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

Wicked Sexy LIar by Christina Lauren - Review

Blurb:

When three college besties meet three hot guys in Vegas, anything can—and does—happen. Book Four in the New York Times Wild Seasons series that began with Sweet Filthy Boy (the Romantic Times book of the year that Sylvia Day called “a sexy, sweet treasure of a story”), Dirty Rowdy Thing, and Dark Wild Night.

For two people ambivalent about dating and love, they sure get naked around each other an awful lot . . .

London Hughes is very content to surf daily, tend bar, hang out with her group of friends, and slowly orient herself in the years after college. Everything’s going great and according to the non-plan.

But when a wave knocks her for a loop one morning, then Luke Sutter’s flirtatious smile knocks her for another that evening, she veers slightly off course…and into his path. Sure, he’s a total player, but the Why not—it’s only one night is a persistent voice in her ear.

For his part, Luke’s been on hookup autopilot for so long that he rarely ever pauses to consider what he’s doing. But after an amazing time with London, he realizes that he hasn’t been moving on from a devastating heartbreak so much as he’s been drifting to wherever—and whomever—the current takes him. With London he wants more.

Every relationship involves two people…plus their pasts. And as much as she enjoys her fling with Luke, when London learns about his past—more specifically, who’s in it—everything becomes the brand of complicated she strives to avoid. It’s up to Luke then to change some things in order to try and ensure he’s not something she’ll outright avoid as well.  

Find on Goodreads

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2016.

Okay, I'm just going to admit it, I am crazy fangirl for Christina Lauren, truly I look all put together on the outside, but every time a new book is announced I do a little happy dance, I still remember hearing about Beautiful Bastard years ago and umming and ahhhhing about it, reviews were mixed, I couldn't decide, but this writing duo had a cult like following, I purchased the book and dove into Chloe and Bennett's world, I felt as though I barely drew a breath, I was instantly hooked, I purchased every remaining book in the series that had been released at the time and read them back to back, then I watched social media waiting for the slightest hint for what was coming next... not much has changed since then, when news of London and Luke's story hit social media, I again did my happy jig, and I've been checking my mailbox obsessively so waiting to get me greedy little hands on it, the second the trusty postie dropped it on my frontdoor, I was tearing into the wrapping so I could dive in. I didn't move, I read Wicked Sexy Liar in one sitting, savouring the words, and speeding through it at the speed of light because I couldn't get enough. I was convinced this book would be fun and sexy, and then reading lines like this, left me no doubt that the authors were going to give me more than I bargained for.

"Do we ever see the big things coming, though? A predictable life never changed anyone."

London is confident, sassy and one of those women who just seem to have life figured out, she's got a college degree and qualifications behind her, but instead of suiting up and doing the 9-5 grind she's surfing all day and bar tending by night, London does what she wants, when she wants, she's made new friends, and life is good, with no time for men or the delude of heartache they bring with them, London is focused on keeping her no muss no fuss life exactly as it.

Luke once had life mapped out, he was other half of everyone's favourite couple, but when Mia was involved in the accident, everything changed for more than just Mia, in the blink of an eye, Luke lost everything he had planned. Side note, I'm going to be honest, I didn't much like Luke in the previous books in this series, sure I felt bad for him when Mia moved on and found her happy with the sexy French man and he seemed to still be hanging on to the past, I had my reservations whether I could truly care about his fragile male ego, the glimpses of London we had in Beautiful Stranger and Dark Wild Night cemented for me London was definitely a new favourite heroine of mine, but Christina Lauren had their work cut out to convince me that there was more to meet the eyes with Luke, but from the very first interaction I found myself rooting for him, I was either giggling at his stupidity, rolling my eyes at his naivety or swooning at those moments that showed me, without a doubt that this dynamic writing duo know how to redeem a character, make you cheer for them, make you want to console them when things go wrong, make them feel real, and honest. Watching the Manwhore Luke meet someone like London, who both drew him close and pushed him away in equal measure made me love them both all the more.

"falling in love isn't about who makes you feel the best, but who could make you the most miserable if they leave."

Everything about Wicked Sexy Liar drew me in, I wanted to know more about Luke, I wanted to know why London shied away from the chance of letting people in, I wanted them to find something that opens you up to new experiences, that changes the way you see the world, and I wanted to follow their journey, through their eyes, and Christina Lauren did that, I felt every moment of trepidation that London felt, every inch of joy that Luke felt at rediscovering love, that all encompassing feeling that bolsters your spirit, the butterflies that buzz in your tummy, the anticipation that builds when you can't wait to see the other person. I felt it all in spades, every second of the this wicked sexy story left me sated and yet desperate for more.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UJ3IIY
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1JXx8Tz
Amazon UK: amzn.to/1NPq3z1
Amazon AU: bit.ly/1PgeFOE
iBooks: apple.co/1MoUWOa


About Christina Lauren:

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced eleven New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 23+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)

Contact Christina Lauren on Twitter @seeCwrite for Christina and @LolaShoes for Lauren

Connect on Facebook

Crazy, Beauitful by Jessica Serra Huizenga - Review

Blurb:

Kinsley Moore and Lucas Graham make great friends.
They make even better friends with benefits…

Kinsley Moore doesn’t believe in love. As an independent, self-determined entrepreneur, she has
other things to worry about. Besides, she knows guys are incapable of commitment, so there’s no
use getting close.

But when she meets Lucas Graham, her new landlord’s flirty, sexy son, she’s more than up for
some casual fun.

Lucas is in no way looking for a relationship either, so when he’s offered a no-strings, strictly
friends-with-benefits hookup with a beautiful girl, the opportunity is too good to pass up. He’s
not able to give his heart away, so it’s perfect Kinsley prefers to keep emotions out of their
arrangement.

Except when Lucas and Kinsley start to feel something more, their complicated pasts threaten to
overshadow any chance they might have at a future together.

Can Lucas prove he’s capable of love?
Can Kinsley believe she is enough?

Find Crazy, Beautiful on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UIMrzI
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1KWgQ8e
Amazon AU: bit.ly/1RZyJL2
iBooks: http://apple.co/1S1UH04
Signed Paperback: http://bit.ly/1SEm8gj


Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: January 2016.

Have I mentioned before my love of the friends to lovers trope?? How about my obsession with friends with benefits?? How about romantic comedies?? I know you're all well aware of these tropes and genres being akin to my crack...Crazy, Beautiful was like hitting my trifecta and I'm not even a betting woman... The premise here is simple really, two strangers meet, witty banter ensues, cue sexy times and *BOOM* they might just have found something neither of them knew they wanted, and therein lies the beauty of this delightful debut, because while the friends with benefits plot has been done copious times before, Crazy, Beautiful, was fun, sexy and witty, with enough angst to draw you in, and keep you turning the pages, nothing about this book felt overdone, nothing felt tired, the dynamic between Kinsley and Lucas captured my attention, the chemistry between them felt real and raw, their friends hijinks kept me giggling and I. COULD. NOT. PUT. IT .DOWN!!

Kinsley has her life together, she's started her own successful business as a floral designer for weddings, christenings, funerals and such, she's just moved into a place she can call her own, life is good, sure there's no men beating down her door, but she's content focusing on her career. Lucas is focused on his career too, after starting up a capital investment firm with his best friend, time is a commodity he doesn't seem to have much of, his company is going from strength to strength, he's played the field and sowed some oats but right now staying away from the fairer sex seems to be working for him. Their chemistry is undeniable and when the opportunity to explore the budding connection between them arises, a sure fire FWB deal seems like the way to go.  As their physical relationship continues and their friendship grows stronger, soft touches, and sweet smiles come to mean more, until they can't deny that what they have is deeper than just sex.

"You're crazy"

"And you're beautiful." 

Crazy, Beautiful was the perfect balance of sexy and sweet, it was funny and light while still tugging at your heart strings, everything about this book was  enjoyable, I didn't want to put it down, and as I turned the last page, I couldn't help but hope that I hadn't heard the last of these characters, with their quirky and spirited friends. If you're looking for something light, fun and sexy, Crazy, Beautiful definitely won't steer your wrong.

About Jessica Serra Huizenga:

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 jshbooks.com and on Instagram (@jshbooks)
Want to know anything else? Feel free to say hi at lovejshbooks@gmail.com

Connect with Jessica on Facebook

Loud is How I Love You (Hub City #1) by Mercy Brown - ARC Review

Released: 19th January 2016.

Blurb:

One girl’s heart gets rocked to the core in the first novel in this sexy New Adult series.

Twenty-one-year-old front girl Emmylou knows that getting her band noticed in the ‘90s indie rock scene will be no easy task. She definitely knows better than to break the number one rule of the band: Don't sleep with your bandmates! But after she ends up having the best sex of her life with her guitarist, Travis, she finds following that rule is a lot harder than it sounds.

When the band gets the gig of their dreams, making it big seems just within reach. But Emmy’s inability to keep her hands off Travis threatens everything they’ve worked for. Can Emmy find a way to break the rules and not blow the chance of a lifetime?

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: January 2016.

Loud Is How I Love You is set against the backdrop if the 90's indie rock scene, when Seattle grunge is still playing on the radio, when the Kurt Cobain's of the world are King and the likes of Justin Bieber's of the world aren't even born yet, Music is meant to be loud and raw and visceral, bringing about a feeling or emotion when banging you head along to it.

Emmylou has big plans for her life, at the forefront, it's getting her band noticed, they have talent, that's undisputable, but so do so many other bands just fighting to get heard, everything is simple, adhering to her rules, number one being don't screw with the band dynamics, and sleeping with her guitarist Travis would definitely do that, too bad it's already happened and she can't go back, only she can't stop, and she can't move forward either.

Loud Is How I Love You played out like a movie reel running through my mind, everything from the 90's flashbacks, to the music mentioned playing like a soundtrack to a tale that's more than just girl meets boy, girl and boy fall for each other and girl freaks out in order to maintain some semblance of what she had before, Loud is outlandishly funny, sexy in a way that a story with a twenty one year old female lead promises to be, and refreshingly real as Emmylou takes the reader on a journey through all of her moments of freak outs and stark realisations that everything she ever dreamt of might not be the thing she really wants.

"Stay loud so I don't lose you, I will follow the sound of you anywhere."

Loud was full of life and vitality, full of heart and angst, that kept me coming back for more, left me salivating for more of Emmylou and all her quirks, of Travis and he swoon worthy ways, of the rag tag members of Soft and all their motley crew of friends. From the first page to the last line I was enraptured, I'm eagerly awaiting Sonia's chance to tell her story in Stay Until We Break.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1mNWAQu
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PWWrpq
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1UGok4n

About Mercy Brown:

Mercy Brown is a retired indie rock front girl turned author and LOUD IS HOW I LOVE YOU is her first book. LOUD is a New Adult novel and will be published by Intermix (Berkley-Penguin) in January 2016. LOUD is based, very, very loosely on Mercy's experiences fronting bands in the 90s. A follow-up will be published in June 2016.

Mercy is represented by Brooks Sherman of the Bent Agency.

Website: http://mercybrownbooks.com/

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/

The Score (Off Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy Review

Released: 11th January 2016.

 

 

Blurb:

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she's going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over 

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love. 

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: January 2016.

Dean Di-Laurentis lives a charmed life, wealth, book smarts, talented hockey player, women throwing themselves at him, he seems to have the world at his feet, and in all honesty he does, there's not a lot the self confessed Manwhore has to complain about, life is good, it's even better when you live your life by your own code of never getting bogged down in what people think of you, never losing sleep over inconsequential opinions, it's good in theory but in reality for most of us we struggle to reconcile our own thoughts vs. the opinions of people around us. Seeing the world through Dean's eyes, seeing him impart his wisdom on living a life free of fear of judgement on Allie was both fun and insightful.

Allie Hayes life just went to hell in a hand basket, school is good, she has her future planned out, but after one too many arguments with her long term boyfriend Sean she's finally done with their relationship, the only problem is that she's been there before, Sean throws down an ultimatum or challenges her career choices and Allie ends it, until of course he apologises and #boom back together, Allie knows she needs to stay strong, that she's making the right decision in ending things, but reconciling herself from the role of girlfriend to single girl isn't easy.

When Allie and Dean's lives cross neither is prepared for what will happen, The Score isn't instalove, it isn't even instalust, the connection these two develop is organic, as they converse and get to know each other better than the limited contact they had previously had allowed, the reader can see something there, some spark of something more, something bigger begin to develop, and for me, here in lied the beauty of Elle Kennedy's words, because nothing here felt forced, nothing here had me scratching my head trying to figure out who Dean or Allie are as characters. Their chemistry was clear, their burgeoning relationship obvious, this soul deep connection that grew from Dean's flippant offer to help Allie move on from her ex, that ignited something ferocious and real for both of them.

What I loved so much here was that Allie begins The Score as this young woman who almost needs to be saved from herself, she needs someone to prevent her from backtracking, she requires someone to not only back her life choices but to believe on them with her, there's a sense that Allie is somehow the weaker one here, that she's the one who is still figuring things out while Dean has got his whole life mapped out, and yet there's so many times where Allie got to show her strength, her tenacity, her ability to look at the world around her when things are crashing down and still find the good there, but more than that her ability to know what she wants and what she deserves  and more importantly the things she needs to do in order to become the person she knows she's capable of being show's her growth throughout The Score. There's a definite sexiness to this story, one I've come to expect from Elle Kennedy, one that you would expect from Dean "man whore" Di-Laurentis, the man is known all over campus as a guaranteed good time, but more than just this inherent sexiness, the obvious chemistry, was the pure swoon worthy moments that made my heart smile, those moments when done properly make you sigh, it's those hints of first love, of a love that's bigger than you ever imagined it could be, one that makes you question everything, one that has the power to lift you up and tear you apart.

For me The Score is exactly what college romance is supposed to be, part coming of age, part romance, believable and relatable angst, not the kind that makes you want to tear your hair out while shouting "ohhh commmmmeeee onnnn..." a story that makes you giggle and swoon, one that when you turn the last page leaves a smile on your face, this series has fast become a favourite of mine, one I often revisit, it's everything I want from a college drama, a light hearted and sexy story that has depth, The Score was a great way to kick off my 2016 reading list, and that little tease Kennedy left readers makes me even more eager for what's to come for the Off Campus series.

Read GPI's Reviews of the Off Campus series:

The Deal (Off Campus #1)

The Mistake (Off Campus #2)


Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PC4IyQ

Kobo: https://store....kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-score-10

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1050857569

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-score-elle-kennedy/1122824500?ean=2940152679663

About Elle Kennedy:

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!  

Connect with Elle Kennedy on Facebook

Monster Prick (Screwed 1.5) by Kendall Ryan - Review

Blurb:

Over my dead body.

That's what I told Gracie when she informed me of her plan to pick some random guy she met online to get rid of her pesky virginity.

If anyone is touching her, it's going to be me.

I shouldn't even be considering it, but I can't get it out of my head: her, under me, begging me.

***
Arrogant. Cocky. Prick.

Those are the words I’d use to describe my older brother’s dangerously handsome best friend.

When he learned of my plan to kick off my white cotton briefs, ditching my good girl persona once and for all by losing my virginity to the first eligible bachelor I could find, he flipped out. Said over his dead body.

He says if anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be him.

I hate that I’m even considering his offer.

But I am … I sooo am.

Ever since he suggested it, all I can think about is his cocky smile on those full lips as he’s driving in to me.

But if we cross that line … will I ever be able to go back?

MONSTER PRICK is a spin off novella from SCREWED, but can be read as a standalone, as it features a new couple.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NIIS7F
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1PSoFRp
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/21anoua
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1NIIUMQ
iBooks: http://apple.co/1KT916s
B&N: http://bit.ly/1OQhFE6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1RX2Uix


Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: November 2015.

I purchased both Screwed and Monster Prick at the same time, and read them back to back only taking a short break to write my Screwed review and make a coffee in between, after a bout of heavier books I was in the mood for something light and sexy, while I wasn't giggling to myself the way I did with Screwed, Monster Prick still definitely fit the bill.

In Screwed we meet Hudson, Hayden's best friend and business partner, and Gracie, Hayden younger sister. It's hinted that there's something there between the two in Screwed so I was eager to dive right in a find out what was going on there.

Gracie is twenty two, a newly graduated architect that has just landed her dream job, who has just moved out of her parents home on her own and is ready to try out this whole adult thing, she's finding her feet and is ready to spread her proverbial wings, now that the career and apartment is settled she's ready to tackle the relationship and dating thing. Her older sister is happily married with young children, her manwhore of a brother Hayden has settled down with a girlfriend of his own, she's ready for that herself, but before she dives headlong into a serious relationship, she has one thing left to do, just one pesky little thing...lose her virginity.

While out for celebratory drinks for her new job with her brother Hayden and his friend Hudson, she tells them of her plan to try internet dating, when the discussion becomes heated, she drops the bomb that she's sick of being a twenty two year old virgin and just wants to start living a little, when things don't end well, and Hudson ensures she gets home safe, he makes her an offer she never expected...he'll  be her first, he'll teach her about sex and after three "dates" if she's not happy she can give internet dating a try.

This is where the fun begins, Gracie has been harbouring a crush on her older brothers best friend for as long as she can remember, never in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to have a chance to know him on a more intimate level...what's a girl to do when presented with the opportunity to get something she's always craved but to say yes.

Monster Prick was a quick novella, it was light and sexy, I was expecting some big huge angsty twist like those that are so prevalent in forbidden/brothers best friend trope, instead I was pleasantly surprised that Ms Ryan didn't feel the need to go for shock value, were there moments that made me roll my eyes?  Yes there were. Did I at times think 'yeah sure that would happen?' again yes I did, but in saying that I could appreciated this short, sexy, light hearted romp for what it was, the perfect afternoon read, as was evidenced by reading both Screwed and Monster Prick in a couple of hours, still wide awake at 4.30am on a Sunday morning while I write this review. While I did read Screwed prior to Monster Prick, it is not necessary to, being that MP focuses on different characters to its predecessor.

Read GPI's Review of Screwed: http://bit.ly/1LssTJb


About Kendall Ryan:

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold more than a million ebooks and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller list more than two dozen times.

Visit Kendall Ryan's Website

Kissing Madeline (Dearest #3) by Lex Martin - Review

Blurb:

What’s the worst thing about wanting a sexy NFL football player? Everyone else wants him, too.

After catching my boyfriend getting deep-throated by a skanky cage girl, I’ve learned my lesson – never date a professional athlete. Never. Besides, I have more important things to worry about, like not blowing my shot to make it as a broadcast reporter. I won’t let anything get in my way, not even the new “it boy” of the NFL and my hot-as-hell neighbor.

What's the worst thing about getting death glares from his new neighbor? It doesn't make him want her any less.

I’ve worked my ass off to make it to the pros. The last thing I need is the complication of a relationship, especially since my last one was a total train wreck. But I can’t stop thinking about the feisty girl next door with the smart mouth. And I’d love nothing more than to show her what to do with that mouth.

Friends with benefits might be the best idea he’s ever had. Or the worst.

Kissing Madeline is a companion novel to DEAREST CLEMENTINE and FINDING DANDELION. Each book is a stand-alone.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QGKIZm
Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1MRByLZ
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QGKWj8
Amazon AUS: http://bit.ly/1PHEXuf
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1QGKZM7

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: August 2015.

So less than two days and two books, talk about hooked on a series, I'm so invested in these characters that I'm kind of obsessed, after all the crap Daren pulled with Clem back in high school, despite the fact that they buried the hatchet, I'm still giving him stink eye, so I need to be honest making me like him is one thing, making me love him...well Lex Martin has her work cut out for her....

Madeline has had a rough trot with men, catching her boyfriend getting a blow job from a cage girl certainly wasn't pleasant, she's done with professional athletes that's for sure, that rule will ensure she stays away from NHL star Daren who also happens to be her new neighbour. After all athletes are bound to be the same, they lure you in with their sexy looks, and toned bodies, and the next thing you know, you're catching them in compromising positions. Madeline is determined to focus solely on getting the career she's always wanted, she'll prove she's serious about being a broadcast reporter.

I'm not going to lie, despite my initial reservations Daren grew on me, he had that whole alpha male thing down pat but he was also caring, considerate, loyal (who would of guessed) and sweet, maybe that was he had already learnt from his past mistakes, I want to believe that he did, I think he chose a course of action many years ago and he regrets the pain and hurt he caused, part of me also hopes in some small way he holds onto to some of that guilt as a reminder that actions have consequences. Daren definitely redeemed himself, but for me Madeline was the hero of this story, she was strong tenacious, dedicated to her craft, she wanted to establish her own career, she's been knocked down and humiliated, but she refused to stay down.

Kissing Madeline isn't just NA romance, it's funny, and sexy and part suspense, this story kept me guessing, invested and intrigued, and I loved every second of it, it's funny how a series can drag you in so much, with characters who start out as strangers, become friends, and turn into family. I'm going to be sad saying goodbye and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out on Lex Martin now, her writing had me forgetting the time, and relishing in all those sweet first smiles, cute glances, and tentative touches.

 

 

About Lex Martin:

 

Author of DEAREST CLEMENTINE, FINDING DANDELION and KISSING MADELINE. I write new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters.

Website

Hard Beat by K. Bromberg

Blurb:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Ache comes a blistering new novel filled with danger, secrecy, and a desire that can’t be sated…

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story.

But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He's ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out…

Purchase Links: 

Amazon  US: http://amzn.to/1MmeZJc

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1MdeSWL

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1MWri3Y

B&N: http://bit.ly/1LD4YYN

iBooks: http://apple.co/1jWxvBT

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Htb1lR

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: November 2015.

Kristy Bromberg has a knack for taking sensitive topics and writing in such a way that never feels intrusive, never feels like she's simply using a plotline for the sake of shock value. In Hard Beat we again meet Tanner Thomas, Riley's brother who we met briefly throughout the Driven series, as a foreign war correspondent Tanner has seen the atrocities of war first hand, he's lived death and destruction on a daily basis, he reports on the US effort to slow the juggernaut that is the oppression of the free world. But even the good guys often have darkness in their pasts, and Tanner is grieving a loss so great that it threatens to derail him completely. His only way of coping is to return to front line that decimated his life and left him reeling.

Beaux Croslyn is a fresh faced rookie set to join Tanner as his new photographer, from their very first meeting there's a spark between them that's undeniable, a chemistry that threatens to ruin everything that Tanner has worked so hard to create, a simple existence that allows him to carry on doing the job he was born to do. From furious fighting to an attraction that can't be contained Beaux and Tanner discover something neither of them ever expected to find, much less in the hell of a warzone. Their both hiding things from their past but together they seem to be forging a new future.

"You came back to me."

"I'll always come back to you."

Hard Beat has that sweeping sage feeling to it, their existence is lived in a hell so few of us truly understand, they live their lives in such a way that every feeling, every moment is expedited, a connection that could take months or even years to forge in the real world, can take only days or weeks, everything they feel is increased, everything amplified, and every second they spent together, even those they spent apart I felt, Bromberg's writing has the power to eviscerate me, strip me to the quick, and leaving me feeling splayed wide open, there's a beautiful dream like quality to her words, when she speaks of life and love, of pain and fear, of guilt and regret, I felt every second of Tanner and Beaux's journey, every second of their chemistry, every second of the soul deep pain they both felt, the more I read, the more craved them, and the more invested I became, Hard Beat is more than just romance, more than action and suspense, more than just two nomads coexisting in a complicated world, like always Bromberg begs you to leave your pre-existing notions of her characters at the door and to take an journey with her, her words, utterly captivating, her stories original and fresh, her ability to grab you by the collar and to demand your attention never fails to impress me, leaving me sated and yet desperate for more.

 

 About K. Bromberg:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced (releasing 1/11/16)), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat (releasing 11/3/15), Aced (a new Rylee and Colton novel releasing 1/11/16), and a short story titled UnRaveled. She is currently working on new projects and a few surprises for her readers.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Website
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