The Fortunate Ones by R.S. Grey

I am always down to read an R.S. Grey book. Since her very first one, I have been a super fan. Her words just work for me. The connections made quickly, the humor that finds it's way into the readers heart quickly and steadily. But not overshadowing the heart and soul of the story. An honest and refreshing take on characters, their lives, struggles, appealing and otherwise. The faults not skimmed over but addressed, while still holding the absolute want for them all to get their happily ever after.

Brooke drove me nuts at times..you have perfection at your fingertips and you keep messing it up..lol But the way it played out worked my angst factor to a T..will they, won't they? Can they figure it all out? I know I would do it all in my power to make sure James Ashwood was MINE, forever and ever Amen.. I can't wait to read the next morsel of literary greatness that Ms. Grey dishes out.

Tempting Sophia by Jessica Prince

There is something about a Jessica Prince book that just speaks to me. I have yet to not like one. I typically LOVE them. And Sophia and Dominic were no different. They had huge hurdles to overcome in order for them to even consider being able to settle into a HEA. Can it be done? Does "WE WERE ON A BREAK!" work in any case? I know Ross didn't get his for a LONG time..seriously I could read a book that took that long if Ms. Prince wrote it. For reals.

If you read Seducing Lola you know a little bit about Sophia and Dominic's story. If you haven't read SL you need to..like now!"Safe" readers might have their "issues" with this story and for that I say, "you're missing out". These two ooze tension, love, friendship and a past that is worthy of a second chance. I don't know if I can fully articulate on the why or how that Ms. Prince's words always work for me, they just do. Her books are my happy place.

Cuffed by K. Bromberg

K. Bromberg surprised me with this one. I don't think I was expecting so many emotions..I mean I saw the deliciousness of the cover and thought, yes please. What I got was an all encompassing story that delved beyond the easiness of a second chance romance. Tough issues, friendships that were thrown away but found unexpectedly and the unwavering staying power of first love. I was surprised at my reaction to all of it.

Grant and Emmy were two souls that connected from the very beginning, when the ugliness of the real world interrupted the safety of childhood, lives were changed. Telling the truth is always the right thing to do, but even in right things, wrongs can occur. My favorite connection was Grant's mom and Emmy. They had this unspoken bond that just never went away. It clicked as if the years did not separate them.

Fighting for what you know is right. Loving who you know you should. Protecting your family against the evils this world can show. All of this was showcased in this first book in Ms. Bromberg's newest series. I am excited to read more.

Drive by Kate Stewart

Kate Stewart is an absolute MUST READ author for me...it's hard to put into words what her books do to me. But because I am a blogger/reviewer I have to figure this shit out and try...

Here we go:

1) She grabs me from the prologue to make me not only want more but NEED more. A burning desire to figure out what will happen and follow the journey to get there with rapt love and pure attention to detail. Hoping upon all else that I don't miss one word of the epicness that will be coming my way.

2) Having twists along the way that make you second guess even what you thought you may have wanted. Falling in love with more than one person, wanting the best for everyone and secretly holding hope that it follows the way you as a reader want it go. But also trusting that Ms. Stewart knows what she is doing and will bring all the characters to their destiny.

3) Being so damn addicted that you risk tears IN PUBLIC to continue reading as you wait in line to renew your vehicle registration. She has also had me cry while sneak reading in line at the bank. The BANK people. I mean I do tear up there when I see my balance every once in awhile, but that's a different story..

4) Heart palpation's, the fluttering of first love butterflies, the knot that builds in your stomach and can literally choke you as you hope and feel for fictional characters, the absolute connection of reality to fiction in where you find yourself lost in someone's else's world and can't even apologize for ignoring everyone and everything else.

5) And finally the music. My two absolute addictions are reading words and listening to words. Music and reading. She blends them perfectly, reminding us that everyone's life is a soundtrack and sometimes hearing those songs brings you back so quickly you are truly transported. Sounds of life, harmonies of the soul. Perfectly done.

This book was EPIC. Although it started a tad slow, the build ends up being part of connecting unconditionally with everyone involved and taking stock in how the entire thing will play out. I LOVED this book.

Maverick by Karina Halle

Karina Halle uses these characters to highlight the fact that you can be fearless and intimated all at once. You can scale down an ice mountain to rescue others but can't risk falling for someone and allowing yourself to be vulnerable..to allow someone into your heart is a danger that may not be worth the fallout.

I fell hard for both Maverick and Riley. They were both strong, resilient people that loved their friends with all they have. Following danger to ensure the lives of others isn't something that selfish people often do. They mirrored each other in giving more than just the surface of who they are. Having lost important people in your life can definitely harden even the most loyal hearts.

Being privy to these two not only allowing the other into their lives, but falling hard enough to lose it all. I felt the heartache, friendship and totally appreciated the use of climbing rope and body parts. HOLY HOT.  Smoking hot chemistry between these two burned brightly off my kindle pages. The kind of smoldering build of sexual tension that has you so wrapped up, you are literally in the office cheering them on. Can't wait for Fox's story.

On A Tuesday by Whitney G.

Whitney G. writes a book. I read a book. Certain things just are. This is a written fact due to what this author delivers, every time. I am guaranteed a story I connect with, characters I fall for, and a love story I devour. On A Tuesday delivered all of it and more.

A second chance romance, enemies to lovers, bad boy college athlete tamed by an unlikely girl, ALL of these things are my "must haves" when reading a story. Every single one worked, you felt the separation, desperation, connection, pain, happy, you experienced all of the feelings that were being painstakingly hurled at you through the pages so deeply you can't help but fall in love. Grayson and Charlotte were victims of circumstances from beginning to end. How they became unlikely friends, to more, to nothing...but on a Tuesday that can all change.

I felt this story while reading it. Whether it was a laugh, a stomach knot, a heart beat skipped or the butterflies that engage while reading about falling in love. This story had it all. I loved it. Highly recommend it.

 

Ruthless King by Meghan March

"Property of Lachlan Mount"

Having been introduced to Mount already I was SO ready to see what kind of beautiful destruction he could bestow upon me as a reader. His quiet, strong, intimidating stance illuminated from the shadows. Being present but not easily found. Feared but revered. His reputation preceded him and had me willing and waiting for the pounce. And pounce he did.

Keira is a strong, independent, no holds barred business owner that packs a punch. But every strong woman has an Achilles heel in their life, someone that uses their strength against them and they shine a little less brightly in their presence. Her late husband was that person in her life. After he died, his unsavory behaviors started to really come to life. How he behaved reflected on her and she ends up paying the ultimate price for his douchiness. Enter Lachlan Mount.

"No ones property" is Keira's mantra. "Mine" is Mounts. Which brings tension. Sexual back and forth. And a man that may have met his match in every way. Meghan March did an incredible job of introducing us to the dark underworld of New Orleans. Intriguing, hot AF, and palpable hate to love that you want to see implode first hand. Great start to this trilogy. So excited to read more.

From This Moment by Melanie Harlow

I always know I am going to get something emotional, addicting and all consuming when I start a Melanie Harlow book, but this one took the cake. It was a romance of unspoken nature...but what I did learn or think on hard was judging things I know nothing about. It was a lesson in realizing that not everything placed in front of you can be deemed right or wrong. I have always known if you don't walk in their shoes don't judge them. This was that case. 

From the outside looking in this was a romance that would be judged harshly, but when you get to the real story, the fact that Drew always stole the show while Wes allowed him to. When you learn who loved whom first, you start hoping. Hoping that Wes can get the happily ever after he has let everyone else have. That he can put himself and his happiness first. But the one thing he wants has so many strings attached. The relationship that Hannah has with her mother in law was SO familiar, lol. She was all things I understand. After 23 years with my husband and giving 4 grandbabies, I still struggle to be enough. This book was so personal, raw in a way that had you invested in what was going to happen. Forbidden, but right.

In Pieces by Danielle Pearl

I was so taken in my first read In Ruins by this author. She captivated me with an angsty college romance, filled with a sexual tension I didn't think could be matched. Wrong. Bea and David took that notion and upped the game by adding unrequited sexual tension that you could feel oozing out of the kindle pages. I am addicted to this series and this author's words.

David is Bea's older brother's best friend. Not only that but a life time family friend as well. So the fact that what he feels for her goes way deeper than he feels it should, presents obstacles. Beth has had it hard. She has felt pain and unfortunately that pain has left her at times feeling overwhelmed. She made choices that ensured people watch her a little closer and held her a little tighter. One of my favorite things about this story, was watching her take control of not only her life but her feelings. Speaking up to those that had totally done her wrong. It was empowering to slowly build on the fact that what she was feeling needed to be articulated to those who deserved it.

The tension, back and forth and mystery that surrounded these two was really well done. As a reader it kept me trapped in the story, it also has me impatiently waiting for the next book from this author. Really enjoyed it.

Dirty Little Promise by Kendall Ryan

I am going to start with this review by saying I totally enjoyed book one and love this author. But..this one just didn't hit the mark for me. It didn't have the allure and back and forth that book one grabbed me with. Will I continue reading this series? ABSOLUTELY! I can't wait to get to the rest of the brothers. This one just dragged a little...and didn't hold me captive like I wanted it to. Thank you so much for the early copy!