I have no idea how Aly Martinez does it. She writes words that make you hot and bothered, all the while building a story line that tears through every single human emotion that exists. This series blew me away. The Darkest Sunrise sets the foundation, gives you hope, and then rips your heart out. The Brightest Sunset makes you cry (UGLY TEARS), hugs your soul, and leaves you staring at the last page in awe. Charlotte and Porter were two of the most dynamic characters I have read in a long time. Charlotte finds herself on an incredibly painful journey all throughout the series. She lives heartache every day and you feel the depths of her sorrow through Aly’s flawless storytelling. Porter has his own demons and it is heartbreaking watching his struggles develop as you turn the pages. You can literally feel your emotions climbing and amplifying with each word. They are each other’s problem and they are each other’s solution. Their chemistry is constant through it all and their love for each other outweighs so many hardships they come across. This series is phenomenal. An amazing story about unyielding love, broken hearts and second chances. A 5 STAR must read.
[August 2017]
Archives: Reviews
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The Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez
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The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Just title alone should give you a clue that this book is chock-full-o-angst. Two people with crazy chemistry that shouldn’t be together. Watching them fight the pull was awesome. I love the angst and the banter and the pent-up passion. Even though you know they shouldn’t be together, you can’t help but to cheer them on. Go in with an open mind and you’ll love every word. [August 2017]
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Enrage by Rachel Van Dyken
. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but to get the full picture of this mafia family (and all of it’s intertwined branches), you really need to start at the beginning. I’ve loved this series from the first book, and every book has been better than the one before. Some BIG stuff happens in Enrage, good and bad and really bad. It’s violent and sexy and sad and funny and sexy and sexy and sexy. I love Dante, but I’ll always be #TeamChase. [July 2017]
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Atheists Who Kneel and Pray by Tarryn Fisher
Tarryn Fisher writes magic. Not the cheesy, pull a rabbit out of a hat magic either. Glued to the edge of your seat, don’t blink because you will miss something amazing, MAGIC! Atheists Who Kneel and Pray takes you on such an ever-evolving journey of self learning and growth. I do not think I have ever related to a character in a story more than I did with Yara. She has built walls high around her heart and has convinced herself she does not need love. Hurt before you get hurt. Lose before you get lost. Break away before you get broken. I felt like I read every page of this book holding my breath. Tarryn, really peels back the layers of human emotion. She puts her characters under a microscope and lets you connect with their core. Their pain is your pain. Their happiness, your happiness. I found myself immersed in her and Davids dynamic. I loved his fight for her. I loved her struggle with him. This is a book I will read many times, relating in new ways as my life grows and evolves. Magic, Tarryn. Simply, magic.
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Unconventional by Isabel Love
So. I am pretty sure if you look up the word “filthy” in the dictionary, this book would be the definition. You guys should know by now that I love my books raw, taboo-ridden, and down right smutty and Unconventional knocks it out of the park. WOW. I read this book in one night. It probably would’ve been in a few hours if I did not have to keep stopping to catch my breath. Quinn and Charlie are friends with some hot as f*ck benefits. You watch their lust-filled dynamic develop in so many ways throughout this book. Isabel has a way of making the dirtiest words sound like poetry. Each character was well developed and the story line flowed flawlessly, even when going back and forth between different points of view. This is a book that gives you everything you want in a erotic story. Unconventional focuses on uninhibited, raunchy desire, while pushing and complementing the turmoil of the characters individual growth. Isabel Love is a force to be reckoned with, mark my words. Do yourself a favor; #1click this book, pour yourself a drink, settle into bed, and buckle down for some steamy, one handed reading.
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Bad Boss by Clarissa Wild
Bad Boss was such a fun read! I am normally drawn to dark romance but I am a huge fan of Clarissa and this book was well written, funny and a nice change from my usual go to’s. TJ has an unusual… habit. He is a panty sniffer, and a collector at that. Lesley sells her panties and when the two cross paths, hilarity ensues. Seriously, I was crying from laughing so hard at certain points. The writing is witty and refreshing and the sex scenes were scorching hot! Clarissa really gives you the perfect package (pun intended *wink wink*) with Bad Boss.
[July 2017] -
Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland
Fantastic! Not your usual student/teacher romance. It’s sweet, funny, a touch angsty and HOLY HOT! I found myself loving Caine then wanting to punch him in the throat for being an ass. He stole my heart and I was cheering for Caine and Rachel to get their HEA. Clear your calendar because you won’t be able to put it down! [July 2017]
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Sex Symbol by Laurelin Paige
Laurelin Paige has a gift for creating sexual tension between her characters, and then turning that tension into hot sex scenes. I fell in love with Micah and Maddie and they way they tried to make their relationship work in the world of Hollywood. Sex Symbol gives you the perfect mixture of sweet and sexy romance. It’s the perfect summer beach read! [July 2017]
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The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent
The Unrequited was recommended to me by an author I adore and all I want to say to her right now is, THANK YOU! She may have introduced me to my new favorite author of the year. It is my first book by Saffron, and I’m already obsessed with her writing. This story follows Thomas, a broken poet turned professor, and his love/hate relationship with himself and his past choices. Then there is Layla. God, she is such a beautiful mess. I related to her on many levels. She is fighting a similar war, and her internal struggle is filled with self-doubt and insecurity. Their worlds collide and we watch two people who have never felt pure, unconditional love battle with their forbidden desires and impulses. The sexual tension and chemistry between them is ruthless! The emotion felt throughout the story had me glued to my kindle. This book hit home with me. I’ve had relationships in the past that left me feeling unloved and alone, and there were parts of this story that took me back to that unforgiving place. When you read a story that punches you in the gut, one that hits you at the core, you savor every word that author has bestowed upon you. Saffron takes this story way beyond the normal professor and student taboo love affair. She peels back the layers and presents two beautifully broken people yearning for unreserved love. It is relatable. It is honest. It is powerful. And for anyone who loves a forbidden love affair, it is a must read.
[July 2017] -
Two is a Lie by Pam Godwin
You know when you are reading a book and you just know – like you feel it in your gut – that this book is going to consume every part of you? That it’s going to destroy you, build you up to tear you down, and make you cry tears of joy, sadness and madness? Well, I knew that after Book 1 of this series and now, after reading Two is a lie, it proves it further. This book brings Danni on a journey of self discovery, in a way. It pushes her outside her “selfless” comfort zone and makes her focus on how SHE feels and what SHE needs. Pam is a poet with her words, creating an inner struggle you feel in your core. I love when a writer is able to make you sympathize and relate with EACH character in a book because you become emotionally attached to the story line. And isn’t that what the purpose of a love story is? To connect you to something that makes you yearn for more? I am not sure what is going to happen to Danni, Trace & Cole, but my heart breaks just thinking of the multiple outcomes. Pam, I am eagerly awaiting Book 3… and by eagerly, I mean I am pacing the room, anxiously biting my fingernails, wondering how the hell this is going to play out so each one of the adored characters I have fallen in love with will be happy!
[July 2017] -
The Red by Tiffany Reisz
I wish I could take a peek inside Tiffany Reisz’s brain, I would love to know how she comes up with these wonderfully bizarre story lines. Her writing is impeccable and she gives us crazy characters we come to adore. The Red is no different. At times I wasn’t sure where she was going, which I LOVE in a book, and the erotic scenes were beautifully over the top. The Red is wildly entertaining and the sex is like nothing I’ve ever read. In a word, it was brilliant.
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Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield
Oh, I’m so excited to tell you ALL about Open Hearts. Open Hearts has everything I look for in a book. It has the heat, the heart and the humor, or should I say humour. Eve Dangerfield tells an Australian story with an Australian voice. It was so easy to hear her characters with their accents and colloquialisms. She also takes the common trope of searching for a baby daddy and turns it on its ear. I’ve never seen a story crafted in this way and I can’t wait for my next read by Eve Dangerfield. ~ Nelle [July 2017]
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The Catch by K. Bromberg
The second book in The Player Duet is everything I wanted it to be and nothing I expected. I thought I knew exactly where Easton and Scout’s story was going, but K. Bromberg never gives us a simple love story. The Catch is full of family drama and real life issues. It’s a beautiful, emotional and sexy love story you don’t want to miss! [June 2017]
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Easy Nights by Kristen Proby
So sad to see another Kristen Proby series come to an end! We’ve been waiting patiently for Savannah to get her happy ending and Ben totally delivers! We knew that the friends to lovers story was going to be emotional, because Savannah has been through so much at the hands of her ex husband. Ben helps Savannah get over that last hump to heal the deep wounds. ~ Nelle [June 2017]
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The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely always hits the sweet spot between heat and heart. I loved Ryder and Nicole’s sweet and sexy love story. Lauren Blakely’s creativity shines in the way their story weaves together. ~ Nelle [June 2017]
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Dare by James Crow
Dirty. Kinky. Twisted. Disturbing. All words I will use to describe this dark masterpiece by Mr. Crow. Holy mind f*ck, batman. You know how to tell if an author is a fantastic writer? They conjure a story that makes you question every bit of yourself and your morals while creating characters so relate able, you wonder if you are just as messed up as they are. Job well done, Mr. Crow. Wow.
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Silver Silence by Nalini Singh
Charming bears will charm your socks (or panties) off before you even realize they’re doing it. That is how Valentin Nikolaev, The StoneWater alpha, operates. Nalini Singh brings Valentin’s charming ways to life as he works his magic on Silver Mercant, the very efficient, straight-laced, psy he’s fascinated with. There’s layers to the story—danger and mystery, intrigue, many difficult decisions, and of course, romance!
Whether you’ve followed the Psy-Changeling series from the start or are starting now, Silver Silence is a perfect PNR read.
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Too Close to Call (1001 Dark Nights) by Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey’s light shines bright in this swoony, sexy story. Kyler and Bree will show you how first love is true love.
~ Nelle [June 2017] -
The Tutor by K. Larsen
I cannot go into too much detail about this book because you need to go in blind to feel the impact of this story. If you read the synopsis, you will know all you need to begin. This book is dark. It twists your mind around in deeply disturbing ways and you will have no idea what is going on until it is too late and you are already spiraling down the rabbit hole. K. Larson has a special gift of weaving together words in such a way, that you do not even feel like you are reading a story, but experiencing the events as they unfold, firsthand. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a gritty, twisted, mind f*ck.
[June 2017] -
One is a Promise by Pam Godwin
I am going to start out this review stating the fact that this book leaves off on a MAJOR cliffhanger. One that made me almost throw my kindle across the room! This is not a bad thing, though. I so desperately need to know what happens next. As always, Pam pulls you in with her detailed, emotional writing. Danni is a relate-able, strong and funny woman. I found myself wanting to high five her on several occasions throughout this story. She struggles early on in this book, stuck in the past and not being able to get out of her own way. Enter, Trace. The type of alpha male I just love to hate. Their chemistry is intense. Lots of sexual frustration and mind games or what I like to call “the perfect buildup”. The story has many layers, flipping between past & present, but the writing is flawless and every piece flows together seamlessly. Book 2 cannot get here fast enough!!
[June 2017] -
Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren
Christina Lauren always brings the heat along with the humor, and Hating You/Dating You delivers both brilliantly! I loved the way Carter and Evie couldn’t decide wether they wanted to rip each other’s heads off or rip each other’s clothes off. This lovers-to-rivals story will keep you laughing and swooning from start to finish. [June 2017]
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Riptide by Skye Jordan
Another winner from Skye Jordan! Zach is a Renegade through and through. He works hard, plays hard and loves hard. Tessa and Zach’s chemistry is off the charts and Sophia will capture your heart. Don’t be afraid to go on another adventure with this Renegade. ~Nelle [May 2017]
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Tempting Justice by Fiona Archer
A homicide detective with an Aussie accent, handcuffs, and a dominant personality? Sign me up! The combination of mystery, humor, and the sexy is the recipe to win my heart in a romance book. Let’s just talk about the sexy for a second: Gentleman in the streets and a Dom between the sheets!
Fiona Archer knows how to paint a picture with her words and will take you into her world of hot Australian heroes! I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
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Misbehaved by Charleigh Rose
This is my first book by Charleigh Rose and man, she brought the heat. The forbidden, taboo relationship between Mr. James and Remington is explosive! I read it in one sitting and was sad when it was over. I wanted more. NEEDED more. Charleigh writes in such a way that you can’t help but get attached to these characters. I found myself all worked up over the sexual tension one second and dreamily sighing over the abundance of feelings the next. If you love a good teacher/student romance, you won’t be disappointed. [May 2017]
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Anne Boleyn, A King’s Obsession: A Novel By Alison Weir
Henry wants Anne. Anne wants power. We all know how it ends – but how did Anne become the woman Henry loves? Did Anne love Henry or did she have affection for another? Alison Weir’s impeccable research delves into Anne’s life before serving Katherine of Aragon, as a feminist and a religious reformer. ~Tracey [May 2017]
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Going in Deep by Carly Phillips
Carly Phillips brings us a sweet and sexy second-chance romance about a guy trying to redeem himself to the one that got away. Julian’s betrayal of Kendall has hurt her, and now he’ll stop at nothing to make it up to her. This book is emotional and real and kept me hooked from the first to the last page. [May 2017]
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Craving Justice by Fiona Archer
Fiona Archer delivers a romance that will keep you at the edge of your seat in suspense while sweating profusely at the serious hotness that is Seth Justice. Dirty talker level: expert. Smart and sassy, Harper makes it super easy to root for her happily ever after. The romance will have your heart melting, the heat will have your panties melting, and the mystery will keep you on your toes. This is a definite must read for my perverted lovers of alpha Aussie heroes!
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The Playboy Bachelor by Rachel Van Dyken
I love a second-chance romance! The Bachelors of Arizona are three rich and gorgeous brothers, each very broken. Rachel Van Dyken gives us a lovely, funny, heart-warming story of former BFFs forced to spend time together by their meddling grandparents. I loved their sexy chemistry and Bentley’s charm. And the fact that Margot is a romance author is a great addition to the story. It’s more intense than the first in the series, but funny and swoony at the same time. [May 2017]
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Bombshell by CD Reiss
CD Reiss has a gift for combining the sweet with the down and dirty to create a great romance. With Bombshell we get both, and she adds in the humor and realness only a five-year-old can give. It’s a great story of overcoming your past and your fears and finding love where you least expect it. [May 2017]
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Trophy Wife by Alessandra Torre
This is not your typical “Pretty Woman” story. Trophy Wife is filled with mystery, suspense, scorching hot sex and the mind-fuckery we expect from Alessandra Torre. There are a few twists and WTF moments that will keep you glued to the pages. It’s a winner! [April 2017]
