New Adult – Page 9

Review: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

October 26, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

BROKEN PRINCE
Series: The Royals #3
Genre: NA/YA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: October 17, 2016

These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

The royals are like the apple in the fairy tale. Golden on the outside, but rotten to the core.

Well…damn. Color me conflicted. I struggled with my rating for two days after finishing it. Because see, the thing is, I’m freaking conflicted! Am I even making sense here? Of course I’m not! Because I’m conflicted I tells ya! Bah. Just bah.

To say that I’ve been anticipating this book as much as a virgin’s first orgasm would be an understatement. What? Is that not a saying? Well it should be. You get what I’m saying here, right? I. Needed. It. Erin Watt has been teasing us mercilessly for months. Ever since I finished Paper Princess, I’ve been practically foaming at the mouth for this conclusion. That book was my catnip. Teenage angst and drama mixed with enough sexual tension to make even a nun frustrated. What? Is that not a saying either?

In some small corner of my brain that is now in control, I feel like if I love him hard enough, long enough, I can keep him with me forever.

Basically, I’ve been building up the conclusion in my head for months. But in order to do the book and myself justice, I went in with zero expectations. Like none. Will I love it? I don’t know. Will I hate it? I don’t know. I left it all to the fates and jumped right in…

Loving Ella is one of the best things I’ve done in my short life.

So how do you make all of the teenage drama even more extreme? Throw in a murder mystery into the mix. It was basically like Gossip Girl meets Cruel Intentions meets Pretty Little Liars. Craziness ensues. But if you’ve read the previous books, this is nothing new.

I highly enjoyed the first 80% of the story. I loved Reed, I loved Easton, I wanted to throttle Dinah and punch Jordan in both ovaries. Nothing new. I was still just as invested in Reed and Ella finally doing it…I mean…their relationship. What? You get teased for two books and tell me your ovaries don’t turn blue. Quit judging.

Reed’s not the destroyer. He’s never destroyed anything in his life; he’s always been the protector, even at this moment when he battles his own lust for control.

Quit the battle and just give in, Reed! Be like Nike and JUST DO IT!

But I digress. This book was a solid 4 stars for me. Even with all the murder mystery and additional drama added to the mix, it was still a page turner. And then that ending happened…

Of all the crazy drama twists that can happen, I think that ending put most soap operas to shame.
It was so over the top, it was so crazy, that it totally killed everything for me. Le sigh. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly didn’t discount the fact that I enjoyed the majority of this book, because I totally did, but c’mon! Perhaps the argument can be that with the way the series progressed it’s only fair to make it finish out with this crazy bang, but I’m not of that mind. It was simply too OTT for my tastes.

Do I still consider this series to be one of my favorites? Absolutely! Do I wish it ended a little different? Sure. But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this crazy ride. Paper Princess is still one of my top reads of the year. Am I let down with the conclusion? Not really. Aside from the crazy drama of that ending, I still read it in one sitting. Am I still foaming at the mouth for more Royal brothers? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!

Ella Harper is all I’m ever going to see, because she’s my future. She’s my steel and my fire and my salvation. She’s my everything.

THE ROYALS TRILOGY

: Paper Princess (The Royals, #1)

: Broken Prince (The Royals, #2)

: Twisted Palace (The Royals, #3)

PAPER PRINCESS
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, New Adult · Tagged With: angst, Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Erin Watt

DGR Favorite & Review: Punk 57 by @PenDouglas

October 23, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

PUNK 57
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: October 21, 2016

“We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Ever since I read Bully, I became an instant Penelope Douglas fan. The woman speaks right to my inner angst junky. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters that she also manages to create the perfect alphahole heroes in every book I read by her. Having loved her Falling Away series and all the others as well, to say that this book is right up there with Bully for me is a lot. Because Bully continues to be one of my top favorites by her. But there was also an underlying message to this book that I loved. That in addition to the incredible writing, the fantastic characters, the delicious angst, and the oh so sexy romance combined to be one of my top reads for the year.

He’s a jerk whose only kick in life is to make mine miserable.

I think we all have a point in our life where we didn’t feel comfortable in our own skin; where being accepted even if it means suppressing your real self a little feels like the easiest thing to do. A time where your peer’s opinions of you feel like the most important thing and acceptance is everything. No one is born full comfortable with themselves and being able to do what’s right even if that means going against the grain, but the road to getting there is the most interesting one.

Ryen is not a heroine that you want to like. What I mean is, here’s someone that’s the exact opposite of your usual heroine. She’s popular, she’s quiet when the weak are being picked on, and she suppresses her real self for the warmth of acceptance that she gets from people that aren’t even truly her friends. But there’s also something about this character that clicks with you. You can’t help but connect with her and understand her on some level, because at one time or another we’ve all been in her shoes.

Ryen and Misha have been pen pals for years, and while they know each other’s deepest and darkest thoughts, they have no idea who the other really is or what they look like. That doesn’t stop them from developing an incredible connection through their letters…until Misha gets a real peak at who Ryen is and everything changes.

We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”

Misha is a grade A asshole in the beginning and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every page of it. Douglas has this gift for writing some of the sexiest alphaholes I’ve ever read. Yes, they’re mean and you want to slap them at times, but you also understand what drives them to be that way and you can’t help but love them anyway.

I want everything about you, Ryen, and I know you want me.” Her body shakes a little, and I lean in, kissing her on the cheek. “But I love the way you lie.”

The angst is off the charts good. For those that are like myself and enjoy that burn of sexual tension with a bit of hate/lust, you will devour every page and beg for more. And the sexual chemistry?
This is so much more than a sexy NA romance, however. It’s a story of learning to love and accept yourself. A story of learning to stand up for what you believe is right even if no one stands up with you. It’s a story of friendship and love. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you never want to get off of and a romance between two people that don’t make sense together on paper but couldn’t be more right for each other. It’s dark and light, it’s love and hate. It’s complete and utter perfection.

I miss you every day, I write. You’re my favorite place.

If you’re a fan of Penelope Douglas and you enjoyed her Fall Away series and you want another taste of her Devil’s Night world, this is an absolute must read. If you love angsty NA romances with a H/h that you will love to hate and just flat out love, this is an absolute must read. If you’re a fellow angst whore like me, then this is an absolute must read. Basically, what I’m trying to tell you here is READ THIS BOOK!! You won’t regret a second of it.

You’re not alone. It gets better. You are important, and you can’t be replaced. Hang on.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, Penelope Douglas

Review: The Goal by Elle Kennedy

September 29, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

THE GOAL
Series: Off-Campus #4
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Elle Kennedy
Release Date: September 26, 2016

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

I hate to tell you this, Sabrina. But you’ve made a big mistake.”
“What? Why?”
His fingers draw my thong tight, the fabric cutting into my swollen lips.
“Because I’m going to ruin you for all future guys. I apologize in advance.”

Time out. Did anyone else just have a pervy hot flash here? No? Seriously? You’re a bunch of lying liars, is what you are. You totally did. Admit it. That line right there just totally revved your engines.

It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it? Well if I had known the mouth that beard of Tucker’s was hiding all this time, I probably would have been stalking Elle Kennedy down on a daily basis and waving my fist menacingly at her to write his story sooner. What? I like pervy bearded heroes, and don’t you judge me either! Those BILFs get things done, I tells ya. But I digress.

Tucker has always been the calm, quiet, rational and unassuming one of the hockey bunch. Compared to the likes of Dean and Garrett, he always kinda shied away in their spotlight…or so it seemed. BOY was I wrong. Because when this man has a target he goes after, he spares no apology and isn’t afraid to play dirty. But Tucker is also incredibly sweet, humble, and beyond patient and understanding. All those things make him absolutely perfect! And dirty…so very dirty

Oh sweet baby Jesus. Sex with Tucker is dirtier and hotter than I thought it would be. He doesn’t look like he’d be this way, but isn’t it always the quiet ones?

The Goal runs parallel to the events in The Score, so if you haven’t read that book yet, I highly recommend reading it prior to this or some details may be lost on you. Admittedly, I hated Sabrina in the previous books. She was extremely waspish and off putting, to put it frankly. Luckily having her background and really getting down to the truth of why she is the way she is helped connect more with her character. That’s not to say she’s my favorite heroine of the series, but I certainly understood and liked her more in this book than the previous ones.

She’s not certain of me yet. I need to bide my time, but as long as I’m in the game, I’m not worried about the outcome.

Sabrina is driven and highly independent. She doesn’t want or need a man, unless it’s for one night of tension relief. But that all changes when the man is Tucker, because Tucker wants more than a few orgasms from her, and he’s not hesitant to show her what she’s missing. Did I mention I adored Tucker?

So why the lower rating? Weeeelll….I actually wasn’t a fan of a particular trope used in this book. The hows of it seemed a little eye raising in the believability department, and the back and forths of it drove me a little bonkers. There were parts that I wanted to hug Sabrina, and others where I wanted to beat her with the nearest blunt object…or a really really big stick. But I digress once more.

Was The Goal my favorite in the series? Probably not. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Ultimately it was an entertaining read that kept me invested in the story and their characters and especially the romance. Tucker definitely is a large part as to why, but Sabrina did grow on me at the end as well.

Fans of this series will certainly enjoy this newest installment. And if you’ve been curious about the silent bearded one, you surely won’t be disappointed.

THE OFF-CAMPUS SERIES

: The Deal (book #1)

: The Mistake (book #2)

: The Score (book #3)

: The Goal (book 4)

THE DEAL | THE MISTAKE | THE SCORE | THE GOAL

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, New Adult, Sports · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, hockey players

Jennifer’s Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

August 14, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

JUST WHAT I NEEDED
Series: Need You #2
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Lorelei James
Release Date: August 2, 2016

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same. He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

AMAZON | iBOOKS

5 Walker-Is-Mine Stars

I have a problem, and his name is Walker. It’s a problem because HE’S NOT IN MY PANTS RIGHT NOW! I’ve been indifferent of the long hair/man bun. I can usually take it or leave it, but in this case, I’ll take it!

My Walker:

More Walker…He’s just….UNF!:

I cannot get enough of Walker:

My Trinity:

Walker works in construction. Yeah, can he get any hotter or more perfect?! I think not. He is actually from a wealthy family, but he is the rugged man in his family and the glue that keeps everyone together. He is the good guy in the family. I usually lean more toward the bad boy/asshole characters, but I DARE YOU TO RESIST WALKER. It’s not possible.

I loved all of Walker’s brothers and sisters and cousins, constantly ragging on each other. They were so much fun. I love books with close-knit families. It just makes the book that much more cozy.
Trinity is adorable and spunky. She is an artist, but she isn’t up in the clouds. She knows who she is, and she knows what she wants. She is a little flighty but in a charming way. She tries to warn Walker that she is a lot of work, but he is the perfect man up for the challenge of all that is Trinity, and he takes pleasure in every single moment.

”I like that you’re warning me up front that you’re going to be a lot of work.”

“You are?”

“Yep. It’ll give me a chance to prove my awesome work ethic.”

I LOVED the meet-cute in this book. I don’t want to give it away, but I was sold on this book from the beginning and it kept my attention through the whole book. Some books start to drag for me around the 50-60% mark, but not this one. This is such a FEEL-GOOD book with all the smiles and giggles and swoons. There is not much drama, which I love.

”You have any idea how hard I’m digging on you right now?”

“Digging on me,” I repeated. “Is that a construction worker’s come-on?”

Walker, Trinity, and this whole book is endearing with the perfect slow burn. I love Lorelei’s writing style. It’s no-nonsense, straight to the heart of the story. Her dialogue makes me smile throughout the whole book. I have read a few of her cowboy series, and enjoyed the heat in her erotic books. I wouldn’t put this book in the erotic category, but it is just as hot!

Then I pursed my lips around the straw and sucked. “Want a taste?” His eyes went molten. He leaned in, resting his forearm on the brick wall above my head.

“No. I’m thinking I’ll get a little lust drunk just watching you.”

“Watching me what?”

“Lick. Suck. And swallow.”

THE NEED YOU SERIES

WHAT YOU NEED (book 1)

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, Jennifer Reviews

Review: ★Broken Prince★ by @authorerinwatt

July 5, 2016 by Lana · 1 Comment

BROKEN PRINCE
Series: The Royals #2
Genre: NA/YA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: July 25, 2016

These Royals will ruin you…

From wharf fights and school brawls to crumbling lives inside glittery mansions, one guy tries to save himself.

Reed Royal has it all—looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.

What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father’s new ward suffer turned into something else entirely—keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed’s arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed’s entire world begins to fall apart around him.

Ella doesn’t want him anymore. She says they’ll only destroy each other.

She might be right.

Secrets. Betrayal. Enemies. It’s like nothing Reed has ever dealt with before, and if he’s going to win back his princess, he’ll need to prove himself Royally worthy.

PRE-ORDER
AMAZON SPOILER FREE

My instincts had screamed at me that she was trouble. My instincts were wrong. She wasn’t trouble. I was. Still Am.
Reed, the destroyer.

Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Oh mylanta!

I swear to all that is holy, that cliffhanger gave me heartburn, anxiety, and a massive case of the eye ticks. How the hell am I supposed to keep sane until OCTOBER? HOW I ASK YOU?!!!!! *babbles incoherently*

He told me to stay away. He told me I didn’t belong. If only I’d listened to him.

This trilogy is the worst sort of book crack and I hope it never ends. And this is coming from a self professed trilogy avoider….because attention span of a rodent! But I am beyond hooked and can’t wait for more! Since this review will be entirely spoiler free, allow me to sum it up in the only way I can…an imaginary conversation I had with Erin Watt in my head as I was reading this. That’s the best I got and I’m not sorry. You’re lucky my brain is working enough for even this….

Me: So Erin, you left readers on quite the cliffy last time. Are you even a little sorry for making us all suffer the way that you have?

Erin:

Me: Right then. Moving on. So Broken Prince picks up immediately where Paper Princess ended. Ella is on the run and Reed is dealing with the fallout. Speaking of Reed and what took place at the end of Paper Princes…

Erin:

Me: Ah. Ok. *backs away slowly* We won’t talk about that then…

Let’s talk about the Royals. There’s quite a few revelations that happen with this family in the book and my mind is still reeling from it. Who knew there were that many skeletons hidden in their closets. The Royal men are all kinds of screwed up and I love it!

Erin:

Me: True. True. Though not for lack of trying, eh? Especially Easton…

Erin: Whatever girl takes on Easton is going to have to hold a whip in one hand and a pistol in the other.

Me: Well look at you, quoting from your own book. Yeah, Easton really did go off the rails in this one, didn’t he? *pervy sigh* But I digress. Can I at least tell readers if Reed grovels for everything that happened?

Erin:

Me: OK! OK! No spoilers! Sheesh! No need to get violent! And will you put that shot gun away already? I swear I won’t say anything.

But admit it. You’re actually a closet sadist and get off on making your readers suffer in such a way?

Erin:

Me: I’ll take that as a yes then. Now Broken Prince is told in dual POVs from Ella and Reed, any hints what Twisted Palace will bring?

Erin:

Me: And the long answer?

Erin:

Me: I really should have seen that coming.

Anyway, let’s talk about Brooke because that woman is one twisted little b-

Erin:

Me: Sure. Right. I supposed anything goes in her world and trying to get what she wants.

Now onto the important business, if I offer up both my ovaries and my first born, any chance I can get my hands on Twisted Palace now?

Erin:

Me: Well, can’t blame a girl for trying.

There’s one crazy as heck cliffy here that I never saw coming in a million years. I’m talking soap opera proportion sort of cliffy. Holy hell it was utterly delicious! Will you take mercy and give us just one teenie tiny clue about what it is?

Erin:

Me: That’s rough. You really are a sadist. I think I already knew that about you after Paper Princess.

Well, thanks for chatting with me while I rock myself in a dark corner at the institution that I was quickly rolled away to after finishing reading. I should have seen the fallout coming considering the state of drooling anticipation you left me with the first book, but alas it is what it is. I’m gonna go babble incoherently some more.
*************************

And there you have it, folks. Broken Prince in a nutshell.
But if you are curious about spoilers and what happened with Reed, I’ll take pity on you…
[su_spoiler title=”Click to view spoiler” style=”fancy” icon=”chevron”] Psych!!! I’m just bluffin with my muffin. You’ll get no spoilers outta me, so don’t even try.[/su_spoiler]

Broken Prince is everything I had hoped it would be and so much more! I love the way the authors develop each and every character throughout these books. Ella is coming into her own more and more. I absolutely love the backbone on the girl. And who thought it was possible for me to fall even harder for Reed? Because holy hell did! SO. FREAKING. HARD. This is one twisted tale filled with secrets, betrayals and redemption and I’m loving every single addicting page of it! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rock myself back in my corner until Twisted Palace releases.

THE ROYALS SERIES

Paper Princess (The Royals, #1) AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE (THE ROYALS #2)– Releasing July 25, 2016

TWISTED PALACE (THE ROYALS #3)– Releasing October 17, 2016

1 Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, Erin Watt, NA, YA

Review: ★Chasing Butterflies★ by Terri E. Laine

June 7, 2016 by Lana ·

CHASING BUTTERFLIES
Standalone
Genre: NA Romance, Second Chance Romance
Author: Terri E. Laine
Release Date: June 2, 2016

USA Today Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine brings a new standalone New Adult Romance novel, Chasing Butterflies, about second chances on and off the field.

One night … one kiss … one touch … will change everything.

Kelley Moore’s tragic home life should make him a survivor. But when he’s uprooted yet again, his plans for a better future seem impossible. Being a player on and off the football field is all he knows, until Lenora Wells. The beautiful town princess makes him feel and want things he never thought he could have…

Lenora will do anything to get out of her town, even if it means dating the wrong guy. There’s one problem: she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous, complicated boy with the unusual eyes who gives her butterflies and makes her question her choices.

When their lives collide, the world shifts and not in their favor. Four years later, the sins of their past can never be taken back and forgiveness won’t come easy.

College is a different game, a second chance for something better.

She’s not the girl he remembers and he’s the one boy she can never forget.

He’s made a name for himself as the star quarterback — the golden boy who can do no wrong. But he’s only interested in being her hero.

Despite everything, she can’t deny he still makes her heart flutter; and she’s got him chasing butterflies.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that with anyone else.”
“Felt what? Butterflies?”
“If that’s what they call it. You’ve got me chasing them.”

Wow. Before I get to my review, let me say this. Don’t let my rating fool you. This book had me riveted to the story from beginning to finish. Aside from a few quibbles that I had, the story itself was beautiful. It drew me in from the very first chapter and kept me glued to the pages. The author clearly has an incredible talent and I strongly believe she has great things ahead of her. While this may not have been a full four star read for me, it was a damn solid 3 and I’ll get to my reasons why shortly.

Go back to the ball, princess. You won’t find any castles or princes here.

Kelley Moore has grown up in a way that no boy should ever have to endure. From a volatile home life to numerous tragedies throughout his life, he’s never had it easy. He dreams of making it big in football and making it out on his own.

Lenora Wells may not have had the tragic life that Kelley has, but doesn’t live an ideal one either. At the instance of her parents for the good of a potential business deal, Lenora allows them to convince her to date the most popular boy in school. But the boy that gives her butterflies isn’t her seemingly too good to be true boyfriend, but the boy from the wrong side of the tracks with the beautifully unusual eyes.
What starts as stolen encounters soon turns into something more only to shatter before their eyes and leave both of them grasping at the jagged pieces.

But time didn’t heal wounds. They only dug horrible gouges in my heart as I felt pierced through my very soul.

Chasing Butterflies is told in two parts: past (high school) and present (college). The first half is almost 60% of the story and so emotionally gripping I forgot at times that I’m reading about teenagers. I’m not typically a fan of YA but yet something about these characters simply stood out for me.

Admittedly there was a few minor issues I had with the writing; odd transitions (one chapter being told in Lenny’s POV and the next chapter jumps back a day or a few hours and retold in Kelley’s). There was a lack of clear transitions between these scenes at times, that while it wasn’t confusing, it did stand out enough to take me out of the story a bit. There were also some odd phrases like …my brain shorted and some strange analogies that stuck out to me as well..

But even those few issues aside, the story was so strong that it was easy to overlook it. Ultimately what made me lower my rating was the second part of the book that’s told in present. While their high school years have strong development and spans over half the book, I had hoped that their college years would bring the same, but alas it didn’t. I wanted that sizzle of a second chance romance, and I didn’t get that. It felt almost rushed. There were also some (redundant) choices made by the characters that left me scratching my head. And as much as I hate to use the term cliche, there were quite a few scenarios of it present in the last half. I liked Lenny in the beginning even though some of her decisions and choices frustrated me. While I can understand why she did what she did when she’s older, I still feel like she regressed a bit as a character. I wanted her to find her inner strength and that didn’t happen until pretty much the last pages. I suppose I just wanted that sooner.

But here’s the thing; even with the aforementioned, this is still a book I would definitely recommend to any lovers of NA romance. The author spins a tale that’s tragic and beautiful that even managed to bring a tear to my eye on more than one occasion. The story is well developed, the characters are multi-layered, and it’s certainly not a book I’ll be forgetting any time soon. So if that blurb intrigues you, read it. One thing guaranteed; it will keep you up all night reading. I definitely look forward to any future releases this author has in store.

Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.

Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3 stars

DGR Top Fave & ARC Review: ★Paper Princess★ by @authorerinwatt

March 23, 2016 by Lana · 2 Comments

Paper Princess
Series: The Royals #1
Genre: YA/NA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: April 4, 2016

From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

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You should know whatever game you’re playing, you can’t win. Not against all of us.
If you leave now, you won’t be hurt. If you stay, we’ll break you so bad that you’ll be crawling away.”

Let’s talk about things that trigger my one-clicker for a second here, shall we?

Authors: we have a book that’s basically an angst filled love child of Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl. There’s YA kind angst but with NA kind scenarios. There’s hate lust, an incredible tough as nails heroine, a bunch of sexy rich and entitled brothers that have enough issues to fill up Grand Canyon, a broody as hell alphahole hero that you’ll love to hate but secretly mainly love, and all of it is wrapped up in a story that’s more addicting than crack.

Me:

That about sum it up for you then? Good. Because if ever there was ever a book that was custom written for me, this is that book. At first the YA tag turned me away because I’m not a reader that enjoys YA. But the only thing YA about this book are the characters’ ages; the heroine is 17 and the setting is in high school. However, the events that take place are focused towards a more mature NA, which just happens to be my catnip.

Some kids dream of traveling the world, owning fast cars, big houses. Me? I want my own apartment, a fridge full of food, and a steady paying job, preferably one that’s as exciting as paste drying.

Ella Harper is exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about. She’s led a hard life in her young 17 years. Her mom may have been flighty and jumping from one boyfriend to the next all her life while struggling to support the both of them, but she’s all she’s ever known. Now that her mother has passed away, Ella has nothing and no one and struggles to make ends meet just to make it through high school so she can go on to college. When a man shows up at her school claiming to be her legal guardian and her father’s best friend, she’s rightful skeptical. But Callum is determined to help once he sees the way Ella’s been living and it’s not long before she arrives on the Royal doorstep much to the disgruntlement of Callum’s five sons.

The Royal boys are not what I expected. They don’t look like rich pricks in preppy clothes. They look like terrifying thugs who can snap me like a twig.

To say they’re not happy to see her, is an understatement. The Royals rule the school Ella now goes to and what they say goes. They’re determined not to go easy on the new girl, especially one that clearly doesn’t belong in their world. But Ella is no wilting wallflower. This girl gives as good as she gets and boy does that make for some entertaining reading.

This will never be my home. I don’t belong in splendor, I belong in squalor. That’s what I know. It’s what I’m comfortable with because squalor doesn’t lie to you. It’s not wrapped up in a pretty package. It is what it is.

This book was the perfect combination of angst with a slow burn of hate/lust all wrapped around an undercurrent of a slow burn sexual tension. Reed Royal is a character that you can’t help but love even while you love to hate him. He’s not nice to Ella, not at all, but yet the way that he’s written you can’t help but know there’s something beneath the surface of what he lets you see.; something dark and deep and you’re just itching to scratch at it to know what it is.

Here’s the deal,” he says. “My brother and father are off-limits to you. If you have an itch, you come to me. I’ll take care of it.

I absolutely devoured this book, and by devoured I mean I couldn’t put it down for even a second. It’s been a long while where a book has managed to suck me in as much as this one did. It’s filled with teenage angst and drama and characters that you can’t help but fall for. The authors did a phenomenal job creating these characters that are so real they practically jump off at the pages. I was enamored with the story. I was hooked on each page like a junky craving their next fix and angst just happens to be my drug of choice.
As for that ending? Well let’s just say I may or may not be rocking myself in a corner as we speak while I wait for July 25 to finally get here

2 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, DGR Favorites, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Crack, Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Erin Watt

Review: ★Jockblocked★ by Jen Frederick

February 11, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Jockblocked
Series: Gridiron #2
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Jen Frederick
Release Date: February 10, 2016

She’s always played it safe…

College junior Lucy Washington abides by one rule—avoid risk at all costs. She’s cautious in every aspect of her life, from her health, to her mock trial team, to the boring guys she dates. When a brash, gorgeous jock walks into the campus coffeeshop and turns his flirt on, Lucy is stunned by the force of attraction. For the first time ever, she’s willing to step out of her comfort zone, but can she really trust the guy who’s determined to sweep her off her feet?

He’s always played around…

Entering his last year of college eligibility, linebacker Matthew “Matty” Iverson has the team captaincy in his sights. And it’s his for the taking, if he can convince his quarterback Ace Anderson to give up the starting position. Luckily, Matty already has an edge—the hottie he’s lusting over just happens to be Ace’s childhood best friend. Getting Lucy on his side and in his bed? Hell yeah. Matty is more than confident he can have both, but when he falls hard for Lucy, it’s time for a new game plan: convince the woman of his dreams that she’s not sleeping with the enemy.

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, New Adult, Sports · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Football

DGR Fave & Review: ★The Score★ by @ElleKennedy

January 8, 2016 by Lana ·

The Score
Series: Off-Campus #3
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Elle Kennedy
Release Date: January 11, 2016

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

AMAZON | KOBO

I kiss him back hungrily, helpless to resist him. Dean Di Laurentis is in my blood now. I didn’t expect this intense sexual chemistry between us, but it’s here, and it’s addictive, and I don’t know how I can ever give it up.

You know when you read the first book in a series and you love it so much that you don’t think anything can top it, but then you read the second and you love it just as much? So then you know that the chances of that continue to hold for the 3rd book are slim, right? In my experience, it’s tough to keep that sort of momentum going…unless, of course, you’re Elle Kennedy. Because not only was The Score absolutely fantastic, but it turned out to be my favorite in the series. And considering how much I loved the previous two books, that’s saying something.

Now let’s be real here; considering how much I love me my manwhores, it was already a good chance I’d love Dean Di Laurentis. Even the man’s name is hot, for goodness sake. Between his self assured ways, cocky attitude, humor, and manwhoring tendencies, I couldn’t get enough of him.

The guy has the attention span of a fruit fly, and the affection-giving habits of a puppy, offering his sexual devotion to whoever happens to be holding the treat. By which I mean the vagina.

What I love about Elle’s writing, is the depth that she gives her characters. And Dean certainly was no exception. He may be the hard partying manwhore with a crass sense of humor, but beneath that perfect exterior there’s so much more to him and you really get to see it blossom here.

Allie Hayes is Hanna’s best friend that just recently broke up with her long term boyfriend of 3 years. In fear of giving in when he comes calling again, Allie seeks an escape at Garrett’s place. She knows all about Dean and his one and done ways and he may be hot but he’s not for her. She’s a nester. She has relationships not one night stands. But then a broken heart and some tequila lead to one of the hottest hookups of her life with none other than the sexy manwhore. She’s determined to keep it in just friends zone after but Dean is determined to change her mind.

Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist about your delusions?” I ask politely. “Because, sweetie, there’s no chance in hell of us boning tonight.”
“Fine. How about we go down on each other instead?”
“How about you leave?”
“Counter offer- I stay and we dry hump.”

The Score is this amazing combination of witty humor and endearing characters. While I loved the slow building romance between Dean and Allie, what kept me turning the pages was the banter between them and the rest of the guys. The Twilight references alone had me laughing like a loon. It was witty and crass, and wildly entertaining. Dean and Allie together was the perfect examples of opposites attracting and I absolutely loved them together. Their banter and chemistry was utterly delicious.

…last I checked, genitals don’t decide who gets to listen to their music first.”
“Oh yes, they do…
See, if you take away my dick privileges, I’ll be fine for moths. Years, even. But if I take away your pussy privileges? You’ll be utterly lost. Like a drowning man at sea, desperately grabbing for the vagina preserver. Therefore, vagina trumps penis.”

I loved how Miss Kennedy pulled off an incredibly sexy romance while keeping it realistically slow paced. These two may burn up the sheets together, but the feelings came with time and I for one loved watching those develop for both of them.
This isn’t just a story of the manwhore meeting his match and inevitably succumbing to his feelings for her; it’s so much more. The story had wit and humor and so much depth to it, too. There’s something that happens towards the end that caught me completely off guard. I never in a million years expected something like that to happen and yet as much as it broke my heart, I can’t help but to admit it did the job of driving the plot where it needed to go.

Without a doubt, Elle Kennedy is a force to be reckoned with. The woman can write the hell out of a book. Dean and Allie’s story was funny, sexy, swoony, emotional and wildly entertaining. It was everything I love about romance and exactly why I read New Adult. THIS is how it needs to be done. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings, because after that little peak we got? Oh yeah! It’s about to get real.

★DON’T MISS THE REST OF THE SERIES★

THE DEAL (on sale for $.99) | THE MISTAKE (on sale for $1.99)

· Filed Under: All Reviews, DGR Favorites, New Adult · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, manwhores

Review: ★The Girl’s Got Secrets★ by Linda Kage

December 9, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Series: Forbidden Men #7
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Linda Kage
Release Date: November 28^th, 2015

Here’s the same old “girl posing as a boy” story but with a rock-n-roll twist.

Remy Curran dreams of one day being in a band, except the group she wants to join refuses to hire a girl drummer. So, she auditions as a guy…and makes the cut.

Becoming “Sticks,” a member of Non-Castrato, isn’t quite what she dreamed it would be, though. She spends most of her time keeping up the subterfuge and learning how to walk, talk, act, and drink like a man.

But what’s even harder to deal with is acting oblivious when the band’s heartthrob lead singer, Asher Hart, treats her like one of the guys and not a woman. She never imagined he’d be so much more than a pretty face with a nice voice. But he’s better than perfect. He’s perfect for her.

When love and lies combine, Remy must keep up the act or lose everything. But who knew lying to reach one dream could prevent you from attaining an even bigger dream?

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Asher Hart didn’t need some fancy seduction to draw a woman in. He just had to be himself for me to want him. Bad.

I’ve been waiting for the lead singer of Non-Castrato to get his book since he first made an appearance in Be My Hero. My intrigue with him has only grown with each following book in the series. Asher may be the lead singer of a popular band and has females throwing themselves at him, but you could always see him yearning for something more…a deeper connection. This is not a typical indiscriminate manwhore that you’d find in most other New Adult books. Asher Hart was refreshingly different and I absolutely loved him for it.

This Girl’s Got Secrets focuses on a trope that’s just not done enough and happens to be one of my all time favorites. Just One of The Guys and She’s The Man were two of my favorite movies growing up. Did I just age myself? And if you haven’t seen those movies, I don’t even know who you are right now. But I digress. The trope is simple enough; girl wants in on an activity where only men are allowed. Girl dresses up as boy to prove a point but ends up falling for one of the men she’s deceiving. Sound delicious? That’s because it is.

Now fair warning, because at over 450 pages, this book is long. And I mean it’s looooong. But at the same time, I never once felt like I was reading something that was filler or unnecessarily stretched out. I did feel like my ovaries may explode if these two didn’t do it finally at some point, but that’s a different matter entirely.

All Remy Curran has ever wanted was to be a drummer in a band. When she hears that one of her all time bands, Non-Castrato, has an opening for a drummer, she knows that she’s just as good as in. She’s a kickass drummer after all. Too bad that it’s no girls allowed, and they don’t so much as let her addition. So what’s a girl to do? Why have your friend dress you up as a boy, so you can go an audition and show they what’s what!
But things rarely go as planned, and while the plan was to rip her mask off as soon as she rocked her addition, she ends up with a chance of a lifetime that she just can’t pass up. But when she begins falling for the lead singer, things get a whole lot more complicated…
Asher still remembers the woman that sang karaoke and stole his breath all those months ago and then disappeared, but he’s long since lost hope of ever finding her. He’s desperate for something meaningful like his half brother and his friends. He doesn’t want another band groupie that only wants him for what he is and not who he is. He’s also terrified of losing his little family of friends once they really get to know all his secrets. But somehow, he has no problem spilling his deepest secrets to the new drummer. There’s just something about him that bonds them almost instantly. He doesn’t care that Remy is gay or that he may have feelings for him. But Remy is hiding even bigger secrets that may ultimately cause everything to come crashing down.

I absolutely loved Asher. He was such breath of fresh air from the stereotypical manwhores I’ve read lately. The way he yearns for a real relationship and isn’t about one-night stands. He’s incredibly sweet but there’s an added edge to him from everything that he’s been through with his past and his father.

I love that smile,” I admitted. “I want to steal it for myself so you’ll never be able to smile at anyone else the way you’re smiling at me right now.”

Even though the progression of the story flowed incredibly well and felt natural, I did find it too be a little too lengthy. Especially with such a large chunk of the book being the deception, it just dragged a little too long for me. I’m a little conflicted with my feelings on that simply because while I felt it was too long, it didn’t feel stretched out either. Maybe that’s just my book ADD kicking in? I’m not quite sure.

I really liked Remy as well. Her internal struggle of falling for Asher and trying to stay away from him as her “girl” part was difficult. You could tell that she wanted to come clean but was so afraid of losing him after she began to fall for him. And let’s be honest, how do you not fall for Asher?

Her eyes were like brown pools of temptation and I was a drowning man. I tried to resist, I even pressed my forehead to hers, but I already knew it was too late.
This woman owned me.

Precisely.

Pick and Ten are still my top two forbidden men, but Asher Hart is now up there with them. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it was still a fantastic addition and I enjoyed it thoroughly. There was only one thing that left me scratching my head at the end there. Asher’s dad does something but yet I have no idea where he got the knowledge to be able to pull something like that off. It just didn’t add up for me.