Review: Tricked by my Ex by J. Sterling

October 1, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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Review: Fall Into You by JT Geissinger

September 28, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

Ruthless. Arrogant. Ice cold.

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

I figured wrong.

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

 

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

Connect with J.T. Geissinger 

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | AMAZON | FB | FB GROUP | IG | TIKTOK | BOOKBUB

Text BOOK to 844-946-2079

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Review: Brutal Secret by Laurelin Paige

September 27, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

Connect w/Laurelin:

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Review: Off The Grid by K. Bromberg

September 14, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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


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

AMAZON 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Kristy

Website: www.kbromberg.com

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Facebook Group: http://smarturl.it/DrivenFB

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

 

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Review: Fighting The Pull by Kristen Ashley

September 12, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Review: The Good Girl by Nikki Sloane

September 4, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

You should say no.

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

 

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

*clapping in giddy reader*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Nikki

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Review: Playing to Win by Monica Murphy

August 10, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

PLAYING TO WIN
Series: The Players #3
Author: Monica Murphy
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: August 10, 2023

Ready to fall for the ultimate player? Check out the latest sports romance by New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy…

Ace Townsend is the biggest player on campus.

The sexy new quarterback on the football team.

I should probably mention he’s also a complete flirt. The life of the party wherever he goes.

Someone I should avoid at all costs.

It’s difficult though, when I’m on the social media crew for the football team and we’re out on the field during practice almost every day, filming them. On the sidelines at games. Hanging out with them at bars. The more I spend time with Ace, the more I’m drawn to him. The attraction is there, but it’s more than that. I actually like him. We have a connection, and he definitely feels it too.The problem?

I signed a contract when I started on the social media team with a ‘no dating athletes’ clause. They’re strictly off limits. If we get caught together? It’s cause for my immediate termination. I love my new job and don’t want to risk it, but I’m falling for Ace.

Hard.

We’re all for sneaking around and keeping our growing relationship secret, but it’s starting to wear on us. Ace is determined to win me at all costs, though he doesn’t want to be the reason I lose my job, but…

Maybe the two of us being together is worth the risk.

AMAZON

I have a feeling we’d be so damn good together. Like we have the potential to burn down the world, if she’d just let me show her.

Playing to Win was this wonderful combination of sweet and spicy that I devoured in a sitting. Playing by the Rules brought us brother’s best friend trope. This one introduces us to the youngest Maguire sibling; Ruby. Ace was the backup QB in book two, but this book is his time to shine. He’s now the star QB and the campus playboy. But when these two lay eyes on each other, sparks fly.

He’s my every freaking dream come true. Too bad he’s off limits.

But Ruby just landed a job on the team’s social media and a relationship clause makes anything beyond attraction forbidden.

I absolutely loved Ruby and her ability to go after what she wants. But the star of the book was definitely Ace. Sweet and dirty Ace, who is laser focused on getting this girl and will stop at nothing. I loved how he pursued her. I love their forbidden relationship vibes. But most of all I loved them together.

It feels like an end of an era with this book but it couldn’t have ended on a more perfect couple.

 

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website | Goodreads  | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | Pinterest | Verve Romance | Tik Tok 

 


 

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Review: The Client by Stella Gray

July 13, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

THE CLIENT
Author: Stella Gray
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 13, 2023

When I won the modeling contest, I lost my freedom.

KZ Modeling owns my body.

But they’re willing to rent it out.

The first time I learn my fate and I’m auctioned off changes everything.

Because it’s also my first time.

And the gorgeous, haunted billionaire who now wants exclusive rights to me for the next six months?

He has no idea I can’t say no.

But the real shock is discovering I don’t want to.

AMAZON

This is how it’s going to work, Miss Jasinski. We will date publicly, we will fuck privately, and any feelings you develop for me you will keep to yourself. Understood?”

The second I read the blurb to The Client, I knew it would be my first Stella Gray book. And having finished it, it certainly won’t be my last.

This sounds like a darker story than it was. While it touches on some dark subject matter like trafficking, it doesn’t go too detailed and so just grazes the gray-ish. Izabela was hoping a modeling contract in the US would be the answer to everything. With an aunt and uncle in Poland who are barely making ends meet to support her sick sister, every penny she earns goes to them. But while she heard whispers of the dark side of her modeling agency, she’s never wanted to believe it. That is until she gets sold.

On the auction block, she gets sold to a man, but that’s not who she ends up with. That would be the man’s younger, devastatingly handsome billionaire son. And there’s no love lost between him and daddy dearest. I must have spent half the book wanting to cock punch the eldest McConnell. Rhys is a jaded man, but given his history with his father, I can’t say I blame him. He’s attracted to Izabella and hates how he’s drawn to her. While a virgin, luckily Izabella isn’t the typical annoying virginal heroine. She’s a touch naive but with a backbone and I found her gentle nature with a spine of steel so endearing. This is a woman who loves her family fiercely and would do anything for them.

The chemistry between her and Rhys was palpable. She’s attracted to him beyond her understanding and he’s determined to keep his heart out of it. The ending did feel a bit rushed in my opinion, but it was still super satisfying. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and need to read the rest of Gray’s backlist now.

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#DGEFave & Review: The Puck Secret by G.N. Wright

July 11, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

THE PUCK SECRET
Series: Fairfield U #1
Author: G.N. Wright
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: June 16, 2023

Hockey is my life. It’s my only goal, my only escape, and everything was going according to plan. All I had to do was focus on the game, keep my head down, then get drafted into the NHL.

Starting the year as the Captain of FU should have made that easy, but now my attention is torn between the ice and taunting my rival’s little sister, Madeline Peters.

My only real solace is the mystery girl inside my phone who refuses to tell me her name.

Then one drunken knock on the wrong door brings Madeline into my bedroom. It doesn’t matter that I hate her, that I’ve been warned to stay away from her, now that I know what she tastes like, the Mayor’s daughter is just too hard to resist.

I know I can’t afford any distractions, especially not with her brother’s warnings in my ear, but I’ve never been good at following the rules and denying what I want, and what I want is her.

But what do I do when it turns out the same girl I can’t let go of is also the temptress who’s been sending me all of her secrets?

AMAZON

 

She might not even know my name yet, but I know one day I’ll be making her scream it.

I didn’t know this when I started this book, but I am fully now in my Hockey romance era. And this book? OMG! Where has this been all my life and how is this my first GN Wright book? Y’all, obsessed doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Are you going to beg, Princess?” I tease, licking her taste from my lips as I try to restrain myself from going back for more.
“God, I fucking hate you,” she pants, her chest rising and falling in rapid movements as she tries to catch her breath.
“That’s okay,” I say with a smile. “You can still hate me and come on my face at the same time.”

There has never been any love lost between Nova Darkmore and Madeline Peters. He may not hate her as much as her father, but it’s a close third. The second place taken by her twin brother and his hockey teammate, Josh. There’s some convoluted history between these two to say the least. Nova is the boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a golden college hockey career. Madeline is the perfect little obedient daughter of a senator and snob…or so Nova thinks anyway. The tension between these two is almost as palpable as the chemistry.

A drunken night and a wrong phone number later, begins a text exchange with neither of the them knowing who the other is. And OMG this was delicious. But certainly not as delicious as the hate between them brewing into such heated lust that they can’t deny it anymore.

Madeline is put between a rock and a hard place when her father tells her she has to get engaged to a slime back of a guy or he’ll pull his financial support. The last thing she wants is to marry the sleaze ball but she feels like she has little choice if she wants to graduate and stand on her own two feet. Her attraction to her brother’s rival is quite inconvenient. Especially when another drunken mishap lands her on his door looking to even the odds with her philandering “fiancé”. Thus begins their push and pull, we can’t but we can’t stop relationship and oh my god was I here for it. Nova is what my book boyfriend dreams are made out of. A little tortured with a sprinkle of dirty talk and all of the possessiveness. Madeline was a ball of sass herself even though I wanted to judge her for caving so easily to her father…who I hated so hard. But I digress.

This was the beginning of what’s bound to be one amazing new series and I cannot wait for more. I devoured this in one sitting and if you’re on the fence with this book, trust me and just read it. You’ll be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

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Review: Don’t Pretend I’m Yours by Natasha Anders

June 12, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

DON’T PRETEND I’m YOURS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Natasha Anders
Release Date:  June 6,  2023

When Ben Templeton asks Lilah Beckett to marry him, she’s over the moon. She’s been in love with him for years and now, finally, it looks like those feelings are reciprocated. She eagerly accepts his proposal, but on her wedding day, all expectations of a happily ever after with the love of her life come crashing to her feet. Lilah discovers that her new husband does not love her; he barely even likes her. He married her for all the wrong reasons and now expects her to be satisfied with the scraps of affection and attention he throws her way.

To preserve her heart and her sanity, Lilah knows that she cannot allow this sham of a marriage to continue. But her much-loved grandfather is ecstatic about the union and to avoid disappointing him, Lilah informs Ben that she’ll play at being his wife for one year only. Ben, however, seems perfectly content to remain tethered to her in a loveless union for all eternity. He has his own reasons for marrying Lilah. Reasons he’s hiding behind a wall of secrets, half-truths, and blatant lies.

And when that wall comes tumbling down, Lilah is emotionally unprepared to deal with the further devastation and heartbreak that follow.

AMAZON 

The woman seemed have been operating under some massive misapprehension about this marriage. He wasn’t doing this for her. He barely even liked her.

This, THIS was the book I didn’t know I was waiting for from Natasha Anders. I still remember the rabid giddiness I read The Unwanted Wife back in 2012, which marked my obsession with all things Natasha Anders. While she’s a well rounded contemporary author able to bring sweet and angsty in equal measures, there’s just something about her angst ridden romance with alpha holes that just does it for me. And boy did Ben deliver on all of the things.

The story was in the vein of Unwanted Wife, but also remarkably different. I’ll explain. This is an arranged marriage trope where the heroine is going into the marriage blissfully happy believing it’s love and the hero has anterior motives which love doesn’t enter into. But that’s about where those similarities end. It’s also not your run of the mill arranged/marriage of convenience trope. It’s so much deeper.

Ben and Lilah grew up together, but where Lilah idolized and crushed on Ben, Ben resented Lilah. He found her to be a petulant, spoiled child who could do no wrong in her beloved grandfather’s eyes. While Ben is the Forster child taken in by him and idolizes his mentor to a fault. Theirs is not a marriage built on love or even like, and Ben wastes no time disillusioning Lilah of any notion of anything otherwise.

Lilah was absolute perfection. She was such a wonderfully endearing combination of strength and vulnerability. She wants love and will settle for nothing less. She doesn’t take any of Ben’s BS and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and boy did she give as good as she gets. Ben was insufferable for the first half (just like I love my heroes); cold and unfeeling. And let me tell you, there is nothing more satisfying then seeing him fall helplessly for his wife and begin to see her in a light he never did growing up. And when he finally sees beyond the impression he built in his eyes, he wants more. But at this point Lilah wants nothing more than a divorce from him. Oh the grovel! The sweet sweet grovel.

I know that right now you hate me, but I’m fucking begging you to give me another chance, mo chridhe. I swear to God, I would move heaven and earth to make you happy and make you love me again.”

I hope we get books for all of Lilah’s garden ‘hoes’. Their friendship was the sunshine needed to break up some of the more heavy elements of this book. But man did I devour this story. Only thing that could have made it better is if it was written in first person POV. But this took nothing away from the story that sucked me in from the first page and kept me glued to it until the end.

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