Shameless

Archives: Reviews

  • Risk Taker by Lily Morton

    The third installment in the Mixed Messages series is just so British! And I love every minute of it. It reminds me of the Regency romances I used to read when I was younger. It starts with disapproving parents, social climbing, and horrible blind dates. There is also a good slow burn with lots of “will they or won’t they?” angst. And when Henry and Ivo finally stop circling each other, they are explosive

  • The Protégé by Brianna Hale

    I am normally not into the daddy/little story line but The Protégé is much more than that. Isabeau is taken under Lazlo’s wing at a very young age but it is innocent in nature. It begins as a mutual love of music and art and its grows into something much more. Lazlo was so in control throughout the book. I loved how aware he was of his feelings and needs throughout the story and how he treated Isabeau as if she was the most precious thing the world has ever seen. The daddy/little relationship is not for everyone, but the writing in this story is so beautiful and well developed you see past the dynamic to the love underneath it all.

  • Landslide by Kathryn Nolan

    I loved the first book in this series, Bohemian, and I was so excited to get Gabe and Josie’s story! They say that opposites attract, and it doesn’t get more opposite than a hippie mountain man looking for “the one” and a LA makeup artist looking only for a one night stand. Their chemistry was instant and off the charts. Their banter both hilarious and sexy. Just like in the first book, Big Sur is more of a character than a setting. If you’re looking for a swoony romance with diverse characters, this is the series for you.

  • False Perceptions by Michelle Heard

    This book just keeps replaying in my mind. The story is intense and I read it in one day while laying out at the pool. I could not get enough of Hayden and Emilie’s relationship. Both have been through traumatic situations and both continue to fight for their own survival. Their chemistry is instant but they claw their way through every up and down along the way. Such an emotional roller coaster but worth every hill. I loved how they fought endlessly for one another until the very end. Cannot say too much without giving away spoilers but trust me when I say, you will fall hard for these two.

  • Moore Than A Feeling by Julie A Richman

    The Needing More Series and it’s spin-off books are one of my favorite series of all time. It was so fun to catch up with all of the characters I love and love to hate. You don’t have to read the rest of the series to follow along with Aiden and Holly’s story, but it won’t be as fun! Holly’s fierce, never-quit attitude is a refreshing change from the damsel-in-distress stories we’re used to. She’s so relatable as she tries to get over her first love….she makes a questionable choice for a rebound and puts a gorgeous guy in the “friend-zone”. This book deals with the serious issue of PTSD while still being sweet, romantic and funny. Everyone will relate to the dysfunctional family Thanksgiving dinner. That might be one of the funniest and most real scenes I’ve ever read in a book. As always, Julie A Richman’s writing is stellar and her attention to detail impeccable. Moore ThanA Feeling is the perfect addition to this fantastic series.

  • That Guy by Kim Jones

    Ya’ll…Kim Jones is the funniest author in Romance! I will legit fight anyone who says differently. If you don’t follow her on social media, you have NO IDEA the shenanigans you’re missing out on and you should rectify that immediately. That being said, this book was so outrageously funny that you’d think…NAW, no one is this crazy…but if you follow Kim you’d know, she’s that beezy no doubt. This story is not only so hysterical it will have you in stitches but it’s also blazing hot, endearing, swoony and such a fun adventure that you won’t want it to end! If you’re looking for a great RomCom that is both stereotypical and anti-stereotypical at the same time, you need to read this ASAP!

  • Pretty Reckless by Jane Anthony

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kat and Chase are so wonderfully screwed up that I couldn’t help but cheer them on as they worked to get their crap together, and cry with them when they messed up several times along the way. The ups and downs in this story made it impossible to put down. I laughed with them; I ugly cried with them. And their chemistry makes this a one handed read like I haven’t read in a long time. There is some angry sex in this book that set me on fire!!! You really need to put this one on your list, ASAP!!!

  • Acquainted by London Miller

    Alfie Shelby and Vera Markovic were explosive in Acquainted! Mafia princess meets street gangster… a tale as old as time. Their chemistry flowed seamlessly. He wanted her and stopped at nothing to get her. Alfie truly proves to be Vera’s savior and damnation. London paints a very vivid story with her words and I really enjoyed the twist and turns throughout this book. A love story that keeps you hoping for that HEA until the very last page.

  • The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland

    Vi Keeland always gives us the best characters…strong, sassy heroines and sexy, alpha heroes. The Naked Truth is no exception! Gray and Layla have chemistry to spare and his dirty mouth will leave you wanting more. This second-chance romance has a few surprising twists that make this story different from other romance books. It’s sweet and real by being romantic and sexy. And that epilogue……Whew!

  • Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn

    I read this series out of order, but no big deal! I’m just happy that Meghan writes such great and engaging stories that you can totally do that and not feel lost or like you missed a beat. This is an outstanding contemporary RomCom! You’ll laugh out loud, you’ll get frustrated and you’ll swoon right along with the heroine Noely Clark. I can already picture me re-reading this one at some point in the near future, and I don’t say that about many books at all. The Suit, the Rebel and the Jock totally had me wishing dating was this fun in real life… so good!

  • Warnings & Wildfires by Autumn Jones Lake

    If you enjoy a bit of a slow burn romance where the hero fights his attraction to the heroine (yet runs off all other men), then you will love Sully and Aubrey. I liked that Sully tried to stay true to his ideals about not dating customers or employees once he hired Aubrey. But even his playboy brother could see he was hooked on her and needled him all the time with some funny consequences. I enjoyed watching them give in to each other, how protective Sully was but not in an alpha-hole way, and then meeting his daughter for the first time. Autumn focused on Sully and Aubrey’s relationship first and then introduced the tween daughter, and I thought that was perfect for this story. The drama and suspense were woven well into the plot, I caught myself yelling at Aubrey to trust Sully with her demons and past. Even when the big drama started to happen, I loved that Autumn didn’t torture us with keeping Sully and Aubrey apart. They owned up to their mistakes… they finally trusted in communication!

  • Dreams of Darkness by Eve Langlais

    I am concerned that I am developing an unhealthy obsession with Eve Langlais. I am putting everything she has ever written onto my to-be-read list, and I am going to start stalking all of her new releases. Dreams of Darkness is completely entrancing, and I simply couldn’t put it down. If you are familiar with Eve’s other books, this one is significantly darker and less humorous, and she left me with a horrible case of unresolved sexual tension-itis, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. The next book in this series simply cannot come out soon enough for me!!! Read this one today, and you will not be disappointed!!!

  • The Tycoon by Molly O’Keefe

    This was my first book by Molly and I loved it. If you love second chance romances with a bit of blackmail, with a hero that has a sweet side, then this is the romance for you. I enjoyed seeing Clayton act stoic and cold except with Veronica, sometimes vulnerable and sweet as he works to win back the love of his life. He has a lot of trust issues to overcome with her, misinformation and also a secret or two, but he also is learning not to be afraid to show Veronica how much he cares, in and out of the bedroom.

  • Quit Your Pitchin’ by Lani Lynn Vale

    Lani Lynn Vale has a unique way of writing, you never quite know how the story is going to go. This started out as a whirlwind romance, then ended up being a second chance romance. There were miscommunication issues, horrible family members, and angst that will have you clutching your e-reader but there were plenty of light-hearted and sweet moments between George and Wrigley. Plus, we always get one or 2 side characters that introduce some laughs to the story. I can’t wait to see which one of George’s teammates is next up.

  • On the DL by Laramie Briscoe

    I love Laramie’s writing and not making you wade through chapters of unnecessary drama and angst. I enjoyed Slater and Malone learning to forgive each other after 10 years spent apart and then forging a new, stronger friendship. I liked that they didn’t jump right into a new relationship even though they’ve missed each other and still feel immense chemistry when together. There was still some feelings drama that they each had to learn and grow from as this new relationship took off and that ending had my heart in my throat. I’m rooting for a quick resolution in book 2.

  • Shiver by Suzanne Wright

    Kensey and Blake had such great chemistry, the way Suzanne describes their interactions and how they feel just draws you into their relationship. It may have started as a no-strings type of thing, but we all know how those end, someone falls in love. This time, it’s Suzanne’s signature alpha male, Blake, that becomes the usual possessive self. He wants all of Kensey when she’s the one that is hesitant to open herself up to him. And talk about mystery and side plots and twists that you do not see coming, Suzanne throws a lot into this story but she writes so well that I felt it worked perfectly.

  • Psychopath’s Prey by V.F. Mason

    This book was insane! V.F. Mason goes deep into the crazy void and if you love a good dark read, you don’t want to miss this story. Ella is screwed up early in life after she finds her family killed in their home. She becomes obsessed with serial killers and crimes and secures a job with the FBI years later. Little does she know, the psychopath she is hunting is leading her right where he wants her. The sick need between them for one another goes beyond any rational thinking. I loved the twists. Every time I thought I had it figured out in my head, it always turned out to be something totally different. The ending was messed up and I appreciated how dark the author let this story get. Definitely a nail biter full of lust, tension and suspense.

  • Badlands by Morgan Brice

    I have to admit, supernatural stories are not normally my thing. But I am so glad I took a chance on this one! This is a perfect blend of supernatural, romance and crime thriller. Simon, a psychic, and Vic, a cop, track a serial killer through a tourist playground. I really enjoyed this book! The love story is believable, the thriller is heart pounding and the sex is hot! The perfect start to a new series and I can’t wait for the next book.

  • Heartless by Willow Winters

    Willow sucked me in with Merciless, the first book in this series, and I have been waiting anxiously for Heartless. The craziness takes on a whole other level in this book and Carter truly shows his colors regarding his obsession with Aria. Her feelings develop into a need throughout book 2, and she begins falling down the dark rabbit hole of twisted love. Both of them come from broken pasts and destructive families and little by little they learn that they are each others allies not enemies in all of it. Carter’s aggressive, alpha ways had me drooling and panting non stop. I love how possessive he is of Aria. SO HOT! Looking forward to the next book and where this crazy story is going!!!

  • All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

    Colleen Hoover has this way of ripping out your heart, stomping on it, throwing it in the ocean then fishing it out and putting it back where it belongs. But within this process, she manages to slip in some humor and some romance and some sweetness. I’ve not read a book like this since Ugly Love, a book so real and so relevant that you forget it’s fiction. Prepare yourself to be absolutely gutted, your heart will literally break…and you’ll love every second of it.

  • Falling Through Darkness by Kira Berger

    Loved this debut book by Kira Berger, The story follows Alex who has been through hardships in life and the struggle she has with letting Duncan in. Their interactions feel real and natural. He knows what he wants and he pursues it with no hesitation and I adored that about him. I will admit, I usually am pretty good at spotting a plot twist coming but this one got me! The story has a suspenseful undertone and the emotion involved gets pretty heavy at times but I found myself immersed in this book, beginning to end. A great debut from Kira Berger!

  • Fixed Forever by Laurelin Paige

    I’ve followed Hudson and Alayna’s love story from the beginning and it’s so cool to see them now as parents. They still have the heat and chemistry, but the “reality” of being parents has set in. I’ll be honest, I never really cared for Alayna, but she’s definitely grown on me. I love that she’ll do anything to protect her children. And my love for Hudson grows stronger with each book. Fixed Forever gives us some romance and a lot of mystery and suspense. Just when you think you know what’s happening, you don’t! This book is a great addition to the Fixed series.

  • Breezy by Kelsie Rae

    This book is the perfect summer read! It is a light, feel-good romance that will leave you smiling from ear to ear! #Shameless18 author, Kelsie Rae, really knows how to make her audience connect with the characters and want what is best for them. Bree is funny, down to earth and feisty. Her connection with Derrick is natural and easy and you feel that coming off the pages. I loved their dynamic and really enjoyed the sexual tension. Derrick tries his hardest to stay away from her and not mix business & pleasure but their chemistry is undeniable and HOT! The buildup is AMAZING and the payoff is even better! Overall the story is super sweet and fun.

  • Captive Vow by Alta Hensley

    Wow, what a messed up tale! I have no idea how you take a brutal kidnapping story and turn it into a hot as hell read but Alta Hensley does it flawlessly. Demi finds herself kidnapped by a woman she has grown to care for and forced into situations you would never dream of. It is a tough book to review because I do not want to give anything away but I will say this… I grew to love Pope. His protective nature with Demi made me swoon and I loved how they used each other to survive the whole ordeal. This book deals with BDSM, forced sex (even though it is wanted) and violence. Definitely for those who enjoy suspense and darker themes.

  • The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl by Annika Martin

    I am completely in love with this book!!! I had never read anything written by Annika Martin before, but I will definitely read her stuff again! Theo is a wonderful nerdy-but-sexy, dirty-talking hero with sadness in his past and an admirable mission in life. Lizzie is a super smart, wise-cracking heroine with some past secrets of her own, and I fell completely in love with her. Their story is an unorthodox one with multiple twists and turns, full of adorable scenes that made me laugh out loud, and others that brought tears to my eyes. Read this one right now, and come and meet Annika at #Shameless18!!!

  • Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen

    This book highlights the high price that military families pay. I love that, even though it is a love story, it charts the grieving process. There is no magical “everything is better” moment, You live every bit of anguish with Trevor, a Gold Star father and Riley, his son’s platoon mate. And after a slow burn, the sex is phenomenally hot! This story rates a bottle of wine and a box of tissue!

  • Awaken the Darkness by Dianne Duvall

    Dianne has given new readers a chance to catch up on all things Immortal Guardians with Stanislav and Susan’s story. If you haven’t started this series yet, this is a great starting point for the next part of the world building and overall story arc. I love Dianne’s characters, especially how her heroine’s take most of the oddities of the heroes without blinking, even if they are new to the paranormal world. These women are strong, fall in love with the heroes easily, and can usually kick some bad guy ass. Even the heroes are impressed from their first meetings because they have been wishing for love after hundreds of years of loneliness except fighting vampires with the other guardians. There isn’t too much of the main world plot moving forward, but I know I’ve been waiting for this reunion between Stanislav and his immortal guardian brethren.

  • Verona Blood by Lili St. Germain

    This is a love story, but one that is twisted, dark and brutal at times. Lili St. Germain makes dark romance an art form in every story she writes. She dances around brutality and weaves darkness into obsessive passion then calls it love… and it works. Verona Blood is darker than Romeo & Juliet with all the same intoxicating parts. Avery and Rome are very interesting characters, and while both were raised with hate in their minds towards the other, neither can deny the love running through their veins that draws them to one another. Their connection, though disturbing in many ways, is real and powerful. There are quite a few triggers in this, and if you’ve read her books before, you are aware of how dark she can get. I cannot wait to see where Lili takes this story.!

  • Social by JA Huss

    Grace and Vaughn made me laugh, sigh, and want to throw my Kindle (mainly Vaughn). But their fighting and filthy tweeting to each other will make you fall in love with them and squirm a bit. I loved their romance, it’s what got me hooked on JA Huss’s writing. It was such a unique storyline with plot twists, humor, and a heroine that liked to dirty-talk as much as the movie star hero.

  • Lucky Scars by Kerry Heavens

    I’m a BIG fan of Kerry Heavens! If you haven’t read anything from her yet, you’re seriously missing out. Although most of her books inject quite a bit of humor, Lucky Scars is an emotional roller coaster reminiscent of the vibe of her Just Human duet. This is a fantastically unique and endearing story about several unique characters and their journey of finding and accepting their worthiness of love and happiness. It’s a bit of a love triangle with just enough angst and humor to keep you 100% engaged and invested in finding out how it will all turn out. Expect to be caught up in the feels with this one y’all. Tears are imminent!