Review ~ Bad Princess by Julianna Keyes

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 27th 2017

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Notorious for leaping off roofs, maiming foreign royals, and thattwerking incident, Brinley Cantrella of Estau is nobody’s definition of a good princess. She’s fearless and bold, not good and gracious. And after a lifetime of being told she’s unfit to be queen, wearing the crown and helping to usher Estau into a new era is the one dream she’s never dared chase.

But when her older sister abdicates the throne, all Brinley has to do to inherit the role is not twerk, not maim anybody, and definitely not get caught fooling around topless with Prince Finn, her childhood crush, the only man she’s ever loved…and her sister’s former future husband.

Finn embodies the definition of good. Tall and handsome, serious and honorable, he always does the right thing—including agreeing to marry his ex’s sister to cover up this latest scandal. Brinley has fallen down stairs, broken teeth and broken bones, but this is the first time her heart has ever been broken. She now has the crown and the prince, and on the surface, life is good—but is being married to a man everyone swears could never love her back good enough?

My Opinion

First, I want to say I was drawn to this book by the cover, and then when I read the blurb the idea intrigued me. I mean a bad princess sounds intriguing, right? The idea had a lot of potential, but having never read anything by this author before I wasn't sure what to expect. I also knew it was a novella going in, which will be important in a minute so bear that in mind.

In general I liked the concept. The idea behind the story remained intriguing and this story grew on me. I say that because the start didn't exactly hook me. In fact, I read 10% then picked up another ARC by my all time favourite author before deciding to go back to it. The big info dump at the start wasn't the most gripping scene, and there was a lot of telling rather than showing the characters' personalities. I wasn't sure I'd actually pick it back up, but I did and thankfully the more the book developed the better the writing got.

Looking back, I would say I enjoyed this read. However, I did feel it could be so much more. There was so much potential, but the novella length didn't do the idea justice. Remember I said it would be important? Well, I wanted more. Things happened at breakneck speed in this book and while I understand the motives behind the events, it didn't leave a lot of time to develop a relationship. I felt the sparks between the characters but I didn't believe in the love because it had no time to grow. It felt like lust and so the ending didn't align for me.

That's not to say it's a bad thing. I've read enough novellas to know how they're structured, but I grew to enjoy this more than I thought I would after the start and felt it could have been so much more. The concept was bigger and there were so many ideas and scenes that could have been developed rather than been provided in a whistle-stop-tour of Brinley and Fin's life. That's my main issue with this book. It felt like a taster or a prequel to something bigger and I want more. I enjoyed it but I'm not sure it was satisfying.


Overall, it's a short and to the point read. It grew on me more than I thought it would as the plot developed, and I'm glad I stuck with it. I wish it had been longer, but it's a good read to kill a couple of hours with.

3

Review ~ Lips Close to Mine (Wherever You Go, #2) by Robin Bielman

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 20th 2017

Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC

Description:
I wasn’t supposed to see Levi Pierce ever again. A few months ago, he charmed the pants off me and we spent one incredible night together.

End of story.

Only it wasn’t. Pretty soon everywhere I turn, I see him. Our best friends are dating. My mother mistakenly—and happily—thinks he’s my plus-one to my cousin’s wedding. And he’s the guy I have to work with on the most important job opportunity of my life.

Here’s my problem: I like Levi. I like his killer smile and his dreamboat eyes and definitely the way he makes me feel in bed. But I’ve sworn off relationships. So when the sexual tension reaches epic proportions and we fall back into bed together, I tell myself it’s temporary. When I start to feel more, I tell myself it’s over. 

Only Levi isn’t a forget-it kind of guy. When his lips are close to mine and he swears he’s always wanted me, my defenses disappear. But some things in life just aren’t meant to be.

Or are they?

My Opinion

This is the third book I've read by this author now. I'll be honest and say the cover caught my eye first with Lips Close to Mine--because come on, he's hot. Anyway, Robin's name was the second element that pulled me in and made me want to read the blurb.

Having enjoyed this author's previous work, I was excited to jump in this read. However, while I enjoyed it, I don't think it's my favourite book by her so far.

In general, I liked the plot of Lips Close to Mine. I felt for Harley and rooted for her relationship with Levi. I thought they worked well together, and I did feel a bond between them.

However, saying that, I thought this book was paced a little slowly at times and it took a bit long to get to the relationship and drama. I'll be honest and say I enjoyed Teague and Mateo's story more. That's not to say I didn't like Lips Close to Mine, but there was just something missing that slowed everything down.


Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It took me a bit longer to get through than normal, but for the most part it held my attention. If you haven't read anything by this author she is worth checking out.

4

Review ~ Blocked (Breakaway, #2) by L.P. Dover

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 31st 2017

Publisher: Loveswept

Description:
He’s got every reason to be cocky . . . until a female cuts him down to size.

I’m Dallas Easton, the best goaltender in the league. I make a damn good living playing hockey, and with women falling at my feet wherever I go, why not enjoy it? I get whatever I want, whenever I want—that is, until I come across the one player who gets the best of me on the ice.

When I try to pummel the dude, all hell breaks loose. Imagine my surprise when the helmet comes off to reveal a woman underneath. And not just any woman, but the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Callie Davis is the complete opposite of the puck bunnies I usually go for, a good girl with sick moves and a selfless streak a mile wide. I need to make amends, but she dodges me at every turn. It doesn’t help that Callie’s brother hates my guts, or that my agent thinks she’s bad for my career.

But I could care less what they think. I can’t let our little run-in on the ice be the end of our story. Because when I set my sights on something, I won’t rest until I score.

My Opinion

Once again, I sped through this L.P. Dover book and couldn't put it down. This is a recurring theme with LP's work, and the reason I now delay reading ARCs by her until closer to release day. I enjoy every second I'm immersed in her worlds and am always left wanting more.

Blocked was no exception. I think I preferred this book to book 1 in the series. I liked the easiness of the read. The drama was kept to a minimum and it was just about Dallas and Callie finding their way to each other. It was a sweet read and had a few moments that made me smile.


Overall, I enjoyed Blocked. It was an ideal read for a lazy Sunday for a few hours.

4

Review ~ Burn for You (Slow Burn #1) by J.T. Geissinger

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 17th 2017

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Description:
The marriage is fake. But for a sassy chef and an arrogant billionaire, the sparks are real…
Jackson “The Beast” Boudreaux is rich, gorgeous, and unbelievably rude to the staff at Chef Bianca Hardwick’s New Orleans restaurant. Bianca would sooner douse herself in hot sauce than cook for Jackson again, but when he asks her to cater his fund-raiser, Bianca can’t refuse, knowing the cash will help pay her mother’s medical bills. Then Jackson makes another outrageous request: Marry me. The unconventional offer includes an enormous sum—money Bianca desperately needs, even if it does come with a contract—and a stunning ring.

The heir to a family bourbon dynasty, Jackson knows the rumors swirling around him. The truth is even darker. Still, he needs a wife to secure his inheritance, and free-spirited, sassy Bianca would play the part beautifully. Soon, though, their simple business deal evolves into an emotional intimacy he’s built walls to avoid.

As the passion heats up between them, Bianca and Jackson struggle to define which feelings are real and which are for show. Is falling for your fake fiancé the best happy ending…or a recipe for disaster?

My Opinion

I'm really growing to love this author's work more and more with every release. I only discovered her earlier this year, but I've quickly become a fan who gets excited when I see a new book coming out.

Burn For You held my attention from start to finish. In fact, I wish it hadn't have ended because I still want to be lost in the world the author has created here. I honestly can't express how much I enjoyed this. The characters were brilliant, the chemistry was scorching, and the romance was one I rooted for. I loved the constant bickering or quick witted remarks. The characters bounced of each other with their hate, but it was clear to everyone but them that Jackson and Bianca were perfect for each other. Bianca wasn't afraid to stand up and say what she thought to Jackson despite his anger, and I loved her for it. The dynamic between the two of them just worked.

As for the story, I liked the difference in the fake fiance trope. There was a lot going on in this book and I think it all came together to create a great read. I still would have liked more though because I'm greedy like that.

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read that held my attention from the first page to the last. I couldn't put it down and would definitely recommend it.

5

Review ~ Breaking Hollywood by Samantha Towle

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 3rd 2017

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Description:
It wasn't supposed to be like this...
I wasn't supposed to be boyfriendless, homeless and jobless at twenty-eight. And I most definitely wasn't supposed to hit Hollywood's resident bad boy Gabriel Evans with my car and break his foot.

Now I'm stuck in his apartment, taking care of him while he's incapacitated. Living with the hottest guy in Hollywood, who I've had a crush on forever, doesn't sound like a chore, right? Wrong.

Gabriel Evans is rude, crude, drinks way too much and, as soon as his foot is healed, I'm out of here.

So, why do I keep forgetting to check the classifieds? And keep getting flustered when I see him shirtless? Breaking Hollywood wasn't part of the plan. But neither was falling in love with him.

My Opinion

Let me start by saying Samantha Towle is one of my favourite authors around right now. I love her books, and after laughing out loud to Wardrobe Malfunction earlier this year, I was dying to get my hands on a copy of Breaking Hollywood.

Just like Wardrobe Malfunction, this book had me giggling as I read it from the start. I love the almost slapstick element these books start off with, as in the male leads getting injured by the female lead. In this case, Gabe Evans is broken by Ava and her tiny car and from there a relationship grows.

I have to admit, I loved the banter and quick-witted remarks between these characters. Their conversations--that borderlines on insults most of the time--was paced well, flowed well, and kept me hooked. Books with plenty of speech are my favourite kind, and these two had great personalities that shone through in it.

As for the plot, it was a little predictable, but the characters kept me engaged. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow--and of course the comedic elements with Gucci. Gucci definitely stole the show at some points and I know want a goat.


Overall, another great read from this author. It made me laugh, kept me hooked, and I lost sleep just to finish it. I couldn't have asked for more.

4