Shameless by Lex Martin - Review

Blurb:

Brady…
What the hell do I know about raising a baby? Nothing. Not a goddamn thing.

Yet here I am, the sole guardian of my niece. I’d be lost if it weren’t for Katherine, the beautiful girl who seems to have all the answers. Katherine, who’s slowly finding her way into my cynical heart.

I keep reminding myself that I can’t fall for someone when we don’t have a future. But telling myself this lie and believing it are two different things.


Katherine…

When Brady shows up on a Harley, looking like an avenging angel—six feet, three inches of chiseled muscle, eyes the color of wild sage, and sun-kissed skin emblazoned with tattoos—I’m not sure if I should fall at his feet or run like hell. Because if I tell him what happened the night his family died, he might hate me.

What I don’t count on are the nights we spend together trying to forget the heartache that brought us here. I promise him it won’t mean anything, that I won’t fall in love.

I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep.

Shameless is an adult contemporary romance/spinoff featuring a character from The Dearest Series, but it can be read as a complete standalone.

 

 

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29282745-shameless

 Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UaR0Fq

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/23SE2CC

Universal Amazon link: http://myBook.to/Shameless

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

Kobo: http://bit.ly/248KdiD

iBooks: http://apple.co/1S3GPBl

 

Also Available: 

The Dearest Series Boxed Set is FREE on KU for a limited time. Get all three Dearest Series books, including Dearest Clementine, Finding Dandelion and Kissing Madeline, as well as Dearest Series bonus scenes and the first chapter of Shameless.

US: http://amzn.to/1U0pB97

UK: http://amzn.to/1YBClSN

Universal Amazon link: http://myBook.to/DearestSeries

http://amzn.to/1VM8ZUo

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2016.

Brady isn't the kind of man who chases women, he's never really needed to, there was a time when he lusted after his close friend Dani, despite knowing she would never feel the same way, when she found happiness with someone that wasn't him, he nursed his bruised male pride and moved on, he had bigger things to worry about than women, like his dad's ailing health and crumbling family business, his brother had  left town to study in order to be an asset to their fathers business,  but instead had met a woman and eloped and was now a young father himself, with no intention of returning home Brady faced a future of sacrificing his passion in order to support his father and mother by taking over the family business. Brady is tired, he's worn out, he's frustrated and angry, once again he's stepping up to support everyone else's choices with little regard given to what he truly wants.

A phone call in the middle of the night changes everything for Brady, suddenly he's second guessing himself, he's rethinking every cross word, every heated thought, his baby brother Cal is gone and his last thoughts of him were filled with anger and frustration, there's a heady sense of loss, one the reader feels acutely. With the mounting pressure of a sick father, a family business haemorrhaging money, a dead brother and an estate to deal with Brady heads to Cal and Melissa's farm to try and say goodbye the only way he can.

"Death does that. Sticks everything under a magnifying glass and makes each scratch or cut feel like a gaping wound."

Brady isn't the only person who lost someone that dark night when Cal and Melissa died, Melissa was more than just Katherine's best friend, she was her confidante, her support system, Cal, Melissa and their daughter Isabella were her family, her sense of peace, her safe haven when her world was rocked once before. Katherine found a home with them, she loves Isabella like her own, standing in to care for her after her parents sudden death was never an issue, her bond with the little girl unquestionable, grieving for the loss they both feel so acutely, they are tethered to one another.

"Her chubby little cheek drops to my shoulder, and it's all I can do to keep from breaking down myself."

There's a familiarity between Kat and Brady, one borne out of experiencing the same grief, living through the same nightmare, wishing they would wake up and Cal and Melissa were still alive, that Brady was only visiting, that Isabella still had two parents. Grief and loss weigh heavily on both of them, struggling to keep the farm running, caring for a baby girl, processing and dealing with their own sense of grief, Brady and Kat circle each other, doing what's needs to get, focusing on just making it through, the connection between them growing deeper each day, their chemistry is undeniable, in another time and another place, they would be perfect for one another. Regrettably they are not the care free young adults they should be, Brady is facing the brunt of familial financial expectation, as well as guardianship of his baby niece Izzy,  and Kat has secrets that weight heavily on her mind. Finding solace and support in each other is inevitable, an intimate connection borne out of need that would end when Brady and Katherine returned to their own homes.

"Because in another lifetime, in a parallel world - one where he doesn't live on the other side of the country - I think he's the kind of man I could love."

From the title, I expected Shameless to be quick, sexy ride...boyyyy was I wrong, the author demonstrates her range here, making the reader every second of that bleak, shrouded sense of pain and loss, from the very first moments we feel something building, and when that phone rings, it's the feeling of dread, of anguish, of powerlessness, the loss so acute, the pain so real, that you can feel it wash over you, leaving you feel like you're treading water, just trying to stay afloat right along with Brady and Kat. Ms Martin weaves moments of hilarity through the tapestry she created, the connection they share going beyond purely physical attraction, it's a recognition of each other on a soul deep level, the ability to provide comfort and understanding to one another when they both feel so utterly alone. There's a rawness there that makes it impossible to look away, and utterly mesmerising to watch. Set against the backdrop of farm life, complete with animals to care for, Shameless tells the story of love and loss, of hope and most importantly reminds the reader that even after the darkest storms, there's a rainbow.

About Lex Martin:

Lex writes adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she's not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher. She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, she's lived all over the country but currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.


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Giveaway: $25 GC

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Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons #1) by Christina Lauren

Blurb:

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.
Find on Goodreads

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2014.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Hmmm...where do I start with Ansel Guillaume - my sweet filthy boy?? I am a huge Christina Lauren fan, their Beautiful series had my laughing, swooning and fanning myself all over the place, but as much as I loved, no adored the Beautiful series, SFB for me was on another level, and in my opinion Christina Lauren's best work yet.

Mia Holland takes off to Vegas with friends for the weekend, one last hurrah before the responsibility of adult life takes over. But when you let loose for the night anything can happen, including a group wedding, with Mia ending up marrying the sweet talking, sex Frenchman Ansel, and during your drunken haze telling him under no circumstances to allow you to dissolve this marriage, instead to give it a chance for the Summer.

What I adored about Mia is her strength, her resilience, she has lost her way, maybe following the path set in front of her isn't the one meant for her. When Ansel gives her opportunity to follow him to France for the summer how can she refuse? As much as I loved Mia, I adored the transformation in Ansel from confident, worry free, sexy as sin Frenchman in Vegas to professional, suave, business man in France. Seeing him reconcile two different sides of his personality, trying to be everything to those who depended on him, both professionally and personally.

Sweet Filthy Boy had me laughing out loud, swooning like a love sick teenager and praying to the Gods of writing that I wouldn't have to throw my kindle against the wall. Christina Lauren you surpassed every expectation I had for Sweet Filthy Boy.

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1ocDt3I
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1ocDy7q
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1R106Bj
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1WiRCa4
Amazon AU: bit.ly/1R10kby

About Christina Lauren:

 

Christina Lauren is the 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 twelve New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 28+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)

 

Website

 



Last Call (Bad Habits #3) by Staci Hart - Review

Released: 15th February 2016.

Blurb:

Once Rose Fisher makes a decision, that’s it. End of story.

Like when her ex, Patrick, dumped her out of the blue, then showed up with a super hot, tatted up sex kitten on his arm. Then it was over for good. The end. Poof. Dead to her. Except he was everywhere — down the hall, at the bar with their friends, worming his way into her dreams.

But with their friends paired off, they’re left alone more and more. Rose is determined to keep him friendzoned — doesn’t matter that he stares at her with a smolder that drops all panties in a ten foot radius. She’s over him, and she’ll prove it by getting back into the dating game, Patrick be damned.

Patrick Evans is no stranger to consequences. When your mother walks out, your dad drifts away. When you leave home, you’re on your own. And when you run away from the girl you love, you lose her. He finally has an opportunity to rebuild the bridge he burned, and it’s not one he’ll take for granted. But he’ll have to fight for her, even if it hurts. Even if it means he’ll walk away brokenhearted. Because deep down, he knows that she’s it for him.

The trick will be to get her to admit she feels it too.

Find Last Call on Goodreads 

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/20SD9op
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1W9ArYz
Amazon UK: amzn.to/1Sd6okp

Currently on sale for 99c *at time of posting*

Purchase: With A Twist (Bad Habits #1)
Purchase: Chaser (Bad Habits #2)

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2016.

When I picked up With A Twist last year I was smitten with Staci Hart's words, by Chaser I was utterly hooked, the way every emotion bleeds into her stories, the way West and Lilly connected - a connection that comes from years spent together while hiding behind the guise of friendship, to the raw and unyielding chemistry between Maggie and Cooper - the kind you can try to run from but never escape, but what truly intrigued me was tenuous relationship between Rose and Tricky, this relationship that had once been so sweet that had soured and left a poisonous void between them, when friends become lovers and everything falls apart, what you're left with is a connection that won't let you breathe, try as you might to move on, it holds you captive, the friendships you've built around it leaves you held hostage inside your own grief, inside the torment of what was and what it could have been, while you wear a mask, one that shows the outside world you're okay, while you're still crumbling inside.

"So I stared in his direction, wondering how I'd gotten to where I was, lying across from the boy who I couldn't escape but couldn't have."

The second I opened Last Call I was mesmerised, Rose had always seemed like such a strong, infallible woman, and she was, but reading her thoughts, slipping into the story, as her words and thoughts invaded my mind like ink sinking into my skin, I saw all of her, her joy, her sadness, her grief, her strength, her tenacity and her strong will, it was impossible not to love her from the very first page, Rose had loved and lost, and it had hurt her, it tore her heart from her chest, but she refused to wallow in that soul crushing pain, she stood strong even when she felt weak, Rose embodied everything I look for in a heroine, she made me think, made me feel and had me in her corner, cheering her on, not just for Tricky but for Rose, from that very first page, I wanted Rose to find her happy regardless of what that might be, so often I find leading ladies happily ever afters tied up in the hero, but what I found here was that what I wanted most of all was for Rose to be okay, and not a shadow of her former self.

"I didn't know which was worse. The truth, or the lie we'd been telling ourselves."

Tricky the inked up man of few words, everything about Tricky intrigued me from the very first mention of him in With A Twist, to say that I was desperate for more of him would be a gross understatement, from the smouldering glances he levelled at Rose, to the easy camaraderie he had with West and Cooper, everything about his outward appearance may have screamed back off, but those secret smiles...gosh those secret smiles made me want to crawl inside his mind and know everything about him, Tricky seemed like that kind of man that was forever trying to do the right thing, even when it was to the detriment of himself, and I wanted to know why, what made him tick, what made him guard his heart so closely especially when it was clear that the Bad Habits crew loved him, that even Rose despite the pain of their past still cared for him deeply, but most of all I was desperate to know what happened that a man whose eyes tracked Rose's every movement, eyes that told the story of hurt and regret, of pain without a chance of absolution would willingly walk away from her.

"Rose doesn't love you for any reason other than she does. You didn't have to do anything. Don't you get it?"

Last Call was a strange concept for romance novels, so often we start at the beginning hoping that the hero and heroine will find each other, will find their happily every after, instead Hart invites the reader to what could possibly be the end, Rose and Tricky have already had the passionate love affair, they tried and failed, where any romance reader salivates for the elusive HEA, the author begs you to leave your preconceived notions at the door and take a journey that is just as much moving forward as it is looking back, as two broken characters try to navigate what they were and who they are, as well as what they could be, whether together or alone. When Rose and Tricky battled to just keep moving through the pain of their past, the fear of the unknown threatening to drown them, the waves of trepidation crashing angrily against them, the unfettered joy of second chances, of making up for lost time, I felt that, I felt it wash over me, I felt it chip away at my heart, knowing with certainly that like Rose and Tricky, whatever happened I would never be the same.

There are books that make you laugh when you desperately need it, books that leave you reading through blurry teary eyes, books that make you want to slam down your kindle, cursing the characters and the world, and there are books that make you forget time and space, that draw you in, make you feel something bigger than yourself, they hold you captive and demand your attention, they remind you why you love to read, they remind you what it feels like to truly become invested in someone else's words, they take your heart, and hold it, knowing it's precious while being unafraid to take you on the journey they need you to go on. Staci Hart reminded me that sometimes we need to get through the pain and hurt to find what we truly need on the other side, that sometimes time and perspective is what we need despite how much we just want to forget and move on, but most of she reminded me that sometimes endings are really just the beginning of something new.

"Cheers to the end, because every story that ends begins another. Cheers to beginnings that they may be full of hope and love..."

About Staci Hart:

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, even though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f and ends with k.

From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics.

Visit Staci's Website: http://stacihartnovels.com/

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

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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