Fans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetiFans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetic, in Fall, Callihan tackles the serious issues of mental health, self-harm, depression, and abuse with compassion and a heavy dose of common sense while building a romance that brims with laughter and heart. Jax aka John Blackwell, lead singer for the band Kill John, has stood out throughout the series as his suicide attempt was the catalyst that flattened the emotional barriers of the other band members. Love, laughter, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing are the themes of this love story that revolves around two people who have been essentially used and abandoned by those who should have known better. Strong narrative and compelling scenes keep the story moving at a steady base, allowing readers an intimate look at fame, family, and the demands placed by both. Stella and Jax are a delightful couple to watch fall into love though it is only the beginning of their journey towards happiness. Though some may find it triggering, Fall gives a seeming honest portrayal of life with depression and the trials and triumphs that can be had by all.
Jax is back in New York though he is still feeling off-kilter as his best friend is out of the country and he is soon to be trapped by a raging blizzard. A trip to the local market for supplies ends in stolen ice cream and a kiss that sets his soul on fire. Luckily, fate steps in and gives him a name to match the kissing ice cream stealing bandit-Stella. Stella is shocked when her inherited apartment goes condo and she is being kicked out with nowhere to go. Fate steps in again to offer her a job house sitting in a posh Manhatten condo that just happens to be next door to the stranger she kissed on a whim. As Stella and Jax spend more time together, the flames of their attraction build into something deeper and more addictive. But for two people who don’t believe in love or forever, falling for each other may take more trust than either can give.
Adele has come home for her father’s wedding after being exiled for making a pass at her friend, confidant, and father’s best friend. UncertaGrade: B-
Adele has come home for her father’s wedding after being exiled for making a pass at her friend, confidant, and father’s best friend. Uncertain about what’s going to happen when she sees her first love and crush, Peter, the man she never got over, she is unprepared to have to stay with him during her time in town. As she and Peter try to reconnect, all her old feeling come rushing back but Peter is still stuck on their age difference and treats her like the child she no longer is. When a series of events place them on the path to no return, Adele must ask herself if Peter is who she really wants and what happens if he says no again.
Kylie Scott’s latest is a humorous abet bittersweet contemporary that features a slow burn romance between a young woman and her father’s friend/employee. Told entirely from the heroine’s POV, Scott seamlessly blends the past and present to show us the emotional range of Adele’s crush and the power it has over her years later. Overflowing with strong women, witty dialogue, and some nice steamy sexual tension, I found myself laughing throughout the book. Adele is hilarious with her internal musings and snarky comebacks. A slew of secondary characters helps to round the story out and offer some much-needed lessons in life for Adele and Peter. My only true qualm about this story is the lack of Peter’s voice. Though you felt their connection, the story would have really benefited from his POV. I never was able to understand his reactions and the reasons behind them because everything we see is through Adele’s eyes. A fun and engaging story that left me satisfied overall but only because of the heroine and the amazing women who stood at her back....more
A charming story that speaks of love, loss, hope, and the family.
Grade: B+
Susan Wiggs celebrates the love, loss, hope, and family in her newest releasA charming story that speaks of love, loss, hope, and the family.
Grade: B+
Susan Wiggs celebrates the love, loss, hope, and family in her newest release of a man and women who meet under terrible circumstances and through that forge a bond that strengthens while eventually forcing them apart. Emotionally honest and poignant with a delightful thread of humor running through it, Between you and Me introduces us to Caleb Stolz and Dr. Reese Strauss. Told in alternating POVs, Wiggs builds a sweet and witty romance around a experience with them the ups and downs of falling in love as religion, lifestyles, and family try to pull them apart.
Caleb turned his back on his Amish upbringing until his brother’s death brought him home to raise his niece and nephew. The victim of an abusive home and still keeping one foot in the English world, when Caleb’s nephew is hurt badly in a farming accident, Caleb has no qualms with taking him to the hospital for care. Reese is a resident whose uber famous parents have all but decided her career path though lately, she has been wishing for something more. Meeting Caleb opens her eyes to a whole new world and she fully embraces the opportunity to learn more about the Amish and him. The closer Reese and Caleb grow, the harder it is to keep their boundaries in place. And when one of them goes too far, the price for redemption may be to much to pay....more
Favorite Quote: “I’ve been waiting for you to come home for eleven years. I’ll go anywhere with you.”
Second chances in life are rare and when they are offered, some people are unable to grab hold out of fear while others seize the moment and pray that this time it all goes right. Love and Other Words is about a couple who are offered a second chance and the young woman who must climb out of her shell and brave her fears if she wants the love of her life to stay this time.
Macy Sorenson once loved the boy next door with everything in her heart…until he shattered it into a million unforgiving pieces. Now years later, Macy has moved on to a career in medicine and is getting ready to marry. When she runs into her former best friend and first love, she is unprepared for the onslaught of joy and pain that envelops her and her carefully constructed orderly world begins to fall apart.
Elliot Petropoulos never knew why Macy disappeared after he announced his love for her but he is determined to find out why. And when he does, he will have to step out of his own memories and pain to face head on what happened and convince Macy that their love is still worth fighting for.
Love and Other Words is a literary feast that delighted me from start to finish. Alternating between the past and present, we are given front row seats to this couples’ relationship starting at age fourteen. Told completely from Macy’s point of view, in this poignant and well-narrated journey we witness a young girl’s evolution from child to a woman as she experiences life, death, love, loss, friendship, betrayal, and eventually forgiveness. Full of heart and soul, Lauren weaves their magic and creates a bond between Macy and the reader, calling upon our own experiences and memories to further enhance the story. Though formulaic in its overall set up and a bit emotionally manipulative, its appeal is in the characters themselves. Delightfully flawed and realistic, especially Macy. Her curiously and honesty is refreshingly nostalgic. We have all, at one point in our life or another, been Macy.
Humor and heartbreak go hand in hand as the story unfolds. Macy is a pediatric resident whose past has scarred her heart. Battered from carrying a lifetime of anger and heartbreak, she has chosen a career that demands her emotional distance and a fiance who demands nothing from her. Seeing her ex-boyfriend and first love for the first time in eleven years effectively shatters Macy, sending her into a tailspin of emotion she has no idea how to handle. From there we watch and wait…knowing something horrible is coming because there are only a few things that could have separated these two.
“I know it wasn’t your fault, but for so long it felt like it was…”
Elliott is a sexy nerd whose love of books led him to Macy and the beginning of their epic friendship but it was his love for her that kept him there. Part of a large boisterous family, he swept Macy up into his orbit and never let her go. He has never stopped loving her and has no idea why she left him. He thinks he hurt her sexually but as the story unfolds, you realize that there was a lot of miscommunication, immaturity, fear, and some taking for granted in their relationship.
“I’m twenty-nine, and I’ve never loved another woman…and every woman I’ve been with knows it, unfortunately for them.”
Watching Macy and Elliott connect again is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. The chemistry between them is hot and sticky with emotional but there is a lot Macy needs to resolve and bring out into the open before she can move forward period, regardless if it is with Elliott or anyone else.
The personable cast of secondary characters helps to shape and mold the story with their own memories. Everyone in here from Macy’s father to Macy’s fiance’s little girl has some effect on Macy and Elliott’s life. I adored Macy’s father with his quiet love and huge heart. Macy’s bestie, Sabrina, is the voice of reason in Macy’s maelstrom. The Petropoulos family is a huge boisterous family whose unconditional love for Macy remains a constant.
The ending is predictable and somewhat rushed but very nice in how it plays out. Love and Other Words is an engaging contemporary that will have you smiling and sobbing as you watch Macy fight her way through memories, misconceptions, and heartache to her way back to life and love.
Harlow once again left me snorting with laughter when two best friends start up a sexual relationship after one discovers her boyfriend of 10 years haHarlow once again left me snorting with laughter when two best friends start up a sexual relationship after one discovers her boyfriend of 10 years has cheated on her...again. An adorably cute, funny and extremely sexy romance that addresses infidelity, commitment, growing up, and family. A definite winner. ...more
The deVincent brothers are back in this second installment as more mystery and romance surrounds this family and all those who unfortunately cGrade: B
The deVincent brothers are back in this second installment as more mystery and romance surrounds this family and all those who unfortunately chose to enter their orbit. Gabe deVincent is still struggling to process the death of his sister, his father, and the fact he has a son he never knew about. When the daughter of the family butler returns home to help out, Gabe suddenly realizes that little Nicky is now all grown up in all the right places and his vow to stay away from her no longer seems to matter. Nicolette Bresson grew up with the deVincent brothers but her heart always belonged to Gabe. A one night stand with him left her broken and she left, never to return. As Gabe struggles against his growing feelings for Nicole, a series of events show him that she is in possible danger. When that danger finally strikes, almost taking her from him, Gabe will decide what is more important. Family or the woman he has fallen in love with.
Jennifer Armentrout’s deVincent series is an atmospheric romance suspense that revolves around a trio of brothers whose family history is steep in tragedy and secrets. In this story, the heroine definitely steals the show with her wit and charm. A vivacious woman who takes no crap from anyone, she is the perfect match for the mercurial hero she has crushed on forever. Steamy love scenes blend well with the sarcasm and hints of secrets long buried that permeates this storyline. Gabe has his moments of stupidity but his groveling is from the heart. Armentrout has saved the oldest brother for last and I can’t wait to read his story and learn who is his redemption and savior....more
These Wounds Run Deep by Ember Leigh is a stand-alone second chance romance that attempts to rebloom on an antagonistic base. This is a fun sometimes heartbreaking trope as you watch a former couple revisit their relationship and reexamine it through the eyes of an adult. Leigh’s sure hand and solid plotting help the storyline flow along at a steady clip with interjections of humor and bittersweet moments. Emotional dialogue, engaging protagonists, and low-key sexual tension envelope this story of two former best friends and lovers who are reunited after ten years and try to work past the anger and pain to see if they can have a future together
Our story opens with Ellie. A hometown girl who owns a local business and recently broke up with the town golden boy. Shocked to hear her former best friend, Zach, and his brothers are back in town after their band became famous, she struggles to process how she feels about this. She has spent the last ten years essentially grieving the loss of her best friend and has finally reached the acceptance stage. Only now he’s back and wants to make up and rekindle their friendship…and possibly more.
While Zach wasn’t expecting the same girl he left behind, he was surprised and turned on by the strong, sarcastic, independent woman she has become. He and his brothers have come home to help with their parents; their father had a stroke and their mother has Alzheimer’s. They decide to stay and give a benefit concert to help the town and Zach use that to push his agenda to reconnect with Ellie. At times he comes off childish. He seems caught in a time warp where he is still 19 years old. He wasn’t as defined as Ellie and it showed in his dialogue and actions concerning her. Though he comes off as the villain in here, he owns his mistakes right off the bat and tries to explain what happened. How it happened. He’s not proud of how he handled it and apologizes profusely for his actions and the pain he caused.
“I was an idiot kid who didn’t realize what was going on. I had no concept of the importance of friendship. I didn’t know how to handle my feelings…I just didn’t get it.”
The slow journey towards acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately love controls a large portion of the story. Leigh doesn’t attempt to sugar coat what Zach did and takes her time to effectively communicate to readers this couple’s emotional spectrum. Ellie was terribly hurt by Zach walking away and completely cutting off all communication with her after they made love for the first time-losing their virginity to one another. Having already lost her mother to cancer and her father to alcohol and the religion, Zach and his family were the only good things in her life and when he left, she lost them too. She eventually moved on, building a fulfilling life and business for herself, but inside, she is that same teenager wondering what was so wrong with her to make everyone leave her.
“No matter how badly I wanted to talk to you, I couldn’t because you had abandoned me. And even though you had abandoned me, I still loved you. So much. “
Zach gives it his all to convince Ellie he has changed and wants to try again, but she doesn’t trust him. Ellie has secretly been following Zach’s life through the magazines and gossip sites and has issues reconciling her best friend with the things he’s done. Even after his apologies and efforts to make things better, Ellie has her doubts and is really waiting for him to once again leave her and rebreak her heart. This couple has to reacquaint themselves with the people they have grown into and it’s a long winding road. It doesn’t help that Ellie and Zach have external factors attempting to hinder their reconciliation. Ellie uses hers as a shield against her growing feelings for Zach while Zach’s issues are not (all) of his making but affect him nonetheless.
Various other members of the Carter family are integrated into the story, each having conflicts of their own to deal with. I enjoyed meeting Zach’s brothers and hope Leigh writes their stories too. The main conflict and various subplots blend well with the romance though at times the romance seems to get buried beneath Zach’s family’s drama. The sometimes clunky dialogue, questionable choice of descriptive words and Leigh’s need to drag out the conflict and make Ellie look especially quarrelsome dragged the storyline down at times but it also wasn’t enough to throw me off. These Wounds Run Deep was an enjoyable and heartfelt story that addresses love, loss, redemptions, and forgiveness. I look to forward to revisiting the Carter family in the future.
Favorite Quote: “Men are like beautiful agents of Satan, spreading insecurity and misery throughout the world.”
Jera McKnight has a full plate with her indie band, college, and work. Wholeheartedly embracing celibacy after her last boyfriend blamed her for his performance issues in the bedroom, Jera is definitely not on board with the gorgeous man who just threw a newspaper through her living room window.
Jacob Tate has his own full plate with family, work, and unavoidable obligations but from their first meeting, Jera intrigues him and he wants to get to know her better. He just needs to convince her to take a chance on him.
When her band gets their shot at fame, Jera has to decide if she’s finally willing to take a chance on all her dreams…or is her fear going to leave her playing to an empty house.
A Cruel Kind of Beautiful is the first in a witty and sexy new adult trilogy that revolves around an up and coming indie band, The Red Letters. Book one focuses on the band’s drummer, Jera McKnight. Fans of Kylie Scott and Sarina Bowen will enjoy the enthusiastic voice and unfettered energy Michelle Hazen brings to her latest romance contemporary. Infused with love, laughter, charm and a deep streak of vulnerability; Hazen explores the relationships we form with family, friends, and lovers and the expectations that arise when we try to please everyone at the expense of ourselves.
Jera McKnight is currently studying at Portland University while playing the drums and writing lyrics for her band. Living in the house she inherited from her grandmother, Jera is just coasting through life, not really interacting too much after her latest break up. Her luck with the opposite sex has never been good and her last boyfriend has her convinced she is terrible in bed and better off staying single.
Jacob Tate had a full ride to college on a baseball scholarship until a family situation radically changed his plans. Now he goes to school part-time while working various jobs.Sweet and charming, Jacob has been dealt a rough hand but has shouldered the responsibility like a pro. A responsibility that has him not looking for anything permanent as he can’t handle much more.
Even with the serious undertones, I giggled throughout this entire book. Jera is definitely the star of the show with her snarky outlook on her life, her friends, her family, and the new guy she just met.
“I really need to find me some female friends.”
Jera isn’t so much completed as still coming into her own. I love that she isn’t so damaged or burdened by emotional luggage that half the book is spent with her love interest acting as an impromptu therapist. Talented, determined, and intelligent, this is a woman who deserves the best and is well on her way to getting it. The issues behind her battered self-esteem needs addressing and Hazen chooses an issue that is very common to women but not talked much about it. Jera was made responsible for something that wasn’t her fault and it, in turn, gave her a less than positive outlook on sex and relationships. She and Jacob click instantly but her fear of getting hurt again causes her to friend zone him right out of the gate.
“I’m not about to get sucked into second-guessing another’s guys actions, trying to decide what he’s thinking about me. What matters is what I think about me.”
The romance is very slow to develop. Even though Jera admits her attraction to Jacob early on, she fights it. Hazon gives Jera and Jacob ample time to get to know one another on a personal level; first establishing a friendship before pushing beyond their boundaries and introducing the added intimacy of sex. Their chemistry is ripe with humor, hope, and sexual tension as Jera struggles to overcome her fears of intimacy and failure. Jacob is so perfect that he’s almost annoying, however, Hazen gives him a robust personality and just enough flaws to keep us from writing him off. His quiet nature and innate maturity is the perfect foil for Jera’s more gregarious and edgy nature.
Jera’s friends and family are a huge part of her life and jump in with laughter, love, and plenty of unwanted advice. While I enjoyed watching the romance develop, Jera is so funny as she internally debates the pros and cons of dating Jacob, I loved the time and effort Hazen goes into showcasing Jera’s relationships with her family and friends. Jera’s very close to her parents while the bond between her and Danny, the band’s bassist and her best friend, is unbreakable. Besties since high school, Danny has always been there for her and when push comes to shove, he gives it to her straight.
“Someday, Jera, you’ve got to trust someone, whether it’s this Jacob guy or just a fucking record company. If you’re never willing to risk anything, you’re going to be stuck in the same moment for the rest of your life.“
I had so much fun reading Jera and Jacob’s story and can’t wait for book two. My only point of contention was Jacob and his situation. There were so many unanswered questions that I felt a little emotionally manipulated. Regardless, Michelle Hazen has an engaging voice for NA and definitely author to watch for in the future.
Best friends to lovers is always a fun trope. Add in some smexy times, a little conflict, and of course, FOOTBALL, and you have a cute and sexy piece Best friends to lovers is always a fun trope. Add in some smexy times, a little conflict, and of course, FOOTBALL, and you have a cute and sexy piece of escapism. I was happy to see Nathan Riley get his own story. We first met him as an awkward 15-year-old in book one-The Perfect Play– when his mother and Mick Riley, star quarterback of the Sabers, started dating and eventually married. Ten years later, Mick is retiring and Nathan is taking over as the quarterback for the Sabers. My my how times flies. :) Mia Cassidy is also all grown up and like Nathan, embraces the family dynasty by founding a sports management company. While I always had my suspicions they’d end up together, I was curious to see how Burton would play this one out.
The Final Score is number thirteen in Jaci Burton’s racy sports theme romance Play by Play series and not the final book despite the title. This series has certainly come full circle with the next generation of Rileys’ and Cassidys’ riding at the helm. A familiar storyline opens the door to smooth if not repetitive dialogue and some old and new faces as the protagonists, Nathan and Mia, are forced to face head on their professional and personal challenges. The biggest challenge their growing attraction to one another.
Mia and Nathan are best friends and it shows. Their one night stand in college was brushed aside for their friendship and they never brought it up again. Not until they both move to the same city and reconnect. I enjoyed how easy going their relationship. Strong communication and comfortable interactions only re-enforce how tight their bond is. They are way similar makeup; both are intelligent, loyal, and witty with a refreshing lack of emotional baggage or painful secrets that often sparks the tension and must have misunderstandings in these romances. Extremely hard working and career oriented, it was nice that neither were made dependant on the other for their happiness and they each had friends and interests beyond each other.
Steamy chemistry gives credence to the attraction brewing between them. I liked that Mia chooses to wait and think through all the pros and cons of having a sexual relationship with Nathan before falling into bed with him. It gave strength to her argument that their friendship was the most important aspect of their relationship. Sexually, they meshed well and seemed to have a penchant for possible discovery. *wink* I found it hilarious when Nathan proposes hay loft smexy times, Mia sets him straight about hay lofts (they’re hot and itchy) and the fact that no one wants to have sex right after mowing the lawn in 90 degree heat.
The main conflict wasn’t much of a conflict at all. Mia and Nathan are both starting their careers and set on proving to the world and themselves that they got where they are at because of their talents; not their family names. This causes some mild issues; mostly on Mia’s part. Some choices are made that require some groveling at the end but as always, Burton brings her couple through the fire, ready for their happily ever after.
The Final Score doesn’t offer much in terms of excitement or energy but it does offer a sweet and sexy friends to lovers romance that is perfect for a lazy afternoon of reading.
Aiden the Divine is just that… divine. A berserker in the Dragon Queen’s personal army and a member of the Foulkes de chuid Fehhan , Aiden is gorgeous, charming, humorous, intelligent, and very rich. A royal in his own right, he is ready to allow Branwin the Awful full and unfettered access to his body. But only after she stops laughing.
Branwen (Brannie) the Awful of the Cadwaladr Clan, Captain of the First and Fifteenth Companies of the Dragon Queen’s Armies, Colonel of the Ninety-Eighth Regiment of the Southland Armies, daughter of Ghleanna the Decimator and Bram the Merciful (Dragon on Top), has much more important things to tend to other than Aiden the Divine’s ego. Like saving a nation from a vengeful God who seeks to destroy them all. Of course, once this war is over and they emerge triumphant, who knows what could happen.
Bring the Heat picks up with Aiden the Divine, whom we first met in Feel the Burn. He has come back to the Southlands and reunited with his beloved Queen, the Mì-runachs, and his best friend, Brannie. He joins Brannie on the field as she leads her companies against some of Chramnesind’s zealots. When the mountains become sinkholes due to magic, Aiden rushes to save Branwen from being buried alive and expects some gratitude.
“Aren’t you going to thank me?”
“No.”
“Not even a thank you kiss?”
“What about a thank you punch to the face?”
“Is that my only option?”
Brannie and Aiden soon find themselves not in the thick of battle as expected but playing babysitter to Brannie’s cousin, Keita- the Red Viper of Death and Despair, as she plots, poisons, and pouts her way towards the Eastland dragons. Brannie’s not happy to have been pulled from the battlefield and her displeasure has her judging every move Keita makes.
“Oh, Keita.”
“What? What is that tone?”
‘Why did you kill them? Are you just bored?”
“Of course not.”
“If you’re that bored, there’s a whole battlefront where you can kill to your heart’s desire.”
“Ugh. Stop, Branwen. I killed those people because they had to die.”
“Because you’re bored? Or do the voices tell you to do things? Evil things?”
G.A. Aiken brings back her irresistibly humorous, snarky, action packed, violent and outrageously larger than life dragons and their human mates in the ninth book of her epic adventure fantasy series-Bring the Heat. Add in the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains (God, I love these names) and a comfortable friends to lovers romance and you will be belly laughing till the very last page. Readers who have felt that the last few books haven’t done much to advance the arc will rejoice in the amount of acreage covered in here.
“You went to one of the hells and you came back with an army. That’s impressive.”
The continuously evolving world and multi plotted storyline keeps readers on their toes as Aiken gathers all the loose threads through the series and begins to wrap them up, putting the finishing touches on the larger picture as she brings this particular arc to a climatic finish. I love the massive reunion of characters. Almost everyone we’re ever met in this series makes an appearance as the Southland Empire and their allies all come together to interfere, insult, threaten, offer useless advice, and annoy each other to distraction as they each play their part in the war against Chramnesind. Their antics keep the story moving along at a rapid pace.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little crazy…never forget that. Hold on to that. It may save your life.”
“That’s really sweet. But we both know I’m way more crazy that a little crazy.”
Friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and Aiken perfects it with this couple. I absolutely loved Brannie and Aiden. Intelligent, witty, and loyal, these two are born warrior protectors. Some readers may be disappointed to see this couple isn’t as volatile as some of the other couples; therefore creating a more laid back and slow burning romance. Delightful banter and steamy sex scenes further solidifies this couple’s compatibility as they accept their attraction and act on it without a lot conflict, fuss, or drama.
“No f*cking as dragons. I totally understand it…like prostitutes that won’t kiss their clients.”
“Are you calling me a whore?”
“No. Do you want me to? I’ve known a few she-dragons who liked that sort of-”
“No. I don’t want you to.”
“Oh. All right. But what a dirty…and naughty?”
“Yeah, that’s all right.”
Bring the Heat is the book that fans have been waiting for and everything you could wish for in a fantasy romance adventure. If you enjoy outrageous characters, comical narrative and hilarious unpredictable scenarios, then look no further than G.A. Aiken’s Dragon Kin.
Allie Greene grew up in Charmed, TX and runs the family diner-The Blue Banana-while raising her daughter, Angel, and helping to take care of her father who has dementia. Having lived in the same trailer park as Carman Frost (Lucky Charmed) she too was a victim of her classmates’ teasing and the town’s disapproval. Intelligent, forthright, and always in control, Allie is shocked when she learns her father used the diner as collateral on a loan and now the loan shark has come to collect. Only, he doesn’t want money…he wants the diner.
I own fifty-one percent…
Oh my God
What did you do, Dad?
While Allie is trying to deal with the fact her livelihood may be taken away from her, she soon discovers through the grapevine aka the town pharmacist that her daughter may have a boyfriend and may be thinking about sex while the one person she wants to discuss all this with is avoiding her because of a spontaneous kiss.
Bash Anderson.
Bash is the town lothario and Allie’s best friend. He’s been at her side through thick and thin since high school. A father figure to Allie’s daughter and the local apiarist, Bash has his own problems, the main one being his attraction to Allie. He has always loved Allie but that love becomes sexually fueled after a shared kiss. However, she and Angel are the only family he has and they mean the world to him. He couldn’t survive losing them so he is trying his best to ignore his feelings and keep their friendship purely platonic.
“You and Angel are my family. I’ll always be there for you.”
Once again, Lovelace takes us back to the small fictional town of Charmed, TX and brings us a funny, sweet, and satisfying friends to lovers romance between a single mother and her best friend in the whole wide world. Written in the first person, Lovelace tells her story through the eyes of Allie Greene-mother, father, daughter, caretaker, and business owner. Though touted as a romance, this story’s focus is more on all the different kinds of love in Allie’s life-her family, her friends, the town, her business-and how she deals with them. She has so many fingers in so many pies yet she handles it like a pro because she’s never had a choice not to. I especially enjoyed her relationship with her daughter. Firm but fair, Allie tries to be the perfect parent only to discover nothing about life or teenagers is perfect.
“In a month we can have this conversation.”
“He may not still be intersted in a month.”
“If he’s not interested in you in a month from now, then he’s not worth having.” Oh sweet God, even as the words were flyng out of my mouth, I heard every old person I’d ever known.
There is a strong sense of isolation surrounding Allie even though she has a strong support system around her. She is reluctant to accept help from anyone because she learned early in life that no one ever stays. Her mother died and left her alone with a father who gambled away their savings and home. Her ex-boyfriend left her when he found out she was pregnant. The town turned their back on her when she needed them most. Even now she feels abandoned by her father because of his dementia. When push comes to shove, however, she lowers her guard and accepts the helping hands that have always been there.
“You’re Charmed family. We’ve got you.”
Strong narrative, witty banter, and dynamic characters kept me thoroughly entertained as we watch Lovelace bring together this prickly couple. Lovelace has an engaging and humorous voice for writing about everyday people. Her dry wit infiltrates the storyline as does her understanding of human nature. Sizzling chemistry and emotionally ripe scenes help to put the romance in motion and convince the reader this couple has a chance.
“”What do you want to do?”
“I want to hear your breath catch when I get close, I want to see your eyes go all dark and sexy when you touch me, I want to feel the growly sigh you make in your cheat when we kiss.”
I only wish it had more one on one heart to heart. The subplots take up quite a bit of the storyline, causing a rush to wrap everything up at the end. There was that faint touch of paranormal that has been interwoven into the series that, in my opinion, was just a lazy out for Lovelace to take.
Once again Lovelace delivers readers a well rounded small town romance that will keep you laughing and swooning with pleasure.
“Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.”
Trust is Kylie Scott’s first foray into young adult (YA) and a winner in my book with its bittersweet story of two teenagers who struggle to understand and deal with a traumatic event. Edie, our heroine, is a seventeen-year-old senior whose dry wit and relatable monologue will have you laughing, sighing, and shaking your head in bemusement as she attempts to move forward with her life in the aftermath of being held hostage during a robbery while also having to deal with the usual teen issues. Energetic, humorous, and raw at times, Edie’s voice resounds through the story, clear as a bell, as she deals with some mature and sensitive subjects such as slut shaming, fat shaming, drugs, sex, violence, and first love.
“I scared a boy with my menstrual rage […] Though to be fair, he kind of deserved it.”
When Edie stops at a local convenience store for snacks, she certainly doesn’t expect to be taken hostage by cranked up meth head. Lucky for her, another teenager also happens to be there and risks his life to save hers. The two survivors are separated only to meet up again when Edie transfers from her private all girls school to a public school to start fresh. She is warned about John Cole as his drug dealing and womanizing ways are a legend at the high school. Only, John too is attempting to start fresh with his brand new attitude towards school, drugs, and a certain girl. A friendship develops as these two help one another through the highs, low, and the in-betweens of their shared traumatic experience.
I found it hard to care. I mean, what did it matter? Life went on; no one had died as a result. The principal said it would go on my permanent record.
Permanent?
Please.
Bullets were permanent. Everything else was temporary.
While the beginning is certainly eventful, the story itself is pretty low-key and quiet as Scott reveals with a steady hand the changes that can occur after a traumatic experience and the ways one can heal from it. Random and seemingly unimportant things take on new meanings as Edie and John discover the hard way that life can be ripped from you at any given time. While the bad boy/good girl element is strong, so are Scott’s subtle little tweaks to it. Scott takes her time in developing Edie and John, superimposing the newer versions on top of the older ones with each revolution.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because this is where you are,” he said as if it were obvious.
The romance is a mixture of anticipation, humor, and sexual tension as it slowly dissolves the lines of their friendship into something sweet, passionate, and bittersweet. It blends well with the coming of age and the push/pull of adulthood themes of the story. Watching their transformation from friends to more is a brilliant mash-up of emotions as Edie is quite vocal in her embarrassment, awkwardness, lust, fear, confusion, and of course, jealousy.
“God, the fat thing. Do you have any idea how often I’ve had that flung at me? I mean, what if I only take the word as a descriptor? Then you’re screwed. But I bet if you tried, you could make up much better insults. Give it a try; I’ll wait because your opinion really, really matters to me. Who ever you are. “
A personable and individualized secondary cast of characters adds even more energy, drama, and humor of the story; offering advice, a shoulder to cry on, and back up. Edie and John have support systems, from Edie’s over protective mom to John’s Uncle Levi, and I appreciated that Scott didn’t take the easy way out as some YAs do and place the adults in villainous roles. Fellow high schools Anders and Hang steal the show at times with their exuberance and love/hate relationship.
“What are we talking about?” hissed Anders, bringing his head down to our level. “Who are we looking at?”
“Nothing. Go away,” said Hang.
“But I want to be one of the girls!”
“No.” She put a hand over his face and pushed.
The ending is a little too predictable when Edie is given a chance to take back what she thought she lost and emerges the stronger for it. It was heavily foreshadowed but not offensive or manipulative. Though we aren’t given the firm HEA, we are given a happy and hopefully HFN towards Edit and John’s future.
I picked up Mack Daddy on a whim. The title and cover caught my eye and I am a sucker for a good second chance romance. Mack Daddy tells us thGrade: C
I picked up Mack Daddy on a whim. The title and cover caught my eye and I am a sucker for a good second chance romance. Mack Daddy tells us the story of Mac (McKenzie) and Frankie. College roommates whose friendship turns to something much more but circumstances made it impossible for them to be together. Now 8 years later, Mack and Frankie are given another chance at love but again the circumstances aren't quite right. Will they let this opportunity pass again or will they finally seize their destiny?
Ward begins the story in the present while giving us the background of this couple's relationship using the past. Ward's humor shines through and I found myself quite amused for the first 1/2 of the book. The second half wasn't as entertaining. The pacing slows down dramatically and I found Mack and Frankie's reconnection extremely verbose and somewhat repetitive. The leads seem to get stuck in a rut. I was put off by Ward's attempts to describe someone with OCD. The last 10-15% introduces a huge twist that is nothing more than a plot device to help smooth over any lingering feelings of dislike over Mack and Frankie's emotional/mental cheating and I really felt it cheapened the story.
All in all an okay story but definitely not one of Ward's better endeavors. ...more
This friends to lovers story is anything but tame in a world where everything is for available for a price and weakness is a death sentence. Unwilling to risk their friendship over the possibility of failure, a night of sexual carnal delights opens the doorway to a relationship that will take away nothing and give them the world. If they have the courage to step through it....more
The second book in Tiffany Reisz’s erotic holiday trifecta takes us back to Oregon and offers readers a whole lot to be thankful for when a woman in need of a fake boyfriend finds herself falling for real. Sizzling chemistry, fun, flirty banter, and a deliciously filthy minded contractor will leave you wanting to be the main course at this Thanksgiving dinner....more
The first book in Aguirre’s newest PNR series-Ars Numina- introduces us to a world of danger, intrigue, and an emotional second chance romance as a yoThe first book in Aguirre’s newest PNR series-Ars Numina- introduces us to a world of danger, intrigue, and an emotional second chance romance as a young woman risks it all to save her people from destruction. Fantastic world building and exceptional characterization left me engaged from page one. I can’t wait for book 2-The Demon Prince.
I do hope book 2 divulges a little deeper into the history of this world, giving us insight into how the different species came into existence, how and if they co-exist with humans, and the basis of the war at hand. ...more
Favorite Quote: “I will say the wrong words from time to time. And I will cock things up. That’s a given, unfortunately. but there will never, ever be a time when I do not love you or want you in my life.”
Sophie Darling thought she had struck gold when she is upgraded to first class on a trip to England. And when the most beautiful man she’s ever seen sits next to her she practically vibrates with lust, convinced this is her reward for all her good deeds in life.
Then he opens his mouth.
Gabriel Scott is on his way to England to meet up with the rock band he manages. Used to getting what he wants when he wants, he is visibly upset when he is forced to share a cabin with another person. When his complaints fall on deaf ears, he decides to make the best of it, offhandedly noticing his seat mate is gorgeous.
Then she opens her mouth.
What starts out as a battle of the wits with Sophie determined to ruffle her straight laced companion soon morphs into a friendship of sorts as Sophie and Gabriel begin to engage in harmless flirting and energetic discussions to pass the time. When Gabriel discovers Sophie is interviewing for a social media position for the band, his disappoint is keen. Gabriel doesn’t date fans or employees but the attraction between them can not be denied. Once they arrive in England, Gabriel finds he can’t stay away from Sophie and doesn’t really want to. But he’s been hurting for so long and is used to managing it on his own. Now he needs to decide if he’s willing to let go of some of his famous control and fall into the unknown of love with the one person who cannot be managed.
Managed in the 2nd installment in Kristen Callihan’s sexy, humorous, bittersweet contemporary romance VIP series. Based on the members of a famous rock band, Kill John, this heavily character driven story revolves around the band’s icy, standoffish manager and the carefree, uninhibited woman who’s made it her mission to melt all the ice and bring forward the passionate man underneath. Book one, Idol, gave us the lead singer’s story and we learned that the band went through a dark period when one of their members OD’d and was placed in rehab. Though things are much better now, the ramifications from that event reverberated through the band, affecting them all. Especially their manager-Gabriel Scott. As each installment revolves around one couple, they can be technically read as standalones however there are events and characters in book one that cascade over into this book.
I adore Kristen Callihan’s romances from her humorous and sexy NA sport series to her gritty and dark paranormal series. Callihan has a gift for digging deep beneath the artifice and tripe, taking readers an unexpected and exciting adventure jam packed with love, lust, fear, loss, and acceptance. Though predictable in terms of the HEA-it is romance after all-it’s the journey there that holds our attention with the humor, spontaneity, chemistry driven love scenes, and overall dynamics. The essential meet cute at 35,000 feet in the air is a unique introduction in that this couple is essentially forced to make nice for hours and it sets up this opposite attraction romance deliciously. I found it really gives readers an intimate and quite comical look into the personalities of Sophie and Gabriel.
“I don’t like you,” I mutter…
“Lie,” he points out. “You’ve told me repeatedly now that you find me blindingly attractive.”
“That doesn’t mean I like you. Besides, your brand of pretty is a weapon. You reel victims in with it, just like a vampire does. I wouldn’t be surprised if you sparkle in the sun.”
“I cannot believe I’m arguing with a woman who references Twilight.”
“The fact that you know I’m referencing Twilight betrays you as a secret Edward-loving fanboy.”
His snort is loud and scathing. “Team Jacob all the way.”
I can’t help it, my eyes fly open, and I lift a corner of my mask to glare at him. “That’s it. We can never be friends.”
I absolutely adore Sophie. She is an absolute delight with her outward sunny personality and buried complex nature. A breathe of fresh air who breezes through life seemingly unconcerned and deftly takes what life hands her like a pro. Pretty, funny, intelligent, and very snarky, Sophie isn’t in need of saving from anything. She isn’t suffering from a dark tragedy or a broken heart. She has has pretty good life with a loving family. A former freelance photographer, (paparazzi), she does has a connection Kill John that ties into the previous events. She makes her peace with the band and attempts to navigate her way through her new job and her feelings for Gabriel.
“Gabriel Scott might not know how to manage me, but I sure as shit am clueless when it comes to him too.”
Gabriel Scott is a grumpy, cold, standoffish man whose entire life revolves around the band. Having attended school with the band members, they share a special bond that transcends the usual manager/artist(s) relationship. Intelligent, sexy, gorgeous, and very commanding, Gabriel chooses to manage his lingering anger over his childhood through some questionable means. His fear of commitment casts a long shadow. He hasn’t the time to invest in them and he has been used to many times by those who want to get close to the band. Meeting Sophie is an eye opener that scares him to death. She both exhilarates and confuses him. He is stymied how this one person managed to get under his skin so deep. Something very few have ever managed to accomplish.
“I don’t know whether to run or grab hold of her and never let go.”
The slow burn romance of Sophie and Gabriel’s relationship from friends to lovers gives readers a chance to understand what makes these people tick. Intense chemistry explodes between them from the first time they meet, melting into a sexual tension that drives this couple as they feint and parry, unsure of what exactly is building between them and if they will survive it.
“I have never experienced intimacy. I did not know how good it felt to simply be with someone and let everything else melt away. The world can fuck off when I’m with Sophie Darling. There is only us. I don’t have to be anyone else but Gabriel.”
Through laughter and tears, Callihan shows this couple that should they choose to drop their shields, they have a phenomenal chance at happiness together. Gabriel’s inherent protective nature and Sophie’s ability to see the real Gabriel despite what he chooses to show the world only further proves they are meant for one another.
“Most people believe I’m incapable of feeling anything.”
Outrage punches through my chest like a burning fist. In that moment, I know I’d go to war for this man. Even if he hated every second of it. No one should have to face the world without someone at their back. Especially not someone as dedicated as Gabriel.”
We see old and new faces; each one an important part of the storyline. Killian and Libby are here along with the rest of the band. And we get to meet some new faces who offer clues to possible future couples. A somewhat predictable plot device pops up towards the end and is used to push Gabriel and Sophie into confronting the last of their doubts and overcoming them.
“Destroyed. My polished armor. My stubborn resistance. My hardened heart. She’s smashed through the first two and laid total claim on the third. And I don’t feel like running.”