Release Day Review: The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey
Series: The Allure #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 28th 2015
Links: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.com
To: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.com
Subject: You’re a flippin’ idiot

Good morning my dear, naive friend,

I hope you’re enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.

Why?

Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c’mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.

He’s the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it’s followed by “don’t stop.”

Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil…and before you say anything, I don’t care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn’t for sale.

Regretfully yours,
Lily

R.S. Grey writes the BEST rom-coms! I seriously adore her books so much. I totally enjoyed The Allure of Julian Lefray (my review), which meant that I was so, so, SO excited for The Allure of Dean Harper! And wow, what a fantastic, absolutely hilarious enemies-to-lovers romance!! It’s definitely new favorite from R.S. Grey. If you love your romances with endearing, witty characters, and tons of laugh-out-loud moments, then I highly recommend this book!

If only she and I could shut up for ten minutes, the sex would be the best of our lives. Angry. Hard. Fast. Not love. Not even close.
War.

When Lily and Dean first meet, it is full-on HATE between each other… and I loved it!! Dean is an ass, Lily is rude, and the scorching chemistry is hard to ignore. Lily has just moved to New York to follow her dreams of making something of herself in the food industry, and her best friend Josephine (from TAofJL) gets her a job at her friend Dean’s restaurant. Lily is making a killing at the restaurant’s bar, but when Dean comes in, he doesn’t like the way she’s taken over what belongs to him… and he doesn’t like the lustful feelings she sparks in him. So sparks fly, tensions run high, their game faces are on – Dean and Lily are two fantastic characters I adored reading about! You are really in for a treat when you pick up this book.

I’d been on the edge of the swim platform with Dean holding me up like a rag doll, and when I slipped, my face had hit his crotch with enough force to strip the paint off his bow, if you catch my drift. I was pretty sure I’d just broken Dean’s penis. Hello God? It’s me, Lily. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you have a shark jump out of the water and eat me? I’d really like to die a quick, painless death, preferably one that doesn’t involve my face colliding with Dean’s crotch any more.

Did I mention how freaking FUNNY this book is!? R.S. Grey has such a talent at writing fun-filled, hilarious stories that crack you up and you can’t help but enjoy. And in addition to the humor, there’s that sexy, electric TENSION between the main characters! This was a bit too light in terms of sexy-times for my taste, but that was forgivable, because I just loved the characters so much.

If I didn’t want to kill her, I wanted to possess her. I wanted to seduce her to the brink of madness so that for thirty minutes she could do nothing but moan in my arms, too lost in the moment to hate me.

I loved reading about these two, and I loved getting both their POVs. Lily and Dean are both head-strong, stubborn, and heavy on the attitude, so of course they can’t help but butt heads! Dean is tough on Lily, but she’s fierce and can handle going up against him, dishing out some of her own. It was the most entertaining thing to watch these two go head-to-head – if you’re a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, you definitely don’t want to miss this book!

“There’s no one in the world better suited than the two of us. I can’t promise that we won’t fight–you know I’d be lying if I did–but I promise that no one will ever love you more than I do.”

I zipped through this book SO FAST – you know a book is good when you can’t put it down and it ends too quickly to your liking. And I have to say, I liked TAofDH even more than TAofJL! If you haven’t read R.S. Grey’s books, I wholeheartedly recommend you give them a try if you’re a fan of light-hearted reads with just the right amount of intensity to get your heart pumping.

4.5 hearts
lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.


Reading Order: The Allure series

The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

#1 ~ The Allure of Julian Lefray: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Allure of Dean Harper: EbookPaperback • Goodreads


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Early Review: Playing with Fire by Kate Meader

Playing with Fire by Kate Meader

Playing with Fire by Kate Meader
Series: Hot in Chicago #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 29th 2015
Links: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas…

Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken…

I loved reading Playing with Fire! It’s a solid, entertaining read that is just SO good. It’s also seriously hot and sexy – I was totally not expecting the hero, the mayor of Chicago, to be as smokin’ as he was! Kate Meader has written a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance that I was seriously invested in.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was the fact that the heroine is a female firefighter. I don’t think I’ve ever read about one before, so I was super excited to read about Alex Dempsey. And I loved what I found in her – Alex is a tough, independent, strong woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone, least of all Mayor Eli Cooper. She does what she wants, but that’s not always a good thing… since she doesn’t always think about the consequences of her actions. So one anger-fueled incident lands her right in the lap of the man she loves to hate.

Oh, God, this sexy-hate thing between them was crazy. She felt an overwhelming urge to both punch him and hug him.

Eli Cooper is running for the second term of his mayorship (is that a word?) and he needs the backing of the firefighters, especially the Dempseys, to win the election. Eli is kind of a dick in the beginning of the book – he’s made sexist comments towards female firefighters (which is the first reason why Alex loves to hate him), and he blackmails Alex into pretending to date him for the media. But as I read more, I saw another, better side to Eli, one that’s not as cold and callous as he first seemed. And this change and redemption is all thanks to one fiery, passionate woman.

Eli has wanted Alex since he first saw her, but it seems that with every encounter, they only bring out the worst in each other. The banter, the sharp remarks, the glares – they all serve to light up the crazy-hot chemistry that’s been there from the start. I loved that Eli and Alex are such a perfect match for one another and that they’re able to go head-to-head with neither of them backing down. And oh. my. god. The sex between them is panty-melting H.O.T! Eli’s mouth is the dirtiest thing ever, and I loved it. I loved how alpha he is, how sensual and sexy and dominant he is in bed. You will seriously need a FAN when you read this book!

“I will fuck the ever-loving smart-assery out of you, Alexandra.” He got started on that, pumping in and out, in and out. Deeper, harder. “I’m going to fuck you so good the only word on your lips will be my name. The only answer to every question will be my name. Now say it.”

Eli also has to do some wooing to win the heart of the woman he’s fallen for, and I just about died at the way he goes about it. First he’s a dirty-talking alpha-male, and now he’s sweet and loving? My heart couldn’t handle it. I ended up falling so hard for his character. I loved Alex, but Eli was definitely my favorite character in this book.

“You’re a goddess and I’m not worthy to worship at your feet, but I’m happy to spend the rest of my life trying to be good enough for you.”

This review is littered with firefighter puns, but there’s no better way to describe Playing with Fire than a scorching hot romance you don’t want to miss. It’s a great, satisfying read with fantastic writing and a cast of characters I adore. I can’t wait for more from this series!

5 hearts
lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.


Reading Order: Hot in Chicago series

Flirting with Fire by Kate Meader Melting Point by Kate Meader Playing with Fire by Kate Meader 

#1 ~ Flirting with Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Melting Point: EbookGoodreads
#2 ~ Playing with Fire: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Sparking the Fire: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (Sept. 27, 2016)


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Blog Tour + Excerpt & Giveaway: Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

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Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward!

Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 21st 2015
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What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?

My name is Sevin.

Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.

Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.

After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.

Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.

I’d accepted those rules and my fate.

Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.

That was when restraint became a problem…especially since THE ONE wasn’t Elle.

It was her sister, Evangeline.

You know what they say about best laid plans.

My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.

Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • iTunes • Kobo • B&N

Now here’s an excerpt from Sins of Sevin! ❤

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Copyright © 2015 by Penelope Ward

He quietly followed me into the dining room, carrying the flatware. The tension in the air was thick as he walked behind me around the oval table, setting down silverware after each plate I’d put down. It was like some weird game of musical chairs where awkward silence replaced the music. The hairs on my back stiffened. We weren’t saying anything, but it was as if I could feel the weight of a thousand words along with the heat of his body so close behind me.

When I noticed he’d just put a fork where the spoon was supposed to go, I switched it. “The forks go on this side, actually.” My hand was shaking. I couldn’t believe how little control I had over myself.

Noticing my nerves, he suddenly placed his hand over mine and whispered, “Stop.”

Chills ran through me. My heart started to beat faster. My nipples hardened. I hated my body for responding to him with equal amounts of fear and lust.

I turned to him, his hand still over my knuckles. It felt like I couldn’t breathe as he just looked at me.

My mother’s footsteps caused Sevin to move his hand off mine with lightning speed.

Mama entered, and we continued setting the table as if our stolen moment hadn’t happened.

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Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Facebook • Website • Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest • Goodreads

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$100 Amazon Gift Card

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Top Ten Tuesday {19}: Books on My Fall TBR

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It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is…

Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

  1. Ms. Manwhore (Manwhore #2.5) by Katy Evans (Oct 6) ~ This is Malcolm and Rachel’s final book! I’m going to be so sad when their story is over, because I absolutely LOVED them!
  2. Rock Redemption (Rock Kiss #3) by Nalini Singh (Oct 6) ~ I love Nalini Singh, and I adore her rock star series! I have a feeling Rock Redemption is going to be a heavily emotional read – my favorite kind 😉
  3. The House by Christina Lauren (Oct 6) ~ If you know me, then you know how much I love Christina Lauren. I will honestly read anything and everything by them, and can’t wait to read this YA book of theirs! It sounds fascinating!
  4. Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) by Alice Clayton (Oct 20) ~ Alice Clayton writes the FUNNIEST books ever. Wallbanger will forever remain a top favorite, but I’m very excited for this new series to come out.
  5. Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4) by K.A. Tucker (Oct 27) ~ K.A. Tucker writes some awesome romantic suspense – I’ve really enjoyed her Burying Water series, so I’m excited for this 4th book!
  6. Slow Play (The Rules #3) by Monica Murphy (Nov 3) ~ I have a thing for bad boys, and I have a feeling Tristan is going to be my favorite bad boy of the Rules series.
  7. November 9 by Colleen Hoover (Nov 10) ~ COHO. It’s been too long since her latest release, and I’ve been dying to get another fix of her books! CoHo is probably my all-time favorite author, so of course November 9 is at the top of my anticipated releases!
  8. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer (Nov 10) ~ I don’t have much time for YA these days, but of course there are exceptions, and Marissa Meyer is one of them. I’ve loved the Lunar Chronicles from the very start, and cannot wait for this final book.
  9. Reap (Scarred Souls #2) by Tillie Cole (Nov 10) ~ I totally LOVED Raze! Tillie Cole writes the best dark romances – so, of course, I have high hopes for Reap!
  10. Corrupt by Penelope Douglas (Nov 17) ~ Corrupt is probably my MOST anticipated release of the year. I’ve been DYING for it ever since Penelope announced it. It’s supposed to be a little dark and twisted, and the teasers have been KILLING ME!

Click on the covers below to preorder!

Ms. Manwhore by Katy Evans Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh The House by Christina Lauren Nuts by Alice Clayton Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker
Slow Play by Monica Murphy November Nine by Colleen Hoover Winter by Marissa Meyer Reap by Tillie Cole Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

What books are you excited for this fall?

lacey


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Review: Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros
Series: Flight & Glory #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 10th 2014
Links: Ebook • PaperbackAudible • Goodreads

Three knocks can change everything…

“She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.”

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

“The fire you have within you is impossible to kill. The first breath you take when you’re free of all this, it will come roaring back. That’s what is so impossibly beautiful about you.”

WHY HAVE I NOT READ THIS BOOK SOONER!?

God, I loved this book. It’s been a while since I wholeheartedly LOVED a book as much as I loved Full Measures, but Rebecca Yarros has stunned me with this emotional, incredible, unforgettable read. I’m kind of mad at myself for not reading this when it first came out – but whatever, I’m now fully on the bandwagon that is the Flight & Glory series. And I have to say it: I LOVE JOSH WALKER!!!!

“It is the business of the living to keep on doing so. We are no exception. We are not the first family to lose a man to war, and I fear we will not be the last. But we will be resilient.”

Already in the first chapter, Rebecaa Yarros wrings out all the feels – three knocks on the front door shatters and changes Ember Howard’s life as she knows it. The death of her father, a doctor in the army, leaves Ember to have to pick up the broken pieces of her family. I had tears welling up at the pain and devastation Ember and her family were going through – the author truly has a talent at writing emotional scenes.

I liked Ember, I really did. I admired her inner strength, the continuous support for her mother and two younger siblings. She’s stubborn and a bit frustrating at times, but totally forgivable and understandable given her situation. But the true star of this book was Josh. Josh Walker, Ember’s crush back in high school, the bad boy senior to her freshman, who steps in to give Ember the love and support she never knew she needed.

“You’re so busy taking care of everyone else, you can’t see that someone needs to take care of you. So tell me what you need, and I’ll be that for you.”

Josh has changed a lot since high school. Now a mature, reliable man who’s a hockey coach to Ember’s brother, Josh is literally the perfect hero. Not in that too-perfect way, since he has his flaws and secrets, but in that remarkably sweet, loving, and swoonworthy way. I fell head-over-heels in love with Josh and his unwavering love and faith in Ember. He’s always there when she needs him, willing to do whatever it takes to make her live the happiest life. And I absolutely LOVED that Josh actually had a crush on Ember too back then – can he be any sweeter!?

“Just let me love you, December, because I can’t stop anyways. I’ve been at your mercy since I was eighteen.”

I enjoyed every minute of this book. I was hooked throughout the whole thing – my emotions were going crazy, wanting to cry one moment, then swooning the next. Equal parts heart-wrenching and sweet, Full Measures is undoubtedly an incredible read that fans of romances should not miss. And I’m so glad that I have the next two books in the series ready for me to read, because I just can’t get enough of the author’s writing and storytelling!

5 hearts
lacey


Reading Order: Flight & Glory series

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros Eyes Turned Skyward by Rebecca Yarros Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros Hallowed Groud by Rebecca Yarros

#1 ~ Full Measures: Ebook • PaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Eyes Turned Skyward: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Beyond What is Given: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Hallowed Ground: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads


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