{Book Review} How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne

These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for to herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.

LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.

I loved it. I loved it. I looooved it. I actually received this as an ARC via NetGalley but enjoyed it so much I purchased a kindle copy. How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is my first Kerrigan Byrne read and I’m so hooked on her writing style I can’t wait to read more. I really enjoyed her story telling! Y’all! They are both so full of attributes I love in a romance character. I wanted to devour this book so quickly but I made myself savor it. This book is the first in a trilogy and follows Alexandra and Piers (I love his name!). Alexandra is a strong, smart, sassy heroine and Piers is a strong, scarred, grumpy hero. Between Piers’ mommy issues and Alexandra’s men issues I wanted to hug them both. There’s nothing I like more than two tortured characters making their way into each other’s hearts. From the second they met I felt their chemistry and couldn’t wait to see where it went. If these two characters had ended up with other significant others it just wouldn’t have been the same for me. I could see them slowly falling for one another. Alexandra is hiding something and Piers is distrustful of...everyone, and some twisted part of me was so excited to see all of that play out. Misunderstanding and miscommunication is such catnip for me! The sex scenes were fantastic. I loved that we got foreplay multiple times before they consummated. Yay slow burn! I really could ramble all day about this book and this couple and even the secondary characters. I’m really looking forward to more of them in the future. Trigger warning for rape.

{Book Review} Wrong Bed, Right Guy (Come Undone #1) by Katee Robert

I really wanted to like this one because it has a lot of the tropes I love. Unrequited love!!!! Y'all, it's my favorite. But I just could not get into these characters. Ok, I take that back. I could not get into Elle. I liked Gabe! I like Nathan! I did not like Elle. This book starts out with Elle climbing into bed with her boss. Except it's not him she's seducing, it's his brother, who has blown into town. Normally I'd be all about that in a book but for some reason it just did not work for me this time. I'm sad about it. I think my issue with it is that Nathan (Elle's boss) didn't give her any reason to think he was interested but yet she sort of broke into his place at night to climb into his bed! Consent, man.

I spent a lot of time yelling at Elle. Every single thing Gabe did seemed to be not good enough for her. Because of his appearance (hello tattooed dude) Elle judged him. She also judged herself for being attracted to him, all because she had history with "bad boys" and it never turned out well. I get that, mostly, except she kept on and on about it and Gabe did nothing but try over and over to prove himself to her. Every little thing that went wrong, Elle blamed Gabe for. Of course he wasn't perfect and made mistakes, but compared to how Elle treated him he was fine, in my opinion. It made me crazy. There were times that I really wanted Gabe to walk away and be done with her.

Like I said, I really wanted to love this because I'd heard rave reviews about Katee Robert books but I just could not.

{Book Review} 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake by Jade Lee

50 Ways to Ruin a Rake by Jade Lee
Published May 5th 2015 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Good Reads - Amazon - B&N

Mellie has a plan…
Mellie Smithson is trapped in the country with no suitors and no prospects on the horizon except, perhaps, the exasperating—although admittedly handsome—guest of her father. She's looking for any excuse to go to London to meet more eligible men.
Trevor has a problem…
Trevor Anaedsley's grandfather has cut off his funds until such time as he gets engaged. Trevor escapes to the country—ostensibly to visit his old tutor, Mr. Smithson, but actually to duck his creditors—where he meets Smithson's lovely daughter, Mellie. The obvious solution is suddenly before him—but the lady has ideas of her own, and Trevor's going to have to measure up…

Adult, Romance, Sex
Such a fun read! I laughed, I teared up, I swooned, I rolled my eyes. These characters were so enjoyable to get to know. Not only were the lead characters great but so were the secondary.

I rooted for Mellie and Trevor both; as characters that I wanted to see become successful in their scientific endeavors as well as their romantic relationship. I was so happy to be reading a strong female lead that wasn't full of the usual cliches. Don't get me wrong, I love a good cliche romance novel but 50 Ways was such a refreshing take on the genre.

One thing I can tell you, dear Reader, if you love a strong female romance character that is into more than just finding a husband, is smart and witty, Mellie is for you.

Trevor wasn't the 'usual' hero either. Both he and Mellie were straight forward about their intentions. Their determination to help one another was one of my favorite parts, as was the chemistry and friendship between Mellie and Trevor. Our handsome hero only a nice looking face himself. I loved that he discovered just how brilliant Mellie was and did not treat her like we so often see men treating women in that era.

As much as this story was about Mellie and Trevor's love story, it was also largely about Mellie spreading her wings. I believe that is part of the reason I connected so well with her. I enjoyed this read so much I didn't want to reach the end. Ms. Lee wraps it all up nicely, for all involved.

I can't wait to see this series continue. *gobble gobble*

I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review. 

{Review} Streamline by Jennifer Lane

Streamline by Jennifer Lane
Goodreads - Twitter - Website
Format: Paperback, 460 pages
Published March 27th 2012 by Omnific Publishing

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.
Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter -- her father -- is in prison for murder.
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything's on the line... streamline.

Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Drug abuse, Mental and physical abuse, Teen sex

I'm not even sure where to begin with this one. Streamline is such a heart tugging, sweet story with a bit of mystery.  Leo is a great kid but he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's constantly worried about his family and his girlfriend. There's this great need in him to fix things for everyone. It's hard to see him go through some of the stuff he does. Especially with his father.  Audrey is a sweet and supportive girlfriend. She definitely has way more stress in her life than a teenager should. Between worrying about Leo and her own family, plus her swimming career, phew it's a lot. Even though the story is about Leo and Audrey both, I feel like he is really the 'star' and that's ok with me. I don't normally connect with a teenage boy when I'm reading but I did with Leo. Streamline is not an easy read. When I say that the reason is because there is physical, mental, and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide. It's a lot to take in and I had to read it in starts and stops until I made it to the middle of the book. At that point things started moving so fast I didn't want to stop. I had to know what would happen next. If I had to say there was one thing I didn't like about Streamline it would that at the end of the book I'd have liked a look at everyone in the future. But really, that is such a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Streamline hit all of my 'feels' and I loved every word of it. 
Just as a side note, it's on sale for $2.99 for kindle right now. I'm not sure how long it will last!
Purchase: Amazon - B&N

{Book Review} Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman
Published April 5th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Good Reads

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

I'm pretty sure Where She Went made my heart hurt more than If I Stay, and that's saying a lot. This being written in Adam's prospective was genius, in my opinion. It really opened up a lot of things for me...made If I Stay even more well rounded, filled my heart with love for Adam. I enjoyed that we skipped ahead in time, but didn't lose any of the plot that took place between the end of If I Stay and the start of this book. This is one of those books I don't want to say too much about because I'd never want to ruin the plot. Everyone needs to read it. Everyone!! Too be honest I may have loved it more than If I Stay because Adam pulled every single emotion out of me then put them back in place.

The writing was lovely and real and touching.

{Book Review} If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

If I Stay (If I Stay #1)

by Gayle Forman

Published April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.
Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

This was a really quick read for me, as I'd heard it would be. If I Stay was beautifully written. 

Normally I'd have gotten bored with a book that spent most of it's time in one location, only giving me random bits about Mia's life before. But not with this one. 

My only "complaint" is I would have liked more scenes with Mia and her family. But otherwise, absolutely stunning. The character development was lovely. I felt as if I was seeing everything through Mia's eyes and that kept me entranced. I laughed, I swooned, I cried (a lot). Great read!

{Book Review} Once Upon a Tartan (MacGregors #2) by Grace Burrowes

Once Upon a Tartan (MacGregors #2)

by Grace Burrowes

Published August 6th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Tiberius Flynn may be every inch an English lord, but smart, headstrong beauty Hester Daniels has no use for his high-handed ways--no matter how handsome, charming, or beguiling he is. They only see eye to eye in caring about the feisty little girl who is under their protection.
Tiberius's haughty insistence that his wealthy estate in England is a better place for the child than her beloved, rundown Scotland home sparks Hester's fierce protectiveness, and the battle lines are drawn.

** spoiler alert ** I didn't love this as much as I'd hoped. It was slow in parts and I got bored or confused. I enjoyed the characters but I felt like some of the plot was unnecessary. I spent a good bit of time wondering about a few certain aspects of the story and how they were believable. I felt like Fiona's parents being unreachable the entire book, and that the family couldn't stop Tye from doing his fathers bidding was a little less believable. 

As I said, I did enjoy the characters, Tiberius was intriguing, Hester was caring, Fiona was precocious, Aunt was hilarious ...but I wasn't fully engaged with the emotions. I didn't feel the chemistry between Hester and Tiberius the way I'd have liked. I felt like I was waiting on the story to begin through the entire book. It never picked up for me, sadly.

{Book Review} Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Publication Date: Mar 4, 2014  Publisher: Gallery

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts. As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

Contemporary, Romance, Angst, Series

Adult content

I don't know that I have the appropriate words needed to talk about how beautiful a book Clipped Wings truly is. I'd read it in it's original form, as Twilight fan fiction so I was eager to get my hands on the published version. Sometimes you never know what changes (if any) are made when a fan fiction gets pulled offline and picked up by a publisher. That doesn't really bother me, I have to admit, because I like revisiting 'old friends'. 

Clipped Wings was one of the first fan fiction stories I read and it has stuck with me since. It's hard to write a review for a book that you absolutely love and adore and not give too much away. Clipped Wings is packed with raw emotion and a lot of angst. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but I love a touch of heartichoke mixed in with my eventual romance and spiciness. And let me just say that the spice and the romance are both there in spades. 

Ms. Hunting does a gorgeous job with both of those. Hayden is that guy you want to hug and heal. Tenley is that girl you want to see fit in her own skin and grow as a confident person. Both of these characters have had some really terrible things happen in their lives. They definitely make you want to bawl your eyes out a time or two. The writing in some scenes is so powerful I found it effecting my mood. I was a roller coaster ride up until I finished reading. This is not a complaint at all, but almost a compliment that a story could make me react so strongly. The changes that were made in the book, compared to what I remember when I read it as FF are great. I believe they definitely strengthened my love for Hayden and Tenley, as well as the secondary characters. 

I really wish I could be more specific because so many things occur that are important to the overall aspect of why I loved the book. Since I can't do that, here's a small list of stuff I loved: The Kitten, Hayden's passion for artistry, as well as hard exterior/soft interior, Tenley's strength and calm nature, Friendships between the small group of characters, Raw emotions and the slow slide into love, Cupcakes!!

Things I did not love: That cliffhanger! But that's ok because I've moved on to Inked Armor and I get to love up on more of Tenley and Hayden. I have to admit that I received a copy via NetGalley through the publisher but I was not having any part of that and bought my own copy with my own money so I could have it in print. That's how much I love this series.

{Book Review} REAL by Katy Evans

REAL by Katy Evans
Published April 8th 2013 by Smashwords Edition
GoodReads

A fallen boxer.
A woman with a broken dream.

A competition...
He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting...
Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I've ever met in my life.
He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I've never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong—but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents...
But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.
I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.
If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

It's no secret that I really love when the male lead in a book is hard and tough and hard headed and just...frustrating beyond belief. I don't know what it is about that but I love it.

Remington is definitely that personality type. I never knew what he was going to do next and I couldn't really get into his head, even when he began to open up to Brooke. This is in no way a complaint. Though Remington could be frustrating I enjoyed slowly learning about him.

Brooke is such a juxtaposition when you consider Remington. She's classy and lady like. Not the kind of girl you'd think would be interested in a boxer. Then again, I don't know that I would have thought he'd be interested in her either. But I always enjoy it when the male and female lead are entirely opposite but somehow still 'work'.

There's good chemistry between the two, which is always a plus when reading a romance heavy book. I liked that it wasn't solely about the romance though. There's back story on both Remington and Brooke, which made them more well rounded characters and the book a lot more 'real' (no pun intended).

REAL is a good book and I enjoyed Katy Evans style. I'm curious to see how the rest of this series goes.

{Book Review} Frenched (Frenched #1) by Melanie Harlow

Frenched (Frenched #1) Melanie Harlow

Published March 16th 2014

When Tucker Branch, playboy heir to Branch Bolt and Screw, screws and bolts a week before their wedding, Mia Devine wants nothing more than to crawl under her newly monogrammed sheets and plan a funeral for her dignity. But her friends convince her that bitter tastes better when it’s drowned in Bordeaux, so Mia grits her teeth and packs her bags, determined to make the best of her luxurious Paris honeymoon—alone.

She never planned on meeting Lucas Fournier. The easygoing bartender’s scruffy good looks and less-than-sympathetic ear annoy her at first, but when she takes him up on his offer to show her around the city, she discovers that the romance of Paris isn’t just a myth. The last thing Mia needs is another doomed love affair, but since she only has a week, she figures she might as well enjoy la vie en O with Lucas while she can. But each day—and night—with Lucas is better than the last, and suddenly her heart is telling her this is more than a rebound fling. Is it just the seduction of Paris…or could this be the real thing?

I don't know why but I really this type of plot. Girl jilted, finds love with someone else. Of course that someone else is ten times hotter than her ex and the chemistry is off the charts. Frenched was a pretty quick read for me because of that very story line.

Mia is a character I could see myself being friend with. Lucas is that guy that makes you stutter and swoon because he's so smooth and sexy. I laughed a lot and the hotness was pretty far up the charts.

{Book Review} Cupcakes and Ink (Clipped Wings 0.5) by Helena Hunting

Cupcakes and Ink (Clipped Wings 0.5)
by Helena Hunting
Published February 3rd 2014 by Pocket Star

Tenley Page is looking for a new start: a new city, a new apartment, a new life. Her plan is to keep to herself and stay focused. But leaving her past behind and starting over isn’t as easy as she thought. And neither is maintaining her solitude. As Tenley settles into her new surroundings, she finds herself drawn to Inked Armor, the tattoo studio across the street. But it’s the gorgeous, dark-haired tattoo artist who captures her interest. There’s something about his severe beauty that captivates her—and not just in her waking hours.
Covered in the ink he inscribes on other people’s skin, Hayden Stryker has made a career out of being a tattooist. He’s got his own business and a tight circle of friends. As far as he’s concerned, that’s all he needs. At least until his aunt, who owns the antiques and used book store across from his tattoo studio, hires a new employee. At first his intrigue is based on physical appeal; hot chick equals something nice to look at. But as he begins to catch glimpses of the fiery personality under the fragile, feminine exterior, his fascination with Tenley grows. Annoyed by his inability to control his fixation, Hayden decides the best way to cure him of the new obsession is to get to know the girl under her skittish façade.
But like the ink he wears as armor, Tenley has the ability to get under his skin and stay there.

Contemporary, Romance, Angst
Series

I'd been anticipating this series for a while! I read it as Twilight fanfiction many many books and stories ago and it has remained a favorite for me.

Cupcakes and Ink is a bit of a prequel novella type thing to whet the whistle until Clipped Wings release. It's a peek into what Hayden and Tinley's lives were like before meeting.

I don't necessarily think it has to be read before starting book 1 of the series but it doesn't hurt. Cupcakes and Ink is beautifully written and tugs at the heart strings -- two things I love when reading a good book.

{Book Review} Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett

Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett

Publication date: Nov 19, 2013 Publisher: Clampett Studio Collections
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart. Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had. When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them? Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year. (SOURCE)

Contemporary, Adult, Romance
Warnings: Detailed sex scenes

The thing about Mr. 365 that caught my attention was the premise. It was different than anything I've read or heard about. I found myself intrigued and bumped Will's story up on my list of things to read. I'm writing this review long after I read the book and my heart still goes out to him and what he went through.

It's not often I say I wasn't wild about the female lead in a book but there were times Sophia rubbed me wrong. She was incredibly sweet, but I almost felt like she was manipulating Will at times. It wasn't even that I thought she was doing it on purpose because I don't think she was. That aside, I loved the writing and the characters had many redeeming qualities.

When Sophia and Will first meet sparks fly immediately. The only thing is, she's not suppose to get involved with her subjects. It's obvious though, that it'll be impossible for the two to stay away from one another. The description of Will's house really pulls the reader into the story. Once it becomes obvious why he is so into Christmas, it gives Will's character a lot more dimension. At first, everyone assumes he's just a little crazy to be into the holiday year round but it's clearly not true. Sadly, he often gets taken advantage of because of this.

Sophia's dream is to be a producer of documentaries. A reality tv show is just a stepping stone to her goal. Little does Sophia know, not everyone she works with has the same thoughts as she. The project she's shooting is a little different than what she's expecting. Will trusts Sophia, which is hard for him given his past so she's determined to make their time together a success. Things get sticky though, especially with them becoming involved.

Their friendship grows, as does their love for one another. Hearts and trust get broken when things get a little bit twisted. I found myself feeling more sympathy for Will than Sophia. I sort of felt like she should have realized something weird was going on, though that may seem silly. I blamed Sophia a good bit for what happened between the pair. BUT I enjoyed the story, so I guess it's not always a bad thing when a character does things that don't make sense to you. Ruth has a great way with words and I can't wait to read more of her stories.

{Book Review} Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh

Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh

Publication Date: Dec 5, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press Author Twitter - Author Goodreads

When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan's offer to stay with him for the night. Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. After a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex's arms-even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again. The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he's never stopped loving, and Logan's not about to pass up this gift. He's not the workaholic he was two years ago-his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good. (SOURCE)

Contemporary, Romance, Holiday

Adult content

Where to start? Can I just...leave a lot of swoony words and nonsense? A whole lot of *flails* *spins* *twirls* *sighs*? Y'all will understand that, right? Especially if I throw in a little "alksjga;skl alkjsd;igufwalkj," right? No? Ok ok. I'll give it a go then.

Season of Second Chances is a holiday novella and there is not much I love more. Yeah, I'm one of those "omg I have to watch every Hallmark Holiday Movie" people. In general, I love novellas and holiday stories but combine them and I'm in h-e-a-v-e-n. Holiday themed stories are always so full of joy, hope and love and sweetness. Novellas give me just what I want, when I want it, a quick story that grabs me from the start  and gets right to the falling in love. This little story did not disappoint when it came to that. I mean, two former loves coming back together at the holidays? *grabby hands*

Claire is stuck in the airport, of all places, on Christmas Eve. Not only is that terrible for most people, but the city she's in is the last place she wants to be. When your ex fiancee lives in said city, it's pretty much the last place you want to be stuck in during the holidays. Especially when you were on your way to see your family. Ugh and omg 'what might have been's and unrequited-ish loves and reconnection always always always get to me. They are my favorite ever.

The last thing Claire expects is to come face to face with her ex. And for him to offer her a place to crash, seriously no. Dude. It's like she's thrown back two years, before things ended between them. The glimpse of the two of them together, the what could have been, is so touching. Logan is a great guy and it's easy to see that he wishes things could have been different. I just wanted to shove him and Claire together and scream OPEN YOUR EYES.

They spend Christmas together, including Logan's young daughter, who Claire had been close with previously. Their time together filled me with squishy love and joy. It gave Logan and Claire hope. Heck, it gave ME hope. Then Logan disappoints Claire when she goes out on a limb for him. There's a lot of miscommuniation between the pair, from their past, to their present. That causes a lot of frustration on both sides of the fence. I wanted to climb inside the book and tell them to talk to one another for goodness sake!! siiiiiigh

SO. I won't spoil it for you but Logan breaks down and goes after Claire (AS HE SHOULD HAVE DONE BEFORE ahem) and I cheered. A lot. It was the ultimate gesture. As if I didn't have reason to like Logan before, this was icing on the cake when it came to him. Claire is one of those characters you feel like you can be besties with so for her to get her happy ending is the best.

I can't say how much I enjoyed Season of Second Chances Brighton is my favorite! Such a joyful and sexy story. I suggest you give it a try.

{Book Review} Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.
Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel. (SOURCE)

Faking It is the follow up to Losing It, which I read recently as well. In this installment, "Max" is this sassy, flaming red haired, tattooed rocker chick. She uses all of that to hide behind her vulnerabilities. The life she has in Philadelphia is a bit of a mystery too. She keeps a lot of herself hidden from her parents but when they show up for a surprise visit, Max has to think quickly.
No way will the 'rents be ok with the guy she's dating. They'd never approve of him, and Max needs their support while she tries to get her band off the ground. So instead of letting them meet Mace, she enlists the help of a stranger. Max asks Cade to be her boyfriend for a day, just to put her parents at ease.
Cade is still in a coffee shop minding his own business, nursing his broken heart, when a beautiful girl approaches his table. He's the quintessential "frat boy," according to Max, and the perfect boyfriend in her parents eyes. It doesn't take long for Cade to agree to help this woman he's incredibly attracted to. He also can't help but think that this might be a great distraction from the girl he loved.
The last thing either of them expected though, was to actually like the other. They are really different people, something Max isn't sure she can really get past. Besides, she still has a boyfriend! But her parents absolutely love Cade, "Golden Boy", and you can see Max's mother getting way ahead of herself. Their family has been torn apart by tragedy but Mrs. Miller wants Max to find that perfect guy. If she met her daughters real boyfriend, she'd have had an aneurysm. 
I was worried that the story would feel rushed since I knew Max's parents were not going to be visiting for long. I wasn't sure if they would magically be in love after Mr. and Mrs. Miller went back home the next day. Instead, there was a lot of ups and downs and twists that often made me nervous about the future of these two. One of my favorite things is when a male and female character are extremely different but still manage to make it work. I love the 'opposites attract' theory.
With Max and Cade, their individual personality traits even one another out. Where Max can be rough around the edges, Cade is sweet and caring. He spends a lot of time being there for her in several different ways. Also, their chemistry, it is palpable. Max struggles to ignore it, but Cade dives in head first. That was one of the things about him I could relate to. I'm very easy to read in the way he was. Max definitely keeps things close to the cuff. When she slowly started to open up to Cade, it was nice to see a vulnerable side of Max.
Instead of their time together being over after Max's parents went back home, Cade was still there for Max. Even when she made it hard for him. As Cade falls for Max, he gets frustrated with himself that he can't find someone that isn't already in a relationship. It's hard for either of them to keep from flirting with each other though. And as things with Mace start to get rocky, Max sees more and more what a catch Cade is. 
Still, she pushes him away, thinking once they do one last thing for her parents, Max can walk away from Cade and not look back. Except it's not that easy. The connection they share grows every time they are together. While I won't give away how things end for Max and Cade, I will say that a lot happens to open up both their eyes. They are strong characters separately, but even more so together. I loved their friendship and their blossoming relationship. It was fun, sweet and sexy. 
Faking It was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a while. These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard #2) by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard #2) by Christina Lauren
Publication Date: Apr 16, 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series.
Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.
The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom.
Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private. (SOURCE)

The summary for Beautiful Stranger starts with "a charming British playboy" and goodness gracious if that isn't true. I can almost say that I loved BS more than Beautiful Bastard, and that is huge. My love for it was great. There's something about about Max Stella though that made me not only swoon, but fan my blushing cheeks too. He was also a nice guy, not at all what I expected him to be, which is fantastic! I love when a story surprises me.

Max Stella has quite the reputation in New York City. He's almost constantly mentioned in gossip articles and often photoed with various women. There are even paparazzi that follow him, trying to get the goods on him when they can. From the outside looking in, it appears that he is only out for a good time, using women and then throwing them away when he's done. It's easy to see why people view him as the playboy but there's so much more to Max. He is a caring, charming, smart business man with so many layers. It was fun to see those layers revealed as the story built. I loved loved loved Max. I can't say those words too many times. He was a great character.

Sara Dillion has just moved to NYC from Chicago, after ending a long term relationship with her cheating jerk of an ex fiance. She'd had no idea all those years she spent with him were fake. Or that he'd been using her to further his career. Devastated, Sara decides she's not going to get involved with another man. No more relationships for her. One night out with friends leads to one sexy, steamy scene in a club with a Stranger. Once the encounter is over, they go their separate ways, except Sara keeps running into the debonair man! It's almost like he's following her, turning up in the most random places.

One of my favorite parts about these two characters is their chemistry. It's intense, but not only on a sexual level. There is a lot of fire between them; arguments and hard headedness everywhere. They are both incredibly strong willed and that makes me love them, especially Sara. It's nice and refreshing to find a female character in this type of novel and have her not be weak or simpering. She's strong, strong enough to stand up for what she wants when it comes to her career and life. She has guts. I think that is one of the things that Max is drawn to. There's a brain in Sara's head and she uses it.

The progression of Sara and Max's story is so well paced that I never once got bored or felt rushed. I saw their relationship grow slow and steady. I saw them both learn about themselves and each other. They evolved into a great pairing. I really can't say enough how great this story was. I wanted to start over from the beginning before I'd even finished it.


These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} Losing It (Losing It #1) by Cora Carmack

Losing It (Losing It #1) by Cora Carmack
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks/Harper Collins
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Virginity.
Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier. (SOURCE)

This is one of those books I found myself identifying with characters immediately. It's real and funny and delicious.
Bliss is the kind of character that I can relate to. I could see a bit of myself in her; in the way she thinks, and reacts. Bliss is awkward and funny but her experience with guys is limited. She feels left out, being the only one of her friends that is still a virgin.
She's tired of being that girl and her best friend decides she should find someone to have a one night stand with. Bliss very reluctantly goes along with it, allowing herself to be dressed up and taken to a bar. There, she meets a deliciously accented guy and they hit it off. I found myself really hoping this smart, funny, charming guy may make a huge impact on Bliss' life.
Thinking he could be the one that can help her out, Bliss takes him home with her. When things heat up between the pair, she leaves him in her bed, making up a rather funny excuse for taking off. But the giggles don't end there because once she gets outside, Bliss realizes she's barely dressed and doesn't have her apartment keys. 
Never expecting to see the gorgeous would have been one night stand, Bliss allows her best friend to think she had sex with him. Who would ever be the wiser? But one day she walks into a classroom to see him again. Turning her world upside down and, I admit, making me flail around a little at their possible second chance.
Things are easy for Bliss, with having feelings for this new guy that she shouldn't get involved with, an unexpected confession from her best [guy] friend and her classes. That girl has a lot on her plate. There's a lot of misunderstandings, confusion, heart flip flopping, swooning moments. I really enjoyed the story though. It felt like one of the most real books I've read in a while. Losing It has a lot of heart.


These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} Down for the Count (Dare Me #1) by Christine Bell

Down for the Count (Dare Me #1) by Christine Bell
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Truth or dare…
When Lacey Garrity finds her groom in flagrante delicto in the reception hall closet with her bridesmaid, she's saved by her best friend’s older brother—childhood tormentor, crush, and boxing bad boy Galen Thomas. Galen’s solution is both exciting and dangerous. What better way to forget the mess of her life than go on her honeymoon with a hot guy who can’t promise anything beyond today?
…or TKO?
Galen had been counting on Lacey's wedding to put her out of reach—and out of his mind—once and for all, but their steamy Puerto Rican escape is testing all his boundaries. Now that Lacey’s embracing her inner bad girl, Galen is tempted to throw in the towel and claim her for himself. But with the biggest fight of his career on the line and an important business merger threatening to derail Lacey’s resolve, their romance might be down for the count before it even begins. (SOURCE)

I absolutely adored this book! It was short and sweet and I didn't want to put it down. I also didn't want it to end.

I'm such a lover of the "I'm in love with my best friend/brothers best friend/best friends brother" kind of story. I can't even tell you how much it makes me swoon! It's always been one of my favorite tropes.

The reader is dropped right into Lacey's wedding and her finding her new husband with someone else. Oh he's such a jerk! Cheating on her the day of their wedding and making her feel like it's all her fault. Lacey's families company is depending on her marriage to this man working but it's the last thing she wants now that she knows who he really is.

Lacey is devastated and Galen comes to her rescue without hesitation. There's has been a relationship full of childhood teasing and unrequited feelings. She'd always had a crush on Galen but had done everything she could to hide it. She knew he wasn't interested in her; not like that. He barely tolerated her for years. Seeing her as his little sisters annoying friend.

But when Galen whisks Lacey away from the wedding venue, helping her avoid friends and family, she sees a different side of him. He's always been sexy, a little cocky too, but this new sweetness she's seeing in him is huge.

They spend a drunken night talking and getting to know one another better. Galen seeing another part of Lacey, the girl he'd always tried to keep out of his mind. When he makes a joke about them going on Lacey's honeymoon, she jumps at the chance. They wake up the next morning in Puerto Rico with massive hangovers.

Galen begins to help Lacey to see that she's not the woman she thought she was. The one that her husband cheated on because he wasn't satisfied with her. The boxer woos her and makes her realize that she's sexy and desirable. This adventure is making Galen crazy though because he wants so much more from her.

With Lacey trying to dodge calls from her mother and Galen worrying about where his career will go, the two do their best to take advantage of the honeymoon resort. But things go awry [of course!!!] and words get twisted, causing our lovers to part rather painfully. Galen was hard headed, Lacey was stubborn...and I was flailing and just wanting to step into the book and make them kiss.

Sexy, sandy moments on the beach, in a pool, and in their bungalow make a girl fan herself. The heat between them is off the charts. Down for the Count is fluffy, funny, and flat out fantastic. I can't say enough how much I swooned over this adorable story.



This review is based on a book I purchased with my own money. The flails and squees are my real thoughts. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.