A Fool For You (Foolproof Love #3)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Oct. 3, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 141 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

It’s been thirteen years since Hope Moore left Devil’s Falls, land of sexy cowboys and bad memories. Back for the weekend, she has no intention of seeing the man she never got over…or the two of them getting down and dirty. It’s just a belated goodbye, right? No harm, no foul.

Until six weeks later, when her pregnancy test comes back positive…

Daniel Rodriguez hasn’t forgiven himself for how things went down with Hope all those years ago. He knows she’s better off without him, but when she shows up on his doorstep, panicking because she’s pregnant with his baby, he can’t help seeing it as a chance to make up for the past.

Too bad Hope has no intention of going along with his plans.  

 

 

I was really looking forward to Hope and Daniel's book after Fool Me Twice. There is so much history between these two and after the death of Hope's brother, things have never been the same. Daniel made some poor decisions and he has to live with those every day of his life along with the guilt he feels over his friend's death.

I would have enjoyed this one more, had it not been so rushed. For this kind of story, I really wanted to see more development and build up between the characters. Hope and Daniel were both frustrating to me. Neither one of them can admit they want the other to stay and start over. They loved one another once and those feelings never went away. Hope is hurt that Daniel left her all those years ago and she can't take his feeling sorry for her. She doesn't want him to be with her out of guilt. She wants his love and he is certainly not making that easy. Daniel doesn't feel worthy of Hope and he does still blame himself for her brother's death and the scars she still bears from that accident. I get that these two are facing a lot, but the execution just wasn't there for me. I was disappointed because of how excited I was for this book, but in the end, I am glad to see they got their HEA.

 

I also don't think one is very memorable. It's been a couple of weeks since I've read it and I really didn't remember much, except that it felt too fast. I'm looking forward to the next book by Robert. I do love her writing and hope the next one will be more to my liking.

Twisted Palace (The Royals #3)
   by: Erin Watt

Publication Date: Oct. 17, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Nina Bocci in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 370 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

 

 

This series has been the biggest guilty pleasure for me. I am so completely invested in these characters and all the drama that surrounds them. After the mega double cliffhanger of Broken Prince, I was so ready to get my hands on Twisted Palace.

 

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It wasn't my favorite because I didn't really like some of the developments that occurred. However, I was engaged the entire way through, even though I felt it was a bit of a slower paced read. The action and adventure really ramps up at the end and then I felt it just went too fast for me. I didn't feel resolved. I do think they will write more books with these characters (or I'm hoping so!).

I did love Ella and Reed together though. These two have come a long way and we really see that. While the Royals will always be protective of Ella, they have come to realize that she is a force on her own and they definitely respect that.

While I didn't love this one like the others, I am seriously hoping for more. We definitely need an Easton book and I personally would like a Gideon one. We barely saw him in this one and after all the shit with Dinah, I felt he should have played a larger role and gotten some resolution.



The Goal (Off-Campus #4)
  by: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: Sept. 26, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Nina Bocci in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 350 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.  

 

 

I am such a huge fan of this series. It is definitely one of my all-time favorites in New Adult. After the massive bomb Tucker dropped at the end of The Score, I was psyched to get this book to see how everything had built up to that point.

 

I absolutely LOVED Tucker. He is just such a sweetheart and I loved how he went after Sabrina, even despite how much Dean ranted about her. He really got to know Sabrina and how to treat her. She has been through a lot and has quite a bit of shit to deal with already. Her homelife is a disaster and all she wants to do is be successful, so she can move upwards and onwards with her life. I knew she would be reluctant with Tucker and would be a hard nut to crack, but I actually really liked her. She's resilient and independent and that doesn't just change overnight.

 

I did feel parts of this book dragged a bit for me and I honestly wish we had had more interaction with Tucker's friends. I understand why, as they were keeping their relationship a secret, but I did find myself missing them. The scenes they were in though, completely made my day. I love that crew.

I really hope Dean's sister gets a book with Fitzy. Fingers crossed. 

An Indecent Proposal (The O'Malleys #3)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Aug. 30, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Barclay Publicity and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 352 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
My Rating: 4/5 stars

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert continues her smoking-hot series about the O'Malleys-wealthy, powerful, and full of scandalous family secrets.

Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi learned from her Russian mob family-and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognizes the red flag of his family name . . . yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast-and how hard-she's falling for him.

Plagued by a violent past, Cillian is more vulnerable than anyone realizes. Anyone except Olivia, whose beauty, compassion, and pride have him at "hello," even if she's more inclined to say good-bye to an O'Malley. While his proposal of sex with no strings seems simple, what he feels for her isn't, especially after he learns that she belongs to a rival crime family. Cillian knows that there is no escape from the life, but Olivia may be worth trying-and dying-for . . .

 

 

 

 

I just can't get enough of the O'Malley family. Seriously. Their stories are not only addicting and super sexy, but I am FASCINATED by their lives. The O'Malleys are one of the three most powerful families in Boston and after tragedy struck their family in book one, they are all handling their grief in different ways.

 

Perhaps one of the hardest hit is Cillian. He feels responsible for what happened and it killed me to see him carry so much of that weight on his shoulders. He is trying to be better and doesn't want to be known as the screw up of the family. Meeting Olivia ends up changing a lot for him and not just because he falls for her. He shows how selfless he really is by putting her needs first and working to protect her and I just loved him for that. He was such a swoonworthy hero and I am so happy with how his story turned out!

 

Olivia is my girl! She was fierce, didn't take crap from anyone and is an amazing mom to her adorable daughter. I loved the dynamic there and it just felt right for this particular story. Olivia has a past and while she isn't proud of it, she wouldn't trade it for the world because of the outcome: Hadley, her daughter. While she is tough, she does have a vulnerable side too. She doesn't want to be chained to her family and just wants to be free to live her life without constantly looking over her shoulder to see if her ex is going to drag her back to where she 'belongs'. Cillian may have started out as a way of releasing tension, but I really liked how she let him in and allowed herself to fall for him.

 

They have steaming chemistry together and like all of Robert's couples, are not lacking in sexy times together. This book is definitely intense and I liked that the story drove itself. There was no unnecessary drama or angst and I think that says a lot.

 

I am beyond excited for Sloan's book. That girl has quite the story to tell and after the preview we got I am SO ready. It's going to be scorching hot and I can already feel the tension oozing off the pages!

I can't recommend this series enough guys. I love the mob element and the characters are so well written and developed. I am going to be devastated when I have to say to goodbye to these characters.

“Hey, stop!”

She ran after him, thankful she’d put on her badass studded boots instead of the pair of heels she’d been jonesing after. An eight-hour shift on her feet would have her hating herself if she’d gone with the pretty shoes—and they would have made it impossible to catch up with the O’Malley.

She grabbed his arm and froze at the feel of his muscles flexing in her grip. Holy wow.

He finally turned to face her and it struck her that, without the bar between them, he was so much larger than she was. Not large like her ex, Sergei—this man was built lean instead of for brute strength—but he still dwarfed her. And he smelled good, like some kind of spicy men’s cologne that instantly had her thinking thoughts she had no business entertaining.

Like what it would be like to bury her nose in his neck and inhale deeply. The insane desire to do so almost overwhelmed her.

Everything about him was overwhelming, from his beautiful face, to his impeccably styled dark hair, to the tattoos peeking out of his clothes at neck and wrists. The ink creeping up the side of his neck was like a wild thing trying to escape from his insanely expensive suit, a strange combination of brutal strength and poised polish that she should have known better than to be attracted to.

Except, apparently, her body hadn’t gotten the memo.

She realized she was still clutching his arm and made herself let go so she could offer back the cash. Right, because that’s why you chased him down a dark street. “I don’t want your money.”

“It’s called a tip, sweetheart. It’s just good manners.”

“I don’t want it.” Even as she said it, she wondered why she was being so damn stubborn about this. He hadn’t asked anything of her. All he’d done was throw too much money at a bartender, which was something plenty of drunks did from time to time. Except he wasn’t drunk. She should be elated at having the extra cash—God knew she needed it. Instead, there was a growing recklessness in her chest, one she’d thought she’d outgrown a long time ago. “Just take it, okay?”

“No.” His gaze narrowed on her face, giving her the sudden thought that he saw too much. Before she could decide what to do with that, he moved closer, giving her another whiff of that cologne that made her whole body break out in goose bumps. Or maybe it was the man himself, the streetlights creating a skeleton’s mask of his face, turning his eyes into dark pits of shadows. “Why do you care so much?”

“Oh my God, just take it back.” She should drop the cash and head for home. Or, hell, at least take a few steps away so that she wasn’t in danger of brushing against him if she took a deep breath.

But she couldn’t force her hand to unclench or her feet to create any distance between them. She cleared her throat, trying to get her thoughts back on track. “I didn’t ask for your charity.”

“Yeah, I got it. You win. I’m an asshole.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Not in so many words, no.” His gaze raked her body much the same way it had back at the bar, making every alarm in her head go off. Spending any more time in this man’s presence was dangerous, though she couldn’t say for sure what she was most afraid of. She lifted her chin in challenge, demanding…She wasn’t sure what she was demanding. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and she licked her lips. What am I doing? Walk away. Walk away right now.

No. Not yet.

He murmured, “If the shoe fits…”

And then he gripped her jaw and kissed her.

 

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.  Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

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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!

 

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)
   by: Rachel Caine

Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 357 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Ink and Bone introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history—continues. . . .

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.

But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control. . . .

 

 

This series! I can't get enough of it! I completely fell in love with the concept of this world, where the Library holds all the power and knowledge is censored and controlled. I also adore the characters Caine has created. Wolfe, Santi, Glain, Dario, Morgan, and Khalila... they all have roles to play and support Jess. After finding out some shocking information about their friend Thomas, the gang groups back up and I just loved seeing them work together. Things get quite crazy for them and they are caught up in a wild, dangerous ride to pursue the truth and do what's right. Just when they get out of one fix, they land in another. Alliances are formed, allegiances tested... major props to Jess for not freaking out and staying so level-headed.

 

Jess is one of my favorite heroes. He has so much thrown at him and is looked to as a leader amongst his peers. He has to make difficult decisions that ultimately hurt the people he loves. It's not an easy role to assume and he does it brilliantly. I love how he fights for Morgan, even when he knows she may never be able to forgive him. He refuses to let her fate lie in the Iron Tower and it just endeared him to me all the more.

 

This is definitely a great continuation to the Great Library series- full of action, adventure, betrayal, friendship, and love. I am so excited for the next book in the series, as Jess and the gang are transported to a completely new place.... with some new challenges to face.

 

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3)
   by: Julia Quinn

Publication Date: Oct. 13, 2009
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Purchased
Page Count: 358 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Sigh. I can't get enough of this series, you guys. Seriously. I LOVE ALL THINGS BRIDGERTON. And Julia Quinn! I don't know what the deal was on Overdrive, but I was on hold for this book for an eternity. Finally, I gave up and purchased a used copy at my bookstore.

I really liked Benedict's book! It was a Cinderella retelling and it was cute! I loved Sophie too. She was the perfect heroine for Benedict. Having grown up as a servant, one night at a ball changes everything for her as she meets Benedict. However, as the tale goes- she escapes him at midnight with nothing but the memory of a perfect night together. The two are reunited a few years later and it is killing Sophie not to disclose that she was the girl at ball. Benedict had been holding on to the idea of this perfect woman and has finally started to give up on her. He finds himself falling for Sophie herself, but knows society would never allow them to be together.

I am all for a case of forbidden love, so I loved seeing the two battle their attraction to one another.

I am looking forward to starting Colin's book next. Everyone says it's their favorite!

Burn (Scan #2)
   by: Walter Jury and Sarah Fine

Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Putnam
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from the Library
Page Count: 352 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

At the cliffhanger ending of Scan, Tate loses the very thing he was fighting to protect, what his father had called the key to human survival. Tate doesn't have much time to worry about it because he needs to get away, to ensure he and Christina are safe. His father left him one last thing that can do just that—a safehouse, which turns out to be a clue to what's really threatening the planet. As Tate follows the clues his father left behind, he starts to uncover the truth, realizing he's up against an enemy he's only beginning to understand.

A riveting, fast-paced "we are not alone" adventure, Burn thrills to the very end.

 

I read Scan last year, I believe, and really enjoyed how fast-paced and action packed it was! It was also refreshing to have a male protagonist in the driver's seat! The synopsis tells it true- that cliffhanger was BRUTAL! I picked up Burn from the library and started it before I moved, but then never got to finish it. I wonder, if that was part of the problem I had with this one. I picked it back up a couple of weeks ago and really struggled through it. It wasn't keeping me engaged like it's predecessor did. I still loved being with Tate and Christina, but I felt it lacked the spark the first book did. Sadly, this one didn't wow me, but it was nice to get some resolution for our characters.

Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1)
   by: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication Date: December 8, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age Group: New Adult
Source: Purchased for Kindle
Page Count: 300 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

 

So, I am always up for a JLA book and I'm kicking myself for not starting this one sooner! I loved the New Orleans setting and the fact that it was New Adult Urban Fantasy! I read so many contemporaries, that it was refreshing to jump into the world of the Order and their fight against the fae.

 

Ivy is our fiery, red-haired heroine and I really liked her. She was a lot of fun and I love how much of Jen's personality and loves were incorporated in this one. (Supernatural, Walking Dead, etc.) Ren was sexy as sin and I loved his cocky, honest attitude. He was great and is definitely a new favorite of Jen's heroes.

 

I have to mention my love for Tink because oh my goodness. I was trying so hard not to laugh at his craziness in front of my coworkers the other day. I have a feeling our little Brownie is going to be a major player in this series.

 

On to Torn!

 

 

Stealing Home
      by Nicole Williams

Publication Date: July 10, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via ArdentPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 211 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Being the only woman working for a professional baseball team isn’t easy. As the San Diego Shock’s newest athletic trainer, Allie knows all about long hours, endless travel, and warding off players’ advances. Given she’s already the subject of a handful of rumors about how “lucky” she was to have earned such a coveted position, she can’t so much as flutter an eyelash a player’s way if she wants to be taken seriously.

But number eleven is doing more than fluttering eyelashes Allie’s way. Far more. Luke Archer is at the top of his game and doesn’t let the fear of striking out keep him from swinging. This is a motto he applies both on and off the field, but Allie appears immune, seeming to view Luke as nothing more than caution tape on legs.

He’s a player, and in Allie’s experience, they’re all the same. She won’t risk her job or her heart to another one, no matter how different this one claims to be. But as Allie gets to know him, she discovers the number eleven the public thinks they know is very different from the real Luke Archer. He seems too good to be true.

And maybe he is.

Allie will have to confront the stories attached to a player of Luke Archer’s stature and decide who she’ll put her faith in—The man she’s falling for? Or the rumors?

 

 

I love Nicole's Lost and Found series, as well as her Three Brothers. I was super excited to see she was writing a sports romance, because let's be honest- who can get enough of those? Not this girl! And it's a BASEBALL book. *dreamy sigh*

 

I really did love all things Luke Archer. He was such a wonderful hero and sexy as sin! Allie was sweet too and I liked her dedication to her job and how she refused to let anyone tear her down or tell her she was only there because of her feminine parts. She's damn good at what she does and she won't let arrogant jerks keep her down.

 

My issue with this book was that it felt so clichéd. We have Allie and Luke, who aren't looking for anything serious, decide to pursue a sexual relationship, but end up falling for one another anyway. There is your usual miscommunication conflict that causes problems for our happy couple also. I also felt the story could have used more depth and background on our characters. I feel we just jumped right in to the attraction and sexy times, when I could have used a bit more tension and development.

 

I did still enjoy this one despite my issues though, but I don't know that it will be especially memorable.

Ride Hard (Raven Riders #1)
   by: Laura Kaye

Publication Date: Apr. 26, 2016
Publisher: Avon Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Physical copy received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Brotherhood. Club. Family.

They live and ride by their own rules.

These are the Raven Riders . . .

Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile.

Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could.

The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before . . .

I just adore motorcycle club books, so when I saw this one pop up for review, I HAD to give it a go. I am so glad I did, because I really enjoyed Kaye's first installment in the Raven Riders series! I definitely want to go back and read Kaye's Hard Ink series now and fans of that series will see some familiar faces!

Haven and her best friend are on the run and end up finding solace at the Raven Riders' compound. Their president, Dare, has always had a soft spot for those who need help and he can't help but give it to those in need. He's a good guy through and through and I really liked him. He could be a little back and forth when it came to Haven and her feelings for him, but he ultimately was trying to do what was best for her and it took him a minute to realize that her time with them had changed her from the timid, frightened young woman, into a vibrant, strong woman who was done hiding. The two had great chemistry and I did enjoy them together, despite Dare's hot and cold act at times.

This book is defined by its strong relationships. I love the bond between the MC brothers and the way they look out for their own. Haven and Cora really lucked out with this crowd. I especially loved their friendship. They complement each other really well and I am both super excited and terrified of Cora's book because I think she has been through something big and has been hiding it from Haven. They are great friends and I love the support system they have built.

I did feel the plot was a bit slower moving and it didn't turn as suspenseful as I thought it might, with Haven's father on the hunt for her and a new neighboring MC that may cause problems.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I am looking forward to continuing the series because I really came to love the characters and I didn't want to leave them!  

The Wedding Pact (The O'Malleys #2)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 352 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
My Rating: 4/5 stars

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert continues her smoking-hot series about the O'Malleys—wealthy, powerful, and full of scandalous family secrets.

 Carrigan O'Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she's ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.

Hallorans vs. O'Malleys—that's how it's always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family's empire instead of how silky Carrigan's skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he'll be if he can't get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

 

 

This is absolutely my favorite Katee Robert series, you guys. I LOVE learning about the three main crime families in Boston- the Sheridans, O'Malleys, and Hallorans. Seeing how they work, how they forge alliances, who their enemies are... it's all so fascinating to me! Not to mention- the romance! I really liked seeing Teague and Callie fall for one another in The Marriage Contract and I was all about James and Carrigan from their encounter in that book. There is so much passion between these two- it really is a force that's greater than them.

 

Carrigan O'Malley knows she shouldn't be lusting after James Halloran, especially after what his family did. She is still angry at him, but he knows just how to push her buttons. I love how relentless James is. He can't get her out of his mind or the extremely sexy encounter they shared. He knows there are a million other things that should get his complete focus, but it's definitely hard to forget the feisty brunette. My heart ached for them as they are really in difficult situations. Carrigan is expected to marry someone from her father's preapproved list and she has always been the obedient O'Malley. She craves her family's approval and wants to do right by them. Family is everything and you do not go against your family.

 

James has a lot on his plate as I said. He is the head Halloran now and has to maintain order in a crumbling establishment. His younger brother Ricky is a wildcard that can't be controlled. He is always looking to usurp James and cause problems for him. Ricky has to be managed and that's a seriously tiring effort. Not to mention, James wants to do right by his family name, but he wants to do good. He has a big heart and I really liked seeing that. Together he and Carrigan really are unstoppable and I loved seeing them together. It's very much a forbidden kind of love, what with Carrigan's impending marriage and the fact that her father is not looking to align himself with the Halloran clan.  

 

Not only do we get to see Carrigan and James's relationship develop, but we also get to see a bit into Cillian and Sloan's worlds, which was awesome because I believe they will have books as well. I already love Sloan and I definitely hope she finds happiness amidst such a constricted life.

 

Even though James and Carrigan can't be together, there's no denying they should be. They have so much chemistry together and I just couldn't get enough of their banter. They complement each other so well and I hope we hear more about how they are doing in Cillian's book, An Indecent Proposal.

 

I can't get enough of these characters and I am already ready for more!

 

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram | Tumblr | Youtube

 

What You Always Wanted (If Only... #8)
     by: Kristin Rae

Publication Date: March 29. 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Physical ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

If Only . . . he was the boy she's been dreaming of. The If Only line continues in this fun high school theater-themed romance!

Drama girl Maddie Brooks has always had high standards for guys. But she has yet to find one who can live up to the romantic, classic Hollywood heartthrobs, especially the dreamy song-and-dance man Gene Kelly. When Maddie begins to carpool with Jesse Morales, her new neighbor and star pitcher of the baseball team, she's struck by his wit, good looks, and love for his family--but a guy so into sports is definitely not her style. Then Maddie discovers that Jesse was raised as a dancer and still practices in the community theater dance studio to keep in shape. Perhaps her perfect dream guy exists after all! But when it becomes clear that baseball--not dance--is Jesse's passion, can Maddie find a way to let her dream guy go and appreciate the charms of the amazing guy in front of her?

 

 

When I saw this book was about a theater girl falling for a baseball player, I felt like my whole high school existence came hurtling back to me. Especially since THIS WAS ME. I was the high school theater girl (who totally did the musical Crazy For You junior year) and I dated a baseball player. Granted, I wasn't obsessed with Gene Kelly and my then boyfriend definitely had NO former talent as a dancer. Hah. I saw a lot of myself in Maddie though and not just the theater connection. I also had my head in the clouds at times and wished life were more like the movies.

 

This was definitely a cute, fun read. I really enjoyed Maddie's character, even though she could be a bit pushy at times with Jesse, but I think her heart was in the right place.  I really like the way their relationship played out because Maddie had an important lesson to learn about accepting and loving someone for who they are and not who you want them or think they could be. Jesse was a sweetheart and I really enjoyed him for the most part. The way that he would clam up on her sometimes irritated me a bit, but he's a guy and most guys don't want to sit around and talk about their feelings. So I got that. I adored them together, as the best friend's brother trope is always a favorite of mine. Even though he could be a little cold at times, he made up for it with some super sweet scenes. What he did for her birthday absolutely melted my heart and the end was so perfect for them.

 

Angela, Jesse's sister and Maddie's first friend in Texas, was a lot of fun too and I really like how she embraced Maddie as a friend from the beginning. Moving is a difficult adjustment, so it was nice to see the two bond so quickly. I think it would be super fun to see an Angela/Red book that was set during the same time as this one. (Hint, hint!)

 

I really like how present both Maddie and Jesse's families are in this book as well. I never get tired of seeing it in young adult novels and I felt their relationships were incredibly important to their characterization and growth. Maddie, especially, is dealing with a lot of transitions and while she doesn't always act the most mature in light of those, she does recognize that her parents love her and she is an important part of the family, no matter how it changes.

 

Overall, I definitely enjoyed being whisked back to my high school years with Maddie and her family and friends. Having enjoyed Kristin Rae's debut, Wish You Were Italian and now this one, I am definitely looking forward to reading more of hers in the future!

 

Walk the Edge (Thunder Road #2)
   by: Katie McGarry

Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

 

 

Having really enjoyed Nowhere But Here, I was really excited to get my hands on Razor's book. I got even more excited after hearing Katie McGarry talk about how she wrote this book for her daughter because of a social media incident that happened when she was younger. Breanna is definitely a character that I think a lot of girls will be able to connect to, as who doesn't want to fit in high school? No one wants to be teased or ridiculed and with social media being the way it is, it's so easy to ruin reputations and twist innocent things to look bad.

 

My heart ached for Breanna. She is such a sweetheart and I hated how she was brushed aside by her family. She is shy and super smart, but what she wants most of all is to be noticed. She has gone for so long feeling ignored by her own family and sliding under the radar at school. However, making waves isn't her thing and while she wants change, she doesn't want it in a drastic manner. Being around Razor will definitely make waves and give her attention, but it's the negative kind, as everyone thinks they know all about the Reign of Terror MC. However, Razor ends up being the one person who truly sees Breanna for who she is and he accepts all of her. That boy made me swoon like crazy and I love how he and Breanna end up being just what the other needs.

 

Razor is a good guy, but he has been having some issues with the club and his father lately. He may be patched in, but the club doesn't trust him and he doesn't trust the club, which is a huge problem. The club is a family. They are a brotherhood and would sacrifice their life for another. The tension between Razor and the club is high due to a mystery Razor can't let go of. He enlists Breanna's help in deciphering a code he found that will lead to answers and in turn he offers her his protection.

 

I absolutely could not stand Breanna's family. I understand that they have a lot of kids but she was never made a priority and that wasn't fair. She tried talking to her mom about what was happening with Kyle blackmailing her and her mom pushed her aside to deal with her older sister's drama. The whole situation just rubbed me the wrong way and I don't really feel it was resolved in the end. Her parents went from one extreme to the other and it bothered me that they only saw what they wanted instead of what their daughter was trying to tell them. Razor's relationship with his father is strained as well, but mostly because Razor feels his father is betraying his mother's memory. I don't agree with the way Razor's dad handled everything, but that doesn't change the fact that he is human and makes mistakes. These two just needed to open the lines of communication instead of letting it fester and turn into a blowout.

 

It was nice to see Emily and Oz again, as well as Chevy and Violet. I am super excited for Violet's book, even though I know it's going to kill my heart. This girl has been through hell and back and I love how strong she is. However, she's not without her breaking point and we saw a glimpse of that here. I am really looking forward to seeing how McGarry handles her story. Overall, I am totally invested in this series and the MC and can't wait for more!