Ladies Man (Manwhore #3) by Katy Evans - Review

Blurb:

Tahoe Roth.
Irreverent, cocky, playful and naughty.
He’s not the guy you date.
He’s the one night stand.
The one your mother warned you about.
The one your body craves.


You’d think the man who called me succulent would want to strip me down and spread me out on his bed—like he’s done with countless others.

But he passed on my offer….

Just like I’d once passed on his.

He’s wary, like I am.

He’s broken, like I am.

And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.

Tahoe and I are strictly friends.

So I distract myself with other men.

He doesn’t think my new man is good enough. This blond blue-eyed beast doesn’t think any man is—himself included.

But the more time we spend together, the more confused I feel.
I'm trying to open myself to love.

Yet I'm quickly realizing that the only man I want is Tahoe Roth.
The one man who will surely break my heart.

A sexy new Manwhore series standalone contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.


Purchase Links:

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1NKpAjj
iBooks: bit.ly/LadiesManiBooks
Nook: bit.ly/LadiesManNook

Audible: bit.ly/LadiesManAudible

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1VyJgP6

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

Tahoe Roth is the epitome of the term ladies man, he's well known, lusted after, and isn't at all discreet about his night time dalliances with the fairer sex, he's part of the Manhattan elite, he's wealthy and powerful, with friends like Malcolm Saint he's sure to have quite a reputation. Men want to be him, women want him, watching his best friend find love only seemed to make him more determine to continue leading his swinging single life, answering to no one but himself, Roth has quite the enviable existence.

Regina was determined to maintain her single existence, after heartbreak and betrayal years before, she swore off love and romance, determined to protect her heart against men who would only disappoint and hurt her, when her best friend Rachel falls hopelessly in love with one of the city's most eligible bachelor's Saint, she finds herself fighting to keep telling herself that single is what she truly wants to be. Saints best friend Tahoe was at first the epitome of everything she hated about men, he was cocky and arrogant, had women falling at his feet, and he used them and tossed them away just as quickly, but the more she got to know the cocky business man, the more she began to see him as her friend, the friend that she spent her time alternating between wanting to kiss him or punch him in the face.

On the surface, everything about Tahoe and Regina's friendship seems all wrong, and yet quickly they come to mean more to each other than anyone else, they become each others sounding board, lucky charm, best friend, their chemistry is explosive, their attraction undeniable, and yet they skirt the truth of what they are and how they feel, seeming to always take one step forward and two steps back, coming dangerously close to unravelling the lies they tell themselves and each other. Regina has always felt broken, betrayed, forgotten, left behind, first by her parents and then by her ex boyfriend Paul, she's a walking case study on abandonment issues, terrified of being hurt again, and yet simultaneously scared to miss out on life by pushing people away. It's assumed that she is the one battling past demons, but the more we delve into their friendship, the more we see that Tahoe is just as adept at keeping secrets himself. Are his playboy ways be design or is there more to the man the he leads people to believe...

Ladies Man isn't a story of instalove, their chemistry is potent, it's undeniable, there's a rawness to their budding friendship, an honesty that neither has truly experienced, despite her overwhelming attraction to the man, Gina slowly shows more of herself than she even realises, Tahoe despite his reputation dispels the playboy myth so many times when it comes to her, neither can deny that what they have is more than friendship, and yet there is still a slow build that is so exquisite to watch unfold, admitting they want each other has never been a problem, spending time together definitely not a chore, recognising that together they have something worth fighting for is part of the beauty of the journey. Ladies Man was captivating, exploring the enigma that is Tahoe Roth had me glued to the pages, watching Gina's journey from a woman who resigned herself to never putting herself out there again, to a woman who almost welcomed the pain knowing she was chasing after something more for herself that hiding behind past heartbreak is what had me unable to look away.

About Katy Evans:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then all of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world, with over a million copies sold worldwide.

Connect with Katy on Facebook

One With You (Crossfire #5) by Sylvia Day - Review

Blurb:

Gideon Cross. Falling in love with him was the easiest thing I've ever done. It happened instantly. Completely. Irrevocably.

Marrying him was a dream come true. Staying married to him is the fight of my life. Love transforms. Ours is both a refuge from the storm and the most violent of tempests. Two damaged souls entwined as one.

We have bared our deepest, ugliest secrets to one another. Gideon is the mirror that reflects all my flaws ... and all the beauty I couldn't see. He has given me everything. Now, I must prove I can be the rock, the shelter for him that he is for me. Together, we could stand against those who work so viciously to come between us.

But our greatest battle may lie within the very vows that give us strength. Committing to love was only the beginning. Fighting for it will either set us free ... or break us apart.

Heartbreakingly and seductively poignant, One with You is the breathlessly awaited finale to the Crossfire® saga, the searing love story that has captivated millions of readers worldwide.


Purchase Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1S2ynRw
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1qe1p7c
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1UPEzQA
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1UPDRCI
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01836U3VI

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

I remember the first time I had heard of Bared to You and Sylvia Day, I was standing in Dymmocks Bookstore, I was picking up the final book in the FSOG trilogy and the helpful sales assistant placed a copy of BTY in my hands, she strongly urged me to read it, it was a new release and was garnering great feedback from staff and customers alike, I added a copy to my sale and happily walked out the door. I had just rediscovered reading, the world of e-books and kindles was a brave new world, I was hooked, suddenly I didn't have to carry around paperbacks in my already heavy handbag, I could read on my phone...regardless of where I was, it was May 2012 and I was hooked. When I began BTY I was immediately captivated by Eva, she was sassy and charming and forthright, she was sexy and owned it, even in those first moments she had a clear idea of who she wanted to be, even if she wasn't quite there yet, and Gideon, boy Gideon, with his ink black hair, three piece suits (yes you're right Mr Cross...is there any other kind) and beguiling charisma I was intrigued, because I wanted, no I needed to know more. Despite owning the paperback, I downloaded the e-book version so I continue reading even when I had pressing matters like work and a husband and a business to attend to, now as I sit here writing this review, I can honestly say not only had my love for this pair grown in leaps and bounds, but so has my collection of both Australian and International covers of this series, but also my e-library, spanning across different platforms.

"I hadn't even known Eva was out there, had been afraid to even dream of finding the one person in the world who would accept and love every facet of me."

There are authors I will automatically drop everything for, there are series I will do the same, as I eagerly awaited the final instalment hitting my kindle, and my bookshelf, I found myself rereading my favourite lines, my favourite passages, reconnecting with Eva and Gideon, watching their growth both independently and together, seeing their relationship blossom despite the almost constant wave of trials they faced, on the surface the Crossfire series is about a billionaire business man and a young woman who is certainly not new to wealth and power, but when you pull back the layers there's something inherently beautiful here, there's two people who have lived through horrific, traumatic experiences, they've found ways to continue on, to continue living a life that while may have seemed fanciful on the outside somewhat of a bland existence in reality. While Ms Day's writing may be deliciously sexy, gripping and at time tumultuous, ultimately this is a love story, a grand, sweeping tale, of two people who have fought in every sense of the word, for their mental health and stability, for their pasts that can't be unwritten, for themselves but ultimately for each other, for a reader that thrives on living the journey not just relishing the destination, Crossfire has become a favourite that I will no doubt revisit time and time again.

"You fascinate the f*ck out of me, you know that? You're never boring. A lifetime alone with you wouldn't be long enough to figure you out."

What I found most thrilling in One With You was the noticeable changes in both Eva and Gideon, for many years both used sex as a way to claim back something that was lost, the lack of control they had in their earlier lives, the intense, almost soul deep connection was never in any doubt, their bond not in question, but where sex had become a salve previously we saw two people who found intimacy in their connection, where natural instincts begged them to shut down and back away, it was that pull, the magnetism, the siren call they seemed to elicit only for each other that led them back, time after time, heartache after heartbreak, and for each seemingly insurmountable obstacle that they overcame together, the stronger they became both independently and together.

"She hugged me so tightly I could hardly breath. But I didn't need air. I had her."

There were so many moments that I had to take a breath, set my book down and just smile, so may times across a series spanning five books that I sighed as my heart fluttered, knowing what was coming next only had the ability to tear them both down, apart, if they let it, what I loved most though was that this series, these characters have become friends, for almost four years I have cheered with Gideon and Eva's triumphs, have commiserated with their heartaches,  have swooned with every one of their romantic entanglements, saying goodbye to them is bittersweet, after so much time I almost don't want to let them go, the Crossfire series truly epitomises the old adage that life isn't about the destination but rather the journey. Ms Day introduced to the world two characters that were captivating individually, they were warriors who had known darkness, been shrouded in it for far too long, letting it break them down, and tear them apart, in bringing them together she forced them to step into the light, finding acceptance and peace, but most importantly love, their journey may have come to an end, but their legacy will no doubt live on in readers hearts.

About Sylvia Day:

Sylvia Day (aka S. J. Day and Livia Dare) is the #1 New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of over 20 award-winning novels sold in more than 40 countries. She is a #1 bestselling author in 28 countries, with tens of millions of copies of her books in print. Her Crossfire series has been optioned for television by Lionsgate.
Website: www.sylviaday.com,
Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorSylviaDay
Twitter: @SylDay.

Hero by Samantha Young - Review

Blurb:

The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren't his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they're on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…

Find Hero on Goodreads

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: January 2016.

Yesterday I asked my blog reader group out of two books what I should read next, the resounding answer was HERO, one member went so far as to say if this wasn't a GOLD Lipstick review then I didn't deserve my lipstick rating... I'm not even a little miffed to say she was 100% correct, this book ...gahhh everything about Hero captivated me immediately, Alexa was a character I loved at first sight, she was strong and feisty and pure of heart and good and so incredibly intriguing, during another bout of insomnia and ill health, I picked it up hoping that I would fall asleep at some point, instead I devoured Samantha Young's words, I couldn't of put this book down if I tried, with Young's trademark wit, her sexy styling and characters that make you feel, I was hooked, line and sinker.


It's an interesting premise here, Alexa uncovered her father's deception a few years ago, and boy was it a doozy, it shattered the precarious happiness of her family and alienated her from her once watertight bond with her mother, it obliterated everything she once believed and changed her life, after the death of her estranged mother a few months ago, her world crumbled, but her father's deception didn't only effect Alexa and her mother, they were only two of the people who were collateral damage, enter Caine Carraway. Alexa is determined to prove she's nothing like her father, but Caine has no interest in her, he works tirelessly to break her, but she refuses to crumble.

“You cannot kill your boss on the first day, you cannot kill your boss on the first day, you cannot kill your boss period”  

When circumstances lead to Alexa being under Caine's employ, she believes she finally has an in to prove that the sins of the father don't have to repeat themselves, but Caine is adamant that she is nothing more than his PA, his interactions with her are curt, he throws tasks at her that would frazzle even the most professional of people, Alexa has never been so effected by a man before, and she's determined to prove that all she wants is for Caine to find happiness, what she doesn't know is she is not the only one impacted by their interaction, their bond quickly deepens and before long they are involved in a hot and sexually explosive affair, Caine is determined to keep things purely sexual and Alexa hopes that there is more for them then just the physical connection.

“This isn’t just sex, Caine. This is an affair.” I held my hand up to stop his coming protest. “I’m not suggesting permanency. I’m suggesting that you admit that there’s a difference in what we’re doing here. We aren’t two people who just have sex now and then. There are feelings here whether we want to admit it or not. I’m not asking for forever, I’m asking you to stop pushing me away. I’m asking you to be real with me for however long this lasts.”  

I expected a sexy, witty romance, I purposely went into Hero blind, I had purchased it back in February 2015, and within moments of turning the first page, I was kicking myself for taking so long to read it, because Hero is incredibly sexy, with the trademark wit I've come to expect from Ms Young, but this story was so much more than that, with secrets and lies at every turn, Hero had all the markings of suspenseful thrill ride, I knew something *BIG* was coming, I kept waiting for find out what *IT* was and boy each and every time another part of the puzzle came to light, I became more desperate, I wanted, no I needed to know why Caine truly believed he wasn't a good fit for Alexa, but what truly had me enraptured was Alexa's tenacity, her strength in the face of adversity, her belief in Caine and all of those around her, she made me hopeful, even when her faith wavered, even when my heart shattered for her, even when I wanted to wrap her in my arms, wipe her tears and reassure her, I had faith and hope carving out space in my battered heart, because my silly, swoony, romantic thirst for happily ever afters is what draws me to reading, to getting lost in a book, to forgetting the time, to handing my heart over to an author every time I turn the first page, begging them to handle it with care.

“Don’t you get it?” he said, his voice gruff with emotion. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. There’s no one like you. I keep waiting to not feel like this, because there are times I can’t bear it. To care this much. To worry about you day in and day out, even before the attack. I love you so fucking much. I sometimes . . . I feel consumed by it.”  

Hero was a witty, sexy thrill ride, filled with poignant moments of heartbreaking clarity, of twists and turns, of one woman's journey to find a place to belong and to prove to a man who once lost everything that we are more than just one part of ourselves, that the sins of the father aren't destined to repeat themselves, but more than anything that life is about flailing and falling, and getting back up despite the darkness that often plagues us, Hero is about not letting the past hold you captive, it's about forgiveness and redemption, my only regret is not starting this book sooner.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1ZJemCT
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1R9CugM
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1Z0roz0
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RjWqfc
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1R9FiKS

About Samantha Young:

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET and Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-nine countries.

Visit Samantha's Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com/