Sorry but it’s a no for me. I couldn’t get past 27% because the heroine is a complete doormat. Her boyfriend cheats on her so she does this tDNF @ 27%
Sorry but it’s a no for me. I couldn’t get past 27% because the heroine is a complete doormat. Her boyfriend cheats on her so she does this thing with her best friend’s brother, right? Well the boyfriend works at her father’s law firm. He apologizes, she ignores him, her father tells her to understand, she doesn’t stand up to herself. Now at the party to celebrate said ex-boyfriend’s new promotion (this happened RIGHT AFTER THE FATHER FOUND OUT THIS DOUCHEBAG CHEATED ON HER), where she brought her best friend’s brother as her date I might add, douchebag boyfriend announces he’s asked her father for her hand in marriage. You know what this doormat heroine does? NOTHING.
I can’t. I’m so frustrated at her. And she’s supposed to be 23. Right. 🙄...more
What to expect from the Ruthless Gentleman: off-the-charts sexual tension between a hot, trailblazing, British alpha in a tailor-fit suit and a loyal and hard-working chief stewardess who will do everything for her loved ones, set in a superyacht in the Mediterranean, with intrigue, suspense, revenge in a sizzling forbidden romance that will keep you on your toes.
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I haven't thought about what happens when I leave this boat," I said. "But I know that I can't ever imagine not wanting you in my life."
Luxury superyacht chief stewardess Avery Walker is ready to fly back home after the season to spend time with her family, but when the captain asks her to join a last-minute, two-month cruise in the Mediterranian for a mystery client, she ends up going. Her family could use the money for her brother's health bills, and this cruise promises a lot.
CEO Hayden Wolf needs this business deal to push through because he might lose his company if he doesn't. With a potential mole sniffing around and feeding information to his rival company, he has to be as discreet as possible and keep this venture from the public; so he goes off the grid and books a yacht in the Mediterranian for two months. As good as that sounds, this is no pleasure trip. He still needs to work his butt off to get the company he's trying to acquire while waiting for his brother to sniff out the rat.
Even though the staff passed the extensive background check done by his brother, Hayden can't take chances. No one can use their laptops and phones to contact people while they're off the shore, and most importantly, no one but the chief stewardess is allowed in his private chambers.
Avery and Hayden feel that undeniable connection between them as they spend more time together but respect each other enough to not take the leap. There is a strict policy for staff not to engage in affairs with their clients. Even if Avery is easy to talk to, and Hayden isn't the stoic, shady man he appeared to be, they can't do it. Right?
Avery can't afford to lose her job and Hayden can't afford to lose his focus on the deal, so is what they have worth risking it all?
I'm not usually a fan of alpha men in contemporary books, but Louise Bay's alpha is my kind of alpha. Men in suits who take charge in the boardroom and bedroom, who do not usurp the power of their partner. True leaders who will defend and fiercely protect everyone under his care. Hayden Wolf is all of that and more. He worked hard to be where he is and is vigilant in finding the leak so he can protect and save his company. He goes for what he wants and won't stop until he gets them.
admire Avery's efforts in helping her family, sacrificing her own happiness and dreams for her brother. She is loyal, understanding, and incredibly smart. Like Hayden, she's a born leader.
I love the build-up of the tension between Avery and Hayden, the push and pull of the chemistry, and the moment when they finally gave in. There's a little bit of slow burn at the start, that part where they feel the connection so strongly but are unsure if it's anything more than attraction.
The Ruthless Gentleman is an enjoyable read filled with heat, mystery, lies, second chances, and love. From the incredibly steamy scenes on the boat to the day-out at picturesque Taormina, you'll wish you were on that cruise with them.
Someone take me to Taormina now. Please.
Tropes: Forbidden Romance—Client/Employee, Billionaire, CEO POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
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It’s only in the contrast of night, when things are darkest, that the stars shine."
It's 5 stars. No question. If I can give all the stars, I will. This left me completely speechless. You guys, you need to read this! This book completely wrecked me, then slowly built me up again. It's a story of heartache and healing, and ultimately of love. Plus, I've never read a basketball romance before, so I was so happy to read that.
Before I get into it, I have to warn readers that this book has sensitive themes that may trigger some. It is told in graphic detail, so tread lightly.
Iris and August meet just before their lives changed. They were just two college students who met at a dive bar and have a mutual love for basketball. Who both, at one point, have felt like they never really belonged. It was easy to open up to a stranger who seems to understand you more than anyone else, and that's what they did that night. There was a connection neither of them can deny, they just can't do anything because they're going on different paths in life.
While their paths go in different directions, they find out it's not as far as they thought. Their world is even smaller now, but their chance to be together seem to go further and further away.
I usually read books in one sitting, but with this one, I had to stop for a few times because I was overwhelmed with feelings. I bawled, screamed in anger and frustration, and I just had to take it all in. This book brought me to my knees.
I love Kennedy Ryan's words. They're poetry in motion. Art. She has created something so beautiful and poignant in this painful yet hopeful story. I don't think my words will ever be enough to express how much I love it. But what I can say is, I love that this author continues to use her platform to tell the stories that need to be heard. Relevant issues, the good and the bad. There is no sugarcoating the pain, and I commend her for that.
Iris DuPree is one of the strongest heroines I've ever encountered. My heart goes out to her. I adored this woman the moment we (the readers and August) met her, and she continued to impress me as I devoured each page. The world tried to beat her up, but she stood up stronger each time she fell. She is a survivor, a selfless mother, a good friend.
And August West. Wow. He's consistent, solid, strong. A rock. He proved that there are still good men out there who aren't in it to hurt you. He was steadfast in his love for Iris, and I want to cry just thinking about it. I won't even claim him as mine because I know there's no one else who would be worthy of Iris' love than August.
Their love gave me hope. It also helps that it made me swoon so bad. With the connection these two have, you won't even have any space in your heart to deny they're meant to be.
I loved Iris' relationship with her cousin and best friend Lotus. Their solidarity and deep bond. She was there when Iris needed her the most, and stayed strong for Iris when she couldn't be. Their relationship with their grandmother was beautiful.
It's so easy to judge a person for staying in a toxic or abusive relationship, and even easier to tell them to leave. We tell our friends that if that happens to us, we'll leave. It's so easy to say those things because we're not in that situation. I confess I was once guilty of thinking that way. I'm grateful for books like this and society and media becoming more vocal about abuse because then we lose the ignorance.
This is a story of love, sisterhood, heartache, healing, and hope. A story that will make your heart stop, and make it beat again. And it's a story you will carry with you forever.
I saw someone on Twitter tweeting about this, that this was inspired by Pride and Prejudice, so I had to check it out because duh. Pride and 2.5 stars
I saw someone on Twitter tweeting about this, that this was inspired by Pride and Prejudice, so I had to check it out because duh. Pride and Prejudice. Whether said person praised this or not is a different story.
So hmmmm. Where do I start? The good part, I suppose.
Pru and Chip, for one. I'm sure they're the equivalent of the Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley in this Pride and Prejudice-inspired (no, I will not call it a modern-day Pride and Prejudice) novel. But they're the least annoying couple, and the least troublesome?
The Baranski Family. I love the brothers and Frankie's family!
Now on to the not-so-good parts... The first 20% of the book was a mess. The whole wedding made me shake my head so much. I wasn't expecting to have that much drama at the start of the story, and something that's honestly absurd and unnecessary. The story slows down after that whole drama, and it kind of becomes boring when you compare it to the scenes that happened before.
The slut-shaming and pitting women against women. This is the one that bothered me the most. There were dialogues and scenes that tried to show the characters being ahead of their time and showing feminist traits, but it all falls flat when it immediately follows scenes and dialogues that insult the other female characters excluding the heroine and her best friend. The female characters who aren't Franchesca and Pru are mean, vapid, and fake. I don't remember a female character apart from Francheska and Pru that have been described in a decent light.
The couple. I didn't feel anything for them at all. Aiden, the Mr. Darcy of the story (but I refuse to see him as a man close enough to be even compared to Mr. Darcy), says Frankie looks like a stripper, is a bachelor by choice (he prefers no strings), and honestly, I'm starting to forget already. And Frankie isn't even better. She comes off as selfish and insensitive at times, not at all like Elizabeth Bennet, the strong heroine she was inspired by.
So, that's pretty much it. It had potential, but in the end, fell flat for me. Will I try another Lucy Score book? Definitely. I don't know if it's because I'm obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and judge P&P-inspired books on a microscopic level, but just because this didn't work for me doesn't mean I'm completely closing my doors on the author.
Tropes: Hate to Love, Friends with Benefits, Opposites Attract POV: Third Person Standalone:Yes...more
Melt for You is a sweet and funny slow-burn romance between a wallflower ready to bloom and the infuriatingly charming Scotsman next door.
After ten years of pining for her boss, thirty-six-year-old copyeditor Joellen Bixby might finally have her chance at winning his heart. She's going to need all the help she can get to lose weight and become an expert seducer by the time the office Christmas party comes, and who better to teach her the art of fitness and seduction than her temporary neighbor with a penchant for playing incredibly loud music—twenty-nine-year-old Scottish rugby player and Casanova, Cameron McGregor.
Cam offers to help her win her boss's heart and stop playing his music in exchange for dinner at her place every night. As infuriating as he is, Joellen can't say no. They fall into a routine—early morning runs, forty-five-minute dinners, and countless bickering and bantering. While Cameron's efforts seem to be effective and her boss's attention is on her, Joellen can't seem to stop thinking about the Scotsman instead. And Cameron doesn't seem all that happy about his success either.
I have to admit it took me a while to get into it, but soon enough, Joellen and Cameron—and Mr. Bingley the cat—completely won me over. Their dynamic, in general, is hilarious, but their surprisingly emotional moments of opening up touched my heart. It was fun to watch them hang out at night, to see Cameron become Joellen's biggest cheerleader, and to see that underlying sexual tension brew into something too hot to handle. They transition from neighbors to reluctant friends (mostly in Joellen's side; Cameron looked ready to become her best friend from the start, which I adored!), to each other's closest confidantes.
Thanks to years of off-handed insults and put-downs by her family, Joellen's self-esteem is non-existent. She's a funny girl with a big heart and generous soul, but she tends to put herself down, usually in the form of self-deprecating jokes. With that, I found a kindred soul in her. I wanted her to see her value on her own, but to also have a champion who would help her see her value. The best thing about this story is it didn't go down the path where she realizes her beauty because a man like Cameron told her she was beautiful; Cameron did so much more than that. He helped her see her beauty with her very own eyes. And in turn, Joellen saw past Cameron's exterior and realized what an amazing man he really is. They became each other's champions.
Cameron will make you swoon, I swear. He's sweet, hilarious, incredibly sexy, and loyal to the core. He's the type of person you'd want to have in your life. He will defend you with his every being and cheer you on in whatever endeavor you choose to do. I love him so much!
Romance lovers and fans of the Bridget Jones world will enjoy this hilarious book filled with laughs, sexual tension, and heart.
Tropes: Age Gap, Hate to Love, Neighbors, Sports—Rugby, Wallflower POV: First Person, Female POV Standalone: Yes
We finally have Nate and Rebecca's book, y'all! To everyone who has read at least one of the Brooklyn Bruisers novels, you know there's som
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We finally have Nate and Rebecca's book, y'all! To everyone who has read at least one of the Brooklyn Bruisers novels, you know there's something going on between the tech billionaire owner of the hockey team and his right-hand woman. Brooklynaire was three books in the making, but it was worth the wait. It was just as sweet and satisfying as I imagined it to be.
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My life is constant noise... When you kiss me, everything goes quiet. That's the only time I can forget everyone else."
To first-time Brooklyn Bruisers readers, you're in for a treat! This sweet and steamy friends-to-lovers romance, with hints of angst and forbidden feelings in the workplace, is filled with all the pent-up tension two people who have been harboring feelings for each other for years can possibly have.
Tech genius and Brooklyn Bruisers owner Nate Kattenberger and his office manager Rebbeca Rowley have been working together for seven years, but for at least half those years, the two have been feeling more and more for each other. The only reason they have never once acted on it is because of their great friendship and work relationship.
When Rebecca gets injured, forcing her to take a few weeks off work, Nate does everything he can to help her feel better. And now that they've got the chance to spend time together outside of work, it's even harder to ignore the attraction and connection that's basically screaming at them.
But as mentioned above, there's a reason Nate and Becca have never acted on their feelings for so long. It might ruin their long-standing friendship and complicate their work relationship, too. And it's even harder for Rebbeca since she's working for Nate. She can't risk losing her job, especially not now that she's supporting her sister, husband and baby.
In Brooklynaire, we get to see a little more of the history between Nate and Becca, when she joined the team, and when the non-platonic feelings for each other started coming in. I loved reading about their relationship! The progression was so gradual, sweet AND sizzling with all the sexual tension.
And I just have to say this, but when heroes think their heroines are "f*ing adorable", it does crazy things to my heart. Nate is attracted to Becca, and he also thinks she's sexy, but I love it so much that he thinks she and everything she does is adorable. It's obvious how much he adores her, how he thinks the world of her, and just, ahhh. The feels!
I loved the Jane Austen references, Bingley, THE PALINDROMES!!!, the banter between them, and pretty much everything related to this couple. Nate and Becca were both lovable characters, so it was even easier to root for them. Thanks to the seven years of working together, they have formed a great bond and rapport. It was heartwarming to see how much one understood the other, they have each other's back, and that they would do whatever they can for one another. It's not an "I can't live without you", but an "I can live without you, but I'd rather not". An "I'm great on my own, but we can also be great together."
If you've read the previous Brooklyn Bruisers novels, you'll see a lot of familiar faces here. And this is set at the same time as Pipe Dreams, so yes. I guess you'll see it on the other side now haha!
Brooklynaire is a standalone, so it's not necessary to read the previous books. You don't have to worry about feeling lost any step of the way. But still, I highly recommend reading the first three books!
Tropes: Boss-Employee, Friends to Lovers, Office Romance, Sports—Hockey POV:Present: First Person, Dual POV; Past: Third Person Standalone: Yes
Part-Time Lover consumed me in the best way possible! Lauren Blakely takes us back to Paris, this time with Griffin of Wanderlust‘s best friend Christian, and French-American businesswoman Elise. It’s a hopeful and romantic story of fate, second chances, and letting go.
A year after an unforgettable chance meeting in Denmark, fate or chance or whatever you’d like to call it brings Elise Durand and Christian Ellison together again, this time in Paris. They felt a connection a year ago, and now that they’ve seen each other again, they want to make the most out of it. Christian still wants her, and Elise will only let him have her if they keep it casual. Being a smart man, Christian doesn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and accepts.
When Christian’s brother calls, in desperate need of help about their grandfather’s company, Elise and Christian’s no-strings and feelings land takes a detour to a direction that’s all strings—marriage. This arrangement of convenience will be a mix of business and pleasure, beneficial to both parties, and will have an expiration date.
Elise has been burned before, and she’s not sure she’ll ever be ready to love again, but Christian is nothing if not determined. And you know what happens in mixing business and pleasure—it either works out in the end or explodes in their faces. With Christian and Elise, only time and fate can tell.
First of all, I have to say I loved how Elise’s past was hinted at through old blog posts. I love the format of it; it felt poetic and was subtle yet powerful in telling Elise’s story. The rest of the story is told in alternating points of views, all rich with wit, vivid imagery of the sights, and fantastic banter I adored.
The play of fate—with the missed meetings before they met again a year later, the charms among others—was also wonderful touch, something that added to the romantic feel of the story. By the time they met again, I was fully invested in their story, and wanted to know if fate will bring them together or take them apart.
Christian and Elise’s romance had a little bit of slow-burn feel to it, letting the readers (and Christian) crave for the romance more and more until we’re consumed by it. They’re two fantastic characters with sexual tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
And while I admired Elise for her strength and straightforward attitude, Christian completely captured my heart. I’ve been curious about him since Wanderlust, and now I have him. Not only was this man sweet and hilarious, he was determined, loyal, and incredibly sexy. He didn’t give up in pursuing Elise; he even loved the chase. Just take my word for it—Christian Ellison is a swoon-worthy book boyfriend.
Part-Time Lover is romantic to the core, with a hero you will absolutely adore, a heroine you will admire and feel for, and a story you will cherish.
Tropes: Age Gap (Woman)—4 years, Marriage of Convenience POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Lost for You is a sexy rockstar romance with angst, real characters, and a story of new chances. It's about two characters who are in their
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Lost for You is a sexy rockstar romance with angst, real characters, and a story of new chances. It's about two characters who are in their own limbos trying to get out and start again. The chemistry between them is palpable from the very start, but it's going to be a bumpy ride. Before we go on, if you're interested in reading this, I'd recommend reading the first three books before this. I think you'll appreciate and understand the story more that way.
I have to be honest and say I'm in the same boat as Cristina at CristiinaReads that while this book is promoted as a standalone, I felt lost almost throughout the story. There were things that happened to the characters prior to Lost for You that I think was crucial for me to know. Don't get me wrong, it was still an enjoyable read, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read the first three.
The story has well-formed characters, who, while they look like they're doing great and they've got it going on, are battling their own demons. It's not just Chase Noble with his longstanding battle with drugs and alcohol and Taryn Ayers with the effects of a tragic event, it's the side characters directly related to them, too. It makes for an interesting few hours, and even if I was confused at times, I certainly never got bored.
I felt the pain, the temptation, the struggles, but I also felt the moments between Chase and Taryn. The connection was there right from the start, and sparks were flying.
Lost for You was my first Jayne Frost read, and I'm happy I got the chance to read this. The writing style was entertaining, the story even more so, and it pleased the rockstar romance lover in me. So, I'd say this was a win. I'm definitely reading the other books in the series, because hello, who can resist? If you're looking for a sexy read with angst, music, steam, and second chances, you'll enjoy Lost for You.
Thank you to Maria at Steamy Reads and Jayne Frost for giving me the chance to read this!
Tropes: Friends with Benefits, Celebrities—Rockstars, POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes Warnings:(view spoiler)[Drugs, Alcohol Use, Kind of a love triangle but not really (hide spoiler)]
A genuine hate to love story, and lots of sex inOverall Rating: 4 stars! Story Rating: 3.5 stars! Performance Rating: 5 stars!
STORY OVERVIEW AND REVIEW:
A genuine hate to love story, and lots of sex in between. Chloe Mills, an intern and MBA student, has been close to the Ryan family since she started working in their company a few year ago. The only one she can't seem to get along with is her current boss, Bennett Ryan, who recently moved back from France. As handsome as he is, she has no desire to ever jump on the Bennett Ryan wagon...until one encounter started their physical relationship. She still hates his guts and she's pretty sure he hates hers, but they can't seem to get enough of what they're doing.
I enjoyed it well enough, but I have to admit this book had too much sex in it that I couldn't really fully see where hate turned into love. And all that panty-ripping. That's gotta hurt, I swear. It's like a reverse wedgie. He literally rips her panties every time they sleep together; it's come to a point that Bennett decided to open a credit line for Chloe at a lingerie store. Still, I don't know why but I'm already attached to this series. So much that I already bought the next books.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?
I usually don't enjoy an audiobook with only one narrator when a story is told in two POVs, but Grace Grant might be the exception to the rule. I was so into the audiobook that eventually, I forgot it was narrated by one person only. There was enough feeling in each depiction, and the narrator sure knew how to lay on thick the chemistry and sexual tension between herself and... herself. I'm gonna have to look for other audiobooks narrated by her. The pacing was just right and her voice was pleasant to listen to. I'm a pretty satisfied reader.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS AUDIOBOOK TO A FRIEND? IF SO, WHY?
The story overall is fun, sexy, and easy to listen to. If you're looking for an entertaining and steamy audiobook with a great narrator who manages to wow the listener with her skills in perfectly acting out the two POVs, you'll enjoy listening to Beautiful Bastard.
Tropes: Hate to Love, Office Romance, Forbidden Romance POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
I enjoyed my first Kristen Ashley read and will definitely check out her older books. The book was mostly light and steamy, had little dram3.5-4 stars
I enjoyed my first Kristen Ashley read and will definitely check out her older books. The book was mostly light and steamy, had little drama (not as much as the blurb implied), and would be a nice read when you're looking for something that would make you swoon.
I admit it takes time getting used to their switch in POVs because Izzy's POV was told in first person and Johnny's in third, but overall I liked the way the narrative was written.
My biggest issue why I didn't fully fall in love with this book is because the two protagonists seemed too perfect at times. Sometimes, Izzy feels like she came out of a Disney fairytale. She literally has a canary resting on her shoulder when she cooks breakfast in the morning.
Full review to be posted after the holidays....more
I couldn't connect with the characters and their relationship because the heroine literally just got out of a long-term relationship a few hDNF at 55%
I couldn't connect with the characters and their relationship because the heroine literally just got out of a long-term relationship a few hours before meeting the hero. She said she loved her ex-boyfriend, so I just wasn't convinced she'd fall so easily for a different person that fast.
I also didn't like the hero. He acted mean and cold to the heroine whenever he wanted to distance himself because he didn't want to act on his lust. It's like a hot-cold situation with this man. He also said some sexist and honestly creepy things that just wasn't hot for me...at all.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review....more
1001 Dark Nights is back with a new bundle, a mix of supernatural, suspense, and some light and fluffier material. We haveReview at Of Pens and Pages.
1001 Dark Nights is back with a new bundle, a mix of supernatural, suspense, and some light and fluffier material. We have vampires, private investigators, chefs, cops, and even storm chasers, with different levels of alpha-ness. Different flavors for different tastes, so to speak. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with what I've read, and I added new books to read because of it.
TRICKED: A Dark Protectors Novella by Rebecca Zanetti—3.5 stars
I was in for a treat with my first Rebecca Zanetti read. Jam-packed with heat, action, and explosions, Tricked is about Ronni Alexander, a psychiatrist close to knocking at death's door, and Nick Navarro, the 400-year old vampire who saved her by becoming her mate. I'm not usually a fan of alpha heroes, but I don't know, for some reason if you add a supernatural element, now that, that for me is hot. Someone tried to kill Ronni, and she wants to know who did it. There are people after Nick and his men, too, so expect lots of fighting and running. The only thing I wasn't a complete fan of was Ronni's penchant for jumping into trouble—most often behind Nick's back—because she thinks she can do it (SHE CAN'T).
Tropes: Supernatural—vampires, Mates POV: Third Person
DIRTY WICKED: A Wicked Lovers Novella by Shayla Black—DNF
This is the only novella I didn't finish in this bundle. It just wasn't for me. It bothered me that the heroine kept comparing her sexual experience with her dead husband while she was getting it on with the hero, who, I need to add, is said husband's best friend. Nothing wrong with the fact that the hero and heroine's husband were the best of friends, but it just rubbed me the wrong way the way she kept comparing them. I couldn't connect with the characters, and couldn't get with this pairing. Sorry.
Tropes: Single Mother, On the Run POV: Third Person
THE ONLY ONE: A One Love Novella by Lauren Blakely—4.5 stars
Penny and Gabriel had a whirlwind romance in Barcelona that ended in heartbreak for Penny when he stood her up when they agreed to meet up again. Ten years later, with Gabriel now a successful chef and restauranteur and Penny focused on a non-profit organization for animals, they meet again in New York. Unfortunately, Gabriel doesn't recognize her at all. Penny has no choice but to work with the sexy Spanish chef since their event for the animal shelter needs a last-minute caterer and Gabriel's restaurant is the only one available.
There's a bit of mystery as to why Gabriel didn't meet up with her, and there's the thing about Penny not revealing who she is to him when they meet again. It's romantic, sweet, and steamy. There's some angst in there, but the tone of the story is still light. A story of two people who are meant to be.
Tropes: Second Chance POV: First Person, Dual POV
SWEET SURRENDER: A MacKenzie Family Novella by Liliana Hart—4 stars
Liza is my favorite heroine in this bundle. She's a wild child, doesn't cower and bend when it comes to facing alpha men, confident in her own skin, and she knows how to cooperate when her life depends on it...unlike a certain woman who tries to do things on her own to show she's a "strong" woman, but I digress. Liza Carmichael, the woman who inherited the bakery at Surrender from her great aunt, and recently retired Lieutenant Grant Boone's first meeting went with a bang, literally. Grant's old assignment is catching up on him and Liza is dragged along with it when a person who's after Grant shoots at them at Liza's bakery. Now they have to run and hide to stay alive. This novella had a lot of suspense and action, in and out of bed, and a lot of chemistry.
Tropes: Small Town, On the Run, Cop POV: Third Person
EDGE OF CHAOS by Molly Lee—4 stars
This novella, with its fair share of angst, is sweet, hopeful, and beautiful. Blake finds solace from her abusive relationship in meteorology, where she meets friends with the same passion, and Dash Lexington, the storm chaser. A strong and solid friendship forms between them as they run after tornadoes. I've never read a romance book about storm chasers and just storms in general, so it was really interesting to read that. Plus, I love Dash, patient, kind, loving, and understanding Dash. I also loved that this didn't feel rushed, their relationship especially, even if it was just a novella.
While it frustrated me that Blake didn't drop Justin's a** soon enough, I understand most abusive relationships are like that. The abused can't easily leave the relationship, sometimes being in denial at what's happening, and other times in fear of what would happen if they left. It felt realistic, her struggle, and I felt for her throughout the story.
Blake's old boyfriend Justin is a selfish d*ck. He gave little and took a lot, and he's an abusive man. He chose to become what he is, and no amount of tragic past can make his actions against Blake understandable.
Tropes: College, Friends to Lovers POV: First Person, Female POV
Hormones and balls abound. Overall, Team Player is a solid collection of sports romance novellas that deliver fun plots, great banter, and amazing sexual tension. It had sports I love, tropes I love even more, authors, and authors I adore. But the best thing about this is it gave me the chance to get acquainted with sports I've never read before and authors I haven't had the chance to read just yet. I know there are eight novellas in this collection, but for this review, I will be highlighting my favorites.
FULL COURT PRESS BY KENNEDY RYAN
Mack Decker, the basketball player with a bit of an ego. Avery Hughes, the reporter trying to make her way into a male-dominated industry. Since they met, there's always been a spark between them; they just didn't do anything about it the first time. Ten years later, they're different people, but the connection is still there as they become temporary co-hosts of Avery's show. Not only does this novella bring in the slow burn romance, it also tackles some issues on sexism and double standards in any careers, and mental health, as well.
Tropes: Second Chance, Sports—Basketball POV: Dual POV, First Person
BACK IN THE GAME BY MEGHAN QUINN
If you want a meet cute, you'll get it in Back in the Game. Single father and professional hockey payer Calder Weiss adores his five year old daughter Shea, and part of their routine is eating at a noodle and doughnut shop donning glittery fairy wings and a pretty tiara. He first meets Rachel Perry at said noodle and doughnut shop wearing said glittery fairy wings and pretty tiara, and they get along easily. This is an adorable romance, and Calder is an even more adorable hero.
Tropes: Single Father, Sports—Hockey POV: Dual POV, First Person
SWEEPING THE SERIES BY KATE STEWART
It had more angst than some of the books, but I loved it. I ate it all up. This was my first Kate Stewart book AND my first baseball sports romance read, and you know what? I can't believe I haven't jumped on that a long time ago. A second chance between baseball star Ren Makavoy and publicist Erica seems to be back on the table when Erica's boss assigns her to work on Ren's tattered public image. It wasn't a heartfelt reunion, and they both want to be as far away from each other as possible, but they have jobs to do—jobs they love—and they'll just have to suck it up. While I've mentioned the angst, there was some great banter, chemistry between the two, and just overall feels. I wanted to know why they broke up, and I really wanted them to get back together again. And that ending. Ahhhhh!
Tropes: Second Chance, Sports—Baseball POV: Dual POV, First Person
If you're a fan of sports romance, you're going to enjoy Team Player. You can choose a novella based on your mood—whether you want to laugh or make your heart ache with a little bit of angst—or sport. The one thing they have in common is they're all hot.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this, and I'm sure anyone looking for a quick sexy read would enjoy this, too. But aside from the "Surprise! My 3 stars!
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this, and I'm sure anyone looking for a quick sexy read would enjoy this, too. But aside from the "Surprise! My new client/publicist was my one night stand!", there really wasn't any conflict in the story. I was expecting something to happen before the ending, but the story went on like this: One Night Stand, They Meet Again, They Work Together, They Finally Sleep Together (again), They Date But Also Work Together, The End.
So while I enjoyed reading about alphahole CEO Ryan Dalton and sassy publicist Penelope Lauren, I was looking for something more. I thought we were going to see more of Penelope's d*ck of an ex-boyfriend, Sebastian Drew, but he and everything else pretty much disappeared.
The sex is well-written as always, and their interactions were funny, so if you want a quick, funny, and sexy read, you might enjoy Cocky Client.
Tropes: One Night Stand, Office Romance POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone:Yes...more
Man Hands is a hilarious, hot, over the top romantic comedy about a girl who loves balls and a guy who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. It's HGTV + all the cooking shows in the world, and I'm obsessed. The story has two great characters, food, tools, and lots of sexy times.
Brynn was such an enjoyable character to get to know. I especially love seeing her writing on her food blog. She's funny, passionate about food, and can sometimes get insecure about herself. Getting out of a marriage can do that to a person, especially when a marriage that already lacked passion dissolves into nothing but dust. It doesn't help that she loses her job after it, too, since her old boss was her ex-husband's father.
Her friends want to bring back the skip in her step, and they think the only way it'll come back is if she gets laid by someone who is nothing like her type. This is where our hero jumps in. Or rather, Brynn jumps on him. And I mean that literally. At a party, things happen that lead to her jumping the first stranger that makes eye contact with her, she's just lucky enough it's someone as hot and manly—definitely not her usual type—as Tom.
Tom, the host of the hit TV show 'Mr. Fixit Quick', hasn't had the best of luck in the love department, either. Coming out of a failed proposal and and an end of relationship, he didn't know he'd jump into a new relationship, but sometimes it jumps out to you out of nowhere...a.k.a. Brynn.
I loved reading about him, too. Aside from the whole handyman thing, which is hot btw, he's caring, thoughtful, and so darn adorable.
Brynn and Tom's courtship, if you could even call it that, is not a walk in the park. And it's definitely not conventional. They start whatever they have totally out of order, and you can expect everything else to arrive in the different—or maybe perfect—order, too. And that makes it perfect.
They have some pretty funny banter and interactions, and basically they're an adorable bunch. I love how they get along and get each other's quirks, and I love how they support each other so much.
It took me a while to write a review for this book because I wanted to share the story and my love for it without giving too much, but all I can say is if you're looking for a romantic comedy, you're looking at it.
I've only read a few of Sarina Bowen's books but loved all of them, so I was excited to get my hands on this one. Of Tanya Eby, I've listened and loved the audiobooks she's narrated. Their combination made the tone of this story completely different from Sarina's works. It's an interesting combo, these two authors, but it works, it's fun, and it's hilarious. In the words of the great mighty Thor, "I like it. ANOTHER!"
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I can't wait for Braht and Ash, Tom and Brynn's best friends, to star in their own book!
Fans of Poppy Dune and Helena Hunting will love this new book full of antics that will make you howl with laughter, hungry for some delicious dips and balls, and fan yourself with all that sexual tension.
Tropes: One Night Stand, Fake Engagement POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
FBI Agent Max Carter needs a fake girlfriend to bring to his family's place for Christmas, and he's found the one in new temporary neighbor Gina Castillo. When he catches her in the act of sneaking a dog in the building, he keeps her secret and helps her hide it from the landlord.
He knows Gina is perfect for the role—she needs his help and she'll be out of his life once Gina's friend and the original person leasing one the room in the building comes back. But being the meticulous person that he is, Max proposes a dry run at one work event to see if they can successfully pull off the whole fauxmance scheme.
They spend time together to make the fake relationship look realistic, and they realize they actually enjoy each other's company, even if Max and Gina are complete opposites. While Max has a stable job and lives a well-controlled life, Gina works multiple part-time jobs and enjoys chaos and strives in it. While one is left-brained with his numbers, the other is right-brained with her art.
Each day they spend together blurs the line between fake and real, and Max and Gina don't know if they can have a real relationship with their differences in life.
I thought the whole FBI thing has more to it than it was shown, so I was a bit disappointed with that. It also bothered me that Gina just assumed Max would be okay that she'd decorate his place when they barely knew each other. I think she was overstepping her bounds.
Max obviously has symptoms of OCD, and I felt bad for him that his family made fun of him and his 'quirks', which, unfortunately, happens more often than what we'd like to people suffering from mental disorders. He's not used to letting go of control, and it was nice to see him take baby steps with Gina.
Overall, I still enjoyed The Attraction Equation. It had low angst and drama, and lots of sweet and steamy moments between Gina and Max. Plus, there's a cute dog named T-Bone!
If you're looking for a quick but fun fake relationship romance between two people with seemingly opposite personalities, you might enjoy The Attraction Equation.
The V Card showcases a seamless blending of the writing styles of two authors known for their tempting and hilarious novels. This story is filled with humor, and heart, with little drama and lots of steam. A perfect read if you're looking to laugh, swoon, and fall in love. Since one of the characters loves making lists, let me share my own list as to why this book was a hit for me:
REASONS WHY I LOVED THE V CARD
1. Brother's Best Friend, Friends to Lovers romance
Graham Campbell, the CEO of lingerie company Adored, was the best friend of CJ's brother Sean. They grew up together, started the company together, and were the thickest of thieves until Sean passed away. With the loss of CJ's brother and Graham's best friend, they gave their time and support to each other, eventually becoming closer than when they were young. You know Graham is never going to hurt CJ intentionally, and the love is already there between them; it just wasn't romantic before, at least not on Graham's part. I love seeing friends become more, because there's already a strong foundation and some pretty strong affection between them.
2. The pacing of the story
A 7-day tryst is a recipe for an insta-love story, but it never felt that way when I was reading The V Card. From the start of the story, you can easily tell how close CJ and Graham are and how long they've known each other, so it was easy to get swept into the romance. They didn't jump head first into falling in love but waded their way into it with their sexual and non-sexual bonding moments.
3. Perfect balance of sweet and sexy
You'd think this would be more focused on the sex, since the story is about Graham teaching CJ about it, but this book has its fair share of swoon-worthy and adorable moments between Graham and CJ. Even during their trysts, you can feel their bond and care for each other. How easy it is for them to laugh and talk about everything. I love it.
4. Caroline Jessica "CJ" Murphy
I love her. Absolutely adore her. CJ confident, sweet, caring, and has a great sense of humor. I love her shirts, quirky accessories, her own sense of style. I've read contemporary romance books where the virgin heroine is too innocent and clueless at 25 and will only become something more when she finally meets a man. CJ is nothing like that. She's inquisitive, a go-getter, and comfortable in her own skin. Plus, I love how much she loves her—and her brother's—cat, Stephen King.
5. Graham Campbell
Another hero to swoon over! Graham is a man who, as Drake says, "started from the bottom now we here". This man has been married to his job for a long time, but you know it's not about the money. He's passionate about his business, his products, and women. It's not a secret that Graham was a bit of a womanizer, but he's not disrespectful and misogynistic about it, pretty similar to Lauren Blakely's heroes. Plus, his affection for CJ is so authentic and adorable, gah. GAH. Then when the romantic feels comes pouring in, GAHHHH. I am a pile of mush. And the thing he did before the happy ending. Ahhhh. I had a stupid grin on my face during a special moment at the arena.
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She's taught me something so much more vital than what I've shown her. She's taught me how it feels to fall in love."
Kudos to Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente for giving me—and I suspect, a lot of people—something I didn't know I wanted, a fantastic collaboration! I loved both their works and was more than pleased with The V Card. I'm afraid I'm spoiled now, so pretty please, with a cherry on top, won't the two of you write together again?
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Virgin Heroine, Childhood Friends, Friends to Lovers POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Let me tell you a story about a girl who underestimated a book. She took a certain book at face value and saw it as a mere romantic comedy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The girl absolutely loves romantic comedies. But then she read it and got so much more than what she expected. The story had amazing characters, fantastic banter, and sizzling sexual tension, but there was also angst and drama in the mix. The girl fell in love.
When Vicky Nelson adopted Smuckers, the dog of the old lady who believed she was a dog whisperer after the old lady passed away, she never expected to act as a major stockholder of a multi-million company in behalf of said dog. But she does as it turns out the old lonely lady living in a shabby apartment is actually from a wealthy and powerful family.
Henry Locke worked his heart out to make their empire grow into the powerhouse it is. When his mother leaves more than half of the company to a dog and some scammer, he’ll work even harder to get it back. Even it means he has to seduce her. He’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t fall in love with her.
There’s something about Vicky he can’t resist, but there’s a mystery to her, something she wishes to never be known by anyone, especially not Henry. Vicky knows the more she gets involved with Henry, the more possible it is for her secrets to all come out.
Annika Martin gives us a gem of a book wrapped in a seemingly absurd yet hilarious premise. An old woman bequeaths the family business to her dog, who is then represented by a girl the old woman believed to be a dog whisperer. But then there’s mystery surrounding the heroine’s past, drama, and an issue a lot of women have suffered through. That certain aspect is very timely with what’s happening today.
And my goodness, the author knows how to throw in her punches out of nowhere. Amidst the humor are heartwarming (and breaking) scenes that honestly put tears in my eyes. I sniffled in a few scenes here and there and my heart hurt.
I wanted a strong heroine, and I got that from Vicky in spades. She raised her sister on her own and went through a lot at such a young age, but she’s still so strong and resilient. Her pain didn’t break her, although it made her keep a wall to protect herself.
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Nobody will fight for you quite like you will fight for you.”
I wasn’t a huge fan of Henry at the start of the story, but he ended up completely converting me. This man had a lot of layers to him, and I loved all of it. Good lord what he did to win Vicky back. I’m still swooning, y’all. Excuse me while I go pick up my heart on the floor.
And their chemistry! I loved the barbs they threw at each other and loved it even more when clothes are thrown off. The build-up to the inevitable sexy timez got me all hot and bothered. And the sex. Wow.
I would have wanted a little bit more before the story ended. It felt a bit rushed (although there were some super swoony bits there and a resolution I’ve been waiting for in that part), so that’s why I rated the book 4 stars.
This is my first Annika Martin read and definitely not my last. She’s gained a new fan in me. If you love hilarious enemies to lovers stories with its fair share of angst and drama, then you’ll love reading Most Eligible Bastard.
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Inheritance, Boss/CEO POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog
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