Review: Brutal Game by Jo Brenner

October 10, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BRUTAL GAME
Series: Kings of Reina University #1
Author: Jo Brenner
Genre: Dark, New Adult Romance
Release Date: October 10, 2024

I tried to get revenge against his team, and now he’s making me pay…

In public, Jack Feldman is king on hockey star, golden god, brother to a billionaire, admired and wanted by everyone.
In private, he’s my ruthless tormentor bent on destroying body, mind, and soul.

When he catches me trying to get justice against his team, he threatens to ruin everything I care about unless I give him whatever he wants.

But what Jack wants is me.

He’s obsessive, possessive, and determined to wreck me.
And as he drags me down to the depths of his depravity, he brings out a part of me that wants to be wrecked by him.

He’s made it clear he owns me and will never let me go. When I fight back, he fights harder. He’s playing a dark and twisted game, but I can’t let him win.

Or his dark obsession will destroy us both.

Brutal Game contains several dark themes that some readers may be sensitive to. For more information, please visit the author’s website at jobrenner dot com.

AMAZON

She’d stolen something from me, something I couldn’t entirely describe. My control? My equilibrium? Something worse? Maybe we were even now, since I was stealing her, but it didn’t matter. She’d pay. Forever, if I had a say.

Now if you know me, you know I love me a good bully romance. When that also happens to combine hockey and morally gray MMCs, stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Admittedly, I haven’t read anything by Jo Brenner yet. But when I saw the blurb to this book, I just knew this would be my first book from her. And having read it, I can tell you that it definitely won’t be my last. What a twisty and spicy number this was!

Aviva is a woman on a mission. She’s a recent transfer to Reina university with one goal in mind, revenge for her brother who was once a rising college hockey star. But when Aviva goes searching for answers and evidence, she lands smack dab in the middle of the crosshairs of the hockey team’s golden boy; Jack Feldman.

Jack won’t let anyone stand in his way of making it to the NFL. And a girl after his team and coach just won’t do. So what’s a guy to do? Blackmail her into being you sex slave, obvie. But all kidding aside, this man was all sorts of unhinged and deranged. So obmiouly I fell immediately head over heels. If you like your fictional men obsessed, you’re going to love Jack. The man will stop at nothing to get Aviva, even if he has to manipulate her into him. And manipulate her he does. But she’s also his willing victim.

I loved Aviva’s fiery temper and backbone almost as I loved watching Jack try to bend her to his will. The chemistry between them was incendiary. I was immediately hooked on this story and these characters. I was also so intrigued by Jack’s best friends and teammates. There are some cameos from characters from previous books (related to Jack) that I will also be checking out immediately.

This was such a fun read and going right up there with my S Massery obsession. If you like mean MMCs with a degradation kink and FMCs that give as good as they get and don’t just take anything lying down (pun intended), you’ll definitely want to check this one out! I can’t wait for more in this series!


Meet Jo Brenner:
A lover of dogs, mountain adventures, and HGTV, Jo Brenner writes romances that are little
bit twisted, a lotta bit sexy—and always have an HEA.

Connect with Jo Brenner:
https://authorjobrenner.carrd.co

 




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Review: Bull Rush by Maggie Rawdon

September 27, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BULL RUSH
Genre: Dark Western Romance
Author: Maggie Rawdon
Release Date: September 27, 2024

Still married.
Those words change everything.

Now my should-be ex-husband, Ramsey Stockton, the former pro football star turned felon and hero who left this town—and me—behind years ago, is at my door offering me a deal with the devil.

If I let him stay and play his wife again for ninety days, he’ll give me a quiet divorce and his family ranch—the one my inn is on. When I scoff at the idea, he offers a million-dollar bonus to help my business float through this rough patch, but only if I’m his.

Then he’ll walk away, and I can walk down the aisle with my fiancé. Or I can say no and watch everything I’ve worked so hard for fall apart.

There’s only one answer I can afford to give him. But he knows everything about me—every hurt, every secret, and every single weakness I have, including him.

While Ramsey might want me, his brothers want him back in the family business. If there’s one universal truth in this town, it’s that Stockton men stop at nothing to get what they want.

AMAZON 

You remembered,” she says, and it’s quiet, so quiet I read the words on her lips more than I hear them over the music and the roar of the bar. I smile slowly, half afraid to do anything to mess this moment up. “Sugar, when it comes to you, I remember every single thing. Like you were branded on my soul.”

Well now, this is going to be a roller coaster of a series if this book is anything to go by. Because, what a ride! This was full of twists and turns and so much dirty talk that set my loins ablaze. Did I just age myself by typing that? I think I may have, but I digress.

The second I read the blurb to this book, I knew I had to have it, and it definitely delivered on that blurb and then some. I love a second chance romance and when that second chances is with your ex spouse that you thought you were divorced from? Color me all over it.

Hazel has finally moved on from her ex husband. It’s been years since Ramsey left to pursue his football career and left her his family’s inn. Hazel is engaged and happy, but then gets the shock of a lifetime. Turns out her divorce never went through. And her ex husband is back in town after he’s paroled from prison and making her a deal. He’ll give her the money she needs to fix the inn and grant her the divorce if she gives him 90 days as his wife. Now, the second Hazel’s fiancé agreed, I fully wrote him off. Bye Felicia! But I digress again.

Admittedly, Hazel took me a minute to warm up to. I knew there was definitely more than Just Ramsey and his family history that led to their falling out. But at times she came off as childish and petty. The way she chooses to punish him just rubbed me wrong even if I loved Ramsey’s reactions to her little rebellions. Luckily she did mature throughout the course of the book and definitely grew on me. But Ramsey? Ramsey definitely stole the show. This man was absolute fire with a dirty mouth to boot.

There’s some mystery about his family legacy and his siblings that develops throughout the book that I can’t wait to learn more about in the next ones. There’s some grittier and darker elements of suspense as well, which I definitely enjoyed. I wouldn’t call it dark, but it wasn’t light either.

I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other against all odds. And I also definitely need to go back and read Mine to Gain because there’s definitely an appearance by Ramsey in that book that I want to know more about.

This was a fun page turner with plenty of spice and sizzle. But the set up for the next book? SALIVATING.

 

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Review: Wicked Dreams by S Massery

September 19, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

WICKED DREAMS
Series: Fallen Royals #1
Genre: Bully Romance
Author: S. Massery
Release Date: September 19, 2024

He once swore he’d marry me—but now he’s desperate for my ruin.

Caleb Asher has everything he could ever want. He’s rich, hotter than sin, captain of the hockey team and king of the school.

My return to Emery-Rose Elite derails him.
I am the walking reminder of everything that went wrong in his childhood and mine.

While I long to be invisible, to slip through school unnoticed, he forced the opposite.
He wants my fear, my fight, my pain, all out in the open.

The more I resist, the worse his obsession becomes. He won’t stop until even my dreams are filled with him.

But even royalty have their weaknesses, and Caleb? He’s just been reintroduced to his.
Me.


Author note: this book was previously published, and has since undergone major edits and changes while remaining true to the original story.

AMAZON 

How can he destroy me and make me feel better at the same time? We’re fucked up.

Having had read the original version, I was so excited to see S Massery announce that she will be releasing a revamped version of this story. And oh boy, it hit just as well the second time around, if not better.

Now if you don’t like bully romance, this is not for you, my friend. But if you’re a self professed bully romance addict, you will gobble this one right up. And while I prefer college bully romance, if S Massery writes it, I’ll read it. So a high school bully romance it was.

Also, fair warning, if you don’t like deranged MMCs who hate the heroine as much as he wants her and you especially don’t like teenage drama, this is definitely not for you. But me? Finger licking good. But I digress.

This was a wild ride of a story. We have Margo, who finds herself back in the town she grew up in after a new foster family takes her in. But to say that she’s excited about being back is certainly a stretch. The town comes with memories of everything she lost; her family and her reputation being a few. And the boy who was once her best friend wants to make her pay for something that she doesn’t understand or remember.

She really is like a lost lamb, standing waiting for a predator to devour her. Me. I’m her biggest predator.

Caleb is the king of the campus. He and his best friends rule the school. And I love that Massery switched him from Lacrosse to hockey star in this version. Caleb is determined to make Margo pay for everything she cost him. We just have no idea what it is, and seems like Margo doesn’t either. But Margo doesn’t take any of it sitting down, even when no one but her new friend Riley seem to be on her side. I loved her backbone and tenacity.

The story is crazy and I loved every deranged page of it. The more the layers get peeled back, the more questions I had. And thet cliffhanger? Thank goodness the wait for the next book isn’t long because I need it! 

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Review: Taking What’s Mine by Siobhan Davis

September 12, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

TAKING WHAT’S MINE
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Author: Siobhan Davis
Release Date: September 10, 2024

A brand-new interconnected stand-alone dark mafia romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis.

The moment I lay eyes on Valentina Ferraro, I know I have to have her.

There’s just one teeny problem—her husband.

So, I do what any red-blooded, possessed made man would do and I proposition him.

Five million dollars for one weekend with his beautiful young wife.

He agrees, like I knew he would, because he needs the money and he wants his secrets kept hidden from Don D’Onofrio.

Valentina is livid, but I like my women stubborn and fiery and the more she resists, the more I crave her.

One taste of those lush lips is all it takes to seal my fate.

I’m not giving her back.

I don’t care about the existing bad blood between New York and Florida or how this will start a war.

Men have gone into battle for less.

Valentina is the first woman I have wanted to keep, and no other man is ever touching her again.

She is going nowhere, consequences be damned.

I am taking what’s mine.

This is a dark romance and some scenes may be triggering. A full content warning list is available on the author’s website.

AMAZON 

I am usually not an insta anything girly, but this book went and proved me wrong. Because it just hit the spot for me so right, despite some of the things that I would normally nitpick on.

Now for an avid dark romance and mafia reader, I will say that while this had some dark subject matter and undertones, it fell in the more gray category for me because a lot of the darker details are just referenced or take place off the pages. But also, considering the somewhat softer start of insta chemistry and lust, this definitely has darkness to it.

This was not my first book by the author, but it was my first in this world. However, I had no issues diving head first into the story and quickly wrapping my head around all the different side characters. Though I’m super intrigued and will definitely go back to read some of the secondary character couples referenced here.

This was Fiero’s story, and if you like unhinged, OTT possessive and jealous alpha males, this one is IT. The man lays his eyes on Valentina, and not even her husband will prevent him getting what he wants. Her. This man was determined to have her, so what’s a little blackmail along with millions of dollars to get what he wants? And Valentina’s fiery anger won’t determine him either.

Valentina is not exactly in a happy marriage. Her husband was an abusive POS who I was immediately rooting against. She’s a beautiful young woman whose life unfortunately took a dark turn when she caught the eye of the wrong man, and she’s still paying the price these years later. In an arranged marriage, the last thing she wants is to be sold to the handsome mafioso, even though she’s not ignorant to the instant chemistry between them.

Fiero will stop at nothing to get her and I loved the way he pursued her with a single minded intent. But I particularly loved the way he also fought for her. Now this book definitely takes a very dark turn the more you learn about Valentina, and my heart broke for everything she’s been through. But man oh man how I appreciated the way that the author ended it. I won’t go into details, but I love when a process can rescue herself and Valentina is a fierce survivor. I loved the way she also fought for herself.

This was a deliciously dirty and spicy read with plenty of sizzle to go along with the dark.

Siobhan Davis™ is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 5 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold over 2 million books, and her titles are translated into several languages.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She lives in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Join the author’s mailing list to receive a free e-book plus tons of bonus content. Refer to the official author website.

Connect with Siobhan Davis:

https://linktr.ee/siobhandavisauthor 

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Review: Torrid by Abbi Glines

August 27, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

TORRID
Series: Judgement #2
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 27, 2024

“My Mama D used to say that mistakes happen, and cryin’ a bucket of tears over them is silly. Because wisdom is built from a pile of mistakes.”

Liberty

Thing is, my Mama D never had a one-night stand with an older man who never told her his last name and left behind a souvenir that was gonna be life changing – but I had.

My life had started as a fairytale, then morphed into a nightmare by the time I was ten years old. From the moment I’d been kicked out at eighteen, I had found a way to survive. Anything was better than the home I’d left behind. At some point, everyone gets a break, right? You would think so, but fate keeps tossing things at me, trying to see how much I can take.
Looks like it won because I’m stuck right back where I started. Living in my sister’s house, who hates me, with the clock ticking until I’m homeless again.

Liam

It was time I settled down. Found a woman I could grow old with because, let’s face it, I was so close to fifty I could reach out and touch it. The daughter I hadn’t got to raise was now in my life. Grown, married, with two little boys. I wanted to be someone she could be proud of and respect. I recently started dating a doctor, she was gorgeous, smart, and independent. It all looked good when you checked off the list. My daughter couldn’t wait to meet her. I wished like hell I felt something for her. A spark, a pull, anything at this point would do.

Then, one night, when I’m leaving her bedroom, I see a familiar face looking back at me from the other end of the hallway. The sexy bartender I should have left alone six weeks ago and couldn’t get out of my head shouldn’t be here. But she is. Which means she’s the doctor’s spoiled, selfish brat of a younger sister. This was not going to end well.

AMAZON

… if we all had our kryptonite, then Liam Walsh was mine.

As a self proclaimed lover of fictional red flags, you best believe this book hit the spot for me. Now if you’ve read ANY Abbi Glines book than you know she has a formula. She writes toxic, possessive, red flags uber males and the females that they dickmatize. It’s her thing, ok? And I for one, happen to find it finger licking good. And don’t you judge me for it either. It’s a bookish kink of mine and I will never get enough. The more toxic they are, the better. But I digress.

If you’ve read Abbi’s Smoke series, than you may already know daddy Liam, the 47 year MC prez and Madeline’s father from Fireball. Liberty is a thirty one year old bartender that he meets one night and after instant chemistry, they spend one unforgettable night together. Believing himself too old for her for it to be anything serious, Liam leaves the next morning, but fate has other plans for these two.

Liberty is the definition of a fighter. This poor woman has been through hell after losing her beloved father and being left with a stepmother and half sister who hate her guts. With the odds all stacked against her, she’s a hard worker but can’t seem to catch a break at any turn.

In a desperate act, she calls her half sister for help, who begrudgingly agrees. Only to soon realize that the sexy biker who walked away from her, is dating her older half sister and now looks at her like the dirt under his shoe.

Now look, did I want to cock punch Liam for over half of this book? Yes, yes I did. He was stubborn, hot headed, hypocritical, and OTT jealous. Did I also secretly love him for these things? Also yes. Did I want to shake Liberty for giving in too easy to Liam whenever he lowered his zipper and tell her to get her dickmatized self together? Yes, yes I did. But did I also understand her? Also yes. It was a vicious circle of feelings I tell you.

Much like most Abbi books, I devoured this in one sitting. It was a toxic hot mess of a book and I couldn’t read it fast enough.

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Review: Forged by Shadows by Maddison Cole

August 22, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

FORGED BY SHADOWS
Series: Shadowed Souls #1
Author: Maddison Cole
Genre: Dark, Why Choose Romance
Release Date: August 22, 2024

Avery thought her suffering had ended.

She thought wrong.

After a traumatic start to life, being adopted was Avery‘s saving grace. She finally had parents who loved her and an entire mansion to call home. Her days were spent reading in the library and exploring her passion for ballet. Until a fateful accident changed everything, and left her at the mercy of her step-brother.


Transferred to his boarding school, Avery’s solace comes to an abrupt end. Especially as the moment she stepped through the gates, her stepbrother and his gang of tormented souls branded her as fresh meat. He hates her, they want her. Whoever prevails, Avery refuses to surrender her mind or body without a fight.

AMAZON

I swear,” he seethes, leaning over so our foreheads touch. “I’m going to break you.”

This was my first Maddison Cole book and I am well and truly hooked, desperately anticipating the next book in this series because OHMYGAWD.

The second I read the blurb and saw the tropes for this book, I knew I had to read it. Fierce FMC, RH with MM, enemies to lovers, and a dark romance with a delicious mystery? Sign. Me. Up.

Avery is no stranger to the hostility of her adopted brother who avoids her at all cost. Ever since Wyatt’s parents adopted Avery as a child and saved her from a fate worse than hell, Wyatt has resented her and made it known just how much he hates her. But when her adopted mother dies and her adopted father instructs Wyatt to keep her safe, suffice it to say his hate only grows.

Suddenly Avery finds herself thrust into Wyatt’s world and the target of his misplaced hate, along with his friends. I have to say as much as I wanted to jock punch Wyatt in parts of this book (and I wanted to do it a lot), I was so intrigued by his character. There is something so profoundly broken about this man, even though his hate for his adopted sister is seriously misplaced and he takes his “revenge” a step too far more often than not. It doesn’t take long for his best friends to grow intrigued by Avery and I loved watching their chemistry build and build.

The romance is a bit of a slow build and most definitely a very slow burn when it comes to Wyatt and I can’t be mad at it because the tension hurt so good. Admittedly, the story does slow in parts, but it still didn’t take me very long to finish. Avery was a girl that I clicked with right away. She’s a survivor and doesn’t take any punches lying down. She gives as good as she gets and from her flashbacks, I can’t wait to learn more about her dark past.

The guys are all broken in their own way, though no one tugged at my heart strings more than Axel. I especially loved the unique bond he has with Garrett. These two are incendiary together, but when Avery is added to the mix, they’re even more so.

The cliffhanger was painfully torturous and I’m desperately waiting for some answers with the next book.

Maddison is a married mum of two, and a serial daydreamer. As a huge fan of all romance tropes herself, it was time to pen the stories which consume her mind most hours of the day.

As a child, Maddison was a jet setter and has lived all over the world, only to return to the south east of England, where she is now happily settled. With a double award in applied arts and art history, Maddison is a creative with a dark passion for feisty females and spicy stories.

Author Links:

www.facebook.com/Maddison.Cole.314

www.facebook.com/groups/colesreadingmoles

www.instagram.com/authormaddisoncole

www.tiktok.com/authormaddisoncole




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Review: Learning Curve by Max Monroe

August 16, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

LEARNING CURVE
Series: Dickson University #1
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Max Monroe
Release Date: August 16, 2024

She’s the virginal cheerleader, and he’s the tortured bad boy. Their worlds are different, but college life at Dickson University brings them together in a passionate, angsty, fiery collision.

Finn Hayes is what girls my age would call “stupid hot.” He’s handsome, has brown eyes that remind me of warm chocolate chip cookies, and a tall, muscular build that makes marble sculptures jealous.

Green flag, right?

Wrong.

He’s also broody, closed off, and so complex that it feels like I need a decoder to crack him.

He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met and fights like he came out of the womb swinging, taking down both my ex-boyfriend and an ex-UFC fighter with ease.

But the underground society at our college known as Double C has nothing on him in the secrets department, and it’s that mysterious edge that keeps me coming back for more.

This is more than the story of how Finn and I fell in love.

This is proof that love has a learning curve. Sometimes you succeed, and sometimes…it destroys you.




Author Note: Learning Curve is a New Adult Romance standalone that is book one in the Dickson University Series. This highly-addictive series will follow the grown-up Billionaire Bad Boy kids and long-lost Winslow siblings as they navigate college life and relationships. Buckle up for all the college drama, romance, spice, angst, and humor. You do not need to have read the Billionaire Bad Boys Series or the Winslow Brothers Collection to read Learning Curve. It is a complete standalone.

AMAZON

Body and soul and mind, I’m so deep in Finn Hayes, I don’t know if I’ll ever dig my way out.

If you know me then you know that I love the drama and angst when it comes to my romance books. So when you see this author’s note:

Imagine… being wrapped up in the comfort of visiting a dear friend while simultaneously being lit on fire while season one of Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill (the most addictive seasons of both shows, in our opinion) and every episode of Friends play at full volume at the same time. But, like, you can concentrate?

You know you’re in for a good time.

If you’ve read Monroe’s Winslow Brothers series, you would really appreciate the connection in this book. But if you haven’t, don’t worry, because this is also a standalone in a new series. It’s also a bit different from Max Monroe’s usual more lighthearted romance with a bit more grit and angst. I didn’t find it to be overly angsty to be honest. It was mostly teenage drama with some grittiness, but I can’t be mad at it because it was definitely entertaining.

Keep in mind that the characters are college freshman so the drama is definitely matching the age, which I enjoyed. This is the bad boy meets good girl trope and I was here for it.

Scottie is a good girl who has been dating her douchebag boyfriend for two years. But then she literally tumbles into Finn’s life and things take an interesting turn. She begins to see that her boyfriend is not good to her and I loved that she wasn’t the cliché virgin heroine who takes her boyfriend’s bs constantly. She stood up for herself and knew her worth, and I loved that about her.

Finn is the quintessential bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks that fights their connection because he doesn’t think he’s good enough for Scottie. Their romance is a slow burn full of ups and downs that had moments where I wanted to slap both of them. But it was also quick paced considering the length and I enjoyed their dynamic and their friendship group so much.

I gobbled this up in the span of a day and definitely hooked on the series. Admittedly the last 15% of the book took me a bit off guard and I couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t super necessary to the story considering everything else that has already happened. But in the same breath, it did drive the plot in a direction I enjoyed so again, I wasn’t too mad at it.

I really connected with both Scottie and Finn and while I had some small frustrations they didn’t take away from my enjoyment of their story. It was emotional with some heavy subject matter, and while I didn’t find it super angsty, it definitely brought delicious drama which kept me more than entertained. But when I tell you that I am absolutely FERAL for Blake’s story, I mean this man stole the show for me as a secondary character. I cannot wait for his book!

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Review: Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

August 12, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

FIVE BROTHERS
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: July 30, 2024

One woman learns the secrets of the five Jaeger brothers in the new romance from New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas.

On the other side of town, in the dark glades, under the rain…

Macon is the oldest. Thirty-one. Ex-Marine. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.

Army is twenty-eight. A single dad with the most beautiful green eyes. He has no idea who he is, if not a Jaeger brother.

Iron will be in prison soon. You’d never think it to meet him. He’s a nice guy, actually. But he can’t stop reacting to everything.

Dallas is the one I hate. Twenty-one, cruel, and selfish. He takes and then throws away whatever’s left.

And Trace is mine. Or he was for about two seconds. No one can tame him for long.

Not that I ever wanted to. It was fun, but now I need to go home. Back to my side of the tracks. Away from the swamps and these men. To my parents’ big house. On my clean street. Where I’m never dirty or messy or hot. And I will. I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. I just want to crash on the couch tonight.

Their house is dark and quiet, everyone else is asleep. Except for one. He sees me crying and comes at me from behind. I let him wrap his arms around my body and hold me tightly. His breath is on my neck, his fingers are in my hair, and he doesn’t stop there.

I don’t think it was Trace.

AMAZON

Clay fell in love with Liv, the bad girl from the wrong side of town, and I fell into insanity with one of that bad girl’s brothers.

When I tell you that I have been rabid for this series and this book ever since I finished Tryst Six Venom would be a mild understatement. I was ready to part with a kidney for this story. True story. And did I love it? Absolutely. But did I also struggle with my rating, also yes.

Rich girl, poor girl,” I taunt her, kissing and biting her neck. “Y’all look the same when you’re naked.”

Now if you really want the full experience of this story, I highly recommend you read Tryst Six Venom first. While you do get the highlight reel of the background information, there’s also some story arcs that simply need to be experienced in Tryst. Trust me on this. Now as for this book, this was a bit different. I’ve seen people compare it to Credence and it certainly has that vibe. But as someone who has read Penelope’s entire backlist, the way it’s written reminded me a bit of their Devil’s Night series. As in, it reads very much like a saga. And while each character will have their own book, their story arc begins very early in the series. And as for this story, that was what I slightly struggled with as well.

I wanted you under my skin and your scent in my head. I couldn’t think. I did what we do when we’re dying. We rage, and I felt it on you, too. I had to hold you.”

I loved the first 20% and adored the last 30% of this book. But the middle was a bit different. What I mean by that, is that we get only abut 35% of the book with the actual main couple. Which isn’t a bad thing, because the development and story arcs of the other brothers were fascinating. But it’s also a struggle because the main couple themselves are so multilayered that I wanted more. Especially the MC. I could have easily read at least 200 more pages of him.

If you’ve read Tryst, then you remember Krisjen as Clay’s best friend. I was very intrigued by her character, but I also feel like we didn’t get to the full core of her. Admittedly, I struggled with her character in the beginning because while she was intriguing she was also coming across like a simp at times.

The story arc was fascinating in a way that only Penelope can do. These brothers definitely pack a heck of a punch. But I would have loved to spend more time with the main couple. As it was, I couldn’t help but feel we spent the majority of the book on the set up of the series rather than the romance. Now don’t get me wrong, I still devoured it, but it wasn’t quite what I expected.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Am I excited for the rest of the series? Without a doubt. So I supposed I wasn’t all that bothered with my minor quibbles because I still enjoyed the heck out of this story. 

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Review: The Bodyguard and the Bombshell by Lexi Blake

August 10, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE BODYGUARD AND THE BOMBSHELL
Series: Masters & Mercenaries: New Recruits #2.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: August 6, 2024

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

The Bodyguard…

Nate Carter left Australia’s elite SASR unit after a tragic accident. Shattered by the experience, he thought taking a job in the States might be a good way to start over. His father’s former employer, McKay-Taggart, has a position for him in the bodyguard unit. He never imagined himself risking his life for celebrities and the wealthy, but it will do for now. It will also give him a chance to reconnect with old friends, including the girl who’d been like a little sis to him ten years before.

These days, however, his feelings for Daisy O’Donnell are anything but brotherly.

The Bombshell…

Daisy O’Donnell is a girl on a mission, and it does not include falling for one of her brother’s best friends. She has plans, and while chaos always seems to follow her, she’s determined to see this through. Daisy finds herself in need of a bodyguard when a job goes terribly wrong. She’s sure her dad will find someone suitable, but she didn’t expect a big, gloriously masculine Aussie to show up ready to take a bullet for her. Maybe spending some time with Nate Carter won’t be so bad after all.

An explosive match…

Thrown together by danger, Nate and Daisy can’t resist the insane chemistry between them. But when his past and her present collide, they must decide if they can hold it together or go their separate ways forever.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

AMAZON

The danger’s never over with you, love. I said you needed a keeper. Looks like it’s going to be me.”

This book was everything I didn’t realize I needed and hit every spot I didn’t know I had.

If you’re looking for a quick but vastly satisfying romance, this one is sure to please.

Now I am not usually a reader who enjoys bumbling, overly quirky heroines. And Daisy O’Donnell taking a selfie as she accidentally walks into a drug ring and posting it to her socials, is definitely on the quirky side. But her father is also Liam O’Donnell and one of my favorites. If you haven’t read his book, you must: A Dom is Forever. But I digress. Poor Daisy has grown up in the shadow of her overprotective father and brother and the proof is definitely in the pudding with this one. She’s too sweet and too innocent, almost naively so. But she’s also so incredibly endearing that I couldn’t find it in me to care.

Daisy has also spent her childhood crushing on her brother’s best friend, Nate Carter. And now Nate is back in the states and finds himself on bodyguard duty for the gorgeous woman he is suddenly noticing in an entirely different light. And I think what I loved the most about Nate, he doesn’t even bat an eye lash at this new revelation nor does he fight it for even a second. He is all in and he will stop at nothing and I loved that for Daisy. While it could feel a bit insta love, it didn’t. It was full of chemistry and humor and I enjoyed every page.

I simply adore this series and now I’m desperately anticipating Daisy’s brother’s book because I need answers!

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Review: Meant For Her by Natasha Madison

July 26, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

MEANT FOR HER
Author: Natasha Madison
Series: Meant For #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2024

From Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling Author Natasha Madison comes new A billionaire, marriage pact, opposites attract romance.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Unless you end up married!
From The This is Series and the Southern Wedding series comes Meant For Love

Zoey
When I first met him, I got butterflies in my stomach.
I thought it was silly and pushed it aside. Avoided him.
Besides, I was taken—unavailable. Or so I thought.
That was before he hired me to take over his company’s PR.
Now that we were working with each other, that meant he was completely off-limits.
Until one night in Vegas.

Nash
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you ask the woman of your dreams to marry you while you are both drinking tequila.
And she says yes.
She thinks it’s a mistake.
She’s wrong.
Now I have ninety days to show her we’re meant for love.

AMAZON

Give me ninety days for you to fall in love with me. For us to fall in love with each other.”

Now sweet romance with cinnamon rolls isn’t usually my cuppa but boy did it hit the spot for me with this book. It was one of those light hearted, feel good sort of romances that are easy on the drama and heavy on the swoon. This was my first Natasha Madison book and it certainly won’t be my last.

Now if you like the accidentally on purpose marriage trope, this one is sure to hit the spot.

Can we focus on one conversation at a time?” I tell him, trying not to get sucked into his charm.
“Yes,” he says, “we aren’t getting divorced because we are going to be dating.”
“Again,” I huff, “that makes no fucking sense.”
“It makes all the sense in the world, baby.” He bends to kiss my lips. “Besides, who dates their ex-wife?” He shakes his head. “Now that’s just weird.”

Nash has been obsessed with Zoey from the first time he laid eyes on her. But she’s taken great care to avoid him at every turn and had a boyfriend. So when Nash has a need for PR, there’s no one else he wants for the job, and he makes a call with an offer.

Zoey has just broken things off with her boyfriend only to get a call with a tempting job offer from a man who has tempted her from day one. So what’s a girl to do? Fly out to meet the man and let him try to convince her to take the job. But one night in Vegas suddenly has her waking up married. And her new ‘accidental’ husband refuses to take their Vegas marriage as anything other than dead serious.

I love a man obsessed and Nash was all those things and more. I love the way he pursues and fights for Zoey, even as she fights their connection. This book had a little bit of everything; humor, swoon, steam, and plenty of “my wife” vibes.

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