Elle does not disappoint with her flawless storytelling and character development in this romance. Brenna finds herself thinking about Jake at the most inopportune times, and they are both funny and hot. And Jake’s imagination of how he wants Brenna in his bed will have you fanning your face. I didn’t think I’d love the cocky, sure-of-himself Jake, because I fell head-over-heels for Finn in the first book, but he won me over just like he won Brenna’s heart. I couldn’t stop reading this romance, crossing my fingers that the big twist or climax wouldn’t break my heart. Don’t worry, Elle doesn’t like to torture her readers too much. Now if I could just figure out who the next couple will be.
Archives: Reviews
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If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels
Every story in the Second Time Around series is the HEA that every woman who’s been through some shit and is hoping for a second chance to get love right, dreams about. The friendships, the romance, the heat factor, the love that transcends and overcomes all obstacles… it’s just oh so right. If I Only Knew was unlike any story I’ve read. It was heart wrenching at times, journeying along with these characters as they dealt with loss, teenage angst, sacrifice and longing. Hilarious at times. Smart. Witty. Endearing. It makes you FEEL and that’s basically how I judge the books that I read. Give me feelings or DNF, LOL! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great read with a big side of feels.
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It Happens by Lani Lynn Vale
Zeke and Jubilee’s story was the quintessential “boy pulls girl’s hair because he secretly likes her” romance. They don’t give in to the chemistry until they are on their own in a new town, but even both of their parents have thought they’d get together. Even though they both felt guilty starting to love each other, Lani Lynn Vale adds plenty of humorous and sweet scenes to help overshadow that. Plus, I enjoyed the friends and family dynamics that Lani Lynn always adds to her stories, you always love the secondary characters and hope for their books in the future.
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Traces of Her by C.M. Radcliff
CM Radcliff put together quite the disturbing tale in Traces of Her. I am a fan of the twisted, but if you are not, stay far away from this book. Rowena is kidnapped after a horrible event happens in her life that she is trying to deal with and is thrown into a living hell. She is held captive, forced to be someone she is not, raped and tortured. Her character in the book is strong and determined. After her escape she finds herself searching for her place in the world but comes to realize that the hell she has been living continues outside of that house. Through some crazy circumstances, she finds herself in Griffin’s possession and that is where our story begins to change. Their dynamic is anything but normal, but man, the way they need each other to survive and battle past demons is undeniable. All I wanted was a happy ending for Rowena and reading about her unwavering survival was my favorite aspect of this book.
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Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas
This series gets better and better with each book! Penelope has a gift for making you fall in love with the villain. She made Damon lovable without him losing his edge. She redeemed him without making excuses for his horrible behavior in the previous books. She made Winter vulnerable but so strong. I loved the flashbacks and the overlaps with the previous books and the AHA moments they created. And Will……I can’t wait for his story! This series is dark, twisted and incredibly hot. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorites.
Holy sh!t, how does Penelope write these stories that give me such hangovers? I stayed up late reading, but my mind would not shut off thinking about this story. I’m pretty sure I only got 4 hours of sleep, and it was so worth it. If you’ve read the first 2 books, you’ll know it was going to take some big words to get us to love Damon again. There are plot twists galore, with so much hate and darkness between Damon and Winter. I loved all the flashbacks, they add so much to their story, as well as the overall plot between the 3 books. I cannot emphasize enough how much this book (and series) is one of the greatest you will ever read. I’m sad there is only 1 more hero left to read about after this book.
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Blood and Chaos by S.M. Soto
This is the second book in this series. Deception & Chaos left us with so many questions unanswered and Blood & Chaos picks right up in the chaos! Creed and Sophia find themselves in a mess and the story follows Creeds journey through the hell they are now living. I couldn’t believe the backstory behind Creed, and how he came to be the way he is. I loved how Sophia’s well being is what drives him, no matter what the consequences are. His adoration for her exudes off the pages. There is an abundance of turmoil in their lives and he fights for her survival like no other Alpha I have ever read. I need book 3 ASAP!!!
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Lessons from a One-Night Stand by Piper Rayne
If you enjoy a plot like Party of Five, love reading about gossip… then you’ll love this romantic comedy where the small town has their own version of TMZ. The family dynamic will have you clamoring for the next Bailey sibling’s story, but I loved that Piper started with the oldest. Austin put his own dreams on hold to help raise his siblings and now he’s finally found a woman that could change his mind. I never felt overloaded with all the characters, Piper wrote each sibling and secondary character perfectly and easily identifiable.
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Wonder by Christina C. Jones
This book grabbed my attention the second I heard “post-apocalyptic” world! I was super curious how a contemporary romance was going to fit into a background of that nature, but Christina C. Jones pulled it off flawlessly. Maddox and Aly build a love that is so foreign to the setting that it lights up the pages of this dark story. Aly is fierce and strong. She truly encompasses every word that describes a heroine. Maddox wants nothing more than to protect her and shield her from the horror around them and they begin to lean on each other to get through the madness of the world they are now living in. It is extremely realistic and that makes this book slightly disturbing, but the love that is formed throughout this story is invigorating and optimistic, and isn’t that all we really want?
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Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar
Three cheers for a well written mature romance!!! Hip hip hooray Like many other romance readers, I’m officially in the over 40 club. That being said, although I have a soft spot for NA, YA and the quintessential virgin/billionaire tropes…I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading real people, close to my age, with real life strife and struggles who still find their way to a HEA. It gives me hope and makes my heart happy ❤ L.B. Dunbar is one of the very few authors in our community who does this exceptionally well. Second Chance is a fantastic story about two people who’ve experienced loss and are in transition, finding their way back to a home and a love they missed out on the first time around. If you’re looking for a real life, feel good love story, set in a charming small town, with characters you can relate to, you need this book in your life!
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Four Nights Forever by KB Winters
I enjoyed every aspect of this book by KB Winters! The romance was beyond sexy and passionate and the suspense was intense and expertly woven into the story-line. Eamon Connelly is the oldest son and one that takes his role in the family business very seriously. And then Layla walks into his life. Well, more of a “wrong place at the wrong time” situation but you get the idea. She sells her soul (or body) to Eamon to clear her father of his debt and Eamon assures her that the nights will be filled with whatever he desires. What starts as just raw, raunchy sex slowly begins to develop into much more. The heat between these two is enough to make you spend the night alone in bed! Eamon is dirty hot, and I mean the throw you around, your pleasure is just as much his pleasure hot! I loved the story because of his character. I cannot wait to read more of the Connelly Crime Family series.
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Moonlight Scandals by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I cannot recommend the de Vincent brothers books enough. Jennifer Armentrout has created characters that you cannot help but fall in love with, in spite of their occasional asshole tendencies. Honestly, after reading the first two books in this series, I wasn’t looking forward to Devlin’s story. I disliked him completely, and didn’t really see how he was going to redeem himself. But after reading; well, let’s just say I added him to my book boyfriend list pretty fast. I also love Rosie, and her sassy, ghost hunting ways! You also get a lot of answers (which breed more questions) about what is actually happening in that house, which is most definitely haunted! Start this series today, and you won’t be sorry!!!
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False 9 by Megan Erickson
Oh, how I loved Lavin Saint! If you love the quirky, funny and sweet hero in your romances, I challenge you to not fall in love with this soccer stud. Being in his head was both hilarious and uncomfortable at times, but I know we’ve all been in his shoes trying to date. When it comes to finding a person he thinks is out of his league, he might make a fool of himself, but he has wonderful family and friends to back him up. Bianca loves him for being real and silly and how he looks at her like she hung the moon. You will swoon over their relationship, laugh at things Lavin says or thinks right along with Bianca. The added suspense was well done and had enough humor interjected after the climax that you won’t feel bad smiling as the bad guy gets taken away. Also, I have it on good authority that we’ll get Lavin’s best friends’ stories!
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Renaissance Man by Tessa Bailey
This novella from Tessa Bailey’s Girl Series is the cherry on top of an already fantastic series. We briefly met Kyle in Runaway Girl and I immediately wanted more of him. Kyle and Cameron’s instant (and I mean instant) romance had me smiling from ear to ear for the entire book. It’s a short story (too short IMO because I wanted MORE of them) but there’s a lot of swooning and heat packed into this short story. If you’re looking for something short, sweet and fun to read, this is it!
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Free by Kristen Ashley
a·tone·ment
/əˈtōnmənt/
noun
reparation for a wrong or injury. reparation or expiation for sin.Atonement. Atonement is the best word to describe Chaos’ final ride… and HOLY SMOKES what a ride it is! The 7th (not including novellas) and final book in the world of the Chaos MC was a cluster of decades worth of story, perfectly melded together in one hell of a final adventure. Questions get answered through drama and action galore as this family of bikers FINALLY get their HEA. You have to pay close attention to fully grasp the interwoven magic this story has to offer… you get some Rock Chicks, some Dream Man, some Unfinished Hero’s and some Honey… whew, if you are a KA fan you will be cheering, rooting for and ugly crying for all these characters you’ve grown to love through all of her worlds. My heart is still reeling, and I’m seriously contemplating re-reading every KA book again so I can re-experience it all over again. Chaos has more heart than any MC series I’ve ever read and I’m so very happy to read them finally get their FREE!
P.S. I’m totally sleeping in my “Property of Tack” shirt tonight, to try and stave off some of this book hangover, LOL! -
Royally Bitten by Lexi C. Foss
I have said it before and I will say it again, no one builds a world like Lexi C. Foss. Royally Bitten, the second book in her Blood Alliance series, is no different. If you want vampires, a compelling plot, political intrigue, danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and an ending that will alternate between throwing and hugging your book, (not to mention some super hot lusty times, especially when Kylan plays with Rae and Mikael), you need to read this series! Her characters draw you in and become a part of you. Kylan is a wonderfully dark, brooding vampire, but for all his centuries of experience, he can still be a dumbass occassionally. And Rae is such a feisty heroine that you can’t help but love her. Grab this one today, and you will not be sorry!!!
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Her Double Mountain Outlaws by Madison Faye
I read Madison Faye for two reasons. One, the hot steamy sex! This book is all about the dirty, raunchy sex and the fact that there are two sexy as all hell tattooed boys in the mix makes it that much hotter. The second reason is the fun, enticing story-line that Madison always uses to build excitement. There is depth to her stories, even though they are short. Kennedy finds herself trying to escape from her past while Landon and Caleb can’t seem to shake theirs. They have more in common then they know and there are a few spots throughout this story where the tensions run high! Landon and Caleb are possessive and adoring to Kennedy and I loved their dynamic even at the lowest of times. This is a threesome I could use more of!
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Trouble in Hell by Alex Grayson
I am not usually drawn to dark stories like this one, but I was unable to put this one down. Remi and Trouble have very dark pasts, and they are described in several dark scenes. (There are scenes of child rape in this one, so if you can’t stomach that, you’d better skip it.) However, the chemistry between them is so hot that I couldn’t stop watching them heal each other. There are twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and enough tenderness mixed in with the darkness that I fell in love with these characters!!! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!!!
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Anton by Brenda Rothert
Brenda wrote such a sweet, kind, thoughtful and in-it-for-the-long-game man. I loved how Anton fell in love with Mia a couple of years ago and never thought he’d have a chance with her. He did help her find a new family to love, take back control of her life and be a friend first. This slow-burn romance will seem fast-paced as you are sucked into the story, and I hope we get Anton’s teammates’ stories because Brenda has me so intrigued after meeting them.
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Breathe Into Me by Ruby Rowe
This was such a fun little story! I’ve read Ruby Rowe many times before, but this was something unique and refreshing! Tripp is the sexy and bad ass drummer for Borrowed Faith who has a world of pain inside him. He meets Apple under not so ideal circumstances and she finds herself in the exact situation her father warned her about. They are connected on such a deep level, neither one can deny the pull between them. I like how the paranormal aspect is woven subtly into the story but still plays a big role in it. I cannot wait to see where this series goes!
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Compulsion by Alison Mello
This was a fun read, with a super hot, filthy rich, alpha male book boyfriend, and a sweet, blushing, damaged heroine that we can all relate to. Logan is the kind of book boyfriend that makes me swoon, and watching him fall in love with Skylar was a wonderful journey. Along the way, there were some plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat, and some supporting characters that I also fell in love with. Grab this one today, and you won’t be sorry!
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Out of My League by Jessica Prince
You ever just have enough of your life? Like want to pick up and start over somewhere nice where people are kinder and life moves at a slower pace. In this first installment of this new series by Jessica Prince you get a glimpse of what that might actually look like. Out of My League is a story about two survivors with jaded pasts who come together in the small town of Hope Valley, brought together by circumstance and drama that followed them from the lives they left behind. I loved getting to know this town and these characters, their story was sweet and endearing, both humorous and sad at times, suspenseful and exciting and basically everything I enjoy in a good romance. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series in the future
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His Many Rules by Ali Parker
Kendal and Dana’s love story is filled with obstacles, heartache, emotion and undeniable love. Dana was an incredibly relate-able character in many ways. She does not know her own strength or worth and it takes a leap of faith to open her eyes. Kendal has his own set of issues and the two of them together are explosive in more ways than one. I loved how raw the writing gets. You feel the passion and sadness in every word you read. There are a lot of layers to this story and it really builds the character development to deliver such an emotional book.
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The Man In The Mirror by Georgia Le Carre
Charlotte and Brett’s story was intriguing and complex. She is a nanny for his son, but they have limited interactions due to his horrible disfigurement. This is not just a classic case of “Nanny loves Billionaire” though. There is a mysterious underlying plot tied in regarding the little boy’s mother and the twist and turns are refreshing! When Charlotte and Brett begin interacting, the heat and sexual tension are undeniable and to hear his inner struggle throughout the process is heartbreaking. I love how careful she was with me and how it offered him a second chance at happiness and life. Once he let her in, it turns out to be a whole lot more than either expected.
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Right Where I Want You by Jessica Hawkins
This is my first time reading Jessica Hawkins and this book did not disappoint! The build up of this romance was angsty and frustrating in all the right ways… we’re talking 70% in before they finally get down to business, LOL! The workplace enemies-to-lovers trope is a hard one to do uniquely, but that’s exactly what you get with this story. The characters have a depth and complexity I was not expecting with just enough witty banter and quirks to keep things interesting. Cocky bad boy, full of heart with a compelling history meets tough, independent woman with secret insecurities, but who refuses to bend her dreams for any man… sprinkle in some humorous and endearing supporting friends and what you’ve got is some highly enjoyable literary entertainment!
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The Scheme by Cynthia Ayman
Every few weeks I like to take a break from my darker reads and dive into a fun, sweet, rom-com that gives me a nice break from reality. I took a chance on this book and it was exactly what I needed! I did not read her first book that Ben’s character stems from, but I plan on going back and reading it now! He has a core group of friends and through his best friend he is introduced to Madison. There is nothing instant between which I loved, but after she returns from a trip, the initial spark begins to sizzle. Ben is so sweet, and kind and I loved how silly he was with her. The two of them made me laugh many times and the story was very entertaining.
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Veiled by Stacey Rourke
I found this book to be a captivating tale of intrigue in the vampire-human world. There isn’t a lot of smut in here, although the unresolved sexual tension could be cut with a knife in certain scenes, so read this one when you are in the mood for a deep plot. The story is told in a series of flashbacks mixed in with “present day” scenes, and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Vinx is wonderful as a heroine – beautifully flawed and super easy to relate to, while simultaneously being a powerful, badass bitch. I highly recommend this book, and am looking forward to the next one!
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We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland
When Vi Keeland writes a book, I read it. Her stories are always unique and her characters are always engaging. So it was no surprise to me that I immediately fell in love Bennett and Annalise. Enemies-to-lovers is a favorite trope of mine because of there is always great sexual tension. We Shouldn’t has sexual tension in spades! It was so fun watching Bennett and Annalise flirt and torture each other while they competed for a job. In addition to the fun flirting and steamy hook ups, there are some unexpected emotional aspects to this story. This book will definitely be one of my favorites of 2019.
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Ghost of Himself by Pandora Pine
I am normally not a huge paranormal fan, but I love Salem and psychics, so I gave this book a try and was not disappointed! I have not read the other books in this “universe” but if they are anything like this one, I plan on catching up! Jude and Copeland have a unique dynamic. Cope’s abilities really intrigued me, and I am a huge fan of the New Orleans history, so I got pulled into the story, plus having the paranormal attacks really kept the suspense high! Jude and Cope are really drawn to one another and while the passion isn’t off the charts, it sets the tone for some future hotness! I am anxiously awaiting the second book to see what comes next.
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Unraveling Love by KL Donn
I love a good ménage and KL Donn knocked it out of the park! There is extreme chemistry between Dare, Boston & Arden and the moments between them are sexy and intense. The suspenseful undertone of the story with the crazy stalker gave the plot a nice twist which kept me engaged and the sex scenes are SMOKING! Throw in the fact that Boston & Dare are two ex-Navy SEALS and you might as well call it a day!
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Micaden’s Madness by V.F. Mason
The story of Emerald and Micaden is a tragic one. They meet when Emerald is young and what begins as an innocent, naive romance quickly turns into a fierce passion that is undeniable for Micaden. When they are forced to be apart, he becomes fueled by hate for revenge and the story takes on a twisted tone that leads down several dark paths. This book definitely falls into the suspenseful category with some disturbing moments.
