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!

 

Welcome to my stop on the You're Still the One tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

Today I am excited to share my review, an excerpt from the book, and a giveaway with you all!

You're Still the One (Country Blues #1)
   by: Rachel Harris

Publication Date: Feb. 15, 2016
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 254 pages
Order Links: Amazon| B&N | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Love is one dare neither of them can take...

Arabella Stone, Nashville’s darling, is eager to shuck her prim-and-proper rep, and a few wild months spent checking items off her “ summer bucket list” is the way to do it. First up: kiss the man she’s crushed on since she wore a training bra, the bad boy of country himself, Blue bassist Charlie Tucker.

For Charlie, a beautiful woman flirting with him isn’t out of the norm—but a beautiful woman bolting after the hottest kiss of his life sure is. And when he finds out his kiss-and-run Cinderella is none other than Arabella Stone, daughter of his label’s CEO, he knows he’s in trouble. Because not only is she a Stone, she’s also his employee for the next few months at the recording studio he just bought.

Over the course of one thrilling summer, Arabella and Charlie chip away at her bucket list and fight the simmering attraction between them...knowing that once it's all over, so is their time together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I absolutely can not get enough of Rachel Harris's books. Seriously. They always leave me feeling so damn happy and hopeful! I love how her heroines are not only kick butt, but they also have their quirky traits too! Harris does such a great job of appealing to regular women and I love how relatable her books are!

 

I've been super excited for Charlie's story and I couldn't be more pleased with the end result. I loved him and Arabella together! Watching these two navigate their attraction and feelings for one another was such a blast. And whew! These two have some super sexy moments together too! I loved seeing how intimate they were and I seriously had butterflies in my stomach and a ridiculous grin on my face while reading.

 

Arabella has been infatuated with Charlie Tucker since she was a teen, but having been older than her, he never paid her much attention. She was his boss's kid daughter, certainly not the stunning woman he comes face to face with at a record label party. He does not recognize her, and she doesn't correct him, thus initiating a searing hot kiss that left both of them affected.

 

Things definitely get complicated, as Arabella's father has asked Charlie to watch out for her over the summer. That might not be so bad, had Charlie not been privy to some other information that would surely crush Arabella if she found out the truth.

 

Charlie was such a great love interest, but he did drive me a little crazy. I get his resistance to pursuing a relationship with her, but I thought the tension was going to slice me in half. Arabella was just so sweet and wore her heart on her sleeve and I didn't want to see Charlie break it. His words might say he can't do anything serious, but his actions certainly contradict him. He wants her just as badly as she does him and I love that intense moment when he just says 'screw it all' and goes after her. *dreamy sigh*

 

I loved seeing the Robicheaux clan again, as well as Charlie's bandmates! I am SUPER excited for Hannah and Deacon's story next. Harris gave us just enough to already ship those two so hard and I can't wait to see their history unravel!

 

If you're in the mood for a feel good romance with loads of kissing, sexy times, and memorable characters- you need to pick this one up!

 

Heart fluttering like a hummingbird, Ella picked her way across the stones, the steps still warm from the day’s brutal sun. She lowered herself, one concrete step at a time, until the tepid water lapped against the undersides of her breasts. She gasped at the sensation.

 

If she’d thought the biker bar felt decadent, this was positively wicked. Never in her wildest dreams had Arabella considered checking skinny-dipping off her list in this way, with neighbors potentially watching, and a naked Charlie Tucker as a wingman. 

 

He tensed as she glided across the pool, the muscles of his back like chiseled marble. She’d love to believe it was because of her, that he longed to touch her as badly as she wanted to be touched. But she knew him well enough to know that even if he did, he’d never act on the desire. Not unless his guard was down.

 

So, Arabella did what any self-respecting woman in her situation would do. She dipped her hands into the water on either side of her body, gently cupping them so as not to make any sudden waves. She grinned as she bent her knees for leverage…and then, stifling a laugh, swung her hands high and up into the air.

 

Splash.

 

Charlie cursed as water rained, falling like a sheet over his head. His neck snapped back, flicking his unruly dark hair out of his eyes, and his shoulders raised to meet his ears.

 

Immediately, Arabella started backpedaling.

 

Fans of romantic comedies, and anyone who swam with boys in high school, knew what came next. She’d awoken the sleeping bad-boy giant, or so she hoped, but somehow, even as she kicked away as hard as she could, she couldn’t excite the proper trepidation. She wanted this, wanted him to come after her.

 

But she had to make the chase look realistic.

 

“Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you?” Charlie’s smile was as big and dangerous as a bloodthirsty alligator, and Ella squealed as he took his first looming step. “You better run, sweet girl. It’s on now.”

 

Arabella kicked her feet, shooting water in his face. “Bring it, Tucker!”

 

Please, please, bring it, Tucker.  

 

 

 
New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

 

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

 

 

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Rachel Harris Goodreads | Newsletter Sign Up

 

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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.

 

How to Lose a Bachelor
    by: Anna Banks

Publication Date: Nov. 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 198 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

When Rochelle Ransom auditioned for the dating show Luring Love, she had big plans for winning the prize money to help her favorite charity–and if she won the hot bachelor's heart, even better. But at the last minute she finds out the hot bachelor is her ex-boyfriend, Grant Drake. Desperate to keep her distance from him, she'll do anything–and everything–to get voted off.

Years ago, Rochelle broke Grant’s heart, and he's out for revenge. There's no way he'll vote her off.

After all, vengeance is a dish best served red-hot...and on live television.

When her hilarious antics to get kicked off the show escalate, Grant’s reminded why he fell in love with her the first time. Now he isn't sure which might be more fun... Seeing how far Rochelle is willing to go to get away or how far he will to keep her forever.

 

 

Even though I'm not a fan of shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, I couldn't help but be interested in this one. It was more The Bachelor meets How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days without the promiscuousness and I LOVED that. I was easily sucked in, even despite Rochelle's prickly exterior. It was just so much fun to watch her try to get kicked off the show after she realizes the bachelor is none other than her ex, who broke her heart so many years ago.

 

Second chance romances are one of my favorites and I really liked seeing it play out here. Both Rochelle and Grant let the other go without sitting down and talking it out- both fearful they would lose the other anyway. To say these two have unfinished business is an understatement. The opposing dynamics are great. Once Rochelle finds out Grant is the bachelor, she is desperate to get kicked off the show and is not afraid to show a pretty ugly side of her to do so. It made for some great comedy even though I cringed a few times at the thought of seeing a woman act like she did on national television. Grant, however, wants to torture Rochelle and keep her on, hoping to break her heart like she did his so long ago. What he didn't plan on was still having intense feelings for her.

 

Grant really has to work to earn Rochelle's affections again. I was afraid there might be some drama with the other contestants in this one like there is in the real Bachelor, but it's obvious no one holds a candle to Rochelle. There was one scene with another contestant, Maya, that had me a bit nervous, but it worked out like it was supposed to and I really liked Maya. She was sweet, kind, and ended up being a great friend and ally to Rochelle.

 

I had a feeling something big would happen to upset the newfound balance towards the end and while I'm all for conflict, I was a little annoyed at Rochelle for how she acted, considering she knew Grant and should have known the truth, considering the type of show they were on.

 

Overall, this was such a fun read and I really enjoyed it. Rochelle and Grant are explosive together and I loved seeing these two slowly find their way back to one another. It's not an easy journey and I was relieved once they finally hashed out their past and understood what really happened back then. Even though Entangled's Bliss line doesn't usually go too in-depth with the sexy times like their Brazens, I still thought this book was plenty sexy enough and even though we don't see anything happen, it's alluded to really well. I'm really glad I picked this one up.

 

Your B&B or Mine? (Maple Cove #1)
    by: Melissa West

Publication Date: Nov. 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 165 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

All's fair in love and war, especially in the Deep South...

Savannah Hale never planned to come back to Maple Cove, Georgia. Her hometown has too many painful memories, especially of her high school sweetheart, who was killed during combat. And yet here she is…broken-hearted from her mother's death and left to deal with the Hale family legacy—Maple Cove's landmark bed and breakfast. In need of repairs and near foreclosure, she’s hanging on to the B&B by a thread.

And the man out to buy it is the man she's never been able to forgive…or forget.

Former soldier Logan Park is haunted by memories of his own. Some are of his best friend. Other are filled with longing for the girl he could never have. Now Savannah is back, and their attraction can’t be denied. But Logan has already sacrificed everything to atone for his sins, and there’s no way he’ll let himself fall for a girl who might never love again.

 

 

I am always looking forward to another Melissa West book, so when I saw this one, I knew I wanted to read it! It sounded super cute with a small-town vibe and I just love those! Sure enough, it was just what I needed to snuggle up with as the weather turned colder and the days shorter. It was a cute, sweet read and I enjoyed seeing Logan and Savannah try to maneuver their way around one another... and their lingering teenage feelings!

 

My heart was broken for Savannah as she is forced to come back home to Maple Cove to do the unimaginable: make funeral arrangements for her mom. Having lost her father already, the Hales must lean on another during such a difficult time. Savannah, as the eldest, feels a responsibility to be a source of strength for her siblings, but that is a challenge, as she is wrecked herself. In addition to this, her family's B&B is in financial trouble and while none of them ever really wanted to run it, it strikes up some nostalgia when it comes down to letting it go. I liked Savannah's character and I can't even imagine how she feels during this time. She feels immense guilt after leaving behind the small town of Maple Cove, after she got her heart broken so many years ago by her former boyfriend's best friend. She feels like she's missed valuable time with her mom and that really hurt my heart.

 

Savannah isn't the only person who's returned to Maple Cove. Logan Park has too and he just so happens to be with the company that wants to buy the B&B after it goes into foreclosure. Between that and Savannah's heartbreak over his suddenly leaving her all those years ago, things between the two are not the easiest. In fact, the two squabble quite a bit. Savannah has a hard time keeping her cool with him and the feelings he invokes in her certainly don't help either. Logan isn't a bad guy though. He was put in a difficult position when it came to his feelings for her, as she was his best friend's girl. After losing his best friend in the military, the two leaned on one another during such a painful time and eventually couldn't fight the attraction either one felt. However, Logan carries some serious guilt over his best friend's death, how it happened, and how he should proceed from there, so while hurting Savannah was the last thing he wanted, it was the one thing he knew he had to do in hopes she would move on and find someone different.

 

Savannah and Logan have serious unfinished business when it comes to one another. Savannah can try to mask her feelings with anger, but at the root of it is her heartbreak over a boy she really cared about. I was a bit conflicted over Logan's intentions at being back in Maple Cove. He knows he needs to keep his distance from her because of his former best friend, but he also wants to be the one there for her, as she is going through such a hard time. They have some really sweet, tender moments together and I was rooting for these two to confess their feelings for each other. However, I didn't understand why he made the decision he did in the end. It was corrected fairly quickly, but just seemed like added conflict that I think we could have done without.

 

Overall, I thought this was a cute story and I loved the small town Gilmore Girls feel. I can't wait for more books in the series and I really hope we get stories from Savannah's siblings, Leigh and Jack!

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.

No Kissing Allowed
      by: Melissa West

Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 204 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

No kissing. No touching. And definitely no falling in love...

Armed with her besties, an embarrassing number of shots, and her list of 10 Wild Things To Do Before Adulthood, recent grad Cameron Lawson is partying it up before she starts her dream job at New York's biggest ad agency. Her last task? Hook up with a random guy. And while it's so not her style, the super-sexy guy sitting next to her is definitely game. No names. No details.

At least, that was the plan.

On her first day of work, Cameron discovers her hook-up is none other than Aidan Truitt—her new boss's boss. Talk about failing the “no fraternizing with coworkers” policy on an epic level. Especially when Aidan makes it clear their one night was only the beginning. Falling for him could cost her everything, but sometimes the only way to get what you want is by breaking a few rules..

 

 

I think this has to be one of my favorite Melissa West books. It's fun, sexy, and FULL of kissing. There is also relatively low angst, which I liked. I'm also quite partial to Aidan, who is otherwise known as UT guy. As a former UT alum myself, I couldn't help but swoon over this ruggedly handsome guy in orange and white! Overlooking Cammie's allegiance to Alabama, I really enjoyed both characters in this one.

 

I am always a fan of books that have a healthy amount of friendship in it, so I loved that the book opens up with Cammie out with her girls Lauren and Grace. All three are about to start their big girl jobs and they are having one last wild night before they start. After a last minute addition finds its way to the list, intensely competitive Cammie is determined not to lose, no matter how out of her comfort zone this last item is. The sexy stranger beside her, who happens to hear the conversation, isn't ashamed to offer himself up to the task and soon Cammie finds herself experiencing the hottest kiss of her life with a guy whose name she doesn't even know. With the help of some liquid courage, Cammie takes a chance and ends up taking him home with her. I felt bad for poor UT guy. The awkwardness that ensued the next morning made me cringe and I wanted to smack Cammie for being so rude to the hot guy in her bed.

 

She gets to make up for her behavior though because her hook up is none other than the chief creative director at the new firm she's just started at. She knows they must maintain their professionalism and that they must keep to the line that's been drawn. However, working together in the type of environment they do, it's hard to keep their distance and soon the two find themselves fighting the sexual tension that still simmers beneath the surface.

 

I always love that 'eff it all' moment in books where couples aren't supposed to be together, but then they just throw caution to the wind and have that MOMENT. It's so powerful and makes me swoon so hard. Melissa is a master at writing amazing kissing scenes, so I was definitely grinning when Cammie and Aidan gave in to their attraction. There's one slight problem. Cammie doesn't do casual and Aidan is Mr. Casual. He isn't looking for love or a future. This definitely caused some problems between the two and my heart hurt for both of them, as they are so good together.

 

If you're in the mood for a sweet, fun contemporary this is the one to pick up. I really enjoyed Melissa's writing style and I love that while Aidan had his hang ups, he was genuinely a good guy. I am looking forward to seeing what West writes next!