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Review: Devious Obsession by S. Massery

March 23, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

DEVIOUS OBESESSION
Author: S. Massery
Genre: Dark, Bully Romance
Release Date: March 23, 2023

“If you want to stay, you have to play the game…”

Steele O’Brien is everything I hate in hockey players.
He’s cocky, brooding, antagonistic.

I played his game, learned his secrets.
But that was before I found out he’s my new stepbrother.

Now we’re at college together, and I can’t escape him.
Or his demons.

It seems that, for him, the game isn’t over.
He says I’m his to play with. His to torment.
And he’s determined to not only get under my skin, but carve his name into it.

AMAZON

I’m going to give you a two-minute head start,” I say softly, still pinching her hair in my fingers. “And then I’m going to hunt you down. You’ll know I’m coming. When I catch you, you fight me. Do your worst…
…What are you waiting for?” I bark, my voice suddenly loud and cruel. “Run.”

What sort of magical crack does S Massery sprinkle into her books that make me so obsessed with them? Because I swear, it’s like she dug straight into my head and took out every single trope I love and put it into this book.

CNC? Check
Alphahole? Check
Bully/Enemies to Lovers? Check
Primal Play? Check
Completely addictive NA romance with a deliciously deviant college hockey star? Check and CHECK.

It’s an awkward position to be in, caught between wanting to knee him in the balls and suck on them.

Same, girl. SAME.

I thought I loved Brutal Obsession but that was simply because I hadn’t met Steele O’Brien yet. Because this man is the epitome of still waters run deep. You know what they say about the quiet ones, right? Because wowza! Steele is a man of some interesting tastes. As in no holds barred, anything goes sort of vibes. And I was so here for it!

Steele and Aspen first meet at a party and share an unbelievably hot encounter. Steele is not prepared to meet a stranger who seems to be as into what he likes as the beautiful girl whose name he doesn’t even bother to get. So imagine his surprise when he sees her again 6 months later at his school, only to discover she’s his new stepsister. Well, suffice it to say he doesn’t take it very well.

Every day you stay at CPU, your life will get worse.” I run my finger down her jaw, and a spark of pleasure goes through me when she jerks her head away. “If you leave, it all stops. But if you stay… I’m going to have so much fun tormenting you, sweetheart. Fucking count on that.”

But Steele isn’t the only one with dark wounds from his past. Aspen hides some of her own demons that haunt her waking hours. And when these two get together, sparks definitely fly.

They hate lust between them was deliciously incendiary. I couldn’t get enough of their hot and cold. Now if you don’t like your fictional men borderline unforgivable, you may not like Steele. But I happen to love depraved ones that haven’t met a boundary that they bend to. Boundaries? Who even is she? Steele doesn’t know her. He gets off on making Aspen’s life at school hell, and there is nothing too dark and depraved that he’s above not doing. I mean, the man does some pretty unforgivable things. Though he does make up for it at the end.

Aspen certainly gives as good as she gets and doesn’t just take his sh*t lying down. And while I do wish she fought him more at times, I simply couldn’t find myself caring. I devoured and I mean DEVOURED this book. I cannot wait for the next one. I’m a total S Massery addict now and I have zero regrets.

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Connect with S. Massery
Website | http://smassery.com
Goodreads | https://bit.ly/smassery-gr
Amazon | https://amzn.to/3T64F2s
Facebook | https://bit.ly/3fRud4N
Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/3T3kl6C
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Review: Rogue by Elle Kennedy

March 16, 2023 by · 4 Comments

ROGUE
Series: Prep #2
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Elle Kennedy
Release Date: March 7, 2023

From New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy comes the return to Sandover Prep, where secrets lurk in the dark and no one is safe when they come into the light.

It’s been a long time since Casey Tresscott has felt like her life was her own. After the car accident that nearly cost her everything, she’s used to her family’s coddling and the relentless whispers at school, no matter how much they sting. After all, she’s found a safe harbor in her budding relationship with Sandover’s golden boy, Fenn Bishop…or so she thinks.

Beneath Fenn’s pretty, party-boy surface is a dangerous truth about the night Casey almost died. He thought lying to her was the right thing to do, but when the secret shakes loose, he just might lose her for good.

Because Casey is done being taken advantage of.

Grasping for the control she’s been missing, Casey finally snaps—telling off her bullies, gallivanting with rebels and playboys, and shirking her headmaster father’s strict curfews, despite the consequences. A desperate Fenn must ally with his stepbrother RJ and the other Sandover delinquents to uncover the full story of Casey’s accident and the ones responsible if he hopes to win her back.

But what happens if Casey is no longer the same girl he first fell for? Is there any hope for their future if she’s gone rogue for good?

AMAZON

I blink back the moisture coating my lashes. “Why’d it have to be you?” His answer is a kiss.

I have sat on my review for days, completely torn in how to rate this. As much as I loved Misfit, it pains me to admit that I struggled immensely with the second installment.

First, if you’re planning to read this as a standalone, stop right there. While each book is a new couple, the story arc continues throughout the series, as well as some character arcs. Rogue was similar to Misfit in which you get primarily the main characters POV in addition to some secondary characters.

Now as for my rating, this was tough. While I liked the drama and enjoyed the mystery of Casey’s accident unfold, the romance was completely lackluster. Honestly, I’d go so far as to say I didn’t really feel this was a romance at all. While I rooted for Casey and Fenn in book one, the second half of this book had me feeling no sort of way about them at all.

The jaw dropping ending of Misfit revealed a small snippet into Casey’s accident, and the entirety of this book is focused on the fall out and the further revelations. We also see Casey take a total personality change. She goes from quiet, demure, and timidly non confrontational to a total ball buster. I didn’t hate it, and loved seeing her finally stand up for herself. But it was also so sudden and such a 180, it was hard to buy it at times too.

RJ and Sloane took a turn too. There was a certain thing that Sloane convinces RJ to do that had me seriously judging him and how much he chess to his girlfriend’s dramatic flare. As for Sloane, I absolutely LOATHED her in this book. She became intolerable and I really hope we get some redeeming features for her in the next book.

As for Casey and Fenn? I was so disappointed with the romance of this book, I’m still mad. There was a particular event, which I won’t spoil, but it seriously ruined any semblance of romance between them. I understand that Casey was mad, but the decision that she made was just…UGH. I hated it. This was even more disappointing by the fact I felt more chemistry with Lawson and Casey than with Fenn. I didn’t understand why this had to happen. It felt unnecessary and outside of additional fallout, didn’t do much in driving the plot forward. It could have been the same effect had the decision not been as extreme as it was.

Sadly, this book took me 7 days to finish and when I was marinating on my rating, I understood there was more things I disliked than enjoyed. So while the story kept me entertained, the characters frustrated me to no end and the romance was almost non existent. I’m really hoping books three turns things around for me because I’m still super invested in this series.


4 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, New Adult · Tagged With: ,

Review: The Dom Who Came In From The Cold by Lexi Blake

February 21, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

THE DOM WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Series: Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded Book 5
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: February 21, 2023

Kyle Hawthorne once believed his future would be a job in the private sector—a simple, normal life. Fate had other plans and he wound up in the military. Some newly discovered talents caught the eye of the CIA, and in no time he was working with a covert team. He found himself in a relationship with fellow operative, Julia—until she turned out to be the enemy. When her betrayal was uncovered, things got bloody and Kyle returned home broken, searching for a chance to walk the road not taken.

MaeBe Vaughan has never been interested in normal. Her happy place is a dark corner of the Internet, where she disrupts all the bad guys. She has a great circle of friends and a full life. She doesn’t need a man. Until Kyle Hawthorne walked into her life. He’s all wrong for her. Surly. Damaged. His uncle is her boss. But she couldn’t help getting close to him. When his past threatened her safety, Kyle walked out without saying good-bye.

Kyle will do anything to keep MaeBe safe. He faked his death, hid in the middle of nowhere, and watched over her from afar. But when Julia resurfaces, he knows that to protect MaeBe, he’ll have to get close. So close that if they manage to survive, he will never let her go.

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

You are not an itch I want to scratch, MaeBe Vaughn,” Kyle said, his eyes solemn on her. “You’re a blanket I want to pull around me because I think you might be able to keep me warm for the rest of my life.”

I have spent years waiting for this book. YEARS. Kyle has been a predominant secondary character for far too long and I couldn’t wait to finally get my hands on his book. Particularly after the way No Time to Lie.

And while this book is technically a standalone with a new couple, I highly recommend you read the series in order because the story arc for this couple begins early in the series and you really need to understand all the nuances between them through the year to really appreciate this book. It does cover most of the basics, but glosses over some that have been covered in previous books (like the pining. GOD but I loved the pining)

People in love discuss their problems. Dumbasses fake their deaths.

Kyle has been in love with MaeBe from the moment he saw her. He may have fought their connection but his fall was inevitable, no matter what his inner demons said. But when Kyle’s psycho double agent ex comes back from the dead, he knows he’ll do anything to protect MaeBe, even fake his own death. Though his “death” is honestly like the worst kept secret and everyone pretty much knows he’s on a mission to catch Julia, including MaeBe.

When circumstances allow him to reveal himself to MaeBe, she’s no longer the woman he left behind. Her edges are sharper, and she’s also not afraid to drop him on his ass. And she does.

I really liked parts of this story, but admittedly, parts of it did drag a bit for me. The suspense plot sort of overrode the romance for me. I would have loved to read more about these falling for each other to appreciate their reunion even more. But on the flip side, I loved the progression of their relationship. I loved the way Kyle cares for Mae and the way he finally proves it with his unwavering trust. I loved watching Mae grow into a field agent in her own right. And while this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, it still hit the spot just right.

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Review: Tangled in Tinsel by Trilina Pucci

December 8, 2022 by ·

TANGLED IN TINSEL
Author: Trilina Pucci
Genre: Why Choose Romance
Release Date: December 8, 2022

Imagine being snowed in with four hot successful men.

P.S. they’ve all played the hero in too many of your naughtiest dreams.

​​​​​​​Problem is, you work for them, and that makes them off-limits.

Except now they’re looking at you like you’re Santa’s cookies.

And they definitely want to take a bite.

Talk about making you reconsider your life choices.

These four are aiming for Santa’s naughty list, and I’m pretty sure I’m getting:

Jace
Reed
Alec
…and Cole

for Christmas.

It might’ve started as a decorating job.

But it ended Tangled in Tinsel.

AMAZON

Three’s a crowd, four’s a party.”

If you’re looking for a smutty holiday romance that will make you laugh till you pee and squirm at the same time, look no further.

You forgot to say please, Samantha.” The deep gravel in his voice makes me shiver. “‘Tell me I’m a good girl’…Please. Now, use your words, baby, and ask me nicely.”

One thing I can say after finishing this book, is that Trilina needs to write more romcoms. The woman is hilarious and how you can pull off something that’s this hot and filthy and instill this much easy humor into it is pure talent. It’s fine line between funny and cheesy and this was laugh till you cry hilarious.

If you’re expecting a well rounded novel with lots of plot and character development, you probably didn’t read the book blurb. But if you’re looking for something super spicy, hilarious, fast paced, with not one, not two, not three, but four super hot leading men and the sassy woman that gets to have all of them…welp. This has it. This has all of it.
See what I did there?

But I digress. This is forced proximity dirty hotness. Samantha is an interior designer who gets snowed in on her current project, along with her four super hot bosses. Good times follow, obviously.

This book had me giggling incessantly. Between the hilarious banter between Samantha and her sister, along with her men. Then it had me squirming uncomfortably because hot damn.

Sometimes a girl needs a find and fluffy read that delivers on the steam and the laughs, and this one sure did.

Trilina is a former professional dancer (you may have even seen her on the MTV Music Awards) and a USA Today Bestselling author who loves cupcakes and bourbon.

When she isn’t writing steamy love stories, she can be found devouring Netflix with her husband, Anthony, and their three kiddos. Pucci’s journey into writing started impulsively. She wanted to check off a box on her bucket list, but what began as wish-fulfillment has become incredibly fulfilling. Now she can’t see her life without her characters, her readers, and this community.

She’s known for being a trope defier, writing outside of the box and creating fictional worlds her readers never want to leave.

AUTHOR LINKS

Newsletter | Website | Amazon Author | Facebook |  Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads |  BookBub | FB Readers Group | Pinterest | Book+Main | TikTok

 

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Review: Dukes of Peril by Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue

November 14, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

DUKES OF PERIL
Series: Royals of Fosyth University #6
Author: Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue
Genre: Dark Romance, Why Choose
Release Date: November 11, 2022

The ruin of obsession, the madness of love, and the peril of duty.

Remington Maddox broke my heart.

Simon Perilini bruised my body.

And Pretty Nick Bruin tried his hardest to steal my soul.

As we struggle to make amends, the four of us must face the real fights occurring in Forsyth: The battle against the legacies of our fathers, the conflict for a Kingdom that’s stronger than its King, and the wars we wage within ourselves.

My Dukes have become capable warriors, but Forsyth needs more than their fists. They need a leader. Who will rise to the challenge?

They plucked me from captivity, giving me a home and purpose, and now it’s my turn to fight for them. The fury of Forsyth will burn hot enough to melt my cage.

And my Dukes will forge a crown from it.

Dukes of Peril is book 6 n the contemporary, dark romance, Royals of Forsyth U series by best-selling authors, Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue.

Reading Order:

Lords of Pain

Lords of Wrath

Lords of Mercy

Dukes of Ruin

Dukes of Madness

Dukes of Peril

AMAZON 

 

 

I’d kill for her, die for her, burn this whole fucking city to the ground for her.

When I tell you I have been dying a slow death waiting for the conclusion of the Dukes’ trilogy I’m not even slightly exaggerating. I loved The Lords, but The Dukes had me in a full chokehold. The irony, though, is while book three of The Lords was my favorite of the three, the Dukes of Peril I found to be the weakest installment. Did I still enjoy it? Abso-fucking-lutely. But did it have the chokehold on me that the first two books did? Not really.

But even after all these years, you still think the way I love you makes you a prisoner. When are you going to get it?” His jaw tightens, and he reaches up, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re not shackled to me, Lavinia. I’m shackled to you.”

After the slow edging…erm…I mean burn, between Lavinia and Simon, I was really hoping for him being center stage in this book. But can’t help feeling slightly disappointed because I feel like he played a bit of second, or rather third fiddle.

The story was entertaining but felt anticlimactic in parts. There were parts of the book that felt dragged out and it almost had too much going on with Saul, Lavinia’s father, Remy’s father, and the Princes. I loved Nick and his crazy possessive jealousy. The man just continued to grow on me with each book. But dang, I needed more Sy in this book.

I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but I still wished for more. However, the set up for the next trilogy at the end? Delicious. Bring on the Princes and their breeding kink please!

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Review: Resisting Mr Granville by Sam Mariano

November 13, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

 Resisting Mr. Gainsville
A Blurred Lines Series Standalone
Author: Sam Mariano
Genre: Taboo/Forbidden Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2022

 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…

The night I met Mr. Granville, he was slipping out of my mother’s bedroom.
She was passed out drunk and I was on my own, but that was nothing new. It wasn’t even the first time one of her boyfriends looked at me for a little too long—just the first time I felt anything like interest in return.
My mother and I had never been close, but I knew I had to pretend not to notice his hot gaze lingering on me when he was supposed to be there to see her, had to resist the temptation to lap up all the attention he offered me.
Until the one night I didn’t.
 
After they broke up, I thought I’d never see Milo Granville again.
But my less-than-impressive grade in chemistry had me striking a deal with his brilliant son: he would help me bring up my grade, and I would pretend to be his girlfriend so he could get the attention of the girl he actually liked.
Pretending to date the youngest Granville has me spending a lot of time with the Granville men, and while he loves having me around again, seeing me with his son is not something Mr. Granville enjoys.
He seems determined to remind me of the night that changed everything between us…
As if I could ever forget.
Milo is devilishly handsome and too commanding for his own good, but I have to resist the attraction raging between us.
Too bad Mr. Granville is just as intent on tempting me at every turn.
 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…”

Well…that wasn’t at all what I was expecting. And I’m not sure if I mean that in a good way.

The blurb to this book is what hooked me. A forbidden age gap romance with a man who not only happens to be your mom’s ex, but also your friend’s father? Yes, please and thank you. I have never jumped on a book more quick. Heck, I’m pretty sure I left skid marks behind in my rush to get to it. But that’s not what this book was. Now how the heck do I review this without spoiling it? I’m going to do my damn best here.

First of all, I sat on my rating for days after finishing it. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. So here we sit with a middle of the road 3 star “I liked it but I won’t think of it again” rating. So let’s digest it.

The reason I love the forbidden trope is the feeling it gives. I love the tension of the ‘we want to but we can’t. That burn. The anticipation. The pit in your stomach feel when they finally give into the inevitable. However, this book didn’t have it. And the forbidden element of the romance had nothing to do with the age gap or the father thing. But I won’t spoil that for you. All I will say, is I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It reminded me of Cradence…but also didn’t feel right…or complete. Not story complete, but romance complete.

The romance between Milo and Kennedy was inevitable. Their chemistry instant, but also a slow burn. Milo wants her the minute he lays eyes on her. The fact that her mother is a total and complete piece of sh*t leaves you with no guilt about their “forbidden” relationship. The forbidden dynamic came completely out of left field, and while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t love it either. It felt almost love triangle-y…and that’s not ultimately my jam. I felt a bit let down with the end and desperately hoping we get a book for a certain someone next. But I digress.

I think ultimately my issue is that what I thought I was getting was not what I got. I enjoyed it still, but it just didn’t fully hit the spot. Especially since I was going in with a set expectation from the blurb. Would I recommend it? Yes. It was still an enjoyable read that was a bit on the tamer side than what I’m used to from Mariano but still with a dose of an edgy grit.


Sam Mariano writes the books she wants to read. She loves edgy, twisty romantic reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable daughter… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days. Feel free to find her on Facebook or Instagram—she loves hearing from her readers!


AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292083204528925 
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_hSzL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sam__Mariano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammarianobooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7375051.Sam_Mariano
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-mariano

 
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Review: Power by Cassandra Robbins

November 4, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

POWER
Genre: Forbidden Age Gap, Contemporary Romance
Author: Cassandra Robbins
Release Date: November 4, 2022

From USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Robbins comes her most forbidden romance to date. An explosive age-gap, complete stand-alone love story about infamous attorney Jett Powers and the woman who brings him to his knees.

Jett Powers is brilliant, nasty, and forbidden.

He takes what he wants, has no regrets, and makes no excuses.

Not to mention he’s tall, dark, and irresistible.

From our first secret encounter, I’m addicted.

He’s the last man that should be making my stomach flip, and heart pound.

Unfortunately, my mind and body are not in sync.

Because Mr. Powers is not mine.

He can’t be.

He’s my mother’s fiancé.

AMAZON

Look, you’re my mom’s fiancé. I should never—”
“That’s right, Raven. I am your mother’s fiancé. Who was just inside you.”

Well then, wasn’t this just the most deliciously kinky little romp of a book.

If you’re looking for something quick, dirty, with spice oozing from every page, but yet with just enough plot thrown in, look no further. Daddy Powers is here and nasty is an understatement for the shock and awe factor this man brings. He’s dirty charisma personified. How does a character make you feel both dirty and swoony at the same time? I don’t know but I want more of it.

This is a forbidden romance with a delicious age gap. Jett Powers is a man engaged, though theirs is not a relationship based in love. More like power, ambition, and sex with zero emotion. He’s made peace with the fact that the only love of his life is his successful law career. But then his fiancé’s 18 year old daughter comes for a visit, and let’s just say that things get interesting.

The spice starts almost immediately and the story is riddled with it. Not that you’ll hear me complaining. That sh*t was hot. I think my one and only quibble is I wanted the burn of the forbidden angst. That’s my favorite part of a forbidden romance, the we want to but we can’t feels. The angsty burn. This story didn’t really have it. These two pretty much jump straight into the deep end without much thought. Not that I’m complaining. Because, again, that sh*t was hot. But you get me.

And though I felt there was more sex than plot at times, that’s not to say there wasn’t plot. There was just enough thrown in, actually. There was still great character development and the romance development was delicious. I loved watching the notorious Mr Powers fall for Raven. But my favorite part? The epic grovel at the end. MY GOD. I lived for that grovel. The man messed up big time and he wasn’t afraid to crawl for his woman. GAH. So good.

If you’re looking for a spicy forbidden romance with a delicious dirty talker and an even more delicious grovel, look no further.

Cassandra Robbins is a USA Today, Amazon Top 100, KDP All-star and International bestselling author. She threatened to write a romance novel for years. Robbins finally let the voices take over with her debut novel, The Entitled. She’s a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic driven to create obsessive, angst-filled characters who have to fight for their happily ever after. Cassandra resides in Los Angeles with her hot husband, two beautiful children, and a fluffy Samoyed, Stanley. Her family and friends are her lifeline but writing is her passion.

Connect w/Cassandra: 

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest  | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter Signup

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Review: Promises We Meant to Keep by Monica Murphy

September 23, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

PROMISES WE MEANT TO KEEP
Author: Monica Murphy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 22, 2022

Spencer Donato.

My brother’s best friend.

My dirty little secret.

We fell for each other at Lancaster Prep. Sneaking around. Not wanting anyone to find out. He was my first love, my protector, my knight in shining armor. We were made for each other, and I truly believed he was my forever.

But then I did the unthinkable, and betrayed him in the worst possible way. I thought I lost him for good…

Until I saw him at my brother’s wedding. Now he’s older. Crueler. Unbearably handsome. We’re drawn to each other still, but will Spencer be there for me when I need him the most? Or did I ruin us once again?

AMAZON

I have been in love with you for so long, I don’t know how to stop. I will do whatever it takes to make this work.

Sylvie was a character I equally loved and hated in Things I Wanted to Say, But Never Did. She was such a complex character who I couldn’t wait to peel back the layers in her own book. So I have been eagerly anticipating her story.

He was my respite. A way for me to forget. Until I made myself forget him.

Spencer is Sylvie’s brother’s best friend and her most sacred secret. He was her everything when they were at Lancaster Prep, but then she broke them in the most irrevocable way. Years later she’s a different Sylvie but with more scars, and her scars run deep. When she sees Spencer again he’s not the same boy that allowed her to toy with him in her hot and cold persona back in the day.

I think this is the part that I wanted a little more angst in. There’s nothing I love more than the angst of second chance romance, and considering the history and betrayal between these two, I was eagerly anticipating some angst…which never came. They worked past their differences pretty quick. And I think my masochistic heart yearned for something more here.

I absolutely adored Spencer. And as much as I was back and forth with Sylvie in her brother’s book, being in her head really endeared me to her here. She’s such a broken, tortured soul. You couldn’t help but love her.

The ending felt a little rushed, but was ultimately satisfying. And while the story wasn’t fully what I had hoped for, it still hit the spot.

 

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: Be With Me by Samantha Young

July 12, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

BE WITH ME
Series: The Adair Family #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date: July 12, 2022

It was the friends-with-benefits proposition he never saw coming…

While Arran Adair might have followed the call of wanderlust in his younger years, it isn’t the reason he stayed away from Ardnoch. Home now, desperate to put the sins of his past behind him, and rebuild his life in the Scottish Highlands, Arran could never have predicted Eredine Willows. The Ardnoch Estate Pilates instructor is a complicated mystery and one Arran can’t help but want to solve.

Eredine has spent the last eight years hiding in Scotland and building walls between her and the people she cares about. Arran is the first Adair who doesn’t treat her as if she’s fragile and demands a genuine friendship. Yet, the attraction sizzling between them is undeniable. So when she realizes she trusts him, Eredine surprises them both by offering Arran one night of no-strings passion.

Arran knows one night will inevitably lead to a desire for more and he’s willing to stay by Eredine’s side for as long as it takes to convince her there’s something real between them. However, just when Arran thinks they might build a future together, Eredine’s past returns to stalk her. And Arran won’t just have to battle her demons to keep them together. He’ll need to battle his own.

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For so long, I was not the guy people trusted. I needed to be that guy for her.”

I’ve been loving the Adair series since book one. And the second the mysterious and shy Eredine appeared on the pages as a secondary character, I was immediately intrigued.

This was a sweet and spicy friends to lovers romance with a mystery subplot. I’ve been waiting four books to find out about Erendine’s past, and I have to say, I never saw it coming quite this way.

Admittedly, the book felt slower than the others in the series. I found myself skimming through parts, and disengaged in others. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, until I saw another reviewer say that while these two worked as secondary characters, as main characters they weren’t as captivating. This pretty much summarized my thoughts exactly. While I loved both Arran and Erendine in the previous books, they lacked a little something to shine as main characters. So much so, that even the suspense plot running parallel to their romance felt a touch lackluster and anticlimactic.

Having said that, I still read this from beginning to finish. And while I didn’t fall in love with it like the others in the series, I still liked it. I loved getting more of this unique family and seeing some of my favorites appear on the pages. Plus the set up for Brogan’s book was utterly delicious. So while this book didn’t blow me away, it was still an enjoyable read to spend a summer evening with. Now I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series with Brodan’s book.

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

She resides in Scotland.

 

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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Review: King of Spades by Alta Hensley

April 5, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

KING OF SPADES
Series: trilogy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Alta Hensley
Release Date: April 5, 2022

Nick Hudson has a dangerous reputation.

That’s what I need if I’m going to survive.

Desperation makes me seek out a ruthlessly powerful billionaire.

I need protection.

He demands my virtue as payment.

I’m falling into a world of luxury and sin.

With every twist and turn, I need more.

Except this is not a man to love.

This is a man to fear.

His obsession grows. So does the threat, until I’m trapped in a world of depravity. I’ll need more than Nick’s strength to survive. I’m going to need his heart.

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There isn’t a part of him that isn’t absolute perfection. He’s raw, he’s edgy, he’s dark, and his madness is everything I’ve ever wanted.

When I tell you I will never get tired of the craziness that is the Morelli/Constantine drama, I mean I will never get tired of it. Give it all to me!

And with a brand new cross over trilogy from Alta Hensley, we now meet the bastard daughter of Bryant Morelli and she’s no blushing ingenue for the virgin she is. I immediately loved this woman. I mean the second she appears on the pages, stewing in her jealousy, sneaking into a party she has no business in with her cousin Sasha Morelli. The rest of the Morelli brood know nothing about her. And Lyriope is the epitome of the family black sheep. Her parents risky decisions and irresponsible nature leave her on the receiving end of a debt to the Russians that she has no hope of ever repaying and they want blood.

The only hope she has is a man whose reputation precedes him, Nick Hudson. But Nick doesn’t do anyone favors, and his protection comes with a price…her body and her virginity. And while it sounds cliche, it just worked here, people. Maybe it was Lyriope’s fiery nature to Nick’s blatant and dangerous sexuality. I don’t know and I don’t care, I gobbled it right up.

The way I see it is,” I say as I close the distance between us, so close I can smell the sweetness of the bourbon on her breath. “You either have a gun in your mouth by the end of tonight or my cock. I don’t want to see your pretty little face blown off. But I do want to see those lips around my dick. So, choose wisely.”
… Most women would be scared at the honesty and the reality I painted of their mortality. But Lyriope shows me she is not most women.
“I’ll choose the gun,” she purrs as she darts out her tongue and licks my lips in one long and sensual swipe.

I’ll be honest, at times, I was wondering how this story can stretch over three books. But by the end, I was convinced, even while I cursed that cliffhanger to hell and back.

I loved the nods towards Alice in Wonderland and Nick’s mad hatter vibes. I loved the banter, the danger, and the sizzling chemistry. I also loved Nick’s obsession because you know I love the crazy possessive types.

A delicious start to what’s sure to be a fantastic trilogy!

 

Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.

She lives in a log cabin in the woods with her husband, two daughters, and an Australian Shepherd. When she isn’t battling the bats, and watching the deer, she is writing about villains who always get their love story and happily ever after.

Connect with Alta

Website: www.altahensley.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alta-Hensley/e/B004G5A6LI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltaHensleyAuthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/altashotdarkdirtyroom

Instagram: https://instagram.com/altahensley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AltaHensley

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Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alta-hensley

 

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