Destructive by Jay McLean

TICK...TOCK...It's GO time

Some romances are imminent, you open the book and you know how it will play out, this is not that love story. These souls are battered, they have seen the worst of people and done the worst of things, but they rise. They fall. They love. Hard. I can't properly articulate my absolute adoration for this one. Destructive is a hardened glance at not giving up, of not surrendering to the bad, and to always deserving the more. Although not an easy story to read at times it shook me to my core, it was more than worth it. SO FN WORTH IT.

This is a romance that is worked for, not handed to you lightly. The players are damaged, their hearts demolished but at the end of the day they love, fight, and win. Family. Love. Loyalty, Protection. All layers of armor in the world Nate has created. All that matters at the end is her. And he will do whatever it takes for her to live a full life outside the walls he once held her in. Whatever the cost. The heart stops, the stomach drops, and life moves on. Beautifully. One of my very favorite stories from Jay. The writing you have come to love with a darkened twist that she easily navigated. Playing my heart like an instrument, leaving me breathless, destroyed, and yet satisfied. How? The magic of Jay McLean. And so worth the wait....  

Manhattan by Kandi Steiner

You know when you open a Kandi Steiner romance you will get an angsty love fest with all the fixins. And this one had me experiencing ALL of the emotions. I seriously had tears running down my face in one scene. That doesn't happen often, but she caught my Achilles heel, so to speak and the waterworks were inevitable. I smiled, got the butterflies that accompany first love, got the nerves, really ran through it all. But I also got annoyed. Kylie was the absolute hero in this story. Mikey was hard for me. He was so wrapped up in himself and blind to a friendship and love that came so effortlessly to him, it was frustrating at points. But that is what an author of Ms. Steiner's caliber can do, bring you to a point where you are easily willing to strangle them and then in a heartbeat you have tears spilling down your face and feel utterly devoted to the same person!! Spoiler alert, he came around, and did redeem himself in a lot of ways (tears were due to him) but having loved a selfish man for the last 25 years, seeing it portrayed in front of me was harder than I thought it would be. Being selfless and loving selfish can be a detriment and experiencing it with these two was heart wrenching. Here comes another...BUT the love these two have and always knew for each other was insurmountable and watching come to be was beautiful. So in conclusion. I do adore another Becker brother, I am head over heels in love with Kylie Nelson and can't wait for the next (and sadly last) Becker brother. Kandi Steiner as always delivers a love story that stays with you, keeping you in it's clutches long after the end... 

 

The Younger Man by Karina Halle

Okay...where to start with this review. First I am going to tell you a little truth about myself. When I go into reading a book that I have seen a lot of hype about...I think I enter with a chip on my shoulder. What does this mean? It means this...I open the kindle with a need for the words and story to prove their worth to me. Hype can sometimes lead to hope and hoping a story will be what it is to everyone else is a tough thing to battle. This one succeeded. Alejo and Thalia were electric. Their attraction exuded off the pages and their sexy times. EY YI YI so fn hot! I could feel the tension and want, it was palpable. The angst was off the charts and all of this on top of a beautiful love story.

 "I want your fucking soul. I want to take it and keep it and mix it up with mine until it burns between us like the sun."

I was head over heels in love with Alejo. He owned this story. His truth, insight, and deep love for Thalia was addicting. I jonesed for his POV, his words spoke to my reader soul. He was lyrical in the language of love and I couldn't get enough. In all I just want one of him for me. Karina Halle nailed the beauty of a forbidden love that crossed all the barriers to not only exist but flourish. Her words captured the pain, beauty and hardship that it comes with and I couldn't get enough. Overall it was hermosa... 

The Punk and the Plaything by B.B. Reid

This book had me going through every emotion known to reader kind. I wanted to throw my kindle. Punch Jamie. Slap a ho a time or 12, I smiled, I frowned, seriously I felt it all. In all honesty at times I felt a bit of redundancy in the story, but then these emotions would come from somewhere deep inside and I was reeled back into the drama, angst, teenage whoredom, a love connection that was formed at a very young age, and friendships. A lot of different feelings all at once that at times rendered me useless for "real" life. 

Overall B.B. Reid does it again. She takes characters that at times within the series seem hard to understand and adore and she makes you fall in love with them, even more than that you WANT for them. Can't wait for the next one.

The Guy on the Left by Kate Stewart

Okay reader friends or the 4 people that might stroll across these words LOL. TROY IS MINE!!!! I have seen lots of DIBS and "he's mine" blah blah blah. 

But NO it's just not true because he's MINE and he's loyal so he can't be yours. LOL Who knew stalking could be such a turn on? OMG Seriously I have read and loved every Kate Stewart book she has released SINCE THE BEGINNING (see another reason HE'S MINE *snickers*) and while I fall in love with all of her characters this little happy go lucky family of beautiful misfits is my absolute favorite. I loved every thought, every scene, all the moments that were had within the pages of my kindle. Kate nailed Troy and all of his love, quirks, loyalty and beautiful qualities that you have to read to fully enjoy. So seriously READ THIS BOOK. It's addicting, special and I'll say it again because it bears (bares?? not sure) repeating TROY IS MINE. Thank you and carry on....

Ache by S.M. Soto

Wow. I’m going to catch my breath and my review will follow. This book was brutally beautiful in the hardest and most intense ways. I absolutely loved it. I clicked this book when it first came out, in all honesty I saw the cover and thought, "this looks like my kinda book." Fast forward 7 months later and I can't find anything to read, so I casually go ebook shopping on my own kindle. I have a problem, yes. I saw this one and thought let's try it...I DEVOURED THIS BOOK IN ONE SITTING. I could not stop reading. It was such a hard read at times, so harsh at times I wanted to scream....but it was also heart-achingly beautiful.

“Because I want to be your boyfriend. I want everyone to know that you’re mine, sweet girl.”

 The love and friendships forged so early on, although they found themselves dormant at times were discovered and made a difference in a life. A life that had been put on hold by the hands of a monster. This book is NOT for the faint of heart. If you look for trigger warnings of any kind, I don't suggest you read this one. But if you love incredibly written, powerful, stories of triumph and life READ THIS BOOK. It is one of my favorites this year.

Blindsided by Amy Daws

I totally enjoyed this book. I was blindsided (can I do that?) the humor, friendship, easy banter and amazing tension of the BEST kind. Throw in some hot, tattooed muscle man with a loyal heart of gold. A quirky, easy to love, old as hell virgin and you have yourself a love story for the ages. I couldn't put it down. And now I have to go back and read all of the other's characters back stories. Amy Daws easy going humor shines through the pages on this one and I am so glad that tattooed arm cover drew me in for the one click. I am a huge fan.

The Game You Play by L.A. Cotton

Totally enjoyed this one. Jason was such a dick. But damn if I didn’t love him! I love a misunderstood, asshole that just wants to escape with girls, drinks and a sport. Football, HELL YES. Gah he was such a jerk at times and then he would peel back the layers and show his true self and I would yell ENDGAME. I am addicted to this series, waiting with baited breath for the next one. Bring it. Wooohooo

 

House Of Scarlett by Meghan March

This is a girl that WANTS MORE RIGHT NOW. Deep cleansing breath...in...out. Okay. Book two has us catching up with everything but also adding and layering new events and players. It’s as addicting as it is informative and just as in book one I am hopelessly in love with one Gabriel GD Legend. Ugh. 

Now I countdown the days until I get to experience my favorite couple of Ms. March’s.

Enemies by Tijan

Tijan does it again. A heart felt, sports romance with twists and turns that keep you an absolute slave to your kindle. Work? Ahhh no can do, I have to read about STONE FN REEVES, please and thank you. Angst, life time friendships, mistakes, innuendos, and a bond that can't be destroyed through all that life throws at them. 

Having read every book from Tijan I am still completly blown away with how I connect with her characters. They jump out of the story in such a way, I swear I know them...like we're friends. I absolutely adored this story and as always can't wait for more from Tijan. I am addicted. Captivating, angsty, tear filled awesomeness that I am re-reading now.

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid

How do you say goodbye to the Winston brothers? I don't want to find out...Billy SWOOOOOONNNN I fell HARD for him in Beard With Me. Scarlett and him OWNED my heart, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Penny Reid is an actual wizard with her words and stories. She creates strong willed females, awkward males, quirky females and odd males and make them not only believable but completely lovable. This series owns a piece of my heart that I will never get back. Every couple, all the hijinx, the love, fights, mis-understandings and friendships that were forged and remained along the way filled me with absolute joy. I don't want to say goodbye to them. So I will just close my kindle until we meet again...

 

Dirty Letters by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

The dynamic duo of romance has done it again. This book was all the things I love from these two authors. A quirky pet, banter, letters, an angsty reason they can't fully commit. I totally enjoyed this one. The intimate relationship these two shared through words and years totally owned my reader heart. When the chips were down and things needed to be heard it was through writing. LOVE. My heart soared, broke, danced and rallied for these two crazy kids. Fun. Flirty. Banter filled goodness in a book.

Landon & Shay Part One by Brittainy C Cherry

I am absolutely blown away with the importance of this authors words. Ms. Cherry plays my emotions like a professional...the push the pull, the love and hate, the deep emotions that are brought through in letters, questions, texts and one word statements..BLOW. MY. MIND. And remind me why I read. Why I trust my favorite authors to shred me to pieces in the best of ways and trust that they will soothe and comfort the soul as they continue. Landon and Shay owned me throughout this story and I want nothing more then to dive back into their hauntingly darkened hearts and follow their journey. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s special, in a way that will remain with you long after. Seriously, bravo. I wish I had better words to convey my OMGOMGOMG feelings but these will have to do. 

Neat by Kandi Steiner

I can't get enough of these Becker boys. So addicting. The sweetness, manliness and cleanliness of Logan had me breathless. It was such an easy book to connect with completely devour in a sitting. So much so that I forgot to even add it to my currently reading pile...and BAM I was done. Ms. Steiner is auto read author for me and this series is just keeping that tradition going strong. Logan and Mallory were on point, emotions, smiles, engaging banter and hot ass scenes that kept my libido completely checked in as well. Bravo Kandi, bravo. Can't wait for the next one...

 

Beard With Me by Penny Reid

ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE

I have read and loved every one of the Winston brother's stories...but this one? This one owns my heart and soul. I can't even express how I am reeling after finishing Billy and Scarlet's beginning. I have watched them throughout everyone's HEA, they skirt around the edges never giving too much but this...this was EVERYTHING. I can't even gather my thoughts enough to express my absolute LOVE for this one. I am truly beaming. A book that reminds me why I read? This is one of them. Ms. Reid is an absolute genius at weaving a slow burn tale that finds you completely immersed in the story. So much so your heart soars when they smile, breaks when they falter and beams when they realize their worth in each other's lives. This is a story of triumph, of complete devastation and of a will and determination that can not be extinguished. When I say I can't wait for the next book I mean that with every fiber of my soul. I am already composing my message to one Penny Reid that may say something to fact of "I helped you with the robot dance...maybe I can be one of the chosen few to read this NOW???" I haven't been this attached to a story in a long time...until the next one.

Stay With Me by Jessica Prince

Every single book in this series becomes my new favorite. Cord and Rory stole my heart. They owned the sexual tension and kept me wanting and cheering for them in a fanatical way! This is "technically" a stand alone but please don't miss out on all of these amazing character's stories. They own you in a way that I have found is just Ms. Prince. She is one of my very favorite authors and this new town and group of individuals owns me. Love it. Love it, hard.