I'm always happy with Alessandra Torre's writing. I like her style and All In Duet was the perfect book to read this week!
In All In Duet, we meet the main protagonist, Bell. She works nights as a waitress for an underground casino run by Rick and Lance. She likes them as brothers and since the moment they became friends, they have been there for Bell. They care for her and they protect her. During the day, Bell is taking college classes. She shares an apartment with other girls and she has an ongoing thing with Ian, one of her teachers.
Dario is well known in Las Vegas. People fear him. When Dario catches someone stealing from him, there are dire consequences. His father-in-law is also someone to fear. He married Gwen to save her from him and he has promised her he will protect her from him, always.
Insert fate and one night Bell and Dario connect and both realize they are in trouble. All their best-laid plans go out the window. Bell can't resist Dario and Dario has never met anyone who makes him feel what Bell does to him.
But how can these two be together?
All In Duet is attention-grabbing. As soon as I read the first two pages, I couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced. I enjoyed the format and the execution of it all.
The book does end in a cliffhanger but Double Down is only a couple of weeks away.
Cliffhanger: Yes
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Big Alpha in Town is the compilation of three short stories: Bearing His Name, Owned by the Lion and No Need Fur Love.
Bearing His Name is about a werebear, Ark, who receives a note saying he might have impregnated a woman at the last Halloween party. When Ark goes to the house of the woman, Jade opens the door and immediately, Ark knows she's his mate. There is only one problem, she is not the woman who's pregnant, her sister is.
Owned by the Lion has Keir and Ally as the main characters. Keir has recently discovered that Ally is his mate. He's walking through uncharted territory. He wants to prove to Ally that he can be trusted but how can he do it when every ten seconds a woman from his past is accosting Ally.
No Need Fur Love is the last story. Mia Oliver is a wood nymph and she's in need of a child pronto. Her father has given her an ultimatum and if she doesn't find a mate and have a child, he will choose one for her. In an act of defiance, Mia goes to the closest bar to look for a candidate to procreate with. When her eyes land on Owen Courtney, she knows he's the right guy for the job. She doesn't want a mate but she needs a child. There is only one problem, as soon as he sees her, Owen knows she's his mate and Mia won't be able to run away from him.
I liked all three short stories in the Big Alpha in Town. They were fun, fast-paced, and easy to read. There was no major drama or conflict. So if you're looking for something quick this is right up your alley.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin Press in exchange for an honest review.
If you read the blurb, then you know this is going to be a tear jerker at some point. How you might say? Jojo
[image]
"Love. That’s my choice. "
If you read the blurb, then you know this is going to be a tear jerker at some point. How you might say? Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks names are mentioned in it. That's enough, don't you think?
Yet, I must have missed it since I wasn't prepared.
What I can say about My Oxford Year without spoiling it for you? I will tell you that I loved it. Yes, at some point I was crying. It was inevitable. But, at the end of the day, I was pleasantly surprised by it.
My Oxford Year has a great cast of characters, a budding romance and a BIG unknown. A perfect trifecta for this romance reader.
As the novel begins, we meet our heroine Ella Durran who has recently arrived at Oxford. She's doing one year abroad studying English Lit. Just when she gets there, she receives a phone call, the next possible candidate to the presidency needs her help but Ella doesn't want to let go of her dream of Oxford. She offers to help from overseas instead. She knows that come June 11th, she'll be back in the States and hopefully as part of this candidate's new team.
On the same day, still jetlagged, she meets Jamie Davenport, a "posh brat" who makes a terrible impression on her despite being incredibly attractive. Not soon after, she learns he will be her professor for the term. In the beginning, Ella is not sure what to do about it but once again, she wants to do the Oxford thing, just like she promised herself when she was a teenager.
Jamie Davenport has a reputation with the ladies. From the gossip Ella can gather, he doesn't do long-term relationships. But, Ella is not worried, is not like she likes him, right? And even if she finds him attractive, she won't let her heart dictate her future. She lost once and that was more than enough.
Life has a funny way of messing with people's lives. In spite of both, Ella and Jamie who start with not wanting anything serious will learn that love has no boundaries and can't be contained.
As I said earlier, the characters in this novel were fascinating. Ella and Jamie were both smart, funny and honest. Their philosophical discussions, as well as their love for poetry, help them become closer to each other. They got one another and I was so happy for them until the twist hurt my heart.
"I chose to experience a lifetime."
As for the secondary characters, Ella's friends were all so cool. I wanted to be friends with them myself. They were a good support system for Ella. They took her under their wing not too long after arriving at Oxford and showed her the ropes.
One last thing. My Oxford Year is going to be a movie which is great news. I won't have to wait long to see Sam as Jamie.
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by William Morrow in exchange for an honest review.
The Lighthouse Beach reunites Lillo Gray and her friend Jessica Parker after years apart. Jess has invited Lillo to her wedding. Lillo and
[image]
The Lighthouse Beach reunites Lillo Gray and her friend Jessica Parker after years apart. Jess has invited Lillo to her wedding. Lillo and Jess met when they were teenagers. Jess was sent to fat camp by her horrible parents despite not being fat. Now, the same parents are forcing her to marry a not-so-nice guy. Between Lillo and Jessica's two college friends, Diana and Allie, they'll steal the bride away and drive towards Lillo's town, Lighthouse Island.
Once they get there, we start learning about these four women and who they are. Diana, the CEO of her own company, twice divorced and a love for horses and maybe the Vet in town. Allie, and the loss she has suffered. Can she love again? Then, there is Jess, the bride-to-be who didn't know how to stop her father from offering her for a marriage she had no desire to be part of. Last, there's Lillo who's hiding the events that made her stop practicing the job she grew up wanting more than anything else.
There were parts of the Lighthouse Beach that were too predictable for my taste but others kept my attention. I love the feel of a small town. Everyone knows everyone and there's no way to keep them out of your life but when push comes to shove, a community comes together to help when it's most needed.
It took me a while to warm up to Lillo. She was wallowing in so much guilt. She was terrified of having the other women learn anything about her. Half of the time, she thought about kicking them out of her home. She also didn't communicate well with the people who cared about her and her future.
I love how Jess was able to stand up for herself when she needed too. In part, she was able to do it because she had the unconditional help from her friends.
I wish Allie's storyline had more to it. I felt her predicament was glossed over. I wanted to see more of her and Nando together.
I will say that in my opinion, the Lighthouse Beach was missing more in the romance department. It was also missing an epiloge. I would've love to see what the future held for these four women.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
It Takes Two is the second book in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. Like its predecessor, once again another bridesmaid will have a h
[image]
It Takes Two is the second book in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. Like its predecessor, once again another bridesmaid will have a hot romance just before the wedding.
Wendy Liu and Noah Denning had known each other for a long time. Wendy and Noah's sister Jane, are best friends. As teenagers, both girls bonded after the passing of their fathers.
For Noah, losing his father forced him to grow up. He had to be there for his mother and his sister. He was there to protect them and to keep them solvent. He worked all the time and even in the present, he's still a workaholic. He's a prosecutor in New York City but he won't miss his sister's wedding in Canada. Noah doesn't want to admit it, even to himself, but he also wants to see Wendy. He loves to verbally spar with her and he's eager to do it again. Years ago, they almost had something together but Noah doesn't think it's a good idea to rehash it now.
Wendy Liu is a defense attorney. She's smart and dedicated to her job. She's also sucking at being her best friend's bridesmaid. She knows Jane wants to have a low key wedding (or so she says) but Wendy wants to avoid Noah as much as she can. Noah was the boy who broke her heart and over the years, she has made herself scarce when he comes visiting. Wendy's not sure how can she avoid him at Jane's wedding.
Noah and Wendy have always had a competitive streak. They used to run together and race each other. When the time to plan the Bachelorette/Bachelor party arrives, a new bet begins. Wendy discovers that Noah plans to have theirs in Las Vegas. She can't let Noah beat her. She jumps to the idea of having the bachelorette party there too. A trip to Las Vegas ensues and Wendy and Noah can't remember why sleeping together is such a bad idea. After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Las Vegas, right?
It Takes Two was a cute romance novel. I love Noah. He was such a good brother. He had made many sacrifices for his family. He always put them first. He was happy for Jane and Cameron. He knew Cameron will have Jane's back. He was finally able to relax and not worry about Jane's future.
Wendy had been running away from Noah for years. She has meaningless relationships because she didn't want to get hurt again. After seeing him again, it was easier for her to downplay her feelings for Noah than to face the truth.
It was nice to see how they both realized what was keeping them from moving forward. Both Noah and Wendy were marked by their past. Sometimes it takes someone else to make you realize what are you going to miss out in life if you keep on running.
Thank you Forever and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of It Takes Two in exchange for an honest review.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"I think normal is what life looked like five minutes before I slipped on the ice."
How horrible it had to be to wake up with false memo
[image]
"I think normal is what life looked like five minutes before I slipped on the ice."
How horrible it had to be to wake up with false memories! This is exactly what happened to Lucy Sparks.
Lucy had everything going for her. She had a great relationship with her boyfriend Matt Newman. She had a great job and she was happy with her life. Then she falls on the ice and suffers a severe trauma to her head and in one second she losses it all.
When Lucy wakes up in the hospital, she discovers that the man next to her bed, her friend and co-worker Matt is actually her live-in boyfriend but she doesn't remember anything about her relationship with him. Instead, she remembers her ex-fiancee Daniel London but she remembers him as her husband. She remembers everything about her wedding even though, her parents assured her it never happened. She hasn't even seen him in four years!
Lucy feels so confused and every time, she is close to Matt she feels like she's cheating on Daniel. It breaks her heart and Matt's too.
For his part, Matt is determined to help her try to remember by recreating some of their special moments.
The Life Lucy Knew broke my heart. I felt bad for both Lucy and Matt. They were served with a rotten deal. Matt was so sweet and patient but I also understood how terrible it was for Lucy. She was feeling a sense of loyalty towards Daniel, a man whom she believed to be her husband. She had trouble recognizing which of her memories were true and which were false and created by her own mind.
"Feeling like you're a passenger in a car, versus the driver."
I couldn't put down The Life Lucy Knew, I HAD to know how the story was going to unfold. Her unique situation forced her to make new choices. I NEEDED to know which road she was going to follow. I won't lie, I was rooting for Lucy and Matt the whole way through. He was so easy to like and fall for. Rooting for Lucy was not difficult. She had to question everything in her life and have the courage to continue onward with her new life since she wasn't sure her memories will ever come back.
With the Life Lucy Knew, Karma Brown has created a new fan in me.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
No Contest is book 3 in the Blood and Glory series. However, it can be read as a standalone.
Leandro Oliveira is an MMA fighter and recentl
[image]
No Contest is book 3 in the Blood and Glory series. However, it can be read as a standalone.
Leandro Oliveira is an MMA fighter and recently the Champion in the light heavyweight classification. He's also as entitled as he can be. He believes he can do whatever he wants. From a sex tape to fights in a strip club, to doing illegal racing. He doesn't think the rules apply to him since he's a trust fund baby and great as an MMA fighter. His ego needs his own zip code. But when the sponsors threaten to walk away unless he cleans up his act and a PR publicist is hired to babysit him, his first thought is to sleep with her in order to make her do what he wants. Nonetheless, when she keeps on turning him down, his interest in her only deepens.
Ashylynn Fields is the new PR publicist hired to help change Leandro's image. She knows she has her hands full after she meets him for the first time. It doesn't help that he continues to hit on her. Yet, as they are sent to have interviews in different states, she's forced to spend more time with him. She starts seeing the other parts of Leandro no one else knows. Those ones are what makes her start falling for him. But, Ashylynn has a choice to make, losing the possibility of a permanent job at the UFC or choosing Leandro since there's a very specific clause preventing them from being together if they are discovered.
No Contest had one thing that prevents me from loving it. I don't like insta love novels and this book has an insta love feel to it. Just after a few encounters Leandro and Ashylynn were falling for each other. Saying that I still enjoyed the ride. They were cute together and I liked seeing a change in Leandro's entitled personality. He became much more likable than in the prior books.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Star via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Fairy tales helped me disappear into worlds where princes were loyal and honest and where princesses were strong and brave."
Any of my book friends will tell you that Archer's Voice is my favorite book by Mia Sheridan. It doesn't mean I didn't like her other books, it's just that Archer's Voice is my favorite.
Knowing that I enjoyed Mia's writing when the opportunity presented for me to get an early copy of More Than Words, I wasn't going to pass it over.
Who would have thought that meeting in an abandoned train boxcar would have an effect on two people so great that neither will forget it?
When Callen Hayes and Jessica Creswell meet for the first time, they are both teenagers. They soon realize they have something in common. Neither has a happy home.
Jessica likes to pretend she's in a fantasy and she sees Callen as her broken Prince. For his part, Callen is happy to let Jessica read to him and take him away from his problems. Several months later and after they share a special moment, Callen disappears from her life and they don't see each other until they are both adults in Paris.
“I’m here to save you,”
Sadly, the reunion doesn't go as planned. Callen doesn't recognize her but after that night, he can't seem to forget the woman who said those words to him. As fate will have it, they will meet one more time but this time might be their last chance.
Callen is a well-known composer who has lost his muse until he has Jessica back in his life. Yet, his fame as a womanizer and a borderline alcoholic doesn't ensure confidence from Jessica. She knows she won't be with a man who can't remain faithful to her. For his part, Callen can be his worst enemy but Jessica brings back the music to him. She inspires him and makes him want to be better. The question is can he let go of his past?
More Than Words gives a message of hope and love which is perfect for a romance fan.
"I want to live fiercely and without regret."
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Despite Our Little Secret been a super easy read, I thought it was missing something. Maybe more drama, maybe another voice. The book is to
[image]
Despite Our Little Secret been a super easy read, I thought it was missing something. Maybe more drama, maybe another voice. The book is told from Angela's perspective only and I think it would have help getting someone else's point of view here.
Our Little Secret is the story of Angela. A woman who at the beginning of the story is being interviewed by Detective Novak in regards to the disappearance of Saskia. As the tale unfolds we learn who Saskia is, how she came into Angela's life and what she took from her.
From Angela's voice, we learn she only had one good friend while growing up. His name is H.P. He became her defender and her person. Despite H.P. dating numerous girls, Angela was always there for him and vice-versa. At some point, they became more than friends but then Angela leaves for Oxford and things get complicated. What develops is a story full of jealousy, obsession, and revenge leaving nothing but questions behind.
Is Angela protecting someone or is she protecting herself? Worse is Saskia disappearance her own doing? Or is someone framing Angela to take the fall?
Angela wasn't an easy character to like and maybe that was one of my problems with the story. Her behavior was erratic and her decisions were poorly made. Most of the time, she fell flat to me. Notwithstanding my misgiving with Angela, I think this is a good debut novel that readers will enjoy.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by St. Marting Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a while since I read the last Reaper's book. It took me by surprise that Gage is the current president. I had forgotten it. For
[image]
It has been a while since I read the last Reaper's book. It took me by surprise that Gage is the current president. I had forgotten it. For me, it was still Picnic. Anyway, I was happy to be back in this MC world. I have missed it.
Rome McGuire is an EMT but he's also part of the Reapers. He likes to ride and enjoys spending time with his brothers. They have been there for him and he will be there for them too, no matter what. As for his female company, he could have plenty but now that Randi is back in town, she's the only female he's interested in. He let her go once. Almost a decade later, he's ready to make her stay this time.
Randi Whittaker is back in Hallies Falls for her high school reunion. She's also spending time with her two siblings and her mother. Her mother is unable to work any longer. She's disabled and Randi is worrying about the future of Lexi and Kayden. Randi's considering taking a job locally and helping her family out. She's also very attracted to Rome and walking away from him again could be the hardest thing she has to do.
I like both Rome and Randi. I could feel their desire for each other. They had a connection which began years ago (Reaper's Fire) until Randi's family moved away. This is their second chance to get it right. Of course, there are other things to consider, like her family, finding a job, dealing with Rome being part of an MC. There were all valid reasons for Randi to worry. Rome was very understanding and he stole my heart right away.
The one thing different in this novella is that there isn't much drama or conflict. I was expecting more trouble.
For any fans of the Reapers series, you can't pass up Rome's Chance. It's short, fast-paced and engaging.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Inkslinger in exchange for an honest review.
Intercepted was the perfect book to read over the weekend. It was fun, light and with plenty of hilarious situations. I would have finished
[image]
Intercepted was the perfect book to read over the weekend. It was fun, light and with plenty of hilarious situations. I would have finished it earlier but I have a new ten-week-old puppy. #NoTimeToReadAnymore or I should say: #NoTimeForAnything
Anyway, Intercepted has a funny heroine, Marlee Harper. Marlee is the girlfriend of Chris Alexander, a pro football player. Her only boyfriend has been Chris. She did have a one-night stand four years ago while they were on a break but she tries to avoid thinking about that night.
Marlee loves marketing but it has been hard to do what she wants to do because she has dedicated herself to Chris. She even attends the Lady Mustangs meetings which usually only football players wives can attend and she's continuously attacked by Courtney, the QB's wife. Chris is nothing but self-involved and when she finds out he's cheating, she breaks their ten-year-old relationship and moves out.
Things get heated when Gavin Pope joins the team as the new QB. He's good at his job, he's hot and it turns out he's Marlee's one night stand! At first, Marlee tries to avoid him because she's with Chris and later on because she doesn't want to date another football player. But, Gavin is unrelenting. He makes it impossible for Marlee not to try to be with him.
As I said earlier, this book is quick, funny and light. It had the perfect combination to entertain you. I love how Marlee defended herself from the mean WAGs. I like how she did have a true friend within the meanies. I like how she went through life using hashtags. I like how her relationship developed with Gavin. Gavin was just perfect except when he did something which was completely out of character for him. I guess, we needed some drama and that was the only way to create it. Even with his misstep, I still ended up liking him.
I'm looking forward to Fumbled, the next in this series.
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
One and Only is a delightful wedding romance story.
Jane Denning is one of the bridesmaids. She's known as the
[image]
"Open your eyes and jump."
One and Only is a delightful wedding romance story.
Jane Denning is one of the bridesmaids. She's known as the dependable one. Her friends know they can count on her. She's mature and behaves like a mom at times. Her friend Elise is getting married and she has been given the job of babysitting the groom's brother, Cameron, the black sheep of the family. At first, she couldn't care less about Cameron, he seems to be exactly what people believe of him but the more time she spends with him, the more she can't reconcile what he shows her with what she thinks she knows of him.
Cameron MacKinnon has been discharged from the Canadian military. He has done two tours in the Middle East and has the psychological scars to prove it. Now that he's back home he wants nothing more than to eat a nice piece of steak, enjoy the view from the tallest building and have sex with a willing woman. Much to his surprise, he finds Jane at the airport waiting for him and interfering with his plans. So in order to accomplish the items on his list, he will drag her out with him. This is when he notices that "plain Jane" is the farthest thing from the truth.
Like I said earlier, a really cute love story. Jane is a nerd, a writer of a YA fantasy. She dresses in comfort and likes to play it safe. Yet, when Cameron pushes her to do the things that scare her, she's willing to let herself go. Her character continues to bloom throughout the story. Cameron suffers from low self-esteem and what's worse, he lets his family and friends think the worst of him. Many times he could have explained past events but he believed he wasn't worth it until Jane shows him differently.
There was one scene where I cringed although I knew something similar was coming. Thankfully, the rest of the characters were there to set Cameron straight.
I can't wait to read the next Bridesmaids Behaving Badly!
"You're already a swan."
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tell Me Lies by Carola Lowering is a tale of deceit, premeditation, suffering, and acceptance. It is told in dual POVs.
Lucy Albright starts college in California away from her parents specifically her mother. Lucy doesn't get along with her mother since an incident which occurred when she was younger. After it, she started calling her mother by her first name and wanted nothing to do with her.
In college, Lucy immediately starts making friends and is enjoying her new found freedom. She's drinking alcohol, experimenting with drugs and attending parties. It is at one of these parties where she first meets Stephen. At first, she wants nothing to do with him since he's not her type but soon she's falling for his charm and charisma.
Stephen De Marco is a serial dater. He enjoys having a girlfriend but being faithful is not in his repertoire. He has a wandering eye and when he sees beautiful, thin, and long-legged Lucy, he knows he must have her. He plans his every move learning everything he can about her in order to win her. What follows is nothing but pain for Lucy for years to come.
I won't deny it, I'm so frustrated after reading Tell Me Lies. I wanted to punch Stephen so bad. What a douchebag! Yes, I know there are plenty of "Stephens" out there in the world but I have no idea why he was able to seduce Lucy in the first place and then kept her going for years! He was a sociopath without remorse or conscience.
I can't say I like Lucy either. She blamed her mother for years but she was not any better. She was full of bad decisions even in the present. She was dating someone who was not worth it and she knew it. She still had problems with her self-confidence and self-respect. I felt like she didn't learn anything from her heartache.
One thing I can't forgive is that Lucy figures out a secret which Stephen is keeping for decades and she does NOTHING with this information. It wouldn't have been about revenge but providing closure instead.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Looking back to 2018, I can say that The Kiss Quotient was my favorite romance novel. The characters, their limitations and the way they fe
[image]
Looking back to 2018, I can say that The Kiss Quotient was my favorite romance novel. The characters, their limitations and the way they fell in love brought happiness to my heart. So with that being said, you can guess how desperate I was to get my hands on The Bride Test. With all my heart, I was hoping to love it as much as its predecessor. Yet, it was not meant to be. I liked it but I didn't love it.
Why you ask?
My answer has to be that I felt there was a lack of connection between both main characters. I love Khai and Esme as separate entities but I didn't FEEL their love for each other which was disheartening.
The novel begins in Vietnam where a desperate mother is trying to find the perfect wife for his autistic son. Khai Diep's mother thinks she has found the perfect one in Esme Tran.
Esme is a young woman. Her mother is Vietnamese and her father is an American whom she has never met. Her family is poor and she lives with them in a small bedroom. She works cleaning bathrooms and here is where she meets Khai's mother. When she's offered to come to America and have the chance at a better life, she knows she has to take it. Not only for herself but to help her family.
Khai Diep believes he can't love. He's autistic and when his best friend died, he couldn't cry. He knew that day that he was different. He felt that something was wrong with him. Since then, he doesn't believe he can love. He won't have any romantic relationships. When his mother brings Esme to his home, he's shocked. He doesn't want Esme there but he also doesn't want to upset his mother. He hopes he can avoid Esme for the next three months and then she will be out of the picture.
Funny how things don't happen the way we want them too. Esme founds herself liking Khai even though she doesn't understand him half the time.
I like Esme. She was trying to do what was best for her and her family. She had ambition and purpose without being heartless. She was patient with Khai and she appreciated his uniqueness.
Khai was an extremely interesting character. His autism and the way he handled it was well portrayed by Mrs. Hoang. His love for numbers, running in his suit, not wanting to have light touches and so many other details made him endearing to me.
Like I said earlier, I love both characters, I just didn't feel their love for each other. No one is more disappointed than me. I think I have no one to blame but myself. I had such high expectations for The Bride Test.
I do hope the next book makes me fall in love again. I'm hoping it's Quan's story. He was fantastic as a character in The Bride Test. He stole so many good scenes and he was prepared to do the right thing while helping Khai realize what love was.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So what happens when you're smart, have Asperger's and your parents want you to get marr
[image]
We got a winner!!
The Kiss Quotient was marvelous!
So what happens when you're smart, have Asperger's and your parents want you to get married and provide a progeny of grandchildren but you aren't good at social situations or intimacy? Well, you hire an escort!!
Stella Lane is in her thirties. She is very successful and driven. She's an economist and a workaholic. She knows her limitations and having sex is one of them. She believes that if she can conquer her fears of intimacy, she can then be in a relationship.
Michael Pham is paying his mother's hospital bills by using his body as an escort. He's part Vietnamese and part Swedish. In other words, this combination makes him stunning. When his next job takes him to meet Stella, he can't help but be grateful. She fits his hot librarian fantasy to a tee. After their first meeting, he knows he's in trouble. He usually doesn't see a client twice but this time he wants to make an exception.
I love Stella and Michael together. Michael was so patient and understanding. He was also great with his whole family. He had his own insecurities and fears. I liked to think that being with Stella helped him realized he was worth it. Stella was amazing too. She tried her hardest to face her limitations. It takes great courage to try something new when you're so used to your routine and structure.
I can't but fan myself at their sexy times. Let's just say WOW is an understatement.
The Kiss Quotient was a wonderfully crafted novel. It's uniqueness and fascinating characters sets it apart from the rest.
I found myself doing a happy dance after finishing it. The ending was just perfect! I'm crossing my fingers we get to see more characters getting their own books. Mrs. Hoang has plenty of material.
“Do you mind if I follow you home tonight?" I ask her with a serious stare. "Because my mother always told me to follow my dreams.”
Slammed was my first book by Victoria Denault.
Slammed had all the great ingredients. It had sass, amazing banter, goofy lines and a whole lot of romance. Just perfect!
Slammed's prologue let us see the first meeting between the main characters. Dixie Braddock is running late for her first day at her new job as PR for the San Francisco Thunder when she meets Eli. They shared a passionate kiss before both learn who the other one is. Fast forward a year later, and now Dixie and Eli are about to see each other again.
Dixie Braddock is loving her job. She's a workaholic but she also spends plenty of time with her family. She's Jude Braddock's sister who plays for the Thunder. Yet, Dixie wants her relationship with Jude to be under wraps. She doesn't want people thinking she got the job because of who her sibling is. She has worked hard to be where she's at and nothing will interfere with her destiny except a certain goalie she can't seem to forget.
Elijah "Eli" Casco is currently part of the hockey minor league for the Thunder. His brother Levi is the captain of the Thunder. They have a great relationship although neither gets along very well with their parents. Eli left college to follow his dream but an injury in the rink almost took his life. He's still dealing with its repercussions when he meets Dixie. He wants to prove that he can move to the NHL as their goalie but even he has doubts about his own capacity.
It was so easy to love Slammed. Both main characters were delightful. Their banter and skype conversations were all entertaining. I laughed and grinned through the book many times.
I also need to mention how much I enjoyed Dixie's family. Her sisters are a hoot and her relationship with Jude was a strong one too. The Braddock siblings' love for their parents was perfectly clear for everyone to see. Same with Eli and Levi. They had a great relationship too.
Even though I didn't read Score, I think you can read Slammed as a standalone. Saying that I need to go back and read it. Jude and Zoey's story has to be an interesting one.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever in exchange for an honest review.
“You’re this vibrant force, a woman who lights up every room she enters. You can’t be expected to dim your sun.”
Great ending for a great series! I'm a huge Kate Meader's fan. So far, I have enjoyed every single one of her books and Hooked On You is not any different.
I have come to love the three sisters: Harper, Isobel, and Violet. Together they owned the hockey team the Chicago Rebels and for the last season, they have helped the team get to the playoffs in one way or another. They also have become stronger as a family while helping each other overcome their own perceived shortcomings. Lastly, they all have a weakness. They seem to have problems not sleeping with a hockey player.
“Sheesh, I’m thinking we need to put something in the players’ contracts.” She mimicked writing something. “Must be willing to sleep with management.”
From the three, Violet has been the one who knows the least about hockey but who likes to give the team her enthusiasm before each game. She also loves to poke "Nessie" aka the Rebels Captain, Bren St. James. What her sisters don't know is that months ago, she propositioned him before she knew who he was and he turned her down. Of course, the Highlander didn't know she was recuperating from a double mastectomy and he would have been the first guy to "see" her in all her glory.
Bren St James is a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober for a year and besides playing the best hockey he can and trying to be a good captain for the Rebels, he wants to rebuild his relationship with his two daughters. He carries a lot of guilt from what he put them through and he doesn't want to mess up his second chance.
What Violet doesn't know is that Bren turned her down as part of his recovery not because he was not interested. But now months later, he doesn't know for how long he can keep on ignoring his attraction for her. Yet, when he suddenly needs someone to take care of his two girls, Violet steps up. Keeping himself away from her is not feasible any longer.
“So sure it’s going to happen, Scot?” “It’s inevitable, lass. We can fight it or accept it.
I love Violet and Bren together. Their banter and texting were great!. They were very different but together they made perfect sense. Violet projected this confident personality while hiding her insecurities. Bren was determined to save his relationship with his two daughters and knew that alcohol was not the answer. He also realized he wanted Violet in his life and he stopped fighting it.
“But when you’re ready, I’ll be here. Waiting with my girls for the one person who made us whole again. Who gives me hope and makes me smile.”
As always, the rest of the cast of characters were present to help this couple realize what they had and to fight for each other.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Meader has the right idea about writing a novella. All the elements of a full book are present in this small explosive package of word
[image]
Kate Meader has the right idea about writing a novella. All the elements of a full book are present in this small explosive package of words.
In Undone by You, she takes us back into the hockey element that is the Chicago Rebels' environment, were relationships between players and bosses are not necessarily unheard of. So far, two of Chase's sisters Harper and Isobel, have found their true love. Now, is the GM's chance at his own happiness.
Dante Moretti is the Chicago Rebels new GM. He used to be a professional hockey player until he was injured. He loves the game and he has fought hard for his current position. Things have not been easy for him as he's openly gay although he keeps his personal life under wraps. Yet, his attraction to one of the players of his own team is threatening his peace. Not only is Cade younger than him but also Dante is his boss, making it all kinds of unprofessional.
Cade "Alamo" Burnett is the player everyone loves. He's funny, charming and very supportive of his team. He's also still in the closet. There are reasons why he has not gone public including fearing his dad's reaction as well not wanting to make his life in the rink worse by getting purposedly hurt by the opposite teams for liking guys.
At the end of the day nothing matters except that Dante wants Cade and Cade wants Dante. As you can see this is going to be an explosive combo.
I truly enjoyed this novella! From the first page, I was pulled into their story and I was rooting for their happy ending. Yes, there were things that annoyed me. For example, Dante calling all the shots while Cade was risking so much more. Anyway, I still love both guys. Cade was sweet and his relationship with Violet made him so much sweeter to me. Also, his love and respect for his dad were there for everyone to see. Of course, having the Chase's sisters and your team backing you up was all kinds of wonderful too.
I hope Nessie and Vi have an awesome book too.
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Star via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cassandra Bowden is an alcoholic. She's also a flight attendant. She likes to get drunk and sleep with different men in whichever city or country she's visiting. She has had many blackouts and there are times where she's not sure she has consented to have sexual intercourse.
During Cassandra's recent flight to Dubai, she meets a man in first class, Alex and they decide to meet at his hotel. Cassandra proceeds to have sex with him while they are drinking heavily. In the morning, when she wakes up, he's dead. Someone has slashed Alex's neck. Instead of staying and trying to figure out what's going on, she runs away and boards the next flight with her crew, taking her away from the crime. But, when she lands in the USA, the FBI is waiting for her. What follows are Cassandra's failed attempts at lying and avoiding the FBI questions.
Cassandra was a very difficult character to like. She kept on getting drunk, sleeping with strangers and lying to everyone. I found her annoying, immature and irresponsible. You will think that by waking up with a dead man next to her, she would have learned her lesson but nope, she didn't. She keeps on repeating her mistakes over and over. Almost every scene, she was drunk. How she was able to escape the people interested in silencing her, is beyond me. Not only that, she enjoyed stealing from hotels and giving the stolen items as gifts for her family. In my opinion, there was nothing redeemable about her.
Of course, the epilogue was just too cookie cutter perfect and completely unbelievable to me.
Cliffhanger: No
2/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Doubleday via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this is one writers' retreat where I never want to go....LOL.
The Retreat is a creepy suspense novel with multiple twists and turns ma
[image]
Well, this is one writers' retreat where I never want to go....LOL.
The Retreat is a creepy suspense novel with multiple twists and turns making it quite enjoyable for this reader.
Julia has opened her home, Nyth Bran as a writers' retreat. Two years ago, her husband drowned and her little girl Lily disappeared. It happened when they were taking a hike as a family. Lily was walking ahead of them. After a few minutes, when neither parent could find her but her favorite toy was spotted in the water, Julia's husband jumps into the river to look for her. Julia saw all this without being able to help since she didn't know how to swim. Later on, her husband's body was recovered but not her daughter's.
"It's like I dived into the river two years ago. And I'm still under the water, holding my breath."
Lucas Radcliffe is a horror writer who's suffering from writer's block. His recent novel Sweatmeat was a great success but to his dismay writing his next book is not coming as easy as he thought. A change in venue and a new ambiance away from the city could be the solution to his problems.
When Lucas learns about Julia's tragedy, he decides to get involved. Julia doesn't think her daughter drowned. She believes someone took her. With this in mind, he decides to hire a private investigator to dig for information into Lily's disappearance. He soon learns about the Red Widow, the legend of a woman who every thirty-five years asks for a girl to be given as a sacrifice to her in order for a child not to be stolen at random. Then, weird and eerie things start happening at Julia's home. Everyone starts thinking that the house might be haunted after all but Lucas doesn't believe in ghosts or legends. The question is....Is he wrong?
I won't say any more because I don't want to spoil it for you. I can say that I thought The Retreat had a strong plot full of suspense and with a diverse set of shady characters. The Retreat also gave us Lucas who was my favorite character. He never gave up and was genuinely worried about Julia. He wanted to bring her closure.
I also can't forget to mention how shocking the ending was. Talk about revenge!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Loading...
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0uXG5d_pcM/WxRwiMmd4UI/AAAAAAAAiTU/H1GaEQkvync5EhdJTmwizENKniDMgPhlACLcBGAs/s1600/Even%2BMoney%2B%2528All%2BIn%2BDuet%2B%25231%2529%2Bby%2BAlessandra%2BTorre.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOqys4rmFbc/WuPy_kRb0aI/AAAAAAAAa9c/4QXl9eaJREcYZNZkk4NskuGawvXs-SE9wCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BBig%2BAlpha%2Bin%2BTown%2Bby%2BEve%2BLanglais%252C%2BMilly%2BTaiden%252C%2BKate%2BBaxter.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-KAB4_eIaEvw/WuJ-tOLBsUI/AAAAAAAAa88/Dss-g75uT1Amf1cGdyPQwXXNIQFOuMNewCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2BOxford%2BYear%2Bby%2BJulia%2BWhelan%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvZkg874a68/Wu3Tk5f8tVI/AAAAAAAAbCY/n3xpPPFyGa84v3MhhfWxax4GzUTOBtKBgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lot-Ugly-Crying.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEtuBrcjRbw/WwxVKzi04QI/AAAAAAAAiQE/SIoQoTnnwfwsTVw6dQw-fqCT0mCz83P4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Lighthouse%2BBeach%2Bby%2BShelley%2BNoble.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDbR0Bdfa7o/Wzg8wCopWOI/AAAAAAAAilw/l7pYhp_hzoEcfWA4jssz316XEkIGo1a0QCLcBGAs/s1600/It%2BTakes%2BTwo%2B%2528Bridesmaids%2BBehaving%2BBadly%2B%25232%2529%2Bby%2BJenny%2BHoliday.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ-BWpcBYtU/Wt6NsnFutLI/AAAAAAAAa6c/ezewOupDdecqzqnnQb3I_fo4DHaRJAZRwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BLife%2BLucy%2BKnew%2Bby%2BKarma%2BBrown%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkdodAHR9n8/Wt6NJa5FkiI/AAAAAAAAa6U/cI59Yd9qoIwXKtYVpWWRaKVhr1jpGJjEACLcBGAs/s1600/No%2BContest%2B%2528Blood%2Band%2BGlory%2B%25233%2529%2Bby%2BHarper%2BSt.%2BGeorge%2B%2528Goodreads%2BAuthor%2529%252C%2B%2BTara%2BWyatt.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqpTF8QG58M/WufHLsUKwfI/AAAAAAAAa_c/MB2o-zh0yQ84icf5fUHNNYbqJ6Oca_lXgCLcBGAs/s1600/More%2BThan%2BWords%2Bby%2BMia%2BSheridan%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XPX3k8InbE/WuJv7pF1GjI/AAAAAAAAa8k/Z23MCO9Y_LsvFQgYoinHH8aR0Tq8-Xo-ACLcBGAs/s1600/Our%2BLittle%2BSecret%2Bby%2BRoz%2BNay.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvFUDrQ1BFU/WtjopfZNS-I/AAAAAAAAa3o/uLUMIyAFryo3t3ropY82asqyLJpx_tZfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rome%2527s%2BChance%2B%2528Reapers%2BMC%2B%25236.6%2529%2Bby%2BJoanna%2BWylde%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImKRJyF_NQQ/W5WPMUvvyfI/AAAAAAAAomE/GpFTOXXs0x4lsQ-JgFYNOnQ8SXcwW6Z4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Intercepted.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-2.bp.blogspot.com/-czjJR55jrk8/WtDKUNS8EmI/AAAAAAAAa00/7RU6UuwY57IQyWwpsyq5ZhAi0L9g0_DZQCLcBGAs/s1600/One%2Band%2BOnly%2B%2528Bridesmaids%2BBehaving%2BBadly%2B%25231%2529%2Bby%2BJenny%2BHoliday.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIRCpU95F0I/WtC7Mw9M88I/AAAAAAAAa0A/S9Qen1ETdo0f9eJZYQFVs12NIfNnr5UBgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tell%2BMe%2BLies%2Bby%2BCarola%2BLovering%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-17HB6vw6acE/XJLqohMRDGI/AAAAAAAAtbU/E4K51rNoKSU8V939-fpLmJqe2ORRM0vXACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BBride%2BTest%2B%2528The%2BKiss%2BQuotient%2B%25232%2529%2Bby%2BHelen%2BHoang%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNdnZj1PBUU/Wr0To-xHlkI/AAAAAAAAasY/23_rA989zMMCT4m3frWDnf8MUVQTea40QCLcBGAs/s1600/winner.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzkSzJ0O-UA/Wr0Tpqgt-mI/AAAAAAAAasg/GLNcclwvHf4598BS1qmuBvmKYa1LpHI-wCLcBGAs/s1600/wow.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t4L4GWA4Hw/Wr0vWMtLBuI/AAAAAAAAatA/ig7eIxCG_zQf_6OlueIuTgCXyk6LbCw9QCLcBGAs/s1600/32.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSUblgwRqMY/WqdB2xllLnI/AAAAAAAAZw4/ExhLN227kBcj0uF6KGtYg0qXYHt5MKEBACLcBGAs/s1600/Slammed%2B%2528San%2BFrancisco%2BThunder%2B%25232%2529%2Bby%2BVictoria%2BDenault.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTqQgVRQ7TA/WsaLlhMCdFI/AAAAAAAAax4/kKG07BYKFQY93THHuiIFmW-AchWC9D2JgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hooked%2BOn%2BYou%2B%2528Chicago%2BRebels%2B%25233%2529%2Bby%2BKate%2BMeader%2B.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgRYJ-anFno/WqQG6qZ2QxI/AAAAAAAAZvs/KOYMe2fzlLo-jl091ys1NDr97DkNA15IwCLcBGAs/s1600/Undone%2BBy%2BYou%2B%2528Chicago%2BRebels%2B%25232.5%2529%2Bby%2BKate%2BMeader.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](https://gamestartup.netlify.app/host-https-4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqQB-5p6TAg/Wq7oOMHasDI/AAAAAAAAZ0E/-Z4Kw1VzanQC4lSDFofrt2_92QU39VfNgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BRetreat%2Bby%2BMark%2BEdwards.jpg){kind=link}
