Review: The Predator by JL Beck

November 11, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE PREDATOR
Author: J.L. Beck
Series: Oakmount Elite #4
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult
Release Date: November 11, 2024

What is a predator without his prey?

Elyse Silver was never mine to keep.

The day I saved her life, I ensured we would forever be enemies.

Hating her was easy.

Bullying her, as simple as breathing.

Stopping myself from falling for her… I had no idea how impossible that would become.

The harder I fought, the deeper I fell.

Love and happiness have never been part of my plan, but letting Elyse go isn’t an option, either.

Unfortunately, the truth always finds a way of revealing itself, and by the time she realizes who the real predator is, it’ll be too late for her to escape the trap I’ve put her in.

**This is NOT a standalone and must be read AFTER The Prey. This is a dark romance novel that contains numerous triggers.**

AMAZON

I’ve escaped one monster, only to be captured by another.

After the jaw dropping cliffhanger in The Prey, I have been absolutely rabid for the conclusion of Sebastian and Ely’s story. And this was worth every minute of what felt like an agonizing wait.

Shatter for me so I can piece you back together again.”

I love that we go to see deeper into Sebastian’s head and dark soul in the very beginning. Torturously, the book doesn’t begin in Ely’s POV as you would except, but the minutes before the ending of The Prey and in Sebastian’s. It’s the perfect way to set the scene and I was hooked from page one. I have absolutely loathed Tanya from book one, and the more you learn about her disturbing relationship with Sebastian, the more murderous the hate turns.

Elyse really came into her own. While Sebastian takes control of everything in her life in book one, she finally gets the reins back..well, within reason of course. But I do love me a girl who can stand up for and save herself.

When Sebastian comes for her, he’s determined to keep her and best way to do that? Force her to marry him, of course. Just par of the course for our Sebby here, so can’t be too surprised. But boy did I love his spiral down the ‘my wife’ path.

She slaps her palm down on top of the desk. “You’re an asshole.”
“Your darling asshole husband. Now be a good girl and say you’re my wife. Then I’ll let you come.”

There’s a lot that happens in this book and I loved the way that JL Beck gives a satisfying conclusion to every plot point. Nothing is glossed over and no detail forgotten. While it did take me a bit longer to read than book one, my weird reading mood these days may have had something to do with it. And ultimately, I loved this conclusion. But the set up for Lee’s book? Pretty sure I won’t have rest until I have it in my hands!

JL. Beck writes steamy romance that’s unapologetic, meaning it makes no apologies for the way it rips you open and makes you crave more. Her heroes are alphas who take what they want, and she pairs them with heroines that bring them to their knees.

She loves writing about darkness, passion, suspense, and of course, steam. Leaving her readers gasping and asking what the hell just happened is only one of her many tricks.

Her books range from morally grey to dark and spicy but always end with a happily ever after. She loves to write across numerous tropes, but her favorite is enemies to lovers.

She started her writing career in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Wisconsin and is a mom to two, a wife, and likes to act as a literary agent part-time.

Visit her website for more info:
www.beckromancebooks.com

Connect with JL Beck:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJLBeck/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjlbeck/
Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjlbeck
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2srbge9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2tOVZl8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8425041.J_L_Beck
Unapologetic Romance Book Club FB Group: http://bit.ly/2sWljZG

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Review: Wrath of an Exile by Monty Jay

October 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

WRATH OF AN EXILE
Series: River Styx Heathens #1
Author: Monty Jay
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: October 28, 2024

In Ponderosa Springs, this version of Romeo and Juliet isn’t a tragedy. It’s war.

Jude Sinclair is West Trinity Falls’ favorite exiled loner.

Cocky. Insufferably hot. Family foe.

Raised across the tracks in a rival town, he reeks of trouble. Which is the one thing I’ve always had a problem avoiding and now that he’s just down the hall, it’s harder to resist the pull.

My father made one rule when Jude moved in, never trust a Sinclair.

The last thing I need is for my new foster brother to make me question my loyalty with his filthy smirks and poet tongue. But with every forbidden kiss and secret hookup, I quickly find myself faced with two options.

Betray my family? Or betray my heart?

AMAZON

The Capulets and Montagues may have been Shakespeare’s famous foes, but in Ponderosa Springs? It was the Van Dorens and Sinclairs.

I feel like I have been waiting for this book for my entire life. It was pure, dark tinged and grungy poetry and man but I loved every page of it.

Now if you haven’t yet read Monty Jay’s Hollow Boys series, do yourself a favor and read that series first. While you can definitely still enjoy this without having read that series, you would have a much finer appreciation for these characters having met the first generation. This is the next gen spinoff as it is. Plus Hollow Boys is simply a deliciously addictive series that I can’t recommend enough if you need another reason.

Now if you have read Hollow Boys, then you already know the history between Sinclairs and Van Dorens. Rook (The Truths We Burn) was one of my favorite characters and books in that series and I couldn’t wait to meet his daughter, Seraphina, who I just knew would be as lethal as her parents.

You see, I’ve got this thing. This appetite for boys’ hearts. It’s impossible to survive my brand of chaos. I like bad decisions. Fast cars. And sex. Anything that makes me numb.

Now as a self proclaimed enemies to lovers connoisseur, a true enemies to lovers romance is hard to come by. But boy did this one deliver. And if you love the whole star crossed, Romeo and Juliet vibe? Well, it’s extra delicious. Because Jude is not just the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. His last name carries a dark cross that isn’t his to bear but bear it he does. Jude just so happens to be the son of Easton Sinclair, who also happened to be Sage’s horrible ex from The Truths We Burn. But let’s talk about this book, shall we. Because when you highlight this much in a book, you just know you’re reading a five star. And the level of obsession I now have with these characters knows no end.

Phi’s misery tastes like it could sustain me for an eternity.
“I hate you.”
“Right back at ya, sweetheart.”

To say that there’s bad blood between the Van Dorens and the Sinclairs is putting it mildly. But the amplifier to that is the particular history between Phi and Jude personally. This is a mystery that slowly unravels during the course of the book and had me in a complete chokehold.

Seraphina is not known for her soft heart. She’s known for her love them and leave them mentality. But deep down, this is a girl who has some dark scars and even darker secrets. Jude is the quintessential tortured bad boy who I fell for instantly. He lived through hell with his father, and the stain of his family’s last name carriers into his every day. And when his father suddenly dies and suddenly he’s the foster of the Van Doren family, let’s just say things get sticky. And the hate lust between him and Phi certainly doesn’t get better when they’re living under the same roof.

You think you like it rough ’cause a few guys tugged your hair, Van Doren?” I whisper. “You’ll carry my bruises for a goddamn lifetime.”

And did I mention the hate lust? Because oh my god the tension between these two was everything. EVERYTHING.

How long do you think it’ll take before you give in and let me fuck those pretty little lies out of your mouth, sweetheart?”

I loved everything about this book; the characters, the pacing, the mystery, the secrets, the history. All of it was effortlessly and masterfully intwined for an absolutely unputdownable reading experience. And that’s what this book was; an experience.

You’re a goddamn tragedy, Van Doren. But fuck, you’re beautiful.”

I devoured the book in one sitting. I was both rabid for the ending and dreading it because I didn’t want this book to ever end. The story was perfectly paced with a haunting romance full of pain and second chances. And the new generation characters already have me rabid for their books…especially Ezra. If you’re looking for a dark and gritty new adult romance, you simply need to read this one. Full stop.

We’re not made for soft endings. We’re made for catastrophe, for the kind of connection that leaves scars, the kind that haunts you long after the final page is turned.
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Review: Tore Up by Abbi Glines

October 23, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

TORE UP
Series: Mississippi Smoke #1
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 23, 2024

Calculating, cold, often without emotion was how I was described by those closest to me. I had thought perhaps there was truth to their depiction until this endless searing pain took the place in my chest where my heart used to be. Vengeance now ate away at my soul. The wrath I planned to unleash would make the demons in Hell appear mild.

At least, that was until…

The twisted crux came in the form of eyes bluer than the sky on a warm summer day, a slightly upturned nose with a scattering of freckles, a pink cupid bow mouth, and a smile that made a man’s knees weak.

The events that brought us here meant I should loathe her existence for eternity, yet my need for her grows with each passing day. She’s too young, she’s vulnerable and broken, but somehow, she’s not damaged. She was the cause of what had left me with this raging agony, and yet, the balm that eased my soul. Still, I can never forgive the destruction she caused me and those I love.

I had become a mockery of my revenge because holding her at night while she slept was the only thing keeping me sane. She’ll pay the price through my cruelty, never knowing that while she dreams, I find my solace.

My story begins with my worst nightmare.
And she’s the reason behind all of it.

AMAZON

There were only so many things I was willing to do when it came to her. Forgiving her was not one of them.

If you’ve read Abbi’s Smoke and Georgia Smoke series, then you will definitely love the Mississippi branch spinoff.

Abbi’s formula just always hits the spot for me. She writes some of the best toxic, walking red flags of alpha MMCs and I am so here for it. And while the super forgiving and at times overly innocent heroines would grate on me anywhere else, in her books it just works. Don’t ask me why or how. It just does, ok.

Those eyes of hers were a weapon. The damn sky on a clear day couldn’t even compete.

This is the Mississippi branch of the souther mafia so expect some cameos from past favorites as well as the introduction of plenty of new and intriguing characters. If you’re expecting a lot of mafia elements, it’s not really that. They’re more like morally corrupt, Yellowstone kind of ‘mafia’. Ya know? And this girl has no complaints.

Now the premise of this story is a HUGE spoiler, so I won’t tell you much but I will say that my jaw was on the floor on chapter one. And it takes a lot to catch your girl by surprise.

Our MMCs is the type of morally gray fictional man that I love. He’s ruthless, cold, unfeeling, and as homicidal as they come. The man is a walking red flag if there ever was one, so naturally I fell for him. Fictionally speaking of course. Halo is her name personified. This girl is innocent and sweetness all wrapped up into one eager to please FMC. And she was the perfect balance to the MMCs craziness.

She wasn’t mine, and I had no right to do this, but I couldn’t seem to stop it.

This is a forced proximity so it also had a slow burn element to it which I loved. It burned so good, even when there were moments that I wanted to c*ck punch our MMCs. But I digress.

This pull she had on me was owning me.

There is just something about Abbi’s books that are just pure book crack for me. I read them in one sitting and while there’s definitely a formula to them, it just always hits and hits the spot. It’s quick paced, spicy, with just the right amount of grit.

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Review: Grave Matter by Karina Halle

October 22, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

GRAVE MAGGER
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: Gothic, Psychological Thriller Romance
Release Date: October 23, 2024

Horror Romance meets science fiction in this dark and delicious gothic psychological thriller by NYT bestseller Karina Halle, perfect for fans of Gothikana, Ninth House, and Mexican Gothic.

Aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik is getting a second chance. When a dream opportunity presents itself with a prestigious foundation doing promising Alzheimer’s research, Sydney leaves the shambles of her old life to join a dozen other grad students at an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island.

But the Madrona Foundation harbors more than brilliant minds. Everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret—including the resident psychologist she’s falling in love with. A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity. And if Sydney isn’t going mad, then the horrors in the surrounding forest are real, and the Madrona Foundation may be the biggest monster of all.

NOTE: This will be a live release on Amazon for paperback, ebook and hardcover on October 23rd 2024. The paperback and ebook cover is different from the case-laminate and dustjacket hardcovers. This is a standalone novel. Check content warnings inside the book or author’s IG closer to publication.

AMAZON

I could never escape this. He is the undertow, his kiss pulling down me to my fate. Or maybe it’s my doom. It’s too hard to tell.

Spine tinglingly creepy, edge of your seat suspenseful, and toe curlingly erotic. Oh but what a ride this story was.

You know what I absolutely love about Karina Halle? Her range in writing is unrivaled. This woman can take any genre and trope and make it her b*tch. I genuinely had no idea what to expect when I read the blurb to this book. All that I knew is that if Karina writes it, I will read it.

This was a slow build sort of story that truth be told took me a minute to fully get into. At first I even thought it would land the book at a solid 4 stars. But considering that it has now been 4 days since I finished it and I still can’t stop thinking about it, I’ve obviously rethought my rating. Yes it’s a slow build but there’s a reason to that madness. And after the jaw dropping conclusion, I actually went back and reread the first half and appreciated it that much more.

Sydney received a dream opportunity on the tail end of almost seeing her life crumple around her. She jumps at the chance to come to prestigious Madrona Foundation for their incredible research. But the second she steps outside of the airplane, things take a sinister turn. Nothing is as it seems and Sydney doesn’t know if she’s going crazy or there’s something more to what she swears she sees.

She doesn’t know what to make sense of what she’s convinced she sees. And she also doesn’t know how to fight her undeniable attraction and chemistry with the brilliant Professor Kincaid, who also happens to the leading professor for the studies at Madrona and her psychologist.

Now I won’t give you more than that, because this story needs to be experienced absolutely blind. But what I will say is reading it after knowing the ending made it that much better and that is saying something about the cleverness of this twisty story. This is one of those reads that’s perfect for the spooky season. It’s creepy but not gross with just the right amount of romance weaved in so that it doesn’t take anything away from the suspense and mystery component. The second half of this book had me riveted and the ending left me with my jaw on the floor.

When I tell you that you need to read this, trust me, you NEED to read this.

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Review: From Here To Eternity by AL Jackson

October 15, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
Series: Moonlit Ridge #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: October 15,  2024

I should have known everything was going to change when she walked into my tattoo shop…

Timid as hell and gorgeous to the extreme. I knew better than even thinking about touching a woman like that.

My life is dangerous.

My calling wicked.

Willing to cross any line to protect the innocent.

I thought I’d never see her again until my little boy tumbled and busted his lip, and I found her working at the doctor’s office.

The woman who’d taken possession of my thoughts.

When it becomes clear she’s in trouble, I offer up a deal.

Twenty questions to earn her trust.

Too bad trusting me is the last thing she should do.

With one kiss, I’m addicted. With one night, we’re falling into a passion greater than either of us has ever known.

The voices in my head warn I can never keep her. She can’t know the secret life I lead.

Only she’s keeping a secret, too.

And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means losing everything…

AMAZON

You don’t have to run anymore, Charleigh. You can rest in me.”

As a long time fan of AL Jackson, the woman never disappoints with writing some of the most amazing and swooniest heroes I have ever read. And River Tayte? The man was absolute morally gray perfection. Not to mention possessive, protective, and with a dirty mouth to boot.

Gonna mark myself on you as deep as that tat on your arm. Permanently. Make you remember exactly what you want. What you need.”

Now if you’ve ever read a book by this author than you already know that she has the most unique writing style that I for one can never get enough of. It’s just the right amount of lyrical prose that just engrains her stories with something more. An oomph if you will.

River and Charleigh meet by chance when she stumbles into his tattoo shop. And knowing that he has a waiting list at least 6 months out, there’s something about the woman that calls to River and has him agreeing to tattoo her. And then when another chance meeting brings them together again, he’s not so willing to walk away. To say that the man falls and falls hard would be an understatement.

Don’t you think we’re taking this a little fast?” His thumb brushed the angle of my cheek. “How could it be too fast if I’ve been waiting on you my entire life?”

Charleigh is running. Her past shrouded in darkness and pain. And the more that the layers get peeled back on what this woman has been through, the more your heart breaks for her. She’s in constant fear and looking over her shoulder, but something about River just calls to her. She trusts him even if she can’t tell him the full extent of her past.

There is a strong suspense element that is intertwined in this story and even though I thought I knew where it was all heading, the story still managed to catch me completely by surprise. And I love when a book is able to do that because who doesn’t love a good plot twist. Especially when it’s done right. And boy was it done right. I do wish that we got perhaps a bit more details on the bad guy at the end, but it didn’t take anything away in the long run. It was such a satisfying conclusion and the most amazing epilogue.

I absolutely devoured this book and fully obsessed with this new series. I can’t wait for the next book!

It’s you and me, Charleigh. From here to eternity.”

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

Facebook: https://geni.us/ALJacksonFBB 

Reader Group: https://geni.us/AmysAngelsB 

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Twitter: @aljacksonauthor 

Instagram: @aljacksonauthor

TikTok: @aljacksonauthor

 

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Review: Brutal Game by Jo Brenner

October 10, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BRUTAL GAME
Series: Kings of Reina University #1
Author: Jo Brenner
Genre: Dark, New Adult Romance
Release Date: October 10, 2024

I tried to get revenge against his team, and now he’s making me pay…

In public, Jack Feldman is king on hockey star, golden god, brother to a billionaire, admired and wanted by everyone.
In private, he’s my ruthless tormentor bent on destroying body, mind, and soul.

When he catches me trying to get justice against his team, he threatens to ruin everything I care about unless I give him whatever he wants.

But what Jack wants is me.

He’s obsessive, possessive, and determined to wreck me.
And as he drags me down to the depths of his depravity, he brings out a part of me that wants to be wrecked by him.

He’s made it clear he owns me and will never let me go. When I fight back, he fights harder. He’s playing a dark and twisted game, but I can’t let him win.

Or his dark obsession will destroy us both.

Brutal Game contains several dark themes that some readers may be sensitive to. For more information, please visit the author’s website at jobrenner dot com.

AMAZON

She’d stolen something from me, something I couldn’t entirely describe. My control? My equilibrium? Something worse? Maybe we were even now, since I was stealing her, but it didn’t matter. She’d pay. Forever, if I had a say.

Now if you know me, you know I love me a good bully romance. When that also happens to combine hockey and morally gray MMCs, stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Admittedly, I haven’t read anything by Jo Brenner yet. But when I saw the blurb to this book, I just knew this would be my first book from her. And having read it, I can tell you that it definitely won’t be my last. What a twisty and spicy number this was!

Aviva is a woman on a mission. She’s a recent transfer to Reina university with one goal in mind, revenge for her brother who was once a rising college hockey star. But when Aviva goes searching for answers and evidence, she lands smack dab in the middle of the crosshairs of the hockey team’s golden boy; Jack Feldman.

Jack won’t let anyone stand in his way of making it to the NFL. And a girl after his team and coach just won’t do. So what’s a guy to do? Blackmail her into being you sex slave, obvie. But all kidding aside, this man was all sorts of unhinged and deranged. So obmiouly I fell immediately head over heels. If you like your fictional men obsessed, you’re going to love Jack. The man will stop at nothing to get Aviva, even if he has to manipulate her into him. And manipulate her he does. But she’s also his willing victim.

I loved Aviva’s fiery temper and backbone almost as I loved watching Jack try to bend her to his will. The chemistry between them was incendiary. I was immediately hooked on this story and these characters. I was also so intrigued by Jack’s best friends and teammates. There are some cameos from characters from previous books (related to Jack) that I will also be checking out immediately.

This was such a fun read and going right up there with my S Massery obsession. If you like mean MMCs with a degradation kink and FMCs that give as good as they get and don’t just take anything lying down (pun intended), you’ll definitely want to check this one out! I can’t wait for more in this series!


Meet Jo Brenner:
A lover of dogs, mountain adventures, and HGTV, Jo Brenner writes romances that are little
bit twisted, a lotta bit sexy—and always have an HEA.

Connect with Jo Brenner:
https://authorjobrenner.carrd.co

 




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Review: Brutal Bargain by Laurelin Paige

October 9, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BRUTAL BARGAIN
Series: Brutal Billionaires #4
Author: Laurelin Paige
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 9, 2024

She needs a husband. He won’t let anyone else have her.

Ax Morgan has played many roles in my life: My brother’s best friend. The most notorious member of the Sebastian News Corp executive team. My enemy with benefits.

But my husband?

No thanks.

Our after hours scenes are simply a convenient way for me to blow off steam while I plot my exit from my toxic family’s company.

But when I need a groom so I can claim my inheritance, he presents me with a choice that’s more like blackmail—marry him, or he’ll sabotage me. So between the devil and the deep blue sea, I let the devil put a ring on it.

Turns out this is the role he plays best of all.

The worst part of pretending with Ax is how real it’s starting to feel.

Now my future is in his hands. And if he finds out what I’m planning, he’ll be the one with the impossible choice. Who loses everything—his best friend or his fake wife?

AMAZON

Whatever you think you have planned,” he continues, “whatever scheme you’re up to, this doesn’t end until I say it does, so let me make this clear right the fuck now: You’re mine.””

I have loved Laurelin’s Brutal Billinaires series since book on. But this book? Ax and Adly? Hands down my absolute favorite in the series and so deliciously addictive, I cannot recommend it enough.

Now while you may read it as a standalone, you would appreciate the dynamics of this family so much more if you read it in order. Adly is the only female Sebastian sibling and while she has the wealth, she dreams of a career that is her own and not in the shadow of her family and her fairly high handed father who believes women should focus on having a family. Desperately needing to find her path, she sets her eyes on a business with her siblings. The only problem is the cost of the business has gone up and the only way to get to more funds is to access her trust fund that only pays when she gets married. So what’s a girl to do? Shop for a fiancé of course.

Ax has been part of the executive team of Sebastian News Corp for years. He’s also best friends with the black sheep of the Sebastian family, but we’ll get to that later. Ax and Adly grew up together and have had years of a contentious relationship that finally comes to a head one night…and I mean BOOM. Suddenly, they find an escape from reality with each other in the form of role playing and these two play hard. Oh my god I loved their role playing.

…when Ax texts me with the start of a new scenario, I don’t ask questions. I just come. Literally and cliterally.”

And while they’re only hooking up, when Ax learns of Ally’s plans to find a husband on paper, he refuses for it to be anyone but him.

So basically, I should marry my bully so he can continue to bully me under the umbrella of the law.”
“I’m going to bully you either way, so why not make it legal? Though I prefer the term torment.”
“Terrorize is more accurate.”
In one fluid motion, he’s on his feet, his hands propped on the desk, leaning over with his face so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my lips. “Doesn’t matter what you call it, darling, as long as it gets you wet, and we both know that it does.””

When I tell you that I loved these two, I mean I was absolutely obsessed with them. Their chemistry, their banter, their role playing. Did I mention their role playing? I swear, Laurelin just reached into my head to pull out the pure fantasy that was Ax. He’s wholly obsessed, slightly mean but with a heart of gold, and when he falls, he falls so hard. I loved the way he fought for Adly as much as I loved the way that Adly fought him.

Why can’t you take everything I want to give like you take my cock? Is this the only form of attention you can accept?” “I don’t… I don’t know.” It’s truer than I want to admit. “Then I’ll tell you—you were made to be fucked like this. Fucked by me, Adly. And I alone know what you need. No one else. If I tell you you’re the fucking sun in the sky, then you’re the sun in the sky. If I tell you that you deserve more, then you take more. You take what I give. You understand yet?””

Brutal Bargain was pure romance perfection, full of heart, emotion, and enough chemistry to set your kindle on fire. Ax and Adly were incendiary together. I loved them so much! 

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

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

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

Connect w/Laurelin:

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Review: By Blood to Avenge by Natasha Knight

October 8, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BY BLOOD TO AVENGE
Series: Sinners Duet #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight
Release Date: October 8, 2024

I claimed her, but I never intended on falling for her.

I see the scars Blue hides. The secrets she keeps. I want to collect all the broken pieces of her.

Her enemies are closing in faster than she can run.

When she’s taken from me, I hunt down her abductor and give in to my rage.

I spill blood for her. I’d do it again.

But the game turns deadly when some of the most powerful men of The Society attack.

I won’t let them touch her though.

I won’t fail Blue like I failed my sister, even if she will be my undoing.

AMAZON 

Zeke and I, there’s a darkness inside us. It belongs to us, it envelops us.

The epic conclusion to Blue and Zeke’s story was an absolute page turner that I devoured in one sitting. But then again, I say that about every book I read by Natasha. The woman puts some sort of crack in her books, I swear. And they hit each and every single time.

After the jaw dropping cliffhanger in the first book, I was itching to get my hands on this one. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It was a thrill ride full of IVI society dark secrets, betrayals and revenge. Oh my god the revenge!

I don’t want to give too much away but there are a lot of revelations that happen. Some I saw coming and some absolutely blew my mind. Zeke goes from a man determined to make his blackmailer pay to a may who is wholly obsessed with the woman and will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Blue, even though she’s young, is definitely mature beyond her years. But given the way she grew up, that’s not surprising. The woman is a survivor through and through. And she doesn’t stop fighting even when the odds are stacked against her. I loved her so much.

There is so much that is packed into this book and all of it just worked. It was fast paced, deliciously erotic, and completely unputdownable. I loved the cameos from some past favorites and I absolutely adored Zeke and Blue. I will never tire of this world and can’t recommend this duet enough!

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Review: Bull Rush by Maggie Rawdon

September 27, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BULL RUSH
Genre: Dark Western Romance
Author: Maggie Rawdon
Release Date: September 27, 2024

Still married.
Those words change everything.

Now my should-be ex-husband, Ramsey Stockton, the former pro football star turned felon and hero who left this town—and me—behind years ago, is at my door offering me a deal with the devil.

If I let him stay and play his wife again for ninety days, he’ll give me a quiet divorce and his family ranch—the one my inn is on. When I scoff at the idea, he offers a million-dollar bonus to help my business float through this rough patch, but only if I’m his.

Then he’ll walk away, and I can walk down the aisle with my fiancé. Or I can say no and watch everything I’ve worked so hard for fall apart.

There’s only one answer I can afford to give him. But he knows everything about me—every hurt, every secret, and every single weakness I have, including him.

While Ramsey might want me, his brothers want him back in the family business. If there’s one universal truth in this town, it’s that Stockton men stop at nothing to get what they want.

AMAZON 

You remembered,” she says, and it’s quiet, so quiet I read the words on her lips more than I hear them over the music and the roar of the bar. I smile slowly, half afraid to do anything to mess this moment up. “Sugar, when it comes to you, I remember every single thing. Like you were branded on my soul.”

Well now, this is going to be a roller coaster of a series if this book is anything to go by. Because, what a ride! This was full of twists and turns and so much dirty talk that set my loins ablaze. Did I just age myself by typing that? I think I may have, but I digress.

The second I read the blurb to this book, I knew I had to have it, and it definitely delivered on that blurb and then some. I love a second chance romance and when that second chances is with your ex spouse that you thought you were divorced from? Color me all over it.

Hazel has finally moved on from her ex husband. It’s been years since Ramsey left to pursue his football career and left her his family’s inn. Hazel is engaged and happy, but then gets the shock of a lifetime. Turns out her divorce never went through. And her ex husband is back in town after he’s paroled from prison and making her a deal. He’ll give her the money she needs to fix the inn and grant her the divorce if she gives him 90 days as his wife. Now, the second Hazel’s fiancé agreed, I fully wrote him off. Bye Felicia! But I digress again.

Admittedly, Hazel took me a minute to warm up to. I knew there was definitely more than Just Ramsey and his family history that led to their falling out. But at times she came off as childish and petty. The way she chooses to punish him just rubbed me wrong even if I loved Ramsey’s reactions to her little rebellions. Luckily she did mature throughout the course of the book and definitely grew on me. But Ramsey? Ramsey definitely stole the show. This man was absolute fire with a dirty mouth to boot.

There’s some mystery about his family legacy and his siblings that develops throughout the book that I can’t wait to learn more about in the next ones. There’s some grittier and darker elements of suspense as well, which I definitely enjoyed. I wouldn’t call it dark, but it wasn’t light either.

I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other against all odds. And I also definitely need to go back and read Mine to Gain because there’s definitely an appearance by Ramsey in that book that I want to know more about.

This was a fun page turner with plenty of spice and sizzle. But the set up for the next book? SALIVATING.

 

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Review: Play The Game by SJ Sylvis

September 26, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

PLAY THE GAME
Series: Blue Devils Hockey #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: S.J. Sylvis
Release Date: September 26, 2024

As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming many things. A twenty-five-year-old photographer struggling to make ends meet with a mountain of legal fees wasn’t one of them. Making questionable decisions wasn’t either.

After hanging up my camera, I start a job I loathe that has me questioning my morals on a daily basis.

Until I run into Chicago’s newest bad-boy goalie whose reputation is a trainwreck—???????????????????? ????????????????????.

In a desperate effort to rid my debt, I corner Emory and try to exploit him. When my plan backfires, I not only have a new enemy with steely blue eyes and a talent for the game but a man now on a mission with his own insane plan in mind.

The terms are simple: I marry Emory and act like his doting wife in front of the press to clean up his image, and he’ll pay off my debt when the job is done. But now, instead of my bills keeping me up at night, I find myself fantasizing about my fake husband and his devilish stare.

He tells me to play the game, but when lines start to blur and his touches linger, I’m not sure what’s real or fake anymore. The sizzling attraction and fiery chemistry between us can’t be contained.

Emory Olson says he never loses, and by the end of our marriage game, I’m pretty sure I’m no exception.

AMAZON 

I think my fake wife just became my vice.

This is my favorite book from SJ Sylvis that I have read and if I can’t convince you that it needs to be on your immediate TBR, I’m not yelling at you hard enough!!

She’s undeniably beautiful, and I can’t stand it.

Emory Olson was a secondary character who I loved to hate in Puck Block. He was Ford’s best friend and Taytum’s extremely overprotective older brother. So overprotective in fact, that he was overbearing. And when I heard that he was getting his own book, I couldn’t wait to meet the woman that was sure to bring him to his knees.

He’s an animal on the ice but resembles a Calvin Klein model off of it.

This book takes place several years after the ending of Puck Block, with Emory now a professional hockey player and the new goalie for the Chicago Blue Devils. And if you haven’t read that other series, not to worry, because while I highly recommend it, this definitely reads as the start of a new series.

Emory is a man with a reputation and his most recent PR problem lands him being traded to Chicago. So he’s not looking for any more trouble, especially of the woman variety.
But nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me or Emory for the storm that was Scottie. When I tell you that I immediately loved her character, I mean I couldn’t get enough of this woman and her sassy mouth.

Scottie is a girl with big dreams but struggling to make ends meets working as a stripper. And can I just say that I loved the camaraderie that these girls had without any cattiness. So refreshing. But I digress. Scottie is as sweet as they come, but desperate times cause some drastic decisions. And the one that lands her in the crosshairs of Emory is one she instantly regrets because it’s not who she is. But then Emory sets his sights on her and has an idea that would benefit them both. She gets the money she desperately needs and he gets a fake wife to clean up his image.

I’ve gotta admit, this is probably the most romantic way anyone has ever asked a woman to marry them. A forced lap dance in a strip club, with a prenup, NDA, and a contract waiting to be signed in my car. What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart.

And while that set up sounds pretty cliche, it was anything but. The story and the characters just brought this story to life and oh my god how I loved it. It was a delicious slow burn that was so full of chemistry, I felt my fingers singe every time I turned the page.

Emory and Scottie were incendiary together. Their banter, their connection, their everything just did it for me and I loved them so hard. This story gave me all the feels. It made me laugh, it made me swoon, and boy did it make me sweat. Obsessed is an understatement and I desperately need more in this series!


S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her new adult romances. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two small kiddos, and pets! She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book! 

Connect with S.J. Sylvis

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