Review: Exposed by Kristen Callihan

July 13, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

EXPOSED
Series: VIP #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristen Callihan
Release Date: July 13, 2021

Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We can’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.

Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I can’t have. The one I can’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved.

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.

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“I’ve spent my entire adult life either wanting you or wanting to forget you.”

I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this book. But if there’s one thing that Kristen Callihan does well, is she makes every minute, month, and year of the agonizing wait for our next VIP fix super worth it when she releases the next one. And when I got my grabby little hands on this book, no sleep was had because I had to devour it in one sitting.

I’m good, Bren. I’ll do whatever you want, for as long as you want. I’ll make certain you’re taken care of, and I won’t tell a soul.”
Jesus. I can’t breathe. “So selfless,” I murmur. “And what do you get out of all of this?”
“You.” His fingers stroke my braid. “I get you.”

God. Brenna and Rye. These two just made my cold black heart feel all warm and fuzzy. They’ve spent years in an antagonizing back and forth of hate lust and forced proximity. Brenna is Killian’s cousin and Kill John’s publicist and Rye is the bassist and Killian’s best friend. Until one conversation that Rye overhears changes everything.

My power is in maintaining the illusion that nothing can get to me, and I accept that as part of doing business. But some days? Some days, I want to crumble. I want…comfort, touch, release.

Brenna is a power woman that always put her career first. But she can’t help but feel like something is missing. And when she spills to her friend what it is and Rye overhears? Well let’s just say he volunteers as tribute.

While Brenna is all hard edges and fearful avoidance, Rye is the sexy softhearted one that is willing to put it all on the line for her. I loved this man so hard. SO HARD. I loved that they’ve know each other for so long, but only start to get to know each other over the course of their arrangement. Seeing how they misinterpreted things about each other through the years was almost painful, if they didn’t fully talk it out when the subject came out. I loved watching them grow closer together. I loved their fiery passion. And I absolutely loved the tight bond of the band and their friendships and relationships. I live for cameos from Scottie, what can I say?

The story is told in dual POVs and I couldn’t get enough. I also loved the twist on the romantic conclusion. I loved seeing Brenna’s hard edges soften. And did I mention that I loved my bearded, dirty talking, and uber sweet bassist? Because GAH.

Control has always been mine, no matter the partner, no matter the situation. Rye is another story. Hell, he’s a whole other genre. I can’t control Rye. I can’t control my feelings when I’m with him. I’m on a Tilt-a-Whirl in the dark, terrified the harness might snap.

I did wish we got a little more fleshing out of Rye’s story. While Brenna got the focus here, which I get, we did spend a good chunk of the story on Rye’s issue, and I would have loved more on that.

But as it was, I still devoured this book. It was sexy, entertaining, and oh so satisfying. I’m already desperate for my next fix of VIP with Whip’s story.

Kristen Callihan is an author because there’s nothing else she’d rather be. She has written New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence and was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, Best Book of Spring 2012 by Publishers Weekly, and Best Romance Book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

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Review: What If You & Me by Roni Loren

July 12, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

WHAT IF YOU & ME
Series: Say Everything #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Roni Loren
Release Date: July 6, 2021

The world can be a scary place. At least, that’s what Andi Lockley’s anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn’t help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now―she’s channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs.

If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night.

Former firefighter Hill Dawson can’t sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he’s now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he’s supposed to do with his life, and he can’t let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi’s place, Hill can’t stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more…if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself―and love―again.

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren blends heat and heart in this emotionally charged story.

AMAZON 

He listened. He hadn’t pushed or rushed her. He hadn’t cajoled. But more than that, he hadn’t made her feel wrong or broken for being the way she was. He’d simply been with her in that moment, meeting her where she was and seeming to enjoy what thye were doing as much as she did.”

When I read grumpy neighbor in the blurb to this, I had to read it. The grump/sunshine trope is catnip for me and I will never get enough of it.

Now my darling OCD reader friends, close your eyes for a second. Because I’m about to admit I didn’t read book one in this series. I said close your eyes and stop judging me. GOD! Where was I? Ah yes. This is shocking, considering I’ve read most of Roni’s backlist and I seriously have no idea how I missed book one in the Say Everything series. But I was so excited for this book after reading the blurb, I couldn’t wait to read book one first. So here we are. *grins unrepentantly*

If you’re looking for a swoony, emotional read with plenty of steam, look no further. This story seriously packed a punch of the feels. We have a heroine who’s a horror writer and a true crime podcaster. Quirky heroine lovers, you’ll want her for your bff. It’s impossible not to love Andi straight off the bat. Her dark and painful past is something you learn as the story progresses and I swear it made me love her all the more.

Andi is struggling to write her newest book, and her noisy neighbor stomping around in the apartment next door through all hours of the night doesn’t help. And can I just say I loved the way they meet? Because I didn’t know whether to laugh or swoon. But I digress again.

Hill is a former firefighter with a tortured past. Still reeling from the loss of his career from an injury that almost cost him his life, he broods in his apartment and avoids people. But when his sweet and beautiful new neighbor crashes into his apartment fearful that someone just broke into hers, he can’t quite avoid her.

This was a sweet, slow burn romance. I loved the friendship that Andi and Hill formed before the romance ever developed. The chemistry was always there but it took a bit to bubble to the surface. There’s also the added element of suspense which added another layer of interesting to the story.

While sweet romance isn’t typically my cuppa, this one did hit the spot. I loved Hill and Andi together. I loved that the author took such a heavy subject matter and managed to not weigh the story down with angst or drama. It was just two people dealing with the demons of their past and learning about themselves through each other. A truly satisfying, swoony romance with plenty of feels and a dash of suspense.

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Review: Heartless by Gena Showalter

June 30, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

HEARTLESS
Series: Immortal Enemies #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: June 29, 2021

Vengeance is irresistible…

Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees.

He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abduct and seduce his foe’s beloved bride, ensuring his own child one day sits on the male’s throne.

Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a mortal beauty with dangerous secrets…

Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash talking, bad at peopling. After a long awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess.

Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh and blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues.

But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run…or descend into the darkness with him?

AMAZON 

He struck her as a man who murdered without hesitation, breaking a sweat or regretting his actions.

As someone who’s read Gena’s entire backlist, it’s safe for me to say that this woman can write the alphabet on a sheet of toilet paper and I’d read it. So while I’ve been ravenous for Hades’s book and more of her LoTu, I will still jump at everything else she writes. And a brand new series that’s titled Immortal Enemies? Yeah you bet your patootie I’ll be all over it. No one writes enemies to lovers banter quite like Showalter. Then you add into it her sassy, sharp tongued, and bad@ss heroines meet tortured and uber protective heroes and I’m putty. PUTTY I TELLS YA.

Maybe you should let me go now?” she said. She needed a moment to think without him nearby.
Another chuckle. “Does my proximity bother you, sweetling?”
“Yes,” she burst out. “And I’d prefer an endearment like Machete or Chops. Now be a good boy, and let me go.”

The one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Gena’s stories, is the world building. We get a new world with fae, goblins, centaurs, and seers and I was so here for it. None of it felt like a data dump. All of it felt incredibly vivid, enchanting, and completely addictive.

Kaysar the Unhinged One is certainly appropriately known through the kingdom. The man is practically deranged in his need for revenge. The only thing that drives him is bringing all of the pain and suffering to his enemies who stole everything precious from him when he was just a small boy.

Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a quirky gamer with a best friend who’s in her 60s and a cat to keep her company. She also has a bad heart and is looking at certain death unless she gets a heart transplant. Now I won’t give you a summary here because you can get everything you need from the blurb. But the second Cookie gets thrust into the world of Kaysar, I was totally and completely invested.

The tension and the relationship building between these two was utterly delicious. Their banter is hilarious and with a vein of sexual tension that’s so good, that by the time they finally give into you, you feel like you may go into flames yourself. There’s nothing better than that build up and man, I loved it so much here. Cookie is a bit of a nut herself. A gamer, she’s a bloodthirsty little thing herself. And when she gets a taste for battle in her new world, she finds she rather likes it. I couldn’t picture a better half for Kaysar’s particular brand of crazy. I loved watching him falling for her in spite of himself and I loved watching Cookie come into her own. I was afraid that having Lulundria’s heart and some of her memories may eventually morph her into someone else, but really it just gave her a boost.

There’s so much build up here that I can’t wait to read next with some secondary characters. Like a certain Frostline prince that lost his loved bride only to lose her all over again when her heart goes into the body of a woman that falls for his mortal enemy. GAH. How epic does that sound? Because NEED.

I will never complain about a new series from the queen of PNR. So even though I’m pretty sure I would go crazy until I get Hades’s book soon, this new series certainly helps. An entire series based on the enemies to lovers vibes? YES MA’AM! BRING IT I say.

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Review: Strict Confidence by Skye Warren

June 17, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

STRICT CONFIDENCE
Series: Rochester Trilogy #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Skye Warren
Release Date: June 15, 2021

Forbidden.
Commanding.
Mysterious.
Beau Rochester has an entire house full of secrets. And those secrets are putting Jane Mendoza in danger.

She fell in love with the one man she can’t have.

She should leave Maine to protect her heart, but the thread refuses to be severed.

The brooding Mr. Rochester and his grieving niece are more than her job.

They’re her new family.

She races against time to find answers and protect the people she loves.

The cliffside grows dark with the misdeeds of the past.

Her heart and her sanity fight a battle, but they are both at risk.

Will Mr. Rochester learn to trust Jane? And will that trust destroy her?


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He told me his love was dangerous. Maybe he was telling the truth. It doesn’t start fires. It doesn’t start wars. It breaks hearts. Mine feels shattered.

This trilogy is going to be the death of me, I swear. I don’t know how many more twists I can handle. And even though the twist in this installment was made somewhat obvious in my opinion, it was no lesser impact. Because you know it’s coming, you spend every page waiting for that other shoe to drop. And when it finally does, you get the mother of all cliffhangers. KILL MEH.

I’m so invested in this story, it’s ridiculous. Jane is also starting to grow on me quite a bit, though I will say her demure personality is not my preference as a reader. She’s not naive or sheltered, but she forgives too easily and I suppose I just wanted her to make the mercurial Beau work for it a little. Especially in his hot and cold, back and forth of I want you but I can’t have you so I must push you away state of mind.

That aside, I devoured this book. I think this was an even quicker paced read than the first installment. There’s still so many secrets left to unravel and I was glued to the pages desperate for any morsel that was disclosed. Beau, like any other Skye hero I’ve read, I can’t get enough of. He’s damaged, moody, fiercely protective, possessive, and sinfully sexy. I anxiously anticipate the conclusion especially after that doozy of a cliffhanger.

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

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Review: A Fate of Wrath & Flame

May 25, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

A FATE OF WRATH & FLAME
Series: Flate & Flame #1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Author: K.A. Tucker
Release Date: May 25, 2021

Gifted thief Romeria has flourished from her days as a street kid pilfering wallets to survive. Now she thrives, stealing jewels from the rich under the involuntary employ of New York City’s most notorious crime boss. But when an enigmatic woman secures her services at swordpoint, Romeria is plunged into a startling realm of opposing thrones, warring elven, and elemental magic she cannot begin to fathom.

Her quest is straightforward: Steal a stone from Islor’s sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity, which would earn her certain death. But the identity she has inexplicably assumed is that of the captured Ybarisan princess–an enemy to Islor after she poisoned their beloved king and queen on the day she was to marry the prince.

Her betrothed, the newly crowned King Zander, detests her with every grain of his handsome being. Fortunately for Romeria, she is more valuable to him alive than dead. Zander gives her a choice: life in a cell, or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help in exposing the growing plot against him.

Romeria sees no other option and embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, a ruse that brings her far closer to the king than she anticipated and threatens more than her safety. As she digs deeper into this sacred garden and the ancient feud between Ybaris and Islor, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all.

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Why else does one kingdom fall but for another to rise?

I’ve been a devoted PNR reader for years, but fantasy has been a rare one for me. I don’t even know why, considering I’ve fallen in love with the genre. And what better way to read more of it than starting with a brand new KA Tucker series? And dang. I was no prepared for this story at all.

Admittedly it took me a hot minute to get into. I even put it down for a day because I knew this was a story that I have to be in the right mood to get into. There’s so much world building that takes place, and it took me almost 60% to fully wrap my head around all of it. Be prepared to be confused most of the story too. But that’s quite intentional as we spent the majority of the book in the heroine’s head, and she has no idea what’s going on and you get to experience that with her.

As for the story. It was absolutely magical. Pun intended. This is not a standalone and it’s looking to be one epic saga series. Rivaling kingdoms, elementals, gods, curses, and different worlds. The world building in this story was on another level. Romy is a skilled thief living in NY and just trying to survive. Her life is anything but ordinary but then it becomes otherworldly when a stranger with a secret agenda thrusts her into a realm that’s a different world entirely.

Romeria of this world is engaged to a king, who she is also responsible for the murder of his parents and seems to be persona non grata. But when you wear the face of the enemy, it’s tough to convince anyone you’re not her. Especially when you’re sworn to secrecy for fear of your life.

The chemistry between Romy and Zander is instant but the romance is very much a slow burn. As a matter of fact it felt almost secondary to the rest of the story, which I didn’t mind at all, because there’s just so much other things being revealed that the romance didn’t feel lacking. DOn’t get me wrong, it’s still there, just more of a zing in the background. Zander and the Romy of this realm are enemies, and even though Romy isn’t responsible for the monstrosities of the other Romy, she has to bear the brunt of the blame. She also has to struggle to understand because she has no memory of the other Romy or her agenda to fully grasp her current reality.

While the book took me about 40% to really get into, I couldn’t stop reading for the final 60%. I was slowly but surely sucked into this world and then hooked, line and sinker. I’m absolutely desperate for the next installment to see what happens next.

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.
 

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

May 19, 2021 by ·

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ll run from him. I’ll have to.

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

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

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START THE TRILOGY TODAY!!!

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#2 Reparation of Sin

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

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

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

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

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

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

About A. Zavarelli:

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

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

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

Connect w/A. Zavarelli: 

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About Natasha Knight:

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

Connect w/Natasha: 

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Review: Here With Me by Samantha Young

May 11, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Connect with Samantha

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Review: The Hate of Loving You by Maya Hughes

May 6, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

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

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

I would’ve followed her anywhere and she left.

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUTHOR LINKS

Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub 

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Review: Falling Out Of Hate With You by Lauren Rowe

April 16, 2021 by · Leave a Comment


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

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

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

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

But it’s proved impossible.

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

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

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

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

AMAZON


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect w/ Lauren: 

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

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Review: The Sin of Kissing you by Maya Hughes

April 8, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

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

 

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

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

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

Now we’re thrown together for four weeks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMAZON

CHECK OUT THE FULTON U SERIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUTHOR LINKS

Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub 

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