We didn’t know a ton about Daisy and Hawk going into this. They’ve been around some but mostly in the background. All I knew going in was (view spoileWe didn’t know a ton about Daisy and Hawk going into this. They’ve been around some but mostly in the background. All I knew going in was (view spoiler)[
✔️He had some sort of history with her sister. ✔️ He loved her forever but never acted on it. ✔️ He finally started dating her after her sister died ✔️ He broke up with her in Flame’s book and said some REALLY mean stuff because he thought she cheated. ✔️ She walked in on a sweet butt situation after the breakup. (hide spoiler)]
Other than the first book, this was probably my least favorite of the series. Daisy was really put through the ringer, and I was totally there for that, but Hawk was such a momma’s boy and wimp for the first 60%. I really needed him to man up and prioritize Daisy earlier.
My Issues ❌ Too many time jumps. ❌ They had a 3yr age gap, so what stopped him from pursuing her (the love of his life) from 18-22ish before her sister lied? Why did he go along with it? He hurt Daisy to protect Rosie, how does that make sense? ❌ British lingo for an American MC. Americans don’t lose a stone. Our biker dudes wouldn’t call their bitches darling. We don’t take the fucking piss now. I’m not sure what that even meant. ❌ Editing issues Goerge, etc.
Bottom Line- Better than Axel’s, but Hawk was such a WUSS the first 60% that it was very hard to overcome my disappointment in him. He’s great the last 40%, but damn, it’s tough going to get there. It’s still not a bad read though.
Safety(view spoiler)[- Hawk never had sex or dated the sister. She used him as a front for her dating a girl and married man. He didn’t have sex with the sweet butts. They snuck into his room after he passed out.
Epilogue for other members that won’t fit in notes +5 years
--Axel & Annie are pregnant again --Dagger and his dad Stormy have a civil relationship. Stormy has remarried. --Star’s dad Bones divorced her mom after he caught her having sex with another dude. Sounds like the dad had been siding with the mom and his and Star’s relationship is sort of strained now. The mom is a sweet butt at a different club. Star has no contact with the mom or her sister Emma. --Each brother has at least 3 kids each. --Sweet butts now wear normal clothes during the day (jeans, t-shirts) to clean, and only come out at 10pm on weeknights and 9pm on weekends. If a single brother wants to do them outside of those hours, they have an allotted fuck room on the top floor far away from kids and families. (hide spoiler)]...more
We have been teased with Flame and Star’s story since the first book, and I've been so excited to get to it. And it was ok, but I was a little disappoWe have been teased with Flame and Star’s story since the first book, and I've been so excited to get to it. And it was ok, but I was a little disappointed. This series storylines overlap so much that IMO it would be difficult to read them as standalones, so most everyone should know Flame and Star’s backstory by now, but I’ll spoiler the rest just in case. (view spoiler)[
Star grew up in the club and has had a crush on Flame forever, but there’s an 8-year age gap which causes major issues because she’s still a child/underage while he’s grown and experiencing girls/women. So, she grows up watching Flame hookup with other chicks including her sister.
When they were 18/10 her and her dad were attacked, and he was taken/presumed dead. Her mom and sis are terrible to her and take most of her money because they blame her. (hide spoiler)]...more
I got sucked into this series with the first book and there’re several loose ends went couples that need to be settled, so I jumped on this book when I got sucked into this series with the first book and there’re several loose ends went couples that need to be settled, so I jumped on this book when I saw Doc’s was out there. Things went CRAZY for these guys in Breaker’s book, and I was dying to see how it shook out and hoping for Prue to bring some crazy OW drama. Welp, to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
First, just to note, despite each book having one couple, these could be hard to read as standalones because the storylines are all over the other books. For instance, Shadow and Kennedy have been around for a couple books and most of their problems were introduced in Breaker’s book. Kennedy hasn’t been around as much as Doc, but he’s been around FREQUENTLY, and you’d miss most of his family connections and backstory if you jumped in here. So, FYI… **this review could have spoilers of previous books.**
With that said, one of my biggest complaints was I thought the book was very slow moving. Mostly because the first half felt like a repeat and the second half felt frozen because of Kennedy.
Now to be fair, it was technically new stuff. It was that it was just a more detailed account of what we already knew, and I didn’t feel like it really added to the problem at hand. Where we left off at the end of Breaker. We knew there was an age difference that kept them from getting together. We knew that they both loved each other but didn’t know it. We knew there was an incident that he “saved” her from. We knew there was a period after where they both circled each other dating others both wanting each other until the deflowering situation followed by him announcing Prue was his old lady and pregnant. We knew all the crap that happened with Quinn. We even knew there was a reason Doc was doing what Prue told him to.
So yes, we got details, and a couple were new things, but I had the gist and didn’t need so much repeated and filled in. I was ready to move on and slogging down memory lane for almost ½ the book got old.
Bottom Line- Maybe my expectations were too high, but I found this all kind of dull. The second half was a bit better, but still slow going. There’re some editing, plausibility, and consistency issues. The timeline jumps around A LOT giving everything a surfacy feel. And the main conflict was SO FARFETCHED that someone’s going to sit around for 8 YEARS to play her trump card then it was prolonged for multiple chapters by avoiding one conversation.
Safety-(view spoiler)[ When they are younger (while Kennedy is underage and before the hookup) Doc sleeps with club chicks/strippers. After they sleep together, Doc isn’t with anyone else. Kennedy dates and kisses him, but I can’t remember if it says if she does more.
This kept coming up on my recommendation page, and I wish I would’ve ignored it. I’ve liked this author in the past, but this wasn’t a good fit. I wouThis kept coming up on my recommendation page, and I wish I would’ve ignored it. I’ve liked this author in the past, but this wasn’t a good fit. I would’ve DNF’ed it, but I purchased it and hate to waste money. IMO the blurb is misleading and makes it sound like there’s some dicey bits, but it didn't really shake out that way. I can’t really do this spoiler free, so I’m tagging the rest but will try to just stick to the plot outline. (view spoiler)[
I thought the biggest issue was there wasn’t enough meat to fill the book sandwich, so the same conflict was dragged out almost the entire book by having the characters not communicate or act immature.
Raddix and Madison have been dating for FIFTEEN years when he has a freakout the day before his wedding at his bachelor party. He briefly and vaguely discusses this with his best man while standing at the altar. We have his thoughts, so we know he loves her deeply but is terrified that his new business will fail, and he’ll be unable to provide for her. But She’s told second hand from the videographer (he’s mic’ed) what he said which was basically that he was having second thoughts but loved her and would not humiliate her in front of her friends. Madi storms down the aisle, takes off her ring, tells him he was mic’ed, and disappears for a year.
I found the entire scenario almost ridiculous. Why wouldn’t she send her bridesmaid to retrieve him to have a discussion? She didn’t even hear it herself, and what he said wasn’t that bad. She’s been with this dude forever, there should be a level of trust extended. And IMO, her reaction was so out of whack OTT it felt silly. Then she HOLDS on to that hate and anger for most of the book. I honestly thought it might’ve worked better had he been slipped something and thought he cheated on her. That would’ve been a betrayal that could’ve burned up some pages.
Bottom Line- I just felt like this was such a big deal made about nothing and had they just had a conversation before or after the wedding, they would’ve been fine. I seriously doubt he’s the only spouse who has ever felt panic on the big day. It’s just nerves and had nothing to do with how he felt about her. Safety- Celibate during the separation. Each other’s first and only. (hide spoiler)]...more
This was ok. I don’t mind a sister-sloppy seconds plot (especially if it’s soapy), but this was a smidge bland for me. The blurb sets it up, Jake was This was ok. I don’t mind a sister-sloppy seconds plot (especially if it’s soapy), but this was a smidge bland for me. The blurb sets it up, Jake was Charlotte’s best bud that she secretly loved but was too timid and shy to make her move, so her sister did. A drunken hookup led to a surprise baby, and the book opens with a miserable Charlotte helping the two (Jake and Dakota) raise their son in college.
I had a few issues that kept me from loving this. ⚫ The book starts after all the good stuff. ⚫ The chemistry felt a bit flat. She clearly was the better choice, I just felt like if they were compatible, then he should’ve reciprocated her feelings (or at least felt some attraction) before the sister snafu. ⚫ Charlotte’s low self-esteem/virgin status made this feel VERY young adult for much of the book. She grows a tiny spine by the end, but I prefer a mature/confident h. ⚫ There’s not enough drama. There’s a large chunk of the book where nothing is happening besides them hanging out and friend filler. Things pick up when the sis returns, but it almost at the end.
Bottom Line- It had potential, it was just executed with very little drama and a fair amount of friend/life filler making it a bit of a snoozefest. The sis is gone by chapter 1 and doesn’t return until 82%, IMHO, she needed to return way earlier, or another conflict needed to be introduced.
Safety- (view spoiler)[ Jake was unaware Dakota (Kota) was Charlotte’s sister. He was drunk at a party, and she pursued him on purpose to hurt her sis. I don’t think he ever would’ve gone there had he known or stayed if she didn’t get knocked up. So, I don’t really feel like the sis was the first choice. Their sex life isn’t really discussed except that they’re not doing it when the book starts, and the sis lies about it. His thoughts were NEVER positive towards the sis, she’s very unlikable. (hide spoiler)]
Random- I know I read a book with the same ending and it’s driving me crazy. (view spoiler)[ Evil sis shows up after sister is raising the kid and demands the h leave or she’ll go for custody. (hide spoiler)] It was a loveless marriage, like they decided to get married because they were both professionals. I think the sis might’ve been a lawyer. If anyone knows this book, please let me know. ...more
I hate rating these types of reads. Was it terrible? Not at all. Was it enjoyable? Somewhat. But, to be fair, this really isn't my type of read anymorI hate rating these types of reads. Was it terrible? Not at all. Was it enjoyable? Somewhat. But, to be fair, this really isn't my type of read anymore.
I don’t want to spend a ton of time on this because I’m really behind on reviews. It sounded cool when I read the blurb… angels & demons with soulmates torn apart for thousands of years. It just didn’t shake out how I thought it would.
My issues… ⚫ It had a bit of fluffy feel to it. The H was supposed to be this irredeemable demon, but (to me) he came off broody with a squishy marshmallow center. ⚫The first 60% dragged with the fake boyfriend plot that honestly felt silly. ⚫The world building was shaky for me. I didn’t understand the whole reincarnated element. I liked the idea of her having this “team” that followed her through each life, but why don’t they get to reincarnate? Also, if they’re around, why aren’t they silencing/protecting her from the negative voices trying to keep her unhappy? Also, why wouldn’t the H had been immediately reincarnated when he died, or go to heaven like the h’s “team”? If he was innocent, why was a demon waiting on the other side to tempt him? Being outraged and heartbroken when you die shouldn’t make you evil. So much was left unexplained. ⚫ The plot devices used to move the story along felt very contrived. Like… if Lucy needed to know something, she’d have an informative dream. If she needed to be pushed towards Casziel, she’d get a flashback of her past life. She needs direction, poof she can suddenly hear her dead dad.
Bottom Line- It was OK. I really liked the last 25% but was bored with large chunks of the book and skimmed some. I did like both mc’s and wish they spent more time together trying to find a solution rather than the extended push/pull. I would’ve preferred Lucy experiencing a BAM-ZAP soulmate connection zing instead of dancing around for so long. ...more
Fate and Logan/Grass are the kids of Diesel and Ellie (Diesel) and Tank’s (Tank). The previous books hinted that the two had a special relationship, bFate and Logan/Grass are the kids of Diesel and Ellie (Diesel) and Tank’s (Tank). The previous books hinted that the two had a special relationship, but the book opens with Grass leaving town because Fate is marrying someone else.
I had a couple issues, but the biggest is the plot was just dull. There’s very little going on. There’s pretty much one conflict/baddie that disappears for much of the book, then is dispatched within the same chapter he reappears.
Fate’s in a bad situation, but I wasn’t impressed with her at all. It made no sense that she wouldn’t have confided in her MC family, so they could take care of her problem (like they did as soon as they found out) Plus, she felt sort of selfish… and her feelings felt manipulated. For example, (view spoiler)[ almost immediately after being rescued she’s all in with wanting to get down with Grass. Asking to go with him everywhere, buying sexy undergarments, not wearing underwear with his T’s around the house… but the moment the conflict is taken care of she suddenly wants to put him on ice and leave town… Why? What was the point? Then after a chunk of pages trying to stir drama and angst from this no drama no angst situation… Poof. She has another total change of perspective for no reason. (hide spoiler)] It was dumb, and frustratingly boring. And not a good look cuz he had just risked everything to clean up a mess she made.
There were some other small issues like Fate being a complete wimp despite being raised in a MC club. And her having strawberry blonde (mom’s hair) and blue eyes (dad’s color) when it was reversed in her parent’s book when she was born. (dark hair with green eyes)
Bottom Line- This wasn’t bad, it was just boring. I’ve said this before, but her newer books lack any of the dicey/less-safe stuff that spiced up the earlier books. Grass is nothing of what you’d expect from a biker dude. He’s gentle, sweet, besotted, there are no club girls lurking about, and the one part that was violent-ish was written almost comically. I mean his road name is Grass… There’s nothing gritty, action-y, or drama inducing. He was perfect and Fate was wimpy. The end. ...more
I went into this blind and didn’t realize the author until I was midway. I’ve read several of her books and have enjoyed a couple of them, but she tenI went into this blind and didn’t realize the author until I was midway. I’ve read several of her books and have enjoyed a couple of them, but she tends to throw in messy stuff (OW drama, cheating, etc.) for shock… but brushes it away without cleaning it up. (very much like Hayley Faiman) So they tend to frustrate me because I HATE when potential angst is brushed over. GRRrrr.
The blurb sets this up, Ava grew up loving Gunner who secretly had feelings too, but cruelly rejected her after a ONS for her own good then joins the military. The timeline is very hard to follow and felt like we were missing chunks of the plot. I actually checked to see if this is part of a series, but it looks like the first, so it appears just to be a lack of development.
The book opens with a very confusing scene then FFW’s 10 years later with Ava coming along to pick up Gunner from the airport. He seems to hate her, and we receive a large info dump of the past three years after the hookup occurred. The rest is frustrating, predictable, and confusing.
I’ve commented in past reviews that this author isn’t fantastic with relationship development. Characters actions make little sense (view spoiler)[ like trying to sell us that he’s loved her forever while he continues to be affectionate/screw the OW while being cruel to the h when there are no reasons why they can’t be together. Or sudden hot/cold, switching from hate to love on a dime, back and forth, etc. (hide spoiler)] They don’t grow… we’re told one thing but shown conflicting bits… it’s all a bit of a mess.
Bottom Line- The plot was lacking details needed for it to make sense. It’s like it was written on the fly without an outline to keep things straight. People/events are just thrown in to justify/move things along when needed. It felt rushed. I love OW drama but NEED my h to be the #1 girl… and reading 70% of the h being treated like shit while he’s all over the OW wasn’t giving me first place vibes. I also NEED drama and groveling and sadly… I got neither here. Typing OUCH does not express hurt if she shrugs and keeps going. So, I don’t recommend this as a rage read because it’s hard to be mad on her behalf when she doesn’t really care herself. ...more
DNF @ 21% Another one that I expected the plot to generate angst, but the execution killed it. Dexter grew up with Addison who had a MAJOR crush, but hDNF @ 21% Another one that I expected the plot to generate angst, but the execution killed it. Dexter grew up with Addison who had a MAJOR crush, but he thought of her as a little sister. He met Fiona in HS and fell hard leaving Addison broken hearted. The book opens after Fiona’s funeral and Dex is dying inside with Addy returning home.
The problem is there’re several jumps that skip over needed development. (view spoiler)[ A month later he kisses her, and they have sex. (he pushes her away) Then it skips 3ish years later where we’re told he’s randomly hooked up with her over the years but was still hung up on Fiona, but Addy recently left town and now he desperately wants to see her. (hide spoiler)]
It was jarring and didn’t make sense that he suddenly changed his mind after all that time. Then she started (IMHO) acting super immature with her decisions… and I called it.
Bottom Line- I’m not feeling this one at all. It’s book 1, but I feel like I’m missing something (Is this a spinoff?) there’re several secondary characters that read like I should know who they are, but again…first book. ...more
“I love you Nic, and I promise you I will be back and we can begin our life together. Remember, you’re my girl.”
2.5 Stars I found this years ago i “I love you Nic, and I promise you I will be back and we can begin our life together. Remember, you’re my girl.”
2.5 Stars I found this years ago in a “hero marries someone else” list, and it’s been sitting in my TBR since then. We know from the blurb that Nicole and Will have that “I’ve loved you forever” childhood friends to epic lovers thing going on. They are engaged, and days from being married when he tears her world apart. Before I spoiler tag, I’ll just say that the “cause of separation” isn’t cheating, but I still do not recommend to readers that value safety, because it’s not a unique scenario… and it tends to piss safety gals off. The rest will be a smidge spoilery, so please STOP
Merged review:
“I love you Nic, and I promise you I will be back and we can begin our life together. Remember, you’re my girl.”
2.5 Stars I found this years ago in a “hero marries someone else” list, and it’s been sitting in my TBR since then. We know from the blurb that Nicole and Will have that “I’ve loved you forever” childhood friends to epic lovers thing going on. They are engaged, and days from being married when he tears her world apart. Before I spoiler tag, I’ll just say that the “cause of separation” isn’t cheating, but I still do not recommend to readers that value safety, because it’s not a unique scenario… and it tends to piss safety gals off. The rest will be a smidge spoilery, so please STOP...more
I feel like I’ve been giving out a lot of two stars lately... which I hate... but I hold books I actually pay for at a higher standard than those I caI feel like I’ve been giving out a lot of two stars lately... which I hate... but I hold books I actually pay for at a higher standard than those I can read free on KU… and I'm cleaning out a bunch of these old ones that I've avoided for years, so I suppose it’s to be expected. I don’t feel like I can really review it without giving spoilers, so if you want zero details stop after this.
Always and Forever is a second chance romance between Brody and Piper. The blurb sets it up, the two were together since HS (13 years) when he randomly picked a fight and broke up with her out of the blue without an explanation other than it’s not working. When the book starts, they’ve been broken up a year and haven’t spoken since.
Without giving spoilers, the “catalyst” is definitely a gray area that I think most reviewers would overlook. My main issue was the ginormous plot holes that made the actions/decisions illogical and nonsensical. It’s almost like the author didn’t keep track or really think about what she was telling us because it made a potentially serious book that could’ve maybe provided some angst feel silly. Other problems are the large amounts of secondary character filler and the overall immaturity of the main characters. These two are 29 and act like they’re in HS.
I believe the “catalyst” is revealed at around 25%, but there’re several hints, so it shouldn’t be a huge shocker. Brody went out while Piper was out of town and Peyton, the town mean girl (seeking revenge because she was the wannabe OW of book 1- this H’s older bro) drugged Brody with a fictional ecstasy-ish drug and took him home with another random OW. Later, they tell him he impregnated the random OW (Hannah), so Brody broke up with Piper. And IMHO this is where it all falls to shit because every tidbit we’re given makes zero sense.
Like… they live in the gossipy small town, but no one ever let slip that Brody was dirty dancing and went home with Peyton and Hannah. For a year Piper is clueless, then suddenly it all comes out.
Or… after a year Piper goes to Peyton (a conniving cunt-her words) for the truth rather than just asking the man she spent 13 years with.
Or all these conflicting details…
25% Brody doesn’t deny having sex or fathering Hannah’s kid.
40% None of it’s true. Peyton set me up. She drugged me.
44% “I know I didn’t sleep with Hannah.”
BUT he’s paying child support. And let’s delve into that.
44% Kade only knows about it because she called him, scared because I guess I was seizing or some shit, reacting to the GHB she put in my drink. He says when he got there, I was in bed fully dressed but Hannah was in bed with me and she was…” He blows out a breath. “She was naked.”
So, you’d think his brother finding a seizing drugged Brody would take him to the hospital and report to the police, right?
Nope, because I’d just passed the firefighter’s test. If they'd found out, I would have been fired and that would have killed me.
Cuz… that makes sense.... What do they do next??
Kade wants a paternity test done, so nine months later, Peyton arranges for us to meet and they show up with the baby who she’s named Brody.” They have some kit they ordered online, swab my mouth, tell me they’ll send it in then they leave. A month later, Peyton comes to the lumberyard and hands me a sealed envelope and leaves. Kade comes over, I open it, I’m the father.”
Yes, you read that right. So, they meet in a random parking lot and allow the women that drugged and possibly raped him to supply and process the paternity test.
Now the brother isn’t a total idiot so he doubts the authenticity and wants another one, but Peyton tells them that Hannah is in hiding… cuz her boyfriend found out Brody fathered his child. Noone has any idea where she is and their private investigator can’t locate her.
BUT Brody can still give her 500 a month in child support. Apparently, Peyton is the middle man, but still… that’s just stupid. He has no court order, no visitation, no legal test.
70% A different PI finally tracks Hannah down (in the same town she lived in) and they realize by FB posts that the baby is biracial and can’t be Brody’s.
BUT way back at 44% he said they brought the baby to the bogus paternity gathering meeting. Wouldn’t he have noticed then?
So, when they learn he’s been paying 500 a month…you’d think someone would question why the hell he was doing this… when he already said he didn’t sleep with her, was drugged, and was trying to track her down for a real paternity test… and hey, let’s go to the cops now to turn over all this evidence. Nope, they’re all like I’m so proud of you for stepping up, you’re a wonderful man. WTF-ever.
76% when Piper is finally confronted with these two bitches the author turns Hannah into some caricature thug “Bitch, you better get yo’ ass up now and get inside.” and upon having her life threatened… Piper offers her tea, and feels sorry for her.
Again WTF. These women drugged and tried to rape the love of your life. They lied, stole money from him, and had every intention of killing her and the only anger she gets out of that is to be pissed at Brody when she learns the drug made him super horny and he “practically had sex with her on the dance floor”.
“So she call me over and I grab the dude and take him out to the floor to dance. And I’m tellin’ you, he was hot, grindin’ his dick all up on me. Thought he was gonna rip my clothes off me right then and there in front of everyone and fuck me on the floor. Boy was packin’ large, too.”
“We go to her house and I’m all good and primed to fuck him ‘cause we’re all up on each other in her car, me straddlin’ him in the backseat grindin’ on his hard cock, my pussy creamin’ all over his jeans, him jammin’ his tongue down my throat, hand all up on my tits, his other hand up my dress on my clit makin’ me almost fuckin’ come. Damn.”
“Bad thing was, we get to her house and he passes the fuck out. I tried gettin’ him hard so I could take a little ride but he was out.”
Yes, don’t get pissed that they tried to sexually assault him even after he passed out… get made at him. (hide spoiler)]...more
2.5 ⭐’s Ryder is a forbidden-ish/I’ve loved you forever/love triangle-ish romance (ish) between Mia and Ryder. It was ok… I guess… but written in a way2.5 ⭐’s Ryder is a forbidden-ish/I’ve loved you forever/love triangle-ish romance (ish) between Mia and Ryder. It was ok… I guess… but written in a way that Mia came of quite pathetic and Ryder very beta which sort of killed some of my excitement.
Mia fell in love with Ryder when she was 14, and I think he was 18 (too lazy to fact check) Within the next couple years, Ryder too fell in love with Mia, but her grandpa the prez forbade any members from touching her. The book opens 20 YEARS later with Mia FINALLY deciding to move on, and Ryder FINALLY getting the ok to go after his girl.
Argh… I hated this setup. 20 FREAKING YEARS she sat around pining for him!! Watched him through a relationship and numerous hookups, I don’t care that she wasn’t celibate and also dated… it’s 20 FREAKING YEARS!! She’s 34 and has wasted all her hot girl summer years moping around on this dude. She’s LITERALLY watching life pass her by. And Ryder, he loves her so so much, but the badass biker is such a pussy that he can’t muster up enough moxie to confront the grandpa (that’s no longer in charge) … or threaten to leave the damn club. His brothers LITERALLY have to approach him and tell him it's ok.
Bottom Line- It was ok, entertaining enough, but boring at times. The couple stuff is all squared away by just over the halfway mark. It felt a bit manipulated because stuff happened (2 things) that pushed them together. The rest is club stuff/action subplot. I planned on reading the next book because I heard it is angsty but I can’t see me continuing the series beyond that.
Safety(view spoiler)[- The catalyst for Mia having enough is walking in on him making out with his ex. She’s staying with and continues to during the 2 weeks MIA disappears after the big I’m moving on blow out. We’re given very little during this time only “ Even with Lily sleeping next to me every night, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Mia.” so you’ll have to guess if they were having sex. During this time, Mia is sleeping with the OM Jaxson. Regardless, at this point the mc’s have NEVER had a relationship at all, not even a hookup. He breaks things with Lilly as soon as he gets the ok to pursue the h (20%) but she’s with the OM for a bit longer.
Damn this was disappointing. I’m not one to be overly concerned with safety… I grew up with my mom’s soap operas as my “babysitting screen time”, so IDamn this was disappointing. I’m not one to be overly concerned with safety… I grew up with my mom’s soap operas as my “babysitting screen time”, so I have a HUGE tolerance for assholes and deceitful shenanigans… simply put, I’m literally DFW in PretendLand except being cruel to pets. So going in, I knew this was a “sister lovin’ situation” which honestly isn’t my most fav dynamic, (that belongs to unwanted wives/mates) but when done well, can generate angsty goodness… so I was game. The issue is this wasn’t done well. The rest will have SPOILERS
IMO, the key to these less desirable romance matchups being successful is all in the balance. Whether it’s asshole/redemption, cheating/grovel, unrequited/requited, second best/#1 girl… it needs to be balanced or it just doesn’t work. Sadly, in my experience this is what most authors struggle to pull off… and… unfortunately that was the case here.
In a nutshell, Lia met Grayson in HS (she might’ve been in MS- this part is confusing) and was instantly smitten. Too bad he was instantly bewitched by her older sister, Alex. Through flashbacks/Lia’s thoughts, we learn the two were together 4 years while Lia suffered in silence listening to them have sex through the walls until they moved away to college/broke up. The book opens with Alex returning home with Grayson in tow four years after their breakup, announcing that they reconnected and are engaged.
There were so many problems.
❌ Lia & Gray’s backstory. We’re told that Gray saw Lia as a much younger/kid sister and had absolutely no attraction romantically to her. He even described her as a tween and is SHOCKED by her grown up self. The problem is we’re also told they are 25 and 22. Three years isn’t a big deal, they would’ve been in HS together, so IMO it didn’t make sense he thought of her as a kid… and added more support that he really wasn’t that into her.
❌ The tone of the book isn’t serious enough for the content. There were several instances of double-dipping (one even being a caught in the act situation), back-stabbing, bitchy acting, cheating, yet the reactions were always blasé or brushed over. These situations should’ve generated deep feelings of betrayal, anger, guilt, shame… there should’ve been screaming matches and cold shoulders, but nothing happened.
❌ Gray was a TOTAL wimp. It’s hard to respect a dude that is so wishy washy. He goes along with everything Alex dictates, can’t make a decision, and never speaks up.
And the big one….
❌ NO BALANCE.This is two-fold… the ◾relationship balance and ◾plot balance.
◾Relationship balance- I could paste SO many examples of Gray’s thoughts/reflections on the two ladies illustrating how unequal his affections were, but I’ve already wasted so much time on this book (and review) … and I think this one pretty much sums it all up.
I can’t lose Alex. She’s everything to me. My life somehow fell back into place after we found each other again.
But Lia… Oh God, Lia. I tip my head forward, resting my chin on my chest. I can’t stop thinking about her.
Basically, he’s infatuated with Alex (her eyes, her smile, he’s under her spell) and lusts after Lia (she makes him burn). The only thing I ever got from him (regarding the h) was that she was sexual napalm and nice which is sad… especially when her competition treated him like shit... and he was still torn??!!
◾Plot balance- Not only is Grayson still planning on marrying Alex up until 94% of the book. He’s fond of her the entire time.
50% You love her,”… “Yes,” he replies quietly. 70% I was always putty in Alex’s hand. Or more accurately, when encircled by those legs. 80% Her hand is suddenly inside my jeans, stroking me. The way she knows I like it. I hate myself for getting hard. 83% I want to turn away. I want to break the connection. But for some reason, I just…can’t. I feel myself getting pulled into her eyes, her mouth, her universe. Just like the first time I saw her. The second time I saw her. And every time after that. 85% I tried to end it with Alex. I really tried. Because I thought that’s what I wanted. But as I sat there in that Vietnamese restaurant with her, staring into her crystal blue eyes, I saw everything. I saw the past eight years. I saw the miserable person I was without her. I couldn’t throw that away for a couple of mind-blowing orgasms. For a girl I’d known six days.
Seriously, this is what he thinks of the h at 85% and we’re supposed to believe he truly loves her??!!
Bottom Line- This was a bust. It’s messy AF and nothing is cleaned up… so you get all the frustration of double-dipping and second-best without the benefits of any angst, grovel, grand gestures, etc. Ugh- it was so unsatisfying. IMHO, he needed to choose by 65% and spend the rest of the book chasing the h down and begging for forgiveness while proving his love. Instead, we get SIX SENTENCES…
“I chose wrong, Lia. Fuck, I chose so wrong. For far too many years. I’m tired of doing it. I’m tired of making the wrong decision. I was just wondering if you might still choose me back.”
That’s it… instant forgiveness. At the very least she should’ve moved away and made him chase her.
Safety- Not recommended for safety readers... In the past, Lia recalls listening to them have sex through the walls, even them losing their virginity. Lia/Gray make out (kissing, nipple sucking, grinding) one night until Alex interrupts (calls from upstairs/clueless) the next morning she walks in on Alex finishing up his BJ. (sees sis on knees wiping mouth w/ H's naked ass) L & G make out again/cunnilingus. They have sex, then more sex. Then there’s nothing else on page, but I’m assuming he’s sexing the sis because they are together, having sleepovers, planning a wedding.
Sis- Alex is a mega bitch and also cheats on Grayson (with the dude she thinks Lia is interested in) if that makes anything better. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is the first book I’ve read from the series, it’s sort of a mafia-lite romance. The criminal aspect is there with some violence,3.5 Awesome-h ⭐'s
This is the first book I’ve read from the series, it’s sort of a mafia-lite romance. The criminal aspect is there with some violence, but it’s a safe option for readers that don’t appreciate an anti-H or mistresses in their mobster reads. I’m coming off of an 8-book biker binge with cheating A-holes, so this was a refreshing palate cleanser.
This plot has been done before, an arranged marriage between a mafia princess and older man (Isabella is 19 and Luca is 35). She’s loved him forever and he’s not interested in a child bride. What makes this different (and more enjoyable) were the characters… because Isabella is not the standard clueless, immature, whiny wimp that’s spent her time shopping and daydreaming. She’s mature, wise, strong, and has spent years preparing for the role of a mafia wife. She was a true partner/asset and equal to Luca. I LOVED that she contributed to his success and protected him rather than being a pouty puss or damsel. Luca for his part believes she’s too young and tries to distance himself (cuz he’s trying to wait until she’s 21), but he’s not an ass, nor is he out banging gumadas until his wife grows up.
Bottom Line- Quick, easy read. (no heavy feels) I enjoyed it, but it got a smidge repetitive in the middle… but it was sweet, has some kink, and free with KU, so I’m rounding up. I will note there’s a weird finger/pacifier thing going on that was rather strange, but I just went with it. ...more
3.5 Sister-lurving Trainwrecky Stars The blurb sets this up, Raven has been in love with Ares FOREVER, but he’s been dating/engaged to her sis. This tr3.5 Sister-lurving Trainwrecky Stars The blurb sets this up, Raven has been in love with Ares FOREVER, but he’s been dating/engaged to her sis. This trope isn’t for everyone… and I wouldn’t double-dip with any of my sisters… but in Pretend-land… YUM.
The drama-llama with this one is HIGH. Evil sister, wicked mother, meddling g-ma… ✅✅✅. The plot is unrealistic and absurd… totally OTT soap opera level… and I gobbled it up.
I can get behind a whacky telenovela-esque storyline. I LOVE the drama, but, I like it in smaller doses and almost 400 pages IMHO is WAY too long for a soapy plot. Also, I need some consistency, and the author flip-flopped tidbits to manipulate drama rather than taking the time and effort to actually build it… which felt lazy. For example, (view spoiler)[ Ares constantly tells the h that he wants their marriage to work and is dedicated to her, but every time the sis slithers out, he backpedals.
30%- “This is it,” I whisper. “From this moment forward, you’re my wife. Mine to care for, mine to cherish, and mine to protect. I know this isn’t what you would’ve wanted for yourself, but I swear I’ll give you my all, Raven.
32%- ”I’ve never loved anyone but you, Hannah. I never will. How could I possibly want someone other than you?”
50%- I’m a Windsor, Raven, and you know as well as I do that marriage means something in the Windsor family. The moment I married you, I became yours.
60%- “Han,” I murmur. “Don’t cry, please…. “Fuck,” I murmur as I cup her face, wiping at her tears with my thumbs. “Han, please… I’m sorry. I just… I’m fucking exhausted too, you know? I feel like I’m fucking trapped, and no matter what I do, I’ll be letting someone down.”(hide spoiler)]
Back and forth it flips to generate drama rather than making the OW smarter/more manipulative. Until late in the book when it’s time to wrap things up and send this couple to HEA-ville.
Suddenly after reading hundreds of pages of insecurity and waffling… poof…(view spoiler)[ It makes me wonder if my suspicions about Hannah and Ares were true. He never seemed happy around her — not the way he is with his family.
And…
It’s because I never loved you in the first place. You were an obligation, someone I tolerated and placated because I had no other choice.(hide spoiler)]
Bottom Line- This one is only for readers that enjoy craptastic soap. In other words, it’s a great read if you’re looking for a few hours of mindless OTT/trashy drama… not great if you’re in the mood for romance or a logical plot… just don’t dig deep. I think it could’ve been awesome had it been about 150 less pages, so it wasn’t so repetitive. I can overlook more (holes, crazy, manipulation, inconsistency) in smaller doses. I’m rounding up because this was free to read with KU and the author served up some often-overlooked good old OW comeuppance.
**I noticed mentions in several reviews that Raven (this h) was the OW in the last book. I was curious and since this is the first book in the series it took me a minute to locate and skim that book. Raven had a FWB relationship with the H in Bittersweet Memories. She wasn’t nasty at all and stepped aside for that h. FYI....more
Fighting Solitude brings us the youngest Page boy, Quarry’s story. I sorta/definitely cheated with this one because I read its blurb before reading FlFighting Solitude brings us the youngest Page boy, Quarry’s story. I sorta/definitely cheated with this one because I read its blurb before reading Flint’s book and knew going into it that Mia, Q’s lady love would die, and he’d end up with Liv. So, I dodged the shocking gut punch that many readers got hit with… so I’m not coming into this with that baggage. Regardless, I felt the author did a great job of slowly building their relationship in a way that I never felt Q’s love for Mia was downsized or thought Liv was second best. Bravo ...more
2.5 no-fun Stars This is Dylan and Aubrey’s story. Dylan is one of the gang and Aubrey moved to town mid-Complicate Me and was good friends with Alex. 2.5 no-fun Stars This is Dylan and Aubrey’s story. Dylan is one of the gang and Aubrey moved to town mid-Complicate Me and was good friends with Alex. We knew he got around and the two had an on-off again relationship.
The outline is exactly the same as the first book, it starts with a shocking prologue with (view spoiler)[ Aubrey waking up in the hospital and Dylan being arrested. (hide spoiler)] Then we immediately go back to them as teenagers. The difference was that these two had actual happy/couple time before the shit hit the fan.
Most of my feedback is a repeat from the prior books. Again…. ...more
2.5 Stars I don’t really read NA romance anymore, but I hate to waste money, so I’m trying to clean out some of these books that have been sitting on m2.5 Stars I don’t really read NA romance anymore, but I hate to waste money, so I’m trying to clean out some of these books that have been sitting on my kindle for years. Complicate Me is the first book in M. Robinson’s Good Ol’ Boys series that follows a group of friends (Lucas, Jacob, Dylan, Austin, and Alexandra) that all grew up together and their bumpy/ depressing/ frustrating journeys to HEA-Ville.
The first book tells Lucas and Alex’s story. Alex is younger than the boys and always had a little sister role except with Lucas… who she has loved hard for years. The good news is Lucas is just as lovey-dovey with her. The bad news is that a 2-yr age gap, miscommunications, and a long list of meddlers (the boys, their moms, OW, OM) hijack their HEA’s for most of the book.
The book starts with a gut punch prologue when a (view spoiler)[heartbroken Lucas confronts a conflicted Alex at her engagement party. (hide spoiler)] I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. But then… we immediately (chapter 1) go back to a 12-yr-old Lucas/Bo and a 10-yr-old Alex/half-pint and slowly work our way through their childhood.
If you read my reviews, you know I HATE the flashback-backtrack, but I can admit that it did lay a strong foundation of friendship, respect, deep love that made it easier for me to forgive Lucas for being a bonehead and Alex for never speaking up and screwing over Cole. I just think it would’ve worked better to catch up by 50% (at the latest) and it takes until 86%.
Bottom Line- It wasn’t bad… it was actually quite angsty at times. My problem was that most of the angst was caused from them not using their words/having discussions/speaking truths which IMHO screams immaturity…. And got old because it went on for WAY TOO LONG. We spent 95% of the book in turmoil with unhappy mc’s, then rushed through a HEA. I needed more of a balance, even some back and forth would’ve been better. I thought the author did an excellent job of showing growth/maturing for Lucas (and OW Stacey which was a nice change), but I didn’t feel like she did enough with Alex.
Safety- (view spoiler)[ Although they love each other deeply, they are never a couple/on the same page. (no technical cheating…but…) In HS, the guys and Luke’s mom constantly tell him that Alex deserves better/she’s like their sister/they each need to live their own lives separately and he goes onto sort of date/hookup with a classmate (Stacey). He loses his virginity to her (on-page) that causes a rift- he goes on to sleep with lots of girls. (all off-page) Alex starts a friendship with Cole. This all happens when they’re kids and wasn’t bad- IMO. Later-as young adults- A miscommunication/assumption causes each of them to turn to the OW/OM one night (Lucas’s is on-page) that has life altering/relationship killing consequences. None of Cole/Alex’s scenes are on-page, but she does pretty much string him along for YEARS. Lucas is celibate for years after the ONS. (hide spoiler)]...more
DNF @ 50% This is one of my favorite tropes… resentful, angry H being forced to marry an h he HATES because he blames her for something she didn’t do…YDNF @ 50% This is one of my favorite tropes… resentful, angry H being forced to marry an h he HATES because he blames her for something she didn’t do…YUM.
Her Reluctant Husband starts with the catalyst that caused Alex to turn on June. The two had grown up together (both unknowingly loving the other) and had finally sealed the deal (had sex) only for everything to come crashing down when Alex believes the word of his friend and a crooked sheriff over June. Then there’s a 5-year time jump with the two reuniting.
The problem is that EVERYONE (the reader, h, aunt, attorney, family friend, etc.) except the H knows what really happened… Yet, NOONE clues the dude in… so we’ve been stuck in the same holding pattern for half the book.
Bottom Line- The bones of the plot were good, but it needed more to sustain it. For me, 50% of drama/conflict based upon one assumption/misunderstanding is too much. IMO, they should’ve jumped that hurdle, then added more conflict/drama with interference from the wannabe OW and evil best friend.
Safety- Up to the DNF…. They were never a couple, but had sex once before the fallout. During the separation, H was with others including her HS nemesis. She was sexually assaulted. ...more
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