Review ~ Single, Volume 1 (Single #1) by Lyra Parish

ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: January 4th 2015

Pages: 90

Description:
After failing miserably at love, Roxane VanBuren swears off men but not before her determined best friend shows her all the advantages of being single. After a wild weekend full of sex, old-flames, and secrets, Roxane is desperate to forget it ever happened. But she learns it isn't that easy.

Since becoming the President of VanBuren Investments, she knows how important it is for her professional and personal life to remain separate from one another. If the two were to mix, the rumors could possibly ruin her reputation, which is bad for her and bad for business. To avoid that, Roxane allows rules to define and guide her every move. Unfortunately for her, Parker Williams is determined to break them all, one at a time.

My Opinion

Meh ... that's all I'm feeling after finishing this. It was okay, but didn't really excite me enough to want to continue with the serial. It took too long for things to get interesting and then just as they do it cuts off. I found most of the chapters irrelevant. Until the party, I didn't see the point in them or the characters. What was Jake's purpose? He didn't add anything and made the plot drag out. It was obvious what was going on with Parker and Roxanne so I just wanted that plot to develop quicker.

Overall I really don't see the need for it to be broken up, but that's the author's choice. It was an okay read, but it hasn't made me fall in love with it enough to spend money on the next 2 instalments. I may have borrowed them if they were in KU, but sadly they're not.

2

Review ~ Teasing The Boss (Billionaires in the City, #2) by Mallory Crowe

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: March 11th 2015

Description:
Premier business consultant Simon West can turn around any struggling billion dollar corporation in New York City, but he can’t get what he wants most: revenge against Mark DuFord. The slick investment banker's shady dealing led to Simon’s best friend’s suicide. Wealthy, and well-protected by the political influence he’s been able to purchase, DuFord has become untouchable—or so he thinks. But when DuFord’s former girlfriend asks Simon for help, he knows that Grace Bell is the weapon he needs to finally destroy his enemy completely. All Simon has to do is pretend to love her. 

Grace Bell knows that approaching hot-shot Simon West to save her business is a long shot, but she’s desperate. After growing up with a family that expected her to be a happy housewife, she’d proved them all wrong when she became the go-to event-coordinator in New York City. But after the tabloids took a completely innocent picture of her with a married senator and misinterpreted the situation, she’s losing clients left and right. When she approaches Simon and begs for his help to resuscitate the business she put her heart and soul into, she never expects him to agree. Or that the payment would be posing as his lover as an excuse to get close to her ex. 

Simon knows if he goes forward with his plan, it's only a matter of time before Mark realizes what they're up to and Mark’s enemies have a way ending up broke, in jail or six feet under. As Simon and Grace grow closer, Simon must decide if putting her in the line of fire is worth avenging the past.

My Opinion

I preferred this book to Teaching The Boss. When I saw them both up on NetGalley this was the one that caught my interest and convinced me to take a chance on them.

The books in this series are easy, quick reads. I found the romance in this one was better and there was more tension and chemistry between Simon and Grace. It took a while to build and they became partners through business first. I thought Simon would be more of an ass so it surprised me that his attitude was tamed, but I thought Grace was a good match for him. I liked that she was able to handle herself and think on her feet without coming across as bitchy. She was true to their agreement and I respected her for wanting to help.

As for the plot, for the most part I liked it. I only had problems with the last 20% or so. Things became a bit far fetched for me and it seemed like an easy way out of the web the author had spun for Mark. It was a bit anti-climactic, and I don't think a real guilty person would do what Mark did. It felt more like a movie set up than realistic.


Anyway, overall it was another easy read. While these books haven't drawn any strong feelings from me, I'd say they're more gentle reads that are best for relaxing with.

3.5

Review ~ Teaching The Boss (Billionaires in the City, #1) by Mallory Crowe

ebook downloaded from Amazon for free.

Release Date: March 11th 2015

Description:
Business-school student April Morgan is ready to graduate--from school, from the secretary pool, and from never-gonna-happen fantasies involving Sam Hunt, her hunky billionaire boss. But when Sam’s girlfriend of the week pushes her too far, April finds herself quitting on the spot with only a mountain of student loan debt to keep her company. In steps Sam’s worst enemy, his father, with a job offer she can't refuse. 

Sam was born into privilege, but refused to live life with a silver spoon in his mouth. After a decade of hard work, he’s on the verge of taking his business public and proving to his tyrannical family that he can make it without their help. When he finds out that April is working for his father, he knows she’s been turned into a pawn in his father’s twisted games. 

Despite Sam’s warnings, April is determined to prove she doesn’t need him to make in New York City. But when she finds documents that could lead to Sam losing everything he’s worked for, April realizes that she and Sam have to work together to save the empire they’ve both worked to build.

My Opinion

Originally I passed over this title when I saw it on NetGalley. However, when I was intrigued by the sequel's blurb and I saw this on Amazon for free I thought it was worth a shot without the obligation to review it.

In general this was an enjoyable read. I was glad I picked it up and it surprised me by how well it hooked me. I didn't expect for it to hold my attention so well, but I found it a hard book to put down. There was plenty going on to keep me engaged and I thought thing were paced well.

Moreover I think I liked the character. Whilst I don't think I connected with them completely I was invested in their story. I wanted to know what was going to happen. I thought April was a strong character. I preferred her to Sam, who for a stubborn CEO seemed a bit wet with his personality. I'm glad she wasn't afraid to stand up to him and tell it like it was.

My only issue was there were a few continuity errors (eg such as with the mole). It had me jumping back in the book doubting my memory. Also I was left with some questions. They were only minor plot strand, but I feel if an author introduces the idea they should tie it up in the end.


Overall this was a surprising read. I'm glad the sequel caught my eye so I have this one a chance and I'll be reviewing book 2 soon.

3.5

Review ~ At Any Price (Gaming the System, #1) by Brenna Aubrey

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: December 9th 2013

Description:
Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin
When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.

It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills.

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO 
Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and--as CEO of his own gaming company--he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.

She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.

My Opinion

These types of books are always the ones I find hardest to review. Whilst At Any Price was enjoyable, it didn't draw any strong emotions from me and therefore I find it hard to write a review as I'm not overly passionate about it with love or hate.

I'm not really sure what I made of the whole virginity being auctioned off theme. I didn't really understand Emilia's motives for it or her reasoning. To me it didn't seem to be much different to the point she was trying to go against. In general really I didn't understand Emilia. I never fully connected with her. I felt she was a very cold and distance female lead and her constant mood swings irritated me. She had a habit of telling Adam what to do then moaning when he did it. She came across as whiny and permanently angry and I didn't feel there was enough emotional depths to the reasons behind that anger at the world.

Moreover, I found the pacing to be incredibly slow. Things were really predictable and therefore the constant back and forth between Adam and Emilia became repetitive. I figured out his secret early on so I was just waiting for everything to happen.

Saying that this book does have its good moments. I especially liked the scenes in Amsterdam and these moments did draw me in. After all, I did get to the end of this book so something must have kept me reading, right?


Overall, although it probably doesn't sound like it, this was an all right read and I wouldn't not recommend it. It takes a while to get going and slows down at the end, but there was something about it that made me continue. I'm not sure I'll pick up book two, but we'll see.

3

Review ~ Hotel of Seduction: The Complete Novel by Marina Anderson

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: June 18th 2015

Publisher: Sphere

Description:
Are you ready for a weekend away at the Hotel of Seduction?

Grace has won the man of her dreams - and her fantasies. Brooding, sensual, wealthy and handsome, their days and nights are filled with pleasure. But can this enigmatic man truly love her?

Together they have set up a secret, exclusive hotel for adventurous couples, designed to open their guests' eyes to the darker, deeper side of desire. But one of the visitors has an agenda, and David is becoming distracted by a new arrival.

As they explore the delights on offer, Grace realises this is a test: if she fails, she will lose David to his next passing fancy. If she succeeds, she will secure his love for ever, and he will finally invite her into his world . . .

Take some time away and allow yourself to be seduced by The Hotel of Seduction.

My Opinion

I stuck this out as long I could in the hope things would pick up. While parts are intriguing (what's going on with Amber) the writing is just so clinical and emotionless. I haven't created any kind of bond with the characters, I don't feel anything towards the females and I really dislike David. Because of this I'm finding myself skimming more and more. The story isn't enough to hold my attention and the writing is making me lose interest even more. Unfortunately I'm going to mark this as DNF.