TITLE: RELEASE AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2020 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: Second-Chan
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TITLE: RELEASE AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2020 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: Second-Chance, Friends to Lovers RATING: All of the Stars CLIFFHANGER: No
Time and timing is the theme that drives RELEASE. The time when Ramsay Stewart entered Thea Hull's life. The time it took for them to become friends. When they shared their first kissed. When they went far beyond kissing for the first time. And when Ramsey left Thea's side for just a moment and their lives changed yet again. And the years that followed after, when Thea was counting every day, every minute, every second, until she would see the man again who told her he didn't love her anymore.
“Because when I was ten years old, I met a boy. I hated him. But I needed him like my veins needed blood. He broke my leg. He broke my patience. And eventually he broke my heart. But there hasn’t been a minute that’s passed that I haven’t loved him with every single broken shard.”
Thea hated Ramsay when she met him but at that time she would have hated anyone, there was so much bitterness in her. Ramsay's smile, his cheerfulness, his persistence of not letting Thea's abrasive behavior drive him away broke through her walls and they became first best friends, then lovers and then...nothing. The tables have turned and it is now Thea fighting for Ramsay. Isn't that beautifully righteous? And fight she does. Damn that girl can play dirty. I loved how she just soldiered on although she was dying inside from the hurt Ramsay delivered because he thought he needed to protect her.
I’m not giving up on you, Ramsey. I don’t care if you want me to. I don’t care if it means you ice me out for all of eternity. I don’t even care that you’ve already quit on me. I once promised that it was you and me forever. Do you remember that? You made me swear it.”
Ramsay was perfect for Thea. He hid his awful family life and abandonment issues behind a perma-smile, took care of everyone and everything who needed him. And he paid for it. The weeks following his release from prison, his adjustment to life outside his cell was heartbreaking to watch but the author managed to infuse some humor (cue Siri) that lightened the mood and helped to handle the emotional roller coaster. And this is what Aly excels at - her stories are perfectly balanced and never drift into the trap of too much angst.
“I can’t do this without you.” “Do what?” He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Breathe.”
Thea and Ramsay are two of the most resilient people I've read about in a while - they have that survivor's gene that just won't let them give up, no matter how dire the situation looks. But I guess, when you know you're fighting for your soul mate there is no such thing as giving up. Thea and Ramsay were meant to be but until they were allowed to have their happily ever after my heart took quite a beating. But that's Aly Martinez for you - she makes you hurt and earn those happy moments. She makes sure that you deserve that happy ending when you get there.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to live the one you’re given."
RELEASE is told in the present and a long flashback in the beginning, that takes up about a third of the story. I loved watching Thea and Ramsay's friendship grow into more but for a short while I was a little worried that the page time that was left wouldn't be enough to address every thing that needed to be tied up. But I shouldn't have worried. This book left me satisfied in every way. In typical Aly Martinez fashion there is a twist there you don't see coming. While you're reading and feeling quite safe and optimistic, all of a sudden you're left reeling and flailing and wondering WTF just happened. I LOVE that.
If you always wanted to try one of Aly Martinez's books, this is a great place to start. RELEASE is a complete standalone with new characters that will give you all the feels, some humor, intense storytelling and a beautiful story about soulmates who deserve their HEA.
And then Ramsey kissed me, deep and frantic like a boy. Gentle and skilled like a man. All-consuming and claiming like my forever. And he did it all tasting like watermelon gum.
After a minor book hangover from another hockey story I was looking forward to reading "So Over You." I knew Kate Meader would deliver and boy, did she.
In a world dominated by alpha males like ice hockey it's hard for a woman to be heard. When you make your three daughters co-owners of the team with the least prospects of winning a game and least of all making the play-offs AND making this a condition of the inheritance you deserve a special place in hell. Make those three sisters estranged and you have a recipe for disaster. Right? Wrong.
Ice Hockey is in Isobel's blood. It's the one thing that she always wanted to do and the career-ending injury she had still hurts on a soul-deep level. Then there is the issue of having to prove her position as a coach on the team and having to deal with the man who popped her cherry when she was a teenager and forgot to rock her world.
“The Russian was a . . . cock-a-doodle-dud?” “Right. Bad in bed. Terrible, actually.”
Isobel loves hockey so much, having her dream ripped away from her leaves her a bit like a fish out of water. The next best thing is coaching but it's always been hockey for her. While I loved Isobel's drive, her ambition, I was on the fence about her true feelings and wondering if Vadim really meant more to her than hockey or if he really was only the next best thing, too. However, she did convince me in the end. But: Isobel comes with a load of daddy issues. Her womanizing father did a number on her but her issues were quickly forgotten in the end, so that was an inconsistency that I couldn't look past.
Vadim, the big, grumpy Russian, was simply adorable and personally my highlight. He is this seemingly entitled, arrogant man so when he learns that he left young Isobel wanting all those years ago he is indignant...and then a little insecure. He is melodramatic, often unintentionally funny, and high-handed and has a serious alpha-vibe about him. All this together though is a weirdly endearing package. His speech without contractions becomes more pronounced the more time you spend with him.
The sisters relationship is so obviously improving and I was happy to see that the youngest of them didn't let Isobel get away with her issues. All the sisters interactions show me that there is real bonding happening.
Harper’s head was cocked as she blatantly ogled their GM. Stop it, Isobel frowned. You stop it, Harper frowned right back. That made them both giggle, which drew Dante’s querying look.
Of course Kate lets us spend time with Remy (yay!), Cade (who I'm tickled silly about), Dante (OMG!) and Bren (Scottish brooding deliciousness!). I love their dynamics. I adored Vadim's relationship with his sister.
A moment of silence was offered for the female tragedy that was Dante Moretti's homosexuality.
Kate Meader's writing is like water. It flows effortlessly, pleasantly and is full with her own personal wit and humor. She really has that down pat. I have come to appreciate her books so much. So Over You was a wonderful addition to this series and I'm really sad that there are only two more installments. Even with the minor issues I was supremely entertained. I can't wait to get Dante and Cade, and Violet and Bren in my hands!
"My woman is the North Star in my night sky, but also in her own. If she is not there to guide me, there is only darkness. For us both.”
Have you read the 5-star reviews for this book? They are all true! You know these kinds of bReview @ Vanilla & Spice Books
✮✮✮ ALL THE STARS ✮✮✮
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Have you read the 5-star reviews for this book? They are all true! You know these kinds of books...the ones that you can't seem to shake off, even days after finishing the story you still think about these characters? Writing a review is always a bit like saying goodbye to them but this time I don't want to say goodbye.
Kennedy and Jonathan have never chosen the easy path. They always went the most promising one, if it meant for Jonathan to stay in his hometown despite his abusive father because he fell in love with a girl when he was seventeen. Or for Kennedy to leave her home to help Jonathan fulfill his dream although she knew her parents didn't approve and it meant working two jobs to keep them both fed and under a roof. It is one of the themes in this book that stood out for me.
The fire? It still burns. Something tells me it always will, no matter who tries to put it out.
Kennedy's refusal to let Jonathan see their daughter isn't out of spite. The more you read on, the more you realize that she really only does it out of love, not just for her daughter - she protects the little girl fiercely - but also out of love for Jonathan because she wants him to be the man she always wanted him to be and that means for him to get his act straight, get sober and prove that he is reliable and a real father for their child. And Jonathan? He worships Kennedy, there is no doubt about it, not at any time throughout the story.
Maybe this moment is all wrong, and maybe it shouldn’t be happening, but there’s very little I want in this world more than I want this woman, so I'm not turning her down.
A year ago Jonathan realized that he would never get to be a presence in his daughter's life and winning back the love of his life if he didn't stop doing drugs and sober up. When he sees Kennedy again you can feel the remorse in every word, he is very aware of his mistakes and flaws. The love he has for her, they have for each other, is beautiful. You see it grow from their early days, when it was innocent and sweet to the desperate one when both of them stand at the the chasm that Jonathan's dream and its consequences created.
During the whole story I was in awe of Kennedy's resilience. Of course there was bitterness on her side that came through now and then, when she lashed out at Jonathan, she was suspicious and skeptical, not sure if Jonathan would see it through this time. She gave him tough love and he fought for her the moment he saw her again. I loved that they never took the easy way out, Kennedy was very strong in particular and while the aforementioned bitterness and her reluctance to let Jonathan see in might seem a bit harsh I completely understood where she came from.
“Just when I was starting to doubt I’d ever see you again.” “You didn’t think I’d keep popping up every so often?” “Oh, sure, but that’s not you,” she says. “I knew that guy would keep coming back. I thought I’d be dealing with him for the rest of my life. Drunk, high, out of his mind… but I never thought I’d see you again, real you, yet you’re here. I thought it would always be him.”
I have so much love for these two characters and their little girl Madison, who was such a delight to read about. There are a few light-hearted moments with her that lighten the angst and the mood.
This is one of the best second-chance romances I've read. I haven't read a book by J.M. Darhower before although I do have some of them on my Kindle waiting to be read. Now I know that I missed out. The writing is impeccable and the story packs an emotional one-two punch. It hurts so good! The realistic and brilliant portrayal of the characters made it relatable. It is about deciding who you are and who you want to be and following through, finding the real you and not letting glitter and glamour blind you and getting your priorities straight.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from it all, it’s that we have to be our own heroes. No guy in a costume is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves.
Do yourself a favor and trust those 5-star reviews and pick this up. $2.99 is cheap for what you get with this story - I promise it's worth it!
After his failed marriage Steed returns home to his parents' ranch in Texas. He hated not being able to go home to see his family because of his money-grubbing now ex-wife. When he left ten years ago he left unfinished business behind. The only woman he ever loved. The woman he never forgot.
Home. The one place I longed to be, but was also scared to death of. Memories of this place were dangerously strong, but Chloe and I needed family. She needed a sense of normal after five years of utter crazy. And I needed to right a wrong that was long overdue. Paxton.
Paxton loves her job as a kindergarten teacher. When she comes face to face with the love of her life and his daughter she is overwhelmed with contradictory feelings. There is joy of seeing Steed again but also grief and a huge amount of righteous anger. And there is still the lingering threat of her cutting off his men parts.
There are things that are unforgivable. I would have thought that the reason for Paxton's anger would be among them but from the first moment you could feel Steed's honest regret for what his younger self did rolling off of him. He wasn't very smart in the decision-making department when he was barely out of school and that is the only reason I can forgive him what he did. He was a young scared boy facing a future he never pictured. He did try to make up for his kneejerk decision but it was too late then.
“Fear is temporary, regret is forever.”
The betrayal and hurt Paxton feels when Steed walks back into her life are excruciating. His past ten years without her make it all the harder to forgive him and for a while they go in circles and Paxton learns more about herself and her own mistakes in the time following her tragedy while she finds a way to lay the past to rest. I thought that was very well executed. Paxton didn't give in right away and needed time to heal and Steed did a lot of grovelling and really earned her forgiveness.
Once they move past their issues the angst pretty much stops, the story becomes a lot more light-hearted and it gets a little too mushy and sweet for my taste. It doesn't really feel natural anymore to get so many "I love yous" and tearing up because, you know, happy, within a couple of pages and all the overly sweet stuff starts to feel a bit like fillers.
A couple of words about the characters. Steed is a cowboy and he has the alpha character and filthy mouth to go with it. He really knows how to woo a woman. He is tenacious in his pursuit of Paxton, he really wants to make it up to everyone who got caught in the drama. I liked Paxton and her spirit and her ability to see her own mistakes.
We kneeled in front of each other, so vulnerable and open. Bleeding hearts exposed for each of us to see. He saw my pain; I saw his hurt. Guilt engulfed me.
While this was a leeettle bit too sweet for me and I expected more angst I still loved the whole cast, setting and storyline of this book and I will definitely continue reading this series. The family consists of 7 siblings so I think we are in for quite a ride. Especially because those cowboys are all man-hos who will be fun to watch when they are brought down to their knees by a female.
Lost Love is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
This book deals with some serious issues which might be a trigger for some readers.
On a Tuesday is a bit of a deviation from the latest more light-hearted novellas Whitney G. released. It definitely packs some angst and I have to admit I shed a tear or three. If I had to categorize it I would say that it has way more NA characteristics than second chance contemporary romance. The reason lies in the story-telling technique as the author uses flashbacks to tell Charlotte and Grayson's story and she spends way more time in the past than the present. For some might this technique interrupt the flow, it did, however, work for me.
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I loved Charlotte as a student - she was a bit of a chickenshit in regards to relationships when she was in college. Admittedly, she really had bad luck with the dudes and I couldn't blame her for keeping herself at a safe distance from the resident man-ho. She just couldn't trust him. Her lies to keep him away from her, however fabricated they were, soon became obvious to Grayson and he totally had her number and called her out on it - I found this to be really cute and hilarious. Today's Charlotte was bitter and really irritated me so I wanted to have a really good and valid reason for her to be so. Thankfully her bitterness was totally justified.
All these years and he still had the ability to make my world stop with a single syllable. To make my heart race with a single glance in my direction.
Grayson is the usual jock - cocky, a bit arrogant but a decent guy and sweetheart. He fell so hard for Charlotte and was so persistent in his pursuit of her - he proved to her that she was different from all the other girls. His letter to her towards the end was perfection.
“Good choice.” She bit her bottom lip. “Okay, so, applying what you already know about feminist criticism—” “You’re fucking gorgeous.” I interrupted her, and her cheeks turned bright pink. “I’m disappointed in myself for not meeting you sooner.”
Overall I enjoyed Charlotte and Grayson. Was it predictable? Yes. I still loved it. It has Ms. G's trademark wit, banter and smart characters. It also has the emails and letters we have come to love in this author's stories. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed and while there was an epilogue I would have loved a little bit more...of all, however, this being a Whitney G story it was absolutely enjoyable.
Wyatt is preparing the show of a lifetime - a set of one-of-a-kind erotic photography. With is project he wants to step out of the huge shadow cast by his Hollywood family. All he misses is the centerpiece of his show, a model uniting innocence, sensuality and eroticism. It's 27 days before opening and he still hasn't found the perfect model. Until Kelsey Draper walks into his studio.
It was her. The girl who’d filled his mind. The girl who’d haunted his nights. The woman he needed if he was going to pull this exhibit off the way he wanted to.
Kelsey is on a deadline, too. She needs 15 grand to enroll her brother for trials in a new clinical protocol for fourth degree burn victims. Her well meaning best friend passed on the audition that was meant for Nia and told Kelsey to go. Never in her life did she expect coming face to face with the man who nearly destroyed her twelve years ago. The man who is now staring at her in anger.
He’s not a man, he’s a concept. A talisman. Fantasy mixed with memory and topped with a sprinkle of loss.
Wyatt knows it is a mistake to hire her for his show. The way things ended all those years ago left him with a broken heart. But he wants her, this quiet, shy girl who comes to life when she dances her heart out. He wants her fiercely but how can he trust her not to walk out on him again? So much is riding on this show. Will Kelsey see it through? Can he move past his anger and be professional?
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Wyatt is an ambitious young man who wants to find his footing in an industry that is so fake that if you have a famous name attached to you, you are automatically royalty. That's why he sheds his famous last name and uses a stage name - he wants to be accepted for his work and not because he is related to his famous family. From the beginning you get the sense that Wyatt is a really good person. Even when he wants to punish Kelsey for hurting him you feel his remorse when he is being a jerk. When they (mostly) move past their painful history Wyatt becomes this sexy, sweet guy you get glimpses of in the flashbacks. I got a teeny bit irritated with him towards the end because he gave up on her so fast, that his show seemed more important than her. Thankfully his grandmother set him right.
Kelsey is a shy woman and has always been that way. Her light starts to shine when she dances - all of a sudden she is a completely different person: vibrant, self confident and sensual. It is the heady combination that made Wyatt fall in love with her twelve years ago and he is still immensely attracted to her, albeit unwillingly. Since tragedy struck her family twelve years ago she has been playing things safe. Her father extinguished any spontaneity she had when she was a teenager and it is the central theme in this book. As soon as things get a little bit risky, Kelsey runs but Wyatt challenges her to risk things and let the world see the wild underneath all the restraint.
“Listen to your brother. He seems like a smart guy. Go a little wild, Ms. Draper. Cut loose. Take a risk.” “Is that what you are? A risk?” “Risk, reward. I’m pretty sure the two are tied together.”
Not only did I love her for owning her sensuality, I adored her for being such an amazing sister and I really hope that Griffin gets his well deserved HEA.
The development of their relationship is fast - granted they have known each other for a long time but didn't meet again for twelve years. We get to see the sweet story of two teenagers who fall in love for the first time via flashbacks. Back then they knew each other well, and it's this fact I still puzzle over that Wyatt misjudged the girl he was in love with when he was a teenager, so I would have loved to see a little more depth to the resolution of their problems and them moving past them. But that's probably me craving a little more grovelling. When all is said and done I fell in love with these two characters, and hard.
“You’re staring,” she said, smiling. “You’re beautiful.” Her smile widened. “I think it’s the dress.” “I know it’s the woman.”
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The conclusion?
Enough angst to keep you invested in the story? ✔ Delicious sexual tension? ✔ A sweet second chance love story? ✔
Yup - this story ticks a lot of boxes I'm a sucker for. Right off the bat - this is my first J. Kenner book.
*ducks to dodge the eggs and tomatoes*
J. Kenner's writing is modern and flows effortlessly. The dialogues feel very natural. The storyline isn't innovative, it's a well-used theme but still effective and I loved the angst that came with it. I don't even know why I never got around reading Ms. Kenner's stories but I'll definitely remedy this oversight. I tasted blood and now I'm hooked!...more
Home is not a place, Not a smell, Not a face, But a space In your heart. -M. White
If I had to rate this book by no other criteria than this author's writing style I would have given it 5 stars. Staci Hart has a lyrical voice and I fell in love with it at the get-go.
I existed in the space between our hands, between the beating of our hearts, between the breaths we slowly sipped, savoring the moment I'd imagined for so long.
Unfortunately this isn't how it works but before you jump to conclusions...see how I rated it 4 stars? Let me explain.
The story is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. You have the hero who went to war and the engagement that was broken off when he left. When he returns he is a broken man.
"What is wrong with me? Why do I destroy the things I love?" "Because you don't know how to give or receive love anymore. You've been this way as long as I've known you."
Wade comes home to the news that his father is terminally ill. Being the eldest sibling he takes charge and takes over handling everything that comes with getting your father's things in order. Spending time with his dad is his top priority - unfortunately that comes with a catch - his best friend's sister whose mentor his father, a Lit-professor, is. She is his first love...and his last.
Elliot was only seventeen when Wade left her because she didn't marry him on the spot and leave with him. For two years she wrote him, everyday. Not a single response came. She has never forgotten her first love, who hurt her so profoundly that she couldn't imagine being with another man. On top of dealing with the devastating news that the person, who is more a father than her own, is going to die soon, she has to endure Wade's cold behavior.
I am not going to talk about the main characters just yet. I need to address a character who almost shone brighter than everyone else in this story. Rick is Wade's, Sophie's and Sadie's dad and seldom have I loved a secondary character as much as I did Rick. He was an inspiration and a picture of tenderness, dignity, wisdom and kindness. The way he talked with his children and Elliot, his beautiful soul and quiet strength in the face of death...he was simply wonderful.
"You are loved and cared for, with or without me. So please, don't break or bend. Don't crumble and fall. Stand up tall and face the sun and remember me."
Elliot has a heart of gold, unfortunately she lets people use her and I couldn't get on board with her reasoning. She said that it wouldn't change anything if she spoke up, her sister (a despicable b*tch) and her father (that's where the sister has the bitchiness from...) wouldn't change. Her power was in the choice not to speak up.
But here's the thing— there's no point. Arguing will not change their behavior, and it helps no one, especially not me. I don't suffer very often because I don't let them hurt me. My being present is a choice. My enduring their judgment is a choice. My choice, and therein lies my power.
And this is where I had my issues. There is some twisted logic... The author had the option to use Elliot living with her sister and not wanting to end on the street as a pretty good reason for not speaking up...instead she used this non-reasoning. I am sorry to say but Elliot was for two thirds of the book indeed the doormat she said she wouldn't be. I was happy when she finally put her foot down. Still, she was a very likable character and I loved her connection with Rick and Sophie.
Wade was broken and I did understand why he first thought he wouldn't be good for Elliot. Alas, there was too much push and pull going on. Both of their inability to communicate and to take a risk got a little bit too much at some point. They were going in circles. When he finally manned up I let out a huge sigh of relief and I have to say in the last 15% of the story he made it up to Elliot and back into my good graces.
Why had I done this to her? Why did I keep hurting her when all I wanted was to love her? Why was I so broken? Why couldn't I do the right thing? Why couldn't I be who she deserves? The whys had been on me the whole time
Now that I got all the reservations out of the way I want to tell you that despite it all this was an extremely enjoyable read and I gobbled the story up because I wanted to know how it would end. I wanted to see Wade grovel and, hell, he did. The family's grief was devastating and touched me deeply - I grieved along with them. The angst throughout the story was almost too much to bear. It is also peppered with beautiful poems. And let's not forget Rick, who almost outshone the main characters...I have no words for how beautiful his personality was.
"Don't cry." He reached for my face, and I leaned forward for him to cup my cheek. "I can't help it. What will we do without you?" And to that, he only had one answer, and he gave it to me with strength his body no longer possessed, but his soul always would. "Live."
As mentioned in my intro, Staci Hart's writing is pure poetry and there is no doubt that she has talent in spades. Her style evokes deep emotions and I can't wait to read more of this author's works.
This story took me completely by surprise. Claudia Connor is a new-to-me author and I was intrigued by the many amazing reviews I saw about the McKinney Brothers. When Worth The Wait popped up on Netgalley I couldn't resist. I took a chance and the rest is history.
Nick has to leave his teen years fast behind when his parents die in a car accident. Yesterday he was a carefree young adult, the next day he has to take care of his three brothers and his baby sister Hannah, who is all of two years old. At no point he even considers passing her on to a relative. He loves his family so much and wants them all to stay together.
When Mia meets Nick and his little sister on campus she realizes that this boy is one of a kind. They fall in love and fast and over the course of a couple of years they live a happy, albeit stressful life.
“I love you. I love you, Mia. You’re everything. Everything.” He didn’t hold back now, as if being inside her broke down any barriers he might have had, and the words flowed. He whispered them as he moved. She was all. His life. His heart.
One day their love is put to the test and it doesn't survive. Or does it?
When they meet again ten years later there are so many obstacles between them that you wonder how they will ever overcome them. Mia has had her share of tragedies and the way she carries herself even after them is nothing but admirable. She is a quiet person, nothing is flashy about her, there is no snark, only empathy and understanding. Mia is always there for the Walker siblings, no questions asked. Sometimes she comes across a little bit too understanding which might readers see as a bit of a pushover...but that isn't my perception of her. She just has this quiet strength she shows on the outside. On the inside she crumbles sometimes and the tragedies she has to deal with are really tough to swallow.
He'd tried his best to protect her from himself and broken both of their hearts in the process.
Nick is an amazing brother. The way he is with his baby sister is simply wonderful. He protects her, loves her and gives her everything Hannah needs. When he sees Mia again his mind is his prison and he is trapped in there so tightly that it's hard to imagine that he can free himself of the guilt he feels for everything that has happened. And his own feeling of guilt sometimes leads him to be cruel to the only person who has stood by him through everything. I struggled a bit to come to terms with him. He wasn't unlikable by no means, not at all. He was actually pretty amazing but his demons just were too strong at times and my heart ached for Mia because of the hurt he had caused her.
He was still looking for an answer, a reason, when there was no logical answer, no reason. There was nothing to do but move forward and help Hannah move forward. But he was still in the past, still looking for someone to blame and as long as he did there was no future for them.
This epic love story had emotions galore. I loved the characters, main and side, especially Hannah who actually stole the show from Mia and Nick in the beginning. She was so utterly adorable, I wanted to cuddle her silly. Nick's brothers all have their own struggles and I am looking forward to reading their stories. If this book is anything to go by we are in for lots of more emotional reads. The men don't seem to be alpha-holes but good and solid people. I'll definitely read this author's back list.
I love Claudia Connor's writing style, it's very fluid and pleasant to read. If you are a fan of emotional stories with a generous dash of angst like I am you will love this. It's about first love and love that is destined to be.
“I lost myself, and I’m sorry. I heard you, but I didn’t answer. I locked you out, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Kate Meader is fast becoming a favorite of mine. This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm completely captivated by her easy humorous writing style. I wish I had more time, I'd lock myself up and go on a Kate Meader reading spree.
Five years ago a man and a woman had one week of anonymous sexual bliss that left both of them with a whole lot of regret that it didn't go any further...but they both had places to be, things to do and the stars just didn't align so they both thought of the other as the one that got away.
She wore that dress, was the barometer by which he had measured every woman in the last five years, and she had the 411 on cars? Someone up there hated his guts.
Molly Cade's star rose fast in Hollywood when she met her now ex-husband. And it fell just as fast after nude pics of her leaked and caused a scandal. With this new movie about a woman in a male dominated profession she wants to rise back up into the elite of Tinseltown. The one thing that would make her movie perfect is having Alexandra Dempsey's point of view since she is the person it is actually about. Having done her research she knows she has to go through the Dempseys from Chicago who have a reputation of being fiercely protective of their family.
Former Marine, now firefighter Wyatt Fox, the silent and broody Dempsey, has received an assignment by his cap which he doesn't look forward to. His expertise is needed for a Hollywood movie about a female firefighter in Chicago. He'd rather be doing his job but his last gig left him with a sore shoulder. That this movie is supposed to be based on his sister's story doesn't really entice him either. At least that's what he is telling himself.
That was the problem with magnets. Attraction wasn't a choice.
When Molly is introduced to the hunky, beautiful guy who is supposed to be her tech consultant on set she immediately recognizes the hot Marine she met five years ago and had a week of sexual bliss with.
"Hey, do you guys...know each other?" "Depends on your definition of know." "We had some mutual interests once," Wyatt said, a pagan gleam in those blue gray eyes. "Bars. Shakespeare." Sexy pause. "Elevators."
Molly stands for everything Wyatt tries to avoid. He is a loner and the Dempsey who stays in the shadows, protecting what's his, and fiercely so, from the sidelines. He is deeply private, a straight shooter and bossy. He has always felt he didn't belong, like the odd one in the boisterous Dempsey bunch. This feeling of inadequacy comes from his family history and is the reason for him to give the stage to his siblings. Even though he doesn't show it he cares deeply and it was a pleasure to see how Molly enabled him to bring his feelings to the forefront. The flirty side of him and his dry wit are delicious because they often come out unexpectedly.
"You planning to glare me into orgasm, Marine?" "I don't glare. I smolder."
Molly is a sassy, smart young actress, burned by the media and her ex. She knows that her and Wyatt's lives don't mix. The reality of it and the constant reminder by the media make her regret a little that she can't be the private person he would need and deserve. Wyatt knows exactly what Molly needs as long as his caveman doesn't surface. Then all bets are off.
The banter between these two is hilarious and delicious - I have marked so many quotes on my Kindle. It's a trademark of Kate Meader that she knows how to write amazingly witty and clever dialogues. She also puts her stamp on the chemistry between her main protagonists, which is explosive and will leave your ovaries in a tangle. Molly and Wyatt's love story is a slow burn but once they ignite...holy sh...
"Babe, you deserve better than a quick fumble. "She scoffed. "Quick? Ha! You are slower than a snail on top of a turtle. I've never met a guy who takes his time like you do"
I loved Molly and Wyatt together, they completed each other, loved how they tore each other's walls down, little by little. The diva 'tude doesn't faze this hunk of a firefighter and since it isn't over the top it didn't keep me from liking Molly. But the star of this book? Definitely Wyatt.
All the characters, main and secondary, are really well fleshed out. The side cast is pretty amazing and I'm going to read Ms. Meader's backlist as soon as I have room for it. Gage is my favorite and it doesn't hurt that he is gay!
There is no question that this author can write. I'm a huge fan.
"Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I've ever done. Falling is easy. Staying that way is hard. but I've been choosing hard all my life, so why the hell would the life I make with the woman who completes me be any different? I love you like a madman. You're the air I breathe, my next heartbeat, and I'm never letting go."
When this one was released Sarina Bowen was attacked for writing a romance novel with the hero being a drug addict. I didn't get why, we read about anti-heroes every day, so what was the problem here?
One reckless decision changed the life of a lot of people. When Jude wrecked his car more than three years ago he also wrecked his life and his girlfriend's and her family's. After three years in prison and a summer spent working for the Shipleys he comes back to his hometown and the place where the love of his life lives. Sophie was left behind heartbroken when Jude went to prison. She wrote him for a while, trying to understand and find out what happened that night when he crashed his beautiful Porsche 911 into a tree. Now he is back and she knows that he is forbidden. Resisting him will be tough, especially when, anger aside, old feelings some to the surface again.
Jude's shame and feeling of not being worthy is always present and all this time, while reading this book I wanted to hug him and tell him that he is an amazing human being. His love for Sophie has never died and everything he does is with her well being in mind, so even though he had a little stupid moment I could totally relate and forgive him. You can always see what a good person he is.
"I didn’t want to live like this- full of confusion and guilt all the time, and heartbroken in a hundred ways at once."
Sophie is an equally endearing heroine. After the first shock of seeing Jude again wears off her feelings come bubbling back. She tries hard to understand what her ex-boyfriend is going through, her support is invaluable for his recovery.
Together they have some seriously explosive chemistry. I loved how their feelings were so obvious without them having to say the words.
“Soph, I’d give you anything. But I don’t have a lot to give.”
The story is a stark reminder of how much people with an addiction struggle on a daily basis. No sober day can be taken for granted, every single one is a fight against your body. This is what Jude is facing in his story and his determination to stay clean had me in awe. He never forgets how many lives he touched by his dependence on drugs, how much chaos he wrought in the lives of the people he loved or were affected by the tragedy when he wrecked his car while being high as a kite.
"One minute at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time, I kept going."
This story is also a reminder that we maybe shouldn't be so judgmental and should show those addicts leniency, kindness and compassion who really want to detox and stay sober. A single wrong decision can shape your life and we all have been there and done that.
My name is Jude Nickel, and I am an addict. Also, I'm a big fucking idiot.
Sarina Bowen's story affected me deeply. It is certainly more angsty than Bittersweet and is one of those stories that will give you something to think about for days. I loved the two main protagonists and also that I got to catch up with the Shipleys. I really adore every single one of them. There are tender moments and emotional and heartbreaking ones, moments of kindness and understanding and all of those had me invested throughout the whole book. Jude is a hero because of the way he deals with his addiction. I am so happy with this series and I really hope that Sarina Bowen will keep writing about these characters.
"In music, the silence in between the songs can be as affecting as the most powerful crescendo. This moment was just the same. I opened my eyes to find Jude watching me. Then his hips pulsed - the opening bass line of our song. I throbbed against him - adding to our melody. He rocked. I rolled my hips. We were complete right then. There were no naysayers. There was no past and there certainly was no future. Listening to the rhythm of Jude's increasingly ragged breaths, I gave myself over to this moment. Our song rose to a fevered pitch, and I listened hard to every note while it lasted.
Because I didn't have time to make a proper teaser here some impressions that go very well with the book ;)
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When you find your husband balls deep inside of his secretary it will set off a lot of emotions. Decisions have to be made, bridges have to be burned. When Avery is faced with this picture she doesn't think about it for long, she decides to go to Italy and see her friend Daisy, handling all the divorce matters from there. On the day of her arrival Daisy takes her out to introduce her to friends. A pair of familiar, yet very angry eyes throw her back into her younger self when she had the prerogative of youth of being irresponsible. When she fell in love with a beautiful Italian guy during her study abroad program in Barcelona. When life was easy and so was love.
...I was focused on a pair of wide, equally shocked Italian eyes peering over the table. Eyes that I'd recognize anywhere, and they were staring down at me. Forty percent stunned, 10 percent curious and a whole lotta angry.
I will tell you upfront: This book will ring safety bells. It deals with a topic that can never be black and white and if you are like me you know that there will always be grey areas. We all make mistakes and what defines us is how we deal with them and handle the consequences. Now, having said that I urge you to read this book even if you think it might not be for you. This story is despite all like a summer breeze, light, warm and colorful.
I'm italophile. There is no way living in a country sharing a border with Bella Italia that you are not. I have been vacationing there since I was a kid and I go every year. I have a lot of happy memories in this beautiful country. The way these two authors described Italy gave me another week of vacation there. Their imageries are vivid, full of colors and oh my god, I could even taste the food on my tongue. Italy is the real star in this story.
Avery is sassy but also a hot mess and flawed. She is confused pretty much about everything after finding her husband cheating on her. Who wouldn't be though? Especially when you run into the love of your life who makes you question everything about your past. Finding out that the choices you made in life may not have been the best, neither for you nor for everyone else involved. Owning up to them and avoiding making the same mistakes again. And above all, staying true to yourself and putting yourself first for once in your life.
Marcello is oh so dreamy. Beneath the beautiful facade is a sweet man with deep emotions and a huge capacity to forgive. And since it's romance he is also amazing with his hands mouth and...everything else that entails using his body ;)
The way he held my face in his hands when he pushed into me. The way he swept kisses along my spine, smoothing the skin with barely there brushes. The way I caught him staring at me as I came apart under his tongue, as though if he blinked I might've disappeared. And the way he said my name when he came apart, his lips swollen from my frantic kisses, chanting like Avery was the only word he knew.
I did have a minor issue with one or two facts that weren't accurate but I could overlook them since the rest was really spot-on. I loved Marcello and Avery together. There was this instant connection you only get to see in second chance romances, the tether that connects the main characters after all this time.
"That's my tesoro", he said tenderly, leaning up to kiss me again
I have to say I had conflicting thoughts (view spoiler)[ about how the main characters handled the cheating part. Avery's growth came very late and only when she was confronted with Marcello giving her a bit of her own medicine (hide spoiler)]
I wish we would have gotten a dual POV but I realize that the way the story enfolded until the end wouldn't have worked. Still, a little bit of Marcello's take on it wouldn't have hurt especially towards the end. The storytelling was fabulous and oh I loved the dialogues. The ending was rather abrupt though and I would have loved an epilogue and see how these two would be doing farther in the future.
It was still an enjoyable and cute read and I can't wait to see where this author duo is taking us next and who Avery's best friend Daisy will end up with!
"Christ, Daisy, keep up! I slept with your friend Marcello in Barcelona when I was in college!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "And you never told me?" "Yes!" "No!"
Chanel Cleeton, where have you been all my life? I was fortunate to have the second of this amazing series waiting for me after finishing Fly With Me, thanks to the author gifting me an ARC.
Military men are a league of their own. They own every little bit of confidence, cockiness and arrogance but also loyalty and love for whatever they deem worthy. This is why I love stories featuring them.
The whole remaining squadron of the Wild Aces is still reeling from the tragic events in book 1. They try to deal with it but Eric, call sign Thor, finds it increasingly hard to focus. An almost accident makes him realize that he needs a time out, away from the job he loves to find solid ground again, to move on. After a chance run-in with his ex fiancée Becca he takes up the opportunity to go home and see where they stand, wanting to salvage the ties he cut loose a decade ago because they wanted different things out of life. His regret hasn't subsided in those ten years but will Becca be able to forgive him?
Look at me. Please. Forgive me. Let me in.
Seeing her ex again after such a long time has left Becca angry and confused. And when he comes to his home town after a decade of absence she does everything she can to shut him out and put up walls against this different yet familiar Eric. He sneaks past Becca's walls though and soon she finds herself entangled with him again. Forgiving is hard, forgetting almost impossible, and nobody wants to be second fiddle to your guy's job.
I have no idea how to put all my emotions for this book and the series into words. The heartbreak these two endured separated from the other because of one bad decision, the love that jumps from each page at you, the hope that is tangible, it all lured me in, hook, line and sinker and I just couldn't stop reading.
"What?" "You being here. In South Carolina. With me." "Not a nightmare?" "It depends on the day you ask me." "It feels like a dream."
Becca is an endearing heroine with a huge chip on her shoulder. Her strength is what defines her, so it's no surprise that forgiveness doesn't come easy to Becca but she is willing to work through the history that connects her with Eric. And so is he, he shows her with small and big gestures that he thinks the world of her. The way he treats Becca is achingly sweet. Eric is such a swoon-worthy hero. He has it all, the cockiness, the arrogance and the depth to make him doubt himself and his decisions. His remorse for cutting himself loose is in every word he says. With his heart in Becca's hands he is desperate to find a solution out of the mess he created otherwise it would mean ending up where they did those ten years ago.
"Have dinner with me tonight." She grinned. "Okay." I graduated from "maybes to "okays", and I felt like a fucking king.
Their soul deep connection makes this story so worth reading. They try so hard to get past their messy history, it's beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. And then there is that lady parts-tingling attraction, the undeniable force that draws them together that makes you gasp and hold your breath. Their deep sexual need for one another is exciting and it almost makes you feel like an intruder. I loved their chemistry.
At some point I was wondering how this would play out, with both of them being on completely different paths and not being able to stray from them. I couldn't see either of them give in...but I shouldn't have doubted that the author would get it right. When Becca finally realizes that things have changed from the impossibility of their love to the only way, it is mindblowingly sweet. At that point my heart strings let loose a crescendo of feelings for these two. I was so relieved. You realize that these two had to go through the heartbreak to find a common path. They weren't in the same place when they separated and only the time apart got them to where they had to be.
Maybe it took losing her to realize just how much I needed her, the contrast between my life with Becca and my life without never clearer than in this moment.
What I love about the heroes of this series is that they are good men and still have the edge of badasses and super-alphas. They don't mess around, they go for what they want without being dicks about it. They are open about what they feel and have no shame admitting it. It's easy to fall in love with them.
Chanel Cleeton's writing style is fluid. The dialogues feel natural and you can't help sinking into the story and being swept away with it.
I hope after this series finishes Chanel Cleeton will continue writing romance with fighter pilots. I have no idea why not more authors do it, there is so much potential. Maybe they shy away from the knowledge that is needed, or even the insight that Ms. Cleeton has. But be that as it may, I think if this author continues what she's doing she'll strike a rich vein. I'm her devoted reader at any rate.
ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you so much!
Quotes are taken from the unpublished work and are subject to change....more
What we have here is a sweet, sexy novella by one of my favorites when I crave low angst. It's a second chance story with adorable main characters. It starts off LL's new Wedding Belles series.
Wedding photographers Jason and Leah were lovers until one day, when Jason's door opened and Leah faced a woman only in a t-shirt. Deeply hurt, she ran, never giving Jason the chance to explain.
When Leah walked away from Jason he knew that he wouldn't be able to forget this little firecracker so quickly.
"Moth, meet flame"
So when friend Alexis Morgan, owner of the wedding planers "Wedding Belles", approaches him to share photographing duties with Leah at a high profile wedding he jumps at the chance.
This was a sweet quick read and I really adored Jason. The theme here is the lack of communication when you are hurt and how you could miss out on something that could actually be really good. The resolution of the issues was a tad too quick for my taste but I can see how this is tough to do if you only have a certain number of words available. Still a lovely enjoyable story.
ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review - thank you!...more
Ella Frank's Temptation series is hard to top. Logan and Tate will remain my favorite MM couple for tReview @ Vanilla & Spice Books
5 Coming Home Stars
Ella Frank's Temptation series is hard to top. Logan and Tate will remain my favorite MM couple for the forseeable future (closely followed by Jamie and Wes from Sarina Bowen's and Elle Kennedy's HIM series). Nonetheless Finn and Brantley have captured my heart and I credit this to Ms. Frank's enormous talent for writing delightful, charming and likeable characters.
We met Daniel Finley the first time in the Temptation series as a secondary character. I didn't really have the hots for him then but if you read his story you'll understand why he was that way.
It's time to come home, Finn.
These words sent to him in a letter will turn his world upside down. When his professor Brantley Hayes sent him away seven years ago, Finn's heart was broken. How could the man who claimed to love him just do this to them, even if he had his best interest at heart. Despite the hurt that is still present and as strong as when he left Daniel Finley feels an irresistable desire to go home and face the man who caused it.
Their past and present collided spectacularly, and as they collapsed onto the rug in a tangle of arms and legs, he wondered if they would ever be able to disentangle themselves long enough to find a new place to begin.
Seven years ago Brantley Hayes set himself up for a world full of hurt when he sent the love of his life away because he saw so much more in Finn. His talented young student had so much potential so what right did he have to keep him tied up in Sunset Cove when he could study at the most prestigious universities? Ever since he hasn't been the same. After seven years he thinks it's time for Finn to come home and figure out where they stand. When he meets Finn again he realizes that the person standing in front of him is not the same favorite student he used to love. Daniel is a changed man and he won't go easy on Brantley.
After steaming and thinking about Finn's and Brantley's story I upgraded the rating from 4.5 to full 5 stars because, honestly, they are a class of their own. No they aren't Logan and Tate but they aren't required to be. Their story is heartwarming and pushes all my buttons. Their past is told in flashbacks and you get a direct comparison between the easygoing Finn and the career focused lawyer from Chicago who is not willing to give his favorite professor more than two weeks.
"I want you. And I'm selfish enough to keep you for as long as you let me."
The sexual tension Ella Frank is building from the start is sizzling. Despite Finn's resentment you can feel the incredibly deep connection these two have and the farther you reach into their story the deeper their bond becomes. I love how Ms. Frank manages to unite the hardass lawyer and the easygoing beach boy of Finn's youth and turns him into an utterly adorable person.
Brantley is mild mannered and understanding from the start and he has the patience of a saint. There couldn't be a better match for Finn. These two are a match made in heaven. I loved the chemistry of the cheeky Finn and his respectable professor as much as I loved it when he returned to his hometown.
No matter how much he guarded his heart, he would never be able to stop himself from loving this man again. And the reason for that was simple. He had never stopped in the first place.
Ella Frank delivers top notch writing and brings her characters to life. Not many books have the ability to make me cry these days but our two heros set the waterworks in motion. I loved Finn and Brantley hard.
"Now I'm right back where I was before I left." "And where's that?" "Tangled up in you," he whispered against his ear. "It's always been you."
This review is only about Rebecca Zanetti's The Scorpius Syndrome #0.5
I'll make this short:
The world is facing a pandemic, bacteria from space have taThis review is only about Rebecca Zanetti's The Scorpius Syndrome #0.5
I'll make this short:
The world is facing a pandemic, bacteria from space have taken a piggyback ride on a meteor and infect humans. These humans either die, go crazy and/or have heightened intelligence. Nora is a scientist and specialized in bacteria. Her ex-husband Deacan kidnaps her under the order of the government to research this looming pandemic.
* I had a bit of a tough time connecting with the characters, Nora was a bit boring. Deke was allright, I suppose but...
*...he changes his mind like (hopefully) his underwear, the only thing he doesn't change his mind about is the heroine and his love for her. In the beginning he says he is a different man than he used to be. Within the span of a couple of weeks he decides, nope, can't be different, will always be a warrior.
* The heroine couldn't live with him being a warrior and angry all the time when she was young. Granted, a couple of years have gone by...but she has reservations in the beginning of the story and at the end she's totally fine with it.
* They go at it like rabbits while the bacteria is spreading amongst people and a villain is infecting people on purpose. Also, the heroine has a lot of reasons to not sleep with her ex-husband yet she loses half of her super-intelligent brain when he is around.
* The villain has three chances to infect the heroine yet she always escapes.
Given that this is a novella I can imagine it is hard to make the characters shine in such a complicated world. I did like the world building and the prospect of a post apocalyptic world so I really look forward to reading the first full novel in this series. The writing is fluent and it does make you want to read on. Rebecca Zanetti definitely has talent!...more
Sawyer Bennett's stories are comfortable like a pair of broken-in jeans or well worn shoes: You know what you will get, the stories follow a certain pSawyer Bennett's stories are comfortable like a pair of broken-in jeans or well worn shoes: You know what you will get, the stories follow a certain pattern and are predictable most of the times. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Hawke Therrien is the newest addition to the Cold Fury hockey team and he is thrilled and excited about it. Until he sees his love of another lifetime during a team meeting and realizes that he will have to work with Vale for the time being. Vale and Hawke were tight and so in love with each other, so absorbed in each other they couldn't imagine to be apart. Their future was laid out before them, youth not withstanding. One night everything changed and Vale, party girl extraordinaire, breaks up with Hawke out of the blue.
Vale was a wild child and she loved her boyfriend with all her heart. She loved to party hard and there was nothing she wouldn't try. Hawke's farewell party before he wanted to leave his hometown to join a team in Pittsburgh didn't go as planned for her. She left early, not feeling so well. Since it was Hawke's last evening with his friends he stayed and went on partying. A choice they didn't know would define their future.
Hawke, now with the Cold Fury, feels a lot of resentment towards his ex-girlfriend. His anger bubbles up again the moment he sees her. When he learns that Vale has to deal with the health issues of her father - a man he respects deeply - he reigns in his emotions and gives her support. I
I guessed the secret that drove those two apart pretty much while reading the prologue, so not much that came after surprised me. Like I said - well worn shoes. As the story unfolds we are being fed small details and puzzle pieces to give us the bigger picture. And with all Sawyer Bennett books we get a really short fallout and a resolution soon after. There is no unnecessary drama drawn out until you want to stab your eye sockets. It's simple and lovely. I loved how good of a guy Hawke was, how nice and gentle. And he added the naughty to his nice. You could see a distinct difference between the Vale of the old days and the new serious woman she has become. She is a strong heroine with who made bad choices and had to deal with the consequences. Again it's the male MC in this story who has the TSTL moment (I revel a bit in that one since it's so rare). The side characters, some old, some new were lovely as always.
I am left with a warm feeling in my chest and look forward to getting Max' book. I wonder who his match will be and I kind of have an inkling that it might be a side character from this book.
Woolf is a sexy, sensual cowboy. He's rich. He manages the family enterprise. However, he isn't completely happy. What would make himBR with Joëlle <3
Woolf is a sexy, sensual cowboy. He's rich. He manages the family enterprise. However, he isn't completely happy. What would make him happy? Why, a sex club. You see, Woolf loves kink and he wants to provide sensual experiences for patrons without them having to deal with prejudice for their different taste in sex.
Want to have a romantic seduction by a stranger? I’ll make it happen.
Want to get fucked by three well-hung cowboys? I’ll make that happen too.
Want to do it all while being watched? Easy as fucking pie
Callie. She is sweet, sexy, innocent in some ways, smart and all around lovely. She has been carrying a torch for Woolf what seems like forever. Alas, when she wanted to give him his virginity all those years ago he refused and walked away. Callie moves back to her hometown after discovering her cheating fiance. She wants the old Callie gone and wants to create Callie 2.0. Stronger. More daring. More everything.
When they both meet in Woolf's club after a couple of years of chance run-ins, where they said hi in passing, their chemistry explodes. Woolf doesn't want to get involved, loving his kink too much. Also, he thinks that Callie shouldn't be touched by the depravity he craves. Callie on the other hand grows a wild hair and wants a taste of the naughty.
That's my sweet girl. Even with my fingers in you and another man's cock on your tongue, you're still the sweetest girl I'll ever know."
I loved pretty much everything about this book. Woolf's best friend Bridger, who is an enigma and I'm sure his story will provide us with some heartbreak. Woolf, who I watched falling in love with Callie with each page. Callie, who was a beautiful heroine - she loved Woolf but she wasn't a doormat. The fantasy Woolf and Bridger gave her. The sex was scorching. If you want a low angst book this is exactly what you're looking for. Sawyer Bennett starts to become a favorite of mine.
(view spoiler)[ I am usually not a menage reader, and this isn't one either really, but Callie's fantasy was written with extreme care for the three characters and I loved every word of it (hide spoiler)]...more
Millie walked away from Logan more than 20 years ago and she didn't tell him the truth as to why she left the lIt's a Kristen Ashley, what can I say?
Millie walked away from Logan more than 20 years ago and she didn't tell him the truth as to why she left the love and light of her life. I'm not going to spoil this for you since I think the path to learning the truth is something to be experienced. I was a blubbering mess while reading it. I love how strong Millie is, not any taking crap.
What I didn't like was how fast she forgave the gang for their treatment of her. I expected some major groveling - I'm looking at you, Hopper. Grudge is sittin' deep, hear?
This story is split in two. The first part is extremely emotional and raw. I get where Logan is coming from - only somebody who loves as deeply as he does is also capable of dishing out revenge the way he does. When you get past these raw scenes at the bar and the compound you get the "calm-after-the-storm" feeling. It's a smooth ride, gliding back into the known with a touch of new.
The first half was amazing. I loved the emotions, the whole range from fury, rage, hurt to love. The second half was good but it lacked the abundance of feelings of the first part. It was a solid Kristen Ashley read. Loved Millie and High and their deep love for each other. ...more
King. Oh yeah...King. He is rich and successful. He is attractive. And he has a beautiful soul - honest, funnyPhew. Where to start...where to start...
King. Oh yeah...King. He is rich and successful. He is attractive. And he has a beautiful soul - honest, funny and smart as a whip. I don't think I've come across a lot of characters that shone as brightly as he did right from the beginning. When we meet him he is one of the big leaders in England's world of finance.
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And here is the thing: our heroine shone just as brightly as King. Alexis is sassy, has lots of snark and absolutely no filter. None. Zip. She is kind, funny and totally at home and comfortable in her own skin. Her smarts match King's and her soul is just as beautiful. These two people are so much alike and yet so different.
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The story is divided in two parts:
In the first part you get all the backstory how King came to be the homeless person he portrayed in Hearts of Fire.
The second part picks up after the end of the last installment.
Alexis walks into King's life when she applied for a job at his company and despite expectations she actually is hired to be the PA of one of the big players in London's finances. Although there is an intense attraction and incredible chemistry between the two of them Alexis doesn't want to complicate her life by having an affair and lose her job in the process.
They get to know each other, spending a great deal of time together - there is a lot of witty banter between those two which I enjoyed immensely. King makes it hard for her to resist (how she did it, I have no fecking idea, I would have succumbed at hello) and at some point the pull towards each other is too strong...
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Secrets are revealed that are so serious that the life they both knew will be changed forever. I will stop right here telling you more about this amazing story because this is where you have to find out for yourself how it continues and ends.
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This is one of those books you don't want to end but you want it end. While the first part was funny and flirtatious the second part really put me through the ringer in a good way. My heart broke and was put together again. There are a lot of tender moments which made me *feel* the love they had for each other. I can't recommend this series enough - Miss Cosway - I worship you. These two main characters have become one of my alltime favourite couple.
“Sometimes we see someone and they just suit us. They're beautiful to us in every way. You're that person to me.”
Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth
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