to everyone, even MacRieve.

Of course we had to get some angst, when a particular secret comes out and throws their mating for a loop. My sexy MacRieve goes from sweet to complete and utter asshole in no time flat.

Luckily for me, I like that sort of thing. When the hero makes mistakes and treats the heroine like dirt, but then has to grovel to make up for it? Oh yea! I am ALL over that.

He also happened to be a dirty talker. Which if you follow my reviews, you know is an Achilles heel of mine. Plus the steam in this book? Sweet mother! I’d say this is the steamiest book in the series.

I can see why some reviewers found him to be a little excessive in his anger. but considering his past and what he’s been through, I understood it, and it didn’t bother me much. Considering that he was able to (view spoiler)[suppress his beast on a full moon for her (hide spoiler)], which was huge, he did his best to make up for his mistakes with Chloe.

We also get the set-up for Munro’s book, which was a hell of a start. I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens there. But according to Kresley Cole, we will be getting Lanthe and Thronos next. Can’t wait to see what that brings. I’ve been looking forward to their book since Demon From The Dark.

13 books in the series, and still going strong. This has definitely become one of my favorite PNR series, so a huge rec from me.

If you like tortured, dirty talking heroes and sassy, strong-willed heroines with fun side characters and amazing world building, snark, humor, and steam, you must check out this series.

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Safe With Me by Kristen Proby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll be damned if I’ll screw this up for her. I’m too fucked up for anything long-term, and she deserves nothing less.

Book Blurb:

My Review:

I’ve been looking forward to Caleb and Brynna’s story for a while now. Kristen Proby definitely knows how to write a steamy as hell romance. While I can’t say this book will be making to my favorites list, I did enjoy it.

When a tragic event forces Brynna and her twin daughters to fear their safety, they pick up their life in Chicago and move to Seattle where Brynna’s cousin lives. It’s been a year since the incident that sent them into hiding, and Brynna is finally starting to settle into a somewhat normal life until a threat rises up again and she has no choice but to accept protection in the form of her walking fantasy, Caleb Montgomery.

Brynna has been lusting after Caleb for months, but Caleb insists on a hands off friendship. He doesn’t think that he’s capable of a relationship; his experiences as a SEAL left him broken and damaged. He doesn’t think that he has anything to offer Brynna or her girls. But that doesn’t mean that he stops wanting her any less.

Caleb still suffers horrendous nightmares from his past tours. He thinks he’s broken, damaged, not worthy of someone like Brynna.

Brynna was a wonderful heroine. She was strong, in a very understated way. She wasn’t a pushover or whine when she didn’t get her way. I loved the way that she handled Caleb and his problems. She was understanding and patient.

Caleb was just pure sex on a stick. Kristen Proby definitely did not disappoint in the sex department. This book was HOT. When Caleb finally gave in to the red hot passion between them IT.WAS.ON.

These two just burned up the pages together. It wasn’t just all Caleb, I really liked how Brynna went after what she wanted and didn’t shy away from getting it.

Brynna’s girls were adorable, and I especially enjoyed Caleb’s interaction with them. It was incredibly sweet.

We also get to catch up with all the characters from the past books and find out how their relationships have developed, which was great.

So why only 4 stars? Well, while I loved Caleb and Brynna, and Brynna and Caleb together, and the super steamy scenes, I just didn’t connect that much with this book as I did with Rock with Me.

I think my biggest quibble was the “suspense” part of this book. I felt like it was really glossed over and just a quick filler. In the beginning, it explained Brynna’s move, and then the reason for Brynna to need Caleb’s protection, but then it sort of just fizzled out? The way that it resolved just felt entirely too glossed over. I just felt like something was missing. It seemed like there was all this build up, and then in the end the quick resolution just fell slightly flat. I’m not even sure why I think that, and I very well may be in the minority with my opinion. But whatever the reason may be, it still just didn’t feel like a 5 star book for me.

What I’m very happy about? The little teaser we get into Matt’s book in the end. Sweet baby jebus! I am ALL about the dirty and kinky cops.

Bring it on! I cannot wait.

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