Wednesday 31 May 2017

Review ~ Tapping the Billionaire (Billionaire Bad Boys #1) by Max Monroe

Tapping the Billionaire (Billionaire Bad Boys, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: April 26th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Blind dates? Online dating profiles? Been there, done that.

Georgia Cummings has zero luck with dating, and the era of the internet is not her friend. 
No matter how fast she runs, how many corners she turns, she can’t find her way out of this weird, alternate universe where men think dick pics are a replacement for small talk and getting to know a girl. One more crotch selfie and she might write men off for good… 

But why can’t she stop fantasizing about him? 

Kline Brooks is the quintessential billionaire bad boy—dark, styled, short hair, muscles for days, and a panty-dropping smile. 
Except—he isn’t.

As his employee, he won’t touch her with a ten foot pole. 
But she won’t touch him either.

Too bad their hormones missed the memo.

My Opinion

This was a really enjoyable read and just what I needed amid the stress of uni deadlines. It was funny, well-paced, and had a touch of drama. 

The main thing I liked about Tapping the Billionaire were the characters and their humour. I enjoyed the jokes and had a smile on my face throughout the story. I also liked how Kline was a down to earth billionaire and that Georgie didn't feel too intimidate. The incident with the Benadryl was laugh out loud funny and they worked together. 

Of course, there are a few genre tropes that had me rolling my eyes, but the humour and characters pulled me through


Overall, this was a really enjoyable read and I can't wait for more. 

4

Monday 29 May 2017

Review ~ You Make Me Weak (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake, #1) by Juliana Stone

You Make Me Weak (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: November 29th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Tall, dark, and tattooed, FBI agent Hudson Blackwell has come home to Crystal Lake to deal with his dying father and leave. He doesn’t believe in much, other than his brothers, his God, and his country. He likes his life simple and hates complications. So running into the-girl-he-let-get-away is one complication he can do without. Yet the flames of desire still burn hot and it’s not so easy to break ties a second time around. Makes a guy wonder…

Can a man who always chooses to leave, find a reason to stay?

Rebecca Draper is hoping a second chance at life will get her back on track. With a failed marriage behind her and a young son to support, this former beauty queen has no time for Hudson Blackwell—yet running into him stirs up things. Hot things. Wild things. The man once broke her heart, so getting involved with him would be crazy. Yet he awakens a desire and a need so intense she can’t deny it. It begs the question…

Can a woman who wants love, be brave enough to take a chance on a man who could destroy her?

My Opinion

This was a good read. It had its good points as well as bad, but overall I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained.

You Make Me Weak held my interest well at first. I love second chance romances and I wanted to know how Hudson and Rebecca's story would unfold.

For the most part, I liked them both. I thought they worked well together and their story kept me interested. However, I did think Rebecca caved way too easily. I would have liked a little more grovelling and and fighting before they got to the falling in bed together part. It would have made it a bit more realistic.

Apart from that I would have liked a bit more detail in the book in general. The author introduces many small plot threads throughout the book, yet I never felt they got fully fleshed out so that by the end I was questioning their relevance. They didn't add much for me so I didn't see them as necessary.


Anyway, despite those two minor things, I did enjoy this book. It was an easy second chance love story.

4

Saturday 27 May 2017

Review ~ Wicked Beautiful (Wicked Games #1) by J.T. Geissinger

Wicked Beautiful (Wicked Games #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: July 12th 2016


Publisher: Jack's House Publishing


Description:

A ruthless businesswoman and the playboy who dumped her long ago find themselves embroiled in a high stakes game of love, lies and revenge.

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restauranteur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

My Opinion

Why has it taken me so long to hear about this author?

I found Wicked Beautiful through an Amazon freebie. The blurb intrigued me and I had to start it as soon as I finished my last few ARCs. I knew I'd like it, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did.

Wicked Beautiful held my attention brilliantly. I loved the secrecy from both characters and the love-hate relationship. I thought the chemistry was well-crafted and the author did a good job with keeping the characters likeable in the end after taking me on such a roller coaster.

My only small complaint is it ended. I didn't feel the epilogue was long enough and I wanted the loose ends tied up a little more, but it does give a satisfying conclusion. I just didn't want it to end.


Overall, I really enjoyed this book and need to buy book 2. I can't wait for Connor's story.

5

Thursday 25 May 2017

Review + Giveaway ~ Chance at Redemption (Madison Square #3) by Samatha Harris


Chance at Redemption
Samatha Harris
(Madison Square #3)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: May 23rd 2017
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Gwen Stevens had a privileged life until her father spoke three little words that turned her world upside down. “You’re cut off.”
Broke and desperate, Gwen is forced to accept a waitressing job, but this glimmer of hope has a price. As if being a cocktail waitress isn’t bad enough, she has to do it in a dive bar called The Den, and her bad luck doesn’t stop there. She also needs to deal with the new owner, a blue-eyed, self-righteous ass determined to make her life miserable.
Liam Sinclair walked away from the entitlement and obligation his family planned for him, vowing to make his own way in the world…
Adjusting to life as a new business owner, Liam has experienced more than his fair share of setbacks. When his only waitress breaks her leg, his sister takes it upon herself to hire a replacement—a spoiled, self-indulgent hothead with too much makeup and more than enough attitude. Gwen represents the world he’s trying to escape, a world of excess and greed that he was never cut out for.
Appearances can be deceiving, and first impressions aren’t always right…
Despite their apparent differences, the tension between them turns to a fiery passion that neither of them can resist. Together they find balance and learn to appreciate the simpler things in life. But Gwen soon discovers that old habits die hard, and one mistake is all it takes to ruin everything.
Forgiveness must be earned, but even a villain deserves a chance at redemption…

My Opinion
I requested this book because I read Somewhere in Between last year and enjoyed it. I never read book 2, since the trope in that book didn't interest me, but I was excited to read Liam's story. 

Chance at Redemption was an easy read I found myself getting through too quickly. It held my attention and I liked the idea behind the story. It kept me engaged and I was easily drawn into the author's world. 

As for the characters, I liked Liam. He was a good guy with a big heart. He helped those in need and he was an easy character to vouch for. Gwen on the other hand wasn't as easy to like because of her attitude. She did grow on me as she changed but I would have liked to see her do more--just small gestures--around Liam so she didn't come off as entitled still. 

While I did like the characters, I'm not sure I bought into their relationship. I didn't really feel the chemistry building on the lead up to their first kiss. For me, there wasn't really a spark between them. I liked the way they drove each other crazy with their attitudes, and it worked in that sense, but the passion wasn't quite there. 

As for the ending, I'm glad Drew and Alex got their wedding. I did feel the story just cut off and wasn't given time to slow down though. I would have liked an epilogue. 


Overall this was an enjoyable read. I read it faster than expected and was drawn into the characters' world. I still prefer book 1, but it was a good continuation.

4

Tuesday 23 May 2017

Review ~ Down & Dirty by Tracy Wolff

Down & DirtyeARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 23rd 2017

Publisher: Loveswept

Description:
Emerson: Talk about bad first impressions. I have too much riding on this job to show up late on my first day looking like the winner of a wet T-shirt contest, all thanks to an arrogant quarterback who drives like he owns the road. Hunter Browning thinks that because he’s famous, he can fix everything with a smile and a wave of his hand. He’s too bronzed, buff, and beautiful for his own good. Or mine. I can’t let on that I’m a fan . . . no matter how much fun we’d have in the sack.

Hunter: Hitting that puddle was my best play since winning the Super Bowl with a touchdown pass. Sure, it’s not my preferred way to get a girl wet, but I’ll make an exception for Emerson Day. She’s got a sharp tongue and a red-hot temper, even with her soaking clothes plastered to her every curve. Now I know exactly what my next play will be: hire Emerson as my personal real-estate agent, save her job—and see if I can take her off the market.

My Opinion

I was hooked from chapter one with Down and Dirty. I only intended to start it to kill some time while waiting for a friend to arrive. However, I ended up reading 50% and struggled to stop and get on with my day after that. This read definitely surprised me.

Down and Dirty captured my interest most because of the banter and battle of wits between Emerson and Hunter. From the second they meet they're hurling jabs at one another, and I liked that Emerson could hold her own against Hunter. As they spent more time together the banter became more playful and flirty. I definitely thought there was chemistry between them, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

The plot also kept me engaged with its mix of angst and lightheartedness. I will admit that having got to the end I'm not sure I believe in the relationship completely because of the short time period. I felt the book moved away from the playful and flirty banter in the second half and focused more on the sex. If I'm honest, I did skim these sections more. For me some of the chemistry was lost in favour of standard sex scenes, which I'm becoming bored of when they're repeated numerous times. It feels more like a filler than adding anything. I wanted more of them getting to know each other to build up first.


Overall, I did enjoy this read. The first half was better than the second, but the characters pulled me through. It had a mix of light and dark that made me smile and pulled of my heartstrings, so pick up a copy if the blurb sounds interesting.

4

Monday 22 May 2017

Review ~ Love Always: A Game of Hearts Novel by Candace Knoebel & Sonya Loveday

Love Always: A Game of Hearts NoveleBook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: August 25th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Fraternization between guests and employees at the Diamond Isle Resort is against the rules.

However, rules mean nothing when it comes to matters of the heart. 


Phillip Warrington is smart, sexy, and goal-oriented. He has always had his life planned out. But none of those plans involved falling for a wildly adventurous employee at the resort. She liberates him in ways he never thought possible—with methods that his parents would never approve. But he can control his yearnings, right?

Maggie Fairchild knows the season is almost over. With her plan to take to the seas only months away, she wasn't expecting Phillip, one of those off-limit kinds of boys, to stumble onto her path and steal her heart. Between steamy kisses and late-night moments near the ocean, Maggie finds herself caught in a riptide of passion, one she never anticipated. But who’s ever prepared for meeting the greatest love of your life?

With summer coming to an end, Maggie and Phillip take their relationship to the next level before they have to say goodbye. Can their budding romance be enough to survive the pulling tides of change, or will they drift apart before they even have a chance to explore what could have been?

My Opinion

Love Always was a good read. It started off a bit slow, but it picked up and I breezed through the last half of the book. 

To begin with I did consider not finishing this book. Phillip irritated me. I loved Maggie's outlook on life, but Phillip was so weak and gullible. I hated how he let his mother dictate his life and it almost went on slightly too long without change. 

Anyway, finally he started to stand up for himself. His letters with Maggie were sweet and from this point on the book held my interest better. Phillip grew up and finally changed--mostly. There were sections that were predictable and he was still a little too naive at time, but I was glad he had Ed. 


Overall I can't complain too much when I got it free. It was an easy read about two characters from different worlds seizing control of their life and dreams. It did keep me entertained, so if the blurb interests you you might want to give it a go. 

3.5

Sunday 21 May 2017

Review ~ Adapted For Film by Stacey Rourke

Adapted For Film
eBook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: March 9th 2015


Publisher: Anchor Publishing Group


Description:

Aubrey Evans is living every author’s dream; her sizzling romance novel is being turned into a blockbuster film. She would be celebrating this momentous event, if she wasn’t busy fighting over every tiny production detail with the maddeningly cavalier director, Kole Camden. 

When news of their heated rivalry hits the gossip columns, drastic measures must be taken to save their sinking project. In an elaborate PR hoax, she is publicly linked to Greyson Meyers, the swoon-worthy star of her movie. A whirl-wind love affair is staged for the couple to mirror the steamy chapters of her own books. 

Can the introverted author resist the charms of Hollywood’s sexiest leading man? Or will love find her in the City of Angels?

My Opinion

This is the first book I've read by this author so I wasn't sure what I was getting. In the end Adapted for Film was a quick and easy read with some humorous moments, but it did leave me wanting more.

In general, this book was likeable. It started off well with the comical clashes between the author, Aubrey, and the director, Kole. I liked the mix of interviews in the present day and the events actually unfolding as they happened. However, for me, the romance left a lot to be desired for. I liked the premise of the idea, but I just felt it needed more. I was never fully invested in one guy more than the other, and I felt things moved too quickly so that emotions didn't feel believable. I kept wanting to decide on a guy for Aubrey to be with, but couldn't, and in the end I kind of ended up disliking her for stringing them along. The romance had a lot of potential, it just took a bit long to arrive and then was over too quick once it did. I needed more growth, chemistry, and emotion.


Overall, it's an easy and likeable read.

4

Saturday 20 May 2017

All That I Am (Men of Monroe #1) by Rachel Brookes






Title: All That I Am
Series: Men of Monroe #1
Author: Rachel Brookes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 20, 2017




Blurb


A kickass home d̩cor boutique Рtick
A sassy mouth and absolutely no filter – tick
A wall so strong no man could ever tear it down - tick, tick, tick!

Or so I thought.

Until I meet Detective Ben Hunt, the owner of exquisite blue eyes, a god-like physique and a seductive smirk that makes me weak at the knees. He charges into my life like a force of nature. No matter how hard I try to keep the walls up around my heart, he’s made it his mission to shatter them. I have no chance of resisting him, but I would make sure I won this tug of war.

Which was what I wanted.

Right? When did the idea of losing myself to him start to sound so good?

I wish Ben was the only battle I faced. There’s a reason this small town needs a good detective. One way or another I’m going to have to brace for impact, because no wall I build can stop the new threat thundering toward Monroe.

After all, secrets only stay a secret for so long around here.




My Opinion

It seems like I've been waiting to read this book for forever. I was first intrigued when I saw the cover and added it to be TBR pile back then. However, after that the release got pushed back numerous times until I could finally get my hands on a copy this week. After all that waiting, I'm pleased to say All That I Am was definitely worth the wait. 

This book kept me hooked from the first page until the last. I fell in love with the characters, and the hint of suspense was balanced perfectly to create another level of depth. The book was well-written, and I continue to enjoy this author's work. It's not my first and it won't be my last. 

With regard to the characters, I loved Ben. He was clearly an alpha male and was fiercely protective of those he loved, yet he also remained likeable and not overbearing. Somehow, the author managed to make him tender and sweet on top of being an alpha type. His concern was genuine and he wasn't just a caveman. 

As for Sasha, I liked her. She made me chuckle a few times with her attitude--especially during the incident in the police station and a wet bra. Her mouth got he in trouble a lot, yet it was balanced with the walls she keeps around herself because of her childhood. I liked the contrast of sassy confidence and vulnerable woman. 

My only minor quibble is I did think there were a couple of plot holes in the suspense element. Maybe I missed something, but I won't go into that here to avoid spoiling things. (You can see my full review with spoilers hidden over on Goodreads).

Anyway, it's something minor that could be fixed with a couple of sentences of extra explanation. Moreover, considering this is fiction, it doesn't really bother me. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was worth the wait and I'd highly recommend it. 

4




Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






Friday 19 May 2017

Review ~ Moonshot by Alessandra Torre

Moonshot
ebook received via the author's newsletter sign up/giveaway.

Release Date: July 4th 2016

Publisher: EverAfter Romance

Description:
Baseball isn’t supposed to be a game of life and death… 

The summer that Chase Stern entered my life, I was seventeen. The daughter of a legend, the Yankees were my family, their stadium my home, their dugout my workplace. My focus was on the game. Chase... he started out as a distraction. A distraction with sex appeal poured into every inch of his six foot frame. A distraction who played like a god and partied like a devil. 

I tried to stay away. I couldn’t. 

Then, the team started losing. 
Women started dying. 
And everything in my world broke apart.

My Opinion

I've been dying to read this book since it was released, but I've had to wait because of the price. However, I finally managed to get my hands on it.

After all the hype in the blogger-sphere around this book I was excited to read it. However, for me the hype ruined it because I think I went in expecting too much. Basically, my feelings come down to this: I liked the story, I wasn't a fan of the writing style.

This is my first Alessandra Torre book so I didn't know what to expect. And while I liked the idea behind the book, I found Moonshot to be a disjointed and incomplete read. I felt like I was missing the big picture until the end. I didn't really understand what was happening with the killings because it was never fully explained. The book seemed to bounce around between flashback and reality, and it just made it hard to keep up. It was like the start was missing. I also wasn't a fan of the fact Chase sections were written in third person while Tyler's were in first.

Saying that, it did keep me reading. Things did come together more in the end, and like I said, the idea was good.


Overall, maybe I went in expecting too much. The story was good so others may enjoy it--like numerous people have. The writing just wasn't for me.

3

Thursday 18 May 2017

Review + Giveaway~ Dangerous Hearts by K.K. Allen

Cover Design: Okay Creations
Photo credit: Eric David Battershell
Model: Johnny Kane
Release Date: May 18, 2017
Synopsis
His heart beats for the music. She's his favorite song. Lyric Cassidy knows a thing or two about bad boy rock stars with raspy vocals that can cause an entire arena to swoon. In fact, her heart was just played by one. So when she takes an assignment as road manager for the world famous rock star, Wolf, she's prepared to take him on, full suit of heart-armor intact. Wolf is the sexy lead singer for the hottest rock band around with a line-up of guaranteed one night stands. Lyric Cassidy isn’t one of them. That’s fine with him. Women like Lyric come with fairytale expectations, so it should be easy to stay away. Too bad she's hot as sin with a fiery temper and a mouth that drives him wild. She’s also got something to hide. Something he discovers. Something he wants … Sharing a tour bus, neither of them are prepared for the miles of road ahead and the fierce attraction they feel toward one another—a dangerous combination.

My Opinion

I will be honest and admit that it was the covers that drew me to this duet. I had kind of gone off rocker romances when I saw these books, but I liked the covers too much not to give them a go.

To begin with I thought I was going to regret my choice, and I was once again cursing myself for falling for a pretty cover. The start didn't really hook me, and with some horrible description and similes jarring me from the writing, I considered not finishing the book. Seriously, some things should just not be used as a comparison.

Anyway, I stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised. The last two thirds of the book held my attention much better, and by the end I didn't want it to stop. Somehow, the author managed to win me over so that I was fully invested in Lyric and Wolf's story.

Although things moved quickly between them both, I liked the intensity they had. They had a lot in common and a lot to lose but I liked that they took a chance on each other.


Overall, this book started off as only okay, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It's a good read I'd recommend and I'm looking forward to book 2.

4

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