Oh Harper, you really brought it with Cooper! When we last left the team at Corps Security, there was a tragedy and a potential complication to the couple’s relationship. Asher comes to the situation with his own baggage and Chelcie is carrying her own (literally). It’s so refreshing to see this sort of situation handled so well. I love the suspenseful element in Corps Security, and I’m looking forward to hearing from Maddox later this year.
~ Nelle [June 2014]
The Corps Security boys know how to win over their women, and I loved watching Asher win over Chelcie. Because he was an ass in the beginning, and lost a lot of ground in being the man for her to love. Though, Chelcie keeping the baby a secret was not good on her part, and you knew it was going to blow up in her face. Ash thought he was competing with his brother, but Chelcie has only ever had feelings for Asher, and when they finally get together, he realizes he can be the man her and the baby need. There wasn’t as much suspense or Kleenex needed this time around, but I was fine with that. I liked the focus more on Chelcie helping Asher recover and falling in love, plus seeing the rest of the Corps Security family is always a great bonus.
~ Marissa [June 2014]
Archives: Reviews
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Cooper by Harper Sloan
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IRIS (The Wild Side #2) by R.K. Lilley
You know what cookie monster looks like when you give him a handful of cookies? Yes, that’s exactly what I looked like when given a copy of Iris. Crazed. Eyes wild, fingers frantically swiping across my kindle. UNLOCK. UNLOCK! I tore through the story.
Dair and Iris are face-meltingly hot, and mind-bendingly complicated. If a book could give you blue-balls… well, it’s Iris.
BECAUSE WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
Just when you think you may have figured out what’s going on, you realize you don’t have a damn clue. This twisted followup has left us with more questions than answers, and I am dying for the next installment. I can’t get enough of this summer series.
Ridiculously hot, and completely addicting.
RK, you’ve created a monster.
MORE. GIVE ME MORE.
FEED MEEEEEEEEEE.
ahem. so sorry.
~ Kyleigh Jane [June 2014]Iris is ridiculously sexy. No, let me change that to HOLY EFFING HOT.
There is so much mind-twisty confusion happening, I don’t know what’s true, what’s pretend, and which way is up. But even in all of that mind-twisty confusion, the chemistry between Iris and Dair made me squirm in my pants so many times that I needed to take *ahem* personal breaks.
~ Angie [June 2014]
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Caught in the Storm by M. Stratton
A fantastic conclusion to this romantic but extremely creepy trilogy! Once again we have a couple being terrorized by a psychopathic serial killer, but this time he’s the one being hunted. The romance between Jackson and Kat has been a long time coming. It takes a while for him to get through the woman intent on revenge to get to the woman he fell in love with years ago. This story has romance, suspense, humor from the crazy grandmothers and the total creep factor from the serial killer and the person after him. It’s a must read for romance and mystery/thriller lovers alike! [June 2014]
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Iron Cross by Bianca Sommerland
Maybe I sound a bit like a broken record when I speak of the Dartmouth Cobras, but it’s a fact that each book in this series gets better and better. The stories get more intricate, the characters come out a bit more, the sex gets more and more daring – toe-curling – and the relationship dynamics rock the foundations of all things that our society holds sacred and show how life can be lived outside that society-imposed box.
The way that Bianca Sommerland tells the story of four people (Tyler, Chicklet, Laura, and Raif) intertwined in a romantic relationship – their growth and discovery, their mistakes that brought them right down to earth and made them relatable, albeit, not always likable – puts her in the category of authors who really understand storytelling. In the midst of the drama and seriously hot sex and BDSM action (and there was plenty with all the variations you can imagine: M/f, F/f, M/m…M/M/m, and, of course, M/F/m/f), the overall series plot lines are not lost. Note that that’s a double negative, which means that the plot is a live thing in this story. I also love, as always, that we get to glimpse our favorite characters from previous stories in this series, and get a bit of a set up to anticipate new stories to come (heh). Personally, I can’t wait for them to come…
This is a super duper high recommend for my perverts who love their stories juicy, emotional, and full of kinky sex.
~ Lina [Month 2014] -
Wingman by Bella Jewel
If you’re looking for a funny, sexy, story with low angst, then look no further. I love Bella Jewel’s books, and she’s added more humor into this story compared to her others. Plus, we get a nice crossover from her MC Sinners series, so it was great seeing Spike, Cade, Jackson, and Muff with their respective girls. The story is all about Tia’s job of getting women for Reign to sleep with. Along the way, they fall into a pseudo-relationship: eating together, sharing house keys, sleeping in the same bed, but no sex because Tia doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. Also, she can’t stand the woman he’s trying to win back, but eventually feelings come into play, and Reign is torn between both women. Luckily, there is enough humor to help offset the drama and of course we get the happily-ever-after for Reign and Tia.
~ Marissa [June 2014] -
Dangerously Happy by Varian Krylov
Dangerously Happy made me dangerously emotional. I want to get this out of the way, because I can’t recommend it in good conscience without mentioning it: the book needs another edit. Having said that, it was SO GOOD, by the second chapter I couldn’t care less. I went through pretty much every single emotion there is, the entire roller coaster that took hold of Aiden and never let him go. The way Dario was with him in the beginning pretty much beats every single first encounter between a fictional couple I’ve ever read. And the book kept surprising me, chapter after chapter, there was something new and unexpected happening, and I didn’t always like it, but I think that was the point. An absolutely refreshing read, that for once didn’t shy away from a bisexual character still being attracted to women. Also, the sex? There’s a lot of it, and it’s sharp, a little dark, like a piece of your favorite chocolate melting on your tongue. Just read it guys, and don’t let those few typos put you off.
~ Solange [June 2014] -
Pia Saves the Day by Thea Harrison
When you fall in love with a book couple, you can’t wait to read anything and everything with them in it. This novella is part of a trilogy about Dragos, Pia, and their son, Liam, each focusing on one third of the family. It was a great addition to Dragos and Pia’s story, watching Pia teach Dragos how to love again after he loses his memory. You’ll recognize a lot of little similarities of things from the first book as they fall in love all over again. Dragos was harsh and unbending and feral, but watching him find his love for Pia again was so touching, I may have teared up a time or two.
~ Marissa [June 2014] -
Come to Me Softly by A.L. Jackson
AL Jackson is a freaking genius. The pain and the love oozes out of the pages. You can feel it like it’s a living thing. It’s so intense. I haven’t met a more intense and broken character than Jared. He’s so broken that even the love of his life can’t fix him. There really are no words that will do this book justice. You just have to experience it.
~ Adrian [June 2014] -
Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton
Wallbanger is back! Simon and Caroline are mad-in-love for one another, and they can’t keep their hands off of one another. And really, who can blame a girl when her man is a Jensen Ackles-look-a-like with a 6-pack and that stomach “V”?
In Rusty Nailed, Alice Clayton gives us the look ahead into Simon and Caroline’s life together and how they progress in their relationship. There’s a few bits of Clive, a bit of Mimi and Ryan, and a bit of Neil and Sophia, but overall, most of what we’re treated to are the sexy times and life changes of Wallbanger and his Nightie Girl.
If you’re a fan of reading about a couple’s relationship continuation without a whole lot of drama, you’ll love Rusty Nailed!
~ Angie [June 2014]Alice Clayton brings her wit to Rusty Nailed. Wallbanger and Nightie Girl’s relationship is moving to the next level and maybe moving to Sausalito. In Rusty Nailed, you’ll find a fun visit with some old favorites and a little bit of insights into the other couples of the Cocktail Series
~ Nelle [June 2014]Another winner from Alice Clayton!! Rusty Nailed was the perfect continuation of Simon and Caroline’s story. It showed them growing together as a couple without a bunch of unnecessary drama. It was funny and really sexy. We got glimpses of their friends and even Caroline’s O-stealing ex made a brief appearance. I wish there was more Clive, but in the end, he totally stole the show.
~Adrian [June 2014] -
The Saint by Tiffany Reisz
I hate you.
Tiffany Reisz — literary sadist extraordinaire — has written my favorite book of all time. And I hate her. I hate how she drags me along willingly as I get confused and pissed off and horned up. I hate how she takes her writing style, breathes life into her character’s voices, and leaves me wanting nothing more than to keep turning the page to inevitable end I don’t want to reach.
The literary masochist in me revels in the confusion and mystery of the story. The reader in me grins the biggest Cheshire Cat grin as I discover just how well Tiffany uses her words. The fangirl in me claps my happyclaps all the way through as I get to find out just how the characters become who I know them to be. And along the way, I get to understand just how well the Sinners fit into the famous Carroll quote: “We’re all mad here.”
Simply, The Saint is EVERYTHING. It has everything, it wants for nothing; it is simply my favorite book of all time. Tiffany Reisz, I hate you. [April 2014]
After finishing this book, it took a couple of days to come up with the words needed to recommend it. The name of my column on Smut Book Club is “Best Book Ever.” I’m always on the lookout for the best book ever and it’s always so elusive! I give very few 5-star reviews, because I think a 5-star book should be flawless, perfection, and move me in some way (or get me crazy excited in another way). I was so happy to realize that The Saint lived up to the hype. Tiffany Reisz created a timeless classic — a masterpiece with The Saint. Eleanor’s journey to morph into lauded Dominatrix/Erotica Writer Nora Sutherlin has only just begun and the origin story of her relationship with Søren is simply unlike anything I’ve ever read. It is masterfully crafted. Bring your open mind, your emotions, and indulge with the Original Sinners.
~ Nelle [June 2014]Before she became Manhattan’s most famous dominatrix, Nora Sutherlin was merely a girl called Eleanor…
This is where it all began. Genesis. The moment that changed everything. These are our Original Sinners’ days of creation. Without question, this is Reisz’s magnum opus. The crown jewel of The Original Sinners.
This is why I read. These moments of not simply being entertained, or lost in a work, but transformed. Altered.This is not only my favorite from Tiffany Reisz, but The Saint may be my favorite of all time.
Elegant, masterful, thoughtful, sharp, inspiring, and achingly erotic. Perfection. If you have not read the Original Sinners, get on board.
This is a five star must read series, that will forever stand the test of time.
~ Kyleigh Jane [June 2014]
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Breathe With Me by Kristen Proby
Oh, Mark Williams, how I’ve been waiting for you! Luke’s hottie/player younger brother has his moment in Breathe With Me. Breathe With Me is different than the other With Me in Seattle books in that it introduces a couple with history. I love a second chance romance especially if it’s executed as well as this story. Poor Meredith has endured some tragedy in her short life. Mark is afraid of taking another risk with Meredith. Because of their shared past, there was sweetness to to their story that was missing from the other With Me In Seattle books. It’s a beautiful addition to the series.~ Nelle [June 2014]
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KICK and USE (Songs of Perdition, Part 1) by CD Reiss
I’m combining KICK and USE (Songs of Perdition, Part 1) into one recommendation because to separate them would be incomplete. These novels are two halves of an open-ended whole. Though USE ends — no spoiler — without a resolution, it’s not a cliffhanger like how KICK ends. They should be read together and are a complete, though not completed, story. If this is confusing, that’s because these are not traditional novels and this is a non-traditional story.
CD Reiss is an artist of both the written word and with her graphic skills. She designs all of her books’ covers and promotional graphics with an appreciation for fan interpretation. Simply, they are beautiful, both her prose and visual design alike. I could also use descriptors like haunting, sexy, intense, erotic, lovely, gritty, and purposeful, but that would be limiting.
KICK and USE together are Certified Favorites, added to my pinnacle of reading recommendations. Songs of Perdition, Part 1 is brilliant and fucked up, both in good and bad ways. It’s erotic, dark, romantic(?), disturbing, highly sexual, sexy, and most of all, required outside-of-the-box reading. 5 SWELLED STARS!
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Better When He’s Bad by Jay Crownover
Jay does a great job creating her bad boy who finds the one girl to make him just a little good. We get great characters, action and suspense, a couple of twists, and some hot sexing. I like how she shows us Shane AND Bax, and how they both help Dovie survive The Point. We see the gritty underworld that Bax belongs to and the other bad guys who prey on the city inhabitants. Then, we see sweet Dovie who’s had a hard life growing up but works in a group home to help other kids who’ve lost their parents navigate life. Though her life hasn’t been easy, she hasn’t let that change her core ideals; she is the lightness to Bax’s darkness.
~ Marissa [June 2014]Better When He’s Bad kicks off the new Welcome to The Point series from Jay Crownover. Dovie and Bax have some challenges right off the bat. We explore the ups and downs with them and we get the steamy chemistry. Bax is a bad dude, an ex-con and Dovie is a good girl living in a bad spot. It’s exciting how Jay paints the scene of this new landscape, which is a departure from the Marked Men in Colorado. ~ Nelle [June 2014]
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Rules of Survival by Jus Accardo
Well-written, past paced with a ton of action, there was never a dull moment. This one had me hooked from the first paragraph!! Kayla was such a real and relatable character, even though her life was nothing like anyone I’ve ever known. She was raised on the run, never staying in the same place for more than a few days. She had no structure, no one in her life except her Mother and the Bounty Hunter chasing after them. Enter Shaun, the bounty hunter in training. Broody, cocky and oh so sexy, Shaun has the bright idea of cuffing himself to Kayla so she can’t escape. Being attached to someone while being chased and shot at is not fun for either of them, especially when they don’t trust each other. But the longer they’re together, the closer they get and Kayla starts to forget all of the rules of a good con artist. It’s a great read if you’re looking for something a little different than the usual angst-filled New Adult books out there. [June 2014]
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Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park
So, so fantastic! I loved Celeste’s quirkiness in the previous books. I thought it was caused by her grief, so it never occurred to me that there might be something “diagnosable” about it. Justin is adorable. I loved the way they interacted. Everyone can relate to Celeste’s (sometimes hilarious) ways to try to “fit in” and be a “normal teenager.” I’m in love with Matt and there’s still more to his and Julie’s story. This book is sweet, funny, sad, heart-warming and sometimes gut-wrenching. Beautiful! ~Adrian [June 2014]
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Dirty Angels by Karina Halle
What makes lawlessness, savagery and depravity so tantalizing?
Javier Mother-Cussing Bernal.
Karina Halle is the master of hazard, tangling passion, power and criminality.
Dirty Angels is brilliant, unapologetic deviance.
This isn’t your Mother’s romance. There are no doily hearts or gentleman callers here. That silver-tongued, golden-eyed Cartel Boss is sterling sin.
If you liked Javier in The Artists Trilogy, you will LOVE him in Dirty Angels. ~ Kyleigh Jane [June 2014]
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Being Zolt by D.L. Raver
Being Zolt picks up right where Indulging in Irelyn leaves us, so you must read it first. This book starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up. It’s emotional with some creepy and crazy twists and turns. The story is a little out there, but well-told. We get more of the mystery/suspense than we do Zolt and Irelyn’s romance. They endure things no couple should have to endure, but they get through it all together. We still get plenty of steamy sexing and romance. This is a great series if you want something different from the usual. [June 2014]
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Bang (The Black Lotus Series) by E. K. Blair
I don’t know what I expected when I cracked open Bang, but holy cuss, it wasn’t this.
IT WASN’T THIS.
This was way, WAY above what I had ever anticipated. It is an expertly written emotional and psychological roller coaster ride. Some of the situations were really difficult to read, but they felt honest and necessary to the story. There was one *ahem* “event” in the story that I have NEVER read before, and it totally threw me. (You’ll know it when you read it.)
Bang is a blistering hot, raw, dark, twisty, edge-of-your-seat-suspenseful read that had me almost throwing my Kindle at the last page. (Major cliffhanger. You have been warned.) Fantastic new series that I can’t wait to read more of!
~ Kyleigh Jane [June 2014] -
Death’s Redemption by Marie Hall
I like going into a book expecting one thing, and the author, writing, and story give me pleasant surprises. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a fluffy story, with hot sex thrown in to add some spice in between the suspense. But, what I got was a well written story-line, fleshed out characters, plus mystery and suspense. The story centers around a grim reaper, part of the dark Fae, and a human woman who can see the future. You’ll love how strong Mila is, even the hero commented multiple times how she was not letting anything keep her down. The hero, Frenzy, was dealing with his own demons, hating his life and how he worked for the dark Fae queen, and he also did not want to help a lowly human. I enjoyed the author’s additions to Fae mythology, and even if you aren’t familiar with this type of paranormal genre, you won’t be lost because most of the story remains in the human realm. ~Marissa [June 2014]
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Burn for Me by Lauren Blakely
It is so difficult to get a complete story in a novella, but Lauren can pull it off with aplomb. I love how Smith’s dirty talking (and other tactics) finally broke down sonnet-loving Jamie’s barriers. I would love to see more from this couple! ~ Nelle [June 2014]
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Best Man with Benefits by Samanthe Beck
I love that Sophie challenged herself to step out of her comfort zone with Logan. Constant conference calls are the bane of the office worker’s existence and they plague Logan in a way that’s very relatable. Samanthe expertly brings to life and brings the heat to this unlikely pairing. ~ Nelle [June 2014]
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Seducing The Bridesmaid by Katee Robert
Katee Robert brings this tale of city girl meets country boy to life in the most delicious manner. Regan is a bit of a man-eater, blatantly using her wiles to get what she needs from Brock, while keeping her eye on the prize, the best man Logan. The story stands alone but is beautifully woven with the rest of the stories in the The Wedding Dare continuity series. I love the timeline overlap. It’s like watching a movie that has a bunch of different endings, or like a choose your own adventure book. Bravo! ~ Nelle [June 2014]
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Falling for the Groomsman by Diane Alberts (Jen McLaughlin)
Tyler and Christine had one night in Mexico where she lost her virginity and he was outta there! When they meet again at his sister’s wedding, the sexual tension is still there, but Christine is not interested in reliving the past with Tyler. She is interested in fulfilling a sexual to-do list and Tyler is a willing participant. Christine really struggles with her past with Tyler, and Tyler does everything he can to heal the wounds. One choice can make the difference between success and failure. Diane Alberts brings steamy chemistry and fun to Falling for the Groomsman. [4/5 Stars] ~ Nelle
This is the first novella in the Wedding Dare Series and it’s a hot one!! Years ago, Tyler took Christine’s V-card, then left her. Now they’ve been thrown together for a week of wedding festivities. She wants to let loose and maybe get laid, and he does everything in his power to make sure he’s the guy she uses. This book is full of elevator make-out sessions, arguing, public sex, angry sex and some lovely dirty talk. It’s the perfect easy, sexy summer read. [4/5 Stars] ~ Adrian
[June 2014]
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Baiting the Maid of Honor by Tessa Bailey
I love when an alpha hero meets a prissy girl and unleashes the vixen inside her. In this case, Tessa Bailey’s SWAT Team commander hero is emotionally stunted. He makes up for it by lighting sweet, southern, Julie’s world on fire. I love Reed needs to overcome his intimacy issues to satisfy Julie outside of the bedroom. Tessa Bailey never fails to bring the heat and the chemistry is explosive. [4.5/5 stars] ~ Nelle
Another home run for Tessa Bailey. I adore her stories. They’re witty, exciting and crazy-sexy. This one is no different. Reed is a sexy SWAT commander who falls for the perfect Julie. Their first encounter had me heading for the cold shower….and it just got better and better from there. This short book has all the drama, excitement and dirty-talk I expect Tessa, and it fit in perfectly with the others Wedding Dare Series. So, so good. [4.5/5 Stars] ~Adrian
[June 2014] -
Fractured Steel by T.J. Loveless
WOW!!!! JUST WOW!!!
What just happened? I’m left speechless and just exhausted! I’m a blogger of romance and smut books so I assumed this was within my genre and I’ll confess I didn’t read the blurb before I started the book like I usually do and I’m glad I didn’t because I probably wouldn’t have read it. BUT I’M SOOOOOO GLAD I DID! It was a nice break from my Romance HEA’s.
Karen Barnes is my Hero. I can’t even touch on what she went through in this book. As a sufferer of PTSD she battles and battles to survive on every page. I ugly cried and cheered. Was sad and happy. Was relieved and shocked! Had anxiety and peace….
I felt every emotion imaginable in this book. As a survivor myself I really wanted peace for Karen. But will she find it? With the life of her most prized horse at stake, Karen learns of government espionage, family secrets and betrayal. Can’t remember the last time a book has grabbed ahold of me like this one.
I don’t even feel like I can leave a good enough review to be honest. It was just that damned breathtaking…..
When I said I was speechless….I meant it!
The writing is exceptional.
The story is amazing.
I just can’t say it enough…WOW!!! JUST WOW!!!
T.J. Loveless, I have one word for you….
BRILLIANT. [June 2014]
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Yanked by Melanie Harlow
Recipe for novella perfection: Take one Mia Devine and one Lucas Fournier, marinate in a brine of sex, sass, and sentiment for an hour and a half, slap it on a Kindle, and voila! Yanked! Served hot with a side of swoon. Melanie Harlow does it again in this fantastic followup novella to freak-out-favorite, Frenched.
Bite-sized steamy, swoony perfection, (Swoony is a word, and I’m using it. Try to stop me.) Yanked is Five Star, finger lickin’ good…. *ahem*.
Looking forward to more in this fantastic series, from stellar author, Melanie Harlow! Cheers! God, I love Paris! ~Kyleigh Jane [June 2014]
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The Actor and the Earl by Rebecca Cohen
Oh, I liked the original premise of this story. A cross-dressing actor in Elizabethan times pretending to be a rich guy’s wife, and all the intrigue that comes with it? Yes, please. It was a much lighter read than I expected too, which only came as a bonus. ~ Solange [June, 2014]
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Snowball in Hell by Josh Lanyon
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Josh Lanyon rules the gay mystery genre. A reporter and police lieutenant solving a crime in 1943, Los Angeles? Consider me sold. The slow-building attraction between Doyle and Spain, and the danger of it in that time, had me ache all over. It was so tender and breathtaking and hot, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I need the second book, Mr. Lanyon. I need it like air. Absolute favorite. ~ Solange [June 2014]
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Public Display of Everything by Cara Dee
Did you ever think a book about a dude abusing the wicked stick, adjusting the antenna, badgering the witness, flogging the log [insert your own favorite wanking slang] in front of a window, so a select few people could watch and get off would be sweet? No? Think again. I have never wanted to hug my Kindle over dirty talk, I can tell you that. If you like it hot and lovely, with a bit of exhibitionism on the side, this book is for you. I swear I burped butterflies for three days after reading this. Highly recommended. ~ Solange [June 2014]
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Fall From India Place by Samantha Young
Fall from India Place shows the very sweet complex story of Hannah and Marco. Marco’s decisions over the past five years puts a wedge between the main couple that seems nearly impossible to overcome. Samantha Young is masterful at bringing life to the younger generation of the On Dublin Street franchise and it’s great to catch up with all of the existing characters.~ Nelle [June 2014]