Release Day Review: Fate and Forever by Sophie Jackson

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Fate and Forever by Sophie Jackson
Series: A Pound of Flesh #2.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 18th 2016
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sophie Jackson’s award-winning Pound of Flesh novels reignite “that feeling of sneaking risqué books under the bedcovers with a flashlight” (RT Book Reviews)! Join her millions of online fans with this irresistible enovella that takes the intimate relationship between a gutsy prison tutor and her sexy bad-boy student to the ultimate level.

When tutor Kat Lane met her brooding, dangerously tempting student Wesley Carter behind bars, she never dreamed of the day she would be excitedly planning for their wedding. It won’t be long before they’re man and wife, and neither Kat nor Carter can wait. But as they settle into the joyful haze of nearly-newlywed bliss, all their friends seem to be one step ahead. Everywhere they turn, couples are becoming parents, and the longing in Kat’s eyes worries Carter. What if she gets baby fever…and he’s not so sure? Carter’s childhood was rough, and his father was no example for how to be an upstanding man—or a good parent. Can Carter create a happy, safe, supportive home for his future children with Kat—the life he never had growing up? He had better figure it out soon…because Kat just told him she needs to take a pregnancy test.

I adored Kat and Carter from A Pound of Flesh, so getting a little more of their story was fantastic. Fate and Forever is super short and sweet – if you loved A Pound of Flesh, you’re sure to love this glimpse into Kat and Carter’s future. We get to see their marriage and honeymoon… overall, this novella is just a great way to catch up not only with these two characters, but the others in the series as well.

Carter and Kat are in newlywed bliss… or are they? They’re having the time of their lives on their honeymoon, but one late period for Kat causes all sorts of confusion and misunderstanding. I love the way Sophie Jackson handled this aspect of the story. The little angst and tension between this newly married couple isn’t ideal, but it’s real and honest and emotional. I couldn’t put this novella down!

Sophie Jackson’s writing is just as wonderful as ever, as was reading again about Carter and Kat, Max and Grace, and even Riley, who will star in the third A Pound of Flesh novel. Fate and Forever is definitely a tease for Riley’s book, and it’s made me even more excited for A Measure of Love!

Reading Order: A Pound of Flesh series

#1 ~ A Pound of Flesh: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Love and Always: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ An Ounce of Hope: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Fate and Forever: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ A Measure of Love: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (June 21, 2016)

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18Apr2016

Audiobook Review: The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry
Series: Elements #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Length: 8 hours and 27 minutes
Narrated by: Brian Pallino & Erin Mallon
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

I was warned about Tristan Cole.

“Stay away from him,” people said.
“He’s cruel.”
“He’s cold.”
“He’s damaged.”

It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster.

But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me.

We were both empty.
We were both looking for something else. Something more.
We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays.

Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe.

The Air He Breathes had been on my TBR ever since it released, with all the high praise and reviews (and that cover!). It’s actually my first book from Brittainy C. Cherry, and I have to say, I highly enjoyed listening to the audiobook! I’ve listened to both Brian Pallino and Erin Mallon before, and they did another fantastic job narrating Tristan and Elizabeth’s story. This audiobook has it all – heartache, chemistry, drama, romance. You go through a ton of emotions and there’s pretty much never a dull moment with The Air He Breathes. I’d definitely recommend this audiobook for those who want to listen to something engaging and intensely emotional!

Tristan Cole is living in hell. He had the perfect wife and son, until they were both taken from him in a tragic accident. Elizabeth Bailey is also living in despair from losing her husband, but she’s had her daughter to keep her will to survive. These two have experienced something tragic and gut-wrenching that ripped apart their lives, and they never expect to ever find love again – until they become next-door neighbors and slowly help each other heal and let go of the past.

This audiobook is heavy with tension and angst. The healing and letting go is not easy or even pretty for Tristan or Elizabeth, and I loved and hated how difficult it was especially for Tristan. He’s not exactly the most lovable character – he’s a huge jerk in the beginning and even a little at the end – but I definitely felt for him and his brokenness. Elizabeth is perfect for him, strong but vulnerable, independent yet needing love. Her daughter Emma is the sweetest thing, and I really wished there were most scenes of Tristan with Emma, because my heart melted every time they were together.

The Air He Breathes tells the tumultuous tale of losing loved ones but finding the strength to live again – and possibly finding love again. It wasn’t perfect – it gets a little cheesy sometimes, Tristan is a huge jerk, the drama that wrapped up the book was a little over-the-top, but the romance is absolutely wonderful and my heart was fully invested in Elizabeth and Tristan falling in love. I LOVE dual narrator audiobooks, so Brian Pallino and Erin Mallon were perfect for me. The narration is spot on, and made this even more enjoyable to listen to. I’m very much hoping they’ll narrate the next book in the Elements series!

Reading Order: Elements series

#1 ~ The Air He Breathes: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Fire Between High & Lo: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from The Air He Breathes!

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13Apr2016

Review: Crow by A. Zavarelli

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Crow by A. Zavarelli
Series: Boston Underworld #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 10th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

An Irish mobster. A missing friend. Two loyalties, ripping me apart.

I had a plan.

Get in, get my information, and get out. Easy, right?

Turns out, infiltrating the Irish mafia isn’t exactly what I thought it would be. I just wanted a soldier. Someone I could flirt with to get me in the door.

That’s when Lachlan Crow noticed me. Problem was, he wasn’t a soldier. No, he was next in line for the throne of the Irish underworld. And he was determined to hate me from the outset. My sob story about needing a job? Yeah, he wasn’t buying that either.

Too bad for him, I won’t let anyone get in the way of my mission.

Who cares if we have some kind of crazy chemistry? He’s the worst kind of wrong- and I would never in a million years be with a guy like him.

Because they took her from me, and I’m going to make them pay.

I love mafia books!! I should really read more of them. It’d been a good while since the last time I read one, so when I was offered the chance to read Crow, I jumped at the chance. And I’m so glad I did – Crow is a sexy, thrilling, fun mafia romance with a strong heroine and a fantastic alpha hero. It’s not as dark as I’m used to with mafia books, so if you’re looking for a light but still intense mafia read, I highly recommend this one!

“I thought I told you I don’t play by the rules,” I argue.
“Ye’re mistaken,” he says. “Ye just walked into my world unbidden. So you will play by the rules, butterfly. You’ll be playing by all my rules.”

Mackenzie Wilder wants to know what happened to cause the disappearance of her best friend, Talia, and since the police aren’t helping her, she’s taking matters into her own hands. As the daughter of one of the most successful MMA fighters, and a fighter herself, Mack just might have what it takes to go undercover into the Irish and Russian mafia syndicates – but what happens when she starts to fall for an up-and-coming leader of one? Will she still be able to go through with her mission?

Lachlan Crow is next in line to become the leader of the Irish mafia, and he’s not about to let anyone threaten his chance to become king. He’s dangerous, seductive, and doesn’t trust easily. So even though there’s an instant and intense attraction between him and Mack, he’s not about to just let her into the underworld where he reigns. But soon enough, Mack breaks down the walls around his heart, and he wants to protect her and claim her for himself. He’s definitely an alpha hero, and he even has an Irish accent to boot. I’m not entirely sure how accurate all the Irish-related things in the book are, but nothing seemed too over the top, and I kind of adored the accent once I got used to reading it! Especially when Lachlan says some sweet things to Mack with that accent.

“I know ye’ve had to be tough all your life, sweetheart,” he says. “But ye don’t have to do that with me. I’ll protect ye, and on occasion boast because ye’re mine. That’s just the way it goes.”

We don’t get into too much detail about the Irish mafia, sadly. I would’ve loved more chapters in Lachlan’s POV so that aspect of the book could be fleshed out a little more, and I totally wouldn’t have minded reading more about his feelings for Mack. Crow is told mainly in Mack’s POV, so I was a little bummed out that the dual POV wasn’t as even as I expected, but since I really enjoyed Mack’s narrative, I didn’t mind too much. All in all, I really couldn’t put this book down. It’s full of action and chemistry, and the romance was sweet as it was sexy. The ending was adorably sweet and satisfying. I’m super excited for the next book now because of the couple starring in it!

Reading Order: Boston Underworld series

#1 ~ Crow: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Reaper: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads

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11Apr2016

Audio Tour + Review & Giveaway: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Welcome to today’s stop on the audio tour for Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.!

Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.
Series: Standalone
Audio Publication Date: December 1st 2016

Just friends. We’re just friends. No, really. She’s just my best friend….

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we hated each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses and first times, and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other.) Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line. Never thought about it. Never wanted to…until one night changed everything. At least, it should’ve….

Just friends. We’re just friends. I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still just my best friend….

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

I absolutely adore audiobooks, so when I heard Sincerely, Carter was going to be made into one, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! I liked reading this friends-to-lovers book, and I enjoyed it even more listening to it as an audiobook. If you’re a fan of sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers romances, I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Arizona and Carter have been best friends since fourth grade, even when they hated each other – and they’ve never crossed the friendship line into something more. Everyone they know always questions whether or not they’re actually “just friends,” but Ari and Carter have honestly never thought about each other in THAT way… that is, until they do. One moment, they’re the best of friends, and the next, they can’t stop thinking about the other person, what they’re like naked… in bed. I love that it completely baffles them that they feel an intense attraction towards one another. Lines are crossed and hearts are on the line and they soon come to realize that the best thing that ever happened to them has been standing right in front of them all along.

I really enjoyed the narrators, Jennifer O’Donnell and Joseph Discher, for Ari and Carter. They voiced the sweetness of the story and the witty banter between the characters well, and I’d definitely listen to another of their narrations. The Sincerely, Carter audiobook is all-around a great listen – the story is adorably sweet and the narration was spot-on. It’s a heartwarming, humorous friends-to-lovers romance that fans of the trope are sure to enjoy.

A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Claire Gracen) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Reasonable Doubt,the Mid Life Love Series, the Jilted Bride Series, the My Last Resolution Series, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.

When she’s not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop.

Website • Amazon Page • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Google+ • Newsletter

(2) $25 Amazon Gift Cards
Audiobook of Sincerely, Carter
Paperback of Sincerely, Carter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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7Apr2016

ARC Review: Thrown Down by Tessa Bailey

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Thrown Down by Tessa Bailey
Series: Made in Jersey #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 4th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He has one last chance to deserve the girl of his dreams…

Overachiever River Purcell was never supposed to be a struggling single mom, working double shifts just to make ends meet. Nor was she supposed to be abandoned by her high school sweetheart, breaking her heart into a thousand jagged pieces. Now Vaughn De Matteo is back in town, his sights set on her…and River is in danger of drowning a second time.

No one believed Hook’s resident bad boy was good enough for River. Not even Vaughn himself. But he’ll fight like hell to win back the woman he never stopped loving, to keep the daughter he never expected, and convince himself he’s worth their love in the process––even if he has to rely on their fierce and undeniable sexual chemistry.

But even as River’s body arches under his hungered touch, the demons of the past lurk in the shadows. Waiting for Vaughn to repeat his mistakes one last time…

I’ve said it a million times already, but Tessa Bailey truly never disappoints. She’s one of my favorite authors, so to say I was excited for Thrown Down is an understatement. A second chance romance, written by her? Pure heaven for me. This book is the second in the Made in Jersey series, but can be read completely as a standalone. I adored River and Vaughn and their heartwarming second chance at love. These two, plus their sweet daughter, were perfect together! If you love second chance romances with lots of sweetness and tons of dirty talk *grins*, Thrown Down is a must read!

“I don’t need a hero. I’m my own her now… and I’m trying to be one for Marcy.”

River Purcell has been working her butt off the past few years as a single mom to provide for her and her daughter. She’s tough and hard-working, a heroine I admired. The love of her life, her high school sweetheart, and Marcy’s father, left River without knowing that he got her pregnant. Vaughn dropped off the face of the earth after that, so River had no clue how to get in contact with him. Now, four years later, Vaughn is back – and ready to be the man and father River and Marcy deserve.

Maybe he’d never earn back that pure, perfect trust. But even a sliver of that former belief she’d had in him? Fuck, it would make life worth living. To have that trust from his child, too, would be the stuff of dreams. Dreams he’d never been aware of having. Until now. And after so much time devoid of feeling, that hope was addictive.

Vaughn tore his heart out when he broke things off with River for her own good. He never really believed he was good enough for her – he was the bad boy to her good girl back in high school – but now, he’s desperate to make things right. I was a bit worried about how I’d feel about Vaughn leaving River without looking back, but getting to know him in Thrown Down puts him in a much better perspective. Plus, the fact that he was faithful and loyal to the love of his life every day they were separated certainly helped make me fall in love with him. He’s a tortured, angsty character with a filthy mouth – another Tessa Bailey possessive alpha-male winner!

“So I’m telling you now, I’m not leaving. Give me a chance to meet her, then watch me show up every day afterward, even if you turn me away. I’ll show up and take my beating like a man, day in and day out. But you better get used to me, doll. I’m not budging.”

This book is the perfect balance between raw, angsty emotion and heartwarming goodness. I loved that River made Vaughn work hard to win back her love, and I adored the way he was with his daughter. I really wish there were more scenes with Vaughn and Marcy together – and that it was a longer book overall! I really wasn’t ready to let go of River, Vaughn, and Marcy.

If you love Tessa Bailey, you’ll no doubt enjoy Thrown Down. It has what you’d expect from this wonderful author – fantastic characters to root for, an emotional romance that tugs at your heart, and plenty of dirty talk from our filthy, obsessed hero. Right now, I’m dying for the next book in the Made in Jersey series – I don’t really care who it’s about (I hope it’s Duke) but since it’s Tessa, it’s up high on my wishlist!

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

Reading Order: Made in Jersey series

#1 ~ Crashed Out: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Rough Rhythm: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Thrown Down: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Worked Up: Goodreads (Aug. 2016)

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