ARC Review: Hard Beat by K. Bromberg

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Hard Beat by K. Bromberg
Series: Driven #7 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 3rd 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Ache comes a blistering new novel filled with danger, secrecy, and a desire that can’t be sated…

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story.

But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He’s ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out…

I… liked Hard Beat. It was a good read, even if I didn’t love it, though I tried to. But for some reason, I just can’t seem to get into a K. Bromberg book. I tried with the first two books in the Driven series, but I didn’t like them. I thought I’d give Hard Beat a try, because it sounded amazing and I was intrigued by Tanner’s character. While I liked this book more than Driven and Fueled, I still didn’t quite fully love it. It was still really good, very enjoyable, but it was missing that spark for me that makes me fully immersed in a story. My main problem was with how much of a jerk Tanner is in the beginning of the novel, and I couldn’t seem to get past that even as I kept reading.

“You want the danger, the hard beat, somewhere where you can risk your safety as a punishment for not saving Stella?”

Tanner Thomas is used to living live on the edge, of being in constant danger as a foreign war correspondent. After the tragic death of his best friend and photographer, Tanner heads straight back into the war-zone to get his mind away from the pain and grief. What he doesn’t expect is to get a gorgeous new photographer who turns his world upside down. K. Bromberg is fantastic at writing asshole heroes, I have to give her that. From what I’d seen of Tanner in the previous books, I didn’t think he had it in him, but he’s a HUGE ass to Beaux when he first meets her, and for a little while after that as well. Granted, he’s haunted by grief and guilt over Stella, but I couldn’t sympathize with him. He’s quick to assumptions and not likable until about halfway through the book.

“Remember, sometimes what’s right isn’t always what’s needed. Sometimes what’s needed isn’t always what’s wanted. And sometimes you just have to live in the moment, take what’s given, and sort out the consequences later.”

As Tanner’s photographer, Beaux is in close proximity to Tanner nearly 24/7. When you add in the fiery hot chemistry that smolders between them, it’s inevitable that they’ll be burning up the sheets in between doing their jobs. And while Tanner grows to have feelings for Beaux, she keeps herself at a distance, never revealing anything about her life. She’s shrouded in mystery, and since Tanner’s a journalist whose job is to reveal secrets, he wants nothing less than to know Beaux, inside and out.

“… eyes are the one thing on someone that never changes, so if you can look into someone’s eyes and see tomorrow, then you’ve found your forever.”

What I enjoyed about Hard Beat was how K. Bromberg wrote it solely in Tanner’s POV. It really added to the suspense and mystery of Beaux’s character. And since Tanner’s a bit of an adrenaline junkie, I could feel myself get excited whenever Tanner and Beaux got into dangerous situations. There are plenty of twists and turn in this novel that revolve around Beaux that had me on the edge of my seat (I’m TOTALLY going to say that my wild guess about Beaux’s secret was RIGHT).

She’s my little piece of Heaven in this land full of Hell.

I’m impressed with K. Bromberg’s writing – she’s created this intriguing, fast-paced novel that I normally would’ve loved, but it was Tanner’s character that prevented me from fully connecting with the story. Still, everything else about this book I did enjoy. Hard Beat is entertaining, sexy, suspenseful – I’m sure if you’re a fan of the series, you won’t be disappointed.

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

Reading Order: Driven series

#1 ~ Driven: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Fueled: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Crashed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Raced: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Aced: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Slow Burn: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Sweet Ache: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Hard Beat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Down Shift: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 11, 2016)

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26Oct2015

Release Day Review: Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss
Series: Tangled in Texas #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 26th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Nothing ignites a fire like the perfect match…

Anna Weber is every inch the proper librarian–old-fashioned, conservatively dressed right down to her tightly clipped flaming red hair. She’s just moved to a small Texas town, and is determined to spend time with her friend before she has to disappear. Relationships aren’t easy for her. She knows too well what it means to be burned. And the last thing she ever wants to do is fall in love…

Especially not with a fireman who’s hot enough to set the entire state of Texas on fire.

Cowboy can’t resist the fiery little librarian, and he’s determined to make her his. Beneath that prim-and-proper exterior is a woman he very much wants to know–if she’d let him. She’ll test his patience. His control. Hell, his very sanity. And for the first time, Cowboy wonders if he’s found the one fire he can’t control…

This is actually my first Alison Bliss book, but as entertaining as her writing is, it won’t be my last. Playing with Fire is a hilarious, fun, wild read that I really enjoyed. I didn’t completely love it, since some parts of the book aggravated me, but it’s still an entertaining read nonetheless. If you’re a fan of humorous reads with a lovable characters and an intriguing storyline, I’d recommend this one.

The blurb first intrigued me, because the town manwhore falling for the shy librarian? Yes, please! I couldn’t WAIT to see how this librarian would bring the playboy to his knees. And ahhh, what a fun read this was. I really liked how Cowboy, fireman and most eligible bachelor, was so taken away by the sweet and quiet Anna. They are complete opposites and so not meant for each other, but their hot chemistry says otherwise. I loved how the author was able to incorporate both sexiness AND humor into Anna and Cowboy’s growing relationship.

I straightened my spine and took on a chastising tone. “Doesn’t matter. Someone has to teach you proper etiquette.”
“Oh, fuck me,” Cowboy groaned, shifting the bulge in his crotch and shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m getting all hot and bothered for a woman who acts like an old-fashioned schoolmarm.”

I did get frustrated at how both Anna and Cowboy would always somehow get mad at each other and run away from their problems. Cowboy has the occasional mantrum, which took away from his alpha-ness, but I still liked him in the end. Anna is definitely my favorite of the two – she’s shy, awkward, self-conscious… she’s relatable. I was heartbroken over her tragic past, but she has a strength that she uses to go head-to-head with Cowboy. The two of them have such hilarious banter! I laughed so much while reading.

The romance is so sweet. I wanted to see Cowboy fight just a liiittle bit more for Anna, but the grand gesture at the end totally made up for everything. This former player definitely, to everyone’s amusement, falls head-over-heels for the town librarian, and I loved that once Cowboy saw Anna, there was no one else for him.

“Okay, so maybe I’ve come on a little strong. But when it comes to you, I can’t help myself. I’ve never met anyone like you. You challenge me in ways no other woman ever has.” He lessened the strength of his hold on me. “I want you to give this thing between us a chance.”

I really liked this book. It wasn’t perfect, but I was entertained the whole time I was reading. There’s a little bit of suspense thrown in too, with someone setting things on fire in town. Overall, Playing with Fire is a great read with tons of laugh-out-loud moments and an opposites-attract romance. I really hope that there will be more in the series!

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

Reading Order: Tangled in Texas series

#1 ~ Rules of Protection: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Playing with Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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6Oct2015

Release Day Review: Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh
Series: Rock Kiss #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 6th 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh comes the next contemporary romance in the Rock Kiss series…

Kit Devigny could have loved rock guitarist Noah St. John. Their friendship burned with the promise of intense passion and searing tenderness…until the night Noah deliberately shattered her heart.

Noah knows he destroyed something precious the night he chose to betray Kit, but he’d rather she hate him than learn his darkest secret. All he has left is his music. It’s his saving grace, but it doesn’t silence the voices that keep him up at night. Chasing oblivion through endless one-night-stands, he earns a few hours’ sleep and his bad boy reputation.

When a media error sees Noah and Kit dubbed the new “it” couple, Kit discovers her chance at the role of a lifetime hinges on riding the media wave. Wanting–needing–to give Kit this, even if he can’t give her everything, Noah agrees to play the adoring boyfriend. Only the illusion is suddenly too real, too painful, too beautiful…and it may be too late for the redemption of Noah St. John.

I struggled a bit with Rock Redemption. I had high hopes for Noah and Kit’s story, after getting to know a little about them in the previous Rock Kiss books, but their story played out differently than I expected. I adore Nalini Singh and love her writing, but I have to admit that the actual romance in this book disappointed me. Not to say I didn’t like the book, because I enjoyed it overall, but I just wanted more.

He adored her, and because he did, he would never touch her. The instant he did, he’d ruin her, ruin everything. He didn’t want their relationship tainted by sex–if they even had any kind of a relationship.

Rock star Noah St. John and actress Kit Devigny were close friends, and almost became something more, until Noah did something awful and broke Kit’s trust and heart. Because of his painful past, Noah doesn’t believe he’s capable of being in love, so he hurts Kit to keep her at arms length and away from himself and the demons of his past. I wouldn’t say that what he did was unforgivable, because they weren’t even together, but I did want to know why he did what he did, and I certainly wanted to know how he was going to make up for the hurt. What I didn’t expect was for Noah to earn his forgiveness by repairing his and Kit’s friendship. A romantic relationship is not in the cards for them until much later, which I was disappointed with. I mean, they’re both so IN LOVE with each other, I just couldn’t understand Noah’s need for friendship only.

“Be with me,” he whispered, knowing it was the most selfish thing he’d ever asked of anyone in his entire life. “Be with me.”
Kit froze against him, a flesh and blood statue.
“I can’t be what you need,” he whispered against the side of her head. “But be with me anyway.”

To help Kit and her blooming acting career, Noah and Kit pretend to be a couple, but being around each other 24/7 only further entangles their emotions for one another. The romance is slow, but when they finally, FINALLY try to make it work, there are a ton of obstacles in the way of their relationship. With trust issues, a heartbreaking past, even a stalker, Kit and Noah have to work and fight for their love and coveted HEA.

God, she loved him.
There, she’d said it, even if it was only in her head. She loved him. Damaged and beautiful and talented, he was the only man she’d ever loved, no matter if he’d stomped on her heart.

Nalini Singh’s writing is flawless as usual. It was certainly the best part about this book – the gorgeous writing was mainly what kept me reading. Rock Redemption was actually quite easy to read – even though the romance was slow, I never really wanted to put this book down. What also kept me reading were the other members of Schoolboy Choir! I loved that we get to see Fox and Molly, David and Thea, and even Abe and his ex-wife Sarah. I’ve noticed that Nalini Singh does an incredible job of setting up the next couple for each book in this series, and even though Noah and Kit’s didn’t quite pan out the way I expected, I still have high hopes for Abe and Sarah’s.

I love Nalini Singh, but this latest book in the Rock Kiss series didn’t impress me very much. I liked it, but I didn’t really FEEL the connection between the main characters. And when I finally got excited about the romance, there just wasn’t enough of it to fully satisfy me by the end. But still, if you’re a fan of the series, you might end up loving this book. Nalini Singh has a wonderful talent at writing and storytelling, so even as I struggled with Rock Redemption, I could still appreciate how well-written it was.

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

Reading Order: Rock Kiss series

#1 ~ Rock Addiction: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Rock Courtship: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Rock Hard: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Rock Redemption: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Rock Wedding: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (July 19, 2016)

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28Sep2015

Release Day Review: Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros
Series: Flight & Glory #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 28th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Lt. Grayson Masters is focused on graduating the Apache helicopter course, and the last thing he needs is his gorgeous new roommate Samantha Fitzgerald distracting him. While her smart mouth and free spirit are irresistibly irritating, he can’t deny their off-the-charts chemistry, no matter how hard he tries.

Having just been expelled from college, Sam has no business digging for Grayson’s secrets while she’s hiding her own, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to tear down his walls. Each barrier she busts through drops one of her own, though, and she’s not prepared for the truth: another woman laid claim to Grayson’s heart long ago.

Falling in love is something neither Grayson nor Sam can afford, and when that line is crossed and secrets are exposed, they’ll learn that sometimes it’s the answered prayers that will put you through hell.

I fell so in love with Rebecca Yarros after reading and ADORING the first book in the Flight & Glory series, Full Measures (JOSH!! *heart eyes*). Beyond What is Given is the third standalone in the series and is Grayson and Samantha’s story, who we’ve met in the previous books. I was super excited for them because I was so curious about their characters – and while I ended up liking this book, it just didn’t grip me the way the other two books in the series did.

“There are broken people in the world, Samantha. But you’re not one of them. Dinged-up maybe, but not broken, and definitely not beyond repair.”

After getting expelled from college, Samantha wants a fresh start. She finds herself moving across the country and in with three guys, two of whom are good friends. The third roommate, Grayson, is absolutely gorgeous, but he and Sam get off to a rough start. Nevertheless, she sees beneath his gruff, stoic exterior a man who puts loyalty and duty above all else. I loved Sam, I completely, wholeheartedly did. She’s sassy, awesome, funny, and overall just a fantastic, flawed heroine I loved reading about. She’s in a rough situation with college, but despite the hot mess that she herself is, she takes it upon herself to discover Grayson’s past and get him to open up. What she doesn’t expect is for the chemistry between them to turn into something sweet, something treasured, something more.

“This is not a temporary thing between us. There is no deadline. I. Am. Always. Yours.”
He kissed me softly, his tongue tracing my lower lip. “So go ahead and fall. I’ve gotten really good at catching you.”

Grayson’s past is tragic and guilt-laden, and no matter what he does, he can’t escape it. He’s always got one foot in his present life as an Apache pilot, and the other foot back home in North Carolina, the source of all his demons. The one thing that makes him forget is Sam, her lightness wearing away his darkness. But when his secrets come out from the past to haunt his present, will he be able to keep Sam in his life without letting her drown beside him?

Beyond What is Given is no less emotional than the other two books, but there was a spark that was missing that prevented me from fully loving the book. While I completely adored Sam, connected with her straight from the start, Grayson I took a long while to warm up to. His past consumes him, so much so that at times I wasn’t sure he’d be able to get out of it. There were also parts about this book that annoyed the hell out of me. Grayson’s family is… god-awful. It was mostly his sister Parker who got on my last nerves. I HATED Parker. I honestly hated her so much. She’s a petty, mean, bully of a girl who does nothing but force more guilt onto Grayson, keep him drowning in the past, and create rifts between him and Sam. I would’ve enjoyed the book so much more if Parker didn’t exist… but she did, and her character sometimes made me want to throw my kindle at the wall in frustration.

I still love Rebecca Yarros though – she knows how to write, how to pack a punch with her words… but this book was not what I was expecting it to be. While the romance isn’t particularly slow, it was the whole overlying plot that dragged too much for my taste. The twist in the middle I was able to predict too, sadly. STILL – Sam and Grayson’s romance is sweet and heart-wrenching, the highlight of the book. Rebecca Yarros can write swoony characters SO well, and even when I wasn’t 100% sold on Grayson, my heart fluttered at some of the things he said.

“I’m in love with you, Samantha. You own me, body, heart, mind, soul, what there is to give, it’s yours.”

If you’re a fan of the series, I would suggest reading Beyond What is Given. I feel like it’s an it’s-me-not-you kind of book. I really did like it, but compared to the previous two books, I can’t really say it was as captivating or compelling. I will still be eagerly awaiting any else Rebecca Yarros has in the works – her writing is absolutely amazing and definitely worth the read!

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

Reading Order: Flight & Glory series

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

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3Sep2015

Early Review: His Lover to Protect by Katee Robert

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

His Lover to Protect by Katee Robert
Series: Out of Uniform #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t take…

Alexis Yeung did everything right….only to watch everything go horribly, horribly wrong. Broken and angry, Alexis high-tails it to Europe, determined to face the world on her own terms and without consequence. Which includes a mind-blowing night with a sexy, scarred stranger.

Except, embittered former pararescuer Luke Jackson isn’t exactly a stranger. He’s supposed to keep an eye on Alexis without her knowing. Ending up in bed together was definitely not the plan. Now he’s chasing her (admittedly hot) ass across Europe, a game of cat and mouse that always ends with the two of them tangled up in the sheets.

Something in their scarred, damaged souls calls to each other. And God help them, the sex is unbelievably hot. But if Alexis discovers who Luke really is, he’ll lose the one thing that makes him feel whole…

I really enjoyed the previous book in the Out of Uniform series, Falling for His Best Friend, so I was looking forward to reading about Alexis Yeung. While this isn’t my favorite of the series, I still enjoyed reading this fun, sexy, emotional book. The hero had a deliciously dirty mouth – Katee Robert definitely knows hot to write a hot, dirty book.

Alexis has left home to travel all over Europe after finding out about her sister’s pregnancy. She’s happy for her sister, but at the same time devastated since she herself can’t have children after fighting her battle with cancer, the same cancer that took her mother. My heart went out to Alexis and all the pain she’s been through, but I also admired how she took charge of her life by going to Europe to regain some control in her life.

Luke Jackson is called on by an old friend to keep an eye out on Alexis while she’s in Europe. But a leg injury from his time as a pararescuer makes it difficult for Luke to keep up with his charge, to this very alpha-y man’s dismay. Luke and Alexis get off to a very rough start, but they can’t help the hot chemistry between them that explodes when they’re in bed.

He was a battle-scarred old wolf, far more likely to eat her whole than give her the sweet kind of sex she craved.

Luke keeps the fact that he knows who Alexis is and is pretty much babysitting her to himself. He doesn’t ever expect to actually fall for her, but he does. Once they get over their initial rough start and he gets to know her, he doesn’t want their time in Europe to come to an end. But how can they possibly have something more when Luke is keeping his identity a secret?

“I’m saying I want you, all of you, only you. I want you on my cock, in my bed, and in my life.”

I liked this book. It’s a quick read, but packed with a lot of emotions and some hot, dirty-talking sex. Alexis and Luke were well-developed characters I enjoyed reading about. This book is a complete standalone so you don’t need to read the previous books in the series.

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

Reading Order: Out of Uniform series

#1 ~ In Bed with Mr. Wrong: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ His to Keep: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Falling for His Best Friend: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ His Lover to Protect: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 7, 2015)
#3.5 ~ His to Take: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 7, 2015)

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