Release Day Review + Excerpt & Signed Giveaway: Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren
Series: Wild Seasons #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 15th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
But what didn’t happen in Vegas seems to follow them everywhere.

Lola and Oliver like to congratulate themselves on having the good sense to not consummate their drunken Las Vegas wedding. If they’d doubled-down on that mistake, their Just Friends situation might not be half as great as it is now.

. . . Or so goes the official line.

In reality, Lola’s wanted Oliver since day one–and over time has only fallen harder for his sexy Aussie accent and easygoing ability to take her as she comes. More at home in her studio than in baring herself to people, Lola’s instinctive comfort around Oliver nearly seems too good to be true. So why ruin a good thing?

Even as geek girls fawn over him, Oliver can’t get his mind off what he didn’t do with Lola when he had the chance. He knows what he wants with her now . . . and it’s far outside the friend zone. When Lola’s graphic novel starts getting national acclaim–and is then fast-tracked for a major motion picture–Oliver steps up to be there for her whenever she needs him. After all, she’s not the kind of girl who likes all that attention, but maybe she’s the kind who’ll eventually like him.

Sometimes seeing what’s right in front of us takes a great leap of faith. And sometimes a dark wild night in Vegas isn’t just the end of a day, but the beginning of a bright new life . . .

I didn’t think I could love Christina Lauren more than I already did, but of course, I was wrong. I just want to thank the stars for Christina Lauren, because they gave us the wonder that is LOLIVER! God, how I adored this couple, how I adored OLIVER. Dark Wild Night is absolutely… wonderful. It’s another exceptionally well-written, gorgeously romantic, sexy-as-hell book from an author duo, who, with every release, continues to prove why they are one of my top favorite authors. I loved Lola and Oliver’s story – these two brilliant characters will forever be in my heart!

Lola and Oliver are the only two of their group of six who have remained unmarried after their fiasco in Vegas. They’ve become close friends now, but the thing is… they’ve fallen for each other. The time they spend together, even as friends, is so precious to both of them… I could FEEL the incredible bond Lola and Oliver have. When they finally go for more than being Just Friends, it’s simply the most heart-warming, exhilarating thing ever.

My heart wants to escape, to flap out of my body and into his. And, God. Is this what it means to become infatuated with someone? A heart becomes a hybrid, half yours, half theirs. Mine beats like this because it wants out. My chest aches to let his heart in.

These two are MEANT TO BE with each other – Loliver is absolutely perfect. But it’s not exactly the best timing for Lola, since her comic Razor Fish is coming to the big screen, and she’s stressed to the max. Thankfully, Oliver seems to always be there for her, but can Lola handle her newfound relationship with him while balancing the pressure and stress that comes from her job?

Lola and Oliver are so different from Christina Lauren’s previous characters, but I feel like these two characters are the ones with the most heart, the ones who felt the most REAL to me. Lola is beautifully flawed, a little frustrating, but endlessly endearing and so easy to relate to. I admired this girl so much, and I applaud Christina Lauren for writing such an incredible heroine. Oliver is the quiet, strong, unwavering hero who you can’t help but fall so. hard. for. God, this man is so wonderful – you will definitely find a new book boyfriend in Oliver. His never-ending support for Lola, his complete devotion to her, his raw sensuality, his dirty, filthy mouth – everything about him is just perfect.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone quite like this. In this sort of giddy, obliterating game-changing way. Where I can see myself with her for the rest of my life.”

Dark Wild Night is, in my opinion, the hottest book of Christina Lauren’s yet. The connection Lola and Oliver have is unlike any other. I loved that they started out friends, that they have such a solid foundation for their relationship. The chemistry between them is explosive, and I just couldn’t get enough of them and their story.

Christina Lauren has such a talent for writing. It’s emotional, funny, meaningful – I loved nearly everything about this book. I did get a little frustrated with Lola during the middle of the book, and this part was a little too slow-paced for my taste. But still, overall, I really, really loved this book.

“Your love is branded on my brain; yours is still the only kiss I want.”

I can’t end this review without talking about the whole Wild Seasons gang – Mia and Ansel, Harlow and Finn of course all make appearances, which made me so giddy. But the real star of the book was Not-Joe!!! I freaking LOVED this man – he is absolutely hilarious, and his craziness is so endearing. I laughed so much and so hard in this book because of him!

Dark Wild Night is a gorgeous read – from the writing, to the characters, I adored it all. This is a must read for fans of the author – and if you haven’t read Christina Lauren yet, you are missing out on some fantastic romances. I highly recommend this book!

Now here’s an excerpt from Dark Wild Night! ❤

He watches me in a way that feels like he’s seeing more than my face looking up at his or my breasts shifting with his movements. He’s seeing me. The heat of it makes me wild, like skin singed, blood simmering.

“I feel like we have forever to ‘savor,’ ” I whine quietly. “I don’t—”

He reaches for the condom, putting it in my palm and kneeling between my legs. “I know.”

I tear it open, feeling it briefly to orient myself. I’m suddenly nervous and know my hands are a little fumbly, my fingers unpracticed at this. “It’s been a while since I did this.”

He smiles but says nothing, holding his breath as he watches me cover the head, anchor the condom with one hand, and roll it all the way down with the other. There’s a good couple of inches of him left uncovered and I feel the skin there, marveling until he leans forward, hands planted beside my head.

I can tell he wants to say something, but I also get the sense that it’s nearly too much to articulate without sounding trite or overly sentimental. It’s probably why I’m not saying much, either.

When he leans in, kissing me softly, he asks, “You want me like this?”

I assume he means on top of me again. “Yeah.”

Reading Order: Wild Seasons series

#1 ~ Sweet Filthy Boy: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Dirty Rowdy Thing: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Dark Wild Night: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wicked Sexy Liar: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Your choice of a signed paperback of Sweet Filthy Boy or Dirty Rowdy Thing

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6Sep2015

Early Review: Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

A Hollywood Superstar. A Small Town Girl. Opposites shouldn’t always attract.

Cole Masten. Abandoned by his superstar wife, Hollywood’s Perfect Husband is now Hollywood’s Sexiest Bachelor: partying hard and screwing even harder. Watch out Los Angeles, there’s a new bad boy in town.

Summer Jenkins. That’s me, a small town girl stuck in Quincy, Georgia. I cook some mean chicken and dumplins, can bluff a grown man out of his savings in poker, and was voted Most Friendly my senior year.

We were from different worlds. Our lives shouldn’t have collided. But then Cole Masten read a book about my small town. And six months later, his jet landed on our dusty airstrip, and he brought Hollywood with him.

From the start, I knew he was trouble. For our town. And for me.

Sometimes, opposites just aren’t meant to attract.

THIS is how contemporary romance is done. Hollywood Dirt is just… SO. GOOD. It’s a bit slow in the beginning, but once it picked up the pace, I couldn’t stop reading. I finished this book with a smile on my face – actually, I had a smile on my face practically the whole time I was reading. Hollywood Dirt is an exceptionally well-told enemies-to-lovers, Hollywood romance. I just couldn’t get enough of Cole and Summer – I became so fully invested in their story. It’s a Hollywood romance – famous boy meets not-so-famous girl – but the way Alessandra Torre delivered the romance made it so much more than the cliché it could’ve been.

Hollywood Dirt is pure contemporary romance, which means it’s very different from Alessandra Torre’s previous books. It’s not dark, it’s not twisty, it’s not a WTF book… it’s very much a feel-good, enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance with some Hollywood thrown in. So if you’re a fan of the author’s other books, this won’t be what you’re used to, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend you give it a try.

Cole Masten used to be one half of Hollywood’s “It” couple, but after catching his wife cheating on him and being handed divorce papers, life’s not going so good for him. He tries to lose himself in women, but it doesn’t work. The only thing that can keep his mind off the mess his life has become is his newest project, The Fortune Bottle, which is just so happens to be set in a small Southern town named Quincy.

I hated that man; he was an asshole unlike I’d ever known. Why God deemed to gift men like him with looks like that was beyond me. Or maybe looks like that shaped men into assholes like him.

Summer Jenkins lives in Quincy, and she’s just waiting for the day she can save enough money to get out and away from all the townspeople that have ostracized her after a prank she pulled. The last thing she expects is the ticket to her way out to be in the form of Hollywood hot-shot Cole Masten. Summer used to fantasize about the movie star, but reality of him? It turns out Cole is just an arrogant, rude, and conceited prick. A good-looking prick, but a prick nonetheless. Summer is less than impressed with Cole (understatement) but she puts on a nice face because she’s Southern and also because she wants a job with the movie that can pay her some money. But somehow, she ends up with the leading female role of The Fortune Bottle.

What ensues is an amazing enemies-to-lovers romance that I couldn’t get enough of. Summer HATES Cole, Cole does everything he can to spark Summer’s ire, they get on each other’s last nerves – the banter between them was just incredible to experience. I felt like I was THERE watching the two of them go at it. These two characters were what sucked me into this book. And, of course, underneath all the glares and the snarky comments, is the underlying chemistry that the two of them can’t seem to shake off. They want each other so bad, but how can a relationship be when they’re from such different worlds?

“Summer. Look at me.”
I did. It was hard not to, when he was that close. And God, he was gorgeous. So much so that it hurt, like staring at the sun, the pull of attraction so sharp and dangerous that it physically hurt my heart. It was staring at something you could never have but desperately wanted, despite any danger that accompanied the attraction.

I adored Summer, I really did. She’s no demure Southern woman – she gives as good as she gets with Cole, and I loved her for that. I also loved how determined she was to do what she had to do in order to get out of a town that doesn’t deserve her incredible heart. Cole took a little more time for me to warm up to. He’s just so… arrogant and rude to Summer in the beginning. I mean, yes, he just found out he wife was cheating on him, and he’s COLE MASTEN, but he’s definitely not a likable guy. But this was just in the beginning – pretty soon, I fell so hard for this man. The way he feels about Summer, the way he can’t stop thinking about her, the way he banters with her because he wants to see the incredible woman he knows she is… how could I not fall for him?

This was not a rebound, this was not infatuation, this was the end of his life as he knew it, and the realization hit that even if she didn’t want him, he would never ever find another woman like her, he would never get over her.

I remember the precise moment I fell in love with Cole – it was when Summer gave him a pet rooster. A PET ROOSTER. Oh my god, I couldn’t stop laughing at Cole and the way he was with Cocky (yes, he names his rooster Cocky). My favorite part of Hollywood Dirt (besides the awesome hate/love between the main characters) is definitely COCKY. This awesome rooster that Cole ends up loving so much. THAT was when I fell for this ridiculous man. And my love for him only kept growing when he started falling for the woman he was meant to be with.

They say that love is finding your soul’s match in another. I found my match. I found him, let him wrestle me to the ground, and then turned around and made him mine.

I applaud the author for her exquisite writing and fantastic storytelling. This enemies-to-lovers romance is nearly flawless – it’s fun, sexy, and so heartwarming that you’ll want to clutch at your heart by the time you’re done. Seriously, this is a wonderful book you don’t want to miss out on. If you’re a fan of contemporary romances, Hollywood Dirt is a MUST READ!

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

Also by Alessandra Torre

Black Lies: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Sex Love Repeat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Tight: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Love, Chloe: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Moonshot: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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24Aug2015

Early Review: Sustained by Emma Chase

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sustained by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 25th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal’s office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

I loved this book. I absolutely adored it. Emma Chase has once again wowed me with her brilliant writing and incredibly endearing characters. I had high hopes for Sustained (despite not liking Overruled), mainly because of the blurb. Manwhore Jake falling for a woman with six kids in tow? Um, yes please! I love when there are children involved because they add so much sweetness to the story, but Emma Chase went above and beyond what I expected. I fell for each character (yes, including each of the six kids!) and this book was so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing. Sustained is a wonderful, heartwarming, delightful read that fans of the author shouldn’t miss!

“A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.”

Jake is one of the best defense attorneys in DC, a man who defends criminals. It’s a tough job, so Jake’s not exactly the most friendly guy around. He’s a playboy who’s anti-relationship and doesn’t ever expect to settle down – but a scare leads him to rethink his idea of banging his way through DC. He’s still not ready for a commitment, but one meeting with Chelsea McQuaid and her newly adopted orphan nieces and nephews changes everything for him.

Chelsea’s life turned upside down when she gained custody of her brother and his wife’s six children. She gave up everything for them, but has never regretted it. I loved this woman, and I loved how much she loved her nieces and nephews. Everything she does, she does with love and with them in mind, even if they can’t appreciate what she’s done for them just yet. The children are still in mourning, but Chelsea’s too busy to even think about mourning herself, much less dating. Until Jake comes along and sweeps her – and the children – off her feet.

The oldest girl–the one who hates her family–lets out a short snort of disbelief. “Did you just ask her out on a date?”
I keep my eyes on Chelsea’s face. “Yeah–I did.”
… Then it’s blond Shirley Temple’s turn. “But you’re so old!”
I tear my eyes from Chelsea’s blush to blast the kid with a grumpy brow.
“I’m thirty.”
The grumpy brow fails to intimidate.
“Thirty!” Her hands go to her hips. “Do you have grandchildren?”

I looooooved how Jake was with the McQuaid kids. He’s so baffled by them, but so protective. He grows to care and love them so much, and how can he not? Each child is such a distinct, adorable, wonderful character. I was so impressed with the way Emma Chase portrayed Riley, Rory, Raymond, Rosaleen, Regan, and Ronan. They’re absolutely hilarious and so full of heart. I honestly couldn’t get enough of them! And, of course, I love Jake with Chelsea. Their romance grows so genuinely and sweetly that it’s easy to fall for their story. Chelsea and Jake honestly made the perfect couple. I also love how much Jake has changed because of Chelsea and the children – I have to give props to the author for Jake’s wonderful character development.

I want her–this fearless, stunning woman. And I want the kids. Those perfect, awful, amazing children–whom she loves with every inch of her soul. I want them to be mine. Mine to hold, mine to protect and teach. Their joy, their laughter, their love. I want to come home to it, bask in it, be the reason for it.
But even more than that, I want to deserve them.
To be worthy.

Jake is a total idiot sometimes though, when his doubts of being good enough and fears of commitment rise. I still love him to death (he’s my new favorite since Drew), but I got super mad at him at those times, so that’s why I can’t give this book a full 5 stars. Otherwise… Sustained was nearly perfect. Emma Chase only gets better and better at writing, especially the male POV – I grew to almost love Jake as much as I love Drew. If you’re in the mood for something funny, light-hearted, and absolutely heartwarming, then go read Sustained! I was entertained the whole time I was reading – I highly recommend it!

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

Reading Order: The Legal Briefs series

#1 ~ Overruled: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sustained: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Appealed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Sidebarred: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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20Jul2015

Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Chaos by Jamie Shaw

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Click the banner to follow the tour.

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Chaos by Jamie Shaw!

Chaos by Jamie Shaw
Series: Mayhem #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 21st 2015
Publisher: Avon Impulse

From the moment she saw Shawn Scarlett perform at a school talent show, Kit Larson has loved two things: the guitar, and the gorgeous, green-eyed boy who inspired her to play. But one careless night in high school shatters her hope of ever being more than a notch on his bedpost.

Six years, two bands, and one mostly-mended heart later, Kit’s about to make her rock star dreams a reality as the new guitarist for Shawn’s band, The Last Ones to Know. He may not remember their reckless night together, but Kit has never forgotten… and she’s determined to make him eat his heart out.

The release of their new album means a month cooped up on a tour bus, sleeping inches away from the ridiculously sexy musician she’s never quite gotten over. And as Kit gets to know the real Shawn—not Shawn Scarlett, the rock god, the player—their attraction becomes too hot to resist. But the past is paved with secrets, and when they finally surface, Kit could lose everything: the band, the music, her dreams… and Shawn.

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

Wow!! I’m surprised by how much I adored Chaos! I was expecting to enjoy it, since I enjoyed the previous two books, but Chaos took me by surprise with the way I fell so hard for the story and characters. This book truly made me FEEL, and it’s definitely my favorite of the series so far.

I’m a sucker for rock star books, but add in a second chance romance, and I’m a goner. I was absolutely swept away by Kit and Shawn’s fantastic romance – Jamie Shaw did an incredible job in balancing their history with their present. Six years ago, back in high school, Kit had the hugest crush on Shawn. He was the reason why Kit grew to love playing the guitar. She adored this boy and ended up giving her virginity to him – but he crushed her heart by never calling her or contacting her after their one night together. Six years later, Kit, with a mended heart, is determined to chase her dreams of becoming a rock star. So what if one of the members of the band she’s auditioning for is none other than the boy who broke her heart?

Just because I wouldn’t change what happened that night doesn’t mean I want to do it all over. I don’t want to fall for him again–not when the ground comes so quick, and not when it hurts so damn much.
I fell for Shawn Scarlett once.
And once was more than enough.

I adored Kit – she has her faults, but overall, I just really loved her character. She has so much passion and determination for playing in a band. She’s a girl who’s truly meant to be a rock star. And all while she’s chasing her dreams, she’s also going to make Shawn regret ever forgetting about her and breaking her heart six years ago. But… the feelings she thought she’d gotten over come rushing back once she sees Shawn again. The last thing she wants is to fall in love with Shawn Scarlett again, but it’s hard to resist when he’s so sweet and romantic towards her.

“You’re everything I never knew I wanted. I didn’t realize what perfect was until I got to know you…”

Shawn stole my heart. He’s a jerk at first, but I slowly warmed up to him. He’s grown up from that boy who went wild with women and the rock star life. He’s the self-appointed manager of their band The Last Ones to Know and it’s clear how much he cares and looks out for his bandmates. What’s also clear is how much he adores Kit – although Kit is rightfully angry that he can’t remember her, though she never mentions their first time together. Even though they both keep secrets from one another, they can’t deny the fierce, passionate chemistry between them. Kit and Shawn are seriously hot together – Chaos is more of a slow burn book, with tensions running high, lots of frustrations, but when Kit and Shawn get together, it’s so worth the wait. They are perfect and so meant for each other!

“You asked me if I was half a person, and I asked you how I’d know.” His thumb grazes my cheek, his eyes clinging to mine. “You. You’re how I know.”

My favorite part of Chaos, besides Kit and Shawn’s wonderfully sweet romance, was the secondary characters. Leti, Kit’s newest best friend, was a breath of fresh air and a much-needed conscience for Kit’s occasional stupidity. But who I really loved the most were KIT’S BROTHERS. Her four loud-mouthed, over-protective, hilarious older brothers. I was laughing my butt off and smiling so much in Chaos because of them – I kind of wish they’d get their own books because I could read about them forever.

Chaos is definitely a must-read for fans of the series or any fans of rock star books. I was impressed with how seamlessly the author wrote about the rock star life – I was definitely sucked into the Mayhem world. I liked seeing the other band members again (can’t wait for Mike’s book!) and I just really enjoyed the writing. I was hooked in to Chaos from the beginning and couldn’t put it down! Chaos had my emotions all over the place, but I can’t deny that I loved it. I highly recommend it!

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

Reading Order: Mayhem series

#1 ~ Mayhem: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Riot: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chaos: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Born and raised in South Central Pennsylvania, Jamie Shaw earned her M.S. in Professional Writing before realizing that the creative side of writing was her calling. An incurable night-owl, she spends late hours crafting novels with relatable heroines and swoon-worthy leading men. She’s a loyal drinker of white mochas, a fierce defender of emo music, and a passionate enthusiast of all things romance. She loves interacting with readers and always aims to add new names to their book boyfriend lists.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Digital Download set of MAYHEM and RIOT (Books 1 & 2)

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16Jul2015

Release Day Review: With a Twist by Staci Hart

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

With a Twist by Staci Hart
Series: Bad Habits #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Love is somewhere near the bottom of Lily Thomas’ list of life goals, right next to competitive eating and underwater cave diving. She’s spent six years pirouetting and pliéing her way up the ranks of the New York Ballet with her eye on the prize and love in the back seat. But now that Blane Baker — Lily’s long time crush — is finally single, she’ll throw her rules out the window without thinking twice.

Reality with Blane isn’t as epic as the fantasy she imagined, and the truth sends her spinning straight into the arms of the man she never knew she’d always wanted.

West Williams has been friends with Lily since the day she moved into their building and he saved her armoire from a swift, sudden death by staircase. Their friendship has always been easy, the boundaries clearly defined. With neither of them willing to risk their relationship, they’ve drifted happily through the years as companions, never considering more.

That is, until they do. And that realization changes everything.

“You don’t get it, man. One day, you’re going to meet a girl who you can’t live without, and it’s going to fuck you up. Joke all you want, but when it hits you, it’s going to be like a glass door to the face.”

OMG!!! I freaking adored this SO HARD. WOW – what an incredible read!! This is seriously one of the sweetest, most heartfelt books I’ve ever read. And the writing is absolutely BRILLIANT! With a Twist is definitely one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I’ve ever read – and I’ve read A LOT, since it’s my absolute favorite trope! This book is just one of the more special ones out there. I literally could feel every emotion coming from West and Lily, who’s friendship-turned-love is just the most adorable, heartwarming thing ever. I loved this book!

“All this time, you were right here. You were right in front of me, and I missed it.” She searched my face, eyes soft with wonder. “How could i not have seen you?”

Staci Hart blew me away with her gorgeous writing and the depth of her characters in With a Twist. Lily and West felt so real to me – they were characters that I connected with and loved from the start. Lily is a professional ballet dancer whose passion for ballet came so clear off the pages. West is a TA for an English professor at Columbia with a love for books, writing, and his man bun and beard. Initially, when West and Lily first met, they were attracted to one another, but never pursued a relationship. Instead, they developed a profound, deep friendship that could never be questioned. And they thought they would never be more than friends… until now.

When Lily finally gets to be with her longtime crush and fellow ballet dancer Blane Baker, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Right? Except all Blane wants is sex… and he’s a jerk in the sack, too. So maybe Blane isn’t the man for her… but who has time to find true love when Lily is practicing nearly 24/7 for the production of Swan Lake, of which she’s the coveted lead?

West finds himself uncharacteristically annoyed and jealous when Lily seems to have stars in her eyes when she talks about Blane. He normally wouldn’t care who she’s with, but now… something’s different. He’s slowly coming to grips with the fact that he may possibly be in love with Lily, that he may have loved her from the very start. It’s very much an ‘aha’ moment for West, and I couldn’t stop smiling when West finally figures out his feelings for Lily. But when they both realize the depth of their feelings for one another, it’s not that easy to just fall into a relationship. They both have to risk their hearts and possibly lose a friendship that means everything to them.

“What if we end up hating each other? And what if everything is perfect? What if he’s my forever?” I slump in my seat. “All of those endings are equally terrifying. How can I choose?”

I’ll admit, I wasn’t a fan of the fact that both Lily and West sleep with other people during the beginning book, but honestly, I got over that pretty quickly, mostly because THEY got over that quickly. What made it up was the fact that the writing is just so eloquent and the characters are so well-written that everything felt real, honest, and believable. This is a light-hearted, funny book for the most part, with the perfect amount of angst mixed in to get my heart pounding. I was cheering so hard for West and Lily, because they are so perfect for each other – that solid foundation of friendship paved the way for a love that was always meant to be.

I do wish that there could have been a little more romance after they realize their love for one another. Most of the book sets us up to believe in their friendship, but I would’ve loved some more romance and sexy times. And I have to say it, but this book is so totally hipster… but I love it. And I loved the secondary characters in the book as well. Lily and West are part of a core group of quirky friends that hang out at a bar called Bad Habits, and I can’t wait to read more about them. I’m praying that Patrick and Rose get a book next!

I adored With a Twist. I’d recommend it on the writing alone, but it’s also got lovable characters and a well-developed story to make this book an all-around win. It’s a gorgeous friends-to-lovers romance that I highly recommend!

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

Reading Order: Bad Habits series

#1 ~ With a Twist: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Chaser: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Last Call: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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