Audiobook Review: Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Pucked Up by Helena Hunting
Series: Pucked #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Length: 11 hours and 18 minutes
Narrated by: Joe Arden
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth. After five years in the NHL, deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies, Miller has decided he’s ready for a girlfriend. A real, non-bunny girlfriend to take on dates, and not jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike team captain and all-around nice guy Alex Waters—who happens to date his stepsister, Miller’s media reputation as a manwhore is well earned. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about relationships or the time and effort they require.

Miller learns—eventually—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he’s going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

I absolutely LOOOVED this audiobook!!! I’m actually surprised by how much I adored Pucked Up – I tried reading the first in the series, Pucked, but could never really get into it. I thought that Helena Hunting’s sense of humor just wasn’t my thing, but boy was I wrong. I honestly couldn’t stop grinning or giggling while I was listening to the Pucked Up audiobook. I loved it!! Miller was a wonderful hero, Joe Arden narrated him perfectly – I seriously had a blast listening to this book.

Miller “Buck” Butterson is used to puck bunnies chasing after him left and right, and while he used to partake in them, he’s a one-woman man now… if only the woman in question believed it. Miller has been crushing on his teammate’s sister Sunny Waters for a while, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make her believe that he wants her and only her. But the funny thing about life is that it never really goes your way, and every time Miller does something innocent, it’s blown way out of proportion on social media, which is what makes Sunny have doubts about him. The situations Miller gets himself into are actually pretty hilarious and over the top *cough* a spider bite on his balls *cough* but at the heart of it, he just hates that Sunny won’t trust him and believe him when he says that nothing happened. So what will it take for her to realize that she’s the only one for him?

Miller is seriously the sweetest, most adorable man ever. He’s a lot more sensible than his crazy sister (the heroine of book 1), thank god, but he’s still witty and humorous. I loved him so much! He’s so much more than the airhead jock that social media likes to portray him as – he’s serious about hockey and he’s super into charity and helping others. He’s humble about the philanthropic work he does, so much so that no one even knows this sensitive, caring side of him. My heart fell hard for this man, and even more so because of his love for Sunny. My heart ached every time she doubted his intentions and hurt him, but he really never gives up on winning her heart. He’s seriously perfect!

I’ve listened to Joe Arden before, but Pucked Up is definitely the best work of his that I’ve listened to. He embodies Miller wonderfully, and all the humor and sarcastic remarks came across really well. Pucked Up is only told in Miller’s POV, so there’s only the one male narrator, which I’m usually not a big fan of, but it totally worked here. If you love audiobooks that will make you laugh and smile, I can’t recommend Pucked Up enough! This is definitely an audiobook you need to use your credit on.

Reading Order: Pucked series

#1 ~ Pucked: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Pucked Up: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pucked Over: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Forever Pucked: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Pucked Up!

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2May2016

Release Day Review: Settling the Score by R.S. Grey

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Settling the Score by R.S. Grey
Series: The Summer Games #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

As an Olympic rookie, Andie Foster has spent far more time in her cleats than between the sheets. For 21 years, her Friday nights have consisted of blocking shots rather than taking them. But now that she’s landed in Rio, she’s ready to see for herself if the rumors about the Olympic Village are true:

The athletes are all sex-crazed maniacs…
The committee passes out condoms like candy…
The games continue long after the medals have been handed out…

As Andie walks the line between rumor and reality, she’s forced into the path of Frederick Archibald, a decorated Olympic swimmer and owner of a sexy British accent–too bad he’s unavailable in a way that “it’s complicated” doesn’t even begin to explain.

In other words: off limits.

It doesn’t matter that he has abs that could bring peace to the Middle East and a smile that makes even the Queen blush; Andie fully intends on keeping her focus on the soccer field. But the Village is small. Suffocating. Everywhere Andie goes, Freddie happens to be there–shirtless, wet from the pool, and determined to show her a whole new meaning of the phrase “international affairs”.

I’m a sucker for sports romances!!! I absolutely adored R.S. Grey’s previous one, Scoring Wilder, so when I heard there would be a spinoff, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! And then I saw the gorgeous cover and needed it even more. Settling the Score is the first book in the brand new The Summer Games series, and I have to say, I think it might be my favorite R.S. Grey book yet. There was something so fun and fresh about it – I started it early one morning and finished it hours later the same day, I was THAT hooked onto it. If you love sports romances or if you loved Scoring Wilder, I highly recommend you give Settling the Score a try!

Soccer goalie Andie Foster has made it to the top – she’s playing for Team USA in the Olympics, and she’s dying to win the gold. She has no time for men, wanting to focus on her soccer career, but on her very first day in Rio, she sees the gorgeous Frederick Archibald. He’s British, the most decorated Olympic swimmer, a duke… and did I mention gorgeous? Andie tries to stay away from him, because she knows he’ll be a terribly good distraction, but as their paths cross again and again, their chemistry gets hotter and hotter, and soon enough, they can’t resist each other. Except there’s one pesky thing… Freddie is supposedly engaged to someone already.

Freddie was thrust into dukedom when his older brother died, and he’s been trying to hold off on all responsibilities ever since. His mother also forced an engagement on him, one he’s hasn’t accepted and won’t to go through with, and that decision only solidifies when he gets to know Andie. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met – she’s easy-going, adorable, and so dedicated to her sport. They have a wonderful connection that makes it so easy to fall for one another, even when they shouldn’t.

To the world, she was Andie Foster, beautiful American girl ready to take on the world. … To me, she was more.

I. Loved. These. Two!!! Freddie and Andie are ridiculously sweet and adorable together. There’s so much tension between them since they can’t really be together, but when they ARE together, it’s the most heart-warming thing. I fell so hard for their characters and their lovely romance – these two are definitely meant to be together, and I was rooting for them so hard even when things turned sour.

Andie is a wonderful heroine, strong, independent, and hilarious. If you’ve read Scoring Wilder, then you should know that Kinsley, Becca, and Liam play a big role in Andie’s life. Kinsley and Becca are also HILARIOUS – this book isn’t as funny as Scoring Wilder, but I still giggled a bunch whenever the soccer duo appeared on the page. And Freddie – oh my god. He’s perfect. He’s not a manwhore, he’s not ridiculously alpha – he’s just a dedicated athlete who’s thrust into a role he never wanted to be a part of. Then he falls SO hard for a girl, and I swooned every time he opened his mouth. I loved the way Freddie was with Andie!

I stood and dragged my hand over her chest and pressed it down against her rapidly beating heart.
“This heart, Andie…”
She let go of her bottom lip and inhaled a shaky breath.
“I want this heart all for myself.”
“Freddie…”
I didn’t give her time to push me away. “This smile. This is what unwound me. I’m powerless when it comes to this smile.”

R.S. Grey wrote the perfect balance of sports and romance in Settling the Game. I loved that it was dual POV and that we get both Andie and Freddie’s perspectives. I really have no complaints about it, besides the fact that I hated Freddie’s ‘fiancée.’ Seriously, this book is just wonderful! Fun, flirty, and sexy, it’s definitely a top rec for sports romance lovers. Now I’m dying to read the next Summer Games novel!

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

Reading Order: The Summer Games series

#1 ~ Settling the Score: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Out of Bounds: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

The Summer Games is a spinoff of Scoring Wilder, whose main couple are secondary characters in Settling the Score. Check out Scoring Wilder for another fantastic standalone soccer romance – featuring Kinsley and her coach/forbidden love Liam!

Scoring Wilder: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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12Apr2016

Release Day Review: The Player by Kresley Cole

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Player by Kresley Cole
Series: The Game Maker #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 12th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole brings readers the third book of the erotic Game Maker Series, a searing tale of a man racked with dark desires and the beautiful young woman who could sate him at last.

A madman with a shadowed past . . .
In Las Vegas, Sin City, Dmitri Sevastyan finds her, Victoria Valentine—sexy, vulnerable, and in need of a protector. Obsession takes root deep inside him. Despite a history tainted with violation and betrayal, he will stop at nothing to possess her.

A grifter with nothing to lose . . .
Descended from a long line of con artists, twenty-four-year-old Victoria, a.k.a. Vice, needs the score of a lifetime to keep her loved ones safe. She sets her sights on gorgeous and rich Dmitri Sevastyan. Even as the irresistible Russian toys with her body and mind, he tempts her heart.

Love is the ultimate wild card.
When Vice and her associates maneuver Dmitri into a hasty Vegas wedding, he refuses to protect himself with a prenup, trusting her with all that he has. But can she trust him? As secrets unfold, the newlyweds share days of doubts and nights of the wickedest pleasures. Yet once Vice discovers her husband’s past, will she stay to fight for her marriage or cut her losses and run?

AHHHH!!!! I absolutely, whole-heartedly LOVED The Player!!! It’s already one of my favorite books that I’ve read so far this year. It’s sexy, it’s addicting, it’s romantic – if you were a fan of the previous Game Maker novel, you NEED to get your hands on this third and final book!

I have to admit, going into this, I wasn’t sure it would live up to The Master, which is one of my all-time favorite books ever. But I’d been dying for Dmitri’s book ever since meeting him in The Master, so I prayed to the book gods that The Player wouldn’t disappoint – instead, Kresley Cole blew. me. away. I honestly can’t choose between Maksim and Dmitri now – these two hot AF, powerful Russian men are my kryptonite. So, just saying, if you loved Maksim in The Master, you’re going to loooove Dmitri, because he’s basically his brother but twice the alpha-ness/possessiveness/obsessiveness. *grins*

“You know what? You’re not going to bench me. Because I’m gonna run game on the juiciest mark of them all—Dmitri Sevastyan.”

Victoria Valentine comes from a family of con artists – but a scam gone wrong has them all in debt and threatened with death if they don’t pay up. The Valentines have stepped up their con game, but it’s not easy to earn millions of dollars in such a short amount of time. So Victoria sets her sights on the gorgeous, intelligent, elusive billionaire Dmitri Sevastyan – but she has no idea what’s in store for her. He fires her up like no other, leaves her breathless and wanting more. But what happens when she actually starts to fall for her mark?

“Imagine a pitch-black room with a single candle lit in the center,” he said, his voice gone low. “The room is the world. You are the candle.”
A shaky breath escaped my lips. “How can you be so sure about me?”
He leveled his spellbinding gaze on my face. “When you’ve been in the dark as long as I have, moy ángel, there is no mistaking the light.”

Dmitri has his eyes on the prize as he sweeps Victoria off her feet in a whirlwind romance and some hot, dirty, kinky sex. He doesn’t just want her body – he wants her mind and soul too, and he’ll do anything to have it all. If you don’t like heroes who are utterly obsessed with their heroines, this book might not be for you. But if you DO like obsessed alpha heroes – Dmitri. is. your. man. He’s completely taken and captivated by Victoria from the moment he sees her, and he will honestly do anything for her. *Sigh* I adore Dmitri. The way he’s so possessive of and head over heels for Victoria melts my heart – and of the three Sevastyan brothers, I honestly think he’s the most obsessive, crazy, AND romantic of them all, and that’s saying something.

He pressed a kiss to my head, and inhaled the scent of my hair. “I believe when a man finds the one woman meant to be his, he associates her scent with happiness. In the deepest recesses of his brain, he thinks, This woman is where all happiness lies. She is my home. Every time he catches her scent, that link is reinforced.” Another kiss. “My happiness lies with you, Victoria. You are my home. It is because I’ve never experienced these feelings that I recognize them.”

If you loved The Master, The Player is a must-read! There’s a twist in this book I did NOT see coming, and I applaud Kresley Cole for taking me by surprise and for making me love the book even more because of it. If you’re worried about Victoria taking advantage of Dmitri, don’t be. I promise, by the end of the novel, you’ll have no complaints about anything having to do with the con. I also loved seeing the couples from the previous books in the series, especially Maksim and Lucía – it’s just so freaking amazing to see these three powerful Russian brothers completely whipped, in love, and happy with their women. KC did an incredible job with Dmitri and Victoria’s story – the romance was addictive, the sex was raw and intense, and the world of conning was intriguing and unlike anything I’d ever read. The Player was perfection – I loved everything about this book!

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

Reading Order: The Game Maker series

#1 ~ The Professional: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible (Part One, Two, Three) • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Master: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Player: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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12Apr2016

Review: The Master by Kresley Cole

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Master by Kresley Cole
Series: The Game Maker #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 17th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A need colder than Siberian winter meets an attitude hotter than the Florida sun in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s sultry new Game Maker novel.

Everyone fears the Master…
Rich, irresistible politician/Mafiya boss Maksimilian Sevastyan prefers tall, obedient blondes to fulfill his…complicated desires. That is, until the icy Russian encounters a disobedient brunette whose exquisite little body threatens his legendary restraint.

Except her.
Catarina Marín was a well-off young wife until her world fell apart. Now she’s hiding out, forced to start working as an escort in Miami. Her very first client is beyond gorgeous, but when he tells her what he plans to do to her, Cat almost walks out of the door.

If pleasure is a game, play to win.
After their mind-blowing encounter burns out of control, the lovers crave more. If they escape the deadly threats surrounding them, can Maksim overcome his past–to offer Cat his future? Only then will she tempt him with what he really wants: her, all tied up with a bow.

I honestly don’t know how or why I haven’t reviewed The Master yet. I read it back when it first released, became obsessed with it, and never ended up writing a review, I guess. But since the third and final Game Maker book is coming out (today!!!), I thought it’d be a good time to finally post my review!

The Master was one of my top favorite books of 2015 – I loved it THAT much, y’all. To be honest, I never expected to love it so much, because I was less than impressed with the first book in the Game Maker series. So to say The Master took me by surprise is an understatement – but I’m so glad I took a chance on it even though I didn’t love the first one. This book simply AMAZED me. The hero is alpha perfection, the heroine is sassy and badass, and their romance swept me away… I loved every single thing about The Master!!!

Catarina Marín is on the run from her murderous husband. She never stays in any place for too long, but with no money to her name, she joins an escort agency in Miami. Her first client is a gorgeous, sensual, wealthy Russian politician named Maksimilian Sevastyan – who turns out to be an arrogant ass. She’s not his type, he’s too egotistical for his own good, and they couldn’t be more different or unmatched… but the insane chemistry between them is off the charts and the connection between them in undeniable. Soon enough, Cat gets her first paycheck from her first client, and she’s ready to leave with her thousands – but Maksim isn’t ready to let her go.

“I’m surprised you aren’t acting ingratiating.” He was still talking to me, engaging me?
I turned back to him.
Mocking sneer in place, he said, “You’re supposed to tell me how I moved heaven and earth for you. You’re supposed to fawn over me, increasing your chances that I’ll book you again.”
I gave him an aren’t you adorable? smile and purred, “Oh, baby boy, don’t you know statistics? Chances can’t be improved from one hundred percent.”

The Master might be one of the few books where I’m completely in love with the hero – and I love the heroine even more. Maksim is SUCH an arrogant SOB, but I love him anyway. The way he wields control, especially over Cat’s body, is the hottest thing EVER, and there is some seriously dirty stuff going on in this book. He’s a jealous, possessive alpha-male to the max, and his character pushed all the right buttons for me. He was the perfect sort of over-the-top hero that I love. Cat, though, is definitely the star of this book. She’s such a relatable girl – she’s fun and fiesty, yet totally down-to-earth and resilient. She’s the perfect match for Maksim, even if it didn’t seem so at first glance. She never lets him walk all over her, and ends up making him as obsessed with her as she is with him.

Grabbing my ankles, he yanked me across the bed. “Spread your legs.” When I did, he stared at my pussy. “This is mine now.” He met my gaze, telling me, “I own it. Just as I own you. I’m your master now, Katya.”

Somehow, everything that didn’t work in The Professional totally WORKED in The Master. I was addicted to the possessive hero, the heroine blew me away with her strength, and the romance was to die for. Who wouldn’t want to be romanced by a gorgeous billionaire who’s completely gone for you!? The Master is erotica perfection – I’ve reread this book maybe 20 times, and I love it just as much every time. It’s one of the few books that I automatically go to reread, that’s how much I adore this book. If you love romances with an alpha hero who would die for the heroine and tons of kinky sex, I can’t recommend The Master enough – go read this if you haven’t already!!!

Reading Order: The Game Maker series

#1 ~ The Professional: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible (Part One, Two, Three) • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Master: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Player: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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21Mar2016

Early Review: Cuff Me by Lauren Layne

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Cuff Me by Lauren Layne
Series: New York’s Finest #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 29th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

ARRESTED BY LOVE

Vincent Moretti is one of the NYPD’s top homicide detectives-and one of the most eligible bachelors in town. His family, however, thinks he should date his longtime partner, Jill-a sassy, sexy, smart-mouthed blonde who drives him absolutely crazy.

Behind the quiet authority, tough-guy demeanor, and dark aviator glasses lies a man with a big soul-and a hard body that can soften any girl’s heart. After years as his coworker, Jill Henley has given up hope that anything could happen between her and Vin. Besides, loving him would break all the rules. But seeing Jill with someone else triggers feelings in Vincent he never knew he had. Now he’ll have to stop playing good cop/bad cop-and find a way to convince her to be his partner for life. . .

AHHH!!! I. loved. this. book!!!

If you know me, then you know I’m a massive Lauren Layne fan. Her books are just contemporary romance heaven and I always look forward to all her releases. Cuff Me was my most anticipated read of hers, and it didn’t disappoint at all. In fact, Cuff Me is my favorite of the New York’s Finest series and so far my FAVORITE LL book ever!

You know those series where you’re just WAITING for a certain couple to get their book? There’s all this buildup for them and you have all these expectations that you hope will be met? Well, Cuff Me was that book for me. I’d been dying to read Vincent and Jill’s story ever since meeting them in Frisk Me, and Lauren Layne gave me everything I wanted and more with this book. The romance is slow, but it’s absolutely filled with sexual tension. This is a bit of the hate-to-love-you trope, a bit of opposites-attract and friends-to-lovers. LL did a brilliant job blending all these tropes together. I wholeheartedly adored Cuff Me – it’s sweet, sexy, funny, and all-around an irresistible read.

Their relationship had always been both horribly complicated and wonderfully simple.
Those two elements canceled each other out so that when it came right down to it, Jill and Vincent were beyond definition.
They simply were.

Vincent Moretti and Jill Henley are partners and homicide detectives for the NYPD. There’s a bit of love/hate going on, and a healthy dose of lust too – and while it’s obvious to everyone how in love with each other Jill and Vin are, these two are absolutely clueless about how the other feels. But no matter what they feel, they’ve always had each others’ backs. That is, until Jill blindsides Vin by coming back home after a trip… engaged.

Jill has loved Vin since forever – and even more than just her partner, he’s family to her. But it’s been six years since they were first partnered together, and Jill just isn’t sure anymore that Vin could reciprocate her feelings – so she jumps into an engagement with another man, all the while still loving Vin.

Vin has always been the quiet, shy one ever since he was a boy, so he’s not adept at expressing his feelings, but he knows he has to try in order to win Jill back. And when he finds out that Jill is engaged to another man, it awakens this jealous, possessive, alpha side of him that is seriously the hottest thing ever. And when Vin is determined to do something, whether it’s trying to solve a murder, or in this case, win over the woman in his heart, there’s nothing that can stop him. Except maybe his own fears of loving and being loved, but that’s what Jill and his family are there for, to knock some sense into him. 😉

“My brothers said that saying it would be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. They were wrong. It was the easiest. Because loving you is easy.”

I adored Jill so much. She’s just so happy and light compared to Vin’s broody and dark, and while she doesn’t make the best decision getting engaged to a man she doesn’t love, it does do what she’s always wanted: make Vin realize his feelings for her. And Vin, while frustrating, is so sweet and adoring of Jill – even though he struggles with showing her that, you can’t help but love him for it. These two make such a heart-warming couple that my heart melted every time they were together in the book.

Lauren Layne has once again written a brilliantly sexy and romantic read. I loved Cuff Me! If you love some men-in-uniform, you definitely need to get your hands on the Moretti brothers, especially Vin. Now I can’t help but hope that LL will write another book for the fourth Moretti brother, who we get to know a lot better in Cuff Me!

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

Reading Order: New York’s Finest series

#1 ~ Frisk Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Steal Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Cuff Me: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads (March 29, 2016)

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