Review: Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione

February 6, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

LEGACY OF TEMPTATION
Series: Demonica Birthright #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: February 6, 2024

The legacy continues…

It’s a gritty new world.

Three decades after the events of REAPER, the world is a different place. The secret is out. The existence of demons, vampires, shapeshifters, and angels has been revealed, and humans are struggling to adapt. Out of the chaos, The Aegis has risen to global power on the promise of containing or exterminating all underworlders, even if that means ushering in the End of Days.

Standing in their way is the next generation of warriors, the children of demons and angels and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

See how they become legends in their own right.

Legacy of Temptation

Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as Deputy Spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for Chief Spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team. But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.

Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, has dedicated his life to fighting demons alongside his colleagues at DART. He loves fighting, females, and his pet hellhound, Cujo. What he doesn’t love is The Aegis, whose leadership attempted to slaughter him at birth. Understandably, he balks when he’s ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.

But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving into temptation even as they sacrifice the things…and people…they love the most.

AMAZON 

Logan was dangerous. Dangerous in ways that made every female instinct scream to run away. Or let herself be caught.


I had to pinch myself when this landed on my kindle. I have spent years, YEARS, waiting for another full length novel from Larissa Ione and now we get a brand new series and it’s set in one of my favorite worlds? Stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Now while this is a new series, it’s a spin off of her Demonica & Lords of Deliverance series . This series brings you the new generation of the kids from the Demonica couples and I. AM. OBSESSED. You can read this as a new series, but I really highly recommend you read the Demonica series to truly appreciate the cameos and the backstories.

Logan is the son of Thanatos and Regan from Lethal Rider and Eva is a human Deputy Spokesperson for the demon slaying agency, Aegis. The Aegis and DART (Demon Activity Response Team) have a long standing, messy history of hate, rivalry and betrayal. And seems like nothing has changed with this new generation of characters. But when a two-week exchange program between DART and the Aegis goes horribly wrong, things take turn from bad to horribly wrong in one shattered breath.

It took me a minute to wrap my mind around all the new characters, but it didn’t take long as soon as I connected the new names to the parents. And of course I absolutely loved the cameos of all my favorites, including Reaver and Harvester. Man but I love those two HARD. In usual Ione fashion, she brings a gritty story full of rich world building and fiery passion. I loved Logan and Eva’s story. A human demon slayer falling for the son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse. Yes, please and thank you.

Scream, baby,” he grunted. “All the bedrooms are soundproof.”

I became enraptured with this new slew of characters and I’m already dying for the next book. As for this one? It was full of jaw dropping twists and unforgettable events. At one particular part towards the end, I was caught between raging at the ceiling, wanting to sob, or throwing my kindle at the wall. Ione never shies away from taking some dark chances with her characters, and this was no different. It brings emotion, pain, and so many new layers to the old and new characters. I loved Eva and how she slowly but surely fell for Logan. Logan may be a fierce warrior, but the man is a total marshmallow with Eva and I loved it. That’s not to say this was a fluffy story you’d expect with a cinnamon roll hero. Far from it! It was full of emotional torture and brimming with new pains and betrayals.

I usually like my romance with a bit more pain, but there was plenty of hurt to be had with the story arc. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor and reeling and absolutely incapable of even an ounce of patience for Stryker’s book.

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Review: Through The Glen by Samantha Young

February 1, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THROUGH THE GLEN
Series: The Highlands Series #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date: February 1, 2024

He’s a cynical, world-weary Londoner. She’s a shy Scot. They might seem like opposites, but a few weeks in the Highlands will bring them together in ways they can’t imagine…

Theo Cavendish is the second son of a British viscount, and he’s spent years running from the aristocratic world he grew up in. Betrayal and loss taught him lessons he’s not quick to forget. As an award-winning screenwriter and creator, Theo prefers to throw himself into the world of film and television. He moves from one project to another, never really letting anyone truly know him.

As a housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, shy Sarah McCulloch feels invisible most days. No one really knows her, and they definitely don’t know she’s a bestselling crime writer. She dreams of seeing her series on screen and believes only one person can develop it for television. On the day she quits the estate for good, she shares her secret with club member, Theo, and asks him to consider her books.

Sarah never expected him to say yes or to show up on her doorstep ready to write with her. Or that weeks spent locked up in her cottage would lead them to form an intense but undeniable connection. A bond that Theo is not sure he’s ready to accept, even though he can’t bear to be without her.

However, when they finally venture out of their bubble, Theo finds he’ll have to battle more than his own demons to protect Sarah from hurt. For he has another fan, one intent on bringing the darkest elements of his most famous script to life. And unless he can figure out this real-life antagonist’s next move, Theo could be in danger of losing Sarah forever.

AMAZON

Someone woke up on the fiery side of the bed this morning.”
I grimaced. “Don’t be patronizing. This is my cottage. And in my cottage exists a gynarchy.”
He grinned and it was much too attractive. “It’s pronounced gai-nah-ki and your use of it is a little clumsy, darling.”
Of course, his vocabulary was better than the average person’s. “Are you mansplaining a word that literally means a government ruled by a woman?”
“I wouldn’t say mansplaining. I am curious as to where you came about such a colorful vocabulary?”

I have been eagerly anticipating Theo’s book ever since we got a taste of him as Noah’s irreverent friend in Among the Heather. There is nothing I love more than seeing a playboy who doesn’t believe in love fall and fall hard. And what’s even more satisfying than this? When the playboy is also the son of a viscount turned reformed playboy director and a die hard cynic when it comes to love and relationships.

Sarah is a shy, keep to herself housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate. But what the world doesn’t know about shy and quiet Sarah, is she’s a immensely successful author writing under a secret pen name. Now, I’m not usually a fan of the shy and mousy heroines. But while Sarah is shy, she’s certainly not mousy. This is a woman of quiet strength and isn’t one to let a British playboy walk all over her. When I tell you that I loved the dynamic between these two, I mean I fell head over heels for them. Sarah surprised me with her hidden strength almost as much as she surprised Theo.

When the shy little housekeeper first approached Theo for writing the manuscript for her book, he laughs her off. There’s no way the shy, unassuming housekeeper is worth his time. He thinks he knows her, but he barely grazes the surface. When he reads her books, he doesn’t take long to chase her down to her cottage. And fans of forced proximity, you will fall hard. Because the more time Theo spends with Sarah, the more he realizes just how wrong he was about her and just how much more there is to Sarah than first meets the eye. And this is a woman who doesn’t let get away with things more than once. She’s not shy when it comes down to standing her own and standing up for herself and I absolutely loved that about her.

Because as mortifyingly scary as giving myself to her was … it was nothing like this terror that swept over me at the thought that I might have lost her forever.

I loved watching Theo fall fast and hard for Sarah. I loved watching him fight his feelings and Sarah putting him in his place when he pushes too hard. I loved the chemistry between them. I simply loved everything about this book. Everything. The parallel suspense story arc only added to the already page turning appeal of this story and I binge read it in one glorious sitting.

For fans of swoony, steamy, and heartfelt romance, you need this book. I love this world so much and with Jared finally getting his book next, already counting down the minutes for my next Highlands fix.

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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Review: Scorned Vows by Victoria Paige

January 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SCORNED VOWS
Series: Scorned Fate #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Victoria Paige
Release Date: January 16, 2024

He was the perfect husband until she got pregnant.

An arranged marriage was always in Natalya Conte’s future.
Luca Moretti is charming and considerate.
Handsome like the devil, he dotes on her and spoils her.
But when two pink lines should have brought them unbridled joy, her husband ices her out.

An arranged marriage gives Luca great power.
To cement that power, he needs an heir.
The quickest way to do it is to make Natalya fall madly in love with him.
He will have her loyalty without risking his heart because love to him means weakness.

Natalya needs Luca to love her.
Because she has secrets that will put them all in jeopardy.
Her heart shatters when Luca shows her exactly how little she means to him.
But it isn’t until she sees evidence of the unforgivable that she loses all hope for a happily ever after.

AMAZON 

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”

As a self proclaimed alphahole addict, the second I read this blurb, I knew I’d be all over it. Arranged marriage, ruthless mafia antihero? Sign me up I say!

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”Up here, I wasn’t the boss of the Chicago crime family. Up here, I was merely a mortal man falling in love with his family.

An arranged marriage doesn’t sound like one paved in love. But young Natalya is instantly enraptured with her future husband. He may be a ruthless in everything that he does, but he’s soft and attentive with her. But what Natalya doesn’t know, is Luca is not above playing the romantic to get to what he needs from her; an heir. And when Natalya gets pregnant, things take a turn in a direction she never saw coming.

This was a quick paced page turner and I was instantly hooked with Luca. Natalya, admittedly, did take me a minute to warm up to. She’s not at all what she seems, but she sure hides it well. I definitely did myself a disservice by not reading book one first, because there’s some backstory to her that makes it feel like you start this book already partially through her development. But then it didn’t take me long to connect to her and her very many layers. She’s a fascinating mix of fierce and vulnerable. The second half of this book, we get an entirely different side to her and I loved it.

There’s a little bit of everything here; suspense, action, mafia, betrayal, revenge. The chemistry was delicious and the grit was the perfect addition. I’m definitely hooked on this series and will immediately be reading the first book.

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Review: A Vicious Proposal by Kristy Marie

January 22, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

A VICIOUS PROPOSAL
Series: The Fallen Kings of Eden #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristy Marie
Release Date: January 17, 2024

Bestselling Author Kristy Marie brings you a brand new standalone with a morally gray hero who sentences his past love to six years of marriage to serve as punishment for her betrayal.

I knew him only as Van Gogh.
A tortured artist who owned the night as he moved through the shadows, cloaked in hate and madness.
He was a vicious vigilante—a serial arsonist who thrived on the fear he triggered with a single match between his tattooed knuckles.
We were told to lock our doors and stay inside.
I wanted to. I really did.
But then I saw his eyes, burning like embers as he watched me through the smoke.
And like the flames at his feet, I delighted in his attention.
I became his muse.
His passion.
His obsession.
His perfectly flawed flower.
But that was years ago.
Before my seaside town became his canvas…
Before the ashes of my enemies became his paint…
Before he hated me… and made me his wife.

AMAZON 

For the crime of betrayal, Reese Carmichael, I sentence you to six years as my prisoner.” I flash her a wink and a smile. “I believe society calls that a marriage.”

I have been eyeing this author for so long and when I saw the blurb for this book, I knew this would be my first Kristy Marie book. And I can say I’m officially hooked. I need more from this author and I definitely need more for this series.

She’s always been mine to ruin and love as violently as the flames that dance between my fingers.

Admittedly, I felt darker vibes from the book than the story itself ended up being. If you’re expecting a dark romance, it’s not really that. It has dark undercurrent, but it’s really more gritty and gray.

Reese once thought “Van” was her everything, until he disappeared as suddenly as he appeared in her life. Van spent six years in prison and he’s convinced that Reese is the one responsible for his arrest and ultimately his conviction. Now I will say, I was generally confused about all of the things up until well into 75% of the story. The way that it starts thoroughly threw me. It felt like we were diving head first not the middle of a book. The author cleverly continues to peel back the layers throughout the story, but where it worked for some of the things, for parts of it, it was frustratingly confusing. I would have loved a flashback to when they first met. As it was, it took me a while to fully click.

Now the banter in this book was everything. Reese is a spitfire and a half and this woman sure knows how to give as good as she gets.

This is why he hides in the shadows. Everyone wants to kill him for being a giant pain in the ass.

The chemistry between the two of them was seriously delicious. Though again, I would have loved to see flashbacks of them to really connect with their relationship. I did have to suspend my disbelief, since Van is now an ADA after a 6 year prison sentence. Did I care? Not in the least. It was so entertaining.

The author keeps you guessing about everything until the last few chapters and then the plot twists leave you reeling. It wasn’t quite what I expected but it hooked me hard on the series and it hit the spot just right.

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Review: Get Him Back by CoraLee

January 18, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

GET HIM BACK
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomCom
Author: CoraLee
Release Date: January 18, 2024

From CoraLee comes a second chance workplace romcom with a dose of revenge and irresistible passion.

Meet Jack Thompson: charming, captivating, and my newest co-worker—the same man who heartlessly ghosted me in college.

Now, it’s payback time.

With a sly smile and a plan for revenge, I’m ready to make him suffer. I seduce him, unravel his world, and leave him craving more.

But to my surprise, Jack revels in the torment, finding a twisted pleasure in our vengeful escapades.

I’m not sure who’s being played at this point.

I thought I had the game plan down to a science. But sometimes the line between revenge and passion is blurred—and in the biggest plot twist of all, settling scores might just mean falling head over heels.

AMAZON 

You don’t just forget the girl who once meant everything. You sure as hell don’t forget the one who got away.

I first discovered CoraLee’s books when I read No Such King and then binged the entire trilogy in two days. Being the picky beech that I am with dark romance, it’s always hard to find great dark romance. And dang, but this author could write it. I was immediately hooked and knew that I would read anything and everything she releases.

Now the last thing I would expect for a dark romance author to write is a romcom. Or, if I’m being totally honest, I should probably say a “good” romcom. I’m judgy, ok? Get off my case! But I knew if this author wrote it, I’d be reading it. And boy am I glad I did.

I am generally not a romcom reader, nor am I usually a fan of the cinnamon roll heroes. But this book did it for me in all the right ways. The humor was humoring. The banter was bantering. And the cinnamon roll had just the right amount of tortured to him, that I loved him even when I wanted to c*ck punch him. But I digress.

Sadie and Jack had a bit of a situationship in their college days where Jack didn’t want the label and Sadie fell hard, only for Jack to leave her in her most vulnerable. Now, years later, Sadie is a boss b*tch, though maybe not in her dream job yet. But she’s just waiting for a chance to prove to her boss that she deserves it. And who walks in as the company’s new CPO? Why none other than the situationship from college who ghosted her. And the kicker? The man doesn’t even remember her! So what’s a girl to do? Make him suffer. Obviously.

I straightened my spine and glared at him. “Fine. If we’re going to hash this out, then let’s get it all in the open. There’s no time limit on heartbreak. And I’m going to rip you a new one, then I’m going to nail this presentation, then I’m going to find some rich investor with big dick energy to take me home tonight.” “I’m fine with about eighty percent of that plan. Continue,” Jack replied.

Now it’s not just any author who can write about an FMC who goes from constipated to blowing up her boss’s previous porcelain throne to the mortification of her college ghoster in hearing distance and make her be a fierce b*tch. How she managed this? I have no idea. But I was in literal tears laughing.

The humor of this book was amazing! It was a delicious slow burn, though admittedly at times I found myself craving a bit more conflict. But that’s because I’m crazy like that. I need my books to hurt my feelings. But if you’re looking for a hilarious, playful and heartwarming story of second chances, this one is it!

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Review: Reign by Cassandra Robbins

January 13, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

REIGN
Series: Rock God #2
Genre: RockstarRomance
Author: Cassandra Robbins
Release Date: January 4, 2024

What happens when two legends collide?

From USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Robbins comes her latest sinfully hot rockstar romance. A scorching, enemies to lovers, deliciously addictive stand-alone about rock ‘n’ roll royalty and burning obsessions.

They call him a legend.
One of the greatest guitarists of our time.
The mighty Ace of Spades brought in to produce my album and save the day.

Not only is he covered in tattoos. He’s gorgeous, talented, and infuriatingly arrogant, even demanding I trust him.
Trust him?
I. Hate. Him.

I’m a former child star turned rock princess, caught up in all kinds of bad press and scandal. I need to stay focused on my music, and career. Not get distracted by his filthy mouth and piercing eyes.

If only our chemistry wasn’t off the charts, or the fact that I can barely breathe when he’s near.

Time is ticking. Sooner than later, the chaos and mayhem of our lives will take over.

Everything becomes messy.

And tricky.

Rockstars don’t get happily ever afters…or do we?

AMAZON 

I get off on women adoring me. It’s addictive. Not my fault I was born with a large cock, impressive talent, and the need to reign. It wouldn’t be fair not to share myself with the world.

A deliciously smutty rockstar romance that hit the spot just right.

Marshall Adams is a beautiful addiction; and tonight, I submit.

Courtney Falcon is the lead singer of the famous band, Broken Vixens. Living down the betrayal of her best friend and bandmate sleeping with her boyfriend was one thing. But the latest scandal leaves her spiraling and in need to finally branch out with a solo career.

Marshall “Ammo” Adams is the infamous batboy guitarist of the Stuffed Muffins. He’s also the music genius that is Courtney’s hope of a successful solo career. There’s just one problem, the arrogant womanizer is too good looking for his own good. And he enrages Courtney with his mere presence.

First of all, if you’ve read Power and Ignite then you will especially appreciate the crossover of a few characters in this book. I for one especially appreciated the closer I didn’t know I needed to Power. But I digress.

If you love the enemies to lovers vibe, age gap, and sizzling chemistry, this book will definitely hit the spot. Ammo and Courtney were incendiary together. And I’m nothing if not a fan of hate sex and these two are explosive with this. There’s a bit of a suspense layer with Courtney’s stalker which added a page turning element. Admittedly I wished we had a bit more character development to Ammo and his appeal was slightly overshadowed with plentiful sex scenes. But at the same time, I read the book in one sitting, so clearly it didn’t bother me too much. I just couldn’t help but wish I knew more about the enigma that is Ammo.

I loved the two of them together and that ending was perfection. All in all, highly recommend for any rockstar romance fans.

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Review: Fearless by Tracy Lorraine

December 28, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

FEARLESS
Series: Harrow Creek Hawks #4
Genre: Why Choose, Dark, Captive Romance
Author: Tracy Lorraine
Release Date: December 28, 2023

An all-new and addictive dark, why-choose, captive romance from the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Tracy Lorraine.

You know what they say about things that are too good to be true…

We might have been in a safe house recovering, but we were in danger, and still the four of us found a way to be together.

We’d even managed to find something that I never thought possible.

Peace.

We were finally a team, fighting against our enemies.

But those enemies were closer than we anticipated.

I might have escaped, but the three men who owned equal parts of my heart were still inside the building I watched go up in flames, the house where we found each other again crumbling to ash.

Someone betrayed us.

Someone we trusted.

With shattered promises, I’m forced to put my faith in someone I shouldn’t.

I walk away from the house that holds so many heart aching memories… from the men who
changed my life in more ways than they ever could imagine.

Maverick promised me that he’d protect me from ever hurting again.

JD promised to stand by me no matter how dark life got.

And Reid, he promised to burn the entire world down for me.

But how can I carry on our fight without any of them by my side?

Dear Reader,
Fearless is book four of four in the Harrow Creek Hawks series. It is a dark why-choose romance, meaning our leading lady has several love interests and never has to choose to find her HEA. These three a-hole alphas are certainly no heroes; their morals are questionable at best. If you’re looking for a good guy, then you’re in the wrong place. Enter at your own discretion.

AMAZON 

One broken woman. Three very dangerous men. What could possibly go wrong?

I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this conclusion. Yes I know I’m being dramatic because there’s a month between releases, but just work with me here. It felt like forever, ok? The second I started Merciless, I was immediately sucked into this dark and gritty world. Each installment brought a new layer to this story and I couldn’t wait to finally peel that last layer off.

This final installment certainly made up for all the edging that book one put us through, almost too much so. Yes the sex scenes were super hot, but they got a bit much that I began to skim through some. The story here happened mainly towards the end and to me, parts of the super hot sex scenes felt like filler at times. Take this with a grain of salt because this is coming from a super ADD reader who grows bored in long series easily.

However, the story was still gripping enough to keep me glued to the pages. The revelations are jaw dropping and Tracy spares no dark or torturous detail when it came to painting the picture. This quartet owned me and I fell hard and fast for these characters. I need to immediately check out her entire backlist because she writes a dark romance like no other and I’m obsessed.

If you’re looking for a deliciously dark romance with a fierce survivor FMC and the three gangsters who fall head over heels for her, this is a must read.

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Review: Anger by Lily White

December 19, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

ANGER
Genre: Contemporary Romance Romance
Series: Antihero Inferno #5
Author: Lily White
Release Date: December 13, 2023

Fifth Circle
Anger
Also Known as Damon Cross

There is darkness that surrounds this man.
One fueled by his past and ignited by his present
He knows what its mean to lose, but he never stops fighting

He wears his heart on his sleeve
But exists within nightmares
He is shrouded in the name that the Inferno gave him

Angry.
Feral.
Wild and Careless
Damon is an unpredictable storm without rhyme or reason.

He needs something from me that I’m unwilling to give.
And he keeps coming back, always worse than before.
I see in him what I have in me.
When apart, we barely hang on to our feigned smiles.
But when together, we’re explosive.

I’m not sure I can endure this man’s games.
There’s no telling if his storm will consume me.
We’re hopelessly addicted to that which harms us.

I knew better than to allow Damon in my life.
But now that he’s here, and now that he has me…

…I’m not sure there will ever be an escape.

Nine Ruthless Men. Nine Unrepentant Sinners. Nine Irresistible Manipulators.

 AMAZON

In the Series (Kindle Unlimited)

Treachery (Book 1) – FREE APRIL 26-30, 2023

Series Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Fraud (Book 2)

Violence (Book 3)

Heresy (Book 4)

It’s unreal how easily she can call to my demons. It makes her unlike any woman I’ve ever known. I can’t stand that about her.

Finally. FINALLY we have Damon’s story. I have been impatiently waiting for his story since the preview into his connection with Amelie (Blue) in Heresy.

Now if you’re planning on reading this as a standalone, stop. This series reads very much like a saga and while each couple have their own book, the story arc builds and continues throughout the series. So this is a series that you definitely want to read in order so that you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Now let’s talk about my man, Anger, shall we. I fell hard and fast for the enigmatic twins, Ezra and Damon. Their past shrouded in a dark and turbulent secret, they each harbor their own demons from their childhood. Damon, like Ezra, wears his scars externally, but the internal ones run even deeper. At one point thinking himself in love with Emily, he finally understands that she was never really for him. A fateful visit to a club to blow off steam, lands Blue in his radar.

Amelie, or as Damon calls her, Blue, is a beautiful cage dancer who doesn’t let any man close. A grifter, who spent her entire running for her mother’s invisible demons, she’s never called one place home. She drifts from one hustle to the next. Uses her looks to get what she needs from men, without the expense of her body. I absolutely loved her fierceness and the way she stands up to Damon. She doesn’t give him an inch and fights him every step of the way. She also sees through the mask that he wears, much to his discontent, which is unnerving. Their chemistry was absolutely incendiary.

For every answer we get in this story, it left me with 5 more questions. And the preview into the next book? OH MY GOD. I need it desperately. A mysterious female hacker? Yes please and thank you.

As for this book, it was everything I had hoped for and so much more. It was worth every minute of the wait. I loved Damon and Amelie so much. They each have their scars from childhood and I love how they helped the other heal. They’re the perfect balance to each other. I also love how each FMC in this series is sass personified.

Lily White is a romance writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and Asylum. In addition to dark romance Lily writes contemporary romance, taboo romance, and psychological thrillers. Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

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#DGRFave & Review: The Lovely Return by Carian Cole

December 6, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

THE LOVELY RETURN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Carian Cole
Release Date: November 29, 2023

What if death doesn’t do you part?

They say be careful what you wish for. But on December 5, Alex Fox makes a wish in the midst of a devastating tragedy. Little does he know that his wish will come true.

Six years after that fateful day, a little girl wanders into Alex’s studio. With her quirky personality, endless questions, and adorable smile, Penny Rose becomes an enchanting yet bittersweet distraction.

Penny Rose is an odd girl—at least, that’s what her parents say. Penny herself doesn’t feel particularly odd; she simply feels misplaced. As if somehow, in some way, she is living in the wrong place… in the wrong life.

As the years pass, Alex and Penny develop a friendship. But it becomes harder and harder for them to ignore their undeniable chemistry, no matter how off limits it is. Alex believes he’ll never find love again, let alone fall for a girl half his age. But Penny is everything he could ever want or need. Not only is she caring, witty, and beautiful, but she accepts the past that haunts him.

Penny couldn’t be happier. She’s been head over heels for sexy, brooding artist Alex Fox for as far back as she can remember. But when her childhood dreams and visions start resurfacing again—dreams of a life with Alex way before they ever met—she starts to think they’re not dreams at all.

They’re memories.

Penny’s revelation to Alex threatens to tear them apart, making them question the impossible and unbelievable. Can love truly transcend time and death, giving them a second chance at their happily ever after? Or is Penny battling a broken mind that has led her down a path of heartbreaking delusion?

AMAZON

 

The heart is a compass, and for some reason, mine keeps leading me here.

I just finished and I’m in a haze. Loss for words. And I don’t think any words can do this book justice because this was one of the most beautiful, captivating, heart wrenchingly poignant, deeply romantic books I have ever read. It’s so different from what I usually gravitate to but being a huge Carian Cole fan, I added this to my TBR long before it had a blurb. And truth be told, I never did bother reading the blurb because I didn’t care, knowing I’d read her grocery list if Carian wrote it.

I never thought I’d want another woman again. I never thought I’d be falling in love with another woman again.

As much as I love an age gap romance, I was skeptical. Can I really buy into a romance when Alex first meets Penny when she’s six? But oh wow did I. The beautiful emotional pull these words had on me. This is a book for the true romantic because this book is the perfect story of undying love. A love that survives everything, even death.

It’s over 500 pages and yet I read it in a day, desperately grasping to the pages, with my heart in a vice, and tears in my eyes. It was just so beautiful. I’ve read reincarnation books before, and I sort of expected similar vibes here, but it was so much more. It was an emotional, captivating slow burn full of heart wrenching moments and moments of pure bliss. Penny and Alex’s love story is unlike anything I have ever read, and that’s saying something.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say this. This is a story of a one of a kind love that doesn’t die. Alex is a man who is impossible not to fall hard for. You love with him, you grieve with him, you heal with him. And Penny is the one who breathes life back into him. The story spans years and the pacing is impeccably crafted. Cole masterfully takes you through each milestone in the life of Penny and Alex. You experience everything right along with them; the pain, the confusion, the stolen glances, the forbidden love. It was beautiful. The development of their relationship is also impeccably written. It’s organic and raw and real and I fell so hard for them both.

I’m not usually a crier, but I cried tears of joy and pain as I finished. This is a story that will be rooted in my heart for years to come and simply unforgettable. These characters will be staying with me, their love will be staying with me, and this book is going straight to my top favorites list. It was worth every second of the wait and I cannot recommend it enough.

Carian Cole has a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles, and of course, the sweet girls who try to tame them and win their hearts.

Born and raised a Jersey girl, Carian now resides in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband and their multitude of furry pets. She spends most of her time writing, reading, and vacuuming.

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Review: Among The Heather by Samantha Young

December 5, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

AMONG THE HEATHER
Series: The Highlands Series #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date: December 5, 2023

He’s a disgraced actor. She’s the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Both are hiding in the Scottish Highlands, but despite their antagonistic attraction, they can’t seem to hide from each other…

North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.

As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defense. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.

But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.

AMAZON

As much as I’d love to explore something real with Aria, she couldn’t handle that. So I’d give her whatever little piece of me she would take. Now I just had to convince her that an unforgettable night in my bed was exactly what she needed.

What is it about Sam’s writing that just hits each and every single time. She’s such a comfort read for me and there’s just something about her Adair Family and now spinoff, The Highlands that just feels like home.

I needed another hit of whatever drug North Hunter was, and until I got it, I knew I wouldn’t be able to think of anything else.

Among The Heather is book two in The Highlands series but you can easily enjoy it as a standalone. Although I highly recommend the series and you’d enjoy it even more reading in order.

Aria is the estate manager of Ardnoch Estate who escaped to Scotland to be something other than the daughter of Hollywood royalty, her famous director father. She’s spent her entire career proving that she’s not a nepotism baby and her success with Ardnoch is testament of it. She’s also a woman who spent her entire life being used for her father’s connection and that led to some deep rooted scars of insecurity, especially with men. So when the incredibly handsome Hollywood star, North, arrives at the estate, she’s determined to avoid his hot looks.

But North is so much more than Aria thinks and he’s determined to prove it to her. First of all, I love that North wasn’t a stereotypical Hollywood playboy. This man is a serial monogamist who wants a relationship. Aria doesn’t trust that he may want her not only because of her experience but also because of the deep rooted insecurities that they planted about her body.

I loved the way they went from antagonism to friendship to something so much more. And I also loved the way that North fought for her and fought to show her how incredible she really is. Aria was a wonderful heroine and it was easy to connect with her, even while I did find her insecurities to be a touch much at times. The added layer of suspense made this into an absolute page turner. And the romance was sizzling.

I love this series so much. Now after the sneak peek we get into Theo, I’m practically salivating for the next book.

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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