Blog Tour Review ~ Loving London (The Flawed Heart Series #3) by Ellie Wade

Title: Loving London

Series: The Flawed Heart Series #3

Author: Ellie Wade

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Available Now

My Review 

For me, this is by far the best book in the series. I sped through Loving London in one sitting and it gave me the perfect ending I wanted.

I won't say too much considering this is book three and the final one in the series. If you've read the other two then you'll definitely want to read this instalment as it ties up all the loose ends in a sweet, heart warming package. If you haven't read any of the books in the series I'd definitely consider them. They get better the more you get to know the characters and their journey is an emotional one.

Overall this was the perfect ending. It had everything I wanted in it.

4 

FLAWED

I left.

I followed my dream,

To write, to feel, to live.

But my life has no meaning without Loïc.

I’m fading.

I'm not whole, not me,

Without him.

Loving Loïc is how I breathe.

FLAWED

She's gone,

I'm a hollow waste of space.

I can't feel, can't breathe, can't fight,

Without London.

She's who I am,

What I am supposed to be,

What I am supposed to do.

Loving London

Is how I live.

Ellie Wade resides in southwest Michigan with her husband, three young children, and two dogs. She has a Master’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University and is a huge University of Michigan sports fan. She loves the beauty of her home state, especially the lakes and the gorgeous autumn weather. When she is not writing, you will find her reading, snuggled up with her kids, or spending time with family and friends. She loves traveling and exploring new places with her family.

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Review ~ The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona, #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 4th 2016

Publisher: Forever

Description:
Cinderella never had to deal with this crap.

Jane isn't entirely sure that Cinderella got such a raw deal. Sure, she had a rough start, but didn't she eventually land a prince and a happily-ever-after? Meanwhile, Jane is busy waiting on her demanding, entitled sisters, running her cleaning business, and . . . yep, not a prince in sight. Until a party and a broken shoe incident leave Jane wondering if princes---or at least, a certain deliciously hunky billionaire---maybe do exist.

Except Brock Wellington isn't anyone's dream guy. Hell, a prince would never agree to be auctioned off in marriage to the highest bidder. Or act like an arrogant jerk---even if it was just a façade. Now, as Brock is waiting for the auction chopping block, he figures it's karmic retribution that he's tempted by a sexy, sassy woman he can't have. But while they can't have a fairy-tale ending, maybe they can indulge in a little bit of fantasy . .

My Opinion

Rachel Van Dyken has done it again. Seriously, I have yet to come across a book by her that I haven't loved--and I've read them all.

This was a sweet read based on the Cinderella story. It kept me entertained and engaged the whole way through, and I love this new cast of characters already. Among the heartache, RVD has entwined her usual brilliant humour in the form of the twins--god they made me smile. 

This book was a great pick me up, and I couldn't put it down. I love the craziness of it all and there are very few authors who can create a cast of characters I adore immediately. RVD has been one of these for a while. She shares the top of my auto-buy list and if I could I'd read a book by her every day. Even if it's not possible for her to write like that, but a girl can dream. I never want an RVD book to end.


Overall, I loved this. It was exactly what I needed and delivered on everything I love from RVD. I will be eagerly awaiting the next Wellington boy's story.

5

Review ~ Not a Hero by Sarah Robinson

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 4th 2016

Description:
Former Marine, Miles Kydd, is trying to readjust to civilian life after ending his career and returning to his small home town when he learned his father was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Once the town hero and star quarterback, Miles no longer feels like the man he was, or who he’s expected to be—possibly because his demons have followed him home from Afghanistan.

Meeting Zoe Brooke, his father’s live-in nurse, gives Miles the slightest glimmer of hope that he can still find happiness despite the dark secrets he holds inside. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and together they are explosive—in more ways than one.

A helper at her core, Zoe is more than willing to care for Miles’s heart, but not at the expense of her own, and she’s not afraid to tell him that. She knows what having a painful past is like, and she wants to help him with his, if he’ll let her.

Things get complicated fast when Miles realizes burying his secrets isn’t actually the same as healing from them and if he wants the girl, he’s going to have to tell her the truth—the one thing he can’t do.

My Opinion

This was an enjoyable read about two lost characters who were struggling with past events coming together. I've never read anything by this author, but I'm dying for another book in this series.

Not A Hero was an interesting read that kept me hooked the entire way through. I felt for Miles and I liked that he didn't see himself as a hero and rejected the idea. I felt for him and what he'd gone through and I wanted him to get help. Similarly, Zoe compliment his character with her need to care and fix things. She had a past of her own, but she had dealt with it unlike Miles.

In general the plot was good. It intrigued me, the characters were easy to engage with, and I didn't want to put it down. I did wish it wasn't so back and forth at times and there was a little more development--maybe that's just me wanting a longer book though!


Overall I want Tobin's story now. I would definitely recommend this for military lovers.

4

Review ~ Taking Tessa by Aria Cole

eARC received via TRSOR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: September 25th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Cage West has spent his entire life waiting for that one special woman to turn his world upside down. As a detective with the local PD, he fills his hours investigating criminals with little time left for much else. When a tip comes into the office about a possible kidnapping at a suspiciously familiar address, Cage is prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue the girl, but when he lays eyes on sweet, innocent Tessa, a firestorm knocks him off his feet. She needs him, and he damn sure wants her–for now, for life, forever.

Nineteen-year-old Tessa Talbot hasn't seen the outside world in two years. Her stepfather keeps her under his thumb after the tragic death of her mother, convinced she'll only succumb to all the sins the world has to offer. He's kept her wildly untouched, and after years of sheltered homeschooling, she's doubtful her life will ever look any different. That is until one tall, dark, and devilishly handsome detective knocks on her door.
Scared to let him in, even more afraid to turn him away, Tessa makes the decision of her life and decides to trust the man she's only just met and leave the only world she's ever known behind. She's just praying the past won't return to haunt her, he's just praying he can save her when it does.

Warning: Cage is a rough and growly alpha male with a fierce loyalty for the woman he loves. This story is a wild, twisty ride coated in sugary, Aria Cole sweetness with a sinfully delicious dollop of sexy times drizzled on top. Snuggle in and get swept away with Cage while he's taking Tessa!

My Opinion

I kind of expected more from this book. Based on the blurb, it sounded exactly like my kind of read, but I just struggled to buy into the story.

If you like insta-love books then this may be right for you. For me, though, I didn't believe the romance. Cage and Tessa are together hardly any time at all and Cage is already thinking about marriage and kids? And after what Tessa went through? It all moved too fast for my liking and lacked a little realism.

Tessa emotions especially didn't feel real. She's a nineteen year old who's been locked away for most of her life. Then as soon as Cage frees her she's a confident seductress. If I was her I wouldn't trust a man, let alone do the things Tessa did.


Overall, I just found it hard to buy into this book. Things move at a rapid speed and I found myself rolling my eyes more than once. The plot has potential, but for me it needed to be longer and have more of a slow build. Like I said though, insta-romance is a hit-or-miss trope for me and my issues stem from that. If you like the trope you might enjoy this.

2

Review ~ Going the Distance (No Excuses #1) by Mila Rossi

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: September 9th 2016

Description:
Once you slap the hell out of the light heavyweight champion of the world on the night of his first loss, how do you convince him to give you an interview? That’s the dilemma Samantha Wellington finds herself in after turning down the most desirable yet foul-mouthed athlete she’s come across. Unfortunately for her, her job depends on getting his interview and this boxer’s not talking.

When Trent “The Punisher” Page is humiliated by the spunky reporter, then cornered for an interview, he does what he does best: he plays dirty. He didn’t earn his nickname for being nice, after all. If the little minx wants to know more about him, she’ll have to pay with the one thing she’s not willing to give - herself.

Her elements of surprise meet their match in his determination to succeed. With vastly different motivations, can they break down the enemy without jeopardizing themselves?

My Opinion

This book and story had potential. The blurb intrigued me with its hints at a strong female lead and stubborn alpha fighter. Unfortunately, I think it lacked execution and didn't meet what could have been a great read.

For me, I struggled to create any kind of emotional connection with this book, story, or characters. I felt thing moved too quickly and happened too easily. I mean 3 dates and suddenly Sam is all Trent can think about? I don't know, I just didn't buy into the speed at which he changed. I didn't think Sam did anything extraordinary towards winning him over, it all seemed rather mundane.

Similarly, their relationship progressed too quickly. This is a short read I finished in a matter of hours. It skips large sections of time--sometimes days, other times weeks, and even months. Personally, I felt this hindered the build up and growth of the characters. It led to a lot of telling of what they were feeling rather than showing the build up of emotions and creating tension.


Overall, it was an okay read. I liked the idea behind it, but I think the story had more to give. There was a bigger potential than what it reached.

2.5