Review: Heat Wave by Karina Halle

Heat Wave
Author: Karina Halle
Publisher: Karina Halle
Published: November 16, 2016
Genre: Romance, Adult, New Adult, Contemporary

They say when life closes one door, another one opens.
This door happens to lead to paradise.
And a man I can never, ever have.

~~~

Still grieving the loss of her sister who died two years ago, the last thing Veronica “Ronnie” Locke needed was to lose her job at one of Chicago’s finest restaurants and have to move back in with her parents. So when a window of opportunity opens for her – running a kitchen at a small Hawaiian hotel – she’d be crazy not to take it.

The only problem is, the man running the hotel drives her crazy:
Logan Shephard.
It doesn’t matter that he’s got dark brown eyes, a tall, muscular build that’s sculpted from daily surfing sessions, and a deep Australian accent that makes your toes curl.
What does matter is that he’s a grump.
Kind of an asshole, too.
And gets under Ronnie’s skin like no one else.

But the more time Ronnie spends on the island of Kauai, falling in love with the lush land and its carefree lifestyle, the closer she gets to Logan. And the closer she gets to Logan, the more she realizes she may have pegged him all wrong. Maybe it’s the hot, steamy jungles or the invigorating ocean air, but soon their relationship becomes utterly intoxicating.

There’s just one major catch.

The two of them together would incite a scandal neither Ronnie, nor her family, would ever recover from.

Forbidden, Illicit, off-limits – sometimes the heat is worth surrendering to, even if you get burned.

Note: this is a standalone novel, unrelated to any previous books. It does NOT contain cheating of any kind.

“Because I should have been with you, Ronnie. It’s always been you.”

Heat Wave is my second Karina Halle read. Although I loved some of its parts, it fell short of my expectations. It didn’t wow me as much as Smut did.

Veronica “Ronnie” Locke became attracted to Logan Shephard when they met at a fundraising event which was hosted by her mom. With their instant connection, they’re supposed to start going out and fall in love. It didn’t happen, though. Because Logan’s attention shifted to her sister Juliet right when he saw her for the first time. Eventually, Logan and Juliet dated and got married. Now seven years later, Juliet’s already dead and Ronnie and Logan reunited in Hawaii– the place where Logan’s hotel is located and where Ronnie is going to work as the hotel’s chef.

I loved that there was an angst. Angst is good. However, the forbidden love story didn’t quite amaze me because the characters lacked some depth. I wasn’t also convinced when it comes to Logan’s feelings to Ronnie. How come he married Juliet but deep down inside he’s in love with Ronnie? His reason was too shallow and I didn’t buy it.

The pacing of the book was also a let-down for me. It was too slow and too many scenes that are unnecessary should’ve never been included.

It’s good that the book promised a mild entertainment in the first few chapters but it kinda lost its momentum in the second half with Ronnie and Logan’s romantic development moving a little too fast.

The thing that somehow made this book redeemable was the writing of Karina Halle which was hands down beautiful and poetic. I loved how it was written with an air of melancholy. The setting was also beyond captivating. For me, this book is a really great summer read. You can read this when you’re staying on a tropical island, sipping a mojito or something. This was a good angsty romance book as a whole, but it wasn’t as spectacular as I expected. I believe there are a lot of Karina Halle’s books that are better than this. For now, Smut remains my favorite.

“There are moments in your life, people in your life, that when they cross your path and meet your eye, you know.”

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Review: Color Me Yours by Diana T. Scott

Color Me Yours
(Half of Me #3)
Author: Diana T. Scott
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: August 8, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

What happens if you wake up one morning and you don’t recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror? When you throw yourself into a relationship so deeply, it swallows you whole and spits you out a totally different person? A person you don’t particularly like… For Paige, it takes ten minutes to decide she needs to go back to Chicago, the first place she ever called home and the last she felt like herself in. The place where she’ll find a purpose and friends she never knew she needed.
But what if her best friend starts to see her before she sees herself? Can she trust him to search between scattered pieces and handpick the ones that belong only to her?

The medical residents of Half of Me series are back and this time the story focuses on the adorable couple Miles and Paige. I’ve been a fan of these lovebirds ever since Our Demons, Best Friends and Love Me While I’m Gone so you could imagine how happy I was when Diana announced that they’re going to have their own story.

Paige and Miles meet at the hospital where they’re training as medical residents. They both came from different cities and they both have something in common… a hope that the new environment will change their lives for the better. What started off as friendship turned to something else when they became not just workmates but also roommates at their rented apartment. How can they resist each other when the attraction is mutual and they seem to have a real connection?

First of all, I loved Miles. He’s one of the sweetest male leads I’ve read about. I couldn’t help but swoon every time he does some sweet gestures to Paige. And Paige is one funny woman. I loved her guts and her determination to follow her dreams. These characters are so perfect for each other and that’s also because of their chemistry which was off the charts.

Although Ava and Sebastian remain my favorite couple in this series, I adored Paige and Miles and how cute they were all throughout the book. The relationship development– from being friends, to best friends, to lovers –was amazing. *sigh I also loved how their story was written in an easy and carefree way. Sure, there was a conflict but I loved how it was resolved immediately without getting into lots of drama.

Color Me Yours is the final book of this series and I’m sure I’m going to miss these characters. I feel like they’re already part of my life. If you want to read light romance books with less drama and more swoon-worthy moments, then I highly recommend this series! 🙂

(Thank you to Diana T. Scott for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 🙂 )

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Review: Pull Me Close by Sidney Halston

Pull Me Close
(Panic #1)
Author: Sidney Halston
Publisher: Loveswept
Date of Publication: October 25, 2016
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Welcome to Panic, a sultry Miami nightclub where bodies and hearts move to a beat that doesn’t stop at sunrise—the setting for “a magnificent story full of deep emotion” (Sawyer Bennett).

Katherine: I thought I could enjoy a night out like a normal person. I thought I could handle the flashing lights, the pulsing music, the crowded dance floor. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After having an anxiety attack and passing out during my sister’s engagement party at Panic, I wake up in the arms of the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. Nick Moreno’s no gentleman. But he might just be the man I need to help me take control of my life.

Nick: When I hear there’s some random girl passed out in the back room of my family’s South Beach nightclub, I’m pissed. My dad’s already behind bars and we can’t afford any more bad press. But after giving her a lift—literally—back to her apartment, I stop seeing Katherine Wilson as some random girl. She’s gorgeous, vulnerable, and braver than she knows. And when we kiss, all I want to do is pull her close and promise that she’ll always be safe in my arms.

Advance praise for Pull Me Close

“Pull Me Close is a heart-gripping story about one of the most beautiful things in the world: the power of love.”—New York Times bestselling author Aurora Rose Reynolds

“Pull Me Close is a magnificent story full of deep emotion that will get you straight in the feels. Sidney Halston nailed it with this one.”—New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett

“An intriguing tale of anxiety and depression so authentic that readers will feel as if they are in the story with the characters. The plot is fresh and tackles a fascinating topic. The relationship between the main characters is very intense and consuming. . . . A great read!”—RT Book Reviews

Praise for Sidney Halston’s Worth the Fight series

“Against the Cage is funny, steamy, scorching—and holy hot MMA fighter, I wanted more. Five stars all the way!”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Aleo

“A steamy and fun romance that will leave readers begging for more. Sidney Halston is an author to watch!”—New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair, on Against the Cage

“Halston’s new series opener creates an organic and sensual dynamic between Jack and Chrissy that makes an easy buy-in for readers.”—Library Journal (starred review), on Against the Cage

“Sidney Halston has another knockout with her latest release in the Worth the Fight series. Full Contact is a heavyweight contender in the world of MMA romances.”—Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews

“If you love cracktastic drama and sexy times, this is for you!”—RT Book Reviews, on Fighting Dirty

“I’m falling in love with the man who saved me from myself.”

What a real surprise. This book is a gem!

There are so many reasons to love Pull Me Close. One of these is the writing which was absolutely good! It’s my first time to read a Sidney Halston book and wow, I was hooked. I loved how she nicely delivered a story that has a very challenging theme which is battling the mental illness known as PTSD.

The story started when Katherine “Katie” Wilson woke up in the arms of Nico “Nick” Moreno, the owner of the popular Miami Beach Night Club named Panic. She lost consciousness after having a panic attack right when she stepped into the club. Katie is claustrophobic. In her younger years, she experienced a traumatic experience that changed her life and made her became scared to face the outside world. While her friendship with Nico developed and her feelings toward him progressed, her fears also became stronger. But she has no choice but to conquer those fears in order to have a normal relationship with Nico and in order to give herself a chance to live a normal life again.

“You pull me close and hold me tight, and I’ll be okay.”

What impressed me most was how the PTSD aspect was well-researched. The details were so accurate. This issue actually hits home because I, myself, am one of the people who experienced panic attacks in the past. This is not an easy condition to carry. I still can remember the nerves, the fast heartbeats, the feeling of not being able to control the situation, the feeling of helplessness, and the anticipation that something worst is about to happen at any moment. All these were experienced by Katie in this book and I can say that they really do happen to someone who has panic attacks.

The book was powerful not only because of its realistic storyline but also because of the sincere and believable romance between Katie and Nico. I found myself unable to resist these characters– especially Nico because of his assertiveness and willingness to help Katie get over her condition and face her fears. Their story was not only about falling in love with each other but also about building mutual trust, understanding each other’s differences, and overcoming bad situations by simply being there for each other.

Pull Me Close was as deep and rich as it was emotional and romantic. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a romance book that has enough substance to move and melt your heart in the end.

“You’re my kind of crazy.”

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ARC Review: His to Cherish by Stacey Lynn

His to Cherish
(Fireside #3)
Author: Stacey Lynn
Publisher: Loveswept
Date of Publication: November 15, 2016
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Can two hearts entwined by hardship move on to form a healthy bond? From the author of His to Love and His to Protect, this tender, bittersweet romance brings together a man who loses everything—and a woman with everything to give.

Chelsea Dwyer arrives home from her job at the middle-school library in Latham Hills, Michigan, expecting another quiet evening—until she hears the screams for help through her living room window. As the first witness to a terrible accident involving two local students, Chelsea doesn’t anticipate how her own life will be irrevocably changed by the father of one of the boys. In the wake of tragedy, she’s the only one who seems to understand his grief. Chelsea’s a survivor, too—and she knows that there are brighter days ahead.

As a single father, Aidan Deveraux worked his entire life to provide a stable home for his son, Derrick. Without him, Aidan feels the deepest despair imaginable. The one thing that keeps him going is his connection with the woman who tried to save his son. Hard as he tries, Aidan just can’t stay away. Chelsea’s warm embrace is the comforting solace he desperately craves—and it doesn’t hurt that Aidan had noticed the beautiful librarian and wanted to ask her out for years. Now that she’s in his life, he doesn’t ever want to let go.

You know what’s so wonderful about this book? It’s the way I felt the raw emotions of the characters. The way the story weaved not just romance but also an element of family drama which I became emotionally involved with.

His to Cherish started when Chelsea Dwyer witnessed the death of Aidan Deveraux‘s son Derrick from a skateboarding accident. Since Aidan’s loss, she has been there for him, comforting him and giving him her company with no expectations. Despite the fact that she’s attracted to him and she’s completely single after her divorce with her ex-husband, she didn’t entertain the idea of them falling in love with each other. But what if Aidan is also secretly into her but is just not ready to commit to a relationship because of his grief and depression?

It’s my first time to read a book by Stacey Lynn and I must say she writes beautifully. Her characters are well fleshed-out and the narration was tightly constructed. I became invested in the story mostly because of the feels I’ve had while reading the book. Aidan and Chelsea’s chemistry was spot-on and the sexual tension was there all the time.

I especially loved the characters’ romantic development. It wasn’t hurried. And I loved the fact that they didn’t immediately jump to the sex after a series of conversations and encounters. Their mutual respect for each other amazed me to no end.

Can I also say I loved Aidan and Chelsea’s group of friends? I swear they’re all very supportive when it comes to their love affair. Friendship goals!

So, why 4 stars? I wished there weren’t unnecessary scenes. They kind of ruined the overall beauty of this book. I have nothing against slow burn romance but at times I felt the book’s pace was overstretched because of those fillers. Nevertheless, I did love this book. It was a bittersweet, emotionally-driven story but certainly with a HEA that made me smile. And oh, did I mention that Aidan Deveraux is such a perfect male lead? Gaaaah!

(An ARC was provided by Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

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Review: Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Punk 57
Author: Penelope Douglas
Publisher: Penelope Douglas
Published: October 21, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

“We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Rarely have I read a book as raw and amazing as this one. Punk 57 was quite possibly one of the best books that I have read this year. Such well-constructed storyline. Such real characters that are flawed yet redeemable. Such unique plot twist. It’s packed full of everything. HATS OFF, PENELOPE DOUGLAS!

“Do you notice that, too? How all of us just want to get through life as quickly and easily as possible? And even though we know that without risk there’s no reward, we’re still so scared to chance it?”

The story is all about childhood pen pals Misha Lare and Ryen Trevarrow. They’ve been writing letters for each other since grade school and for about seven years, they’ve never seen each others’ faces. They promised not to search each other’s name on social media to keep their identity a mystery and to keep their meaningful friendship as it is. But one unexpected night at his band’s party, Misha wasn’t able to resist the temptation of looking at Ryen’s Facebook account after he accidentally saw her picture online. That’s when he knew that Ryen was actually there at the party’s venue.

I’d be honest. This book was HOT. Like RATED PG HOT. And I’m warning you, Ryen and Misha’s smoking chemistry and their steamy scenes will possibly burn your e-reader. lol. And since it’s written by THE PENELOPE DOUGLAS, it’ll be impossible to stop reading.

Steamy scenes aside, this book resonated a powerful message. I loved how it tackled a very important issue which is bullying that happens in every school. The anti-bullying theme here was quite different compared to Douglas’s previous book Bully because in this book, the storyline was centered around the issue and most of the events happened at school. It presented a look at what kids go through every day. It was honest and terrifying and it served as an eye-opening view of what these kids’ lives are like.

One of the things that I also loved about this book was Ryen’s character which came as a huge surprise for me. She was not easy to like especially in the first few chapters, but I totally understood her. She’s a famous student at her school. A beautiful and sexy cheerleader. But underneath it all, she’s insecure. She’s worried about losing her place and losing her friends. She’s afraid to be alone. Afraid to be bullied. And that’s what made me appreciate her character. For me, she was real.

Same goes for Misha. I loved that both of these characters shared the same passion for words, the same desire for attention and love. Not to mention the same rebellious trait which was quite entertaining. And as I’ve mentioned, these characters were redeemable ones.

“We’re rebels with a reason.”

And you know what especially blew me away? The PLOT TWIST. Yes, that twist was a shocker and totally unpredictable!

It will surely take me a lot of time to get over this book. It was simply amazing. A new favorite of mine. 🙂

“We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”

Rating:

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ARC Review: Her Unexpected Engagement by Kyra Jacobs

Her Unexpected Engagement
(Checkerberry Inn #2)
Author: Kyra Jacobs
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Date of Publication: November 7, 2016
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Sometimes you’ve got to fake it ‘til you make it…

Stephanie Fitzpatrick wanted out of the spotlight after her pro-golfer husband was caught on camera cheating. But when she returns to Michigan for a job interview and some much-needed R&R, a fib told by her well-meaning sister has her looking for a temporary fiancé, or she can kiss her new start good-bye.

Desperate to hide the truth, she goes to the one man who can help—her former best friend.

Miles Masterson is relieved to see the Checkerberry Inn beginning to thrive once more. Not only does it ease his mind about his grandmother’s financial future, but also about his decision to finally escape town. But then one all grown up and sexy as hell friend from the past shows up needing rescue. Now the temptation to change the “temporary” arrangement into something more is making it harder to think about leaving.

Each book in the Checkerberry Inn series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.

I finished this book with a smile on my face.

Her Unexpected Engagement was an enjoyable light-spirited romance read. The kind of book that gives you warm and fuzzy feelings all because of its sweet portrayal of second chance romance. I’ve never read anything by Kyra Jacobs prior to this book but her way of writing captivated me. It was so Harlequin-ish and it certainly brought out nostalgic feels.

The story started when Stephanie Fitzpatrick‘s famous golf player ex-husband cheated on her in public. Fresh from heartache, she went back to her roots in Michigan to start a new life. By going back there, however, her heart got confused when she reunited with her college best friend Miles Masterson who also happened to be someone she secretly loved before she fell for her ex.

The setting was one of the things that made me fall in love with this book. Checkerberry Inn was beautifully described and living in this romantic place through the pages made me feel so comfortable. I also loved both the main characters and how their romantic development was built up. They certainly have that chemistry.

All throughout the book I found myself swooning, smiling, and laughing over how sweet their reunion was. There were of course scenes that I consider my favorite especially the one where Stephanie cooked a baked ziti that ended up in a disaster lol.

This book, as a whole, was a pleasure to read. Fast-paced, heartfelt, and with a little pinch of humor, this was one of the beautiful reunion romance books I’ve ever read! 🙂

(An ARC was provided by Entangled: Bliss and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

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Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game
Author: Sally Thorne
Publisher: William Morrow
Published: August 29, 2016
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love.

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

What a perfect combination of cute and sexy. I kept seeing The Hating Game on my Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads timeline and since it’s been gathering high ratings, of course my curiosity was piqued.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, both executive assistants to the co-owners of Bexley & Gamin, have always been at a clash with each other. They share an office room together but they don’t get along well. When their respective bosses announced that one of them will be promoted as the other boss, their competitive drive became stronger and of course, they hated each other more. If Lucy loses the job position to Joshua, she has to resign. Is she gets it, then she’ll rule over Joshua. But everything turned to chaos when their daily banters slowly converted into strange attraction and irresistible sexual tension.

Despite the usual tropes — office romance and enemies to lovers, the author Sally Thorne was able to bring life to the story through her fun and quirky characters. Lucy’s narration was all kind of hilarious. I found myself unable to stop laughing with the way she described her working relationship with Joshua and the rest of the employees of Bexley & Gamin. I also loved how the author painted Joshua’s character in a hot and adorable executive kind of way.

The daily bickering was the one that truly stood out here. It was so entertaining to see them exchange witty dialogues that just make their chemistry more apparent. The only complaint I had in this book was the inconsistency of the plotline. I admit I was a bit unsatisfied with their hating game. I thought the romantic development (enemies to lovers) progressed real quick. I kind of wished their hate relationship was longer and that it lasted at least until the middle part of the book. It would be fun to see more of them acting like a cat and a dog in a box. lol.

As a whole, this book was a nice, sweet, and enjoyable story. Nothing extravagant when it comes to angst and conflicts but just an entertaining romantic comedy book that I’m sure everyone will enjoy. For fans of contemporary books and rom-coms, give this book a chance!

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Review: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up
(Rusk University #1)
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Published: May 13, 2014
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.
In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

My expectations were met when I thought I would love a Cora Carmack book. Her books have been on my radar since 2014, but because too many books too little time, it was only two days ago when I had my first taste of her work. And it certainly did not fail.

“Do you ever think that maybe that’s all people do? Fix some things and break others? And we all just live in this giant cycle where we screw things up and hurt people we love, and then we turn around and try to atone for that by fixing other things. And maybe we’re all just waiting on our turn for a broken heart and the person who will fix it.”

All Lined Up‘s plot revolves around two characters Dallas Cole and Carson McClain. Both students of Rusk University in Texas, their attraction started when they met in very strange situation while they were at a college party. However, no matter how strong their connection is, their booming relationship is bound to doom since Carson is one of the football players of Rusk where Dallas’s father is the coach. Since Carson has a goal of becoming a full scholar at the University, he vowed to never let Dallas become a distraction for his plans. But their chemistry is of course so strong that they find it hard to resist each other.

I am generally a sucker for college romance that has sports element so basically I expected this book to knock me off my feet. I ended up adoring it because Cora Carmack’s writing matches my taste. There was absolutely something beautiful about the way she writes a sweet book with a bit of an angst and mild steam. At first I was afraid that I would end up disliking it since the storyline is already worn out. The book reminds me of Whatever Life Throws at You and Moonshot where the heroines’ dads are heads of a certain sports team. But even if All Lined Up has a similarity to those books, it differs when it comes to the characterizations.

Dallas is one likeable character. I love that she knows what she wants to pursue in life which is dancing and how she’s very determined to attain it. Her relationship with her dad is so genuine that at times I was teary-eyed. Even when she’s growing up without a mom, she turned out such a strong girl. Carson, on the other hand, is also a character that’s worthy of admiration. He is not a typical sports hero who gets all the attention of the girls on campus. He is so down to earth. Growing up in a family who lacks sufficient money to support him in his education made him become a responsible, goal-driven person and that makes him my favorite character.

“I can’t walk away from you because I don’t want to. There are a thousand things I want and need to do, but you trump all of them You drive me to distraction, and all I want to do is get lost in you. All I want to do is make you lose it, too.”

The romantic development in this book is one of my most favorites. Dallas and Carson’s relationship was not forced. It developed so naturally. I loved how they shared each moment even if they were just stolen. I also loved that they are both family-oriented and that they learn lessons from each other as their relationship progressed.

All in all, it was a sweet and cute college sports romance. I couldn’t agree more with everyone who attest that Cora Carmack is a great story-teller. It’s proven. I can’t wait to read the next books in this series and the author’s other works.

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Review: Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

Royally Screwed
(Royally #1)
Author: Emma Chase
Publisher: Emma Chase, LLC
Published: October 18, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn’t bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn’t what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There’s a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they’ve traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven’t chopped anyone’s head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King… or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

“Infamy is temporary, celebrity is fleeting, but royalty… royalty is forever.”

(I buddyread this book with the amazing Bea. Check her review by clicking her name.)

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook. By the sound of his name you already know your heart is about to pop out of your chest and go crazy. Because he is indeed such a swoon-worthy royal character. And perhaps the prospect of reading about a prince being labeled His Royal Hotness is the main reason why I was drawn into this book.

Told in alternating POVs between the main characters, Royally Screwed gives us a view of what modern day royalty romance novel is like. I haven’t read a lot of books that fall into this category because mostly I used to devour historical romances– with are about dukes and princes and lords (which I loved and missed, by the way) so starting this book kind of thrilled me. No way will I ever dislike royal characters *coughs Dorian Havilliard *coughs Cal *coughs Nikolai Lantsov.

But apparently this book was not perfect for me. Yes, I enjoyed it and it’s all because Your Highness Nicholas Pembrook has always been very funny. Like most Emma Chase’s books where the male leads don’t fail to entertain with their hilarious and naughty POVs, Prince Nicholas is no different. His POV actually reminds me of Drew Evans from Tangled. And I guess that’s the problem. I wanted him to be a little bit different to Emma Chase’s previous characters. I wanted to meet a hero that is, in a way, refreshing. But Nicholas wasn’t. Cocky, flirtatious, and somewhat always horny (lol), he is Drew Evans.

Anyways, many reviews say this new book of Emma Chase is cliché. True. But I have no problem with that because this is fiction and aren’t we all here to get lost in a world full of cliché? The story starts when Prince of Wessco, Nicholas, went to the United States to chase after his notorious brother Prince Henry. While in the US, he accidentally met a beautiful commoner named Olivia “Liv” Hammond who works as a waitress in a cafe. Guess what? The prince developed insta-attraction to Olivia. Even though he was drunk that time, he was well aware that the woman has gorgeous curves and luscious mouth. Eventually they went out together and managed to avoid media and… yes, had sex a couple of times. They however made a deal that their hook-up will never last because Nicholas is about to get marry to some royal girl in Wessco.

You can basically imagine the conflict here. Being in love with a man with a power and wealth– it’s too overwhelming for Olivia. And being attached to a commoner — Nicholas is royally screwed. It was indeed a clichéd type of story but it made me a bit excited while reading it. And scared for Olivia. What if the Queen will not like her? What if she will be criticized by the people in Wessco? So many reasons to feel anxious. I did enjoy the thrill the plot brought me.

But my main reason for not rating this book higher than 3 stars is both the main characters. Nicholas unfortunately didn’t steal my heart 100% because he appeared to be insensitive for the most part of the book. I didn’t like the way he came up with a resolution to their conflict. For me it was kind of stupid and uncaring. As for Olivia, I really hoped she had it in her to say “no” sometimes and not “yes” all the time whenever Nicholas asks her for anything. A little bit of playing hard to get and having Nicholas exert an effort wouldn’t hurt, right?

The ending, however, brought a smile to my face. It was sweet despite the fact that it’s also a bit predictable. But I liked how it ended in a way that everyone was happy. Well, almost. There’s still one character who badly needs his own piece of happily ever after. I’m looking at you, Prince Henry. I’m so excited to read his story in the next book, Royally Matched. OMG, did the blurb just say it has The Selection and The Bachelor vibes??? *grabby hands. This should be fun!

All in all, Royally Screwed was an alright read for me. I didn’t hate it but at least I liked certain parts of it. Emma Chase continues to write such a fun, adorable smuttastic read. 🙂

Rating:

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Review: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

 

Twisted Palace
(The Royals #3)
Author: Erin Watt (Pseudonym) Elle Kennedy, Jen Frederick
Publisher: Timeout LLC
Published: October 16, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

The hotly anticipated conclusion to the Royals series begun in the #1 New York Times bestselling novels Paper Princess and Broken Prince.

“This generation’s Cruel Intentions.” Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Twisted Palace was an awesome conclusion to the Royals trilogy. Readers are in for an absolute treat. I eagerly await the next book from Erin Watt. —New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Towle

“Erin Watt’s words are addictive brilliance. If you haven’t let these Royals ruin you yet, what are you waiting for?”—USA Today Bestselling Author Meghan March

These Royals will ruin you…

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

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

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

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

They may be right.

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

“… All these things are part of what twisted us up inside, but somehow those tangled strands fused until we were whole again.”

(I buddyread this book with my fabulous sis Bea.)

Talk about one of the most overwhelming twists of the year. Twisted Palace practically made me sit on the edge of my seat. And I never got to sit back.

I admit I didn’t quite trust this book to stun me the way the previous books of the series did to me. Seeing mixed reviews did that. But after finishing it, I could say Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick did not fail. The conclusion of this series is truly amazeballs!

After a set of cliffhangers in Paper Princess and Broken Prince, we finally get to have a satisfying ending. And we get to have the ultimate answer to the million dollar question: Who killed this character???

Twisted Place may have a slow-building plot but it surely brought me on a roller coaster ride because of its good amount of mystery. As I was reading it, I found myself collecting clues and piecing together some explanations but no sooner than I have formed an answer in my mind was it immediately taken away in the most insane twist. THAT TWIST, everyone, was the twist that I was looking for… and was thankfully given. I swear that revelation was something that I did not see coming.

There are things that stood out in this book including Reed and Ella’s romantic and character development. The spark that these characters ignited was so bright, almost blinding. And I loved it. They have been through the rough patches and the bumps in the road but still, they both ended up so strong and solid together. I really bought the affection they felt for each other.

I loved that Ella remained tough in her decisions and was basically there for Reed in times of difficulties. Her undying presence and love for the Royal boy and the whole Royal household really worked out so well. And Reed… OMG. This guy. He was nicely fleshed-out. It’s such a wonder seeing him grow from a mean character to a kind and dependable one. In this book we finally see a different Reed, one who can definitely control his anger issues.

Let’s face it. Series-enders with a combination of fluffy and dark themes like The Royals is a risk, and a lot of series have failed when it comes to satisfying the readers with a great conclusion, but I am happy to say that the authors in this series were able to give it to us. At no point did the overall intensity of the book feel forced.

There may be some unnecessary dramas here and there (which kind of pissed me off at first) but soon I realized that they are necessary spices. They were actually the things that brought steam in this finale. And even though I was expecting more action, I still found myself getting thrilled and nervous because I knew that anytime a bomb will drop.

All in all, I was satisfied with the series’ ending and right now I’m having this separation anxiety because well… the series already ended. It’s sad to say goodbye to Ella Harper and the Royal Boys and everyone that complete this series. Twisted Palace was brought out in an epic way and the series, as a whole, was one of the best series I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. I will definitely recommend it to the fans of this genre. 🙂

Rating:

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Review: Lick by Kylie Scott

Lick
(Stage Dive #1)
Author: Kylie Scott
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Published: November 11, 2013
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.

“You made sense to me. We make sense. We’re a whole lot better together than apart.”

This book was all I’ve ever needed in a rock star romance story. Lick was a sweet, fast moving, and guilty-pleasure book that was a pure joy to read.

The story began when Evelyn “Ev” Thomas woke up with a realization that she’s married to the famous lead guitarist of Stage Dive band, David Ferris. She happened to forget the details on how she got married to him though, because apparently it was a drunken marriage that happened in Vegas. Now she is in for a crazy and unexpected ride of her life– being a Mrs. David Ferris wherein she has to deal with paparazzi stuffs and obsessed fans. And being someone who’s confused whether she wants the marriage to continue or not– given the fact that it was an insta-marriage kind and that David is still a stranger, after all.

First of all, I loved David. I’ve read a few rock star stories with equally hot rock star leads but David is quite different. Apart from being a man-candy who has an intoxicating charm all over his body, this guy knows exactly how to care for his woman. I loved the way he extended his sweetness for Ev and the way he chased after her when things got bad.

Our heroine Ev is also likeable, although I wish to see more depth in her character. Despite the absence of that factor though, I found her feelings for David genuine. She didn’t care about how rich and famous David is but instead she treated him like an ordinary guy. As for the side characters, I found them really adorable and interesting– especially Mal and Jimmy. I can’t wait to read their stories in the next books of this series!

Overall, this book met my expectations. It didn’t fail to surprise me and make me smile the whole time I was reading it. I loved that it was just light and easy read, without unnecessary dramas. I also loved how it was written in an enticing and delicious way. It’s my first time to read Kylie Scott’s work and she sure made me fall in love with her writing style.

(I’ve read this book for the #NALitLoversPH #NewAdultAndBeyondPH readalong)

Rating:

You may want to read my girls’ reviews of this book, too. 🙂

Claire’s review

Bea’s review

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Review: One Day Soon by A. Meredith Walters

One Day Soon
Author: A. Meredith Walters
Publisher: A. Meredith Walters
Published: February 18, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Adult, Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:

He found me in blood and tears.
I stayed with him through darkness and fire.

We loved each other in the moment between innocence and bitter truth.
We were the kids easily ignored, who grew into adults we hardly knew.

We weren’t meant to last forever. And we didn’t.

He ran away.
I tried to move on.

Yet I never stopped thinking about the boy who had fought to keep me alive in a world that would have swallowed me whole. He was the past that I buried, but never forgot.

Until the day I found him again, years after believing I had lost him forever.

And in cold, resentful eyes, I saw the heart of the man who had been everything when I had nothing at all. So I vowed to hold onto the second chance that was stolen from the children we had been.

Sometimes fate is ugly. Life can be twisted.
And who we are can be ruined by who we once were.

For two people who had survived so much, we would have to learn how to hold on before we were forced to let go.

“We loved each other. And in the ugly world we inhabited, it was a light we had clung to.”

(I’ve read this book for the #NALitLoversPH #NewAdultAndBeyondPH readalong)

I’ve been devouring romance books with heavy contents and depressing themes lately and it kind of affects my personal thoughts and emotions– to the point where I find myself gross-sobbing alone. Lol. Anyways, I think these books are real gems despite the pain that they cause in our hearts because they simply make us FEEL. Reflect. And learn a lot of lessons.

One Day Soon opened up my box of emotions and stole it all. A story that centers around two characters Imogen “Imi” Conner and Yossarian “Yoss” Frazier, it tackles sensitive issues about homelessness, sexuality, child abuse, and more.

I couldn’t say reading this book was a pleasant experience because almost everything that happened here was sad. Yoss and Imi’s childhood experiences were too horrible to imagine. But I am so glad that these characters found their way to healing when they met 15 years later after the most terrible situation hit them.

Don’t want to spoil you by giving away too much about the story, but this book, as a whole, was a cry-worthy book, heavy with the angst, and beautifully written. This was my first A. Meredith Walters read and I could say that she’s brilliant in this genre. I find her poetic writing comforting and more than soothing to the soul.

I have a slight issue though. The ending was a bit blurry and I don’t know what really happened or how the book really concluded. Was it a sad or a happy ending? I guess the author just wants the reader to really dig deeper and think about it countless times. Either way, I’m sticking to a happy ending. That’s how I want all the stories to end, anyways. 🙂

“Because one day soon, I promise you that all this ugly will become something beautiful.”

Rating:

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You can read reviews of this book from my bookish sisters from #NALitLoversPH #NewAdultAndBeyondPH Book Club here:

Rechellyn’s review

Kat’s review

Claire’s review

Bea’s review

Allie’s review

Jam’s review

READ ALL MY REVIEWS HERE

Review: Sidebarred by Emma Chase

Sidebarred
(The Legal Briefs #3.5)
Author: Emma Chase
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: April 24, 2016
Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:

There was a time when Jake Becker had it all together. He was controlled, driven, ruthless—in and out of the courtroom.

Then, six irresistible orphans and their heartbreakingly beautiful aunt crashed into his perfectly ordered life. They changed everything. They changed him. Now he’s a husband, an upstanding member of society, a father figure—a family man. And he’s pretty damn good at it.

Sure, he has to referee sibling smackdowns, re-learn algebra, ensure his clients stay of jail, and keep his wife happy—but it finally feels like he’s got it together again….

So, of course something has to screw it all up. It’s huge. Life-changing. Kind of terrifying.

And it will be the most amazing, perfect thing he’ll ever do.

I am sure gonna miss this series!

Wow. If there’s a happiest of all happiest ending, I think this is the one. Emma Chase closed the series beautifully by giving us a glimpse of the lives of all the characters in this series years and years after their HEA.

This series has really grown on me. I seriously loved all the characters, especially Jake and the McQuaid kids. In this novella, there were newly introduced characters who made such a great addition to the gang and I loved it. I enjoyed all the joyous moments, all the crazy shenanigans and some family dramas and most especially, the scenes where Jake and the adorable kids interact. I also loved the fact that the author showed the lives of Brent, Kennedy, Stanton, and Sophia. And omg, THAT EPILOGUE. I cried and I’m not even kidding. It was one of the most beautiful epilogues I’ve read so far.

Not going to say much, of course, because it’s going to be a spoiler.

So if you want to read a happy series that also provides some sexiness and drama, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and go read this series. I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys Adult Romance and romantic comedy books. I swear this is not just a series that offers fun but it has delightful storylines and emotional depth. Wonderful job, Emma Chase! Thank you for writing this unforgettable series. 🙂

Rating:

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Review: Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel’s Inferno
(Gabriel’s Inferno #1)
Author: Sylvain Reynard
Publisher: Penguin
Published: October 11, 2012
Genre: Romance, Adult, New Adult Contemporary
My Rating:

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well-respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, Gabriel’s Inferno is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible—forgiveness and love.

“You are a only a magnet for mishap, Miss Mitchell, while I am a magnet for sin.”

There are three things I loved the most about this book:

Gabriel Emerson

Gabriel Emerson

and GABRIEL EMERSON

Gabriel Emerson aside, I loved all the things about this book. I was pulled in the moment I started reading it because of Sylvain Reynard‘s unique and captivating writing. The storyline, although you can call it cliché, is usually the kind of story that holds my interest. Forbidden student-teacher love? Right up my alley!

Gabriel’s Inferno is written as a 3rd person POV. It follows the enigmatic Gabriel Owen Emerson, a Dante specialist and professor at the University of Toronto. As a professor, he is not allowed to get romantically involved with any of his students, but when he met the innocent, vulnerable and somewhat familiar graduate student Julia Mitchell, he wasn’t able to resist the physical and even emotional attraction that he felt for her.

I’ll be honest with you. There was a slow build-up of the plot and the romantic development here, but I thought it was a good thing. I love stories that begin with enough prelude before getting into intimacies. Julia and Gabriel’s romantic development gave me goosebumps. The fact that they started their relationship as platonic…. it was sweet and breathtaking.

I especially adored the classical sound tracks that were mentioned in this book. I am a fan of Andrea Bocelli and his song Sogno was featured here, so it automatically made me swoon. The dialogues in this book were also charming. I cannot properly formulate a thought on how I enjoyed the way Julia and Gabriel had deep conversations and how they connected Dante’s The Divine Comedy to their own story (Although I honestly don’t have the knowledge about The Divine Comedy lol). When it comes to my favorite scene, it happened in Chapter 15. Man, that was some fiery exchange of dialogues.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story climbed as a whole. It was slow burn but so worth it. I am so excited to delve into the next book!

Rating:

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Review: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

Making Faces
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Amy Harmon
Published: October 12, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Drama

Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She’d been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have…until he wasn’t beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl’s love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior’s love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beastwhere we discover that there is little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

Talk about an amazing book at its most extreme! This book is a rare gem. You know it’s crafted to tear your heart into a million pieces but you still read it anyways ‘coz it’s beautifully written and heartfelt!

“Maybe everyone represents a piece of the puzzle. We all fit together to create this experience we call life. None of us can see the part we play or the way we see are just the tip of the iceberg. And maybe we just don’t recognize the blessings that come as a result of terrible things.”

Making Faces is a story about a girl named Fern Taylor. She’s one of those protagonists people call an ‘ugly duckling’ because of her frizzy wild red hair, crooked teeth, a million freckles on her face, and huge eyeglasses. But even though she grew up with a knowledge that she’s not physically attractive like the rest of the girls in Hannah Lake, she was well-loved by her parents and her cousin and best friend Bailey. While in high school, she developed this infatuation to Ambrose Young, Hannah Lake’s golden boy and the most popular guy and most looked-up to. Ambrose has all the things young girls will fall in love with. He’s beautiful, strong, smart, talented, athletic, perfect. But when 9/11 happened in the U.S. which urged him to sign up for military together with his close friends, his life changed and he returned home with a tortured soul and a ruined physicality.

I can’t believe I haven’t read it sooner. Amy Harmon is such a genius and a talented author and I knew it just by reading the first few paragraphs of the book. She did a wonderful job in this novel because of the way she chose words that absolutely hit home. All throughout the book I found myself hanging on to every word because I’m afraid I’ll be missing out a tiny detail.

What struck me most about this book was how the author inspired everything based on real life. The characters she featured were so raw and without any pretense. The main setting she chose was also peaceful and quiet and in a way, very comforting. I also loved the fact that the book tackled some inspiring and religious concepts which made me ponder my own reality. It also gave us the glimpse about the experiences military men face outside the country and what it would be like to work in those areas away from home and from loved ones.

I cried a lot of times all throughout the book because of the deep and meaningful messages it instilled and how it portrayed the importance of being close to God as much as being close to your family and friends. I also learned from this book that inner beauty is more important than physical beauty and what matters most is the good things you impact to someone’s life.

“I think sometines a beautiful face is false advertising too, and too many of us don’t take the time to look beneath the lid.”

The book also has a good romance in it. Ambrose and Fern’s romantic development– from childhood strangers to friends to lovers– was so remarkable. It developed naturally and beautifully. Their love was so inspiring I don’t think I would ever forget it. I am forever thankful that authors like Amy Harmon exist. An incredible book like this deserves the spotlight. It’s one that I wouldn’t trade for any book.

In Making Faces, the emotions emanating from the pages and the overall impact was truly worth the ride. So if you’re looking for a book that will provide you a good cry, do yourself a favor and put this on top of your tbr! :’)

“Thank you for making even ugly things beautiful.”

Rating:

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Review: Idol by Kristen Callihan

Idol
(VIP #1)
Author: Kristen Callihan
Publisher: Kristen Callihan
Published: June 7, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

Libby

I found Killian drunk and sprawled out on my lawn like some lost prince. With the face of a god and the arrogance to match, the pest won’t leave. Sexy, charming, and just a little bit dirty, he’s slowly wearing me down, making me crave more.

He could be mine if I dare to claim him. Problem is, the world thinks he’s theirs. How do you keep an idol when everyone is intent on taking him away?

Killian

As lead singer for the biggest rock band in the world, I lived a life of dreams. It all fell apart with one fateful decision. Now everything is in shambles.

Until Liberty. She’s grouchy, a recluse—and kind of cute. Scratch that. When I get my hands on her, she is scorching hot and more addictive than all the fans who’ve screamed my name.

The world is clamoring for me to get back on stage, but I’m not willing to leave her. I’ve got to find a way to coax the hermit from her shell and keep her with me. Because, with Libby, everything has changed. Everything.

“Killian James isn’t just an addiction, or a summer fling. He’s becoming my everything. And that is both exhilarating and terrifying.”

(I buddyread this book with my beautiful friend Rachmi. Click her name to read her thoughts. :))

Because of its glowing reviews, I wasn’t able to resist reading this book. They were right, it was a guilty-pleasure read. The moment I started reading it, I found myself really hooked because of the interesting characters who are both inclined to music. I also found the rock star thing irresistible.

Liberty “Libby” Bell‘s life changed when drunk and messy Rock God, six-foot tall idol Killian James bombarded her in her home in a small island of North Carolina. Despite her disgust for the stranger, Libby took care of him until he woke up sober. It was days after their series of interactions when she found out that Killian was the famous lead guitarist of the band Kill John and he happened to run away for a while to keep himself away from media and the public. It was also his way of coping after what happened to his band mate and best friend Jax. Libby and Killian soon became aware of their growing affection towards each other. They also found out that they have the same passion when it comes to music, and that Libby was after all, a woman of talent behind her laid-back lifestyle.

The book actually gave me butterflies in my stomach. Killian didn’t fail to hook me with his amazing personality. So much sexiness exuded in him! I loved the way he changed Libby’s perspectives toward life and how he was able to inspire her. Libby, on the other hand, had a great character development. She learned from her mistakes and quickly realized that it’s not that good to miss once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

I loved the premise of the story and the tone of it as a whole. It’s my first time to have a taste of Kristen Callihan‘s book and I can say that her writing makes me feel things. However, I can’t give this book more than a few stars because the second half of the book bored me. The plot kind of went downhill because of the unnecessary scenes. I think it’s because the story already focused on the sex and no longer on the deep and emotional side. Also, I wished that the book just centered on Killian and Libby’s story and there were no side stories about the other band members’ dramas. Still it was a great and enjoyable book. It made me want to read more rock star themed romance stories! 🙂

Rating:

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Review: Blu by J. Kahele

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Blu
(Violet Chain #3)
Author: J. Kahele
Publisher: J. Kahele
Published: March 17, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

Pearl has lived under the hard hand of a vicious man for years and when she finally makes her escape, she is hit by a car and wakes up in the hospital. She doesn’t remember anything from the night before, except for the comforting touch, of a beautiful man named, Christopher Blu.

Blu learns that Pearls life has been a circle of degradation, hurt and pain and he wants so bad to help her through it, that it completely envelopes his life. He cares for her and there is a mutual attraction between the two. But he’s not sure if what he feels for her is real, or if it is just his compassion for a woman who has been so brutally scarred by her life.

This book is intended for mature audiences only.

“She was the one, my broken little angel, the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life putting back together, piece by piece.”

I had so much fun with this book just like how I enjoyed the previous books of Violet Chain series. It was a refreshing experience to get to know a new set of main protags. In this book we meet the heroine Pearl. (Yay! It actually felt so strange. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with my name as a main character. However, I felt honored since the author said that she purposely chose my name to be the heroine’s. How cool is that!). We also meet the male lead Christopher Blu or simply known as Blu who happens to be Chain and David’s close friend.

These two characters met one night when David accidentally hit Pearl on a road while Blu was with him. After taking her to the nearest hospital, they found out that Pearl was simply a damsel in distress, one who escaped away from slavery. Now when Pearl woke up, Blu decided to take her to his home and offer her shelter since she has nowhere else to go.

This book was kind of different compared to the previous books because it simply had a dark side in it. Add the fact that it also had some action in the near-end which made me utterly speechless. The characters were amazing. Christopher Blu was a babe and Pearl was sweet and adorable. Also, Blu and his friends were squad goals! I enjoyed their little banters so much.

I could say that this book was a welcome distraction for me and distract me it did. There were funny and entertaining scenes. The plot was fairly credible and there was a fast pacing, too. Plus, I found a bit of an angst here which gave an emotional punch.

I just had a little concern when it comes to the build-up of trust between Pearl and Blu. It was too instant I wish it didn’t take a second for Pearl to trust him. It was kind of weird to trust someone stranger (just because she was attracted to him at first sight) and to never trust everyone else around her. In a way it was a little unbelievable.

Nevertheless, the sexy scenes were hot and the romance was definitely a winner. There was real chemistry between the characters and for me that’s the most important thing. As a whole, this book won me over. It was enticing and altogether a guilty-pleasure. I’ll be reading the next books for sure!

Fun Fact: My ex-boyfriend’s name is Christopher. I see what you did there, J. Kahele. *smirks

(A copy was provided by the author, J. Kahele, in exchange for an honest review.)

Rating:

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Review: Feel Me Break by Tara R.

Feel Me Break
Author: Tara R.
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Published: May 10, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Drama
My Rating:

Chloe Reed and Nick Grayson couldn’t have more different lives. Where Chloe had a bleak future and was trying to deal with a loss that had left a hole in her heart, Nick was a happy-go-lucky guy, leading a carefree life with a path set.

Until one fateful night, they met and everything changed. The night that gave Chloe hope for the future, left Nick scarred for life. Was their meeting a one-off tryst or was their story just beginning?

“There are some things in life you aren’t supposed to move past. They become a part of you, they define you, and you just have to learn how to live with it.”

It’s always great to read a book that evokes different emotions and introspection. When I finished reading this novella, it kind of blew me away. The story was very absorbing, from the sudden events in the beginning to the internal struggling both characters faced as they tried to make difficult decisions.

Feel Me Break falls into the heartbreaking and sad category. It’s a prequel story about two characters named Chloe Reed and Nick Grayson. When Chloe’s brother died and her parents separated, her world fell apart which made her become indifferent and self-destructive. For a brief moment, Nick came into her life and prevented her to end her misery and instead gave her hope. But in a sudden twist of fate Nick met an accident and ruined a person’s life which scarred him emotionally.

What I especially loved about this novella was the beautiful writing. It was easy, comfortable, and engaging which moved along at a good pace. The characters were also well thought-out. They’re not difficult to connect and I cared about them deeply. I also found the romance very promising. The ending kind of wrecked me, though. I wished both characters didn’t go through that situation wherein (view spoiler). It was kind of unbelievable and distressing when it all happened at the same time. 😦

This novella, as a whole, was a great start to a series. It was a quick and easy read but it didn’t fail to move me. I am thrilled for the first full-length novel to come. I hope to find a lot more surprises!

“You saved me that night, Nick. So let me save you.”

(A copy was provided by the author, Tara R., in exchange for an honest review.)

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Review: The Gamble by Kristen Ashley

The Gamble
(Colorado Mountain #1)
Author: Kristen Ashley
Publisher: Forever
Published: December 11, 2012
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

Love is the greatest gamble of all…

Nina Sheridan desperately needs a timeout vacation. With a fiancé who can’t even remember how she takes her coffee, Nina wants some distance to rethink her engagement. Flying halfway around the world from England to a mountain town in Colorado should do the trick. But when she finds a gorgeous man at her rental cabin, Nina’s cold, lonely adventure suddenly heats up.

The owner of the house, Holden “Max” Maxwell is surprised by the beautiful woman who turns up at his door. But when Nina becomes ill, Max spends days nursing her back to health. A private man with a broken heart, Max finds himself drawn to the strong-willed woman. Soon it becomes impossible for Nina and Max to deny their growing attraction to one another. Yet even as these two wounded lovebirds think about taking a chance on a relationship, a dangerous secret from Max’s past emerges-and threatens to end their love for good.

“You think to slide back, settle for something that made you run away because you think it’s safe, because it’s familiar, because you’re scared of takin’ a gamble on me, I’m warnin’ you now, Duchess, I’m not gonna allow that.”

Be still my heart. This book was all kinds of sweet and adorable and wonderful!

The Gamble may be wordy but it was so worthy. 670+ pages and I regret nothing! Perhaps it has something to do with the way the author made me feel so ooey and gooey inside all throughout the book and how she provided such an atmospheric depiction of Colorado Mountain.

The story started when English heroine Nina Sheridan went to Colorado Mountain for a vacation-slash-timeout. She was confused with what’s going on with her relationship with her fiancé and she needed a moment to think. In order to do that, she has to go somewhere far and cozy and Colorado Mountain was perfect for it. The moment she stepped into the beautiful mansion she’s supposed to stay, she met the handsome (or should I say, perfect) owner named Max. While staying there they were able to get to know each other and well, eventually developed attraction and fell in love. Of course it wasn’t that perfect and easy since Nina’s already engaged and Max has a complicated past that she has to find out.

I found this book quite a guilty-pleasure. I’m a first-time Kristen Ashley reader and I couldn’t help but admire her delicious writing. She has this way of engaging her readers through her entertaining characters and romantic, sexy innuendos. Max was literal Alpha-Male. He was a jealous and possessive caveman but I couldn’t help but fall in love with his character. While Max was sometimes a jerk, Nina was the exact opposite. She was soft but she’s a tough one. Not to mention she was cute and funny. The two of them totally made a great couple and yes, they’re now my favorite sweethearts.

There were lots of conflicts in this book and while I found some of them quite unnecessary, such as Mindy’s personal dilemmas, I think they added a little bit of spice to the story. There were also lots of misunderstandings between Max and Nina but they were resolved and I was happy with that.

One thing that made me appreciate this book was Nina and Max’s relationship which felt real to me. They both have imperfections but they’ve willingly accept them. They also made some mistakes but they corrected them and didn’t let them become a reason to let each other fall apart. The give and take relationship amazed me.

And now here’s my favorite line from Max to Niles:

“Fucked her last night, man, and this morning. Five times. Five. It was like she hadn’t been touched in a decade. So fuckin’ sweet. Damn,” he taunted, his eyes locked on Niles. “You’ve had her, you gotta know, not enough money in the world’s worth that.”

Yes. Be still my heart…

The Gamble, as a whole, was a beautiful start to the series. After reading it, I decided to read more books written by Kristen Ashley. She has so many novels that were recommended to me by my lovely friends. Do you fancy winter romance books? Then put this on your tbr. 🙂

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Review: Trouble by Samantha Towle

Trouble
Author: Samantha Towle
Publisher: Samantha Towle
Published: November 17, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Dark
My Rating:

Mia Monroe is running. Running from a person she doesn’t ever want to find her. Running from a past she doesn’t ever want anyone to know. Desperate to find a future, that yesterday, she could only dream of having.

Jordan Matthews likes easy. Easy women. Easy life.

Then he meets Mia.

She’s damaged, troubled and has more baggage than any person can carry. But the more Jordan gets to know Mia-for the first time in his life-he finds himself wanting to try hard for something … for someone … for her.

And then life isn’t so easy anymore.

Jordan is everything Mia shouldn’t want. A whole bunch of dirty hotness, tattooed, cocky bad boy, who made his money at poker tables and picked his women up in bars. Yet, Mia finds herself falling for him. Then the past Mia was running from, quickly starts to catch up with her. Because that’s the problem with running … you have to stop sometime.

And when you stop, you get caught.

Full length New Adult Contemporary Romance.
Recommended Reading Age 18+

This book was indeed trouble.

The book introduces us to the heroine Mia Monroe, a victim of physical abuse from her dead father and her boyfriend. When she decided to finally fight back and leave her boyfriend and the abusive relationship, she went into a secluded hotel where she met the son of the owner, the playboy tattooed guy Jordan Matthews.

At first I really thought I will like it. The introduction seemed intriguing since it depicted a dark, twisted drama about abuse. In the first few chapters, I found myself thoroughly engaged because of author’s writing. But when I reached the male’s POV, I became very frustrated.

Jordan Matthews is an a-hole. I had a problem with his attitude and the way he regards women like they’re a piece of trash. I get that the author is trying to give us a clichéd manwhore hero who breaks hearts and vaginas, but this guy got into my nerves! He was so full of himself and just totally a jerk.

So he redeemed himself in the later parts of the book because he fell in love with Mia and he wanted to comfort her and be the man who is right for her. But it’s too unbelievable.

You see, I can’t find myself swooning over a guy who managed to give a bad impression to me. Another thing that bothered me was how the story went slowly spiraling downhill after Chapter 3. Mia and Jordan’s interactions were lame. I no longer care about them from there, to be honest.

I think the only positive thing that I found here was the character development of Mia in the end where she embraced the possibilities of her new life and became a tough and wiser woman.

“Sometimes that’s all it takes. Just one person to turn everything on its head. Remind you of the person you were.”

As a whole, I didn’t enjoy this book. At first it was promising but it just didn’t work out for me in the end. 😦

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