Fool Me Once (Foolproof Love #2)
    by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Aug. 1, 2016
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 170 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

They say opposites attract, but this is just ridiculous.

Aubry Kaiser doesn’t like people—actually, that’s not right. She loathes people. With her crippling anxiety, there’s no way she can demo her favorite video game at a convention with five thousand other people. Maybe if she brings someone to act as a shield…

But the only person available is the sexy cowboy she can’t stand.

Quinn Baldwyn is in a mess of his own. He’s been dodging his wealthy family’s matchmaking attempts—and life advice—for years, but with his sister’s wedding on the horizon, he needs of a shield of his own.

He and Aubry can barely hold down a civil conversation, but in bed…fireworks. And the closer they get to Quinn’s sister’s wedding, the more he realizes that he might actually like Aubry.

Now it’s up to him to convince her she might actually like him, too.

  

 

 

I had so much fun with this book! Enemies to lovers, road trips, fake dating trope... it's like the trifecta of awesome! Oh and Aubry is a freaking gamer and Quinn is a big, sexy cowboy, so yeah- I was won over from the start!

 

I LOVED these two together! They had such great banter and that hate to love relationship was super hot- their chemistry was just so undeniable. I liked seeing them progress from 'dealing with' one another to actually enjoying each other's company. These two might start off their relationship with just sex, but seeing it progress to more was everything.

 

They also balance each other really well. They may be going on this trip together for their own selfish purposes, but it just works. Aubry is terrified of crowds and has social anxiety, where Quinn oozes confidence. He really does a great job helping distract and keep her wits about her. Quinn's reasons for taking Aubry to his sister's wedding may have started as a ruse to shock his parents and give them the proverbial finger, but he ends up really falling for her and it was hard to see him suffer through his parents' hoity toity behavior.

 

I really enjoyed their friends Adam, Jules, and Daniel too. I really hope Daniel's book is next because I just wanted to hug that man hard. He is stealing dealing with the ghosts of his past and I am looking forward to seeing him find peace and move forward.

 

I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a short, sexy, fun read filled with sexy banter and some very sexy scenes!

 

Worked Up (Made in Jersey #3)
   by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: Aug. 1, 2016
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 186 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

 

 

Aw yeah, Tessa Bailey bringing the SAWOON! I absolutely ADORED Duke! He was such a bear of a man but had the heart of a puppy. I am such a sucker for gruff, grumpy guys too. This was my first Made in Jersey novel and I really enjoyed it! It was sexy, fun, and sweet.

 

I also enjoyed Samantha's character too. She is only in Hook to meet up with her brother, but stumbles across Duke her first night in town. Duke, being the alpha caveman he is, lays eyes on her and bam! He's a goner. We do have your typical 'doesn't do relationships' in this story, as is the case for both Duke and Sam. Duke is too busy with work and taking care of his sisters to bother with them. His four sisters all live with him after they have divorced, so he has seen firsthand how love can wreck a person. Sam on the other hand, has not seen an example of love actually working, so she is pretty skeptical. Together, the two are a bit of a mess, but man did I love them together.

 

Duke's friends River and Vaughn are great too, and I definitely want to go back and read their story soon. I wasn't the biggest fan of Renner, Sam's stepbrother, but he did redeem himself in the end. I'm looking forward to seeing how his story plays out!

 

Overall, this was definitely a fun read for me. I really enjoyed the storyline, Duke and Sam's characters, their chemistry.... it had everything I could want in a Brazen!

 

His to Take (Out of Uniform #3.5)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Dec. 7, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.
Page Count: 76 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

A sexy category romance novella from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

Truth or dare...

Erin Robinson is having an epically bad year. Her blossoming career on Broadway tanked, forcing her to crawl back to home to Wellington. The icing on her failure cake? Her former on-again, off-again fling is in town, and the sexy Marine is taking up way too much space.

Warren Davis always knew Erin was special, which is exactly why he can't have her. A girl like her deserves something permanent--something neither of them wants. But now that they're both back in town and she's right there in front of him, a challenge in her eyes he's never been able to resist, he's questioning everything.

That challenge quickly escalates into an epic game of Truth or Dare. Erin's sure she's got him on lock, but as the night progresses, Warren's dares intensify, drowning her in lust. But with the past still breathing down their necks, there's no way either of them can win…

 

 

While I'm generally not a fan of novellas, I do enjoy the Brazen ones! They are short, sexy, and full of steam, which is the perfect combination. Robert is an author I really enjoy, so I was excited to see she had a new novella coming out.

 

His to Take follows Erin and Warren, who have had something going on since they were 19. However, it was never a serious thing, as they both had their own dreams. Erin has wanted to be an actress on Broadway forever and Warren has followed in his family's footsteps of becoming a Marine. They both find themselves back home in Wellingford for the holiday season and while their careers are in the midst of changing, one thing certainly hasn't: their scorching hot attraction to one another.

 

I like how Warren challenges Erin to a game of Truth or Dare to reconnect with her, but this time he isn't looking for a simple hook up. He wants Erin and he wants her for good. However, trying to convince her of that isn't an easy task. He pushes her buttons and while he means well, it doesn't always come off the way it should. Warren should have come clean with her sooner than he did about his future and I didn't particularly like how quickly Erin changed her mind after she decided to jump all in with him.

 

Aside from those small things, it was a sexy, fun read and I liked seeing Erin and Warren overcome their fears and go after one another. It's been a long time coming, so it was heartwarming to see them finally get it together.  

Compromising Her Position
   by: Samanthe Beck

Publication Date: Nov. 16, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 197 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

He's not who she expected, but he's exactly the man she needs…

When Chelsea Wayne drags Santa into a supply closet for a little office party nookie, she assumes the man in the suit is her on-again/off-again coworker boyfriend. Instead, it's Rafe St. Sebastian, a man known for his hard-driving ways in business as well as the bedroom--and, kill her now, the brand spanking new owner of Las Ventanas--who grants her naughtiest Christmas wishes.

So much for her reputation, not to mention her career.

Rafe needs to close three acquisitions to prove to his father he's ready to take the helm of St. Sebastian Enterprises. A hot interlude in a supply closet after deal number two seems like the perfect illicit Christmas bonus. Unfortunately, when that "bonus" becomes the key to the final deal, he finds himself back in bed--so to speak--with Chelsea, and after their steamy tryst, he's not interested in keeping things professional…

 

 

Being a fan of Samanthe Beck's books and Brazens in general, I was excited to read this one as I am a fan of office romances. While I enjoyed this one overall, I didn't quite feel the connection between the characters, which I generally require in my romances. Chelsea and Rafe have quite the assortment of sexy times, but I needed to see more of their actually getting to know one another to fully buy into their romance.

 

Chelsea and Rafe start out with quite the bang (in a coat closet at the holiday party), but Chelsea mistakenly believes Rafe, who is playing Santa, is her boss and lover, Paul. Rafe doesn't know this until the end of the encounter where she wishes 'Paul' a Merry Christmas. I was a bit horrified for her at the moment she realized she didn't have sex with Paul, but with some stranger instead. She fears she's slept with an older, married man, and I can understand that being a disturbing feeling to have. While she did notice subtle differences between Rafe and Paul, (Rafe being broader) she still didn't stop the encounter and let the good times roll.

 

Rafe is known for being a playboy and for not having romantic attachments, as he is incredibly dedicated to his work and doesn't want anything to deviate from that. He is in line to take over for his father and has to have three successful acquisitions to do so. While I liked Rafe's character, I am a bit over the whole indecisive act when it comes to committing to anything besides their career. Rafe doesn't want a relationship, but he can't help but want Chelsea because one time wasn't enough. He gets possessive when it comes to her, but he won't actually take the initiative to make her his until it's almost too late. That can be a bit frustrating because when it comes to being in his head we can see where things change for him, but it takes a bit to actually put himself in action. I also liked Chelsea and I understand her being a people pleaser and how hard it is to be unapologetic about some things. After unknowingly sleeping with Rafe, she finds out her boss/boyfriend has been doing some sleeping around on his own and has now gotten their HR lead pregnant and they are now engaged. Even though Chelsea loves working at Las Ventanas, there is no way she can stay and be a part of that mess. She ends up moving to Maui and while she still doesn't have the position she wants, she still someday hopes to be general manager in the luxury hotel business. Her path once again crosses with Rafe's and he is relentless in his pursuit of her. She knows she doesn't want to get involved in that type of boss-employee relationship again, so she is pretty reluctant. Her new hotel is one of the ones he hopes to acquire so he ends up spending time there to learn the ins and outs and Chelsea is his liaison to doing so.

 

Overall, while this was a typical steamy Brazen book, it wasn't one that wowed me like Beck's previous novels have.

 

His Lover to Protect (Out of Uniform #3)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Sept. 7, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 152 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

He's never met a challenge he couldn't take...

Alexis Yeung did everything right....only to watch everything go horribly, horribly wrong. Broken and angry, Alexis high-tails it to Europe, determined to face the world on her own terms and without consequence. Which includes a mind-blowing night with a sexy, scarred stranger.

Except, embittered former pararescuer Luke Jackson isn't exactly a stranger. He's supposed to keep an eye on Alexis without her knowing. Ending up in bed together was definitely not the plan. Now he's chasing her (admittedly hot) ass across Europe, a game of cat and mouse that always ends with the two of them tangled up in the sheets.

Something in their scarred, damaged souls calls to each other. And God help them, the sex in unbelievably hot. But if Alexis discovers who Luke really is, he'll lose the one thing that makes him feel whole...

 

 

I don't give out my 5 star reviews too often anymore, but His Lover to Protect is going down as one of my favorite Brazens. I absolutely loved the emotional depth that Robert brought to this novel. Sure, it's sexy as all get out, but Luke and Alexis are dealing with some very real and crippling issues that will really make your heart ache for both of them.

 

We briefly met Alexis in the previous book of the series, Falling For His Best Friend, and I couldn't wait to get her book so we could see her get her happily ever after. That girl deserves one like no other. She has jumped ship and left home to do some soul searching in Europe and come to terms with so many things that she is dealing with in her life: her mother's death, her inability to have kids, her sister's pregnancy... I honestly can't even imagine how difficult life is for her and it really devastated my heart to see her trying to find a sense of peace in her life.

 

Luke is such a good balance for her. I loved his cranky, gruff behavior and how he and Alexis are constantly going head to head with one another. I felt Robert really handled this type of situation SO WELL. There is consistency throughout the whole book with these two and their dynamic. They don't start off arguing and hostile and then it's all butterflies and love. No. They are hostile and fight against each other the entire book! It's actually great because mixed in is this undeniable attraction and NEED, which makes their romance so great. They start to feel more for one another, and while there are moments of tenderness, Luke never loses his gruff exterior. He has a major chip on his shoulder due to his injury and I love that he lets Alexis in because the two understand the others' brokenness in a way most other people couldn't.

 

I really loved how much these two pushed one another. Luke knew how to get to Alexis and vice versa. Neither one is looking for pity in the other. Instead, they offer understanding. Luke is keeping a pretty big secret from Alexis though, as he has not disclosed that it is her brother-in-law that has sent him to watch out for her. He wants to tell her the truth, especially after he realizes that she's something special. You know this is going to be a problem for the two, but the way Luke makes things right is pretty much the sweetest thing ever and I was really happy with the way their story progressed and concluded.

 

If you're looking for a sexy as sin Brazen with more emotional depth, you definitely need to grab this one. Robert kicked me in the feels with these two characters and I absolutely loved seeing their journey to find peace and healing.

 

Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers #4)
    by: Gina Gordon

Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 189 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 2.5/5 stars

She's the woman he loves to hate.

Penn Foster wants a lot of things. She wants a spot on the board of a charitable foundation. She wants to win the stupid, plastic family trophy. And more than anything, she wants her tall, hot, and brooding boss naked in her bed. Now, on a Hawaiian vacation with her family, she's desperately trying not to think about how he'd sound whispering dirty things in her ear.

He's the man she can't have...or can she?

Cole Murphy keeps himself locked down, away from the press and out of the spotlight. Still haunted by a traumatic childhood, his ability to trust has been decimated. Penn, with her sexy body and confidence, is the only person able to drag him out of his shell. Which is why he crashes her vacation and accepts her proposition for no-strings sex. But is the inescapable heat building between them a delicious temptation, or will it end in total disaster?

 

 

When I first picked up this book for review, I had not realized it was the fourth in a series. However, when it comes to Brazens that usually isn't a problem, as they all serve as stand-alones. Unfortunately, after reading this one, I never truly felt I got a firm grasp of the characters and I failed to see a connection between them beyond sex. While I like that the book jumps right in to Penn and Cole's story, I really needed more background first.

 

It was nice to see the role reversal here though, with Penn being the more confident one and Cole being less aggressive. Cole has a past and that was definitely a factor in that role reversal. He doesn't divulge his past to Penn until late in the book, and I just felt there should have been more communicating instead of sexing away the problems at hand.

 

The book revolves primarily around Penn's family's competition, which is being held in Hawaii. Penn has never won the trophy, having always been paired with a cousin or whatnot because of her single status. This year however, Cole decides to come join in the family fun and is determined to help her win the trophy. I wasn't too keen on Penn's family and their competitiveness because it really showed us an ugly side to them and I was pretty angry for the entire book that they would treat her the way they did. I did like that Gordon resolved things with Penn's family and that they finally saw her for who she really was and how successful she was.

 

I really wish I would have liked this one more, but being such a character driven reader, if I don't feel a connection there, then the plot isn't enough to make the book work for me on its own. Had I read the previous books in this series, I might have felt more attached to the characters and understood them a bit better, but this book wasn't enough to do so on its own.

Playing For Her Heart (Gamers #2)
   by: Megan Erickson

Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 148 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

She wanted fantasy. He's about to make it a reality...

Grant Osprey just had the hottest sex of his life. Sure, they were both in costume, and yes, it was anonymous, but he never expected her to bolt in the middle of the night without so much as a good bye, let alone exchanging numbers. Or names. All he's left with are her panties and some seriously X-rated memories...until he meets his business partner's little sister.

Only Chloe Talley isn't the bold, sexy vixen he remembers. And she wants nothing to do with him.

Cosplay is Chloe's only chance to leave her boring, socially awkward world behind. To forget that she's failing at life and can't be with anyone, let alone a single-father like Grant. But the raw hunger between them is undeniable. With him, she can be a misbehaving maid. A sexy call girl for hire. Each scene pushes Chloe beyond her strict boundaries, until Grant demands the one character she can't play.

 

 

I am completely speechless upon finishing this one. This book is Megan's hottest book to date and I am still feeling a bit flushed even afterwards! While I enjoyed the first book in the Gamers series, I really loved this one. I think it had to do with the emphasis on the role-playing between Chloe and Grant. It was so hot to see these two act out their fantasies with one another and being the gamer girl I am, I would have no problem slipping into one of those roles if a sexy guy like Grant came around!

 

I've been excited for Grant's story and I loved that he was matched up with Ethan's younger sister. The two end up being quite adorable together and wow did they have some serious chemistry! I loved the anonymity these two had in the beginning because it made things that much hotter between them! Megan doesn't hold back with the sexy times in this one and I loved Grant's dirty talking. He was sex on a stick and I just loved him. His devotion to his daughter is also really sweet and I liked seeing them interact with one another as well. He is happy with his life as is and isn't looking for a relationship. One of the things I adored about this book was how willing Grant was to open his eyes to the possibility of more. He doesn't act like the tortured hero who goes on and on about how he can't do 'more' and I loved that about him.

 

Chloe on the other hand was a bit harder to crack. Her family has endured a tragedy and instead of coming together to deal with their grief, they have splintered apart. Chloe feels the weight of that and my heart broke for her, as her self worth is quite poor. She doesn't feel confident enough to show her true self, which is why she likes to cosplay so much. She uses it as an escape and that boosts her confidence, as she can step away from herself and be anyone she wants. However, the more time Grant and Chloe spend together, the more he wants to see the real her and he finds himself growing tired of the games. Watching Grant help pull Chloe out of her shell was my favorite part, but I love that Chloe realized she was the one who had to do it and that he couldn't be the one to save her so to speak. Megan does a great job of incorporating that realism into her novels and I love it.

 

I really liked getting to see more of Ethan in this book too, as my heart hurt for him also. I am looking forward to seeing who will be the one to pull him out of his reclusive shell and help him deal with his guilt and open his heart up. This series is a hot one and I definitely recommend if you need some sexy times with a great romance!

 

Consumed by You (Fighting Fire #3)
    by: Lauren Blakely

Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 201 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

She's playing with fire...

Dog trainer Cara Bailey wants to find "the one," but fantasizing about her sexy-as-hell client, firefighter Travis Jansen, is getting in the way. Her only option? Get the confirmed bachelor out of her system-in every position possible-so she can settle down with Mr. Right. Starting right now.

Travis doesn't do relationships, so no matter how badly he wants the pretty little brunette, he keeps his distance. Until Cara goes and changes the game. She'll fulfill all of his fantasies if he agrees to walk away when it's over. But when the wildfire between them blazes out of control, it will consume everything-and everyone-in its path...

 

 

I remember reading the previous book in this series, Melt for Him, and I was hoping we would get Travis's story and now here it is! Yay! This made me really happy because I couldn't wait to see Mr. 'I Don't Believe in Relationships Because They Only End in Heartache' fall in love.

 

I really enjoyed Cara and Travis's story. These two have seriously hot chemistry and they have history as well, having dated in high school and having had a few hook ups since then. Naturally, you're rooting for them to get together for real and have it stick. Travis is like a lot of male leads we've read before, in the sense that he doesn't do relationships and can't offer anything more because he thinks he doesn't have more to give. Losing his father in the line of duty was a serious blow, as he saw just how much it impacted his mother and how deeply she retreated into her shell, leaving him to be the one to take care of himself and his younger sister. He saw how much his mother loved his father and how his death destroyed her and he doesn't want to ever put another woman in that position. So, while he is attracted to Cara, he knows what they have can only be physical, despite those niggling feelings that keep popping up the more he spends time with her.

 

I liked Cara. She wasn't a woman who played around. She knows what she wants for her life and she isn't going to let anything sway her from that plan. Not even a sexy as sin firefighter who she knows can ignite her like no one else can. Cara is a forever kind of girl. She isn't into one night stands and hook ups, so it's really out of character for her to propose they act on their attraction in order to get the other out of their systems. Too bad it doesn't quite work out that way. Spending time together naturally reinforces why they are so attracted to one another in the first place. It's so much more than physical and I really liked seeing those tender, sweet moments together. Not to mention, I love how she's helping him train his dog. It just adds this cuteness factor that made the dog-lover in me swoon!

 

We get to see Megan and Becker, as well as Smith and Jamie from the previous books, which I enjoyed because I love to check in with my couples and see how they are doing.

 

I really enjoy Lauren Blakely's books and this was no exception. The romance is sweet, the sexy times are off the charts hot, and the conflict is there, but not overdone to the point where you feel frustrated with the characters.

To Tempt a Seal (Sin City SEALs #1)
    by: Sara Jane Stone

Publication Date: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 162 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

For the first time in her life, social worker Lucia Lewis is ready to live. And the masquerade ball in Las Vegas is just the place to find a ridiculously hot guy to complete her wicked to-do list. The only rule? Her elegant Venetian mask—which conceals the scars that have always held her back from the life she deserves—stays on.

Navy SEAL Cade Daniels heads to Vegas on a mission to keep his best friend's little sister out of trouble. Except the woman he’s sent to find is all heat and flame…and perfectly capable of handling herself. And him. But the moment Lucia's mask slips, the need to heal her, body and soul, is complete and absolute temptation.

But revealing himself could cost him the one thing he isn't willing to risk...his heart.

  

 

 

I am always game for a Brazen and I have to say, this one was a fun and extremely sexy read! Sara Jane Stone does not hold back on the sexy times and I have to say I loved how she jumped right into them!

 

I felt for Lucia. She has decided to take a trip to Las Vegas for an exhilarating weekend in Sin City and all that entails. She attends a masquerade ball and plans to find a sexy man to fulfill her list of fantasies. She is approached by Cade Daniels, a sexier than sin Navy SEAL in a tuxedo who is all too willing to participate in her fantasies. However, Cade is there under false pretenses. He has been sent by his best friend, Natalie, who also happens to be Lucia's older sister. Natalie knows of Lucia's weekend plans and wants to make sure she stays out of trouble.

 

However, one look at the beautiful woman who tempts him like no other, and Cade knows he can't let her find some other man to do the things on her list with. He knows it's a betrayal to his best friend, but the more time he spends with Lucia, the more he wants to be the one to show her how beautiful and sexy she is, scars and all.

 

Neither Lucia nor Cade is looking for anything long-term. Cade doesn't believe he is capable of it, being a SEAL and seeing what that did to his family when his father served. Their deployments are long and most marriages and relationships cannot withstand the time and distance. Lucia just wants a weekend of fun and sexy times with a stranger before she returns to her life in Tennessee. She never expected to fall for Cade, but she can't help but relish in the way he makes her feel. He sees past her imperfections and empowers her and I really loved that about him.

 

My one issue with this one was that the relationship felt too rushed. The entire book takes place over the span of a weekend and Cade and Lucia are making declarations of love to one another. I would have preferred to see the more serious aspect of their relationship drawn out a bit more.

 

This is definitely a feel good story, especially considering Lucia's confidence issues. She's real and I'm sure a lot of women can identify with her. Cade is one of those guys that every woman dreams of having- a man who isn't afraid to use his actions and words to show her just how wonderful she is and what she deserves in her life.

 

Overall, while I felt some of it felt rushed, I did find this to be a sexy and fun read!

 

Falling For His Best Friend (Out of Uniform #2)
    by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 220 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Avery Yeung’s biological clock just went off early. Thanks to her family’s medical history, she’s running out of time to get knocked up. And the only guy within donating distance? Her overprotective—and irritatingly hot—best friend. So clearly she needs an anonymous donor…

Anonymous donor? Over Sheriff Drew Flannery’s dead body. While daddyhood will never be in the cards for a man with his past, Drew won’t let Avery shop for a “popsicle pop.” He’ll do what’s right for his best friend by doing his best friend. But only if they do it properly.

But there’s nothing “proper” about it. Between the bed, the kitchen counter, and against his squad car, Avery and Drew are having the hottest sex ever. They can’t get enough of it—or each other. And without knowing it, they’ve crossed the one line that could ruin their friendship forever…  

 

I adored Katee's In Bed With Mr. Wrong last year, so I was excited to pick up Drew and Avery's story in Falling For His Best Friend. We got to see their scheming side in the first book and we already knew how well they worked together. In this book, we get to see the two realize their feelings of friendship are developing into something more... something that could complicate everything.

 

I am such a fan of best friends to lovers stories and I really enjoyed this one. Drew and Avery have been friends for so long, but in recent months have started to feel things for the other they know they shouldn't. It all comes to a head when Avery drops the bomb that she wants to have a baby. With her family's medical history being what it is, she's too afraid of letting the chance slip by. Her friends, Bri and Ryan, are supportive of her, having their own baby at home they love and adore. Drew, on the other hand, isn't so keen on this plan. This irrational jealousy bubbles up in him and suddenly he doesn't want her having this baby on her own and he certainly doesn't want some random donor involved. He tells Avery that if she's going to do this, they're going to do it together. He won't let her be on her own and while he himself doesn't feel like kids and a family are ever in his future, he won't risk letting his best friend fail.

 

I loved Drew for doing this, but at the same time he was really frustrating because he was so hung up on his own fears that he couldn't admit to Avery that he really had developed true feelings for her. I get the whole not wanting to ruin the friendship aspect. Sometimes friends to lovers stories don't work out (I can attest to that), but these two click on a level on a lot of people don't. And holy chemistry. That cop car scene? Sweet baby Jesus that was hot.

 

This was a cute, steamy story and I enjoyed where Robert took Avery and Drew's relationship. It worked for them and I enjoyed seeing Drew finally admit to himself and Avery that she was what he wants and he'll be damned if someone else raises this baby with her. I also loved seeing Bri and Ryan again and how happy those two are. I am glad we got to see both of these couples get their happy endings.

Changing His Game
    by: Megan Erickson

Publication Date: Apr. 28, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 172 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.25/5 stars

He controls the game, but she’s rewriting all the rules…

Marley Lake is no stranger to awkwardness, but getting caught watching a dirty GIF by the company’s hot new IT guy exceeds even her standards. That is, until she realizes he's as turned on by it as she is. But with a big promotion on the line, she refuses to let her current dry spell be her downfall. Maybe.

Austin Rivers has no business lusting after the irresistible editor of Gamers Magazine. He's a secret partner in the business—and technically Marley’s boss. One look at that GIF, though, and he’s ready to install a whole lot more than just software…as long as she never finds out who he really is.

But reality’s not as virtual as it seems, and when Austin’s identity jeopardizes Marley’s promotion, he has to change his game or risk losing the only woman with the cheat code to his heart.

 

 

The inner gamer in me was going all kinds of crazy upon reading this book. Cosplay? Comic Con? I was all about it! Someday in my life I WILL go to Comic Con in California, as well as Blizz Con. I haven't played video games in awhile, as I went the more MMO route with World of Warcraft, but no matter. I could still relate to Marley and Austin on their nerdy level of awesome.

 

This book is so freaking hot. Let's just lay it out there like it is. Austin is pretty much my dream guy, minus the awkward conversations that could sometimes take place with them. He definitely came full circle and was more comfortable with her by the end. But his sexy talk? Sweet baby Jesus. I am all for an alpha nerd. Marley and Austin had some amazing chemistry and I loved how spontaneous and naughty these two were! Having read many a Brazen, I am happy to say Megan fits in so very well with this imprint!

 

Austin knows he shouldn't let Marley affect him so much, but he can't help but be attracted to her. While there's no policy against inter-office dating, he IS technically her boss which just leads to bad juju. Marley is vying for a promotion and it would obviously look really bad to the rest of the staff if her and Austin are discovered. Then again, Marley herself doesn't even know about Austin, so I was a little irritated with him for not coming clean, as it's not fair to keep such a huge bit of information from her. I do understand his hesitance in telling the truth, as Austin has been cheated before by people close to him. However, when he realized that Marley wouldn't do that to him, he should have opened up. Not to mention, Marley has worked really hard to earn her position and she deserves that promotion. I would hate for her to feel like she only got it because she's been getting down and dirty with the boss.

 

Austin might be an alpha in the bedroom, but Marley is no pushover. I love that. She challenges him and when she realizes the truth about Austin she takes some time to get her head wrapped around everything that happened and whether or not she can trust him moving forward. His grand gesture at the end was perfection and I was a total puddle of melted goo!

 

I also really enjoyed getting to know Grant, Austin's co-owner of Gamers and Marley's boss, his 14 year old daughter Sydney, and Chad, Marley's brother. They were all great additions to the book and I can't wait to read more about them in the future. I especially can't wait for Grant's book and I really hope his is next!

 

Overall, this was a fast, sexy read and I cannot wait for more nerdy steamy awesomeness in the next installment!  

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.

Betting on Fate (Serve #4)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Jan. 5, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 195 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This time, all bets are off...

Penelope Carson loves to steal clients from Will Reaver. Yet something in her business nemesis's icy blue eyes makes Penelope...nervous. It certainly doesn't help that the man is the living embodiment of a Norse god. A controlled, powerful Norse god. Which she really should have remembered before she made a bet with him—because losing means becoming Will's personal submissive for a week. There's nothing Will would like more than to have Penelope kneeling before him in complicit submission, her fiery dark eyes inviting him in. Challenging him. But their bet takes Will and Penelope deeper than either of them have ever been. Where control is an illusion, and boundaries are pushed aside. And where hearts become the stakes in a game that neither Dominant nor submissive can win...

 

After reading the previous book, Mistaken by Fate, I was excited to read about Garrett's sexy and in control twin brother Will. We also meet Penelope, who turns out to be one of Will's biggest competitors in their line of work. She insinuated her and Will had a past, so I thought this novel was going to go in a slightly different direction than it did.

 

Will and Pen are both Dominants, so their paths have not really crossed except in the business sphere, where Will thinks Pen steals his clients right out from under him. This causes some tension between them, as both are incredibly dedicated to their companies and want to succeed. Vying for the same client, both of them think they will land the account, so they make a bet for the loser to play submissive to the winner for one week. No matter the loser, they are dominants for a reason- relinquishing control is going to be quite the challenge, as losing that control brings out vulnerabilities and insecurities they fight to keep buried.

 

Where the last book didn't venture quite so far into BDSM territory, this one did. While the scenes between Will and Penelope were quite steamy and hot, I felt I had trouble connecting with them and the story in general, as it lacked the emotional depth I was looking for. Will was a hard character to like because of his need to dominate and exert control is all things. He is dubbed The Ice King and that title is very fitting for his personality. Having been abandoned by his mother certainly plays a role in his coldness, as he feels relationships change people and end up disappointing you in the end. He feels himself falling deeper into this thing with Penelope than he knows he should, so naturally he pulls away and tries to distance himself from his feelings for her. He does so too late, thus really hurting her in the process. Penelope has worked hard to get where she is and she doesn't want to let her father or her company down. Will muddles things for her, distracts her from what she should be focusing on: work. She knows she needs to take a step back, as her heart is already getting too involved in a temporary arrangement.

 

This book is also heavily set at Serve, so we get to see a lot of different scenes play out and see just how far Will and Pen are willing to push one another. They walk a fine line, where even the slightest misstep can really break the other. This lifestyle is all about trust because it's a complete surrender to the other person. The submissive has to trust the dominant will not take them farther than they can go and meet their every need, and the dominant has to trust the submissive will communicate with them when things are not feeling as they should. It's definitely interesting to venture so deeply into Serve and witness some of the more adventurous scenes.

 

Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of the Serve books, I did still enjoy the short, sexy read. Had I felt a bit more connected to my characters and seen more of their emotional development, this would have worked a bit more for me. I am excited to get Garrett and Will's sister's story. I am even more curious about her now, as Will is concerned about the job she does and her cold attitude during the family dinner is quite intriguing. I have no doubts Robert will once again bring the steam and I'm hoping I'll connect to Sara's story a bit more than I did Will's.

Falling for the Enemy (Private Pleasures #3)
    by: Samanthe Beck

Publication Date: Dec. 1, 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: 225 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

Caught between a rock and a rock-hard body…

Salon owner Virginia Boca has declared herself celibate...at least until she wins the election for mayor of Bluelick, Kentucky. No hot men. No sex. And her plan to play the good girl might have worked—if the mysterious, hard-bodied stranger she’s seen around town hadn't pulled her from the street and saved her life. The least Ginny can do is offer her savior a free haircut.

But when an innocent haircut turns into hours of wickedly hot sex, former Navy SEAL Shaun Buchanan knows his plan to keep a low profile is shot. Especially once Ginny finds out he’s the current mayor's son. With her reputation and the election on the line, Ginny seems determined to keep their nightly sexcapades a secret, but Shaun’s not willing to stay in the shadows forever…

 

 

Oh my. I just got my world rocked by one Shaun Buchanan. In fact, I think he's my favorite of the Bluelick leading men! He's incredibly sexy and I thought for sure he was going to be a tortured bad boy. Instead, he just keeps to himself, which gives him a mysterious edge.

 

He might not be willing to open up and talk to Ginny in her salon like most of her patrons do, but boy did his actions speak WAY louder than words! I always love when sexual tension boils so high that the couple can't help but throw themselves at one another. It's so deliciously hot and that is exactly what we get during Ginny and Shaun's first encounter.

 

Ginny knows she shouldn't indulge with Shaun, as she is running for mayor and doesn't need any extraneous complications in her life. She knows she has her work cut out for her with the town's current mayor, who seems to have quite a few people in his pocket. However, one time with Shaun is just not as easy as it seems. The man oozes sex appeal and genuinely wants to look out for her, especially since she's having trouble with someone vandalizing her property. Even after Ginny finds out he's the current mayor's son, she still can't seem to let him loose and nor does she want to. As long as they keep their 'dealings' a secret, Ginny's standing in the race won't be compromised.

 

The more time Shaun spends with Ginny and opens up to her, the more he realizes he doesn't want to be kept in the dark, constantly sneaking around. He's falling for her and he refuses to be her dirty little secret. Even after everything Shaun has been through from his time in the SEALS, he is not running from his feelings claiming he's too broken and messed up to be deserving of love. This made me so happy because he just isn't the self-sacrificing type. He wants Ginny and he isn't afraid of that.

 

Ginny is a really sweet character. Her care and concern for the town of Bluelick is genuine and wants to bring about change for the better. One of the biggest issues she has is dealing with the county sheriff department. She feels Bluelick would do better with their own local police department. After seeing how the sheriff's department operated in the previous book, I am right with Ginny on this one. I also really liked that Ginny is a go-getter. She isn't afraid to take charge in her personal, professional, or sexual life. She knows that she probably shouldn't be fooling around with Shaun, but she's not constantly berating herself over her actions either.

 

This is a lighter read and I'm glad it was lower on angst. Ginny and Shaun find resolution to their conflict fairly quickly, which I preferred to the longer, drawn out drama it could have been. It was fun to see familiar faces from previous novels as well and the epilogue was really fitting and a great ending for all our Bluelick couples.

 

Samanthe Beck always brings the steam and this book is no exception. Ginny and Shaun have serious chemistry and like I said earlier, I love it when couples have so much passion together it just explodes and they can't get enough of one another. I won't lie... I think it would be awesome if Samanthe wrote a redemption story for Justin... he's a little punk, but I definitely think his story might be worth telling....