Review: Heart of Thorns by S. Massery & S.J. Sylvis

January 6, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

HEART OF THORNS
Series: Shadow Valley U #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: S. Massery & S.J. Sylvis
Release Date: December 27, 2024

As the number one quarterback in college football, my only dream is to make it to pro.

My richer-than-sin parents have a different goal.

Their plan is for me to score a trophy wife whose trust fund can hold its own against mine, then join the family empire after graduation. The latter half of that plan means giving up my dream of professional football. The first part means sitting through excruciating dates with girls who already have their wedding vows written.

In an attempt to free myself from one of my perpetual nightmares, I announce that I’m already in a serious, long-term relationship.

Which is a great excuse to get out of a date–if it were true.

To save the lie, I talk the intriguing campus black cat, Briar Hart, into pretending to be my girlfriend. She has a prickly heart, and she’s made it clear that she hates jocks.

But after I offer her something she can’t refuse, we’re suddenly faking our happily-ever-after to everyone.

If I’m not careful, I may start to believe it too.

AMAZON 

Now I need to convince the girl with the heart of thorns to pretend to date me.

Know what I love more than a fake dating trope? A fake dating trope written by two of my favorite authors!

I love a black cat FMC and Briar Hart is black cat vibe personified. Her promising hockey career was ripped away from her in one terrifying moment when she was forced to escape a fire by jumping out of a second story window. And her life hasn’t been the same since. All she remembers from that fateful night is a guy locking her in and the realization that faceless stranger is on the school’s football team. Her dreams of hockey have faded to a dull ache and she keeps herself occupied with her art.

Thorne may look like the quintessential rich boy from the outside, but still waters run deep with him. He may be the school’s star quarterback, but with demanding parents that are basically planning his life out and the women he should be with, he struggles under the pressure. And when the dates get to be too much, he decides that a girlfriend is a solution…a fake one that is. And what better girl to proposition to fake date you than the one who can’t stand the sight of you. I mean, it is rather refreshing when the rest of the school’s female population falls at your feet.

You can stick to your guns, kitten. Pretend you hate me, claw my back, run just so I’ll chase after you—” My head flies backward with a harsh tug on my hair. “Because I will, Briar. I’ll fucking chase you.”

This was a slow burn with all the tension and I loved the chemistry between Briar and Thorne. I loved the way they healed each other’s broken pieces and their unwilling falling for each other.

There’s the whodunnit mystery that keeps you turning the pages while the romance keeps you glued to them. I devoured this in a day and if you like the fake dating trope and sports romance, this will hit the spot for you too!

S. Massery:

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.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/smassery

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/smassery

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

Instagram: http://instagram.com/authorsmassery

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@smassery

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/author/s-massery

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorsmassery

S.J. Sylvis:

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

Author Links:

Instagram: @authorsjsylvis

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorsjsylvis

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Review: Oh, Hell No by Abbi Glines

December 31, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

OH, HELL NO
Series: Mississippi Smoke #3
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 29, 2024

Taking her was a means to an end. The task was to weed out the man who had stolen millions from us. He may have succeeded, but he’d pay with his life. Hiding from us was a grave error he’d regret soon enough because once he found out that we had taken the one thing he cared for as repayment- he’d show up. When a man had a weakness, it was foolish to make a mistake like this. He would come for her, and when he did, he wouldn’t walk away unscathed, nor would the sister he adored.

This was my fault. I hadn’t seen his scheme. It was my mistake, so I had to fix it. However, it seemed the joke was on me. What I had thought would be an easy job proved more difficult than I’d imagined. I had underestimated the power of her big brown eyes, full lips, and sweet, sultry voice. Keeping my focus on torturing information from her- when what I really wanted to do was touch her, have her, own her- would not only be a painful obstacle but possibly my biggest failure.

Except she hated the sight of me.
But I couldn’t blame her.
I’d walked out of her nightmares as her own personal monster.

 

AMAZON

I had always enjoyed art, and she was a masterpiece. One that I needed to see every night.

I don’t know what sort of crack Abbi laces her books with but I gobble them up each and every single time. Southern mafia? Yes, please and thank you. And this 3rd installment of the series spinoff may have been my favorite so far. I absolutely loved Oz and Winslet!

Now if you’ve read any books in this series, then you already know Abbi’s formula of sweet souther females with their absolutely unhinged and morally grey men. And you know what? It works and it works well. If this series is 10586 books with 209485 spinoffs, I will never tire of it. But Oz? I think Oz just flew straight to my favorite MMCs of Abbi’s.

Winslet may be the quintessential good girl, but she’s not a pushover. This is woman who cares about others and does so deeply. But she doesn’t allow herself to be stepped on either. Growing up with an abusive alcoholic of a mother, her life has been anything but easy. She’s spent years protecting her younger brother from her mother’s drunken wrath, even at the expense of her own safety.

Perry, her younger brother, and now an entrepreneur genius is apparently not all who he seems. And when his counterfeit money lands him on the wrong side of the souther mafia, Winslet finds herself kidnapped and held in a basement for answers. And her kidnapper being the sexiest man she’s ever seen certainly doesn’t help matters.

Now when I tell you I loved Oz, I was obsessed. Sure, he kidnapped her. But when he was forced to torture her for answers, the man just couldn’t do it. The way he struggled to so much as withhold food from her and then gave her all the chocolate cake was seriously the most endearing thing. And then when he lets her go and essentially stalks her for weeks as he waits out her to have the time to forgive him was just adorable. He was this perfect combination of sweet and crazy, and I loved his unhinged possessive behavior towards her.

The story was quick paced, addictive, and a slow burn that sizzles so hard. I do recommend you suspend your disbelief with this series and just accept it for the good time that it is.

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Review: Legacy of Chaos by Larissa Ione

December 3, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

LEGACY OF CHOS
Series: Demonica Birthright #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: December 3, 2024

The legacy continues…

It’s a gritty new world.

Three decades after the events of REAPER, the world is a different place. The secret is out. The existence of demons, vampires, shapeshifters, and angels has been revealed, and humans are struggling to adapt. Out of the chaos, The Aegis has risen to global power on the promise of containing or exterminating all underworlders, even if that means ushering in the End of Days.

Standing in their way is the next generation of warriors, the children of demons and angels and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

See how they become legends in their own right.

Legacy of Chaos

Stryke, son of Shade and Runa, grew up a happy, well-adjusted incubus alongside his four brothers. A supergenius, he took an interest in science and technology at an early age, with a dream of joining NASA…until a moment of carelessness resulted in the death of his little brother. Unable to forgive himself and desperate to prevent a similar tragedy from happening to others, he started up his own anti-demon tech company and sequestered himself behind its walls. Now he’s a household name and one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Cyan, a technomancer who works as a cybersecurity expert for DART, lost her best friend to a weapon designed by Stryke’s company. She’s hurt, angry, and wants revenge. So when an opportunity to work with Stryke on a project arises, she jumps at the chance to help DART and make Stryke’s life miserable.

At first, Cyan and Stryke butt heads about everything. But she soon finds that deep down, he’s desperately wounded and willing to sacrifice everything, including his family, to achieve his goals. Can she help him heal before he destroys himself—and everyone around him?

AMAZON | B&N | APPLE BOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

“What do I need?” His throaty voice vibrated through her, making her hormones dance. “I need to f*ck you, Cyan. And, gods help me, I don’t just need it. I want it.”

OH
MY
GOD!

How am I going to survive the wait for the next book? I have no idea what to do with myself right now.

Now if you’ve read Legacy of Temptation, then you already know Stryker. And if you haven’t, then definitely read that first. While the story features different couples, the story arc continues, and it just wouldn’t hit the same if you start with this book. Trust me.

I have been desperately awaiting the story of Styker. As a secondary character in the first book, he came across as a cold genius businessman. But when you got the sneak peek into his story, you realized that he can also add tortured to his repertoire. Stryke also happens to be the son of one of my favorite Demonica couples, Shade and Runa from Desire Unchained. After the violent loss of his baby brother, Styker hasn’t been the same. He pulled away from his family and especially from his Seminus demon ways. It’s been years and he still blames himself for the loss and punishes himself in a multitude of ways. My heart broke for this tortured man so hard.

After the tragic and violent loss of her best friend to a weapon made by Stryke’s company, Cyan is not exactly his fan. But when she gets assigned to work at his company for a shared mission, things start to shift. She begins to see the tortured soul beneath the demon.

Now if you’ve read the Demonica series, then you’ll really appreciate the story arc of this spinoff. There are so many favorites that are featured in this book, including Gabriel and Azagoth. And man oh man, am I desperate for Gabriel’s story. But knowing Larissa, she’ll tease us with him until the end. There is so much that is happening with this book and all of it had me absolutely glued to the pages; the opening of hell that is quickly letting in dangerous demons, the mystery of Harvester, and through it all the emotional romance between Stryke and Cyan.

I love the strong and kickass heroines that Ione writes and Cyan is no exception. I love the way that she fights with Stryke as much as fights for him. And I absolutely loved their romance and the full circle it brought things. I did hope to see Stryke get to really bridge his relationship with his brother Blade, but we may have to wait until Blade’s book for that I’m thinking.

In any case, this was a high octane, action packed, steamy romantasy in a world that I am completely enraptured with and never want to leave. I cannot recommend it enough.

And if you haven’t read Ione’s Demonica series yet, this is definitely your sign to do so immediately.

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Review: From Here To Eternity by AL Jackson

October 15, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

My life is dangerous.

My calling wicked.

Willing to cross any line to protect the innocent.

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

The woman who’d taken possession of my thoughts.

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

Twenty questions to earn her trust.

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

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

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

Only she’s keeping a secret, too.

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

AMAZON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

Facebook: https://geni.us/ALJacksonFBB 

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

Amazon: https://geni.us/ALJacksonAmznB 

Bookbub: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookBubB 

Twitter: @aljacksonauthor 

Instagram: @aljacksonauthor

TikTok: @aljacksonauthor

 

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Review: By Blood to Avenge by Natasha Knight

October 8, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

Her enemies are closing in faster than she can run.

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

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

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

I won’t let them touch her though.

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

AMAZON 

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

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

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

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

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

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Review: By Sin To Atone by Natasha Knight

September 17, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BY SIN TO ATONE
Series: Sinners Duet #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight
Release Date: September 16, 2024

A steamy, Forced Proximity Secret Society Romance by Bestselling Author Natasha Knight.

I crossed him. Now he owns me.

When I tried to blackmail Ezekiel St. James, I thought it would be easy.

Turns out I had no idea who I was dealing with.

The moment his steel-grey eyes locked on mine, I knew the game was over.

He knew exactly who I was. What I’d done.

And he wasn’t going to let me walk away.

With his immense wealth and power, he had me kidnapped.

He could make me disappear.

I’m no easy prey, though, and it’s not just my life on the line. I have to protect my sister.

But when I’m hurt, he does the unexpected. He takes care of me.

In some twisted way, he sees his atonement in me.

Desperate and vulnerable, I need protection.

He offers his, but his terms are as grey as his morals. I’ll be his in every way.

I accept knowing full well the risk. Because when he touches me, my skin catches fire.

And there’s something inside me that wants to belong to him.

AMAZON 

You’re mine now, Little Convict. You belong to me.”

What sort of crack does this woman sprinkle into her books that no matter how many times she writes a certain trope, I will gobble it right up and lick every finger clean after? I swear, I will never, and I mean EVER, get enough of her IVI world. If you love dark secret society romance, trust me when I say you need to check this out.

Now if you’ve read Devil’s Pawn, then you’ll remember Jericho’s brother, Ezekiel St. James. But nothing prepares you for the impact of this man as a main character. Because OH MY OVARIES!

There’s a beast inside this man with his elegant, refined façade. And I’ve woken it. “Let me go.”

If you’ve read the other duet, then you will already know one of the dark secrets and demons that Ezekiel has. But if you haven’t, not worries, because you will easily be sucked into this as a standalone and all relevant details are shared. But you will appreciate his story so much more having read Jericho’s duet first. But enough about that.

Ezekiel is a powerful man within the society of IVI, so when he gets blackmailed by a stranger, he’s not about to take it lying down. So he tracks her down to an IVI bar and plays the game right back.

Dangerous games have dangerous consequences, Blue. You’re going to learn that lesson hard.”

Blue is a MFC who intrigued me from the very first page. This woman is clearly running from some dark demons in her past, and the more the onion of her past gets peeled back, the more intrigued you are.

The story was fully addictive with a painful cliffhanger which makes me glad the wait for the conclusion is only a few weeks because OMG I NEED ANSWERS.

 

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Review: Loving The Liar by Lola King

September 12, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

LOVING THE LIAR
Series: Silver Falls University #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Lola King
Release Date: September 12, 2024

An angsty, secret society, dark romance from best-selling author, Lola King

He lost her once. Now he will do anything to have her back. Anything.

Welcome to Silver Falls University, where the elite comes to thrive.

My life as a queen bee was always traced for me. I’m rich, I come from an influential family, and I constructed my personality to become the girl everyone wants to be. I rule Silver Falls University with bright smiles and the pretense of being everyone’s friend.

But in a place where toxic rich kids love to see others fall, no one is safe.
Especially when my family loses its power and someone threatens to spill all my secrets.
In the blink of an eye, my life as I knew it crumbles, and to save the people I love, I’m forced to initiate into the one place I thought I’d never be—the same Secret Society who betrayed my family.

Powerless, I’m thrown into a world of men who want nothing but to use and break me, and only one person can save me.

My ex.

He wants to take care of me even though I hate him.
He wants to protect me when he’s not allowed.
And he wants to make me his even if it puts us both at risk.

I have no hope of surviving a secret society.

But if Christopher Murray makes me his…I have no hope of surviving him.

Loving The Liar is a dark romance intended for readers over 18. Please, read the CW in the book.
This is the first book in a series of 3 interconnected standalones.

AMAZON 

God, I hate that man so much it feels a lot like love.

Well now. This book? Finger licking good. And this series? Simply delicious. Because no one, and I mean no one, writes an unhinged morally gray MMC better than Lola King. Fight me on this.

Ella,” he rasps. His gaze bounces between my eyes, and his eyebrows pinch. “I’m so sorry for the things I will do to get you back.”

As someone who has read and thoroughly enjoyed Lola’s North Shore series, I’m so happy to now get this spinoff. The North Shore series focused on the have nots on the wrong side of the tracks and this series gives us the haves and the rich and entitled side. If you’ve read Heartless Beloved, then you’ll remember Alex’s best friend, Ella, the FMC of this book. But nothing prepares you for the unhinged possessiveness that is her ex boyfriend, Chris.

Chris hides his depravity down deep, made it his. His brand of evil. Nothing can compete with that.

Now if you know me or follow my reviews, you know how much I love me an unhinged MMC. But Chris? The man is playing chess while those other morally gray men are playing checkers. Because he is a whole other universe of unhinged and positive with a splash of daddy kink. Yep. You read that right.

Ella and Chris broke up years ago, but neither seems to have moved on. Ella can’t seem to get over Chris and Chris? Well he simply refuses to let her go, even though he’s with someone else.

You will go to bed one night, and it will be me you sleep next to. You will wake up, and it’ll be my cock deep inside you. You will live, because I’m the one who allows oxygen into your lungs.” He shifts, grazing my lips with his, and I don’t dare move an inch. I’m incapable of taking a step back. “And my hand will be so far inside your chest, your heart won’t beat without feeling my grip around it.”

Now if you’re already clutching your pearls and thinking there’s cheating, calm your tatas. There is no cheating here but you’ll have to read to find out why I say that because I will not spoil the details for you. But just trust me when I tell you, you will be fully fine with Chris chasing Ella. But if you’re expecting a possessive anti hero with morals, well probably skip this book. Because Chris is one brain f*ck away from being full villain and a manipulation and gaslighting genius. The lengths he goes to in order to get Ella back is….questionable at best and criminal at worst. But I digress.

And did I happen to mention that Chris is also Ella’s older brother’s best friend? Yep. Now there is so much delicious plot packed into this novel; think dark academia and secret society vibes. So when combined with their unhinged romance, it’s simply unputdownable. And if you’ve read the North Shore series than you will absolutely love the cameos here. For reference, Chris is the best friend of Rose from A Game of Hearts.

And if you haven’t read any of those books, not to worry, you’ll definitely be able to enjoy this fully. But of course I highly recommend you read the North Shore simply because it’s that good and you’ll appreciate this series that much more.

Ella is tortured heroine in her own right. This girl does not have it easy, even when she lives in the affluent town and is the most popular girl in her school. She hides some dark demons. But she’s no pushover and even though she’s the fly caught in Chris’s master web, she’s no pushover either and the girl definitely has a spine of steel.

This story was f*cked up in ways that only Lola King can write and I devoured every page. A huge rec for all my fellow dark romance lovers out there because WOWZA. I can’t wait for the rest of this series! 

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Review: Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver

September 3, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

WILD EYES
Series: Rose Hill #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Elsie Silver
Release Date: September, 2024

A rugged mountain town seemed like the perfect escape from a life in shambles. But on day one I ran full tilt into the world’s hottest single dad and now all my plans are ruined.

As a chart-topping country singer with a recent streak of bad press it’s hard to find any peace. But I find it in Rose Hill. With a little boy and a little girl who steal my heart just as thoroughly as their dad.

Weston Belmont.

The man is a shameless flirt. He oozes confidence and masculinity in a way that’s downright distracting. And in bed? He’s addictive.

Everything with him is wild and impulsive and I’m desperate to regain some control.

But no one has supported me like West does. And no one has ever made me feel as loved as he does either.

So, while my brain says settling down with a small-town horse trainer is impossible… my heart says I’m right where I belong.

Still, my life as a celebrity haunts me. It has the power to pull us apart.

I can see in his eyes that wants me to stay. And I want that too.

But I know better than anyone that we don’t always get what we want.

AMAZON 

Breathing is overrated. I’d rather be drowning in you.”

This series just continues to get better and better! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Elsie Silver books are my happy place. And this swoony romance is a perfect example why.

I’m done pretending that being your friend is enough.” I grip her thighs. “Now spread your legs.”

I just knew that I would be fully obsessed with West the second he was introduced as a secondary character and Rosie’s brother in Wild Love. But to say that I fell head over ovaries for him as a main character is a mild understatement. I fell so hard for this cinnamon role eternal bachelor and single dad with a heart of gold and a filthy mouth.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Skylar considering she’s introduced. I mean, it’s not every day a singing superstar stops in the middle of a road for a selfie with a grizzly. Suffice it to say that their meet cute was more than memorable.

That’s a goddamn grizzly bear. You need to get back in your car,” I hiss, hiking a thumb over my shoulder toward her car.
She shakes her head and continues glaring. “You know what I’m fucking sick of?”
“Is it living?” I bite out as instinct takes over and I step out of my truck.

But man oh man did this woman grow on me and fast. The more the layers were peeled back on Skylar, the more I loved her. But what I loved more was seeing the budding friendship between her and West that was amplified by their fiery chemistry.

Skylar is a music superstar who has never known life outside of fame. Desperate to bring together the shambles of her life, she makes the drive to Rose Hill, hoping that Ford Grant, the famous producer, will be the answer to what she needs. The last thing she expects is for her temporary room to be in the house of the handsome stranger who rescued her on the side of the road.

Weston Belmont. GOD. This man. The eternal town bachelor who doesn’t do serious but is the most amazing single father with a super healthy coparenting relationship stole my heart. He fights his attraction to Skylar with everything he’s worth. But man oh man did I love not only his inevitable fall but I also loved the budding relationship Skylar formed with his two adorable kids.

The chemistry as always was through the roof and I absolutely loved the slow burn. The personal growth of both of these characters was amazing, but there was something so completely satisfying about Skylar’s specifically. I loved watching her come into herself, outside of her Hollywood image. And I loved the way that West was a part of it without being the entire part of it.

I simply adore this series and already chomping at the bit for the next book. 

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Review: The Hunted Heir by Holly Renee

August 20, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE HUNTED HEIR
Series: The Veiled Kingdom #2
Author: Holly Renee
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: August 20, 2024

From USA Today Bestselling Author Holly Renee, comes the second book in the scorching romantasy series with enthralling secrets, impassioned enemies, and luring tension.

Verena was the lost princess of Marmoris, the very thing we had spent our entire lives looking for, and I had let her go.

The lingering taste of her mixed with the deep ache in my chest over her betrayal haunted my days and nights. I knew she was hiding something, but her secrets were far more treacherous than I could have imagined.

Though I wished my own betrayal hadn’t been so bitter on my tongue.

Now my dreams are haunted with the way her deep blue eyes looked up at me in shock when I revealed I knew her truth.

The way I crave for her to look at me now as I hunt for her.

Me, along with half of the rebellion.

If my father finds her before me, there is no telling what he will do to her.

And even though she’s the little traitor I’d always thought she was, I couldn’t allow him to find her.

But his orders were clear. The princess is to be taken by the rebellion or she would be taken by the gods. I don’t know which is worse.

She is the heir to our kingdom, the daughter of the cruel king who was responsible for my mother’s death, and the key to winning our rebellion.

I vowed to my father that I would find her, the one person I wish I didn’t have to.

Verena is the hunted heir. But more than anything, she is mine.

AMAZON

He was the son of the rebellion, and I was the daughter of everything they fought against. We were born and bred to be enemies, to never trust the other.

What sort of crack does Holly Renee sprinkle on these books that make them this addictive? Because when I tell you I binge read this entire book in one sitting, I mean I literally blinked and I was done and cursing Holly to the high heavens for leaving me on that cliffhanger. What sort of evil, sadistic f*ckery is this, Holly? Hmm? HMM?! But I digress.

Now for those of you that wanted Dacre’s d*ck on a spike after the ending of the last book, buckle up for some whiplash because you will be rooting for him and rooting for him HARD in this one. How do I know this? Because I too, wanted his d*ck on a spike at the end of the last book. But I digress once more.

Like salt in the sea, you have become ingrained in every part of me, and I have been drowning in my regrets.”

I love and hate the pacing of this story because it read so quick and I was dreading being done. But where I thought book one was addictive, this one was even more so.

This starts off immediately where book one left of, with Verena on the run with both the rebellion and the kingdom hunting her. And the son of the rebellion who called her ‘little traitor’ is suddenly drowning in the regret of his actions and his evolving feelings for her. GOD but it was delicious.

It was quick paced, action packed, steamy and unputdownable. And when I tell you I am prepared to offer Holly a kidney to get my hands on book 3, I’m only kidding a little…ok not kidding at all. But c’mon! How will I survive the wait until the conclusion being left like this. I feel like I’m slowly dying inside right now but I also have no regrets. It’s a complex feeling, stop judging me.

If you’re looking for a spicy romantasy with all the feels and enemy to lovers vibes, look no further!

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Review: The Prey by JL Beck

August 9, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE PREY
Author: J.L. Beck
Series: Oakmount Elite #3
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult
Release Date: August 9, 2024

Filthy rich. Monstrous. Vile.

He calls me prey.

I call him a bully.

Sebastian Arturo isn’t just cruel, he’s downright terrifying.

With piercing green eyes, a body made for doing very bad things, and a charming demeanor, it’s no wonder everyone thinks the world of him… everyone except me.

When I wake up with pieces of my memory missing he’s the only one who can give me answers.

But he doesn’t give me answers, instead he tells me to stop asking questions, or else…

I heed his warning and do my best to avoid him but since he’s my boss and I live in his house that’s kinda difficult.

Then one night his hate for me reaches its breaking point… and the lines blur.

Hate twists into lustful obsession.

His cruel words become seductive praises.

One touch sparks a raging inferno of desire, and I find myself burned to ash beneath his fingertips.

Just when I think I’ll finally find happiness my memories return bringing with them a vicious truth.

Turns out the man I’m falling for isn’t who I thought he was… and escape isn”t an option.

He has me right where he wants, caught in a trap, just like prey.

** This is a standalone, however for better reading enjoyment please consider starting with The Wallflower before reading The Prey. Again this is a dark romance novel, but does contain a happily ever after. It also contains triggering material, and adult content. Please do not start reading till you check the trigger warning at the beginning of the book. **

AMAZON

Sebastian isn’t the gentleman the world thinks he is…

Well, Elyse, I definitely already knew that much. Sebastian was a deliciously intriguing secondary character in The Wallflower & The Wildflower. But as an MC, this man is in a league of his own and I worship at his alter.

Now I definitely liked Drew and Bel’s book, but I went absolutely FERAL for Sebastian. When I tell you that the first chapter grabs you by the throat, I mean brace yourself. Because holy moly! But I digress. I loved seeing Sebastian’s protective big brother side in The Wildflower, but seeing his dark and deranged side in his own book wa s an experience unparalleled.

We don’t quite know the full details of how, but Elyse ends up working as a maid for Sebastian to work off her father’s debt. Her past is shrouded in mystery as are the full circumstance of how she came to work for Sebastian. All you know is that he hates her as much as he wants her, and the more he wants her, the harder he pushes her away with his a-hole behavior. And this reader was here for every second of it.

Now Sebastian is one fascinating, multilayered character that I couldn’t get enough of. He may be an entitled a-hole to Elyse, but beneath the suits and the money is the dark soul of a man who went through hell himself. And while we only get snippets of what made him the way he is, you. just know that when the full history is revealed, it will hurt so good.

Sebastian fights his attraction to Elyse at every turn, until it becomes unbearable and her past comes knocking on his door. There is still a lot of unknown and I ended the book with more questions than answers, but I can tell you that I absolutely devoured this story.

Elyse is a perfect dichotomy of silent strength and vulnerability. Her circumstance puts her in an impossible position where she will never come out the victor, but she is no pushover, and I loved that about her. When we finally get more morsels about her past, I was absolutely rabid for more. But in true JL Beck fashion, she leaves on a cliffhanger so painful that I dang near cried when I finish. So off to stalk her for the next book I go and I have no regrets!

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