I think Ms Harlow saved the very best til last for Millie's book. This is an intense, passionate , sexy and addictive read whi5 Millie and Zach Stars
I think Ms Harlow saved the very best til last for Millie's book. This is an intense, passionate , sexy and addictive read which features the age gap / forbidden relationship tropes. I honestly wasn't sure about even reading this and I nearly skipped it because the heroine, Millie , used to date the Hero's son. Wait!!!! Don't go....let me explain...I was fully expecting to find this very 'icky' because I dislike it when one of the main characters has been in a relationship with someone the other main character is related to. Doesn't matter if it's a parent / sibling/ best friend / cousin , I just don't enjoy reading that. My friend Nicole , said this was one of her favourite reads of 2022 so I thought I would at least try the first couple of chapters. I was hooked.
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When Millie (32) and Zach (47) first meet , they do not realise the connection they share. Zach has only very , very recently discovered he has an adult son (28) that he had never been told about. Millie had had a relationship with the son well over a year before and they had spent most of that time as friends. There is one scene with some awkwardness but they address that well.
Despite the 15 year age gap, these two are absolutely perfect for each other. The chemistry between them is immediate , intense and it burns hotter throughout the book.
“Earlier you mentioned I’d be safe with you. If I go up to your room, does that mean you’re going to keep your hands to yourself?� “No. My hands will be all over your body.� Leaning closer, I put my lips against her ear. “My hands, my mouth, and my cock. Baby, if you say yes, you’re going to be up all fucking night.� She sucked in her breath. “Yes. I say yes. Yes.�
If you believe in soul mates then this story will wrap you up in its pages and hug you tight whilst you relish a true love story that absolutely was meant to be.
Zach is ex military and works for Cole Security (Jackson Cole from Beloved by Corinne Michaels who has co-authored with Melanie Harlow many times). He is in my Hero Hall of Fame. He ticks every box for me - gorgeous , protective , intense , brooding. His inner turmoil and the fact that he simply cannot stay away from our heroine is beautifully written.
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I adore Millie so much. She is the eldest of the MacAllister sisters who are all very likeable. Each sister has a book but they all read well as standalone novels. I loved her drive and determination to succeed in her business but ultimately family is everything to her and her conflict over her relationship with Zach is heart breaking. Millie is a loyal , kind , driven woman and Zach made her embrace a side of herself that she had kept hidden.
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This story is very character driven and the plot really is the development of their relationship. Great secondary characters that lighten the intensity when needed and help show different sides to Millie and Zach. A romantic, passionate read about a couple that you are rooting for from the very start.
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I listened to and read this book. Great narration by Sebastian York and Lucy Rivers. Listening time 8h 30m.
I am firmly into this series at the moment and I had very much been looking forward to reading Felicity's book. Felicity is4 Felicity and Hutton Stars
I am firmly into this series at the moment and I had very much been looking forward to reading Felicity's book. Felicity is the middle daughter of Mack from the first book , Irresistible and Sister to Winnie from Ignite.
The MacAllister girls are all grown up and in this novel, it follows the childhood friends / fake relationship tropes and makes for a really good read. Not much drama or OW/OM angst but a pretty intense relationship development.
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Felicity is breaking out with her own food business and at the ten year High School reunion she is determined to be seen in a positive light having not had the best experiences at school previously. Her best childhood friend is Hutton French. They were both 'Nerds' at school - really , they were smart and worked hard but they didn't have a huge social circle outside of each other. Hutton went off and made a fortune in the digital currency world and is now a billionaire. A billionaire who is back home for the summer.
Felicity and Hutton end up faking a relationship but things soon feel very real but Hutton , in particular, is reluctant to be in a relationship especially with Felicity because he thinks he can never be good enough for her. I liked both the leading characters very much. They both have their own issues - Felicity cuts her hair when she gets stressed , Hutton has very real Social Anxiety issues but together they are amazing.
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I really loved the relationship they each have with their own respective siblings.
If hot Nerds are your jam then I should think you will enjoy this romance. Hutton is a little edgier in the bedroom than the other male leads in the series - it's not full on like Fifty Shades but it's a little more about the Hero being in control than the other books.
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I don't think I shall ever view whisky in the same light again...
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HEA? Such a pretty ending - loved it! Cheating? No - these two are solid and neither has had a significant other before they connect romantically.
I listened and read. Great narration by Samantha Summers and Oliver Clarke -reading time 9h 4mins.
Be aware - Emotional Abuse (view spoiler)[ Childhood trauma of emotionally abusive mother who then became an absent mother. (hide spoiler)] ...more
Short Review I saw a book friend's review of this novel and it prompted me to pick this up as I had bought i5 Winnie and Dex Stars (And Luna and Halle)
Short Review I saw a book friend's review of this novel and it prompted me to pick this up as I had bought it some time ago and it had been languishing on my TBR. I'm so glad that I did. This was a gorgeous read- if you enjoy Single Dad / Grumpy-Sunshine tropes , then snap this up. Fairly low angst , lots of steam, some push and pull plus brilliant side characters made this a 5 star read.
Longer Review Winnie (22) is the youngest of the original MacAllister sisters whose Dad, Mack, features in the first book in the Cloverleigh Series , Irresistible. Now Winnie is all grown up and is a little heart sore from not finding her HEA. A string of less than desirable love interests have dented her spirit and she has a deal with her friend , Ellie, that she is staying away from relationships for a while. When her hot new neighbour moves in next door her interest is piqued. Neither want a relationship and they can't resist the chemistry that sparks between them but with the chance of a new job looming , Winnie decides to go for it and just enjoy a no strings hook up for a while. Surely nothing could go wrong....
As a heroine, Winnie is easy to read about. She's funny and lovable and tries to see the best in every situation and person. Then we have Dex (34). He's gorgeous, gruff , ex military and current firefighter plus he's a single Dad to his hilarious and adorable daughters Halle (8) and Luna (5). I thought they were two of the best child characters I have read. Far from saccharine and cutsie , they are so realistic because they are a bit mischievous but lovely and most of all , their relationship with their Dad feels so real and normal. He is not a Hallmark Daddy - he's a man trying his hardest to get things right with his girls but he's very normal and the interactions and conversations between them are so brilliantly written. The whole swear jar and 'Fuchur Cat' thing had me laughing out loud.
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Now they were playing their favorite game, which was to stand next to me while I slept and talk shit about me. “Daddy.� The voice was a little louder now, and I recognized it—my five-year-old, Luna. “We heard you snoring.� I continued playing possum. (And for the record, I don’t fucking snore.) “Daddy always looks so funny when he sleeps.� Luna got the game started. “Don’t you think?� “Yes.� That was Hallie, my eight-year-old “He makes grumpy faces.� “And weird breathing noises.� “Yeah. And he’s so hairy.� “Daddy’s not that hairy,� Luna whispered defensively. “Just some right there.�
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I liked that the relationship with his ex wife felt realistic too. They probably never should have married but they both realise that they made mistakes and even though things are tense at times, they try hard to get along for the girls. I liked that he didn't run her down , she isn't portrayed as a hideous she devil but instead they just weren't the right fit for each other. They have both moved on.
Dex does mess up a bit with Winnie , well , quite a lot really but I loved his grovel. Superb and highly entertaining too.
If you love small town, single Dad, grumpy alpha - sunshine heroine, age gap (12yr older Hero) romances then this is an excellent read. No need to read in order , this works easily as a standalone.
HEA? Good ending but more HFN as they appear in the next book as secondary characters. Cheating?No
I read and also listened. Fab narration by Stephen Dexter and Kirsten Leigh with a listening time of 10h 5m.
I have long been anticipating this latest release in the Until Him /Her series and it did not disappoint. These books are all4.5 Willow and Clay Stars
I have long been anticipating this latest release in the Until Him /Her series and it did not disappoint. These books are all about the high passion , insta lust /love , full on drama and a very alpha male swooping in to save the day - despite the heroine being a strong , independent woman. I love it and devour these books as soon as they are released. The Mayson Family ties are strong.
Willow is the daughter of Nico and Sophie (Until Nico) and we have seen her appear in other books featuring her siblings and cousins. There are a lot of books in the series but they all stand as robust standalone novels in their own right. (See the end of my review for a guide).
Willow is fiercely independent and is really likeable as a heroine. She dates guys and somehow stays friends with them after. This is a really entertaining topic when she first meets up with Clay. As a Hero , Clay is full on alpha. If you have read these books , you will be well used to the type of male main character Aurora Rose Reynolds writes. In real life it would be too much but in the Until Him/ Her world it works - that said, I suspect there is one scene that will cause some discussion and dissent amongst some readers...just remember ,this is fiction.
Clay has a traumatic childhood backstory and the bond he has with his brothers is strong. I really, really hope that they get a story each. This book is very much about family and the emphasis is that families can look different to different people. I would urge you to read the Author's note at the end of the book.
Clay and Willow go so well together. Their's was not as 'insta' as some of the loves in other books in the series and it worked well for them. The pace was good and there was just enough drama to keep you guessing who the baddie was.
HEA? Yes - gorgeous epilogue 5 years in the future. Cheating? No Be aware (view spoiler)[ Sex trafficking / Child abuse / Murder/ Parental Substance abuse / Loss of parents in childhood are all mentioned in this book. (hide spoiler)]
Willow is the daughter of Nico and Sophie (Until Nico.
Willow's twin Sister is Harmony , (Until Harmony). Her other siblings are Nalia, Sage (twins) (Until Sage) , Bax and Talon (Until Talon).
The order of reading for the siblings /cousins , (they read fine as standalone's ) are :
Until July (July and Wes 4 Stars- July is a Veterinarian. Wes is a hot biker/ ex veteran).
Until June (June and Evan 5 Stars- Second Chance Romance /Ex military)
Until Ashlyn (Ashlyn and Dillon 5 Stars - Workplace Romance)
Until Sage (Sage and Kim 3.5 Stars - Enemies to Lovers Romance)
Until Harmony (Harmony and Harlen 5 Stars- Sunshine /Grumpy Romance)
Until Cobi (Cobi and Hadley 4 Stars - Opposites Attract **This is the only one where I would suggest reading Until Harmony first as Cobi starts where Harmony ends).
Until December (December and Gareth 5 Stars - Single Dad / Teacher & Kindle obsessed heroine. Good grovel by Hero).
Until Talon (Talon and Mia 4.5 Stars - Swoony alpha to the rescue).
Until April (April and Maxim - 4 Stars- Teenage crush / Feisty heroine/ Re connection)
Until May (May and Aiden- 4.5 Stars Ex Athlete romance)
Brenda Rothert is an automatic one click author for me so I really am not sure how this little gem escaped me for so long.
Dr 4 Joss and Carson Stars
Brenda Rothert is an automatic one click author for me so I really am not sure how this little gem escaped me for so long.
Dr Jocelyn Drake (29) specialises in Obstetrics and Gynae so thankfully isn't often in the E.R. which is where her ex husband and his new girlfriend work. He was having an affair with her for sometime before Joss found out so although they have been divorced for a year and she has no desire to be back with him, it still stings to see them together. I liked Joss. She's a very likeable heroine and I was delighted to see her finally taking the step of acting on her attraction to someone.
That someone is Carson Stephens(26). He is ex military and now that he is Stateside , he works at the hospital supervising the electrical and mechanical systems. Carson is quiet , reflective and very attracted to our heroine.
This was a well paced story that kept me listening. At 5h 55m and with great narration by Kirsten Leigh and Lee Samuels, I enjoyed every minute. Some twists I didn't see coming and a couple that I did but the whole story is well executed. It's got a good balance of humour and drama.
Lots of heat, some soul searching , a little angst but ultimately a romantic tale of two soulmates who were made for each other.
HEA? Yes - absolutely gorgeous epilogue set 6 months ahead. Cheating? Not between Joss and Carson. ...more
Short, sexy , sweet and funny catch up with the Lost Kings as they celebrate Halloween. Lots of interactions and chapters fr4.5 Halloween Biker Stars
Short, sexy , sweet and funny catch up with the Lost Kings as they celebrate Halloween. Lots of interactions and chapters from multiple POV which was fab. Ends abruptly but more books are to come and this was a fabulous TREAT!
If you haven't read any of the LOKI books - this will not make any sense to you. Read the series - it's amazing.
HEA? Not really as it ends abruptly - there is more to come. Nice ending though. Cheating? No ...more
I'm not quite sure what happened here. I love the Calamity series and somehow I missed reading this book. I saw someone's revie5 Wilder and Iris Stars
I'm not quite sure what happened here. I love the Calamity series and somehow I missed reading this book. I saw someone's review on GR and suddenly realised I'd missed it completely.
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Anyway...off to the trusty Kindle I went and I started reading this gorgeous age gap/ best friend's little sister / small town romance. This works as a standalone very well but this is a fab series so I would recommend all of the Calamity novels.
Wilder Abbott is 35 years old and a Science teacher at the High School. He's broody, handsome , keeps to himself and is popular with most students but not all.
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Wilder doesn't take any crap from anyone. He says it how it is and pulls no punches. He lives in a remote house and everything is just as he likes it until his best friend asks for a favour. Then his world gets tipped upside down because along comes his best friend's sister , Iris Monroe. She's no longer the kid she was last time he saw her and she is staying with Wilder for two months.
I loved both Wilder and Iris. She is free spirited and has gone against the demands and expectations of her family to carve out a career travelling the world , flitting from country to country and building her presence on Social Media.
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She's one of the loveliest rebel's I've read about.
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Wilder stole my kindle heart. Broody heroes are my jam. These two are , on the surface , a Grumpy / Sunshine combination but there is the most delicious chemistry bubbling away here and the push and pull makes for really enjoyable reading. Wilder feels guilty for being attracted to Iris - she's 10 years younger than him , she's his best friend's sister and Wilder has a past that changed him as a person.
“Damn it, Iris. I want you more than I can explain. It’s fucking maddening. But you’re too young. You’re Danny’s sister. You’re . . .� Everything I wanted. Everything I didn’t deserve. Her face softened as her hands splayed on my naked chest. “You want me.� I tilted my head to the ceiling and groaned. “I want you.�
How long til he cracks and they fall into something that could truly be amazing? Both are reluctant but that adds to the deliciousness of the story.
Not that Wilder loved me. Not that I loved Wilder. Not quite. Not yet. But damn, it was so close. It was inevitable. Like the spinning of the earth or the rising of the moon. Before I left Montana, I would be in love with Wilder Abbott. And that fucking sucked.
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This was a great book and one I would definitely re read. My musical muses for this novel are Wilder Days by Morgan Wade and Girl Going Nowhere by Ashley McBryde
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware (view spoiler)[ Traumatic loss of a spouse - Wilder's wife was killed in a car accident a few years before. I always worry in case a dead ex is held higher in a character's affection than the new H/h but in this case that was unfounded. Wilder adores Iris and they are absolutely soul mates. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Calamity , Montana Series. I have relished every book and this was no exception. The 4.5 Ronan and Larke Stars
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Calamity , Montana Series. I have relished every book and this was no exception. The Brawl focuses on Larke Hale (35) who is Kerrigan's sister from The Brazen. She is a single mum and is used to being gossiped about as she is quite guarded about who is the father of the adorable 1 yr old Wren.
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She is also a teacher who is unhappy at being made to teach at the High School rather than the fifth grade where she is happiest.
They’d begged a newly retired teacher to come back temporarily until they could fill the position, but she’d refused to teach high school. Now I knew why. Mrs. Baker was sitting comfortably in my fifth-grade classroom while I was in hell at the high school, dealing with teenagers who couldn’t care less about creative writing and the Oxford comma.
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Ronan Thatcher (35) is new to town and is a talented lawyer. He is looking for a fresh start after a difficult period of time and the moment he sets eyes on Larke Hale , he is smitten. Larke is cautious about who is coming into her and Wren's life and Ronan has to work at earning her attention /affection.
I loved the chemistry between these two. They have a bit of push and pull but ultimately theirs was a love affair that was going to happen.
I crushed my lips to hers, and fuck me, I was in so much trouble. A current zapped through my veins. Her mouth was soft and it fit mine just right. I licked the seam of her lips, tasting a hint of cherry lip gloss, as sweet as honey.
As always with Devney Perry's books , she writes secondary characters who bring as much depth and importance to the story as the Hero and heroine. Ember is the student who is the thorn in Larke's side and the catalyst for the whole premise of the interactions between Larke and Ronan. I loved Ember's character and I am sure there has got to be a book for her somewhere in the future. At least, I'm very, very hopeful. Wren is the sweetest little girl and watching Ronan win her affection was adorable. One year olds can be choosy!
A tiny crack crept into Wren’s defenses. Her smile started small, then grew and grew until she flashed him not only the grilled cheese in her mouth, but her teeth. Ronan’s smile, genuine and victorious, widened. My ovaries exploded. I was so, so screwed.
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Gerty is an absolute gem. She is old school Calamity and is Ronan's assistant. I thought she was utterly perfect.
“Bye.� I winked, then retreated to the office. Gertrude waited, smug. “Oh, you like her.� “Oh, I like her.�
Great story with a twist I did not see coming and characters that I loved and cannot wait to meet again. I could just live quite happily in Calamity, Montana.
HEA? Yes , with a gorgeous epilogue. Cheating ? No. These two are solid. ...more
When you find The One, you take his hand, and you don’t let go.
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When I saw that Sarina Bowen had a new b5 Sparkly Snowy Ava and Reed Stars
When you find The One, you take his hand, and you don’t let go.
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When I saw that Sarina Bowen had a new book out , I was instantly curious. Then I read the blurb and was itching to read it. I was hooked from the opening page to the very last line. I am so here for Madigan Mountain and the characters that live there.
This is a gorgeous second chance romance , set on a beautiful mountain at the Madigan Ski Resort , in Colorado. The glittering majesty of the backdrop belies the murky darkness of the relationship between Mark Madigan and his three sons - Reed , Weston and Crew. Once they were a happy family but the death of Mrs Madigan ,when Reed was about 19 , threw them into a spiral of distress with Mark not being anything like the Father they had known. All three boys leave home at the first opportunity and the relationship they had splinters and shatters like the most fragile of icicles. Reed dives into his college life and he and Ava meet , connect and fall hard for each other. They are soul mates but life throws them a curveball and just when Ava needed Reed the most , he left her. He goes to San Francisco and for ten years builds a high flying career as a Venture Capitalist.
Meanwhile , Ava (32) is working at Madigan Mountain Ski Resort as his Father's right hand woman. She has made a success of her career too , even though she has not gone down the path she thought she would. When his Dad decides to move on with his own life with Melody , his new wife, Reed (32) is forced to return to the Mountain. Ava and Reed cross paths again - I loved the scene where he sees her for the first time in ten years. His shock is almost palpable. I also loved Ava's show of retribution - a small gesture but very entertaining.
The story is told in dual first person POV. There are some flashback scenes told in the third person which works really well. The flashbacks are few and brief but they say what needs to be said perfectly.
Back when we were a couple, I would sometimes stare at the handsome rich kid from Colorado and wonder how any boy could be so beautiful.
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I loved Ava and Reed equally. They are both so likeable from the very start. One thing I thought was really well done, was that you are assured all the way along that Reed never loved anyone like he loved Ava.
Ava Aichers, with whom I had the only truly passionate and absorbing love affair of my life, is right here in front of me.
No one came close but he was never derogatory about the women he had been with. His most recent date, Harper, is feisty and to the point (I would love to read a book with her as the heroine) and even though she was the 'Other Woman' in a way , I couldn't help but like her. She was pretty kick ass.
All the secondary characters are interesting , engaging and make you want more - I am itching to read Weston and Crew's stories. A Little Too Close and A Little Too Wild which also release this month (Oct 2022).
The baddies were a delight to boo at. That part of the plot was a little easy to guess but it was executed well and enjoyable to read.
As much as I loved the characters , it was clear that they very much had their flaws. Mark Madigan surprised me and I wasn't expecting a couple of the things that happened around him. Ms Bowen can certainly make her characters cut deep with their words.
This romance had the most delicious small town feel to it, which is like kindle catnip to me.
I groan into my coffee cup, because mountain gossip is swift and brutal. This place is like a small town on meth.
I relished every page and listened to and read it. Excellent narration , as always, by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York.
Reed Madigan is going to wreck me all over again. And I’m going to let him.
I will absolutely be devouring the other two books and this one is definitely going to be a go to re read for sure.
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And I don’t even care, because the only man I ever loved is kissing me in the snow on a moonlit night, and romantic moments are as fleeting in my life as shooting stars.
If you want to lose yourself in a second chance romance with passion , fun , heartache and a plethora of characters that you will fall in love with, then I recommend A Little Too Late.
HEA? More HFN but Ava and Reed will most likely appear in the next two books. It was a good ending though.
Cheating? No. Both H and h saw others during their 10 year separation but no significant relationships for either of them.
Be aware (view spoiler)[Loss of a parent at a young age / parental alcohol misuse / miscarriage are all themes in this novel. (hide spoiler)]
Ilsa Madden Mills is an author whose work I adore. Although this was an enjoyable read , Fake Fiancee didn't captivate me as much3 Max and Sunny Stars
Ilsa Madden Mills is an author whose work I adore. Although this was an enjoyable read , Fake Fiancee didn't captivate me as much as some of her other books. I think Sunny is a likeable heroine and for the most part Max was ok , but he irritated me a bit sometimes with his cockiness. I thought at times , that football commandeered everything in his life and I wasn't a huge fan of how he manipulated situations to push Sunny into a corner. He did redeem himself but yeah , a Hero that gave me mixed feelings.
The book gets off to a very strong start and I felt that the drama of that initial impact faded away. It wasn't as focal a part of the plot as I thought it would be which surprised me.
I loved the secondary characters - Mimi , Tate , Isabella - I was a huge fan of them all and felt they really added to the story.
If you enjoy the fake relationship , sporty , fairly hot college romance tropes , with a dose of serendipity, then give this a try.
HEA? Epilogue 2 years ahead but I felt it was more HFN. (Although I am convinced they would be together forever...I'm just greedy when it comes to epilogues!) Cheating? No....more
I'm not perfect, Never will be. But I care about you. I fucking love you.
I really enjoyed Boyfriend Material which is a 5 Eric and Julia Stars
I'm not perfect, Never will be. But I care about you. I fucking love you.
I really enjoyed Boyfriend Material which is a College hockey romance that reads well as a standalone in the Hawthorne University Series. Ilsa Madden-Mills has become one of my favourite authors, I love her style of writing and the characters and worlds she creates always hook me in.
Eric is an interesting Hero - there is an element of second chance romance because he and Julia were briefly together in High School and he broke her heart. His behaviour was not great and I was glad that he had grown up and reflected on it but damn if he didn't mess up again.
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On one hand Eric is incredibly loyal , driven and actually really kind but then he would do something and I wanted to shout at him to do what his heart told him , not to be influenced so heavily by his family. He is passionate and it is a delicious slow burn between him and Julia.
Julia is my kind of heroine and I had such a soft spot for her. She is so loyal and you see how she was a naive , love struck teenager in the prologue and then you are shown in the first chapter how much her life has changed and what a difficult situation she is in. If Eric is the privileged, born with a silver spoon in his mouth , lusted after hot guy then Julia is the social pariah who takes hit after hit from life and just can't catch a break. She works as a stripper whilst attending College and there are some pretty heavy reasons why she is in that situation.
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I wanted to delve into the pages of my kindle and bitch slap the nasty girls who try to shame her and the vile men who think they can do as they please with her. I confess to squealing in joy when Eric swoops in to help at the start.
The story is interesting , well paced and there is really solid character development and the grovel at the end was good enough for me. It made me cry so that's a winner in my opinion. Great secondary characters and best of all, I was thinking about the book when I was off doing other things (like work). I couldn't wait to get back to my Kindle and read more about Eric and Julia.
HEA? Yes (Gorgeous!!!) Cheating? Not between Julia and Eric. Be aware (view spoiler)[ Sexual assault (on page) , parental substance misuse , death of a sibling are all in this book. (hide spoiler)] I initially borrowed this on KU but I loved it so much I bought it!
Loved being back in the Until world - specifically the books written by ARR herself. May is probably the quietest of the Mayso4.5 May and Aiden Stars
Loved being back in the Until world - specifically the books written by ARR herself. May is probably the quietest of the Mayson sister's. Her Mum and Dad are November and Asher from Until November.
Aiden was a highly successful soccer player but his career has been cut short. May thought she had connected with someone but it wasn't what she thought it was but fate had her own plans and May and Aiden cross paths in unusual circumstances. I liked these two together - they bring out the best in each other and their chemistry is H.O.T.
This story had everything I love in Aurora's books and she delivers it all so well. Passionate connections , some tense moments, humour and that underlying strong family theme.
It works as a standalone , but I highly recommend the original Until series and the spin off Until Him /Her books.
I discovered Ilsa Madden-Mills' work fairly recently and have devoured her books , many of which I adored. I always think th3 Francesca and Tuck Stars
I discovered Ilsa Madden-Mills' work fairly recently and have devoured her books , many of which I adored. I always think that you can't often love every book an author writes and for me , this one didn't quite hit the mark. It was ok but I wouldn't read it again and it took me a while to finish it. That's on me and maybe it's more about my head not being in the right place for this book .
It started out strongly and for the first third I was thinking it would be a five star but then it felt like it drifted a little and then suddenly went off on a tangent I was not expecting. It felt like too much was squeezed into the end of the book.
Francesca (30) was a strong heroine and her back story broke my heart. She was a foster child and she really had been moved from pillar to post throughout her childhood. Tuck also had a sad past but he was also materialistically privileged. He carved out a career as a hugely successful NFL player. I get that he is handsome , huge , arrogant , rich and incredibly hot guy (and so does he).
She flips me off over her shoulder as she stumbles around the people on the dance floor, then disappears into the throng. The audacity. Women adore me
I loved how they connected and they have some excellent dialogue. Tuck is a cold fish though - sceptical , cynical, closed off and he can be harsh with his words. I could have cheerfully smacked him for how unkind he was towards the final third of the book.
HEA? Yes - lovely epilogue Cheating? No - not between Tuck and Francesca....more
I loved this book so much. I now have an almighty book hangover but it was totally worth it. Archer Holt had me hooked from 5 Lauren and Archer Stars
I loved this book so much. I now have an almighty book hangover but it was totally worth it. Archer Holt had me hooked from the very start.
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Archer is a successful NHL player and captain of his team. He is asked to go on a reality show set in Fiji. He thinks he and all the others are taking part to try and win money for a charity of their choice - and they are -but there is a huge twist that they were not aware of and that is that they are being paired with an ex partner. For Archer, that means seeing the only girl he's ever loved. Lauren and he were High School Sweethearts but they didn't part on good terms and she still hasn't forgiven him.
Let the games begin...
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It's such a brilliant idea and I haven't read any other books with this plot. It's a strange mix of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here with the bush tucker trials and Hunger Games / Ex On The Beach all rolled into one beautifully written book with characters that I felt really invested in. It was perfect escapism and I need that right now. Even if you aren't a fan of reality TV shows , I would still urge you to read this because it is much more about a second chance romance and how Lauren and Archer end up being a real team trying to win , rediscovering old feelings on the way.
As a heroine Lauren was likeable and I warmed up to her through the book. She was devastated when they broke up at 18 , they both were, and she is definitely in self preservation mode when they reconnect. She has a backbone to her and I loved that she was tough and brave. I was cheering for her all the way through. Lauren was a serious badass.
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As for Archer...oh my goodness. He had me from the very start. He's everything I look for in a Hero and he is still in love with Lauren. When he reveals something near the end I was even more smitten with him. Tough, gorgeous, funny, loyal , smart, competitive, adventurous and so very determined to have Lauren back in his life. *sighs wistfully*
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Brenda Rothert is one of my favourite authors and I love diving into her books. She is the author that got me into reading Ice Hockey Romances in the first place, from Bound, Now and Then, Hooked , His to the Chicago Blaze Series and many others, whether it's Ice Hockey or not , her books are my Kindle Catnip. I'm very much looking forward to the new series which starts with The Donor: A Colorado Coyotes Hockey Romance in September 2022.
Exiled was a great second chance romance that I would highly recommend. I borrowed it on Kindle Unlimited but then bought it to keep.
This is a sweet second chance, childhood sweethearts , surprise baby romance that is the eighth book in the Lucas Brothers se3.5 Blue and Meadow Stars
This is a sweet second chance, childhood sweethearts , surprise baby romance that is the eighth book in the Lucas Brothers series. I think you need to have read the previous books to fully appreciate all that is Blue, Meadow and the Lucas Family.
Although I enjoyed it very much, I probably would not re read and I didn't love it as I have some of the other books , but hey, eight books in and I am still a HUGE fan of this series. It was lovely catching up with the other Lucas's, especially Ida Sue who featured strongly in this one.
Meadow is a very likeable heroine and I got why she was so hesitant to resume a relationship with Blue. I have to be honest and say that it took me a long time to warm up to this brooding cowboy but I did and I was rooting for him to win Meadow over.
HEA? More HFN Cheating? No, not now they are reconnected. An incident happened when they were teenagers that caused them to split. ...more
Ellie Fournier and Gianni Lucas have known each other since they were tiny as their Mum's are best friends and they have gro4.5 Ellie and Gianni Stars
Ellie Fournier and Gianni Lucas have known each other since they were tiny as their Mum's are best friends and they have grown up together along with their siblings. Ellie's Mum is Mia Devine from Frenched. Now, at 23, they are both driven, determined , perfectionists and loyal to their families. Ellie works as a Somelier at her family business and is quietly intent on achieving her goals. She is more reserved in nature. Always elegant and professional she can be a little cool at times. Gianni is much more gregarious. He is carving out a career as a Chef /T.V. Personality and he has already made an appearance on a TV reality show - Lick My Plate and was assigned the social media hashtag of #TooHotToHandle. Just to say , the cover of this book is the absolutely perfect depiction of Gianni in my opinion.
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He is handsome, sociable, outgoing, charming and very lovable.Everyone loves Gianni...everyone except Ellie.
Their plans are taking them in very different directions in life until Gianni helps Ellie out with a work issue , they get stranded in a monumental snowstorm and take shelter at the Pine View Motel.
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What was meant to be a no strings 'Blizzard Bang' becomes way more complicated when Ellie discovers she is pregnant.
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I really enjoyed this surprise baby romance. Ellie pushes Gianni away quite a lot but that fitted very much with her character. Gianni says and does some things that I think would likely cause any woman to be cautious about his intentions but I was convinced that he truly loved her and I liked that he made some grand gestures to prove to Ellie that she could trust him and that he absolutely did adore her and he intended to stay.
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Great secondary characters, lots of heat and some lighter scenes to balance out the emotive moments. I listened and read this book - good narration by Ava Erickson and James Cavenaugh and a listening time of 8h 15m.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware (view spoiler)[ Mention of a parent who has gone through cancer but recovered and is in remission. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really enjoyed this second chance romance set in the town of Quincy, Montana. This is the third book in The Edens series by 5 Talia and Foster Stars
I really enjoyed this second chance romance set in the town of Quincy, Montana. This is the third book in The Edens series by Devney Perry and focuses on Talia Eden and the man she loved seven years before. Foster absolutely broke her heart - as in smashed it to smithereens. He and Talia had been together for fourteen months when he told he he was marrying her best friend.
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I wanted to really dislike Foster and there were a couple of times I could have cheerfully slapped him upside the head but ultimately I did like him. I despised Vivienne - the OW -but more about her in a bit...
Back to Foster.
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He had broken up with Talia because of someone else's intervention and I think when you consider his age at the time and the details of why it happened , then I could understand how it came about. I think the break up had paralysed him emotionally. He was seen to be a husband and father on the outside but that did not reflect a true picture of his life with Vivienne. He does apologise to Talia and he clearly regrets everything that happened very deeply.
“I’m sorry.� Foster swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry.� “It’s not enough,� I whispered. “It’s not enough to be sorry.�
No Foster , it's not...you broke our girl's heart...
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For me , I did not like hearing how Vivienne was his best friend. I was so relieved they had never been romantically connected or intimate because I don't think that I could have , or that Talia should have, forgiven that, BUT there is a twist towards the end that soothed my ire and although it may make me a shallow reader , I don't care. I was revelling in the events that unfolded and proved how little Vivienne really knew Foster's deepest feelings. She deserved his wrath.
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I liked Talia very much. She is a sweet heroine but despite her obvious inherent kindness , there is an almost aloof quality about her at times. What happened between her and Foster shaped her life and made her guard her heart. I liked that she was clear about how angry she was with both of them and I was cheering for her but when we saw glimpses of how hurt she was , my heart hurt for Dr Eden.
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Vivienne got under my skin and I never forgave her. Talia did forgive her eventually but their friendship would never be the same as before Vivienne's betrayal. I was madder at her than I was at Foster. I honestly felt she could have changed things , but then we wouldn't have a book!
Foster and Talia are absolutely right for each other. When he supports her , it's gorgeous. He gets her in ways that even her family don't and I loved how they truly championed each other.
If you enjoy small town , second chance romances with a Hero who never, ever stopped loving his girl and is desperate to win his girl back , then give Garnet Flats a try. It does well as a standalone.
It took her a moment to meet my gaze. “Will you break my heart again?� “Never.� I’d die first. “Will you leave me?� “Never.� Not willingly. Not until the end. “Will you stop loving me?� “Never.� My love for her had no end.
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HEA? More HFN but you can sign up for Devney's newsletter and get a gorgeous bonus epilogue a few months down the line.
Grinder (Grayson) and Serena's story picks up straight from where it ended in Crown of Ghosts - you do need to read in order3 Serena and Grayson Stars
Grinder (Grayson) and Serena's story picks up straight from where it ended in Crown of Ghosts - you do need to read in order. Our couple face a few challenges but there is nothing too angsty. It's very sweet how Grayson is all about Serena especially given how tough he is on the outside. I liked seeing more of the characters I have loved from book one , Slow Burn in this book and the previous one. It felt more like the older books in that respect but it was lovely to see Rooster and Jiggy in with them too. Lots of things are bubbling under the surface for several other characters and I have a feeling the next book will see the secrets lurking in the shadows being brought into the light. Autumn being the fab author that she is will no doubt spring some huge twists and surprises too.
This was an enjoyable read - it's sexy , funny , dark in places and has that gorgeous sense of camaraderie , but it felt like Grayson and Serena's story could maybe have been told in one book - that said, I will always devour anything involving the Lost Kings. I am excited for the next instalment but I am fervently hoping that nothing happens / has happened between Shelby's Mum and Jigsaw. I just can't go there.... (purely personal preference as I don't like the older woman trope).
HEA? Yes- these two really are a forever couple. I loved how they solidified their relationship. Cheating? Absolutely not. ...more
Every secret has an expiration date, and this one is perilously close.
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I have followed the Lost Kings 5 I Absolutely Needed This Book Stars
Every secret has an expiration date, and this one is perilously close.
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I have followed the Lost Kings series from the very start with Slow Burn and I have relished the stories that Autumn Jones Lake has written. It's a long series and I have adored most of the books - this is book 21 so there is a lengthy back story here and you cannot read this book as a standalone. You will have had to have read at least some of the previous novels. AJL gives a clear reading order and you can dabble around with it , especially with the earlier books but honestly , if you are interested in MC Romance with unforgettable characters and storylines that grip your heart, then I strongly recommend the Lost Kings from the very start.
I'm not going into much detail. Secrets have been kept and this is the culmination of one particularly huge one. It's also Teller and Charlotte's wedding book - oh my heart ... I loved it.
I’m absolutely drowning in her love, she’s both the current dragging me under and the air in my lungs
Charlotte’s glowing. More beautiful than I have a right to spend my life with.
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This book largely centres on the original LOKI upstate club (Empire) members so you see a lot of Rock, Wrath , Z, Teller and Murphy but also Dex , Rav and Sparky plus newer characters such as Rooster, Jigsaw and Grinder. Hope, Trinity, Lily , Charlotte and Heidi feature obviously as they are the Ol' Ladies. The key secondary character that stole my heart was Charlotte's brother , Carter. A couple of his scenes made me cry. And laugh. All the emotions...
I still harbour undying love for Wrath. He will always be my favourite and I was so invested in all his appearances in Reckless Truths. I loved that we saw lots of his humour in this book.
Wrath pierces Rock with an intense stare. “Your ability to own your mistakes and do what needs to be done to fix them is what makes you a good leader. All the brothers—well, except me—fear you.
If you are an avid reader of LOKI , this book will be a balm to your kindle soul. I desperately wanted a book that focused back on the original characters and it surpassed all my expectations. I have adored most of the books in the series - out of 21 novels by one author , I think it would be surprising if every single one was a 5 star. Even the one's that weren't a solid 5 star for me were still enjoyable and each one brings something special with it , whether it's a pivotal plot development or the building of a relationship. The key thread is that I want to be immersed in the world of the Lost Kings. I want to lose myself in AJL's storytelling because she does it so beautifully. She weaves magic when she puts pen to paper and I am under the LOKI spell.
Loyalty makes you family. Not blood. People outside our brotherhood who don’t follow our code would never understand. But we don’t need them to. We are our brother’s keeper. And no one else’s.
HEA? Yes and a truly gorgeous and exciting epilogue. Cheating? No
“Love isn’t always perfect ... Love is difficult to find and impossible to live without. There are no fairy tales in life, only harsh reality. Love doesn’t always come easy. When you find love, treasure it, protect it with your entire being." ...more
This is the second book in the Adventures In Love Series. We met Blake and Everly in the first book, Rushed. Blake works along3 Everly and Blake Stars
This is the second book in the Adventures In Love Series. We met Blake and Everly in the first book, Rushed. Blake works alongside Tanner and Maverick running their business that gives townies a chance to hike and camp and explore in the wilderness. The men are all ex military and this is their joint venture. Everly is the new person they have hired to help with admin and bookings, planning etc so this starts off with an office romance (kind of) type of feel to it but the stronger trope is that of single parent.
Although I liked Everly and Blake well enough, this isn't a book I would read again. One of the things I love about this author's work is the drama that she creates and I felt that was lacking in this book. I would say it's a nice book and has got a decent amount of passion - there is definitely heat between these two from the start - but I felt like I was waiting for something dramatic to happen and it just didn't.
I am very interested to read Mav's book next though. Reckless sounds like it will be bringing the drama...
HEA? More HFN Cheating? No Standalone in a series. My musical muse for this book is My Boy by Elvie Shane. ...more
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