Jennifer’s Review: Baiting the Maid of Honor by @mstessabailey

review-baiting-the-maid-of-honorBAITING THE MAID OF HONOR
Series: Wedding Dare #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: June 9, 2014add-to-goodreads-button-2

baiting-the-maid-of-honor

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man.

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man.

One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever… just when he realizes he can’t live without her.

Buy LinksAmazon | Barnes & NobleReview-DGR4 stars

Tessa, I’m just gonna hire you to be my word slave and tie you up in my basement and never let you out except to write more words…..Bwahahaha! Ok, the crazy fangirl is coming out and scaring everyone so I’m gonna reign it in a little.

20902510Mother….effing…..Reed. It’s like he jumped out of my dreams and into this book. Dark, Tattoos, Broody, Mean, Bossy. Ugh. Gimme. He is from the other side of the tracks. The bad boy. He is a SWAT team leader, so he used to bossing everyone around. Everything is black and white to him. He barely even made it to the wedding. The first time he sees Julie, she is letting her hair down, literally, and he knows he has to have her. Reed…..I want him for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and especially for dessert.

My Reed & Julie:

20897402-_sy540_

760328-_sx540_

She switched her hips from a circular motion to a gentle front-to-back tease that allowed her to ride his length base to tip. “You like that, sugar?” she whispered, barely audible among the bass-heavy music.

He released a strangled growl against her neck. “Enough teasing. Sit down all the way and work my cock with your beautiful ass.”

760328-_sx540_Julie is the perfect southern girl. She is the maid of honor and the wedding planner. She is organized and put together. And Reed wants to mess…her…up. She doesn’t understand why she attracted to the bad boy, but her insta-lust is undeniable. She barely tries to keep away from him, and when she does let herself just let go, she becomes a brazen hussy. Lol. Reed doesn’t expect her to loosen up, but she exceeds his expectations in many creative ways. Hehehe. Reed and Julie get…it…on. Pixie-style (His nickname for her is Pixie. Lol.)

20902511

760328-_sx540_

He gripped her chin and lifted her head so it faced the mirror. “Watch me. Watch me finish, baby. You need to see what you did.” When she nodded, his movements grew jerky, yet somehow even more determined. Ever so slightly, he tightened his grip on her jaw until her mouth opened from the pressure. He pushed his fingers inside. “Suck.”

à la Mode St. » fashionThat ladder scene?! Tessa, how do make a ladder scene so erotic?!!! Because I will never look at a ladder the same way again!

”Reed. I’m…I’m going to fall.”
“No. You will not fall. You will stay right there until I’m finished.”

Once again, Tessa goes above and beyond. The whole setting of this book takes place before the wedding as they groomsmen and bridesmaids are gearing up for the big event. I knew this would be a quick read, but I didn’t expect the character development to impress me so much. I absolutely loved all of the characters and enjoyed trying to figure out which groomsman will end up with which bridesmaid. I am super excited to read the other books in this series, even though they are written by different authors.

Review: The Trouble With Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

the-trouble-with-mistletoe-reviewTHE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: September 27, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

 

the-trouble-with-mistetoe

If she has her way …

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her …

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him …

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice …

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work …

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&N | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsthe-trouble-with-mistletoe-dgr-teaser

The


It’s just that you’re always so . . .”
“What?”
“Everything.”

Le swoon. *Happy sigh*

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Jill Shalvis books are my happy place. Her stories never fail to give me the warm and fuzzies and a huge case of the happy feels. They’re romantic, swoony, sweet, sexy, and yet never cheesy. They’re the perfect feel good romance with none of the craziness and yet they’ll keep me reading well into the night with a happy smile on my face. I just love them.

Ever since the preview of Willa’s book in Sweet Little Lies I’ve been eagerly anticipating the full story of what happened with her and Keane. Because let’s be real here, a high school crush that broke her heart shows up years later with a disgruntled pussy on her doorstop? You bet I want to read it!

Willa and Keane were pure magic together. Willa grew up hard but has a hard of gold. She had amazing friends, she has a job she loves taking care of animals that love her just as much back. But what Willa doesn’t believe in is love…at least not for herself. So when her high school crush shows up on her doorstep with a cat he’s stuck taking care of for his aunt and no memory of her, suffice it to say she’s not exactly thrilled to see him or help him out. What ensues is a whole lot of Jill Shalvis magic.

The sparks between Keane and Willa are instant, but man do I appreciate the slow burn. Keane is a bit damaged himself, but I adored how sweet he was with Willa at times. When the man sets to wooing, he certainly woos. And Willa may put up a good front at first, but it’s not long before he begins tearing down her walls.

I love the camaraderie of all the friends and the way they grumpily took Keane into their fold. Well, the men anyway. The women were just entertaining. I love the friendships in this series almost as much as I love the romance. It’s low on the angst but with plenty of feeling. It’s high on the swoons but with just enough sexy. It’s the perfect holiday romance to curl up with by the fireplace and get the perfect case of the happy feels.

If you’re looking for a light, feel good sort of romance, this series is an absolute must read.


HEARTBREAKER BAY Series

Sweet Little Lies (Heartbreaker Bay, #1)
The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2)
Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay, #3) 

Review: Unsuitable by Samantha Towle

unsuitable-review-dirty-girl-romanceUNSUITABLE
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense
Author: Samantha Towle
Release Date: October 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

unsuitable-683x1024

From New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Towle, comes a new sexy, romantic suspense standalone novel…

Daisy Smith has spent eighteen months of her life paying for a crime she didn’t commit. Now out of prison, she has only one focus—to get back custody of her younger brother, Jesse, who is deep in the foster care system. Desperate to rebuild her life and show the system that she is responsible enough to care for Jesse, she takes on the only job available to her—working as a maid at the Matis Estate.

On day one of her new job, Daisy meets Kastor Matis, the only son of the owners and her new boss. An enigmatic, handsome Greek god of a man, Kas is closed off, cold, and…well, kind of a bastard.

The more time Daisy spends around Kas, she starts to see there might be more to him than just his cold, bastard ways. He may actually have a heart beating in that frozen chest of his.

But Kas has secrets, too. Secrets that he’s determined to keep.

Secrets make Daisy curious.

And you know what curiosity can do…

Buy LinksAMAZON

Review-DGR4 starsunsuitable-dgr

Fuck, baby,” he groans before taking my mouth again. He kisses me with more intensity, bordering on crazy. And I match him stroke for stroke. We’re pulling on each other, both taking what we need.

What. The. Heck. Was. That?!!!!

I had NO idea Samantha Towle had something like this in her. This book was…something else entirely. It was nothing that I expected and everything I wanted. (See what I did there?) You know that moment when you start reading a book and you’re hooked from just the first few pages? So you know, you just know you got something different and exciting on your hands. Something that will not only hook you but will keep you riveted to the pages until the end? Yeah. Unsuitable was that book for me. I was hooked, riveted, and enthralled.

Kas was simply one of the most complex and magnetic heroes I’ve read in a long damn while. He was hypnotizing in his intensity. And let me tell you, he was INTENSE.

This is so much more than just a romance with an alphahole hero and a heroine that’s down in the dumps and crawling her way back. It was multi-layered, cleverly and deeply developed, and with a sexual tension so intense that it practically crackles the pages with it.

Daisy is a heroine that’s impossible not to like. This is a woman that has been in hell; wrongly imprisoned, betrayed by those she trusted, she’s lost everything and now has to rebuild everything having had almost nothing to start with. Yet she’s got sass to her, she’s funny and endearing and while she may be jaded in some things, she’s not eternally pessimistic. She wants to experience the good even while not believing it will happen for her.

The chemistry between her and Kas is instant. And let me tell you, you’ll want to hate Kas. This is a man that’s a downright a-hole to Daisy. Blatantly so. But there’s always something that’s so clearly brewing beneath the surface with him that you just know that there has to be a good reason for his behavior and it isn’t just that he’s an ass.

The complexity of this story blew me away. The complexity of these characters blew me away. Sure there was some cheese in some parts, and while I could have done without it in parts, it worked for me, too. It’s no secret that I love a good alphahole, and Kas was definitely that. But he was so SO much more too.

What I feel for you is debilitating and terrifying and exhilarating…and the best thing to ever happen to me. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. And, if you only ever believe one thing I’ve told you, then believe this; if I could love someone, then it would be you, Daisy. A million times over, it would be you.”

It was a gripping romance, a story of second chances and redemption and healing. It was a fluid combination of light and dark, filled with plenty of depth. Samantha Towle seriously hit it out of the park with Unsuitable.

New Release & Review: Levi’s Blue by M. Leighton

review-levis-blueLEVI’S BLUE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: M. Leighton
Release Date: September 19, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

LEVI'S BLUE COVER final

Four beautiful days. Three steamy nights. One breathtaking love.

Levi Michaelson.

He wanted four dates. Four opportunities to prove I could trust him. Four chances to change my mind about him.

I agreed.

Probably not my smartest decision. He was everything I knew to avoid—gorgeous, charming, sexy as hell—but I couldn’t help myself. When he touched me the whole world disappeared. I should’ve known I could lose myself to him, that he could be the one man to destroy me.

I guess it’s true what they say—some things are too good to be true. And Levi Michaelson might just be one of them.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | KOBO

liveReview-DGR4 starslevis-blue-dgr-teaser

He’s what I can’t have and what I wish for, what I should reach toward and what I should run from.
He’s everything I shouldn’t risk, yet here I am risking everything.

Truth be told I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. All I knew is that I was intrigued by that blurb and I had to read it. M. Leighton always creates some of the most memorable alpha males. I read Down to You years ago, and I still remember every detail of the book.

Levi’s Blue is unlike any other book I’ve read by this author. It was captivating and emotional. It was a beautiful story of love and second chances. The pacing is slow and steady, the character development is rich and flowing, and the story well and truly unforgettable.

Something about her draws me. Like gravity or a magnet. Or the warmth of a fire on a cold winter’s night.

Evian de Champlain is a talented artist. She’s beautiful, sweet, and self-depreciating in a way that makes you just click with her. At the opening night on her art show, she quite literally falls into the arms of a handsome stranger. She knows nothing of Levi except that something about him simply draws her to him. Evie has been hurt by men in the past and isn’t quick to trust, so when this handsome man asks for four dates to prove that he’s different, she’s reluctant to believe him but can’t help but take him up on the offer.

I should run. I know I should run. But I know that I won’t. I know that without a doubt, too. Because some things are worth hurting over. I just hope Levi is one of them.

Theirs was a relationship that was a slow burn. It’s filled with humor and a connection that burns with the sizzle of sexual chemistry until becoming downright explosive.

I want to see you come on the sheets I sleep on. I want these walls to hear the sounds you make when I bury my body inside you. And I want to look down into your face when I make you lose it in my bed. Because in here, you’re mine. All mine.

Little by little you learn more and more about Evie and her past. She’s not one of those tough and ballsy heroines, but there’s this silent undercurrent of strength to her anyway. She was incredibly endearing and I loved the way she could stand her own even to the cattiest and meanest of people.

Levi was absolute perfection. He’s sweet and sexy and so protective of Evie. I loved watching him fall more and more for her, even though through everything, he remains mostly a mystery. You know he’s hiding something but it’s not until much later that the puzzle pieces begin to click together.

The writing was absolutely phenomenal. It had a lyrical quality to it but without the cheesy aspect that a lot of descriptive writing can get sometimes.

I’m thinking you could be the end of me. The bright, beautiful firework that ends me. That sets me on fire. The flame that burns a brilliant blue and gold and white at the center of me.
“I don’t want to be the end of you. I want to be the beginning.”

I have to admit I struggled a bit with the first half of the book. Perhaps the pacing was a bit slow to start or maybe I just didn’t connect to the story until the second half, but I found my interest waning at parts. Little did I know that it was simply the calm before the storm and the second half would absolutely blow my mind! When the revelations began to happen in the second half of the story? Man oh man, I was riveted to the pages, just waiting to see what happens next.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s different from the norm, beautifully written, and a story you won’t soon forget, then Levi’s Blue needs to be on your TBR!

About the Author

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

Get all the exclusives with my Newsletter

See things you can’t unsee on Instagram

Catch me saying something inappropriate on Facebook

Come hang out with me in my Facebook reader group

Get all your questions answered on my Website

Jennifer’s Review: Inarticulate by Eden Summers

review-inarticulateINARTICULATE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Eden Summers
Release Date: September 12, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

inarticulate

He’s silent—but his touch speaks louder than words.

At first sight, Savannah is drawn to the harsh appeal of a man who refuses to talk to her. Keenan’s hard stare is arrogant and unapologetic. The quirk of his sensuous lips is cocky and in control.

But there’s more. There’s something deeper he’s trying to hide behind those steely grey eyes—a slight hint of vulnerability which captures her intrigue.

She’d been warned, told that his silence hides a myriad of lies capable of affecting her career and relationships with loved ones. Only she can’t help herself. Testing Keenan’s defenses is an addiction she can’t deny.

Falling in lust is easy. Learning his secrets comes with a price. The cost? Her broken heart.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

We all want a man who doesn’t talk, right? Lmao. And let me tell you….I was digging all that is Keenan.

This is my first Eden Summers book…..and I have no idea why! I am going to be reading all of her books because THIS BOOK!!!

20492076à la Mode St. » fashion

”How do you do it?” she whispered. “How do you continue to wordlessly convince me to do things I know I shouldn’t be doing?”

à la Mode St. » fashionKeenan….I was enthralled by him. I couldn’t pull my eyes away. The man doesn’t speak, and I couldn’t get enough of his non-words. He had me captivated the whole book. The brooding. The grinning. The silence. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to see what he would do next. I was hanging on his every…..yeah.

My Keenan:

My Savannah:

 :
Savannah is sent to deal with the company’s transition of a hotel and its employees. Because she has family that lives nearby, she plans to spend time with her cousin, and she meets a close friend of the family, Keenan. The meet-cute between these two is so adorable. At first, Savannah thinks he is an asshole because he doesn’t speak to her, but she soon discovers the truth that he just doesn’t speak. So cute. Keenan is irresistible. I dare you to resist him.
à la Mode St. » fashion

I wanted your body, not your words. Your acquiescence, not your intrigue. Most of all, I wanted you to experience passion from my perspective. To strip the sensations down to pure carnality. Devoid of placating dribble and nonsensical dialogue.

à la Mode St. » fashionThe sex is off-the-charts hot!!! The flirting. The chemistry. Gah. This book was angsty, which usually isn’t my favorite trope, but I really enjoyed it.

I have to admit that I didn’t expect the surprise at the end. I was enamored by Eden’s writing style. I am so picky about writing style, and all of her words are so pretty and she puts them together so well = my happy place.

Review: Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray

breaking-him-reviewBREAKING HIM
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Sherilee Gray
Release Date: September 5, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

breaking-him

Folks in town call him a monster—say he’s dangerous. But I know him simply as Elijah Hays, the quiet, gentle giant who works with the horses on my ranch. I can feel him watching me, that steady intense gaze making me crave things I don’t quite understand, burn in a way that frightens me. He’s always kept his distance…until that night.

I remember him coming to my rescue, me following him into the barn, giving him his first taste of a woman, and his inexperienced yet barely reined touch turning me to ash.

Now all I can think about is exposing the dark desire I see deep inside him—having him turn those dark desires on me. That low, gritty voice rasping orders in my ear. Those huge, rough hands holding me down when a storm blows in.

I want his surrender. His control. I want to break him…and have him break me…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

You’re my salvation, Abigail,” he said, voice low and guttural, each word punctuated with an almost violent thrust of his hips. “Right here, inside you, I’m redeemed. I’m the man you need. I’m yours and you’re MINE.”

Well, hello there, Sherilee Gray, and welcome to my auto buy list. I’m not sure what made me read this book; whether it was the blurb or the cover or a combination of both that intrigued me, but man oh man am I glad I gave this a shot. At just under 200 pages, this packs a heck of a punch. There’s a perfect mix of sizzling hot passion with emotion and character development.

I’ll admit, I’m not a reader that typically enjoys virgin heroes, and the few that I have read about I wasn’t a big fan. There was either too much cheese or insta love and my inner pervert felt her lady balls shrivel up and die in the process. What? Don’t judge me. At least I wave my freak flag proudly. But I digress.

Elijah Hays was quite possible the best virgin hero I’ve ever read. Period. Bar none. His sexual progression and pent up kinks were incredibly realistic and easy to connect to. The author did an incredible job creating a broken hero with just the right amount of vulnerability, and yet managing to instill him with just the right touch of sexual edge. It was absolutely delicious.

You’re the only face I see anymore, Abigail. The only woman I’ve ever wanted.

Abigail was an amazing heroine. I love a woman that isn’t afraid to own her sexuality and admit what she wants. I adored the way she stood by Elijah when no one else did and the way she seemed to just understand and accept him. They were the perfect match for one another.

His nostrils flared. “Sweetheart, I want to hold you down and fuck you so hard the walls shake.”

At times I did wish we had slightly more detail on their past together and the way Elijah came to ranch and met her father. I would have also loved a bit more development on Abigail’s past. There was a lot of page time dedicated to Elijah, which I loved, but I would have liked the same page time for Abigail since she was just as intriguing.

That aside, everything about this story was fantastic! The progression of the story, the tension, the development, and of course the out of this world HOT as all get out sex. These two seriously burned up the pages together. There was just the right amount of story that kept this from being just smutty fun. It was so much more than that. You’ll fall for these characters just as hard as I did.

Sherilee Gray definitely has an instant fan in me now, and I’ll definitely be going back to check out her entire backlist. If her other books are anything like this one was, I already know that I need to read them!

Review: Game Saver by BJ Harvey

Game Saver-ReviewGAME SAVER
Series: Game #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: BJ Harvey
Release Date: August 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

GameSaverEbook.BN

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Bliss series comes a new spin off series featuring your favorite Bliss series characters who are yet to meet their match. Now it’s Cade and Abi’s turn.

How do you know when fake turns real?

Abi Cook lives her life by her own rules. She works hard, plays hard, and knows who she is and where she wants to be.

Following a repeat one-night stand with the dashing Dr. Cade Carsen, Cade asks Abi for a favor: be the fake girlfriend on his arm for the duration of his father’s mayoral campaign.

Never one to turn down a challenge, she doesn’t hesitate. I mean, who would when all that’s involved is a little fake girlfriending with a side of hot sex, and with Doctor Hottie no less?

But like any Game, there are always twists and turns, unexpected players, villains, heroes and ultimately, winners and losers.

Game Saver is the story of what happens when two happily single people try for something less, but end up with something so much more.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsGame Saver-DGR teaser

…don’t rule out something more just because it started off as something less.”

When I’m in the mood for a light and steamy feel good romance, BJ Harvey has become my go to. There’s just something about her books that never fail to make me squirm and put a big goofy grin on my face. The stories are filled with fun banter, sassy heroines, alpha males, and amazing secondary characters that always makes for a satisfying rom com.

Game Saver brings us Dr. Hottie and Spitfire, and boy do these start off with a bang!

Right now, I’m interested in what’s underneath that fucking dress and how fast I can make you come the first time. The second will be a test of your stamina, and if you can still talk after number three, then we can talk about anything you want.

Suffice it to say I was a BIG fan of Dr. Cade Carsen from the very first page with a mouth like that on him. The man oozes sex appeal and I devoured every delicious page of it.

Abi Cook is exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about. She’s independent, funny, sassy, and has no qualms in taking pleasure for the sake of pleasure. She has a healthy sex life and sees nothing wrong with indulging in some no strings sex with a hottie Dr that never fails to get her engine revving.

It’s been over ten months since Abi and Cade had a sizzling hot one night stand. It was supposed to stay just that night but mutual friends guarantee that they run into each other again. The sexual chemistry between them is too strong to deny, so why not indulge…with a little extra perk. Cade wants Abi to be his pretend girlfriend to get his image and politically obsessed parents off his back.

It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”
“That bang,” Dani adds, helpfully.
“I’m the mother buffer,” I clarify.

These two definitely set the pages on fire. Now admittedly, I’m a reader that doesn’t enjoy when a couple gets together right away in the story. It looses that added oomph of a good tension filled burn for me. But that was never the case here. Somehow it just WORKED for these two. They never lost their sparkle and I was fully invested in their relationship from beginning to end. It was fun to watch them both deny what was slowly building between them.

There was also the added perk of not having any stupid drama or angst thrown into the mix. Just fun, sexy romance with two amazingly endearing characters.

This is beyond sex- this is surreal fucking that should be documented for future generations. It would be a worldwide bestseller: How To Rock Her World By Completely Shattering Her Vagina.

I would have loved a little more from the ending and seeing a few things fully play out, but I did adore that epilogue at the end. If you’re looking for a feel good romance to put a smile on your face, this just may be the book for you.


THE GAME SERIES

GAME PLAYER (GAME #1) – Review

GAME MAKER (GAME #2) – Review

Review: First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Review-First Star I See TonightFIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT
Series: Chicago Stars #8
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Release Date: August 23, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

FSIST

A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.

Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.

Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is . . . I’m your stalker.Not full-out barmy. Just . . . mildly unhinged.”

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants of fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.

And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.

From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&NReview-DGR4 starsFirst Star I See Tonight-DGR teaser

She was a woman who attacked life instead of waiting for it to unfold around her. And her general imperviousness to him had stirred up some kind of primitive bullshit need to conquer.

#HappyFeels
This book.
*Attempts to wipe goofy grin off of face*
*fails*
*grins even bigger*
I mean…THIS. BOOK.

As a long time fan of SEP and especially her Chicago Stars series, when I heard the news that she’ll be releasing another book in one of my most beloved contemporary romance series, I downright wet myself in fangirling excitement. True story. Well…maybe not the wetting myself part. But close. I was dang excited, mkay?!

I mean let’s face it, no one, and I do mean no one does an enemies to lovers romance quite like this author. She delivers these irresistible grumpy alphas that are just the perfect amount of endearing and sexy. They’re not perfect, but that’s what makes them perfect. Am I even making sense here? Let me put it this way; have you ever read about a hero that has a trigger happy moment yet manages to come off all the more endearingly sexy for it? Yeah? Didn’t think so.

If you love quirky, sassy, and adorably awkward heroines with just a dash of crazy to them, you will simply adore Piper. The woman is a downright nutter and I couldn’t get enough of her antics. If you’ve read any book in this series, you already know that SEP can deliver some of the best banter, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint in that department.

Did I ever mention what a bad lover I was when I first started out?”
“I don’t believe you did,” she said.
“I got lots of complaints, so I had to work at it. Treat it as a job.”
“Put in the extra practice time, right?”
“Precisely. When I think of the mistakes I made…”
“Mortifying, I’m sure.”
“But I kept my eye on the ball.”
“Only one? Curious. Oh, well, I hope your deformity didn’t make you too self-conscious. I’m sure you could still-”
“I finally got the hang of it when I was about-”
“Thirty-six?”
“Eighteen. I was a fast learner. All those older women willing to take a young kid like me into their loving arms…”
“Blessed are the merciful.”

20173970I love a slow burn, and that’s exactly what I got with this romance. Sparks flew between Cooper and Piper right away…but not of the sexual variety. Oh no! Piper is hilariously failing in her job to trail former Chicago Stars quarterback. The problem? He makes her right away and is not entirely pleased about the slightly deranged woman that seems to be everywhere he turns lately.

The fact is…” She released her breath in a whoosh. “I’m your stalker.”
“Stalker?”
“Not a dangerous one. Lord, no. Merely obsessed.”
“With me.” A statement, not a question. He’d been here before.
“I don’t make a habit of stalking people. This…quite got away from me, you see.” She didn’t know exactly how this tactic will save her, but she plunged on. “I’m not full-out barmy, you understand. Just…mildly unhinged.”
He cocked his head, but at least he was listening. And why not? Lunatics were always fascinating.

This book will make you laugh, and laugh some more. Piper’s antics are downright hilarious.

Watching the unwilling development of a relationship between these two go from antagonistic, to grudging respect, to something more, was pure gold. I couldn’t get enough of the two of them. Of course it didn’t hurt that I got plenty of cameos from one of my favorites. If you’ve read Match Me If You Can, you’ll definitely appreciate it.

First Star I See was everything I’ve come to love about this author and so much more. It was full of fun banter, swoony moments, fantastic secondary characters, and the perfect slow building romance.

What about your scruples? I’m still the hired help.”
He leaned forward and nibbled on her bottom lip. “You’re not the help. You’re the obstacle.”
She nuzzled the cleft in his chin. “To what?”
“My peace of mind.”

It was the perfect light hearted sort of read I needed and I loved every single page of it. It reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this series in the first place. SEP fans are in for one delicious treat with First Star I See Tonight. If you’re in the mood for laughs and swoons, this book has EVERYTHING. The perfect contemporary romance to satisfy any romance lovers!


CHICAGO STARS SERIES

IT HAD TO BE YOU (Chicago Stars #1)
Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars, #2)
Nobody’s Baby But Mine (Chicago Stars, #3)
Dream a Little Dream (Chicago Stars, #4)
This Heart of Mine (Chicago Stars, #5)
Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars, #6)
Natural Born Charmer (Chicago Stars, #7)

Jennifer’s Review: Fool Me Once by Katee Robert

Fool Me Once-ReviewFOOL ME ONCE
Series: Foolproof Love #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Katee Robert
Release Date: August 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Fool Me Once

They say opposites attract, but this is just ridiculous.

Aubry Kaiser doesn’t like people—actually, that’s not right. She loathes people. With her crippling anxiety, there’s no way she can demo her favorite video game at a convention with five thousand other people. Maybe if she brings someone to act as a shield…

But the only person available is the sexy cowboy she can’t stand.

Quinn Baldwyn is in a mess of his own. He’s been dodging his wealthy family’s matchmaking attempts—and life advice—for years, but with his sister’s wedding on the horizon, he needs of a shield of his own.

He and Aubry can barely hold down a civil conversation, but in bed…fireworks. And the closer they get to Quinn’s sister’s wedding, the more he realizes that he might actually like Aubry.

Now it’s up to him to convince her she might actually like him, too.

 Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

A cowboy and a female gamer walk into a bar…..Ok, it isn’t a bar, but you get the idea right? These two could not be more opposite and yet this book just worked! This book is QUICK, DIRTY, and NO DRAMA. That’s all I really need in my life.

20004811à la Mode St. » fashion

”No panties. Naughty, peaches. Very naughty. I like it.” He leaned close enough that his chest pressed against her back. “I don’t know if we’re going to make it back to the room. Maybe after the ceremony, I’ll drag you out into the vineyard and fuck you right there in the dirt.”

à la Mode St. » fashionMy Quinn: (Yep, this is JJ Watt in a cowboy hat. Yum!)

My Aubry:

Found: Lass Suicide (32 Photos):
Aubry is a wealth of contradictions. She is a gamer, the best out of millions and is asked to test a new game before it is released. She has some serious social anxiety and doesn’t think she would survive the trip by herself. Her best friend arranges for her to be accompanied by Quinn on the trip. In exchange, Quinn needs a pretend-date to his sister’s wedding, which he is not all excited to attend. Aubry is the perfect date because she has perfected her resting bitch-face.

20004812._SY540_ (I need this shirt, y’all! Lol!)

à la Mode St. » fashion

”You don’t want polite. You want a hot fuck in the shower, on the bed, in the cab of my truck. You want me to finger you like this, and you to get off on the fact that there isn’t a damn thing between us and anyone who walks down that hall. Hell I bet if I slid down your jeans, you’d turn around and let me fuck you right here.” She around him and she buried her face in his shoulder as she came, her moans barely muffled. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

à la Mode St. » fashionI loved Aubry’s character. Despite her social anxiety, she is confident and saucy. She knows who she is and what she wants. Her anxiety doesn’t stop her or hinder her. It is an inescapable part of herself. I love how Roberts writes about social anxiety in this book. I need a Quinn of my very own to help separate me from all the people in the world, because there are a lot of people. As a sufferer of social anxiety of my own, I completely understand Aubry’s issues. I loved how Quinn knew exactly how to help Aubry through her panic attacks.

20004813._SY540_Quinn and Aubry need each other. They don’t like or understand each other, but opposites definitely attract in this book. Quinn is a wall of a man, literally. Aubry needs him to protect her from the many people that cause her anxiety so she can fulfill one of her dreams. He is her trusty steed.There is so much delicious chemistry between Quinn and Aubry. They are complete opposites, and at first, I wondered how it was going to work between a cowboy and a gamer, but I was quickly sold on these two together.
à la Mode St. » fashion

Quinn barked out a laugh. “And here I was thinking I’m growing on you.”
“Like a fungus. Or mold. Reallly, really sexy mold.”

à la Mode St. » fashion

Review: Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

Review- Worked UpWORKED UP
Series: Made In Jersey #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: August 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Worked Up

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsWorked Up-Teaser DGR

We’re going to fuck tonight. Your bed. Mine. On the floor. In the shower. Against the window. All. Goddamn. Night. You’re going to know me from every angle when the sun comes up over New Jersey tomorrow.

Sweet.
Baby.
Jebus.
*pervy shudder*
I mean for the love of my ovaries! Holy cock this book was freaking hot! HOT I tells ya! Hands down my absolute favorite book in the series. #PMB for the win!

Firstly, I need to give Tessa props. Because let me tell you, people, it takes skill to take a man that’s the size of a mountain with the beard and temperament of a mountain man, NOT have him be the typical ripped hero, give him a deliciously hairy chest, even a little bit of a beer belly, slap a dirty mouth on him, and have him turn out to be one of my favorite Tessa Bailey heroes to date. And considering I’ve read the woman’s entire backlist, that’s saying something mkay?! And the best part? Even though he wasn’t the stereotypical romance hero with the ripped abs, he was still sexier than most of the ones I’ve read. Seriously. And his dirty mouth only had 1/8th to do with that.

That’s Duke’s clit between your thighs, Samantha. No one touches that clit but Duke. You need it polished, teased, banged, or just plain slapped, who’s the one you call?
Be a good girl when you answer and I’ll kiss it again later.”

See what I mean? Rarrrr!

But I digress. So back to the book. We’ve gotten to know Duke in Thrown Down as the poor man stuck with 4 divorced sisters and no time to himself for even 5 minutes of sports center. He doesn’t talk much. He doesn’t date much. And he’s not exactly looking to add a woman into the mix when his 4 hellion sisters give him enough estrogen to choke a man twice his size. But then he walks into a bar and sees a gorgeous newcomer and sparks fly…

She had him at the first pun
Samantha Waverly is a children’s book illustrator that’s hoping to finally make her business dream come true. Only thing standing between her and her dream? A ridiculous addendum put into her loan contract by her brother, Renner, that requires her to be married. Le sigh. What’s a girl to do? Take up the sexy mountain man on his offer for a marriage of convenience, of course! Doesn’t hurt that he’s possessive and a freaking rock star in bed that makes her body sing, right?

You’re going to have no doubt how much I appreciate being allowed to squeeze myself into your body. If I ever think you’re unsure, my tongue will service you between the legs until there’s no question. Until you scream the doubt free, along with my name.

Yeah.
As I was saying….

But this book was so much more than what that synopsis implies. Sure there was a heavy dose of insta in play, but it totally worked for these characters. I adored Sam and her quirky personality. Each time she pulled out another cheesy pun, I liked her even more. As for Duke? Hello? Did you miss all my pervy praising on all things Duke previously? Pay attention dammit!

We also got a little peek into Renner and the man that just may have caught the ruthless business man’s attention (le gasp). I’m pretty sure I’d part with an ovary to get my hands on that books already.

After being slightly disappointed by the previous two books in this series, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. I’m beyond happy I gave it a chance because I seriously loved it! It was swoony, entertaining, and sexy as all get out. The perfect read to spend a steamy afternoon with!

I don’t want to be another responsibility to you.
Let me be the place you lose yourself instead.”


MADE IN JERSEY SERIES

CRASHED OUT | ROUGH RHYTHM | THROWN DOWN

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

%d bloggers like this: