Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Rome by Jay Crownover

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Rome by jay Crownover

Title: Rome
Series: Marked Men #3 (full reading order below)
Author: Jay Crownover
Genre: New Adult
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing
Event organized byLiterati Author Services, Inc.
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Cora Lewis is a whole lot of fun, and she knows how to keep her tattooed bad boy friends in line. But all that flash and sass hide the fact that she’s never gotten over the way her first love broke her heart. Now she has a plan to make sure that never happens again: She’s only going to fall in love with someone perfect.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn and rigid, he’s bossy and has come back from his final tour of duty fundamentally broken. Rome’s used to filling a role: big brother, doting son, super soldier; and now none of these fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes the only color on his bleak horizon.

Perfect isn’t in the cards for these two, but imperfect might just last forever . . .

Purchase Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Barnes and Noble • iTunes • Indie Bound

review

I have to say that I had the best time reading Rome! I was so excited to read Rule’s brother’s book, and it doesn’t disappoint. If you thought Rule Archer was hot, wait until you read about Rome. The romance was slow, but sweet, and went straight to my heart. Cora and Rome are perfect for each other, and I highly enjoyed their story!

Rome is not his usual self at the beginning of the book. He’s usually more easy-going and friendly, but leaving the army hasn’t been good for him. He feels like he has no purpose anymore. Oh, this poor, sexy man has so many demons. He has to deal with what he went through in the war, and now he has to cope with the fact that the people he loves dearly don’t really need him that much anymore. Rule and Shaw and everyone else love Rome, without a doubt, but they don’t need him to take care of them anymore. Rome, the loyal, protective, sweet man that he is, feels lost. But when he meets Cora, and a bar owner named Brite, he starts to have a purpose in life again.

Cora was a bit frustrating, but she grew on me later on. This tough-as-nails body modifier has been dealt a crappy hand in the romance department, and has vowed to never settle for less than Mr. Perfect. She wants the best and certainly deserves a person who will give all of himself and his love to her when she is willing to do the same, but her standards might be a little high, or at least skewed. And all of her previous notions of Mr. Perfect start to dissolve when she meets Rome.

…I could see the idea of Mr. Perfect, this fictional ideal I had built up in my head, start to tatter under the force of everything that was Rome Archer.

Cora and Rome are not perfect people, and are in fact quite broken, but together, they make something sweet and beautiful. Because of each other, they learn more about themselves, and they support and heal each other only in the way these two characters can. And they’re just so freaking cute! I thought it was adorable that a feisty, tiny Tinkerbell of a woman and a big, hulking, protective man fell for each other. Opposites really do attract, huh? And they have an incredibly hot chemistry together!

Rome is another fantastic addition to Jay Crownover’s Marked Men series. And another amazing part to the book? We get tons more of the other characters, especially Rule and Shaw (who are my favorite!). Now I’m so, so excited for Nash’s story, which is next!

Favorite quote:

“Love isn’t perfect. It’s hard work and sometimes it’s more effort to be in love than it is to just run away. If you keep looking for perfect, the real thing is going to pass right by you.”

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Marked Men series

Rule by Jay Crownover Jet by Jay Crownover Rome by jay Crownover
Nash by Jay Crownover Rowdy by Jay Crownover

#1 ~ Rule: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Jet: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Rome: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Nash: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Rowdy: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 21, 2014)
#6 ~ Asa: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (April 14, 2015)

about the author

Jay CrownoverI’m supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I’m an natural redhead even though I haven’t seen my real hair color in years, I’m a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I’ve been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that.

I love to write, love to read and all I’m interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something.

Connect with Jay:  Facebook • Twitter • Website Goodreads 

giveaway

First Prize: Jay’s iPod with her library and Nash’s playlist before anyone else has it. All Three Marked Men books signed Rule, Jet and Rome
Second Prize: $25.00 Gift Card Amazon with signed copies of all Three Marked Men Books Rule, Jet and Rome
Third Prize: All Three Marked Men books signed Rule, Jet and Rome and swag
Fourth and Fifth Prize: Signed Copy of Rome and Swag

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Review: Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Series: One Week Girlfriend #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 6th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.

*There will be SPOILERS for those who haven’t read book one, One Week Girlfriend!*

I love reading about Drew and Fable! I swear, I won’t ever get tired of their story. They’re such real, relatable characters, and Monica Murphy manages to make me care for them so much and root for them to get their happily ever after. I think I might have even liked reading about them even more this second time around. In Second Chance Boyfriend, Drew and Fable finally get the chance to be a real-life couple, but of course, not without a few bumps along the way.

But the beginning of the book is filled with angst! Which I love. Drew left Fable, it’s been two months since they’ve seen each other, and Fable is hurt and pissed. Drew has been seeing a therapist to deal with his past, and he’s feeling empty without Fable, and I was going, Drew, just man up and go to her! You two belong together! But nope, he doesn’t go see Fable, because he truly believes he’s not worthy of her. Drew makes my heart melt, really.

Fable is getting back on her feet without Drew, and she’s even found a new job, a better one at a classier restaurant with a higher pay. But who does she see when she starts working? None other than Drew Callahan. And oh my gosh, the emotions. My heart was hurting so bad for Drew and Fable, because they’re perfect together, but they’re still not together.

“Typical. I feel like a doll. Like a stupid, pretty doll no one cares about, forgotten on a shelf. Every once in a while, you or whoever else wants to take me down from the shelf and play with me for a bit. Just enough to get my hopes up and make me believe someone really cares about me. Then I’m forgotten again. Like I don’t even exist.” She tosses her head back and gazes up at the dark sky. “My mom was pretty dead on when she named me Fable, wasn’t she? I don’t feel real to anyone.”
“You’re real to me,” I whisper. So damn real, it hurts not to touch her.
I want her so bad it’s killing me.

But Drew and Fable slowly work their way through their problems, and they slowly make their way towards each other. They’re both flawed people, but together, they can do anything. They can overcome their pasts, shame, and secrets, support each other, and love each other. In between dealing with Fable’s deadbeat mother and Drew’s nasty bitch of a step-mother, and caring for Owen, Fable’s younger brother, Drew and Fable form a beautiful relationship full of love, sweetness, and passion.

“I’ve always run in the past. But you, Fable. You make me want to stay.”

Did you know Drew writes poems about Fable? Yeah, you can hear me sighing right about now.

The best part about Drew and Fable is that they’re just so real. Sure, they have messed up problems (Drew especially–like holy shit crazy problems), but the way they deal with them is honest and real. Their thoughts and Monica Murphy’s writing make these two characters come right off the pages and make me melt for their romance. And thank goodness it’s not over! Drew and Fable have more to come, and then even OWEN gets his own book!!

If you’re a fan of romance, you should definitely check out Monica Murphy’s Drew + Fable series. You’ll laugh, tear up, and your heart will feel so much for the characters. I love Drew and Fable, and I highly recommend giving them a try!

Our relationship is not perfect. Drew Callahan isn’t perfect either.
But I wouldn’t have him any other way.

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: One Week Girlfriend series

One Week Girlfriend new Second Chance Boyfriend new Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy
Drew + Fable Forever by Monica Murphy
Four Years Later by Monica Murphy Five Days Until You by Monica Murphy

#1 ~ One Week Girlfriend: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Second Chance Boyfriend: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Three Broken Promises: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Drew + Fable Forever: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Four Years Later: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Five Days Until You: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Review: One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy
Series: One Week Girlfriend #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 10th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while–it’s one of those new adult books that you just have to read, you know? And besides, the blurb for One Week Girlfriend totally hooked me in. I really enjoyed Drew and Fable’s romance. They were believable characters, and I loved how Monica Murphy made me feel the angst, the hurt, and the frustration the main characters go through.

The title of the book says it all–Fable agrees to be Drew’s fake girlfriend for one week during Thanksgiving break. She’s doing this for money, which she needs to support herself, her younger brother, and their mother who doesn’t give two craps about them. And Drew… well, it’s a mystery why he needs Fable to be his girlfriend. But it most definitely has to do with his parents. When the two of them meet, they don’t like each other at all. But they’re crazy attracted to each other, meaning there’s some intense tension between the two.

Over the course of their fake relationship, Fable and Drew grow closer together. They learn each other’s thoughts and secrets. Well, except for Drew’s. Drew’s secret is always hanging over their heads, because it’s just so there. He won’t tell Fable what it is, but she slowly figures it out on her own. It was fairly obvious to me throughout the whole book what exactly happened with Drew. But it was still absolutely heartbreaking to read how much his secret has affected him for years, and still affects him today.

I loved reading how Drew and Fable slowly fell for each other. They learn who the other is, what their faults are, and accept them anyway.

Drew…

“I want this with you, Fable.”
I say her name to ground me. To remind me this is happening with Fable. The girl who’s become my life source in a laughingly short amount of time. The girl I’m falling for.

and Fable…

I’m falling apart. I don’t want to become dependent on Drew, yet it’s too late. I am. Slowly but surely I am and if I don’t stop it soon, my heart will become so entwined with his, I know I will literally bleed if we’re ever separated.

are absolutely perfect for each other! They compliment each other, they relate to each other, they accept one another, and they’re always there for each other. Drew has a harder time though, because he feels his secret makes him unworthy of Fable. But this sweet, lovable man is just so good to Fable! And he is so freaking sexy when he wants to be, which is all the time around Fable. 😉

I really enjoyed Monica Murphy’s writing! The characters felt real, I could connect with them, and I adored reading their dual POVs. I’m a huge fan of dual POVs between the main characters, and Monica Murphy delivers perfectly. One Week Girlfriend is a fairly quick read, and the majority of the book is about that one week where Drew and Fable fake their relationship. The romance sucked me in and made me feel both the highs and the lows. And there are plenty of both.

Monica Murphy is definitely a new adult author to give a try. And I’m so excited for more from this series!

Loved this quote!

“I want you to be mine, Fable.” Loosening his hold on my wrists, he dips his head, nuzzling my cheek, my nose. It’s the sweetest, sexiest gesture and I moan as I circle my arms around his neck and cradle him close.
“I want to be yours” I answer in a breathy whisper. “I want to belong to you, Drew. Only you.”

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: One Week Girlfriend series

One Week Girlfriend new Second Chance Boyfriend new Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy
Drew + Fable Forever by Monica Murphy
Four Years Later by Monica Murphy Five Days Until You by Monica Murphy

#1 ~ One Week Girlfriend: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Second Chance Boyfriend: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Three Broken Promises: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Drew + Fable Forever: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Four Years Later: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Five Days Until You: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

ARC Review: Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always by Jessica Sorensen

Lila and Ethan Forever and Always by Jessica Sorensen

Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always by Jessica Sorensen
Series: The Secret #4.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: December 24th 2013
Purchase: Ebook
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Forever Yours) in exchange for an honest review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ella and Micha series comes a story of love, risks, and rewards . . .

Lila Summers just wants to know one thing for certain: that Ethan Gregory will be with her always. Once her friend, he’s become so much more, melting the pain of her past away with each kiss. Now Lila is on a road trip with Ethan, in the wilderness under the stars, and she can’t imagine her life without him. But when she talks about the future, something in Ethan changes . . .

Ethan has no doubts about his feelings for Lila. His life with her gets better every day-and that’s the scary part. How can he walk into a future where he has everything to lose? With Lila, his whole heart is on the line for the very first time. But if Ethan can’t give her the promise she needs, his greatest fear might come true: he’ll lose Lila for good.

This short novella (it’s around 80 pages) was a sweet, heartfelt ending to Lila and Ethan’s story. I really enjoyed reading about them this time around, and I connected with them much more in this book than in The Temptation of Lila and Ethan. Was it a perfect ending for them? No, but it’s real and honest. Not everyone in the world gets to have a happily ever after, but for people like Lila and Ethan, they’re sure going to try their hardest to have one.

Lila and Ethan are finally on the road trip they wanted to have, and even though the book starts off near the end of the road trip, we get the sense that the time they spent together was perfect.

When I was younger, and pictured my road trip, I’d always pictured doing it myself. But then Lila entered my life and things sort of shifted when I fell in love with her–because being alone didn’t seem as appealing as being with her.

But… now that their trip is nearly over, Lila is worried. About the future. About their future together. Because what if in the long run, Ethan won’t want her anymore? While Ethan is more of an in-the-present kind of guy, Lila likes to think about the future. But all she really wants is Ethan. She doesn’t want a proposal or a marriage right this second, but she wants the security of knowing that Ethan might someday want that, or at least want a future together.

Lila unintentionally plants seeds inside Ethan’s head, and now he’s thinking about his future, and their future, more and more. He’s against marriage, but when he looks at the future, all he sees is Lila. These two are it for each other, but I liked seeing this aspect of their relationship. They don’t know what will happen 5, 10 years down the road, but they’re hoping that they’ll still be together.

Every conversation with her, good and bad. Every moment, light and dark. I want to relive it over and over again. I want so many more moments and conversations.
I want this to be permanent. I want Lila and I to be permanent.
Forever and Always.

I liked how there’s not a definite ending to this book. Their future may be unclear, but Lila and Ethan know that can get through anything as long as they have each other. Their story is realistic, but filled with the promise of a happily ever after. It’s a bittersweet ending to this series, to Lila and Ethan’s story, and even Ella and Micha’s, but Jessica Sorensen leaves us knowing that Lila and Ethan will someday get their forever and always.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: The Secret series

The Prelude of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen The Forever of Ella and Micha Jessica Sorensen
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen The Ever After of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen Lila and Ethan Forever and Always by Jessica Sorensen Ella and Micha- Infinitely and Always by Jessica Sorensen

#0.5 ~ The Prelude of Ella and Micha: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 11, 2014)
#1 ~ The Secret of Ella and Micha: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Forever of Ella and Micha: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Temptation of Lila and Ethan: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Ever After of Ella and Micha: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ella and Micha: Infinitely and Always: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 18, 2014)

Review: The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

The Forever of Ella and Micha Jessica Sorensen

The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen
Series: The Secret #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 28th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they’re together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test.

Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she’s having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.

Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won’t ask her to leave college, just to be with him.

The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

Book 1, The Secret of Ella and Micha, was only an okay read for me, so I was hoping that book 2 would impress me more, and it did! I really enjoyed Ella and Micha’s romance this second time around. It’s not as angst-driven or as intense as the first book, but it’s still sweet and heartwarming.

In The Forever of Ella and Micha, Ella and Micha have to deal with having a long-distance relationship. Ella is seeing a therapist, working through her depression, and finally coming to terms with her mother’s death. Micha, bless his soul, can’t be there for Ella in person, but he’s always there in heart. Ella has a harder time showing how much Micha means to her, but Micha has no problem with showing his love for his ‘pretty girl’.

Ella is it for me. The way I feel about her is never going to change. I will love her forever, but I need her closer to me, not thousands of miles away.
How am I supposed to tell her, though, that I’m ready to begin her future, when I know she has no clue what her future is yet?

BUT the two of them still have problems even though they love each other. Ella feels that she has too much baggage, and that she’ll only bring Micha down. It’s so heartbreaking to read what Ella is going through, because she’s not a happy girl. Micha makes her happy, but they can’t be together physically right now. Micha is traveling with the band, but he’s always worrying about Ella. Micha fights for the two of them, because he knows that the two of them are perfect for each other, and he’s going to make Ella realize it too.

“Ella, when are you going to realize that you two belong together? Everyone who lays eyes on you can see it and is envious of it because that kind of love isn’t supposed to exist.”
I wipe my some water from my face. “What kind of love are you talking about?”
“The kind of love that owns you.” She gets up, gives a quick look in the mirror, and combs her fingers through her damp hair. “The kind where you know the other person inside and out. Where you can go through hell and back and still make it out okay.”

I really enjoy reading Jessica Sorensen’s writing. It’s very simple, and yet elegant. And the way she writes Ella and Micha, she makes them feel so real, makes their emotions seem so real. I was finally connecting with both Ella and Micha, and rooting for them to have their happily ever after. And when they take a step back from their romance, and slow down a bit, they can finally appreciate and understand the love they have, and how beautiful and powerful it is.

“But, Ella, we can wait around, wasting years, hoping we’ll reach perfection in our lives. But it doesn’t exist. We’ll always have problems, but as long as we work through them together, I think we’ll be okay.”

I’d definitely recommend this series for romance lovers. The Forever of Ella and Micha didn’t have as many twists as the first book, but was okay, because I really liked book 2 more than book 1. This series, well, anything by Jessica Sorensen, is written in a very hipster-ish way. It’s an emotionally-driven book, and Ella and Micha just have the most heartfelt romance. 4 hearts!

4-hearts

lacey

Reading Order: The Secret series

The Prelude of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen The Forever of Ella and Micha Jessica Sorensen
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen The Ever After of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen Lila and Ethan Forever and Always by Jessica Sorensen Ella and Micha- Infinitely and Always by Jessica Sorensen

#0.5 ~ The Prelude of Ella and Micha: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 11, 2014)
#1 ~ The Secret of Ella and Micha: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Forever of Ella and Micha: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Temptation of Lila and Ethan: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Ever After of Ella and Micha: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ella and Micha: Infinitely and Always: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 18, 2014)