ebook downloaded for free via Amazon
Release Date: December 2nd 2013
Publisher: Self-published
Description:
***THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE***
All publicity is good publicity, right? Unless you’re recent college grad Ellie Wagner and an embarrassing video of you and your boyfriend goes viral. Every man in your life abandons you, but who knew a one-minute clip of your latest doomed relationship would brand you a slut, prevent you from getting your perfect job, and force you to keep doing the one thing you swore you’d never do again…live with your mother.
But staying with mom and her latest boy-toy (is this husband number four or five?) until your life turns around might not be all bad. Especially when you fall – literally – at the feet of a sexy, green-eyed stranger who offers you freedom and a life of luxury on a gold-rimmed platter.
There’s only one little problem – the man of your dreams is none other than Mason Nash, the latest hip-hop star busting up the music charts. Fame and fortune are his calling cards and he’s vying to steal the show on a new reality TV series that will catapult him into mainstream stardom. Hello spotlight.
The man behind the famous persona is perfect for Ellie in every way, but can she overcome the ugly pitfalls that come with Mason's celebrity status? Or will she be forced to choose between the man she loves and the independent life she longs for? After all, fame and fortune aren’t always what they seem and not all publicity is good publicity…
My Opinion
This was another sweet read that surprised me seeing as I downloaded it for free on Amazon. The story kept me entertained and I found it hard to get on with things I needed to do when I still had a bit left to read.
Rumour Has It is a cute read. I was great for lounging around in the sun with its mostly light-hearted story line and its fast-paced plot. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was surprised by how well it kept my attention and connected with me. For the most part I liked the characters and a lot of the situations had me grinning.
I thought Mason was a nice guy. Unlike the normally dominant rockstar I find in these books, he was surprisingly chilled and laid back--except for the family drama. As a hip-hop star he didn't come with all of the preconceived notions I attach to these types of books even though he had gone through a man-whore stage in his fame. Similarly, I liked Ellie. I respected her for her loyalty and thought she fit him well.
My only issue was things between them as a couple did move pretty quick. I would have liked their first kiss to have been delayed longer and for the tension to build. I also wasn't really a fan of the ending. I knew something had to happen, but Mason's trust dissolved so quickly even after what Ellie does for him.
Anyway, overall this was a good read. It kept me engaged and entertained and I'll most probably read more by this author.
4
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon
Release Date: January 1st 2014
Publisher: Mills & Boon (Blaze)
Description:
Unforgettable. After losing nearly a decade of memories, firewoman Erin Riley is starting over. But the dark, intense gaze of her ex, Fire Marshal Bo Myers, haunts her days and her erotically charged nights. But, when they discover there's a serial arsonist targeting firefighters, the only way to save lives is by risking both of their hearts.
My Opinion
This is one of the better freebies I've read in a while. It had a different plot that I don't see all that common in romance novels, and it was a gentle read that immersed you in the author's world.
For me Unforgettable was unique because of Erin's amnesia. Although I've seen this before it's not common. I liked watching her find herself and Bo again, and thought things moved along at a steady pace. The twist with the fires and mystery surrounding what was happening had me hooked.
I will admit it didn't draw a huge emotional response from me. I thought the author wrote about the amnesia in a very subtle way. Erin coped well and I think I would have liked to see her break down more.
Overall though this was a good read. Like I said, it is one of the better freebies I've read and was it was a good book I could relax with. It wasn't too taxing or emotional but it was sweet.
4
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 30th 2015
Publisher: Lovestruck (Entangled Publishing)
Description:
Sara Greaves has been planning her perfect wedding since she was five. Instead, she's dumped by her fiancé and meets Ethan Monroe—Mr. Dall, Dark, And Anti-Marriage—who bets that she could marry any guy in Vegas and make it work. Except now Ethan has a hangover, a wedding band, and a sexy, gorgeous bride for the next month. He''ll have to convince the new Mrs. Monroe that marriage is a crock....and hope like hell that his little change of plans doesn't turn into a change of heart.
My Opinion
I wanted to like this, I really did. The idea sounded interesting and it hinted at comedy and a steamy romance. However, even though this is only a novella, it's taken me a few days to get through.
A Change of Plans started off well. I liked that it began with Sara picking up and leaving everything behind to head to Vegas to be daring. It was a bold move and I wanted to know how things would play out. Similarly, when Ethan got involved things started to become even more interesting.
However, unfortunately it didn't last for me. I found things moved too slowly and there were a lot of events that felt irrelevant. From the blurb I just wanted to get to the marriage part and it seemed to take forever to arrive. When it finally did, I was slightly disappointed. Everything felt muted. Emotions weren't strong, situations were too short, details were missed, and things moved too quickly. It was a strange read for me because the first half was too slow and the second half was too quick.
I don't know, maybe I would have felt different if I'd connected with the characters, but Ethan was so closed off. You never really learn anything about him, and then there's Sara who just seemed to go with the flow. After what had happened to her I expected stronger emotions. Her character seemed inconsistent with when she stood up for herself and when she didn't.
As for the ending it all seemed to come out if nowhere. New threads were introduced and I felt they were under developed. Then it just ends. Things are tied up, but not satisfyingly. They're rushed and seem too easy.
Overall this isn't a bad read. I know it doesn't sound like it, but is was a nice little story. It didn't draw any emotion from me and I think the pacing and timeline needs work, but it was okay. Maybe if it was longer and more developed I would have liked it better because the idea was good.
2.5
ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 4th 2015
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Description:
Jake Carlyle always gets what he wants… especially when it comes to his runaway bride.To save her family's business, determined Madison Ellsworth must turn to Jake Carlyle, her ex lover and the man she left standing at the altar.Jake eventually agrees to help, but on one condition – he gets what he’s owed. His wedding night.Still in love with Jake, Madison agrees, but once the passionate honeymoon is over, she can’t help but wonder if their marriage is based on convenience, love – or revenge.As they deal with the failing business, Madison and Jake soon learn that high-stakes games played in the boardroom inevitable will spill over into the bedroom!
My Opinion
This is a tough one for me. I enjoyed it, it was quick, and it was a pleasant story, but there's one thing prevent me from pushing it into the really liked category.
Owed: One Wedding Night is an intriguing read that kept me hooked. I didn't realise how quickly I was getting through it at one stage. The story was enjoyable as the characters fought and made up, and I liked the idea.
I also thought it was paced well. The book held my interest right the way through.
The thing I mentioned preventing me from rating it higher is the romance, but bare with me on this as it's not that simple.
This book centres around Jake and Maddison finding each other again. After Maddison left Jake at the altar she needs his help a few years later. This means from the start their relationship is more like a business deal. Whilst that's not a bad thing, it didn't leave much room for sparks and masses of chemistry. I kind of expected there to be more of a connection but I felt both Jake and Maddison were cold. They also didn't talk so there was little emotional depth. We are told their feeling, but I never felt them.
All of this meant the backwards and forth relationship drew little emotion from me. I enjoyed it and it was a pleasant read, I just wasn't invested in it.
Overall it's an easy read I'd recommend. It doesn't have the greatest romance, but it was still enjoyable.
3.5
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 19th 2015
Description:
Billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.
Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.
As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?
My Opinion
Once again this broke away from the pattern of the previous books. Whilst it followed the same line as book 3, whereby the woman was the one who had the money, there was no corporate/business side to things. Emma is wealthy from inheritance and it made for a nice change of pace I think.
Trusting the Boss is my favourite of the whole series. I know I've said this with every book since Teasing the Boss, but in my opinion the writing and plots became better as the series went on.
I always like hot bodyguards in books, and that's exactly what Jace was. I liked how his protective desire increased as his feelings became real and I believed he really did care about Emma. Similarly, I'm glad that Emma put more importance on her life. In book 3 Victoria didn't so it was an improvement.
As for the story there are some plot holes. With the whole series you have to suspend reality and not question the stories too deeply. There are decisions that are made that seem stupid or out of character to purely get the book to the action and tie the story up. It's not always that believable, and not everything is worked out in detail, but it's still enjoyable.
Similarly, this author doesn't exactly tie everything up. The H/H get their ending but she always forgets the secondary characters. What did Luke and Michael do? How did they? Why did Joslyn do what she did? There are always questions I'm left with.
Anyway, overall these are easy reads. You shouldn't think too hard over them and they're good to kill a few hours.
3.5
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25500846-trusting-the-boss?ac=1
Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1IwD94M
