Love to Hate You by Jessica Prince

 

Okay first and foremost, this is my favorite trope. The one where the wife finds herself alone because some doucheknuckle of a man (who is supposed to love her unconditionally) finds his way into the bed of another. This one has an added layer of YUCK but makes the glow up she feels even stronger. After 26 years of my alpha ahole I always think if he is to lose his mind and stray, I might have it in me to find me a little Micah loving LOLOL but seriously, gives me hope.

When the woman (Hayden in this instance) finds her voice, confidence and complete worthiness in her self and lives a better life for it...in walks Micah and all is ahole muscled glory and swwwooooooonnnnnn!!! I love everything Jessica Prince writes, I can't put into words how much her books mean to me. I devour them, every single time. I get kind of melancholy when I start one of her stories because I know I will finish it before I can blink, and then I smile because I remind myself I can re-read it when my purchased copy hits my kindle. I seriously have this discussion with myself EVERY BOOK! Jessica Prince continually and effortlessly delivers a perfect story of love, friendships, redemption and how much strength we can find within ourselves. Strong heroines, alpha males, adorable kids and a gang of women that support and fix each others crowns, holding them up and building a community instead of being petty haters. I love Hope Valley. I want to live in Hope Valley. If you haven't read Jessica Prince yet, I totally recommend you do. Her books are reading gold. You're welcome xo 

Reclaim by Aly Martinez

 

Nora and Camden not only shine in this story they radiate from the pages. Aly Martinez took such tragedy and built such love and light within their little world by the creek. I could not put this one down and fell in love with both of them along the journey. The brutality of what life can throw at you brought to life so poignantly it startled me. The feelings, voices, thoughts and fears were drawn in a way they could be felt instead of just read. Passion that surpassed years of neglect and fear had me swooning. And the ever steady beat of two hearts that always belonged together finding their way back time and time again. A lifeline that was passed from one another through trials and tribulations always finding its way to where it was needed the most. And a hero that put all other heroes to rest, alining himself in the book boyfriend hall of damn fame people!! 

Aly Martinez wrote a powerful, heart wrenching, yet beautiful story of love, friendship and withstanding the test of time and doubt. I felt this story in my heart, body and soul, and I could not have loved it more. Incredible. xo

Clarity by Nicole Dykes

 

Here is a little something you should know about me as a reader...I FUCKING LOVE A BROKEN BAD BOY!! But Rhys, oh my lanta he is so much more than broken, he is trying to survive, existing in a shell of rubble that was brought upon him. Bent but so not broken. Growing up in the system was not just hard it was excruciating and when he is faced with his demons through the eyes of another, he has to act on it. Nicole Dykes slayed this story and carefully executed such a harrowing experience with grace and fortitude. Giving it a voice within fictional characters that far exceeded my expectations. The sheer force of Rhys and Blair's connection was felt beyond the pages and kept me completely engrossed with everything they felt for each other. The tension was THICK, the connection was real, the heart of the story was palpable and the FEELS were imminent. I can't stop thinking about this story. How a family was made within the broken pieces of two souls that had so much more to give than they even knew. How Ms Dykes was able to draw that out in full detail, having it land straight within my soul, is beyond me. She wrote a beautiful story of survival, love, friendship and loyalty that has also landed on my favorites of 2020 list. Harrowing, hard to read at times, redemption story of soulmates that didn't realize they were destined to be a family and the journey it led them on...LOVED IT xo 

Date Me Like You Mean It by R.S. Grey

 

Sexual tension anyone? Friends to lovers, with a splash of angsty heart wrenching WHYYYYYYY thrown in...yep, classic R.S. Grey and I loved it. Friends, roommates, in-laws of sorts, but soulmates? It wouldn't seem so, just unrequited love until one fake answer leads to another situation, that leads to...you get the picture. Timing, it isn't always on this couples side, but one thing that is banter, friendship and hijinx, if only straight up communication was on the docket, but then we wouldn't get all the TENSION. And I for one, live for that shit. Cute, easy to read, heart in your throat, want for them all to see the fine print, story of love born out of friendship and how fragile it can be. Another hit for Ms. Grey. Totally enjoyed it. xo

Wild At Heart by K.A. Tucker

 

SO much more than a sequel. This story held me completely captive while creating a world around Calla and Jonah. The characters were brilliant, the epiphones were perfection and the realizations of blind spots were a little late but kept me GLUED to my kindle. I loved EVERY second of this book and can't wait for the novella. I don't think I will ever have enough Calla and Jonah. I felt like this was Calla's book for me. She so much more than shined in this one. Finding her place, creating a family, all while loving Jonah sometimes more than I thought he had earned in this one. I absolutely, completely LOVE this world. Thank you KA Tucker. xo

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

 

I read this book in hours. Let me rephrase that I didn't just read it I experienced it. I breathed it, I sobbed with the characters, I lived through the characters of this story. I so much more than read it. I (insert cuss word) LOVED it. K.A. Tucker destroyed me with tension, with spoiled brat attitudes that found their worth amidst the wilderness. Yeti's that found their match in a citified Barbie. A father with guilt and regret and SO SO MUCH LOVE. A family amongst the barron tundra that was missing a part. Tears streamed down my face as I watched it all play out. Do not be like me. If you have not experienced this story, please do it now. It is an epic adventure of love, life, regrets, and finding joy. I could not love this one more. Jonah, Calla and the crew will force you to fall in love with them all, their flaws and perfections. Top read of the year for me. This story owned me. ON to the second book. And pre-ordered the next one. #obsessed

Pride and Papercuts by Staci Hart

 

I love this series and I totally enjoyed this twofer romance. Staci Hart has such an eloquent way of writing and truly making me feel smarter with her words. Her descriptions and word usage is of the HIGHEST quality and let's be honest it has me fucking using the tap for word meaning on my kindle more than once. I close a Ms Hart book with a smile and the satisfaction of knowing I am smarter than when I started. I love an intelligent read, an author that can connect with you romance and entice you with knowledge. Bravo my beautiful soul, bravo!! These kids were oil and water, and lightning hot all at once. They blended and broke in the same sentence. The harshness of both of their personalities has you on the edge of your seat with admiration and tension...I fucking love it. Read this series. It's addicting, sweet, heart-wrenching, all the things we as romance addicts love to love. xo

Musings & Melodies by Rebecca Yarros

 

OMG THIS SERIES IS AMAZING!! We have Rebecca Yarros coming in with the finale that stars Nixon and BLOWS ME WAY. This series snuck on me. It blew down the doors of a "typical" rockstar romance and floored me with the amount of FEELS and grit that surrounded me while reading. I truly LOVE this series. I completely connected with all of the characters, and felt their love, heartbreak, devotion, and friendship...these authors did an incredible job of writing each story with it's own flare, and tragedy, personal to each character, in a way that melded them altogether but let them stand alone as well. Read this series. Jonas, Quinn and NIXON will own you. They will completely win you over and make you want do deeply for them. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Read it. xo

Bittersweet by Jessica Prince

 

I truly do not know how to write another review that simply states I love Jessica Prince. Her characters attach to my heart and don't let go, right from page one. Even earlier, because you usually meet them in earlier glimpses. She simply writes a beautiful, easy to connect to romance that has heart, loyalty, hurt and all the FEELS. I devour them in hours, EVERY TIME. This story was no different. Hearts broken, bad choices led to years apart, but a man on a mission and girl that never stopped loving him = 5 Star goodness people. I love this series and can not wait for more. Second chance romance that will own you. Read it. xo 

Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann

 

6 STARS

Okay here I go again, trying to write a review that encompasses the amount with which I loved this book. Words are used in this book that infuriate, connect, make me smile, evoke feelings from 0-100, broke my heart, mended it, fell in love with a dog, fell in love with a monster, made me want to surf (and I DO NOT do oceans, there's a story behind it) and completely fall head over heels with every single character within the pages...and yet I can't articulate it. I've said it before, but it needs repeating...Jewel E. Ann is mutha fn genius. Her books are different, masterfully written gems right there on Amazon waiting for all the readers. She baits you with intelligent banter, fools you into thinking your reader heart is safe, when in reality danger lurks for all your FEELS, all while making you fall in love with fictional characters that you know have to be real. GENIUS. I swear. Out of Love is a branch off of one of my very favorite series EVER, the Jack and Jill Series and it has the same suspense, meaning, love, and protective loyalty that made me fall in love with the series to begin with. Twist, turns, bad guys, good guys and everything in between. If you have yet to experience it, DO IT NOW. You will not regret a second of it. This series is awe inspiring, intelligently written, bad assness that falls under the category of MUST READ NOW. Thank you JEA for spoiling us with your words. Keep that shit up. xo

Rifts & Refrains by Devney Perry

 

5 STARS

Holy female rockstar!! I fn loved this book. I didn't think I would fully connect to the female being the rocker BUT I WAS SO WRONG. This book was so much more than a rocker love story. The family dynamics, the heartfelt wrongs that were made, the justifications and placating that occured. Nine years of heartbreak stood before her in the first few pages and I felt it, completely. Graham and Quinn had amazing chemistry and angst that oozed from the story. Even when they were not being honest with themselves you felt the ache. Devney Perry created a love story that went beyond the two main characters, the surrounding players all added a part in who Quinn had become, who they created her to be in their own mind, who she was allowing herself to be. For so long she had hidden her truths, her wants, her love for her family and with one event it all came crashing toward her. This story completely spoke to me. I devoured it within hours, I bonded with every single person introduced in the journey and I so want more. It started with Jonas, which I loved. It continued with Quinn who I completely fell head over heels for and we will wrap up with Nixon, and I for one can't wait to see what his demons are going to lead us. This series is a MUST read. xo

Ryder by Prescott Lane

 

4 STARS

I totally enjoyed this story. I love a good meet cute, CHECK. Love a broken musician, who doesn't believe in love, CHECK. And I adore a WTF I am pregnant (lived it 4X lol) moment, CHECK. Kailey and Ryder were IT from the first food truck they ventured to and found a way back to each other. Kailey was great for me until one little part, she frustrated me a little beyond my reader frustration meter usually goes, but she redeems herself so all was good. I am always rooting for the broken bad boy that has a past that has defined him. The kind that can be shown the way with the love and adoration of "the one" and Ryder was amazing in this role. I found his broodiness rather hot actually. And Kailey's love for him was the connection that I needed to find my way quickly through this story. I totally enjoyed the journey. And can't wait to read more from this author. My second book of hers and they both spoke to me...win win. xo 

Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen

 

4 STARS

I devoured this one. Feeling the connection from the beginning. And getting a taste of the other players in the game leading us through the awesomeness that is Hush Note Series. I was SO excited to see this one on my kindle. Rockstar (check), Manwhore (check), brought down by his true love (CHECK CHECK) The instant bond to this story had me flying through the pages. Losing myself in the story, finding myself at the end with a smile on my face and excited to read the next rocker coming. Thank you ladies. You have a super fan!! xo

The Trouble With Quarterbacks by R.S. Grey

 

4 STARS

I have read and loved ALL things R.S. Grey and each one holds a little of her "magic" and then it has something specific to it's story and this one had BANTER and chemistry. I loved these two together, they just fit immediately. Logan didn't give too much and held his feelings close to his chest but Candance was OUT THERE and hilarious. Watching these two give each other their hearts was so much fun. The hot times were FIRE, the heartfelt times were snuggly and the connection was palpable, just what you expect from R.S. Grey. Loved it. xo 

We Are Us by Tara Leigh

OMG WHAT WAS I FN THINKING?!?!?! I have had this on my kindle for FAR TOO LONG! I am so pissed at myself. For some reason I was scared to start this book. For that I can honestly say I AM A FRICKIN IDIOT!! This book is EVERYTHING! I loved every word. Every misstep taken. Every wrong turn in the journey that led to the perfect meadow. 

"But our past is an engine, not an anchor. It’s what will drive us forward, not what holds us back.”

Tara Leigh owned this one. Mystery. Intrigue. Love. Hate. Betrayal. Right. Wrong. Lies. Deceit. Truths. Heart. Death. Life. EVERY SINGLE FEEL THERE IS. If you can feel it, it was present. I could not tear myself away from my kindle. My heart broke. Healed. Broke again. Grew. I smiled. I screamed. I lived vicariously through these characters and wanted for them to hear me as I gave them direction from the comfort of my living room. Good job girl. You took me in, owned me, spit me out and then soothed me back to relaxed. I loved every single second of it. I can not recommend this one enough. Easy? NO. Beautiful and gripping? YES. From a hidden first love that can live forever. 

"I am hers and she is mine and we are us."

To an experience no one should ever have to live through but so many of us have...told through a lens of familiarity that haunts and makes it that much more relatable. Choices made, alliances formed, all while a love still exists. Tara Leigh completely delivered with a perfect mix of first love, love settled, evil arises tale that keeps you guessing and hoping all in one sweep. The emotional battlefield set, who will win? You, if you decide to read it! xo

Southern Storms by Brittainy C. Cherry

Tears. I had tears streaming down my face at 4am while I finished reading this GEM of a story. Don't let the tears scare you away, they came from the depths of my heart. They were born from the beauty of first love, forgiveness and the beauty of the life you can have. I love when a woman finds her strength in the eyes of someone that completely loves them for who they are to the core. When they have found themselves settling, and life hits them with something that has them forging their own way through and awakening the person they were always meant to be. No one delivers this beautiful journey more eloquently than Ms. Cherry. She has a ways of embracing a characters strengths and flaws as one and making their soul speak to you from the pages of the story. You FEEL the story all the way through you. You WANT for these fictional characters as if you are within them. You BELIEVE it with your whole heart and soul. These stories are not just something you open, read and soon forget. They are now woven within you as if the experiences were yours as well. Not every author can deliver this within the pages, but Ms. Cherry ALWAYS does.

This story is completely needed in this craziness we have been thrust into. To remind you of the beauty of love, loyalty, and soul wrenching experiences that build and strengthen who we are, who we want to be. This was more than a love story. It is a life found tale, and I LOVED every word of it. Readers! If you read with more than your eyes, if you embrace the fact that your heart and soul will be forever changed, read this book. It will not let you down. xo 

The Rich Boy by Kylie Scott

Insta-Love it isn't just for fictional characters anymore, it's for the reader's that embark on it as well. Connections, hardships, money, power and tragedy and that is just the first few pages. How do these girls find these boys? I SO want a Beck for me, just don't tell the hubs. Kylie Scott's stories always have me finding the connection and the feels right away and this one was no different. Beck and Alice quickly found their way into my reader heart and had me cheering them on through ups, downs, louboutins and diamonds. Seriously WHERE IS MY BECK? I have thick thighs and a strong willed personality. WHERE IS MINE? I guess this is why I have so many book boyfriends and Beck found his way onto that list quickly and securely. Cute story about truth, lies, money, power, greed and the power that just love can bring to someone that needs more than even they realize. Loved it. xo

 

The Second Time Around by Jessica Prince

4.5 I want to move to Hope Valley Stars

Here she goes....writing my heart's desire once again. Ms. Prince always delivers and this time it's Bryce's turn and he's not the background player this time he is the hero. He is finally showing his heart and whom it belongs to. It's owner was found years before and she is back, happenstance, sure but the fireworks are amazing none the less. Heart, bucket lists and smiles take the lead in this one and it's a journey everyone should travel. Second chances, redemption and a family is finally complete. I love this author, this damn town and everyone in it. I am looking up property prices as we speak. xo 

Creole Kingpin by Meghan March

HOLY GIRL CRUSH!!!! I am head over heels in LOVE with Magnolia Maison. Like put a fork in me, I am DONE in love. Meghan March always creates strong, able minded female characters but Ms. Maison is BEYOND even that. She is tough, wicked smart, independent, yet can see when she has over stepped or when she needs to soften for the right of her heart. This book is an absolute favorite of mine. Don't get me wrong Moses is awesome...and perfect for her...together they can RULE THE BAYOU. I am so excited to see where this journey will take us. Addicting, real, tough, thrilling, action packed love story that keeps you completely mesmerized and begging for more. Bravo Ms. March, bravo. And Mags is MINE. lol #girlcrush

Enticing Liam by Kristen Proby

                                                                         3.5 Stars

Cute, with a sprinkle of hot-headed man mood that kept me glued to the kindle and wondering how these two could forge a future. Kristen Proby always writes a story that has me connecting and wanting for the others...while also falling for the side characters and leading me into needing their story as well. This one had ALL of that. Fairytales, ball gowns and hissy fits will find you and keep you. Cute, easy to read, goodness that Ms. Proby is well versed on giving us. xo 

Unbreakable by Melanie Harlow

Let's start with what catches your eye first...this COVER! It screams read me. So beautiful. Okay enough with the cover love, let's get into the word love. Let me start by saying this, I love when a jackass hubs gets left and the woman shines brighter. It is seriously my reading version of crack. If I was a crack addict, which I am currently not, nor have ever been...You get my drift, moving on. When a woman is put on the back burner and an ego driven male leaves her for "younger" seen as most the times "better" but in the best of revenge they get even by just being. By simply living a better life and coming out on top with the children's love and trust and the love of a REAL man that would never take the beautiful soul they have been given a chance with up. MY CRACK PEOPLE. And Ms. Harlow wrote it not only heart crushingly beautifully but the quickies she threw in there were HOT OFF THE CHARTS people. Like panty check on aisle 12 stuff. I adored this couple, their journey and all of the side characters. Can't wait for more. 

The Life That Mattered by Jewel E. Ann

                    ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE

OH. MY. GOD. Jewel E. Ann is a mutha fucking genius. How does she take a sentence and make it unforgettable, unputdownable? The stringing together of words to create a story, I read them all the time. But this is different. This MATTERS. A story that you are so invested in it weaves it's way into your soul and you lose yourself among the pages. Life matters, my kids were probably thinking that when they wanted dinner and I was like "ssshhhh" mama is reading, "grab some cereal". Bladders matter, but I ignored mine as I read into the early morning hours. Sleep matters, but I got none and I am completely okay with that. These words matter. You reading this story, that matters.

I have read nothing like it. Jewel E. Ann has a way of capturing you even in the mundane moments of a life told. A beautiful love story with something so much greater waiting in the wings...words I need more than my next my breath. Gathering the wits to try to write a somewhat put together review, and most likely failing. But if you are still reading this review, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! I am anxiously awaiting the next one, but do not wait. Again, READ THIS NOW.