Driven by Fate (Serve #5)
    by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: Feb. 16, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 181 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Francesca “Frankie” De Luca always pays her debts. Even when it means stepping inside Serve, the sensuous Manhattan club that caters to particular adult desires. For Frankie, it's a taste of something she's always wanted, and never received. Until a sharply dressed Brit orders her into his room, and instructs her to undress before delivering the carnal punishment she so desperately needs. Then he offers Frankie a deal she can't refuse—and the only thing she owes him is submission...

 

 

Driven by Fate is the third Serve book written by Tessa Bailey and it is definitely the darkest and most intense. I had no idea Porter would turn out the way he did and I have to say, I'm really glad Eliza didn't get her chance with him. Frankie is much more suited for him than she was, even with Frankie being a newbie to the BDSM environment.

 

We also met Frankie very briefly in the previous novel, as she is the recipient of the Preston's memorial scholarship fund. She is my kind of girl- tough, sarcastic, and proud. It kills her to take handouts and doesn't want to feel indebted to anyone. However, without that scholarship she wouldn't be taking business classes at Columbia University either. She does have a plan of action and that is what lands her at Serve in the first place. She would be lying if she said this world didn't intrigue her. Which is why she steps into Porter Evans' room in the first place. She knows he's expecting someone else, but after he commands her to come inside... well she can't help the temptation she feels from the sexy Brit.

 

Porter's tastes are more intense than I thought they would be and while that wouldn't be a bad thing, I felt his cold, detached demeanor was too harsh at times. He isn't a man to show vulnerability. In fact, he doesn't even bother with kissing because that is too personal. Frankie is vibrant and willing, but I didn't like how he handled a lot of things with her. He knows Frankie is new to this world and he doesn't even try to ease her in gently. The Dom is supposed to take care of the Sub's needs and Porter did not do that for Frankie. He pushed too hard, was in too deep with his feelings of lust for her that he caused her real emotional pain for the way he treated her. He is not completely to blame though. Frankie is still a consenting adult and she didn't safe word either, instead just getting upset and running away afterward. That was the one thing I had a problem with in this book. I didn't really see Porter's redemption. He purposefully distances himself from her instead of showing her his true feelings and I hated seeing Frankie hurt because of that. It isn't until the end where Porter makes his grand gesture that I saw a glimpse of a guy who was hiding behind his hardened exterior. I do like the epilogue in this one, as it showed that he was earning his way with her.

 

I had trouble with them as a couple because I didn't feel their connection. I would have liked to see them talk more and have more playful, fun moments with one another to offset the harsh, upsetting ones.

 

With that all being said, this is still an incredibly steamy, sexy book. The scenes of them together where he wasn't breaking her trust were great. I especially loved the one at her house before he went all freak out in his head. It showed a sweeter, more playful side to him and I would have liked more of those.

 

Through it all, Frankie is one resilient girl. Even with Porter acting the way he does, she still manages to keep her pride and dignity. She is a smart woman with great ambition and I loved seeing that take on an important part of this book. I love the idea behind her business venture and I don't know if something like that actually exists, but wow- I would be so down for that. She has a big heart and I loved seeing how much her 'family' meant to her. Frankie is definitely someone I would want to be friends with and want in my corner. Oh and there's a cameo from Tessa's Line of Duty series, so that was really fun to witness and made me smile. While this isn't my favorite of the Serve books, I did still enjoy it and look forward to more books in this series.

Verum (The Nocte trilogy #2)
    by: Courtney Cole

Publication Date: Feb. 2, 2015
Publisher: Lakehouse Press, Inc.
Genre: Dark Psychological Romantic Suspense
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR in exchange for a  fair and honest review.
Page Count: 221 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

The truth shall set you free.

My name is Calla Price and I’m drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I’m being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don’t know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I’m entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It’s just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

  

 

 

This will probably be a super short review, because there is so much I cannot tell you to avoid spoilers. Like its predecessor, there isn't a ton of action in this book. However, Cole is planting all of these easter eggs for you to find and just when you think you might have something figured out- BAM. She sweeps the rug out from under you. I am still twisting and turning that ending over in my brain and I'm completely at a loss.

 

Dare plays an even bigger role in this book, as he is keeping a pretty big secret from Calla. She needs to discover this secret on her own as everything has its own order of things. Naturally, she is incredibly frustrated over this because she desperately needs stability in her life. Her life has been thrown into chaos where the line between reality and insanity is extremely hard to distinguish between. She craves Dare and his closeness, but she needs to distance herself from him as well if she wants answers.

 

The push and pull between them is so overwhelming and frustrating. I just wanted him to tell her the secret and be done with it! Their relationship can best be described as unsettled in this book. Calla needs answers, Dare can't give them and is contradictory with his words. He is at war with himself because he knows something she doesn't and yet he wants to be able to protect her because he loves her.

 

We are introduced to new some characters as well and I found myself unable to trust any of them. I think being in Calla's mind has made me paranoid of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. I kept wondering what their ulterior motives were and if they were out to harm her already fragile state.

 

I love the mystery in this one, as well as trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. My heart aches for Calla because she's endured so much and is struggling to keep hold of her sanity in a place where there are so many secrets and things being kept from her.

 

After that ending, I am dying for the final book Lux. I am desperate to know what happens and I am utterly terrified as well. Regardless, I know Courtney Cole is going to bring her A-game and I am excited to see how she will mess with our minds next!

 

 

Welcome to my stop on the Three Brothers ARC Tour hosted by AToMR!

Today I am excited to share my review with you all!

Three Brothers
    by: Nicole Williams

Publication Date: Jan. 20, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 259 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

I grew up with three brothers. They weren’t tied to me by blood, but our connection went beyond genetics or bearing the same last name. Our connection was forged the summer I turned thirteen, the summer my mom ended her life and left me in the custody of John Armstrong, a man I’d never met. Packing all I owned in a couple of boxes, I left the familiarity of the big city and headed west to Red Mountain Ranch, set in a lonely valley outside of Jackson Hole.

Nothing was as it seemed at Red Mountain—it didn’t take long for me to figure that out. John was kind to me but distant, as if he was afraid to let anyone get too close. His three teenage sons had their own devices for keeping love as far away as they could. The eldest distracted himself with cheap relationships that had a shelf-life of one night. The middle son threw himself into the rigor of running a ranch, and the third wielded cruelty and mind-games in his quest to keep people from getting close.

Time has gone by, and I’ve spent those years trying to forget the brother I’d fallen for—the biggest mistake of my life.

Finally, I’ve moved on. Finally, I’m back. But what I didn’t realize was that running away from the wrong brother meant I’d also run away from the right one. The one who’d been there for me all along, waiting in his brother’s shadow for the day I either would or could move on.

But a decade is a long time to wait. Has the brother I should have chosen all of those years ago moved on too? Am I about to discover that my biggest mistake wasn’t falling in love with the wrong brother, but failing to return the love of the right one sooner?

Does unrequited love have an expiration date?

I’m about to find out.

Author’s Note: This book is a “sweet” romance that isn’t overly sexy. Fans of Lost & Found will be interested in Three Brothers.

 

 

I am such a huge fan of Nicole's Lost & Found series, so I was excited to see her writing another book that was set on a ranch in the Midwest. Three Brothers is a beautifully written story that really delves deep into the emotions of our main character Scout and how she handles being back at Red Mountain Ranch, after fleeing seven years ago because of heartbreak.

 

This is a slower paced story, as it is more character driven and not as heavy on plot. (Being a character driven reader myself, it worked for me) There was so much beauty amidst the overwhelming sorrow and pain in this book though. It was hard to read about such broken characters who have so much anger and resentment within them. My heart ached for the Armstrong brothers and the burdens that they carry. Their father is withering away right in front of their eyes due to a deadly disease and there's absolutely nothing they can do but witness the deterioration of a man that was once so strong. Having been raised by John Armstrong after her mother died, Scout knows she has to go and pay her last respects and head back once more to the place she couldn't get away from fast enough.

 

Scout is a fixer. She always has been and the same remains true for her now. She walks back onto the ranch and tries to repair the damage that has been done by the Armstrong brothers. She refuses to let herself fall victim to heartbreak again with the one brother who is toxic to her, but can't stay away from at the same time. I am really proud that Scout did not fall back into old habits and stayed strong. That's not to say she didn't stoop to his level to get a few digs in herself, but thankfully she didn't throw herself at him either.

 

The romance is this one was very slow building and was lacking a bit developmentally, but I still enjoyed it. There were one line in the beginning of the book that really caught my eye that Scout's mother had told her about the right guy, and I loved it so much, so I was a little disappointed it wasn't referenced again later in the book. While I like that there was relatively low drama in the romance department, I did feel once Scout found out about his feelings for her, she realized she felt the same way pretty fast. I can't say I really blame her because HELLO? He is wonderful and supportive and I just love him to pieces. I do wish there was a little bit more build up or at least we could have seen a bit more of Scout realizing her feelings aren't sisterly or very friendly after all.

 

Ultimately Scout loves all three brothers in her own way and she is a vital part of their lives. Chase, the eldest, is dealing with his own tragedy and heartbreak, but slowly starts to revive himself. Chance, the middle brother, has always been the good, kind one. He is caring and intuitive and he tries to see the best in people, even when they don't deserve it. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive and I just loved him so so much. He is fearful of the curse the mountain brings and that is his one hang-up. Conn, the youngest, is a train wreck. Fueled by hate, anger, and resentment, he constantly brings others down and hurts them. He never lets anyone get too close to him and drives them away time and time again.

 

Life on Red Mountain brings secrets, curses, and death to those who live on it, but it can also bring love, friendship, and hope too. I love that Scout won't let the negative things dictate her life. She is determined to live as she wants and she'll be damned if she lets fear drive away the beauty that remains there.

 

If you don't mind slower paced, character driven novels, I would say check this one out. Williams' writing is beautiful and I really love the underlying message of love and forgiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the CRASH series (HarperTeen, S&S UK), LOST & FOUND series, UP IN FLAMES (S&S UK), The EDEN TRILOGY, and a handful of others. I write stories about everyday kinds of people who find themselves in extraordinary kinds of situations. I tell love stories with happy endings because I believe in making the world a better place, and that’s one tiny way I can make it so. I’m one of those people who still believe in true love and soul mates, and would rather keep my head in the clouds any day over having my feet firmly on the ground.

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Last Call (Cocktail #4.5)
   by: Alice Clayton

Publication Date: Jan. 6, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 176 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

From NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton, known for her “deliciously addictive” (The Book Vixen) novels, this Cocktail series novella reunites readers with Caroline and Simon from the wildly successful Wallbanger.

Simon and Caroline are back for another round of baking, banging, and big life changes. Settling in, but never settling down, Caroline has finally struck a balance between the professional and the personal. As one of the top interior designers in San Francisco, she travels all over Northern California between nook time with Simon.

Perpetual globetrotter Simon has cut his frequent flyer miles in half over the last year, preferring to balance his professional and personal life, as well.

The next step in their lives seems preordained—toasts, veils, and the aisle of rose petals. But when an accident on a photo shoot in Southeast Asia brings Caroline the most terrifying phone call she could ever imagine, she has to ask whether “till death do us part” is a more realistic prospect than faces most couples.

It’s been a grand adventure, and Caroline and Simon wouldn’t go out without the best surprise ending ever. One part sexy, one part laughter, a dash of exotic locales, and one pink nightie, mixed with passion, and you’ve got Last Call. Served with a side of Clive.

 

I am so glad Clayton wrote this book! It is the perfect conclusion to the Cocktail series and I couldn't have been happier to see Simon and Caroline back in the drivers seat! One of the things I love most about concluding novellas is that we get to check in with all our other couples and see how they are doing past their book's HEA.

 

I am really happy with the way Simon and Caroline's story ended. It's so them and so perfect. These two love each other something fierce and watching them try to figure out their own next step is too funny. With their friends all either tying the knot or getting knocked up, it really makes both Simon and Caroline stop and think about where their future is headed. It's not that they're not happy with the way their relationship is going, but seeing everyone moving forward gets them to open up and communicate with one another. One of the things I've loved best about these two is that they march to the beat of their own drum and need to do what's best for them and not everyone else. That really comes into play in this book and I felt everything went down the way it was meant to.

 

After all the drama llama in Rusty Nailed with Sophia and Neil, I'm really glad these two made it to the point they did. It wasn't an easy road that's for sure, but I'm really glad Clayton went the direction she did for their storyline. Mimi and Ryan are as adorable as ever, and we do get to briefly see Viv, Clark, Chloe and Lucas as well.

 

I feel it must be said that I really want my own Simon. I love how attentive he is to Caroline and her needs. He knows when she's feeling off and is just so patient and kind! He is also as sexy as ever and I love seeing him at his most vulnerable, as well as his most cocky. *wink*

 

The development at the very end is adorable and I am really excited for these two because I think they're going to kick ass at their next adventure together. If you're in need of a good laugh, some sexy times, and great friendships- the Wallbanger series is one to start!

The Fine Art of Pretending

     by: Rachel Harris

Publication Date: Sept. 2014
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 256 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.

But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

 

 

Well folks, Rachel Harris has done it again! Are you ready to get your swoon on? Because Brandon Taylor is ready to bring it! I am a huge fan of Rachel's and I have loved every book she has written thus far! This book, though? Totally my favorite. The fake relationship and the best friends falling for one another are both favorite tropes of mine, so for Rachel to put them together in a young adult novel really set this one apart for me. I was devastated when I finished because I just wanted it to go on and on and on! This will definitely be one of those books I reread over and over again when I just need a big smile on my face and a flutter in my chest.

 

Pacing: This was such a fast, easy, enjoyable read! Once I started there was no putting it down! Except to go to bed, as I started it on a work night. :( I was bummed, but glad because this is one of those books I just wanted to savor!

 

Storyline: Rachel has done a great job with teen voice and setting. Finally a young adult book where we see the characters interacting in an actual young adult setting: school! I love that we got to see them at lunch, as well as after school- doing actual after school activities: working, sports practice, etc. Aly has always been a bit of a tomboy- she's great at sports and is just a guy's girl. She's friendly, sweet, and gets along with everyone. However, that has also placed her in the category of a Commitment. At Fairfield Academy, the boys have divided the girls into the Casuals and the Commitments. The Casuals are the girls guys date only once or twice- never anything serious or meaningful. The Commitments are the relationship girls- the ones you want to be with, spend time with, and see yourself having a long term thing with. Aly is tired of being a Commitment and wants to break out of that label. Her goal: have guys see her as a Casual instead of a Commitment and show up to Homecoming with someone that's not just a friend. Her eye is on Justin Carter, one of the most notorious playboys, who doesn't do relationships. The problem? She's not even a blip on Justin's radar. Her best friends Kara and Gabbi decide to help her with Operation Sex Appeal- which will give Aly a new, sexier image. Afraid that won't be enough, she enlists the help of her best friend Brandon, one of the hottest guys in the school who also only dates Casuals. What's a little fake relationship between friends to get the hottest guy in school to notice her?

 

Ooh boy. It sounds all well and good, but what happens when the fake relationship starts to feel not so fake anymore? Aly once crushed on Brandon and made the mistake of telling him freshmen year. Brandon, however, has never been interested in relationships because he's seen all too well the fallout that comes after they end. Yet, the new Aly doesn't go unnoticed by him. Instead, he finds himself spending TOO much time thinking about her. Will their fake relationship destroy their true friendship? The pair realize that once you cross the line, it's not so easy to go back to the way things once were.

 

Characters: I LOVED all the characters! Well, except Lauren. 

 

 Aly. Oh, sweet, precious Aly. I just wanted Brandon to sing One Direction's 'You Don't Know You're Beautiful' to her every time she felt insecure or the need to change. I understand Aly's plight though. Having always been friend-zoned myself, it is extremely frustrating because you don't want to be the best gal pal forever. While the makeover was only a means to an end, it helped give Aly the self-confidence she needed to make others see her for more. THAT is what confused Brandon so much. He's not some shallow guy who only notices Aly now that she's wearing sexier clothing. It's the way she handles herself and how she's working to break out of her shell to be a girl that guys take notice of.

 

Brandon is a great guy and I loved him to pieces. Aly has been his best friend forever and he is incredibly protective of her. He doesn't like that she is trying to get Justin's attention, because he knows Aly and he doesn't want her to get her heart broken. He vows to make sure that doesn't happen, but never in a million years did he think he'd be the one to hurt her so deeply. He is confused by his feelings and doesn't know how to handle them. His friendship with Aly is sacred and he couldn't handle losing her friendship.

 

Justin Carter was so much more than meets the eye. I was pretty wary of him for awhile, because he is notorious for hooking up and as much as Aly wants to be one of those girls, I knew she couldn't. He isn't afraid to make it known to Aly that she's caught his interest. He definitely has confidence and isn't shy about checking her out, even while she's with Brandon.

 

Kara and Gabbi, Aly's friends, were really great too. Kara is all for Operation Sex Appeal, but Gabbi was a bit more hesitant about it. When it comes out that Brandon and Aly are together, it's funny that no one acts the least bit surprised. Everyone BUT those two saw it coming. Kara is definitely the more outgoing one of the group. Gabbi, is a bit on the quieter side, but both are loyal friends to Aly.

 

Brandon's friends Carlos and Drew are also great. Drew is in a committed relationship and Carlos is crushing on Gabbi, but she doesn't give him the time of day.

 

I really love that Harris added such depth to her novel by having these secondary characters actually involved in the main characters lives. Too often we see novels where friends are so secondary we don't even give them a second thought, the focus is so on the MC's.

 

Final Thoughts: I just can't. I want everyone to read this book so much because it's AMAZING. I loved it to pieces and like I said, it's my favorite of Harris's yet. I really could go on and on about everything I enjoyed, but that would spoil the book!

 

 

Salt & Storm
   by: Kendall Kulper

Publication Date: Sept. 23, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: ARC received from BEA
Page Count: 416 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder--and the one boy who can help change her future.

Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.

Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for.

 

I don't know if it's because I don't read many books in this particular genre or what, but I absolutely loved Salt & Storm. It is beautifully written for one, and I loved diving into a society where the whaling industry was a way of life and the Roe witch was both feared and revered, yet necessary to the town's population. Add in a romance between a young girl who is trying to claim her birthright and a tattooed sailor who has his own strange magic and a story of his own and you've got one heck of a story!

I am still reeling from this book. It is definitely bittersweet and while things may not have played out like I would have wanted, I feel it had to be the way it was. So many events set other events into motion and seeing it all unfold before you was exhilarating and intense, especially knowing fate had a hand in them.

All Avery wants is to be the next Roe witch. After dreaming of her own murder, she must make haste in figuring out how to unlock her own magic before it's game over. However, there are things that Avery has not been told about what it truly means to be a Roe witch. Things that could change everything for her.... She is caught in an impossible situation and I knew that either outcome would break my heart.

Avery is determined and resilient though. I can't even fathom the helplessness she feels after dreaming of her own death. She is the only one who can stop it, but first she has to find a way to see her grandmother in hopes of learning how to unlock her magic. She meets Tane, a tattooed sailor who seeks her out to read his dreams, after being told that she can help him. After discovering Tane has some magic of his own, Avery is desperate for his help, even though her grandmother has warned her of strange magic. She never expects to fall for this beautiful boy and that love would play a role in her journey to becoming who she was born to be.

This is a beautiful story of self-discovery, love and loss, forgiveness and acceptance. I felt like I was transported back into the 19th century myself and could feel Avery's desperation to be who she always thought she would, as well as her struggle to cope with the future she has forseen, but not willing to accept.

In Her Wake (Ten Tiny Breaths #0.5)
   by: K.A. Tucker

Publication Date: Sept. 1, 2014
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count:
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Before you knew him as Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, he was Cole Reynolds—and he had it all. Until one night when he makes a fatal, wrong decision…and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends—the ones who have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional, and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. Nor can he shake the all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip on what once was important—college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

 

 

This was such a difficult novella to read. Having read Kacey's heartbreaking story in Ten Tiny Breaths, I knew that this wouldn't be an easy, light-hearted book. I fell in love with Trent instantaneously in Ten Tiny Breaths. Some people called him a stalker and it really infuriated me because that's not what it was about. We especially see that in this book. Instead, we have a very broken man who does not feel he can move forward with his life after a tragic accident took the lives of his best friends as well as a car full of innocent lives just going to get pizza. He feels survivors guilt and is constantly wondering about the young girl who lay battered and broken in a hospital bed. He feels the enormous weight of responsibility, as he was the one who was supposed to be the DD for the night. It is his father's car that does the damage and he has to live with that for every day of the rest of his life.

 

My heart ached for him. He doesn't know how to cope and ends up withdrawing from the world and the people he loves most in it. He sees his parent's marriage falling apart in front of him as the weight of grief for their son, as well as their financial stability get to be too much to handle.

 

Watching him spiral into darkness was incredibly difficult to read and while people think his obsessive behavior towards making sure Kacey is okay is stalkerish, it's not meant to be. He doesn't know how to deal. He can't leave this girl alone. He is desperate to make amends. He doesn't want her to spiral into her own darkness that she can't crawl up from. Sure, he doesn't necessarily go about all of this in the sanest of ways, but he is driven. He literally feels like he has nothing left and he wants nothing more than to earn forgiveness, as well as see this beautiful girl smile like she used to in old Facebook pictures.

 

He wants to protect her from the darkness and from herself. If appointing himself as her own personal guardian is what he needs to do in order to make sure she doesn't do something that she will regret for eternity, then I say more power to him. Upon her release from the hospital, Kacey is a mess. She drinks, does drugs, and drowns herself in a world where she no longer has to feel. Her younger sister is depending on her and needs her older sister to be there for her.

 

I loved getting Trent's story, as heartbreaking and difficult as it was to read. However, I just love him even more after reading it and I'm so glad K.A. felt strongly enough for him to write his novella.

 

 

 

 

Sugar on the Edge (Last Call #3)
   by: Sawyer Bennett

Publication Date: July 28, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received from AToMR Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 264 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

He’s utterly alone…

Tortured and existing in a dark spiral of despair, bestselling British author, Gavin Cooke, has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to escape the seedy lifestyle he had been living in London and in a desperate attempt to regain his writing focus. He’s twisted, bitter and angry at the world. He’s a loner… needing not a single thing other than his Scotch and a laptop upon which he can bang out his next erotic, dark thriller.

She’s running in place and getting nowhere…

Savannah Shepherd’s life is falling apart. Her dream of being a wildlife photographer seems a distant memory and she’s barely able to make ends meet. Driving herself forward with no clear goals apparent, she’s about ready to pack up her bags and head home with her tail between her legs.

Two unlikely lovers…

He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. Yet within each other, they find a mutual craving that can only be satisfied by giving in to their desires for one another.
Lust turns into something more… something they were not looking for but tentatively accept. Will it be enough to push them past the obstacles of Gavin’s bitter past?

 

 

I am seriously obsessed with this series! And by obsessed I mean it's to the point where I want to pack up and move to the Outer Banks and look for my own Hunter/Brody/Gavin! I wouldn't mind having my own tight knit group of girlfriends that I can call up and do girls nights with either! I love the connections and friendships these characters have made in addition to the relationships they have formed. I feel too often friendships and secondary characters are overlooked, when in actuality they can play a huge role in the main character's life and development!

 

I liked Gavin and Savannah's story as a whole. I do feel the big twist towards the end was a bit predictable considering the history of another character in the story. I didn't let that slight fact deter me from the overall romance and storyline however. I liked seeing the pair get to know one another for real, once they got past their misconceptions about each other.

 

Gavin was a bit hard to swallow at first. He's a bit of a cocky asshole that drinks way too much and is a bit crude. However, Gavin has a past that enshrouds him in darkness and despair. He has made the move from London to the Outer Banks to get back on track with his writing and hopefully become more than a shell of a man. After a tragic accident, Gavin has resorted to women and alcohol to numb the all-consuming pain he feels. It is through his need for privacy that he ends up meeting sweet, somewhat shy Savannah.

 

He basically pegs her for a submissive woman who doesn't have the backbone to stand up for what she wants. He couldn't have been more wrong. Savannah is not into confrontation, true. She lets her scum boss of a photographer walk all over her and treat her inappropriately. However, Savannah is extremely prideful and doesn't want to feel like a charity case. She is struggling financially, but she works hard to make ends meet. She accepts the job to clean Gavin's house and just wants to do what she has to. She never expected to fall for this angry, bitter man who is constantly challenging and testing her. She surprises him and isn't as anti-heroine as he originally thought. He is fascinated by her and finds himself craving time with her.

 

I was so happy we got to revisit with some of our old favorites- especially Brody. I really love how protective he is of Savannah. For a guy who doesn't let many people in, their friendship was surprising and just worked. She has confided in him as well, as Savannah had to learn at a young age to stand up for herself and stay firm in her beliefs.

 

Being a big fan of Sawyer's, I definitely enjoyed Gavin and Savannah, their chemistry, and their raw need to be with one another. Getting past the darkness and pain of Gavin's past is no easy task for either of them and sometimes it takes a bit of perseverance to put the pieces back together... and keep them that way.

 

 

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

Cracks in the Armor (Clipped Wings #2.5)
   by: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: June 23, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 72 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Chris, a sexy tattoo artist, tries to win the heart of Sarah, a grad student with little interest in him, in this second e-short and follow-up to Helena Hunting’s gripping love story, Clipped Wings—“twisted, dark, incredibly erotic…a love story like no other” (USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton).

Part owner of the Chicago tattoo shop Inked Armor, Chris Zelter is a talented artist who decorates skin with gorgeous designs. He might look the part of the typical jacked-up, inked-up bad-boy, but underneath is a fiercely loyal, complicated man. Kicked out at sixteen, Chris has had to fend for himself for the last twelve years, making his Inked Armor crew as much family as they are business partners. For him, it’s enough—until he meets Sarah Adamson.

A grad student waitressing at the local strip club, Sarah is used to propositions and crude comments. The job is a means to an end—finish her MBA, pay off the tuition loans, and get a good job. Then she won’t have to rely on anyone to take care of her. So when brawny, tatted up Chris begins hanging out at the club, she rebuffs his advances. At first. But Chris isn’t like her usual clientele: despite his hard exterior, he’s almost…sweet.

Sometimes, the people with the roughest edges have the biggest hearts.

 

 

When I first heard Helena was doing another novella from Chris's POV, I was ecstatic. I really loved reading Between the Cracks, which was also from his POV and seeing his and Sarah's relationship begin to develop into more. However, Between the Cracks, while from Chris's POV, really served as a 'bridge' novella between the first and second books. While I enjoyed this novella, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I expected it to focus more on Chris and Sarah and their relationship, and serve as a transitioning piece to their full length novel. Instead, it felt more like filler, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think I would have just preferred Sarah and Chris's book instead.

 

Chris really cares for Sarah and the smallest gestures speak volumes. He wants to move forward with her but is afraid of her reaction. He doesn't want to mess up what they do have by pressuring her for something she may not be ready for.

 

Sarah also cares for Chris and she's afraid of what that means. She is afraid to get close to him for fear of him letting her down. Chris leaves his apartment key for her every night, and as much as she wants to keep it for herself, she wants him to tell her to keep it. She knows he hates her working at The Dollhouse, but she needs that money. Hell, she hates working there and there are some nights she can't bear to be with Chris because of the shame she feels after being pawed at. Time with Chris is precious as it is with work and school and her upcoming internship.

 

These two definitely have their own obstacles to overcome, but I think with a bit more communication they can really make it work.

 

I did like that we checked in with our favorite characters and saw them through Chris's eyes. Hayden and Tenley are happy, having just moved in together, but are not without their issues. Hayden really struggles with his OCD and there are still things in Tenley's past that come back to her haunt her. It will take time, but these two are headed in the right direction.

 

Overall, while I would have just preferred Sarah and Chris's book, I did enjoy catching up with everyone, but I would have preferred it centered more around Sarah and Chris.

 

Losing Control (Kerr Chronicles #1)
   by: Jen Frederick

Publication Date: June 16, 2014
Publisher: Pear Tree LLC
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 280 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

I’d do anything to keep my mother alive.

Anything, including ask Ian Kerr for help. I don’t know much about him, except that he has more money than some small countries. And he’s willing to spend it on me. Just one catch: there’s a string attached, and not just the one I feel pulling me into his arms and his bed. There’s also the plan for revenge he wants my help with.

Every time he says my name, it makes my body shiver and my heart stutter. I know he’s going to wreck me, know there won’t be anything left of me but lust and sensation by the time he’s done with me, but even though I can see the heartbreak coming towards me like a train, ready to crash into me, I can’t get out of the way. I want what he makes me feel. Want what he’s offering.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now…now it’s about what he makes me feel. I’m in danger of losing everything that’s important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.

 

 

When Jen first offered me this for review, how could I pass it up? I love that it is unlike any of her previous books, thus showing us her versatility as an author. It is a steamy, sexy read that has some very serious undertones and you can't help but admire and feel for the main character, Tiny.

 

Pacing: I felt this took me a bit to really get into, but once I did there was no stopping me! Tiny and Ian captivated me with their personalities and selflessness and I really like how their relationship developed. For a minute, I had a flashback of Christian and Ana from FSOG (rich, powerful guy swooping in to take care of poorer girl and have some naughty sex)- but that is really a bad comparison on my part, because Tiny and Ian were so much BETTER and I was more emotionally invested in them.

 

Storyline: Victoria, or Tiny, is going through some pretty rough stuff right now. Her mother's cancer has relapsed and they desperately need a different place to live, as climbing 5 flights of stairs is NOT ideal for her weakened mom. Currently a bike courier, Tiny reaches out to her former step-brother Malcolm to obtain more cash running his errands and delivering his packages (that are most likely not legal). It is through a delivery that she meets Ian Kerr. He is a man who takes what he wants and isn't used to being told 'no'. There is an undeniable attraction between the two and soon Tiny finds herself thinking about Ian way more than she'd like.... Ian is a bit of a mystery and has a job that he had originally pinpointed her for. However, can the two separate business from pleasure in order to get what they both need?

 

Characters: Like I said, Ian is a mystery. We don't find out much about him until much later in the book and then you really start to understand him and his need for revenge. He is powerful, sexy, and rich- but he is very tender and caring when it comes to Tiny and her mom. I questioned whether or not he was being genuine or if it was just a plot to get into Tiny's pants for a bit, but I was glad to see that he really did care about them both.

 

Tiny is a little spitfire and I loved that about her. She is the epitome of resilience and her love for her mother is awe-inspiring. She will do whatever it takes to earn money to help support them and you have to give the girl some serious respect for that. Meeting and falling for Ian wasn't quite part of Tiny's plan, but after so much selflessness on her part, I wanted her to be selfish and go after this delicious man!

 

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading about Tiny and Ian and am excited to see where the next book will go. While this book didn't end on a cliffhanger, it definitely leaves you anxious to see how things will play out in the future for these two. I loved the romance, as well as how intense this book read. Jen did a great job venturing out into uncharted waters and really rocking this one!

Intoxicated (Billionaire Bachelor's Club #3.5)
   by: Monica Murphy

Publication Date: June 17, 2014
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 250 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy wraps up her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series with a wedding to remember. But this time, they’re not bachelors anymore, and the groom … is one of them.

It’s Gage and Marina’s wedding day, but wedded bliss seems a long way off: Ivy’s just gone into labor. Marina’s missing her matron of honor. And Bryn’s giving Matt the silent treatment.

It’s up to Archer, Gage, and Matt to make sure this day goes off without a hitch. But between brides and babies, there’s the not-so-little issue of the million-dollar bet to attend to. If only they can figure out who won … and who’s paying up. Is everyone a winner? Or will someone leave broke—and brokenhearted?

 

 

When I first heard from Monica in an interview I did with her for her Four Years Later release, that she was going to do a novella for the Billionaire Bachelors Club series, I was so happy! I really wanted to see how everything turned out with our three couples and how they were doing. There were some loose ends I really wanted tied up and we got those in this novella!

 

Pacing: I thought the pacing was spot-on. Murphy has given us all the main character's POVs and I loved being back with all of them and see what they were thinking and feeling.

 

Storyline: It's Marina and Gage's wedding day and Marina has been Bridezilla for the past few months. Everyone is ready to get this show on the road, and some are even a little TOO eager. Ivy ends up going into labor, thus causing her and Archer to relinquish their matron of honor and best man duties to Bryn and Matt. Marina is a wreck and even acts a bit selfishly- it's not like Ivy planned to have her baby at that exact moment! Gage is the epitome of calm and manages to sort her out, as well as Bryn. Bryn and Matt still haven't made any lifelong commitments to one another, but as their relationship is still new that's not completely out of the ordinary. Matt, however, is ready to take the plunge with Bryn, never having the hang-ups about commitment Archer and Gage once did. Bryn is a little more hesitant and lets her old insecurities creep back into the forefront of her mind.

 

Characters: Archer and Ivy remain my favorite of the three couples and I found myself looking forward to their scenes. Both of them are nervous about becoming first time parents, and Archer is just beyond sweet with how much care he takes with Ivy. It literally made my heart burst and if I ever get married and have a baby- THAT is how I want my husband to be. I felt for Ivy though, because even after the baby is born he's a little TOO gentle with her and she's ready to claim her husband!

 

Gage and Marina were always the steamy couple and that remains to be true in this novella. Once Marina calmed down, everything fell into place and seeing Gage's expression when Marina walked down the aisle? Priceless. Even though wedding planning has made them distant, the second they make that commitment, that distance dissipates and it's just Marina and Gage and no one else.

 

Matt and Bryn are the newest couple and Bryn still has some insecurities hanging over her head. She feels as if they're going too fast and she's just scared of the future. She was never on the receiving end of a loving, nurturing relationship as a child, so it's hard for her to believe that Matt could love her so wholeheartedly. Matt is one of the best guys out there and he's perfect for Bryn. He never let her put herself down and he is always building her up, which is how it should be.

 

Final Thoughts: I like that each couple is in a different stage of their relationship and that they have their own kinks to work out, but they're going to do so together. I think this novella was just what we readers needed- I feel satisfied and happy with the way Murphy tied up loose plot threads and also ended all of these couples with a bang. Literally. In the bedroom. In the office. Or on a honeymoon.

 

 

 

Best Man With Benefits (Wedding Dare #4)
   by: Samanthe Beck

Publication Date: June 9, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 229 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade arrives at his best friend’s wedding overworked and in desperate need of a vacation, only to discover his best man duties have been…expanded. He must coax Colton’s sister out of her shell, or risk her hiding in her room all week. Logan figures he can handle one introverted bridesmaid, but he’s not expecting how much he enjoys “handling” Sophie…or how much she enjoys being handled.

Socializing has never been web designer Sophie Brooks’s strong suit, but she’s determined to shed her wallflower image and embrace the “New Sophie”—a feat made easier with the supremely sexy Logan McCade tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies. If she’s not careful, she just might fall for the best man.

Sophie’s sweet, sexy, and delectably awkward demeanor brings much-needed calm to Logan’s hectic life. With the nuptials only days away, Logan is forced to face the possibility that his favor to a friend might have become something else entirely…and that he’s not willing to let Sophie go. Ever.

 

 

A McCade brother! *jumps up and down* Yesssss! I really loved this book. It is the perfect conclusion to the Wedding Dare series and I loved Logan and Sophie's story.

 

Pacing: I adored Sophie and Logan's relationship and I felt it progressed at exactly the right speed. Sophie has some serious insecurities and it takes some coaxing on Logan's part to help get past them. Logan is also a work-a-holic and that really hinders his social life. He is supposed to be on vacation for his best friend's wedding, but unfortunately that doesn't stop his company from calling him and needing him. I really like that we had these other things going on, as it made Logan and Sophie's time together that much more steamy and meaningful.

 

Storyline: Sophie Brooks, kid sister to the groom, has never truly felt comfortable in her own skin. Even now, after losing weight, she still struggles with self-confidence issues. She has secretly crushed on Logan McCade for quite some time now and is shocked that he is all of a sudden taking notice of her. Logan can't believe the sexy woman he was admiring at the hotel counter was none other than his best friend's kid sister. He is not blind to the fact that she's all grown up now and feels bad for ogling her, knowing she's his friend's sister. Colton did ask him to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn't socially retreat from the festivities, so while his motivation to spend time with her may have started as a favor, he quickly realizes HE'S the one on the receiving end of the favor. As the two spend time together, Logan wants nothing more than to draw Sophie out of her protective shell and make her see what he sees when he looks at her: true beauty.

 

Characters: Logan! Gah. Another male I just absolutely adore! Having grown up with two protective brothers, he can't even fathom what Sophie endured in high school due to her figure. That's irrelevant. He sees her and she is absolutely beautiful to him and the scene where he gets her to finally see what he does is really beautiful. He's a hard-working, honorable man and wants to do right by Sophie. As he falls for her, he knows he can't continue on the work-a-holic path he is currently on and knows he's going to have some decisions to make in terms of delegating responsibilities within his company. Not only is he hardworking and honorable, but he's very nurturing and compassionate in a commanding sort of way. He definitely has a hint of alpha in him like his brothers and I really liked that he was able to take charge with Sophie in a way she needed him to. That's not to say he didn't let her have her shot at the reigns however....

 

My heart really went out to Sophie. She is so self-conscious, having grown up with a nitpicky mother and having endured teasing at school for being more endowed than others. Now, she's taken initiative in her life- working hard to get to mold her body image to a point that's comfortable for her, as well as getting her professional life in order. It's a start and all Sophie needs is some confidence. There were times I was exasperated with her self-defecating behavior especially with Logan, but she is a girl who needs those words of encouragement to build her up, as well as actions that prove she's wanted and desired. Logan doesn't get impatient with her- instead he knows just how to handle her, even when he's frustrated by her lack of faith.

 

They had some awesome chemistry together and I love that Sophie finally allowed herself to break free of her self-imposed restraints with him. They just really work and out of all of the girls I'm really glad Sophie is the one who snagged the best man. He really is the best choice for her.

 

Final Thoughts: Not only do I love that we see how Logan and Sophie's story plays out, but we also get to check in with ALL of our couples and see what is in their future at the end. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect ending to this series!