Fall With Me (Wait For You #4)
    by: J.Lynn

Publication Date: Mar. 31, 2015
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

 

 

We previously met Roxy and Reece in Stay With Me and I really liked them together, even though there's quite a bit of tension between them. Something very clearly went down between them and they haven't quite recovered from it, judging by how uncomfortable they are with one another. I was excited to dive into Fall With Me so I could find out more about the two, what happened between them, and how they would move forward from there.

 

I never expected the side storyline of her best friend, Charlie. It was absolutely devastating and really struck fear in my heart because there are so many people out there who would do such a hateful, horrible thing. I felt for Roxy because her and I are so alike. Had I been in her position, I probably would have done the same thing, as I tend to lash out and say things I probably shouldn't, instead of walking away. I understand the guilt she feels and carries, even though she is not to blame for another's actions. Roxy has such a beautiful heart and even though she wants to protect it from more harm, she can't help but open it up to Reece. That man is just.... sigh. We'll get to that in a minute.

 

The stalking storyline was one I expected, just because of Reece's line of work. I kind of figured that would come into play this book. I won't lie. It definitely gave me the chills, even though I had already figured out who it was and how it was occurring. I wanted to smack Roxy though for thinking she had a ghost when crazy things were happening. Come on girl. Common sense! Still, the things that were going on were quite weird so I guess I can see her thinking. Sort of? Haha.

 

Because those two storylines were so prevalent and heavy, I like that Armentrout made Reece and Roxy's relationship relatively drama free. Sure, they had a few bumps, but overall they were great together. I really appreciated that and I love what a genuinely GOOD GUY Reece is. That man. Sigh. I can't stand the term 'Babe', but he made it work for me. Haha. In typical JLA fashion, there are very sexy times with Reece and Roxy and I loved those.

 

"Reece turned kissing into an art form, and if I had to attach a color to it, to get it on canvas, it would be supple shades of reds and purples."

 

I absolutely adored seeing Cam, Jase, Teresa, Avery, Jax, and Calla again! It always brings such a big grin to my face when I see my favorite couples together and happy. I also liked how much we got to see of Nick and I am really excited for his book next. Katie was as eccentric and fun as ever too. I can't wait to see that girl fall in love! I also really enjoyed the family dynamic between Roxy and her family. It was so cute and she is so very lucky to have so many awesome people in her corner. The way they teased her about Reece was too funny.

 

This was a cute, sweet read with some pretty serious undertones, but I feel Armentrout handled the story well. I always devour her books and this one was no exception. Reece really stole the show for me and I loved how he served as an anchor and partner for Roxy. Their relationship just felt so real to me and I loved seeing them open up to one another.

 

 

Fall With Me (Wait For You #4)

by: J.Lynn

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

 

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

 

 

 

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

 

 

Welcome to my stop on the Stay With Me review tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

I am SO excited to share my review with you all, as I just love this series so much!

 

Stay With Me (Wait For You #3)
   by: J.Lynn

Publication Date: Sept. 23, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher and InkSlingerPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 336 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google Play
My Rating: 4/5 stars

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You and Be with Me comes a daring tale that pushes boundaries . . .

At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should.   She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she’d left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn't
 give them her mom.

 

 

 

 

 

I am beyond excited I got chosen to review Stay With Me! I love all things J.Lynn and Jennifer Armentrout, so I knew I would enjoy the third book in the Wait For You series. We had already been briefly introduced to the main character Calla in the previous novel, and I thought we had met the love interest as well, but alas it was not meant to be. Who we get instead works so much better for Calla and I was completely satisfied. It was also really awesome to see Cam, Avery, Teresa, and Jase make such a large appearance in the book.

 

Pacing: I did struggle to get into this one a bit. Usually J.Lynn's books are unputdownable, but I found this one was easy to step away from when I needed to. I can't quite pinpoint exactly what it was that made it seem this way, as I really liked the development of Calla and Jax's relationship. I did love the added intrigue and danger this book had to it though.

 

Storyline: Calla believes strongly in her Three F's: Finish college. Find a nursing job. Finally follow through on something. Having grown up the way she did with her less than stellar mother, it makes sense that Calla would have these goals. However, when her mother takes everything from her and the world drops out from below her feet, Calla must return home to the one place she swore she wouldn't go again to find the woman she told her friends was dead. To make her life even more complicated, she meets Jackson James, 'Jax', and he tempts her in ways she knows he shouldn't, especially with the secrets and insecurities she holds close. The heat is on though and not just with Calla and Jax. Now that Calla's mom has disappeared, it seems Calla is the next best thing for the lowlifes her mother has previously associated with to put the pressure on. Now, Calla's life is on the line as well as her heart....

 

Characters: Calla bears both physical and mental scars from her childhood and they really have a huge impact on her life and self-esteem. I can completely relate to Calla, as I bear my own facial scar that used to really make me self-conscious. Her scrambling to cover up her own scar with Dermablend and make up just made my heart hurt as I remember doing the same and trying everything to make it invisible to others. She has never had a boyfriend or even been kissed, but I think a lot of that has to do with Calla's low self-esteem and her need to hide from people. She has come home a desperate woman, as her mother has single-handedly crushed her plans in one swift blow. Coming home to face the woman was hard enough as it is.... but to come home and realize her mother's screw ups are affecting her own safety and well-being? Not cool. It's a good thing she has her Uncle Clyde and Jax to watch out for her. They both warn her it's not safe to stay in town, but Calla is stubborn. Not to mention, she has no money and no where else to go. Jax ends up giving her a job bartending at her mom's bar and takes it upon himself to protect her.

 

Oh, Jax. I wasn't sure about him in the beginning, because I was having trouble getting a good read on him, but he proves himself to be such a good match for Calla. He doesn't even know the girl, but takes her under his wing and makes sure she is safe and protected from the thugs looking for her mom. He has scars of his own from his time of being in the Marines, so he knows compassion. He does NOT like Calla constantly tearing herself down and he is always working to build her back up and show her that beauty is more than skin deep. He's an overall good guy. Sometimes TOO good of a guy, as he doesn't handle a certain blonde soul sucking leech in the way he should have.

 

I really liked these two together. Jax is the perfect first everything for Calla. He makes her feel cherished and special and that is not something she has felt for a long time. Their relationship isn't perfect and has its ups and downs, but I feel this made the book even more realistic.

 

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed the storyline of this one, even though it wasn't set on campus like the previous novels were. The whole crime/drug underworld definitely made the book even more intense, as Calla's life is being threatened and she is taking the fall for something she has had no control over. Amidst all of that, Calla and Jax's burgeoning relationship is magnified and that much hotter because of the danger they find themselves in...

 

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

 

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. 

Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** J. Lynn Goodreads ** Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads

 

 

Hey guys! So happy it's time to get Brazen again! This week we read Tempting the Bodyguard by J.Lynn!

He can protect her from everyone except himself.

Alana Gore is in danger. A take-no-prisoners publicist, her way with people has made her more than a few enemies over the years, but a creepy stalker is an entirely different matter. She needs a bodyguard, and the only man she can ask is not only ridiculously hot, but reputed to have taste for women that goes beyond adventurous.

Chandler Gamble has one rule: don't protect anyone you want to screw. But with Alana, he's caught between his job and his increasingly hard libido. On one hand, Alana needs his help. On the other, Chandler wants nothing more than to take the hot volcano of a woman in hand. To make her writhe in pleasure, until she's at his complete mercy.

She needs protection. He needs satisfaction. And the moment the line is crossed, all hell will break loose...

**************************************

Finally! Chandler's book is here! What did you think? Did you love it?

Jessica: YES! I thought it was such a great story. I really liked him and Alana together. They had some super sexy chemistry and the storyline was really action packed and fun.

Chelsea: I really liked this one! I not only loved Chandler and Alana together but I really enjoyed the plot in this one too.  

 

Which Gamble brother would you say is your favorite?

 

Chelsea:  I really liked Chandler but I have to say that Chad is still my favorite brother. 

 

Jessica: This is really hard. I really do love Chandler because he's a little bit naughty and a whole lot of sexy and sweet!


If you were in danger, what traits would your personal bodyguard have to possess?

Jessica: Honestly? I would want an ex-soldier as a bodyguard. Their training really would make me feel secure. He also needs to be extremely good-looking and sexy. LOL. That would be an added perk.

Chelsea:  I would want a really strong and sexy guy too LOL. That would probably complicate things but oh well. He would also need to be caring and compassionate.

 

There are a lot of steamy moments between Chandler and Alana in this one. Which sexy scene was your favorite? 

Chelsea:  I am admittedly a huge fan of shower scenes so I am going to have to go with their sexy scene in the shower towards the end of the book. It was sensual but also really hot!

 Jessica: That was a great one! I am a sucker for naughty, forbidden trysts- so I loved their scene in her office!

Alana isn't exactly a favorite character in Tempting the Player. Did Tempting the Bodyguard change your perception of her?

Jessica: Definitely. I really didn't care for her in Tempting the Player because I didn't think what she was doing to Bridget was right and she was way too formal. This book really showed her layers and that she wasn't the heartless person we thought she was.

 

 

Chelsea: Absolutely! In this book we really got to know Alana and there is definitely more than meets the eye. She isn't the cold hearted bitch she is perceived to be.

 

How badly do you wish there were more Gamble Brothers?

Chelsea:  I wish there was a whole brood of them. There could never be enough sexy, hot Gamble brothers. And, I need more books! LOL

Jessica: I'm right there with you girl! I love these men, so naturally I wish there were more! I'm not ready to let them go!

I am a huge fan of J. Lynn/Jennifer Armentrout and I think the Tempting series is probably my favorite Brazen series of them all. Tempting the Bodyguard did not fall short and not only did it meet my expectations, but if greatly surpassed them. While Tempting the Player has been my favorite so far, Tempting the Bodyguard was definitely the most developed of the three.

 

Chandler Gamble is the oldest Gamble brother and like Chad and Chase, relationships and commitment aren’t his forte. However, seeing Chad and Chase settle down has definitely shown Chandler that with the right woman, commitment isn’t a bad thing. Alana Gore is a ball busting publicist and she definitely comes across as a frigid bitch but when you dig deep down and get to know her, it’s clear that it is all just a façade to protect herself from getting hurt. While her methods may be questionable, she always has her client’s best interest at heart. When she starts getting some serious threats, the first person she thinks about going to is the sexy Gamble bodyguard. Little does she know that he’s been thinking about her too and things are about to combust.

 

I really liked getting to know Alana and learning more about her past and what makes her tick. She isn’t a real likable character in Tempting the Player so it was good to see that she has a vulnerable side and that there is more than meets the eye with her. She is all alone with no living family and that is difficult for her. It makes her put up walls and she is terrified of becoming like her mother so she pushes love away at all costs. Even though she fought hard against him, Chandler definitely opened her up and brought her out of her shell. Right from the beginning, she felt a special connection to him and she was more attracted than she had ever been in her life. That definitely scared her, especially when she started spending more time with him and really getting to know him.

 

As if 2 sexy hot Gamble brothers wasn’t enough, of course there has to be 3. Chandler is the oldest and he definitely shows that in his demeanor and the way he interacts with his brothers. Unlike Chad and Chase, Chandler isn’t afraid of commitment, he’s just never met anyone that made him want to settle down and he doesn’t waste time on relationships that he knows won’t go anywhere. For whatever reason, Alana gets under his skin immediately and he can’t shake her no matter how hard he tries. When she steps back into his life, needing his help, he doesn’t hesitate to make her his. He is a man that knows what he wants and goes after it. Alana brings out feelings he didn’t know existed and he wants nothing more than to show her how great they can be.

 

J. Lynn can write some sexy, steamy scenes and she does NOT hold back in this one. Chandler and Alana have some seriously HOT chemistry and it really jumps off the pages. She may have tried to hire him to protect her but he would have done it anyways. I liked how protective he was and the way he looked out for her and challenged her at the same time. He sees the real her and she opens up and allows him to. I liked how strong Alana was and I total understood her need to protect her heart. She hasn’t known much love in her life and she can see the power Chandler has to destroy her. While neither of them wanted or expected to fall in love, that’s exactly what they did. Alana is a runner but lucky for her Chandler likes to chase.

 

Overall, I loved this book and I devoured it. It had great characters and an intriguing plot. It flowed perfectly and was well developed. I really liked the little bit of mystery involved surrounding her stalker. I also loved seeing a little more of Chad, Chase, Maddie and Bridget. I’m going to miss these Gamble brothers!

I have been waiting for Chandler's book for a while now! After seeing his and Alana's brief meeting in Chad's book, I could not wait to read their story as I knew it would be fun, sexy, and downright HOT!

Pacing: I felt the pacing was great on this one. J.Lynn jumps right in with the attraction between Alana and Chandler, but it didn't feel forced at all. In fact, it was downright hot! Alana wants to hire him for his bodyguard services though- not his ah, other ones.

Storyline: The storyline in this one was a lot of fun. Being in public relations and repairing self images, Alana Gore hasn't earned the best reputation. She's damn good at her job, but the way she has gone about it hasn't always been the gentlest. She blackmailed Bridget, Chad Gamble's now fiancé and hasn't quite been forgiven.

After receiving threatening letters, she knows she has to do something as her safety is on the line. She gets in touch with the eldest Gamble brother to enlist his protection services. She goes to extreme lengths to track him down and I was dying laughing at how bold and brazen Alana is! Upon going to Chandler for his help, she knows a physical relationship with him would be highly inappropriate, but sometimes propriety be damned! The two get even closer as Alana's threats become more than just letters. Alana is quite headstrong and determined, but this stalker has got even her shaken up and Chandler won't let her endanger herself so he brings her to stay with him. I really like the suspense of finding out who was behind everything, even though I had my suspicions of who it was.

Their attraction and sexual tension is off the charts, but Alana has some deeper issues that keep her from going all in with Chandler.

Characters:  I really enjoyed Alana and Chandler. Chandler was such a great guy and I am so glad we got his book because he deserves happiness too. He's not jaded like his brothers are. He doesn't let his parents crap relationship affect his own. He has chosen not to do serious relationships, not because he felt he wasn't good enough for one, but just because he hasn't found the right one to settle down with. However, meeting Alana has really been the game changer for him. He loves her no-nonsense attitude and that she's tough as nails. However, Alana has a vulnerable side as we see here. She's a runner, as she's afraid of ending up like her mother, who was obsessed with the idea of being in love- only to have it break her heart. Alana tries her best to keep Chandler from getting too close, but when Chandler wants something- he goes after it!

Final Thoughts:  I enjoyed this one a lot. I love how sexy and steamy the romance was and the storyline was engaging from start to finish. J.Lynn is one of my auto-buy authors, as the woman can do no wrong!

 

 

We are extremely excited to celebrate the release of J. Lynn's TEMPTING THE BODYGUARD!!! TEMPTING THE BODYGUARD is an Adult category romance novel being published by Entangled Publishing’s Brazen imprint and is a part of Jennifer’s Gamble Brothers Series!

 

TEMPTING THE BODYGUARD Synopsis:

 

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

 

He can protect her from everyone except himself. Alana Gore is in danger. A take-no-prisoners publicist, her way with people has made her more than a few enemies over the years, but a creepy stalker is an entirely different matter. She needs a bodyguard, and the only man she can ask is not only ridiculously hot, but reputed to have taste for women that goes beyond adventurous. Chandler Gamble has one rule: don't protect anyone you want to screw. But with Alana, he's caught between his job and his increasingly hard libido. On one hand, Alana needs his help. On the other, Chandler wants nothing more than to take the hot volcano of a woman in hand. To make her writhe in pleasure, until she's at his complete mercy. She needs protection. He needs satisfaction. And the moment the line is crossed, all hell will break loose...

 

Amazon Barnes and Noble  

 

Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn Bio:

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

 

 

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook **

Jennifer L. ArmentroutGoodreads

Novel Goodreads ** J.LynnGoodreads

Tempting the Bodyguard (Gamble Brothers #3)

by: J.Lynn

Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected Release: May 12, 2014

Entangled: Brazen

 

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

He can protect her from everyone except himself.

Alana Gore is in danger. A take-no-prisoners publicist, her way with people has made her more than a few enemies over the years, but a creepy stalker is an entirely different matter. She needs a bodyguard, and the only man she can ask is not only ridiculously hot, but reputed to have taste for women that goes beyond adventurous.

Chandler Gamble has one rule: don't protect anyone you want to screw. But with Alana, he's caught between his job and his increasingly hard libido. On one hand, Alana needs his help. On the other, Chandler wants nothing more than to take the hot volcano of a woman in hand. To make her writhe in pleasure, until she's at his complete mercy.

She needs protection. He needs satisfaction. And the moment the line is crossed, all hell will break loose…

 

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

 

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

Twitter  Facebook  Website  Entangled Author Page

50 First Times: A New Adult Anthology
   by: Julie Cross, J.Lynn, Molly McAdams,, Hannah Moskowitz, Lyla Payne, Roni Loren, Andrew Shaffer, Cole Gibsen, Myra McEntire, Carrie Ryan, Mark Perini, Sophie Jordan, Lisa Desrochers, Tracy Wolff, Lauren Layne, Alessandra Thomas, Melissa Landers, Gennifer Albin, Melissa West

Publication Date: Feb. 25, 2014
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 350 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

You always remember your first time...

Whether it's the couple who decides not to go through with it, the two boys who finally aren't ashamed, the newlyweds whose wedding night could very well be their last night together, the deaf pair who have no choice but to take body language to a new level--or, of course, the two young lovers fumbling and laughing, getting everything wrong. These are the memories that will never fade.

Join nineteen fantastic authors as they pull back the curtain and give you a peek inside that one intense moment in their characters' lives when everything changes and nothing will ever be the same again.

Featuring stories from some of the hottest names in New Adult, Young Adult, and Romance including New York Times Bestselling authors J.Lynn/Jennifer Armentrout, Molly McAdams, Sophie Jordan, and Carrie Ryan.

NOTE: These stories are works of fiction. If you want to know about our first times, you'll have to buy us a pet monkey first.

 

When I first saw all of the amazing authors featured in this anthology, I knew I had to have it! It had some of my very favorites in here, as well as some I've been wanting to try! Being a NA lover, I knew I would enjoy these novellas and for the most part I did! There were a few that weren't my kind of stories, but I still appreciated that this book included some diversity in it as well. A few others just fell short for me, as novellas are tricky to write. There wasn't enough development and a few were kind of ridiculous plot-wise. But then there were the ones I want to hold tight and never let go of! I wish those ones could have been made into feature length novels, because I desperately wanted more!

One such book was Melissa Landers' Under the Seryn Moon. I absolutely adored that this was not a contemporary and instead told of an arranged marriage between two tribes. Lyra has been forced to marry Kai, prince of the Seryn tribe, after her father's lost the war. She is a peace offering and nothing more. Kai surprises Lyra with his thoughtfulness and his tenderness. He wants to make her feel comfortable in a place foreign to her and where it is his right to take her as he pleases, he does not. He is kind and asks for her permission and I just really loved the undertone of this one. There are no declarations of love, instead there is the promise of a love to come and I really liked that.

Another favorite was J.Lynn's Believe in Me. I LOVE Ollie! He was such a great side character in Wait For You so naturally I was psyched for him to get a novella! I also love Brit, Avery's friend, so seeing them together was a pleasant surprise. I really like that Ollie and Brit were friends first and then turned into something more. Ollie and Brit have always teased each other, but things are different now, as Ollie realizes he really does care for her. He is a different guy with her and wants to be good enough for her and I loved seeing that sweet side to him.

Crash by Sophie Jordan was another that made an impact on me. We first met Hunter in Foreplay, so it was nice to see his story. After not getting the girl, his friends insist on taking him to a strip club, which is funny in its own right because Hunter is more of a straight and narrow guy. He is focused on school and went from one serious relationship to having something with Pepper. His friends think he needs to loosen up and live a little, but that's just not Hunter's style. Too bad one night at The Kitty Cave ends up being a far better one than he ever imagined. Brooke is doing whatever it takes to get by and pay her tuition. Following in the footsteps of her mom and sister, she knows stripping will bring in more cash flow than her job at a burger joint. The only problem? This isn't Brooke. She's not cut out for the world of groping, horny men. Seeing Hunter in the crowd, she is immediately drawn to him. He doesn't act a fool like the other men, but instead just watches her with this intensity that does not go unnoticed. She thinks he's too good for a trailer park girl like her and even though he is persistent about getting her number, she doesn't see the point because she knows he won't call.

Other books of note:

Field Emotions by Melissa West and Strike Out by Myra McEntire both have athletes as their MC's (Yum!) Field Emotions is the story of best friends becoming something more and finding the courage to admit their feelings to one another and Strike Out tells of a ball player desperate to get a girl that works in the management office. She stays away from ball players and has earned a rep as being the girl no one could get. Ben doesn't see her as a challenge, but instead genuinely wants to get to know her and spend time with her.

I also loved Alessandra Thomas's With The Lights On. Aless isn't afraid to tackle very real, difficult issues that women face and I love that about her stories. Anna suffers from panic attacks and extreme self-consciousness. After being chewed up and spat out for her curvier figure, her life really took a took turn for the worse. Now, she is seeing a great guy named Tal, but hasn't confessed the reason behind her scar or the reason behind her panic attacks. I freaking LOVE Tal. He is a great guy and when Anna does finally come clean, he doesn't judge her or make her feel any less than she should. He accepts her and loves her no matter what. It is a very uplifting, hopeful story and I really liked that.

Julie Cross's Daylight was such a different story and this is one I wish we could have seen more of. Jack is a broken man needing absolution and Audrey is a preacher's daughter who is waiting for marriage before having sex. Audrey is the light that Jack desperately needs and their wedding night is bittersweet, as Jack has to go away, and doesn't know if he will even return. The storyline felt unresolved even though it does come full circle at the end. I liked that it was different in nature and instead of being a steamy story, it had softer, sensual feel to it.

Finally, Love in an Elevator by Carrie Ryan was such a fun story. I think it's every single girl's fantasy to get stuck in an elevator with an extremely hot guy! It wasn't very realistic, but that's ok because I loved how steamy it was!

Overall, this is one I couldn't read all in one sitting. My brain needed time between the novellas to adjust to a different storyline, setting, and characters before being able to move on. Some stories are very similar to one another in the 'first' department, but every author has a different style and I felt most of them stuck out enough for me to truly enjoy them.

 

Hey guys! So happy it's time to get Brazen again! This week we read Tempting the Best Man by J.Lynn! That woman KNOWS how to bring it swoon! WHEW! 

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70's honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

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Are you into the whole wedding thing? Do you see yourself having one? Or is eloping more your style?

Jessica: Assuming I get married one day (I'm still waiting for my Chase Gamble to show up!), I always planned to get married somewhere in the Caribbean. I've never wanted the stress of planning a wedding and dealing with all that crap. 

Chelsea: I am with you! I am all about eloping. Weddings are expensive, high stress and not worth it! I would love to just get married on a beach somewhere with a few close friends and family.

How would you describe Chase in 5 words or less?

Chelsea: Smart. Successful. Sexy. 

Jessica: Sexy. Stubborn. Loyal. Determined.


Do you feel the whole playboy denying his feelings for the sweet girl because he's not good enough for her is a bit cliched? Or does it not bother you when done right?

Chelsea: I am definitely over it. The first time I read this book, I hadn't been reading many in this genre so it didn't bother me but re-reading it, I definitely noticed it more.

Jessica: I definitely think it's overdone in the contemporary romance genre. However, as long as the author can make it original and put their own spin on it, I am okay with it. 

If you could be locked in a wine cellar with anyone- who would it be?

Chelsea: I am a Chris Pine fan girl! He can feel me up in a wine cellar any day. Don't you want to be stuck with this? :-)

Jessica: Greyston Holt. HANDS DOWN. Here. Let me show you.

What is your favorite sexy scene in the book?

Jessica: You know I'm a sucker for a bath scene! :)

Chelsea: Me Too!! Honestly, hands down my favorite scene. 


How would you describe the book overall in 5 words or less?


Chelsea: Entertaining. Romantic. STEAMY!

Jessica: Sexy, heartbreaking, fun, and HAWT! 

What is your favorite Chase line?

Jessica: “When he spoke, his lips brushed hers. “I want you. Bad. Right now. Against the wall. On my bed. The floor and maybe in the bathroom later. I have a shower stall and a Jacuzzi we could put to really good use. I know you’d like it.”  Mmhmm. Chase Gamble is sex on a stick!
 
Chelsea: "There is no one else-- there's never been anyone else for me but you. You're it, Maddie."

Tempting the Best Man is the first Brazen that I ever read and I fell in love with the series instantly. I was due for a re-read and since I knew Jess hadn’t read it yet, I was psyched to pull it out again this week. It is just as fun, sexy and entertaining the second time as it was when I read it the first time. It might even be better the second time because I know what’s going to happen and I’m eagerly awaiting the moments Madison and Chase share.

Chase is best friends with Madison’s brother, Mitch, and she has been in love with him since as long as she can remember. He’s sexy, smart, and successful and he has always been kind and protective of her. Unfortunately, she feels like he only sees her as a little sister and after one drunken night a few years ago, things haven’t been the same between them. Now her brother is getting married, she has to walk the aisle with Chase and to top it all off, they’re stuck in a room together for 2 days. Things are about to heat up!

I really like Madison and how she handles Chase. She isn’t afraid to confront him and call him on his shit. She also does a pretty good job of holding herself together when he is hot and cold with her. She definitely wants him to see her as more and she works really hard to break down his walls and get him to see how good they could be together. Chase has some serious commitment issues that mostly stem from his father. His dad was a philandering prick who really hurt their mother and Chase and all his brothers are really afraid of becoming like him. Because of that Chase doesn’t do major commitments and he also doesn’t think he is good enough for Madison. I respected Chase for thinking of Madison and respecting her enough to not want to hurt her but what a bunch of bullshit. Why do men always think they know what’s best? As if a woman can’t decide whether someone is good enough or not themselves? He definitely didn’t see Madison as a little sister and he had a really hard time controlling himself when he was with her.

Seriously, Chase and Madison have some really excellent chemistry and some very sexy and steamy scenes. Despite Chase’s insecurities and constantly pushing Madison away, he can’t help but feel the same electric pull that she does and he isn’t very good at resisting it either. After one incredible night, Chase finally realizes his feelings for Madison but he causes a huge misunderstanding that sends her fleeing and he may lose her for good. I felt like Madison really over-reacted to the misunderstanding with Chase and had she talked to him instead of running, she would have saved herself a lot of heart ache. Thankfully Chase is a smart man and he doesn’t give up easily. I was happy to see that he fought to get her back and proved to her that he loved her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I felt like the plot lacked some development but it was well written and fun so it didn’t really detract from the enjoyment. The characters are really fun and they have such great interactions. Also, the steamy scenes are definitely a major plus!

I really loved Tempting the Best Man! I read Chad's story first, but I have to say I loved this one a bit more. I love the older brother's best friend trope and this is what we have here. Maddie has always been the tag-a-long to Chase and her older brother Mitch. She has loved Chase forever and has never outgrown that love for him. One night changed everything between them her junior year in college and ever since no other guy even comes close to comparing to Chase Gamble.

I really liked Maddie's character. She's sweet and fun, but she's not a pushover either. My heart really hurt for her because she doesn't want anyone besides Chase. Yet, she can't keep letting her heart get broken by him either and I admire her for one of her choices she made towards the end.

Chase, Chase, Chase. My heart hurt for him too. His parents did not set a good example for their boys on what it was like to be in a loving relationship. Their father is an alcoholic and a skirt-chaser, while their mom sank into depression for loving her husband too much. All 3 Gamble boys are affected by this, hence their bachelor status. Chase may seem like a playboy, but he's really not. That's Chad, for sure. Chase cares about Maddie, but doesn't feel he could ever live up to be the man she deserves. He is so afraid of turning out just like his father, when everyone around him sees otherwise. They see what a good man Chase is, but he is terrified of treating Maddie like his mother was by his father.

These two have such chemistry together. Chase knows it's wrong to want Maddie like he does, so he comes up with a typical guy solution that does not go over well at all. I definitely wanted to kick him in the junk and tell him to quit being an idiot. Because they have been friends for so long and have a history, it's fun to see their back and forth banter as they reminisce about when they were younger. Chase loves to tease and remind Maddie of things she did and get a rise out of her.

I loved Maddie's family. Her parents are hilarious and quirky and I loved that about them. She has a close relationship with her older brother and I'm glad he was supportive of her and Chase. I've already read Chad's book, but I am so ready for Chandler's! I have a feeling he is going to be the darkest and sexiest!

Overall, this is a quick, steamy read filled with delicious sexual tension. If you're a fan of romance and aren't over the whole 'I can't be with you and love you like you deserve because I'm not good enough and I'm afraid I'll hurt you' cliche, then you need to pick this one up. Cliches aside- it's J.Lynn. She doesn't disappoint.

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Thanks for joining us for another Brazen feature this week! Come back next week as we get Brazen with His Risk to Take by Tessa Bailey!