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1822 reviews
Cheap Shot by AJ Alexander
5.0
My goodness was this a beautiful story of finding love, the other half of your soul, amidst fighting your own battles and struggling to overcome the pain of a broken family. Cole and Michele met one another at a time in both their lives when they both needed someone to see them and love them unconditionally.
AJ Alexander knows how to address sensitive and tough topics in such a beautiful way that you truly feel the pain and heartache from her characters. Cole took the passing of his father the hardest out of his brothers, and distanced himself from all of them, going against the grain. Michele suffered paralyzing anxiety from her toxic family, even though she loves them all.
While Michele initially rejects Cole's advances, these two come to mean everything to each other, calming the storm in one another. Their journey was deeply emotional, but also healing.
Michele being the coaches daughter added a sexy edge to their relationship. Their attraction to each other was insanely hot, and their chemistry was a blazing inferno. I went through all the emotions with Michele and Cole. Cheap Shot will have you feeling everything, laughing, swooning so hard, and getting a little hot and bothered. A definite must read!
I can't wait for more of this series because the ending....need more now!
AJ Alexander knows how to address sensitive and tough topics in such a beautiful way that you truly feel the pain and heartache from her characters. Cole took the passing of his father the hardest out of his brothers, and distanced himself from all of them, going against the grain. Michele suffered paralyzing anxiety from her toxic family, even though she loves them all.
While Michele initially rejects Cole's advances, these two come to mean everything to each other, calming the storm in one another. Their journey was deeply emotional, but also healing.
Michele being the coaches daughter added a sexy edge to their relationship. Their attraction to each other was insanely hot, and their chemistry was a blazing inferno. I went through all the emotions with Michele and Cole. Cheap Shot will have you feeling everything, laughing, swooning so hard, and getting a little hot and bothered. A definite must read!
I can't wait for more of this series because the ending....need more now!
The Only Thing That's Real by Lisa Shelby
5.0
Knox and Ryan will make even the most jaded believe in love. I was completely entranced by their journey and all the emotions that were felt along the way.
A damaged rockstar whose secrets are coming out, and a journalist who's always felt she's not enough collide in this emotional slow burn romance. When the walls they've both constructed are obliterated as they get to know one another, you will fell like your going on the ride to forever with them.
This was one of my favorite slow burns because the build up to their moment made it so worth the wait.
I've been a huge fan of this series and the found family we've gotten to know throughout this series. I'm looking forward to what's next from Lisa Shelby.
A damaged rockstar whose secrets are coming out, and a journalist who's always felt she's not enough collide in this emotional slow burn romance. When the walls they've both constructed are obliterated as they get to know one another, you will fell like your going on the ride to forever with them.
This was one of my favorite slow burns because the build up to their moment made it so worth the wait.
I've been a huge fan of this series and the found family we've gotten to know throughout this series. I'm looking forward to what's next from Lisa Shelby.
Quietly Falling by Alexandra Hale
5.0
Did I sit down and read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down? Yes, yes I did.
My sweet, sweet Bodhi. I just wanted to reach through the book and give him the biggest hug ever. I knew his story was going to be emotional, and his trauma and scars were going to run deep, but I was not prepared for how deeply he felt those scars and my heart absolutely broke for him. Alexandra Hale wrote Bodhi's story so beautifully, and trust me when I say she will dry your tears by the end.
Ella was the perfect FMC for Bodhi and exactly what he needed in his life. She saw him, jagged edges and all and loved him with all that she was. The connection Bodhi and Ella had is what romance is all about. She healed all the broken parts of him and supported him through his struggles. These two will seriously make your heart beat double time at how emotional and beautiful their story is.
Let's not forget to mention the way she claimed that man and how it loved it to the depths of his soul. Their spicy time was out of this world, and made their connection so much deeper and pure. I absolutely loved every single part of this book, even when I cried. An absolute must read!
My sweet, sweet Bodhi. I just wanted to reach through the book and give him the biggest hug ever. I knew his story was going to be emotional, and his trauma and scars were going to run deep, but I was not prepared for how deeply he felt those scars and my heart absolutely broke for him. Alexandra Hale wrote Bodhi's story so beautifully, and trust me when I say she will dry your tears by the end.
Ella was the perfect FMC for Bodhi and exactly what he needed in his life. She saw him, jagged edges and all and loved him with all that she was. The connection Bodhi and Ella had is what romance is all about. She healed all the broken parts of him and supported him through his struggles. These two will seriously make your heart beat double time at how emotional and beautiful their story is.
Let's not forget to mention the way she claimed that man and how it loved it to the depths of his soul. Their spicy time was out of this world, and made their connection so much deeper and pure. I absolutely loved every single part of this book, even when I cried. An absolute must read!
The Bodyguard Situation by Lyra Parish
5.0
You’ve met the Calloway twins and their sister, but now it’s their cousin, Brody’s time to shine. And shine that man does. Whew! The tension was thick between Harper and him and I was here for all of it. Loved the suspense and rom-com marriage. Danger, suspense, mutual healing, all the love, spicy times that will have you all hot and bothered...you get it all with The Bodyguard Situation.
Brody was all alpha male protector with a big ol' heart underneath that rough, tattooed exterior, and the way he and Harper connected and became to mean everything to one another...heart.skips.a.beat.
Lyra Parish has created something magical with this series. I absolutely love seeing this family come together for one another time and time again, and that's one of the things that makes Lyra's interconnected standalone so special. We always get to catch up with the ones we've loved before.
You’re in for one heck of a good time with The Bodyguard Situation.
Brody was all alpha male protector with a big ol' heart underneath that rough, tattooed exterior, and the way he and Harper connected and became to mean everything to one another...heart.skips.a.beat.
Lyra Parish has created something magical with this series. I absolutely love seeing this family come together for one another time and time again, and that's one of the things that makes Lyra's interconnected standalone so special. We always get to catch up with the ones we've loved before.
You’re in for one heck of a good time with The Bodyguard Situation.
Fake As puck by Sarah Smith
5.0
Audiobook Review:
My first book/audiobook by Sarah Smith was a winner! I love finding new to me authors and instantly loving their work so much that I want more.
Sophie and Xander were so much fun to get to know. Sophie is Xanders hockey coaches daughter and should be completely off limits, but the bad boy hockey player just can't help himself. Sophie is tired of being "daddy's little girl" and wants to be seen as the independent woman she is. What better way for Sophie to spread her wings, and Xander to clean up his image than to fake date? Only fake doesn't stay that way for long, and soon real feelings are involved.
Can Xander be vulnerable enough to show Sophie his true self, and will she believe what he shows her? Who knew Xander was a big softie and hidden romantic? He pulled out all the stops for Sophie and it was the absolute sweetest bad boy transformation. I loved that only she got that side of him.
Fake As Puck was romantic, sweet and just the right amount of spicy, and the duet narration by Tim Paige and Shiloh James made this audiobook a must listen. They pulled off the characters exactly how I pictured them - Sophie all sweet and innocent and Xander the misunderstood bad boy of hockey. A fantastic audiobook for fans of hockey romance!
My first book/audiobook by Sarah Smith was a winner! I love finding new to me authors and instantly loving their work so much that I want more.
Sophie and Xander were so much fun to get to know. Sophie is Xanders hockey coaches daughter and should be completely off limits, but the bad boy hockey player just can't help himself. Sophie is tired of being "daddy's little girl" and wants to be seen as the independent woman she is. What better way for Sophie to spread her wings, and Xander to clean up his image than to fake date? Only fake doesn't stay that way for long, and soon real feelings are involved.
Can Xander be vulnerable enough to show Sophie his true self, and will she believe what he shows her? Who knew Xander was a big softie and hidden romantic? He pulled out all the stops for Sophie and it was the absolute sweetest bad boy transformation. I loved that only she got that side of him.
Fake As Puck was romantic, sweet and just the right amount of spicy, and the duet narration by Tim Paige and Shiloh James made this audiobook a must listen. They pulled off the characters exactly how I pictured them - Sophie all sweet and innocent and Xander the misunderstood bad boy of hockey. A fantastic audiobook for fans of hockey romance!
Axe-ing for Trouble by Daphne Elliot
5.0
Daphne Elliot outdid herself with the conclusion of the Maine Lumberjack series. Jude and Mila were the most amazing couple and I absolutely loved them. He's the geeky glasses wearing lumberjack that didn't know what was missing from his life until Mila came back into it, and she's the thrill seeking girl on the run from danger that knows exactly who to run to her in time of need. Their nicknames for eachother couldn't have been more perfect - Lumbersnack and Trouble. It seriously doesn't get better than that in this lumberjack world I've come to love so much.
Their story had everything - a scorching hot one night stand that left a lasting impression for both (so much that she knew she could run to him when she was in danger, and him knowing immediately he would do whatever it took to keep her safe after not seeing each other for a year), him taking care of her (he washed her hair people - swoon!), danger, suspense, romance, all the spicy time, and the best found family you could want. The way the other woman, especially Willa, embraced and supported Mila was the sweetest, but we would expect nothing less from the Hebert family and the woman they love.
The suspense and danger involved with Mila unravelling the crimes surrounding this small town and family for years, while seeking justice for her brother, had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the conclusion.
All the sweet moments between Jude and Mila will have your heart skipping a beat and kicking your feet in giddiness at how much of a lumbersnack Jude really was for his woman.
I'm so sad to say goodbye to the Maine Lumberjacks, but also so excited to see what Daphne Elliot has in store for us next!
Axe-ing for Trouble is an absolute must read!
Their story had everything - a scorching hot one night stand that left a lasting impression for both (so much that she knew she could run to him when she was in danger, and him knowing immediately he would do whatever it took to keep her safe after not seeing each other for a year), him taking care of her (he washed her hair people - swoon!), danger, suspense, romance, all the spicy time, and the best found family you could want. The way the other woman, especially Willa, embraced and supported Mila was the sweetest, but we would expect nothing less from the Hebert family and the woman they love.
The suspense and danger involved with Mila unravelling the crimes surrounding this small town and family for years, while seeking justice for her brother, had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the conclusion.
All the sweet moments between Jude and Mila will have your heart skipping a beat and kicking your feet in giddiness at how much of a lumbersnack Jude really was for his woman.
I'm so sad to say goodbye to the Maine Lumberjacks, but also so excited to see what Daphne Elliot has in store for us next!
Axe-ing for Trouble is an absolute must read!
Love Fast by Louise Bay
5.0
Louise Bay had me falling in love fast with Byron & Rosie and the charming small town of Star Falls, Colorado.
The pull between Byron and Rosie was magnetic and real from the moment they meant and I absolutely loved that the broody billionaire fell fast and hard. Rosie was a little jaded about love and happily ever afters due to her upbringing and horrible mother, but even she couldn't deny the attraction and pull she had to Byron. That man was a sweet gooey cinnamon roll underneath that gruff exterior, and when he started to embrace his love for his hometown, and open up to the townsfolk more, we saw a whole different side of him. No doubt our girl, Rosie played a huge part in his shift.
Rosie had a journey of her own to travel and she really blossomed into her own once she stood up to her mother and forged her own future. Even though she was scared to jump into a relationship so soon after running away from her wedding, there was no doubt that Byron was the man for her. I loved them together and how he loved Rosie for exactly who she was.
The New York friend group was such a fun addition! If we get some of the future couples from this series that I'm wishing for I am going to be so excited.
The book was fantastic, but the audiobook was next level amazing! Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor were the absolute perfect duo to tell Byron & Rosie's story. Jason nailed the broody billionaire's gruff and sweet side, and his unwavering admiration for Rosie. Samantha Brentmoor is one of my favorite female narrators for a reason. She pulls off each character with individuality and the perfect attitude and charisma and her as Rosie was hands down one of my favorites.
An incredible start to a new series. I can't wait for what comes next!
The pull between Byron and Rosie was magnetic and real from the moment they meant and I absolutely loved that the broody billionaire fell fast and hard. Rosie was a little jaded about love and happily ever afters due to her upbringing and horrible mother, but even she couldn't deny the attraction and pull she had to Byron. That man was a sweet gooey cinnamon roll underneath that gruff exterior, and when he started to embrace his love for his hometown, and open up to the townsfolk more, we saw a whole different side of him. No doubt our girl, Rosie played a huge part in his shift.
Rosie had a journey of her own to travel and she really blossomed into her own once she stood up to her mother and forged her own future. Even though she was scared to jump into a relationship so soon after running away from her wedding, there was no doubt that Byron was the man for her. I loved them together and how he loved Rosie for exactly who she was.
The New York friend group was such a fun addition! If we get some of the future couples from this series that I'm wishing for I am going to be so excited.
The book was fantastic, but the audiobook was next level amazing! Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor were the absolute perfect duo to tell Byron & Rosie's story. Jason nailed the broody billionaire's gruff and sweet side, and his unwavering admiration for Rosie. Samantha Brentmoor is one of my favorite female narrators for a reason. She pulls off each character with individuality and the perfect attitude and charisma and her as Rosie was hands down one of my favorites.
An incredible start to a new series. I can't wait for what comes next!
The Best of Us by Brittney Sahin
5.0
The Best of Us had my heart in a vice grip before I even started reading it because I knew Constantine's story was going to completely break me before it meticulously put me back together, and did it ever.
This man was a shield of strength to everyone for years while silently suffering so much pain and loss on the inside. To finally experience his story was breathtaking. It was emotional and raw, heartbreaking, action packed, and so vulnerable. The love and protectiveness, and just plain goodness this man had inside him was incredible after all he'd been through. To see him finally get his hard fought HEA made my heart explode with happiness.
Juliette and Colin were the missing pieces to the life and love Constantine so desperately deserved and needed. The way they accepted him wholeheartedly, no questions asked, was written so beautifully. Even after all the time they lost, and the crazy coincidences that had them so close, yet so far for 17 years, they came tougher like no time had passed. The family they all wanted and deserved was finally within reach and nothing or no one was going to standing Constantine's way. Not even death.
The way this story was weaved, how everything unfolded, and all the six degrees of seperation was nothing short of perfection in literally form. Brittney Sahin writes such remarkable, all consuming stories that grip me from beginnig to end every single time. This series has been phenomenal and I can't believe we're saying goodbye (for now) to the Costa family and all their allies. I couldn't think of a better ending than Constantine's story and everything coming full circle for him and his family.
This man was a shield of strength to everyone for years while silently suffering so much pain and loss on the inside. To finally experience his story was breathtaking. It was emotional and raw, heartbreaking, action packed, and so vulnerable. The love and protectiveness, and just plain goodness this man had inside him was incredible after all he'd been through. To see him finally get his hard fought HEA made my heart explode with happiness.
Juliette and Colin were the missing pieces to the life and love Constantine so desperately deserved and needed. The way they accepted him wholeheartedly, no questions asked, was written so beautifully. Even after all the time they lost, and the crazy coincidences that had them so close, yet so far for 17 years, they came tougher like no time had passed. The family they all wanted and deserved was finally within reach and nothing or no one was going to standing Constantine's way. Not even death.
The way this story was weaved, how everything unfolded, and all the six degrees of seperation was nothing short of perfection in literally form. Brittney Sahin writes such remarkable, all consuming stories that grip me from beginnig to end every single time. This series has been phenomenal and I can't believe we're saying goodbye (for now) to the Costa family and all their allies. I couldn't think of a better ending than Constantine's story and everything coming full circle for him and his family.
Levi by Lexi James
5.0
First things first. I can't be the only one that wanted to throat punch Ally and Uncle Ronnie many times over, right? Ok, good. Because how dare they treat Quinn and Levi the way they did. Now, on to who really matters, Quinn & Levi.
Quinn and Levi were everything, and I mean everything. Those two had insane chemistry, and the fact that both of them were madly in love with the other (for a long time), but neither thought the other could possibly feel the same was breaking my heart. Anyone could see how perfect Quinn and Levi were for one another. When he stood up for her at the family dinner...swoon. Quinn being by his side as he took care of his nana and how much that meant to him - double swoon. The way he took control and she let him and loved every minute of it - the definition of a perfect match, in and out of the bedroom. Hand necklaces? Yes, please!
When fake became real I thought my heart was going to explode at how happy I was for them. The way they leaned on one another and were always there for each other is what loving someone is all about. I could not put Levi down once I started. A fantastic start to the Nashville Firebirds series.
Ally didn't quite redeem herself for me by the end, but I'm anxiously awaiting her to do so in Cooper.
Quinn and Levi were everything, and I mean everything. Those two had insane chemistry, and the fact that both of them were madly in love with the other (for a long time), but neither thought the other could possibly feel the same was breaking my heart. Anyone could see how perfect Quinn and Levi were for one another. When he stood up for her at the family dinner...swoon. Quinn being by his side as he took care of his nana and how much that meant to him - double swoon. The way he took control and she let him and loved every minute of it - the definition of a perfect match, in and out of the bedroom. Hand necklaces? Yes, please!
When fake became real I thought my heart was going to explode at how happy I was for them. The way they leaned on one another and were always there for each other is what loving someone is all about. I could not put Levi down once I started. A fantastic start to the Nashville Firebirds series.
Ally didn't quite redeem herself for me by the end, but I'm anxiously awaiting her to do so in Cooper.
Playing with Fire by A.J. Ranney
5.0
A.J. Ranney brought the heat with the first book in her Half Moon Lake Hereos: The Red Line series, Playing With Fire. Single dad, Logan, a firefighter, knows he shouldn't be feeling things towards his best friends younger sister, Izzy, but when she becomes the nanny to his twin girls, he can only fight his feelings for so long. Especially when everything she does and says shows him that she's feeling the same way he is.
I loved that Izzy pushed Logan's buttons just a little. She knew what she wanted and she wanted him to break. The buildup between these two was so delicious. I knew when he snapped they were going to be explosive, and they were a blazing inferno.
The way Izzy adored his girls, and they adored her right back was so adorable and heartwarming. And having the ex on board (and maybe pushing them together just a little)? Priceless. I loved seeing some of the other Half Moon MC's as well, even if Jay was being a little douchey in the beginning. That's what a big brother's job is after all.
The ending has me excited for the next book, Out of the Fire, because I have a feeling this couple is going to scorch the pages.
I loved that Izzy pushed Logan's buttons just a little. She knew what she wanted and she wanted him to break. The buildup between these two was so delicious. I knew when he snapped they were going to be explosive, and they were a blazing inferno.
The way Izzy adored his girls, and they adored her right back was so adorable and heartwarming. And having the ex on board (and maybe pushing them together just a little)? Priceless. I loved seeing some of the other Half Moon MC's as well, even if Jay was being a little douchey in the beginning. That's what a big brother's job is after all.
The ending has me excited for the next book, Out of the Fire, because I have a feeling this couple is going to scorch the pages.