#DGRFave & Review: For Lucy by Jewel E. Ann

FOR LUCY
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jewel E. Ann
Release Date: May 23, 2020

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes a novel so heartfelt and real it redefines the meaning of love. I’m the wrong guy in the right place the night I steal Tatum Bradshaw from another man. When she mistakes me for her blind date, I decide she deserves a man who shows up on time … like me. Emmett Riley, Mr. Punctual. Once I confess my true identity and convince her I’m not a creep–just a thief–it’s only a matter of time before my sexy smile and quick wit claim her heart, her hand in marriage, and the perfect life. Unfortunately, perfection is an illusion, like the promises of our wedding vows. No one can prepare for the unimaginable–the heartbreaking exception to all the rules in life. When thirty seconds destroys everything, I have to find a new existence and keep my promise to always love our daughter, Lucy, the most. For Lucy, I will keep a secret, and I will watch my wife drift into the arms of another man. Given the chance … can I reclaim my wife and the pieces of our life? *This story contains sensitive subject matter.

 AMAZON

It’s never been my hands keeping her hostage. I’ve always loved her with open arms. My love has never been forced. It’s always been free. She’s the one who cannot walk away. And she knows she needs me to take the blame for that too. So I do. Because that’s how I love her

This. Book. It emotionally eviscerated me. I was sobbing into my pillow at 2 am, completely incapable of setting it down, and totally wrecked by the story. This was a second chance romance unlike any I’ve every read. It was raw, devastating, heart wrenching, and so full of depth I felt like I was drowning in it. I think what struck me the most is that you can easily see yourself in the couple. In the devastation and what ifs that they go through, you feel it on a soul deep level that just stays with you and burrows so deep, it hurts even when you finish.

No matter how hard we try to be perfect, we are not. No matter how hard we try to do the right thing, the wrong thing manages to trip us up. No matter how undeserving one might feel of forgiveness, no one is unworthy of it.

While I’m not usually a fan of time jumps, it’s done absolutely flawlessly here. Jewel effortlessly weaves the past into the story where it doesn’t detract from the time line but adds a morsel of understanding with each new detail of their past that gets unveiled. I’m not going to tell you what the story is about. Read the blurb and go in with just that. Trust me on this. This a book that you simply need to experience blind. What I will tell you, is that I already somewhat knew what I’d be getting into and avoided starting it for that reason. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the type of feelings I knew it would invoke. However, the author handled the incredibly delicate subject matter so incredibly well, that I kicked myself for waiting to start. She gives details without going into too many details. I can’t tell you more so as to not ruin it, but I’ll say that the way it was written was sheer perfection. It was depth without being too much that I would be bawling my eyes out. All the while I still bawled my eyes out, but for other reasons.

Emmett?” “Hmm?” “Thank you.” “For what?” “For being in my corner.” Swallowing my pride, my pain, and a lifetime of emotions, I nod several times. “Always.”

When Emmett met Tatum, he knew she was the one. And no it wasn’t the corny insta love sort of thing. It could have easily been that way. But instead it was endearing and emotional and oh so good. The book is told entirely in Emmett’s POV which I really loved. Being in his head was unlike anything I’ve experienced. The man is flawed but also perfect. He loves selflessly. He gives everything. And he’s impossible not to love wholeheartedly. The story spans years, the majority of it in the present, where Tatum and Emmett have been divorced for 5 years, still dealing with the fallout of their marriage. I hated Tatum for a good portion of this book. While a deeper part of me understood her, I still couldn’t help but hate her for the things she says and does. Emmett is just so flawed yet perfect, that it was impossible to hate her a little being in his head, even though he loves her selflessly through all of the pain.

You can’t love me,” she whispers. “You can’t tell me who to love.”

The story is incredibly emotionally charged and raw. It’s full of love and pain, mistakes and forgiveness. If you’re looking for a second chance romance that will own you, heart and soul, look no further. Dare I say this may have been my favorite Jewel E Ann book to date.

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author a with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

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Review: Resurrection of the Heart by A Zavarelli & Natasha Knight

RESURRECTION OF THE HEART
Series: The Society Trilogy #3
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
Release Date: May 18,  2021

 

Santiago finally has what he wants. His baby is growing inside me.

I’ve rewritten her destiny, binding her to me for good.

Things are changing for us. I see beyond the monster he shows the world. See the scars he hides beneath the ink.

Love is a weakness men like me can’t afford. I’ve decided to keep her, but I’ll never forfeit my revenge.

His final betrayal proves his vengeance means more to him than our love.

I will have my pound of flesh, no matter the cost.

I made a mistake trusting him. I forgot how much he likes my tears.

When I am through, I’ll have what I thought I always needed.

I’ll run from him. I’ll have to.

I’ll bring her back when she runs. I’ll always bring her back. She belongs with me.

But it’s too late when I realize he’s not the only monster in my world. And that mistake will cost us both dearly.

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START THE TRILOGY TODAY!!!

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#2 Reparation of Sin

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She is in love with me… and I am helpless to it.

The heart pounding and epic conclusion to The Society Trilogy is finally here and I’m still recovering after this wild ride.

There’s nothing more satisfying that watching the anti-hero of a story slowly melting heart. And when it comes to Santiago, he’s been one man that I’ve loved to hate. He’s a man that lived through the ultimate betrayal, knowing nothing but his drive for revenge. His new wife was supposed to be that tool for his bloody revenge, but soon proved to be his ultimate challenge. She’s fought him at every turn, and she never backed down. Ivy was one of my favorite heroines I’ve read. She’s tough yet vulnerable and impossible not to connect with. She falls for Santiago in spite of herself, but that doesn’t make her back down from her fight. If anything, it makes her that much stronger.

The story was a non stop thrill ride of secrets, betrayals and twists. Like the previous two books, I devoured it in one sitting, eagerly turning the pages just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And when it did? Jaw dropping.

This may be my favorite arranged marriage/enemies to lovers stories to date. There was just something so delicious about the long and painful push and pull between these two. They managed to take two steps back each time they took a step forward, and yet I couldn’t stop rooting for them.

I sincerely hope that there’s going to be more books in this world because I’m already salivating for a book for Mercedes and Judge. GAH. I needs it. And Marco. I just can’t seem to let go of this dark and twisty world. The story unraveled before me like a movie reel and hooked me from the very first book. It was quick paced, erotic, and deliciously dark and twisty.

About A. Zavarelli:

A. Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.

Connect w/A. Zavarelli: 

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About Natasha Knight:

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over half a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.

Connect w/Natasha: 

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Review: The Silencer by RC Boldt

THE SILENCER
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Author: RC Boldt
Release Date: May 18. 2021

Sometimes, it takes becoming a monster in order to kill one.

USA Today bestselling author RC Boldt brings us an unforgettable tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption in her new romantic thriller, THE SILENCER…

No one wants to admit that sometimes only evil can extinguish other evil.
Each time I drain the life from their bodies, I inch closer to purging my past.
Then a by-the-book FBI agent–one as astute as he is handsome–threatens my plans…and what’s left of my heart.
He doesn’t believe there are exceptions to breaking the law. That’s where we differ.
They once silenced me and countless others, but now I’ve reversed our roles.
Because, this time, it’s my turn to be the silencer.

**The Silencer is a dark and gritty romantic suspense that deals with sensitive topics which may not be suitable for all readers.

 
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I do bad things for very good reasons. Because some people need saving and some need killing. I do both.

Wow. Just wow. This book…wow. It caught me completely unaware and hit me over the head like a two by four full of emotion and depth. I’m absolutely blown away.

Now I will say, as a survivor, this story hit a bit different for myself. It dealt with an incredibly dark and difficult subject matter and was handled absolutely flawlessly. Reading about an elite ring of pedophilia is a subject that hits home for several reasons, especially in our world reality. It had a dark undercurrent without going into shock value or gory details, which I appreciated, because it lost none of the impact.

If there’s one thing I love its a badass heroine, and it simply doesn’t get more badass than Dr Kennedy Alexandre, a forensic anthropologist by day and vigilante by night. A survivor who experienced the depths of human depravity and hell, she’s put everything into making sure she protects innocents and punishes the vile and untouchable elite when the system fails. A new case brings her head to head with a handsome FBI agent who does everything by the book.

The chemistry was immediate and so incendiary that I couldn’t get enough of these two. Kennedy is a closed off loner who dedicates herself to her job and saving innocents. Landon is a charming FBI agent who doesn’t play well with others when it comes to getting his job done but never above the law. They clash epically, but beneath their banter is a chemistry and I thought their slow burn just may kill me. There’s just something so boyishly charming about Landon, yet he still has alpha vibes a mile long. He’s sweet, protective, and impossible not to love.

The story was a twisty thrill ride of epic proportions and even though I saw the big twist coming, it never took anything away from the story. RC Boldt gave one crumb after another so you spend each minute and each page turn just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And when it does? WOWZA!

If you’re looking for a romantic thriller that packs a heck of a punch with a heroine impossible not to root for and a hero that you’ll fall head over heels for, you need this book in your life.

RC Boldt enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you’re in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can’t recall the lyrics to a particular 80’s song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she’s your girl.

 

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Review: Here With Me by Samantha Young

HERE WITH ME
Series: Adair Family #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young
Release Date: May 11, 2021

Settled in the tranquil remoteness of the Scottish Highlands, Ardnoch Estate caters to the rich and famous. It is as unattainable and as mysterious as its owner –ex-Hollywood leading man Lachlan Adair–and it’s poised on the edge of a dark scandal.

After narrowly escaping death, police officer Robyn Penhaligon leaves behind her life in Boston in search of some answers. Starting with Mac Galbraith, the Scottish father who abandoned her to pursue his career in private security. To re-connect with Mac, Robyn will finally meet a man she’s long resented. Lachlan Adair. Hostility instantly brews between Robyn and Lachlan. She thinks the head of the Adair family is high-handed and self-important. And finding closure with Mac is proving more difficult than she ever imagined. Robyn would sooner leave Ardnoch, but when she discovers Mac is embroiled in a threat against the Adairs and the exclusive members of the estate, she finds she’s not yet ready to give up on her father.

Determined to ensure Mac’s safety, Robyn investigates the disturbing crimes at Ardnoch, forcing her and Lachlan to spend time together. Soon it becomes clear a searing attraction exists beneath their animosity, and temptation leads them down a perilous path.
While they discover they are connected by something far more addictive than passion, Lachlan cannot let go of his grip on a painful past: a past that will destroy his future … if the insidious presence of an enemy lurking in the shadows of Ardnoch doesn’t do the job first.

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She’d lit up under his hands. He tasted her fire on his tongue and, goddamn, it ignited something inside him.

I was immediately sucked into this story from the very first chapter. A fiery, tough as nails former Boston cop meet broody and reclusive former Hollywood star? Sign me right up!

If there’s one thing that I love when Samantha writes, it’s an enemies to lovers romance. There’s just something so sizzling ingrained into the chemistry of her characters that I’ll never get enough of.

Robyn was a heroine that I loved from the very first page. Hard not to love a fierce heroine that isn’t afraid to speak her mind. After a nigh on the job nearly costs her her life, she finds herself looking for answers. And for her, a log of her unanswered questions lie with her estranged Scottish father; a man who left her when she was just a little girl for an illustrious career protecting a Hollywood star.

Robyn finds herself in the remote Scottish Highlands, at Ardnoch Estate, going head to head with the reclusive owner, Lachlan and also in the center of an escalating stalker case.

If you love a good romantic suspense, this one brought the mystery and action in spades. Between the escalating hate lust going on with Robyn and Lachlan, and the whodunit mystery of the stalker case, I found myself incapable of putting the book down. The romance is a slow burn, a bit tamer on the steam but no less satisfying. What kept me absolutely riveted to the pages were all of the secondary characters, particularly the Adairs. I can already tell that I’m going to be hooked on this series because the set up for each of them is utterly delicious.

I love a good suspense when I can’t see the ending coming and this one definitely caught me unaware. I never saw any of it coming and it heightened the enjoyment that much more.

Lachlan definitely took his sweet time to extricate his head from his nether region, but man did I love to hate his broody, a-holish side. I particularly loved to see Robyn constantly put him in his place. I’m so excited to have another series to obsess over from one of my favorites. Hopefully we get Mac’s story next.

Samantha is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty books, several of which have been nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. She writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction. Her books have been published in 28 languages in 30 countries. She resides in Scotland.

For more information visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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Review: The Hate of Loving You by Maya Hughes

THE HATE OF LOVING YOU
Series: Falling #23
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult Romance
Author: Maya Hughes
Release Date: May 6,  2021

Six years ago, in the dead of night, I woke up to a cold bed and an even colder future without her.

I would’ve followed her anywhere and she left.

I thought I’d moved on and left all she meant to me behind. But a first love is never easy to forget. Even harder when I once felt our love is inevitable–inescapable. And I’ve been proven right once again.

One night brings us back together and derails our lives. We’re sent on a collision course with a future apart and even scarier–a future together. I’m back basking in the warm glow of her gaze and burning with the unquenchable fire of her touch.

We’ve walked this path before and our shattered hearts have been pieced back together. As easy as it would be to run again, I can’t stop wanting her.

This is our final chance to have what we’ve always wanted–each other. Or it’ll be our ruin.

The final book in the Fulton U universe sports romance, Falling trilogy.

AMAZON


CHECK OUT THE FULTON U SERIES

#1 The Perfect First | #2 The Second We Met | #3 The Third Best Thing | #4 The Fourth Time Charm

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We’d both made our choices. It was only fair we lived with them, no matter how much we hoped we could take it all back. There was no erasing the past.

What an emotional ride this trilogy has been. Dare I say, it’s one of my favorite stories from Maya Hughes to date? Because man, this is just not a story I’d be forgetting any time soon. Bay and Dare are simply unforgettable.

The overwhelming feeling of our past collided with my present, making it hard to breathe. But I needed him to hear it, needed him to know I still thought about him.

Their story was beautiful, tragic, and oh so epic. Spanning years and plenty of heartbreak, it was both infuriating and heart warming. And yes, I guess that combination was possible. what I’m trying to tell you here is that I felt all of the things. ALL OF THEM. And all of them hurt.

This book takes place six years after the events of The Sin of Kissing You. Bay is now a famous musician with plenty of loyalty fans. But she’s also the woman that never got over the loss of the love she left behind. A chance encounter brings her and Dare together again, but this time they’re both different.

My heart broke for Dare throughout the entire trilogy. I wanted to hate Bay for her decision in book two, but I also understood it. The woman put him through the wringer, and I get it. He definitely had to work for it, but a part of me wished she’d taken it easier on him. This book really went a long way into humanizing and endearing her. You felt her heartache. You felt her pain and you definitely felt her love for him. Dare may be a little older, but he still has the heart of gold. This really put their situations in reverse of book two, and I appreciated it. It was a nice little twist that went a long way into setting things right. Dare is no longer the tortured boy who’s angry at the world. He’s a man who knows what he wants and he’s not afraid of it. Bay really had to work for him here, but he gave it all back. Their connection is just something so heart warming that I couldn’t get enough of it.

It was an epic, unforgettable, and entirely satisfying confusion to an amazing trilogy. If you’re looking for a beautifully written second chance romance with plenty of feels and imperfectly perfect characters, look no further.

Maya Hughes, that’s me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.

I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters’ eyes. 

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum. 

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#DGRFave & Review: Reparation of Sin by Natasha Knight & A Zavarelli

REPARATION OF SIN
Series: The Society Trilogy #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
Release Date: April 20,  2021

My husband hates me. But he’s also the only man who can save me.

Taken by a stranger, Santiago is my only hope.

Except that I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.

And for as cruel as he can be, the thought he might be gone is unbearable.

But he has nine lives, my monster.
He’s not finished with me yet.

And soon I’m back at The Manor.
Locked in my room.
At his mercy.

I know I am despised.
I know I have become the face of his vengeance.

But there’s something else too. Something between us. It’s a dark and gnarled thing. And it has its claws around my heart.

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Requiem of the Soul #1

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PREORDER #2 & #3 TODAY!

Resurrection of the Heart #3– Releasing May 18th

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It’s not my right to claim this yet, and it may not be healthy, but she’s mine. I didn’t see that for too long, I didn’t value that the way I should have, but she is God damned mine.

When I tell you that I INHALED this book the second it landed on my kindle…

I’m talking the sort of obsessed that keeps you hidden in a dark bathroom with a locked door so the kids don’t interrupt your reading. I’m talking the sort of obsessed that leaves you with honest to gawd shakes when you’re done because you’re that desperate for your next fix. I CANNOT DEAL RIGHT NOW. THIS TRILOGY.

Do you know the last time I can tell you when I liked book two in the trilogy almost more than book one? Never. It’s pretty much never happened. But where book one was spell binding, this was a dose of electricity straight down my spine. I LOVED IT is what I’m trying to tell you here. LIKE dying for the next book loved.

Now if you follow my reviews, you already know I love mean heroes. If they’re extra tortured and mercurial, even better. And Santiago is the definition of a tortured alphahole. The man is beyond broken and all things damaged. His pain is rooted with the type of betrayal you can’t recover from. So when faced with the betrayal of his own wife? Not even the devil himself can keep his vengeance at bay. There were times in this book where I wanted to throw him off a tall cliff. Honest to god, the man took things way too far and almost to the point of no return when it came to his wife. And yet, I couldn’t help but still root for him. How does that even happen?!

Ivy is the type of heroine by bookish dreams are made of. She’s a fighter with a sharp wit and a spine of steel. She doesn’t back down easily and even though she’s been through hell and back, she doesn’t stop fighting. This book almost brings her to her breaking point, and it was devastating to watch that point be brought by here husband. But man was it unputdownable.

Lies, betrayal, murder, a secret society with archaic rules…this story had it all. It was spine tinglingly delicious and addictive to the point where I binge read it in one sitting. To say that I’m dying for the conclusion is a mild understatement here!

About A. Zavarelli:

A. Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.

Connect w/A. Zavarelli: 

FacebookFacebook GroupInstagram | Twitter | Mailing List | Website | Goodreads |Amazon | Bookbub

About Natasha Knight:

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over half a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.

Connect w/Natasha: 

Website: | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter  | Instagram | Pinterest |  Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon |  NL Signup 

Review: Falling Out Of Hate With You by Lauren Rowe


FALLING OUT OF HATE WITH YOU
Series: The Hate-Love Duet #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Rowe
Release Date: April 15,  2021

I’ve tried to like Adrian Savage, the mercurial frontman for Fugitive Summer, while serving as his band’s opening act on tour.

We’re stuck together for three months, after all.

And I’m well aware I’m lucky to be here.

But it’s proved impossible.

He’s far too rude and dismissive a guy to get along with.

And way too good at getting under my skin. In fact, at this point, I think it’s fair to say I downright hate his guts.

Global thirst trap that he is, though, I’m finding it extremely difficult not to want to jump Savage’s bones, despite how much he infuriates me. I hate myself for it. But my body is going rogue on me. It doesn’t matter, though. I’m determined to resist him.

In fact, what I’ve decided is that, as long as I’m here and stuck with him, I’m not only going to give Savage the sound tongue lashing nobody else around here has the balls to deliver, I’m going to bring that bad boy to his knees.

AMAZON


We’ll have smoking-hot hate sex in every position, in every city, for the rest of the tour. And when the tour is over, we will be, too.”

I don’t always read rockstar romance, but when I do, you best believe it’s enemies to lovers. This trope is my catnip. And there’s just something extra delicious about a famous rockstar being thrown into the mix.

Adrian Savage is the front man of Fugitive Summer with a reputation to rival any rock star. Which is to say he’s no exactly known for being a choir boy. Pun intended. But I digress. Adrian also has a thing for a god challenge, and nothing is more appealing than a female that’s completely forbidden to him.

Laila Fitzgerald is a rising star in the music industry of her own accord. She happens to have a thing for the a-holes. And Savage? Well he just happens to check every box for her. And it’s all sultry looks and come hither glances when they first see each other at a party, until Savage finds out his best friend and band mate has a thing for her, and Laila finds out she’s the opening act for Fugitive Summer and Savage is less than thrilled with this. Then it’s all sharp barbs and insults with a heavy undercurrent of sexual tension.

Now I’m all for the back and forth and the angsty feels, but I’m not a huge fan of the entire premise of the book relying on one misunderstanding that one solid conversation could prevent. So I’ll admit I was entirely frustrated with the two of them and their continued back and forth of misunderstanding that can be fixed with a simple conversation they both stubbornly and immaturely refuse to have. On the other hand, it was oddly entertaining. I’m not sure how I feel about it honestly. I’m conflicted. I liked it and then it frustrated me?

But I digress again. I loved the hate lust and the slow burn. I was frustrated by the constant miscommunication. But then I also couldn’t stop reading it. So consider me hooked here. I’m already salivating for the next book. These two clash hard and come together even hotter. So I’m dying to see how they get past all of the craziness that happened in book one.

Lauren Rowe is the USA Today and international #1 best-selling author of the Reed Rivers Trilogy, Smitten, The Morgan Brothers, The Club Trilogy, select Misadventures, and more.

Lauren’s books are full of feels, humor, heat, and heart. Besides writing novels, Lauren sings in a party/wedding band in her hometown of San Diego, is an audio book narrator, and award-winning songwriter, which is why she’s able to bring original music to some of her rockstar-themed books. She is thrilled to connect with readers all over the world.

Connect w/ Lauren: 

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Review: The Sin of Kissing you by Maya Hughes

THE SIN OF KISSING YOU
Series: Falling #2
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult Romance
Author: Maya Hughes
Release Date: April 8,  2021

 

I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I can’t stop fighting for it.

Bay ran from me four years ago and I can’t blame her.

I broke her heart and my own with one split second mistake.

Now we’re thrown together for four weeks.

Training camp after the draft is the final step to cement my pro football careers, but after seeing her again, she’s the only future I want.

If I were a better guy, I’d walk away and let her live her life.

Maybe I haven’t learned my lesson yet because I can’t stop thinking about her.

And I won’t stop until she knows how much I still love her.

The sins of my past are hard to run from, but I’ll battle every single one, if it means one more chance with her.

The Sin of Kissing You is the second book in the new Fulton U universe sports romance, Falling trilogy.

AMAZON

CHECK OUT THE FULTON U SERIES

#1 The Perfect First | #2 The Second We Met | #3 The Third Best Thing | #4 The Fourth Time Charm

Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited

 

A beat, and then another. I was so close to her. So in love with her still, even though I had no right to think I had a place in her heart after what I’d done.

My god. This trilogy. This story. I don’t even know where to begin. How do I even attempt to review this book without spoilers?

For me, it’s so important to see great plotting when I’m investing myself in a trilogy. What I mean by that, is that the story warrants three books. It’s not full of filler and drama for the sake of drama. There’s something driving the plot. And in the case of this trilogy, it’s all of those things and more.

Where The Art of Falling For You tells the story of how Story and Dare meet, fall in love, and ultimately have a heartbreaking end of their relationship in high school. This book reunites them 5 years later. Where Bay is still filled with heartache and hurt, Dare is filled with undeniable love and regret. He’s ready to crawl on his knees to earn Bay’s forgiveness, even at the cost of his dream career.

Dare is what I would call the imperfectly perfect man. He loves Bay so much and has sacrificed and been through so much, that you can’t help but love him. But you also see his inner demons that he still can’t beat. Demons that haunt him at every turn and the remnants of his fiery anger getting the best of him no matter how much he tries to turn a different page.

Their reunion is anything but smooth, but it was also heart achingly sweet and emotional. No matter how much anger Bay has, her love for Dare never really went anywhere. She finds herself at a crossroads with her life and her career and Dare pulling her in a different direction.

While I wasn’t as glued to the pages of this book as I was in the first one, I was still beyond invested in the story. And that ending?!!! To say that I’m dying for book three may be a HUGE understatement. I need the conclusion like YESTERDAY!!!Maya Hughes, that’s me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.

I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters’ eyes. 

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum. 

AUTHOR LINKS

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Review: Hard To Lose by K. Bromberg

HARD TO LOSE
Series: Play Hard #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date: March 30,  2021

New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, brings you a romance about love, forgiveness, and living every day to the fullest.

I know finding and signing a military vet to the agency is a long shot–but it’ll be good press just letting him try out. That’s what I tell my family, rather than admit I can’t get the letter he wrote us five years ago out of my head.

But what I tell the bartender in his hometown is a lie. I know veterans protect each other. So I pretend to be a graduate student.

Sparks. Flame. Fire. I accidentally got in too deep.

I didn’t expect to develop feelings for Gunner Camden.

And there’s no way I can admit to my lies now, not without destroying what we share. So I’ll keep faking it.

***

There are two versions of me: before, and after deployment.

Back then I was a screwup kid. I’d lie, cheat, and steal my way out of everything. My only love was baseball.

After I started fighting, I found out there had been another path for me. One that involved my dream. But by then I had seen too much.

The old me was dead, so I put my dreams to rest, too.

Then Chase Kinkade walks into my bar and reminds me that life is meant to live. No regrets.

Fresh. Happy. Hopeful. I can start to see a new dream, with her.

But sometimes things are too good to be true… and dishonesty is the one thing I can’t forgive.

Are you ready to fall for the Kincade sisters and then men who love them in K. Bromberg’s sexy, contemporary, sports romance series? These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!

Hard to Handle (Hunter & Dekker’s story – hockey romance)
Hard to Hold (Rush & Lennox”s story – soccer romance)
Hard to Score (Drew & Brexton’s story – football romance)
Hard to Lose (Gunner & Chase’s story – baseball romance)
Hard to Love (Finn & Stevie’s story)

AMAZON

She’s heaven. She’s hell. She’s the temptation I can’t resist and the torture I willingly put myself through, so I can watch her come undone before I get mine.

swoony sigh
Now y’all, I don’t typically go for those cinnamon roll heroes, but man did this one hit the spot for me. Every now and then a girl just needs a hero that’s sweet, supportive, kind, who is just too good to be true. And Gunner was all of those things and more.

Now I’ve been waiting a long time for Chase’s book. I just knew that watching this tough as nails sports agent that owns her sexuality and doesn’t have time for relationship fall and fall hard would be the most satisfying thing. And you know what? It really was. I actually thought for a while that her story would leave her with Finn, but I was super happy that Finn’s story is going to be told in the next book. And I’ve digressed. Back to Chase.

Chase is all about her job and her family company and she’ll do anything to end up on the top. So when she finds a long lost letter sent from a soldier to her father years ago, she’s determined to find him for PR Story gold. An upcoming baseball pitcher star giving it all up for the military just screams a good story. Too bad she has no idea where to find him.

Gunner long ago gave up on his dream of becoming a professional athlete. He’s settled in his quiet life as a bar owner/bartender, until a beautiful woman walks into his bar and tilts his world on it’s axis/ Chase has no idea that Gunner is the man that she’s looking for. And Gunner has no idea that Chase is the daughter of the sports agent that he sent a letter to all those years ago.

Now I’m not usually a fan of insta anything, but let me tell you, it just worked here. Chase and Gunner’s fall was quick and potent. They never saw the other coming and even though they know it can’t be permanent, they can’t keep away from each other.

Hard To Lose was a beautiful and touching story of love when you least expect it. It’s a story of life’s losses and second chances. It’s not perfectly wrapped up in a bow, but it’s satisfyingly real. And I simply adored it. I loved the way Chase fought for Gunner as much as he fought for her. I love a story with a strong female character, and Chase was one if I ever saw one. This was a story that from anyone else, I’d say was too sweet for me. But from K Bromberg, it just hit every single stop. If you’re looking for a swoon, small town love story with a tortured but oh so sweet military hero and an imperfectly perfect hero, look no further.

Review: Vicious Little Snakes by Trilina Pucci

VICIOUS LITTLE SNAKES
Series: Hillcrest Prep #2
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Trilina Pucci
Release Date: March 25,  2021

Caroline Whitmore is cunning, inconsiderate, and ruthless.

Despite that, I can’t recall a day when I haven’t thought about her at least once. On paper, we’re a perfect match—Only on paper.

In real life, we’re a disaster.
She hates me. Hates the way I dress—everything I say.
My basic existence.

But what I hate is more complicated.
Because I’m a moth to a gorgeous, petite, brunette flame.

I hate that I still remember what she wore the day we sat together in sixth grade.

And that I would move mountains for her smile.

I hate every guy that gets too close.
And that one of them gets to stay.

I hate that I want her so bad that I used my best friend to make her jealous.

But most of all, I hate that Caroline Whitmore is the one that got away.

AMAZON

How is it that I can love you and hate you with the same heart?” 

Oh. My. GAWD.

First of all, how have I not discovered this series sooner? Like seriously. What rock have I been living under that I haven’t read Filthy Little Pretties yet? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? But also, I completely did myself a disservice by reading book two before book one, because clearly there’s a legacy element in the story. So don’t be a Lana, read book one first. Because if you don’t, you’ll spend a good chunk of the first 40% looking like this
Seriously. I was confusion. All of the confusion. But it did click at the end. But I digress. Can we talk about this book now? Because GAH.

Remember Kathryn Merteuil from Cruel Intentions? Well imagine someone giving her a soul, a backstory, and making her a redeemable villain. Because Caroline Whitmore was basically a mashup of Katrhyn meet Blair Waldorf and I was SO HERE FOR IT. She was the ultimate misunderstood bad guy, or girl if you will. And my heart just bled for her and all of her jagged pieces.

When I tell you that this story is crack, I mean it’s CRACK. The tension, the angst, all of the teenage drama, the slow burn relationship. ALL OF IT. It was so freaking delicious, I wanted to lick my fingers when I was done turning the last page. But I didn’t. Because, well, germs, and also COVID. But I seriously thought about it. But I digress again.

Liam and Caroline’s story was full of heart, drama, and did I mention the drama? I have to say, if we didn’t spend time in Caroline’s head, it would be easy to hate here. Because the girl is a vicious little beoch. And gosh, but I loved that about her. She’s the ultimate hurt them before they hurt you sort of vicious. She lashes out to hide the pain no one sees her go through.

Liam hasn’t forgiven her for a stunt she pulled in book 1, and their friendship never recovered that blow. He spends his time secretly pining for her while hating her with the same breath. She spends her time wishing things were different but knowing they can’t be. Together they’re absolutely toxic and I loved every minute of it.

My one and only quibble is what I mentioned above. I did walk into the book thinking it would a standalone in a series, but it didn’t quite start that way. There was a lot of carry over from the previous book and events mentioned off the pages that took place in book one. This was a bit confusing to wrap my mind around and I wish we got a little flashback to that in this book. Now don’t start coming for me, because I fully admit it’s my bad and already grabbed book one to rectify this. But I also know myself and know even if I read it when it released, my puny brain would forget it, so the refresher would have been good. But I digress again.

If you’re looking for the ultimate angsty read with all of the teenage prep school rich kid drama you can handle, look no further. Welcome to your new addiction!

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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