Nothing Personal by Karina Halle

I do love me a lighter read from Karina Halle, although she was introduced to me in a grittier, darker arena, I have found her more contemporary stories to be more my fit. This one was cute, and some funny moments but for me it fell a tad bit short and left it feeling a little contrived for me. Usually when I fall into a Ms. Halle story I connect quickly, and feel everything. I didn't find myself doing that, I felt a little forced into believing this was Nova's level 10 heartbreak and I just had to believe it was. She had her walls in place for love but also a tad bit for the reader to connect to her as well. I don't know if that makes sense? But it is what it is. Did I love Kessler? YES. Did I want for them through-out the book? YES. I do love me a single dad, enemies to loves, office romance and it did check all those boxes. I was happily sated at the end. I did crack a smile or two, so overall it was a win win. It just missed a couple of components for ME as a reader. It did make me want to return to Hawaii (first visit this last July) and live amongst the cocks and coconuts. Enjoyed.

Across The Horizon by Aly Martinez

How the fuck does Aly Martinez keep completely blowing my reader mind? Okay let's start this compilation of words and rants with a confession...I thought this was a duet. So come 80% on I'm like what the hell is Ms. Martinez going to do...how is she going to make this go sideways, knowing I will die and love it all in the same breath...Is that wrong? I don't read blurbs when my favorite authors are involved, I just sign up for their releases and pray I get an arc. But I SWEAR to WINE I thought this was a two parter...oops. BUT what it was...EPIC. So note, standalone. LOL

I loved every word of this love story. And when I slowly (wine) put the pieces together that this was Porter's brother and Charlotte's bestie...I was like JACKPOT bitches!! Every hard to hear word said to Rita was like another layer of armor she wore until Tanner Reese. Timing sucks. When you find "her" and the timing is about as bad as that time of the month and white pants...but with that you find strength, endurance, love and a beautifully strange friendship that defies even timing. Two people that need to learn to love themselves and who they can be with each other. Humor, a meet that had me smiling throughout the story, two souls that were matched and have to fight in order to become one. Aly Martinez has done it again, slaying the dragons of the past, while carefully wielding the beauty of love that is just waiting on the horizon... 

Fumbled Love by Lila Rose

Fumbled Love by Lila Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a cute story. I’m really glad I read this one. First time reading this author and I really enjoyed this sort of second chance at first love, sports romance! I love me an awkward girl that finds herself in the sights of a hot ass stud type guy. It always makes me smile. The more awkward the better, when this one started there were a few words used by the lead girl that had me wondering if I would connect with her, but a couple of pages in I embraced her and her crazy antics and was immediately pulled into the story. The background helped when we got into Carter's head a little bit. The pieces all started to fall into place. Their past, how they could find a future and all the in-betweens that help bring it all together in order to deliver a cute, fun-filled rom-com. Not only was Reagan a little extra her parents were EXTRA and the combination of the two...we had a winner! lol Sweet read with easy to connect to leads, a supporting cast that helps bring it all home. Totally enjoyed it.

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Only Love by Melanie Harlow

Leave it to Melanie Harlow to slay me with the perfectly tortured bad boy with a fucking heart of gold that is just existing in the shadows...until he meets his light. I LOVED THIS STORY. I was excited to get Stella's story. Her and Buzz didn't seem to be a "fit" and I knew she was set to find her HEA but how it all went about and the changing of the POV's kept me so connected and smiling throughout the entire book. Melanie Harlow is a MUST read author for me and Only Love only helped solidify the why...heart, engaging, friendships and a crazy gram that knows when two people are meant for each other. Both of these characters displayed honor, strength and love that was absolutely immediate. A wounded soul, a hero, the family and friends that helps pull it all together. I can't say enough about this one.

One Knight Stand by Jessica Prince

One Knight Stand by Jessica Prince
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Another 5 star read from Ms Prince!

I have yet to read a Jessica Prince book and not be head over heels with the couple before finding the end. This one was no different. Camden and Sutton easily drew me in and captivated me with tension, heart, perseverance, loyalty and a friendship that held me tight and never let go. Ms. Prince always writes a love story in a way that lays out the who, what, where, while also grabbing you and connecting souls so that every heart-wrenching twist and turn you fully experience. The powerful messages, the fight in every one of her characters to overcome and be better, hopefully together. A beauty that crosses over the line from fiction to a piece of your heart that remains long past closing the kindle and saying goodbye. I will be here patiently (sort of) waiting for the next heart-filled connection that Ms. Prince decides to release at us with bated breath. Devoured this one, like the rest. Until next time...

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Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Hate Notes by Vi Keeland
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars



I have long been a Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward fan before they decided to mesh their words together and have love babies in the form of beautiful romance stories together. Alone I adored them, together I am completely slayed by them. This story is one of the many reasons why. The push and pull these two so easily bring to their stories. Flawlessly merging not only their words but the characters brought forth. The love, friendship, meet, all of it. And you know when dealing with these two lovely ladies you are bracing yourself for the BAM, the elephant in the room so to speak. This story was emotional, had me in tears (TWICE) and reminded me why when on of their books hits my kindle it's a drop what you are doing because they are about to ruin...me, in the best way possible.

Another hit. Another couple to love. Another reason to love them. Read this one.


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The Day The Jerk Started Falling by Max Monroe

The Day the Jerk Started Falling by Max Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh Ollie...Ollie Ollie Ollie. I wanna do a podcast for my love of you too...


It was no secret that book one started a little slow for me but by 30% I was all in and by the end of book one I was salivating for the next one...so much so I emailed the PR company in hopes they would feel my angsty heart and send relief QUICK. So when I got a response saying the arc would be on kindle later in the day I was refreshing like a mad man awaiting Ollie and his whole side of the story. I was convinced I knew the what and why's of the story (spoiler alert I was right...eeeekkkkk) but the telling through Ollie's eyes was enlightening, fun, and had me from podcast one. And of course the was the hilarity that comes with reading Max Monroe, the shenanigans, and heart...lots and lots of heart. This was a fun-filled romp of feelings and findings that I enjoyed more every page. Jerks come and go, they fall, they explain, crawl and capture the heart...Ollie did it all and more. I lurve him...Until next time Max & Monroe. Thank you...

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Royally Yours by Emma Chase

Royally Yours by Emma Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All the damn stars! I loved this one. I’m not usually one to enjoy a prequel to a love story...but this one stole my heart and moved me to tears MULTIPLE times. I loved this story more than I can say. I was fully invested from the very first words, watching not only an epic love story unfold but an epic life and friendship. I was brought to tears more times than I should admit to, which shows me I was completely sunk by these characters. Totally and fully in love with all of them. From the family members to the partners, the best friends, hell even the drivers I connected and cared for them all. Like I said in the beginning of this ranting love fest of a review, I usually don't enjoy a pre-quel love story of the parents...like ewwwwww but those words were thrown right back in my face in a graceful, beautiful way by the always word wielding brilliance of Ms. Chase. Struck. That is what I would say I was. Thrown. Never say never. These two had a love that was felt even before they met. I can't recommend this entire series enough and please please include Royally Yours. I will miss all of these characters like they are my own family. LOVE. On my list of favorites for 2018!

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I Bet You by Ilsa Madden Mills

I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


College romances are one of my favorite tropes to read...add sports and BAM, even better but if you go a little further and include a quirky, nerdy type girl that has sass AND the author is Ilsa Madden Mills well let's just say you have a 5 star read for me. Ms. Madden Mills has a knack for writing a strong, athletic young man with a heart of gold that he only shows to those who are closest to him. And the girls she brings to the story are always shining lights of hope and sarcasm. A tad bit unsure of themselves but still strong and filled with light. Put the two of these people together and watch the sparks and quips fly. Love this series. Love this author. You are hit unexpectedly with the heart, humor and friendships that connect you to the story and because of that I bet you will be slayed.

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Reveling In Sin by Meghan March

This one is hard for me to fully review...this trilogy took me a little longer to get into than most MM stories do. The back and forth was not always working for me, but book two I was in and awaiting the conclusion. The Gables and Riscoff feud seemed to be winding up and down at the same time, but it was seeming like Whitney and Lincoln were finally being able to see only themselves and their relationship through the feud...this story had them realizing they were it for each other, but everything around them seemed to imploding. Literally, physically, like everywhere. The surrounding players played a larger role in this one and it felt I lost the Whitney Lincoln connection a little through the "everything" else that was coming from us around every page turn. Entertaining? yes. But a tad bit overwhelming and off track too. I did enjoy this one, but not as much as I typically enjoy a MM story. I know I am minority in this view and I am okay with that because at the end of the day I am a HUGE, whole career fan of Ms. March as an author and human. I just saw glimpses of what she is currently working on and am so excited to read on...like I said lifetime fan here.

The Day I Stopped Falling For Jerks by Max Monroe

The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks by Max Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Omg. I just finished and I want book two RIGHT NOW! This one started a little slow for me but once Ollie and Lucky became more of the main focus I was addicted. jerks, surfers, boys who kiss like your bro, and letters to ex’s, oh my! But are these all jerks or is the “victim” the problem? You can be the judge of that, and personally I can’t wait for more. Max Monroe have a knack for humor, engaging females and swoon worthy males..and I know I’m super late to the “I know who Max & Monroe really are” Party but I have to say NA Alcorn aka Nat aka Monroe (I think) is one of my very favorite authors and I have been missing her and reading her without even knowing it! But the humor and awkward situations scream Nat and I’m so excited she found her voice in these books. Total tangent but I seriously teared up when I saw the reveal video YESTERDAY on their website. So happy to see her, happy, writing and hilarious! Like I said always late to the fucking party. Lol. Anywho I’m going to be over here refreshing my kindle waiting for book two!! Peace

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The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner

The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kandi Steiner writes love stories that not only capture my heart and soul but play out like a movie for me. She carefully constructs characters and lives that mean more to me, then people in my "real" life equate...like seriously. Writing in a way that doesn't overwhelm with details or over dramatic descriptions but paints a picture so clearly that you can't help but fall so deeply in love with the characters. All while ripping your heart out slow and steady (kidding...kind of) Love, friendship, betrayal, and love worshiping in all of it's glory. You get a little of everything when you read a Kandi Steiner story. She is the master of playing your emotions like a fiddle...when Charlie Daniels goes off in Devil went down to Georgia...you know what I'm talking about. And if you don't google that shit right now. Also watch Urban Cowboy while you're at it. Anywho tangent over. lol This book will play with your emotions, have you completely buy in and love every damn minute of it. Ms. Steiner is a word wizard, an angst queen and totally deserved of the one click budget you set. Read this story. Added bonus is I LOVE FOOTBALL and DA BEARS...so that was fun!

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Love, Sincerely, Yours by Sara Ney & Meghan Quinn

Love, Sincerely, Yours by Sara Ney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know when you read a book and it's the perfect book at the perfect time? Well that just happened with Love, Sincerely, Yours. The consummate blend of humor, heart and tension blended together to create a five star read for me. There are authors that work so well together that you seriously can not tell where one begins and one ends. Their personalities meshed almost as if one author wrote the damn book...and I say this in total awe. It does help that I love both of these ladies stories...but that aside this story took the work place romance and added a hilarity and complete assholey boss antics that had me laughing out loud multiple times sprinkled with heart and soul that had me totally connected to all the players. Loved it and I can't wait for the next adventure...

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Not Until You by Corinne Michaels

Not Until You by Corinne Michaels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a stand-alone BUT if you haven't read the first two books in the series, I suggest you stop and click them now. Again you don't HAVE to read them to enjoy this one, but you should...because Noah. Any who...I adore these girls. Their friendships, laughter, loyalty and sense of humor is a reminder how important girl tribes are. I connected with them all with each story and this one was no different.

In this one the "rules are made to be broken" plays out. Don't preach what you can't practice. After being SEVERELY burned by engaging in a relationship with a client so she created her rules to live and work by...enter Callum Huxley. Swoooooooooonnnnnn from the first eye ball lock they were SUNK. Add an accent and hot bod and I was like HELLLLLO I'll design your place. lol These two crazy kids were nuts for each other. Then we add some angst and BAM I am a happy damn camper. But lets be honest I love Corinne Michaels and all of her stories so it was a must read from the get go.

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Strong by Kylie Scott

I am not usually one that gravitates to novellas. They tend to leave me wanting more, or simply don't leave me sated...but when I saw this one, I SIGNED THE FUCK UP! I loved LICK like it was my job...I've read and loved the whole series but David and Ev...they were my favs. SO when I saw Martha was going to have her own story I was not only surprised but in full anticipation mode. I love it when an author takes a nemesis from another story and makes them everything in their own story. I loved watching her come into her own and finding love with the strapping man that has played in a role in every story. Because you knew the players and were already comfortable and connected this novella worked and I LOVED IT. I was so appreciative of this glimpse I quickly jumped into a re-read of Lick and all the other players. Thank you Ms. Scott for reminding me how much I love and missed the Stage Dive crew.

Guilty As Sin by Meghan March

Everything is starting to come to a head...I still have one hunch buried within the words of my kindle. But I’ll hold those cards close to my chest. As I was expecting the intrigue is growing and my wtf is going to happen is peaking! The back and forth from past to present was easier for me to follow and stay connected with...the family dynamics started making more sense and mattered more in this one, overall it started to win me over...Whitney is still a bit of road block for me, but Lincoln came forth guns-a-blazing for me in this edition. I am wondering how this will all play out. As I stated I have my theories that I will hold close, but will totally scream TOLD YOU SO...to no one in particular but it will still make me proud of well...me. lol I will wait by my kindle for the finale...

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

I saw you first

I had you first

I want you back

I came late to the Kennedy Ryan party, but I am now a life-long fan. Her words are powerful, explosive and fly off the pages and melt into the heart. They evoke every emotion you could possibly imagine and more. This one was not only an emotional tale, but struggles that a lot of women feel  and how they are viewed by not only themselves in a certain way but others. That even the strongest of women have their kryptonite, it can be a myriad of things but body image always seems to rise to the top.

Jared is also a bit clueless of what he really is and exudes. He feels like a heartless bastard, mainly due to the kindness he constantly feels around him. When you are allergic to people and stupid it can put a damper on the kindness ( I know this well y'all!!) but when he loves you...he is as loyal and pure as they come. He found his one truth early on and that NEVER wavered. His heart found it's match, and not even years or a false sense of hate could change that.

Banner was a true hero for me. Finding her worth beyond her career, beyond her family and finding that lines blur and even when a wrong decision is made a person can still be beautiful. Friendships, relationships and family will be tested but within the words of Ms. Ryan you are frozen with anticipation waiting for the angst bubble to burst and lives to change. I tried to explain to my husband the other day that there are books I read and enjoy and there are stories I experience and change the course...I LOVED THIS STORY...like all of her's before. Beauty, heartache, butterflies and want all wrapped into a love story that reminds us life is dirty but so worth the journey!

The Truth About Us by Aly Martinez

Truth or Lie? 

Truth. Aly Martinez can write the shit out of a duet. 

Lie. I wait until they are both out to start.

I can't wait. I have to read the words that Ms. Martinez writes as soon as they drop onto my kindle. I can't wait. It's a problem, an addiction, maybe? After reading the first in this duet, I was refreshing my kindle like a mad woman waiting to see where this twisted, harrowing tale was going to go...

Truth. I was more than invested. And I fucking loved it.

Lie. I knew where it was all going. 

The beauty of reading for me is getting completely immersed in another world, to lose myself within the pages and absolutely absorb the story that is playing out in front of me. And this one was exceptional in keeping me not only sated, but at the edge of my seat. Cheering for all the broken people to find their salvation, to become not only whole but a family. Such a dysfunctional family but a family all the same. Love and loyalty lives and breathes in this story. People who are willing to lie their lives on the lines for those they love, CHECK please. I love it. 

Truth. I'll be here waiting for Ms. Martinez to release whatever is next! 

Ravage by Jessica Prince

LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. And Mace and Lyla did not disappoint. Gah. I am going to miss this crew SO much. I feel like we will still hear about them with One Knight Stand being next...maybe? Doesn't matter because as I always say "Jessica Prince writes it...Dawn reads it!" So much angsty goodness in this story, intrigue, doubt, back-stabbing, drinks and so so much more. LOVE LOVE LOVE.  

Addiction is a hard subject to not only delve into but make work within a romance story. When the love you have always known chooses substance over everything else it can change the way you see the world. When people who are supposed to have your back, be "your" people turn into something else, it changes you. When a trust is so irrevocably shaken, it can make you stronger, it can change the course of where your life was headed. Lyla was a quiet strength that I was taken in by from the first background meeting. She had a love so strong she almost lost herself within it. Tragedy produced strength, and love was found amidst the darkness. I loved Mace and Lyla and I am SO sad to see them go...but I am ready for any words that Ms. Prince decides to write next. 

Redemption by Jessica Ruben

How do you say goodbye? Parting is such sweet sorrow, is that the saying? Book three finds us in turmoil (yes I say us) but it has Vincent working towards having his happily ever after, no matter who is left bloodied and bruised along the way! Questions answered, more asked, and love that never had it's chance may finally be..The finale left me wanting more yet completely sated, I believe this is because Ms. Ruben was so skilled at taking us on a complete journey. 

Every installment left you more invested and yet clinging to the hope that there will be more...I love the feelings that she evoked in every book. Angst, turmoil, love, hate, want, and above all hope. I can't wait for this author to spread her literary wings and take us to more incredible places.

Dirty Headlines by L.J. Shen

ALL THE DAMN STARS

I am running out of ways to say I LOVE THIS BOOK, when trying to write a review for the newest L.J. Shen story. Every time she delivers. She not only packs a punch with her words, she softens the blow, makes you laugh, tear up, the angsty butterfly feeling that I LIVE FOR, all of it. You get all of it, with every single book she writes. Is it weird that I want to say this is so different but so the same...it feels like I just read and lived through a movie. And loved it! Even when I think she can’t possibly make me fall in love with someone. Bam. I do. She simply wrangles your heart and soul and holds it hostage until you sadly come upon the words..the end. This story was so much more. Taking my already high expectations and exceeding them. Keep that shit up! 

 **Photo purchased Deposit Photo**

Célian and Jude have a chemistry that doesn't simply jump off the page, it slithers off and winds itself around your heart. They are explosive, challenging, and have a love/hate that keeps you absolutely connected to the story. Their passion for not only each other, but for those around them, whether it's bad or good, is mesmerizing and has you wanting to buy #1 Fan T-shirts for them both. Team Célian is equal to Team Jude and together they create a Team Awesome like no other pairing I have read to date. This book seriously has something for everyone. It surpasses the bar and creates a new one for Ms. Shen to reach with her next tale, and I for one can't wait to see what that may be.

One Last Wish by Aurora Rose Reynolds

One Last Wish is the third in the Shooting Stars series and I adored the first two, so jumping into this one was so easy for me. And like the stories before it, I quickly became connected to the characters portrayed and wanted for them immediately. This one starts out hard, but not as hard as it could be. The quickness of how things play out helps you keep the connection between "your" guy and girl. The sadness is like an extra in a movie, it's there but not overwhelming or taking up too much of your heart.

Timing is everything in this one, from saying what you feel when you feel it, or letting things play out and patiently waiting for it to be the right time. What did happen was between the time lapsed...you wanted for these two to be each other's everything. You want for them to leave the "what if's" and just fall into the "what now" category of loving each other. Taking someone for granted is so easily done, and when you think you are faced with losing that someone, it all crashes down on you. For better or worse. This is one of my favorite series from Ms. Reynolds, it is heartfelt, hard, and worth every page. A different kind of BOOM but solid just the same. Quick, easy, beautiful tale of loss, love and family.

The Wrong Blaze by Meagan Brandy

Trust...it's a deal-breaker of sorts, but knowing and trusting in an author to take a hard, back and forth story, and allow your fragile, just want to escape heart in the hands of someone else, is...well difficult. I found trust came in very handy as I read this one...at times I was so discouraged in the people surrounding me (fictional of course) that I wanted to scream, but the entire time I thought this will be part of the journey. I trust that the heart flutters, gasps and heart palpation's were all a part of what made this SUCH an addicting, fast paced story that I literally could not read it fast enough.

Ms. Brandy has quickly cemented herself as a go-to author. Her males are strong willed a-holes with hearts of gold and her females are take no shit heroes for themselves. Can't wait for more!