Lucian Divine by Renée Carlino

Blurb:

From USA Today Bestselling Author, Renée Carlino, comes a totally unique love story that is sure to make you question what’s out there . . . or who.

“My guardian angel is a drunk.”

Evelyn Casey's life is at a standstill. She's in her mid-twenties, struggling with the dating scene in San Francisco. Nothing seems to be working out, and she’s starting to think that she’ll live out her days in her crummy apartment with her overbearing roommate, Brooklyn. It's absurd, but sometimes Evey longs for a guardian angel to show up and save the day.

And then he does. Seriously. His name is Lucian and he's a guardian angel, been on the job for two thousand years. His sudden presence in her life is both good—he's brilliant, witty, and warm—and bad—he's brilliant, witty, warm, and hot as ----. But as perfect as Lucian seems, he’s got problems of his own. He’s taken up drinking and he’s brazenly inserted himself into Evey’s life, going against the greatest cosmic law ever created.

For Evey, the rules are simple: You are not allowed to hook up with your guardian angel. But sometimes fulfilling your destiny requires a leap of faith, a confrontation with God.

Yes, God as in God. 

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iXCQM7
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2i80C70
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2iSsIUt
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2iXqxQ6
Tunes: http://apple.co/2dP47vC
B&N: http://bit.ly/2d32IEl
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2dWIJE1

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: January 2017.

It's an interesting premise Renee Carlino addressed in Lucian Divine, Evelyn Casey has often wished for a guardian angel to step in and point her in the right direction, in both love and life, and let's face it, most of us have at one point or another wished for something greater to steer us in the right direction, tell us if the choices we're making are the right ones, or just to magically fix everything that is going wrong, but what if those wishes and prayers were answered, and one day our guardian angel appeared, instead of guiding us from above?? When Lucian decides to make his presence known Evey isn't remotely prepared, remember that old adage, be careful what you wish for? Suddenly Lucian is there, and he seems to have some baggage of his own, the fast talking, witty as hell, and sexy as sin guardian angel seems to be quite taken with imbibing in a few too many alcoholic beverages, and after years of watching Evey from afar he's going to go against every angel code he's ever known to have his chance with the woman of his dreams.

"Evey, next time, in the next life we'll be together—that's how this will be corrected. This will be righted. This can't be our forever fate. Next time we'll live together, we'll die together..."

Lucian Divine is clearly satirical in nature, with uproariously funny moments, Carlino shows just how wicked her sense of humour is, but underneath the snark and wit, is the heart that I love so much in her writing. As I have come to expect from Carlino, her ability to make the reader question themselves and their thoughts is second to none. Wrapped up in an eloquent and thought provoking story, I found myself questioning what was my take away message here, was it to be careful what I wish for? Was I to wonder just what I would be willing to sacrifice for true love? Was I simply to ponder love in all it's forms? Was it to examine my beliefs on actions and consequences? Was I to embrace to paranormal undertone and question just how vast our universe is? The more I internally debated my special meaning here, the more I inherently understood why Carlino has become an absolute must read author for me, because these inner monologues are the kinds of reactions she evokes from me, where my thirst for the bigger picture is never entirely sated, Carlino urges me to reflect before moving forward with my day, she quietly pushes me outside of my comfort zone while standing there being ready to hold my hand, as I embark on a journey with her characters.

"You are everything to me. You're the dream, the air, the reason, the cause for my whole existence..."

For paranormal enthusiast's, the human/angel connection will no doubt pique your curiosity, and for my more traditional contemporary romance friends, the addition of a drunk guardian angel is not one that you would find off putting. As a devotee of Carlino's words and ability to weave a rich and textured story that leaves me sated and yet wanting I found her latest release utterly spellbinding, uproariously funny, raw and unrelenting, Lucian Divine makes us question our notions of faith, love and the ever after.

About Renee Carlino:

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women's novels and new adult fiction. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

Connect with Renée on Facebook

Stroked Long (Stroked #2) by Meghan Quinn

Blurb:

From his dirty-blond hair and breathtaking smile, to the abs from heaven and the irresistible V in his waistline, everything about Bodi Olympic-gold-medalist Banks screams hot piece of @$$.

Yet there’s more.

Dark shadows lurk behind his soulful, serious eyes.

I’m enamored. He’s captured me.

How can running an art foundation with Bodi Banks turns into a slow-burning, epic romance, even though he tries to push me away at every chance? How can I stay away from a broken, routine-driven man whose soul cries to be forgiven for a crime only he believes he committed? Or is that a lie?

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2cjIUvU

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2cxK5nG

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cC71Y2

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2cKj1Tp

Purchase Stroked (Stroked #1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2coIx1K

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2cBRXqi

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cC95iL

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2cBU1P3

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: September 2016.

I've been a fan of Quinn's work since I discovered The Virgin Romance Novelist, since falling in love with her words then I've found myself earnestly following her social media profiles, eagerly awaiting her next release, unfortunately due to travel and event commitments I haven't had a chance to read the first book in the Stroked series, news of this latest release however had me intrigued, with catch phrases like damaged and broken being thrown around in relation to the hero Bodi I *knew* Stroked Long would be right up my proverbial alley, I'm a sucker for a few things in romance books, friends to lovers ...and I'm there, broken or damaged hero's ....*boom* I'm like a moth to a flame, sassy, outgoing lacking a filter heroine's...YES PLEASE... with all the trappings of what is essentially my go to list I wasn't going to let a pesky thing like sleep get in the way of me settling down with Bodi and Ruby.

"Sometimes the beauty in the art piece isn't about the strokes, Bodi. Sometimes it's about the colors and how you mold them together."

Bodi is a world renowned gold medal winning Olympic swimmer, arguably not only one of the best of his generation but undoubtedly one of the best of all time, his speed in the pool coupled with his single minded focus has ensured he is at the top of his game, only weeks out from Olympic trials Bodi is gearing up for the Rio games. To the outside world Bodi has the world at his feet, financial security, adored by millions, loving and close relationship with his sister, he seems to have the perfect life, appearances though aren't always what they seem, the carefully constructed façade Bodi has created serves to protect him from prying eyes, the victim of unfathomable violence and heartbreak at a young age, the now Gold medalist is a far cry from the shiny Olympian he portrays to the world, crippled by self loathing and guilt, suffering from anxiety and obsessive disorders that effect his day to day life, Bodi's only goal is to get through each day without exposing his secrets.

"There are going to be times where I might hurt you, insult you, or make you mad. I just ask that you take a second to breathe before you leave me. Give me a second to make it up to you because I promise I will realize I was being an idiot."

I'll be honest here, by the end of the prologue I was absolutely smitten with Bodi, within the first few chapters I was ready to elevate him to new book boyfriend status, when something magical happened, I realised that I was falling for someone else, when I realised that not only was Bodi beautifully broken and devastatingly sweet but that I was head over heels for Ruby too. There's usually a moment in a book where I break down a character in my mind, and I look at them logically in terms of if I met this person in real life how would they make me feel, are they the type of person who I would want in my life, and while Bodi absolutely rocked the swoon train, especially in lines like the one quoted above, what I *knew* with clarity was Ruby was the kind of person I NEEDED to know, everything about her drew me in. Her absolute lack of filter, her curves, in the way that she wasn't scared to embrace them, her eclectic fashion sense, her undying belief that everyone deserves to have some colour in their life, that speaks volumes about who she is as a person, it was in those early moments that Ruby easily became one of my favourite characters.

"Don't downplay your character because you've forgotten who you are."

There's an essence of reality woven through Stroked Long, yes we're talking Olympic Gold Medalists and quirky Art History majors but there's an accessibility to Quinn's words that seem to effortlessly keep the story grounded, just the way I like my contemporary romance, there's aspects of both Bodi and Ruby that I could relate to, moments that had me laughing out loud at the sheer oddness of whatever flew out of Ruby's mouth, interspersed with moments of soul crushing guilt as Bodi struggled with a pain he may never fully let go of, everything about Stoked Long had me enraptured, and while I had moments of thinking I *knew* what was coming the beauty of this story is the message that rings true throughout that life isn't about finish times and regimented control, for me Quinn reminded me that sometimes the greatest joy comes from the unexpected and unplanned, that life much like art isn't about precision, sometimes the beauty comes from the mess you create together, the process, the journey.

About Meghan Quinn:

When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.

​I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

Connect with Meghan on Facebook

Game Saver (Game #3) by BJ Harvey

Blurb:

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Bliss series comes a new spin off series featuring your favorite Bliss series characters who are yet to meet their match. Now it’s Cade and Abi’s turn.
How do you know when fake turns real?

Abi Cook lives her life by her own rules. She works hard, plays hard, and knows who she is and where she wants to be.

Following a repeat one-night stand with the dashing Dr. Cade Carsen, Cade asks Abi for a favor: be the fake girlfriend on his arm for the duration of his father's mayoral campaign.

Never one to turn down a challenge, she doesn't hesitate. I mean, who wouldn't when all that's involved is a little fake girlfriending with a side of hot sex, and with Doctor Hottie no less?

But like any Game, there are always twists and turns, unexpected players, villains, heroes and ultimately, winners and losers.

Game Saver is the story of what happens when two happily single people try for something less, but end up with something so much more.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bfSDBB

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bmrQCh

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2bvpZwO

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2bBdq4A

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: August 2016.

There's no secret that Abi Cook is the wildcard in the Game series, she's unashamedly upfront about her life and the way she chooses to live it. Her boisterous personality foreshadowed a deeper truth, something more that lurked in her past that made her who she is. While I was expecting some deep dark secret what I instead found was a backstory that explained her present without unneeded angst and drama, in true Abi fashion, sh*t happened, but she picked herself up, even in some unconventional ways and got sh*t done. Life happened and instead of drowning in the deluge she chose to soar. In so many ways, there's similarities in the ways in which Abi and Cade went about living their lives in a way that allowed them to be true to themselves.

Cade Carsen noticed Abi in the crowd the first moment he laid eyes on her, while he saw something intriguing in her, she beguiled him in so many ways, more than merely the physical, he was at a point in his career and life where all he was capable of was one night of passion. Like Abi, behind the Rich White Boy exterior is a man who is at odd's with his parents plans for his future. While Cade seemed like the kind of guy you would want to be mates with in previous books in the Game series, there was something deeper lurking beneath the surface, something that he kept guarded, something that select few would ever truly know about him.

"I think I'm falling for our real."

One night of passion for Abi and Cade was destined to never be enough, a precarious deal puts these two consummate bachelors on the same path, in true Harvey fashion, there was no doubt I would be in for laugh out loud moments, for the steaming sexiness that would leave me flustered, but for me the true beauty of Game Saver came in those quiet moments where Abi and Cade lowered their walls, if even for just a moment to let the other a glimpse at the heart of who they were.

"It's always been real. We've just finally realized it."

Interwoven in a story that speaks heavily to the lust and want that features so much in any new relationship is the quiet truth of the vulnerability we all feel when we move from an I to a WE. It's a truth universally acknowledged that love in all it's forms is the greatest joy we will ever experience, it's one that also opens us up the greatest amount of possible hurt. While I truly love those rip your heart out, destroy your soul kind of books, what I adore so much about the Game series is that slipping into Harvey's books is like taking in a deep breath of fresh air, even with a potent mix of sexual chemistry that oozes off the page, with snark and witty dialogue, a fast paced story that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go, and heart warmingly tender moments that rival even the swooniest of romances, it never feels to much, to staged, to angsty, to over the top. Harvey has well and truly cemented her place amongst the best of the best... part chick lit, part erotic romance, part romantic comedy, Game Saver grabbed me by the collar on the very first page and still refuses to let me go weeks after reading the last line.

"She's the breath of fresh air I never saw coming."

Game Player: http://amzn.to/2bhA1m6

Game Marker: http://amzn.to/2bfU0jG

About BJ Harvey:

BJ Harvey is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Bliss Series. She also regards herself as a smut peddler, suspense conjurer and a funny romance thinker upper.

An avid music fan, you will always find her singing some hit song badly but loving every minute of it. She’s a wife, a mom to two beautiful girls, and hails from what she considers as the best country in the world—New Zealand.

Connect with BJ on Facebook

Mad Addiction (Crazy Beautiful #2) by Jessica Serra Huizenga

Released: May 8th 2016.

Blurb:

Kelley Brooks is saving herself for Prince Charming.

Ryan Blake, while charming, is definitely not a prince.

Always straightforward and realistic, Kelley Brooks and Ryan Blake know they are not right for each other. Kelley believes in fate and waiting for “the one” while Ryan prefers maintaining distance and control with unattached one-night stands.

But after indulging in a single, meaningless wedding hookup, unexpected circumstances force them into one hell of a complicated situation.

After agreeing to a fake engagement, both Ryan and Kelley must confront their pasts — and true feelings — causing them to question everything they thought they knew about family, commitment, and most importantly, love.

A lie brought them together, but will the truth tear them apart?

And what the heck does happily ever after really mean, anyway?

**This books is for readers over the age of 18 due to strong language and explicit sexual content**

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TcfonZ
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TZ8i8y
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1TcfzQ6
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01E2T3D3A
iBooks: http://apple.co/1WovEVA
Signed Paperback: http://bit.ly/25Ux9iq
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1MBjd6u

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

In Crazy Beautiful the reader is introduced to Kelley and Ryan, respectively as Kinsley and Lucas's best friends, two incredibly loyal and determined  people that would do anything to ensure their best friends happiness, unfortunately that's where the similarities between the two end, where Ryan has mastered the art of the hit it and quit it move, Kelley dreams of Prince Charming and happily ever afters. Ryan is content to sow his oats as it were as far and wide as possible, he never promises anything more than he's willing to give which is sex only, no strings attached, he doesn't need to, he's smart, attractive and has enough charisma to make even his toughest female critic swoon, and Kelley would know, because despite her absolute vehemence for his lifestyle she can't fight her attraction to him, even Kelley can admit that despite his sexual activity he's a good guy, he may not be boyfriend material but he's kind and considerate and he's there for his friends without a word, Ryan has become a quasi friend, but she's not looking for one night, Kelley is desperately seeking the kind of love that will light up her life, the kind of passion and need that will change her world, and she's not willing to settle for anything other than that.

One moment of weakness however changes everything, when the King of One Night Stands and the Queen of Happily Ever Afters collide, everything they had planned shifts, now pregnant and expecting their child, Kelley is forced to put her dreams of a White Knight riding to her romantic rescue on hold, and Ryan is forced to confront his worst fears, parenthood and being accountable for someone other than himself. Desperate not to face judgement and ridicule from those around them, Ryan and Kelley come up with a deal, a fake engagement so that Ryan doesn't appear to be reckless, and Kelley isn't just another notch on his rather large bedpost. They've already had sex, she's already pregnant, what could possibly go wrong?

"I just didn't realize how comfortable I would get around you. It's sort of how I always pictured my life, but twisted and backwards."

Mad Addiction is at times uproariously funny, and yet tender and sweet, the more Kelley reflects on her past failed relationship and what she wants from her future, softens to the idea that there could be more to Ryan than what he's willing to admit, the more Ryan unpacks his past struggles, his sense of abandonment and fear of repeating the actions of others when responsibility became to heavier burden, the more he grows as both a man and a soon to be father and partner. For fans of Crazy Beautiful, the glimpses of Lucas and Kinsley throughout made me smile, but mist of all what I truly adored was the scope and growth you see for both Kelley and Ryan, the moments of pure anguish as you see two people shackled to their pasts, and the absolute soaring joy or seeing them look at what their future could be if they are brave enough to chase it.

"We're real. This is real. You spout all this bullsh*t about true love but I don't think you even know what that f*cking means."

The author shows a talent for drawing in the reader, for crafting a story that is witty and smart, and funny and sweet, where Crazy Beautiful grabbed my attention, it's follow up Mad Addiction had me grinning like a goon, desperate for more of these characters that I couldn't stop thinking about. Engaging from the first page, captivating to the last line, Mad Addiction quells the theory that the follow up never measures up to the first, for an author who is new to book world, she has cemented her place on my MUST READ list.

"And that's the sad, harsh, ironic truth - a lie brought us together, and the truth tore us apart."

About Jessica:

When she’s not making confetti as head honcho over at The Confetti Bar (theconfettibar.com),
co-dreaming with creative women through Monarch Workshop (monarchworkshop.com), and
blogging about her health & wellness journey going sugar-free at Simple Unsweet
(simpleunsweet.com), Jessica loves to spend her nights getting caught up in imaginary worlds.
She lives in central CT with her husband, Clifford, and the cutest cat EVER, named Curious.
She loves colorful things, making people smile, things that smell good, and is obsessed with
lemon water. And glitter. Lots of glitter.
She also loves, well…love. (She’s a sucker for a sweet story.)
You can check out what she’s up to at JSH Books and on Instagram (@jshbooks)
Want to know anything else?
Feel free to say hi at lovejshbooks@gmail.com!

The Wedding Agreement (Strictly Business #3) by Elizabeth Hayley

Released: May 3rd 2016.

Blurb:

The author of Just Say Yes is back with another sweet and sultry Strictly Business novel about working hard and falling harder into an unexpected romance...

Love doesn’t always follow the same schedule...

Alex Walker doesn’t need a woman in his life. In fact, he doesn’t have time for one. Between his career in the FBI and the demands of being good father, romance is an unwanted distraction.

Likewise, Cassidy Mullen is fine on her own. The independent career woman has never had a husband in her plans—forget about kids. But when her friend Alex gets into a bind with his ex over their daughter, Cass finds herself suddenly playing the part of Alex’s stable, child-loving fiancée—and liking it a lot more than she’d care to admit.

Soon Alex and Cass can’t deny the real passion growing between them. But as fake affection turns into real love, Cass and Alex will have to make a choice: say “I Do” to their feelings or give up on happily-ever-after for good...


Purchase Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/23DOJc0
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/23DP0eR
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/23DPdPa
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B013Q706WA

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

Cassidy Mullen has a great life, she has a job she loves most days and is exceptional at, wonderful friends, a loving family and a casual but mutually beneficial relationship with sexy FBI agent and friend Alex Walker, life for Cass is exactly how she wants it, uncomplicated. On the surface Alex's life is pretty spectacular, he's got good friends, a job he loves as an FBI agent, a daughter her adores, an ex wife who stays largely out of his way, and a casual hook up partner in Cass, she's feisty, confident, and sexy as hell and only wants friendship and the occasional hook up when it suits them both, it's the perfect relationship for relationship shy Alex, one failed marriage is enough under his belt, his career is unpredictable, settling down again isn't in the cards.

When Alex's ex wife Tessa announces that she'll be travelling over the holidays with her husband for work without their daughter, Alex thinks he has the chance to spend weeks with his daughter Nina, instead Tessa has plans to send her to her grandparents as Alex's schedule is too unpredictable to factor in the care of their young daughter, despite Alex's claims that he can take care of his daughter, Tessa is proven correct once again when his work interferes and Cass is caught child minding. Cass, in her haste to protect Alex, introduces herself as his fiancée, without thinking of the possible consequences, in a split second Cass is no longer a card carrying member of the single and happy about it league, instead for all intents and purposes Cass is now madly in love, planning a wedding and getting to know her future step daughter Nina, while Alex is just trying to catch up, while ensuring to the outside world, especially to Tessa that he can't wait to tie the knot.

The Wedding Agreement is equal parts laugh out loud funny, deliciously sexy and heart warmingly tender, the struggles that both Cass and Alex face are both raw and touching, their epiphany's throughout made me grasp my chest as I feel their uncertainty, their fear, their triumph wash over me. From the self destructive belief that one failed marriage was a sign that he would never be able to make marriage work again, to the belief that it's all or nothing when it comes to having a career or a family, that in order to have one, you would have to sacrifice the other, that one would choose motherhood and a family of their own volition, that you were saddled with it and would ultimately resent it in the years that followed. There's a childlike wonder to their budding connection, the deeper they fall, and the more they become intrinsically entwined in each others lives the more real the game they're playing becomes, pretending the chemistry that draws them to one another is no match for what is building between them.

The look that passed between them was the realest and rawest moment they had in almost two months.

The Wedding Agreement ticked all the boxes for my perfect light hearted read, friends with benefits...check, snarky humour and witty dialogue .... check, characters that you can feel through the page.... check, a story that pulls you in from the very first page...check....Elizabeth Hayley have hit their stride, giving the reader a story that they truly want to read, want to devour, want to lose themselves in, every moment here had me glued to the page, their characters make you feel something, make you cheer for them, make you swoon and smile and pump your first in the air, make you want to draw them into your arms and console them, it's a testament to their talent, that almost a week after finishing Cass and Alex's story I'm still smiling, still reminiscing, still desperate for more of the Strictly Business band of friends.

 

 

 

Purchase:

The Best Medicine

Just Say Yes

 



About Elizabeth Hayley:

Elizabeth Hayley is actually "Elizabeth" and "Hayley," two friends who love reading romance novels to obsessive levels. This mutual love prompted them to put their English degrees to good use by penning their own. The product is Pieces of Perfect, their debut novel. They learned a ton about one another through the process, like how they clearly share a brain and have a persistent need to text each other constantly (much to their husbands' chagrin).

They live with their husbands and kids in a suburb of Philadelphia. Thankfully, their children are still too young to read.

Elizabeth Hayley's writing motto is best captured by the words of Patrick Dennis: "I always start with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind."

Visit Elizabeth Hayley's Website

The Player and the Pixie (Rugby #2) by Penny Reid & LH Cosway - ARCReview

Blurb:


How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?


The Pixie and the Player is a full-length, romantic comedy novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the second book in the Rugby Series.



THE PIXIE
Lucy Fitzpatrick doesn’t like rugby.
As the little sister of Ireland’s most infamous rugby player, Lucy can’t seem to escape the championship-sized shadow cast by her big brother, or her mother’s frequent attempts to micromanage her future. Her rainbow hair is as free-spirited as her quest for inner peace, yet overbearing expectations keep bringing her down. And when she’s down, her compulsive little problem lands her in seriously big trouble.

THE PLAYER
Sean Cassidy is a cold-hearted brute… or so he’s been told. Frequently. By everyone.
His blonde locks, baby blues, and rock hard bod make ladies the world over drool with desire. As the rugby world’s second most infamous player, he should be basking in his success. But Sean has never been content settling for second place, and his frequent confrontations with Lucy’s big brother leave him cold. And when he’s cold, his compulsive little problem lands him in the lap of Lucy Fitzpatrick.

THE PLAN
Sean has a problem only Lucy can solve. Lucy has a problem only Sean can fix. The solution seems obvious: you scratch my back, and I’ll bail you out of jail. But when their business arrangement unexpectedly leaves Sean scorching hot and Lucy on the precipice of inner peace, can they convince the world—and Lucy’s big brother in particular—that this is the real deal?

Either way, both the Player and the Pixie are about to teach each other some pretty monumental lessons about family, life, but most importantly, love.

Purchase Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/231666i
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RUOtzL
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1RFSzX5
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01DPMWBFQ


Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

I'm going to be entirely honest here, I've been struggling to read of late, my ability to devour a book the way I once did has been sorely lacking, my speed reading skills seem to have taken a holiday, and I've been finding my concentration poor, I've been ill and exhausted, in short I'm burnt out, I find myself trying to read, and within a few pages I'm staring at the words on the page as they dance across the screen, my mind frazzled, feeling dejected because the thing that has maintained my sanity isn't working the way it used to, picking up and setting down title after title just because, when new books wouldn't capture my attention the way I'd hoped, I'd return to old faithfuls, rereading paragraphs of text hoping to reignite my passion for reading.  When The Player and the Pixie hit my kindle I felt that zing of anticipation, followed quickly by the dread of "what if I can't get into this either".... I'll be honest I was cautious, I told myself to just give it a go, if I couldn't get into it I'd put it down and take a breath, one page turned into two, two turned into three, three turned into five chapters, and before I knew it I was lying awake at 2.30am this morning, my eyes drooping, my brain begging for just one more page. There's something about Penny Reid and LH Cosway's writing independently that draws me in, after falling in love with Cosway's prose years ago when I first picked up Painted Faces I instantly became a bona fide fan, similarly Reid's quirky Knitting in the City series enticed me, but it was her Elements of Chemistry series and the aloof but ultimately charismatic Martin Sandeke that made her an automatic one click author for me. Creating stories that readers love is no small feat, dreaming up fictional worlds the reader can get lost in is monumental in itself, but two authors crafting a story that is cohesive, that drags the reader into it, that feels organic and real, that flows from one sentence to the next...well that for me is mind blowing, Reid and Cosway may not be the first to collaborate or co-write a novel, but they certainly are an unstoppable force in contemporary romance, and one of my automatic must read recommendation duo's.

Lucy Fitzpatrick and Sean Cassidy felt like old friends to me after meeting them both in the first book in the Rugby series, Lucy was flighty and lovable, ethereal and quirky - everything about her set me at ease, unaffected by wealth or societal standing Lucy was a joy, beneath her outlandish appearance lurked a quiet temerity, Shakespeare's words ring in my mind when I think of her "Though she be but little she is fierce" - with her diminutive stature but loud personality everything about Lucy screams that she's a silent warrior, she knows her flaws, see's her faults and yet she keeps trying to find ways to better herself, but more than that, she's desperate to effect change in a world that often lacks humanity, refusing to fight hate and aggression with venomous vitriol, she endeavours to do good, to be good, to find the good in people even when they are desperate to prove to the world that they are nothing but bad.

Sean Cassidy is cocky and aloof, his vehement distaste for most of his acquaintances is clear, he has a tenuous relationship with most of his family, his connection to the women whose bed he shares is apathetic at best, and a well documented aggressive relationship with his team captain Ronan Fitzpatrick means there's very little for him to hold dear. Sean is meandering through life with zero expectations, he has wealth and prestige but as he already knows all too well, money only gets you so far, it certainly doesn't keep you warm at night, nor does it allow you to dream about a future filled with a life you are eager to experience.

Everything about Sean and Lucy is wrong, the woman who finds the inherent goodness in her surroundings, and the man who is trying to prove to the world just how much of a jerk he is, their connection is immediate, there's a pull there from their first reconnection that catches both of them off guard. Moments of candour interspersed with snarky barbs set the tone for two people inexplicably drawn to one another and yet desperate to keep their distance.

"It was a completely insensitive thing to say. I am insensitive. But I'd like to be otherwise, with you, if you'll give me the chance."

The more they explore their blinding sexual chemistry, the more cracks appear in Lucy's resolve to keep Sean at arms length, when the man who has never wanted for anything suddenly knows what it's like to have someone who feels like coming home, we see the metaphorical shackles breaking as he finally figures out the lengths to which you can be willing to go when you find someone who colours your world. Despite his earlier childish pranks, his smart remarks, his outward disdain for almost everyone he knows, there's a softer side to Sean that was thrilling to unravel, my heart beat faster, my breath stilled every time I saw a glimpse of the kind of man Sean truly was under the armour he put on for the world.

"Now you have two people in all the world who will always be there for you."

 

There wasn't a word in this story that I didn't adore, nor a moment when I felt that all too familiar panic set in, telling me my concentration was waning, that I was ready to set it down to move onto something else. I fell deeply, hopelessly and irreverently in love with Sean and Lucy, from Sean's clueless bumblings in the bedroom, to Lucy's klepto tendencies, to the sweet smiles, soft sighs, shared looks and warm caresses they made me smile, but more than anything they made me desperate for more, they made me want to keep reading, they had me losing track of time, and just being in the words, getting swept away. The Player and the Pixie was tender and heart-warming, funny and exhilarating, and sexy as sin, the balance of heat, heart and humour was a winner for me, one that left me feeling both sated and invigorated, with a smile on my face long after I turned the last page.

Review: The Hooker and the Hermit

About the Authors:

Penny Reid

Penny Reid is a USA Today Best Selling Author of romantic fiction. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances she works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She's also a full time mom to three diminutive adults (boy-8, girl-6, and girl-4 months), wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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LH Cosway

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.
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