Category Archives: 5 hearts

Audiobook Review: Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie

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Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Series: Addicted #3.5, Calloway Sisters #4.5 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Length: 23 hours and 36 minutes
Narrated by: Mark Boyett, Therese Plummer, Stephen Dexter, Maxine Mitchell, Gregory Salinas & Jessica Almasy
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Falling in love was just the beginning

The conclusion to the epic ten-book series about the unbreakable strength of family, friendship, and love.

Lily & Lo are back one final time. Childhood best friends and soul mates.

Ryke & Daisy are back one final time. Wild risk-takers and flirty adventurers.

Connor & Rose are back one final time. Genius rivals and intellectual teammates.

Ten years of laughter. Of heartache. And love.

This series… I honestly can’t believe it’s over! I’ve been putting off reading/listening Some Kind of Perfect because I really, really didn’t want to let go of these beloved characters, but now I’m so happy I finally got to experience this final Addicted/Calloway sisters book. SKoP is a full-length epilogue novel to the series, so it must be read after you’ve read the entire series. And yes, the series is pretty long which can seem daunting, but I promise, once you get into it, you won’t want to let go of these characters either. And if you have been keeping up with the series, you HAVE to experience Lily, Loren, Rose, Connor, Daisy, and Ryke one last time!

I don’t really want to spoil anything about this book or what goes on in it, but honestly, if you love the Addicted characters, you will only fall head over heels in love with them all over again in SKoP. We get all six characters’ POVs, and they are just as true to themselves as they have been throughout the series. I think that might be my favorite part of Krista and Becca Ritchie’s incredible development of their characters – that no matter what life throws at them, no matter what they go through, whether it’s scandal or even parenting, they are still the same characters we know and love… only better.

Listening to SKoP was an incredible experience, and I know I’ll definitely go back and listen to it again (probably after I listen to the entire series… again). I loved all six narrators, especially since Rose, Connor, Daisy, and Ryke’s were all the same ones from past audiobooks. Maxine Mitchell and Gregory Salinas were great as Lily and Lo, but I have to admit I do miss Erin Mallon and Charles Carr’s narrations. I’m not sure why LiLo’s narrators changed, but I’m still happy with their new voices!

This is one of the few series where I have read all the books AND listened to them in audio. The Addicted series is seriously one of my all-time favorite series in the whole world, and it’s for sure my number one New Adult series to date. I’m not sure anything could live up to the fantastic writing, the brilliant character development, and the unforgettable characters this series has. But I’m seriously looking forward to more from K&B, especially the spinoff series, Like Us!

SOME KIND OF PERFECT is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2btff2S

5 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Addicted/Calloway Sisters series

Addicted to You by Krista & Becca Ritchie Ricochet by Krista & Becca Ritchie Addicted for Now by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Kiss the Sky by Krista & Becca Ritchie Hothouse Flower by Krista & Becca Ritchie Thrive by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Addicted After All by Krista & Becca Ritchie Fuel the Fire by Krista & Becca Ritchie Long Way Down by Krista & Becca Ritchie Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie

#1 ~ Addicted to You: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Ricochet: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Addicted for Now: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.1 (Calloway Sisters #1) ~ Kiss the Sky: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.2 (Calloway Sisters #2) ~ Hothouse Flower: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Thrive: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Addicted After All: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.1 (Calloway Sisters #3) ~ Fuel the Fire: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.2 (Calloway Sisters #4) ~ Long Way Down: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 (Calloway Sisters #4.5) ~ Some Kind of Perfect: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Some Kind of Perfect!

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Early Review: Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

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Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh
Series: Rock Kiss #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 19th 2016
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love…even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?

This booook!!! I had crazy high expectations for Rock Wedding because first, it’s Nalini Singh, and second, it’s a second chance romance! And thank god NS didn’t let me down – I absolutely LOVED. IT. Abe and Sarah’s heart-wrenching story of love, forgiveness, and redemption swept me away and stole my heart. This is one of the best second chance romances I’ve ever read, and it’s definitely my new favorite of the series. If you love the second chance romance trope, READ THIS BOOK. There’s so much angsty goodness and amazing grovel from the hero. This can be read entirely as a standalone, too, so even if you haven’t read the series, you need to get your hands on Rock Wedding!!!

As keyboardist for Schoolboy Choir, Abe Bellamy is one of the hottest rock stars in the world. He should be at the top of his game, but losing his wife and the love of his life because of his own stupidity will bring a guy down. He’s got no one to blame but himself for hurting Sarah back when they were married and he was struggling with his addiction. But now, months sober, he’s ready for the fight of his life to earn forgiveness and win back the only woman he has ever loved.

High, he’d brutally hurt her. Sober, he could destroy her.
Because love? The kind of love she’d had for Abe? It never really died.

Sarah Smith once gave everything she was to her husband, and he destroyed her for it. She’s been able to move on, but not without scars and pain. This woman is one of the toughest heroines I’ve ever read – she’s been through so much loss and hurt, I’m amazed she was able to pick herself up and move on, especially from Abe. And now that Abe wants back in her life, she wants nothing to do with him, and rightly so. I LOVED that she doesn’t give in to him easily, love- and heart-wise. She’s not a pushover, and Abe has so much to prove before he’ll ever get to touch her heart again.

“I’m not letting you go.” It was a whispered promise. “Not this time.”

I have to say, Nalini Singh absolutely nailed the redemption and forgiveness aspect of this second chance romance. My heart honestly couldn’t stop aching throughout the book, both for Abe and Sarah. They have so much hurt and pain to overcome, but never does Abe stop fighting for Sarah, and neither does Sarah stop loving Abe. There’s hope for happiness again for the two of them and a very well-deserved HEA.

“But I was stone-cold sober the night I met you and I’m stone-cold sober now—and no woman, no woman, does to me what you do. I fucking love you. Always have, always will.”

To say this book is an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement. Nalini Singh truly blew me away with Rock Wedding and the way she incorporated so much emotion and heart to the story. I couldn’t stop reading this book – it’s a second chance romance at its finest. If you’re a fan of this series, you’re in for a fantastic, emotional ride that is this final Rock Kiss book. I’m sad that this is the end of the series, though I’m thankful we’re getting a spinoff with Gabriel’s rugby-playing brothers. I can’t wait to read more of NS’s contemporary novels!

5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Rock Kiss series

Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh 

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

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Audiobook Review: The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

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The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley
Series: Fantasyland #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 21st 2016
Length: 17 hours and 1 minute
Narrated by: Tillie Hooper
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire – and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

I’m seriously LOVING the Fantasyland audiobooks!!! I finished this 17 hour long audiobook in about 3 days – it usually takes me somewhere around a week for an audiobook of this length, but I just couldn’t stop listening to The Golden Dynasty. Both the story and narration were perfection – I honestly can’t choose whether this audiobook or Wildest Dreams is my favorite. All I can say is – when is the rest of the series coming out in audio!? I’m seriously dying to listen to the other Fantasyland books!

This second installment in the Fantasyland series opens up with Circe Quinn waking up caged with other women in a whole new world. Everything is different – the people, the culture, the language… thankfully she finds a translator there with her, but even a translator isn’t enough to prepare her for Dax Lahn, king of the Korwahks. He claims her as his bride, his queen, and Circe is reluctantly thrust into the politics of this strange, epic land. She can’t understand a word her husband says on her own – how will she survive has queen of the Korwahk Horde?

The Korwahks are primitive people. The men are all alpha males, with Lahn the most alpha of them all. Their brutish, primal culture is entirely different from the modern world, full of violence and savagery. It wasn’t easy to listen to, especially the things that Circe is subjected to do and watch. Some characters do questionable, disturbing acts, but somehow KA writes them in a way that’s fascinating more than anything. I found myself captivated by Lahn and his people, even though I didn’t agree with their ways. And Circe herself slowly starts to accept her husband and find qualities about him that make her fall for him. He’s a powerful, fierce warrior, but at his heart, he would do anything to protect his queen. I loved their romance and the way it slowly, naturally developed – and I adored that both of them learned to understand each other’s language!

The Golden Dynasty is another win from KA. I honestly can’t believe I haven’t read this series sooner, but I’m glad I waited until the audiobooks released. Tillie Hooper just might be my new favorite female narrator – her performance is stunning in this audiobook! I was so impressed with the way she spoke the Korwahk language. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, because some of the words seemed so difficult to pronounce, but her narration was flawless and sounded so natural. Now I’m eagerly awaiting the rest of the Fantasyland seires to come out in audio – and I’m hoping Tillie Hooper narrates them as well!

THE GOLDEN DYNASTY is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/29rDf41

5 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Fantasyland series

 
  

#1 ~ Wildest Dreams: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Golden Dynasty: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fantastical: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Broken Dove: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Midnight Soul: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from The Golden Dynasty!

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Audiobook Review: Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

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Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley
Series: Fantasyland #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 21st 2016
Length: 18 hours and 49 minutes
Narrated by: Tillie Hooper
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.

I absolutely LOVED Wildest Dreams!!! This might be my favorite audiobook from Kristen Ashley that I’ve listened to. Tillie Hooper’s narration is PERFECT, and the story is so epic and incredibly well-written. Wildest Dreams is my first non-contemporary book from KA, but I know it won’t be my last. For some reason, I was hesitant to read this book, but I’m so glad I got to experience it as an audiobook instead. I finished this 18+ hour long audiobook SO fast, because I just couldn’t stop listening! If you love a fantasy romance that will sweep you away on an epic adventure, get – this – audiobook!!

When Finnie discovers there’s a parallel universe where everyone has a twin and the twins of her parents are still alive, she doesn’t hesitate to find someone with the power to send her there. But when she arrives in Lunwyn, not everything has gone according to plan – her own twin has tricked her into switching places, so Finnie is now forced to marry Frey Drakkar, a fierce, savage warrior with the power to call upon dragons… and he hates Finnie on sight. So on top of navigating through this strange, fascinating world filled with magic, dragons, and elves, she has to make her new husband not hate her as much, and survive killers who want her dead.

Wildest Dreams really had it all. A well-developed world, characters that KA brought to life, and an epic romance that made me swoon. For a savage warrior, Frey was surprisingly sweet. Every time he mentioned Finnie being his ‘wildest dream’, my heart seriously fluttered. I adored the romance, the slow development of feelings, and I loved that even though Finnie and Frey are so different, they are so right for each other. I loved them together!

Tillie Hooper, the narrator, made what was an incredible book even better. I was so impressed with the way she was able to change her voice to fit each character’s dialogue, so no one person ever sounded the same. And props to her for being able to pronounce all the names in this book, because I know I wouldn’t even have tried to. She’s a brilliant narrator, and I know she narrates the second Fantasyland book as well, so I’m hoping the rest of the series will be narrated by her.

I will more than likely do another listen of Wildest Dreams, despite its long length, because it’s THAT good. I was sucked into this magical world KA created and I fell head over heels for the romance. Add in a flawless narration, and this audiobook was pretty much perfect for me. I can’t recommend this enough – if you have an extra credit, you NEED to use it on Wildest Dreams!

WILDEST DREAMS is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/29TUBVM

5 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Fantasyland series

 
  

#1 ~ Wildest Dreams: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Golden Dynasty: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fantastical: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Broken Dove: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Midnight Soul: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Wildest Dreams!

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Release Day Review: Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton

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Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Wild Aces #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 5th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Eric Jansen—call sign Thor—loves nothing more than pushing his F-16 to the limit. Returning home to South Carolina after a tragic loss, he hopes to fix the mistake he made long ago, when he chose the Air Force over his fiancée.

Becca Madison isn’t quick to welcome Thor back. She can’t forget how he shattered her heart. But Thor won’t give up once he’s set his sights on what he wants—and he wants Becca.

Thor shows Becca that he’s no longer the impulsive boy he used to be, and Becca finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But will Thor be able to walk away from his dream of flying the F-16 for their love or does his heart belong to the sky?

I loved loved LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Into the Blue was the PERFECT second chance romance/military romance for me. I’m usually a bit picky about these two tropes, and put them together? I was terrified about how it would play out, but holy hell, did I adore Eric and Becca’s second chance at love. I couldn’t have imagined a better story for these two characters. And omg Eric – can you say SWOON!? He was utter perfection as a hero. Seriously, I loved this book so much! Into the Blue is the second book in the Wild Aces series, though it can be read as a standalone (you can check out my review for book one here). If you loved Fly with Me, get ready to get your hands on Into the Blue – it’s an absolute must read.

I’d been an idiot before and thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to me, but there was no way I was making the same mistake again.

Ten years ago, Becca and Eric had been in love, engaged, and ready to begin a new chapter in their lives. Becca thought they were happy, but apparently not, because Eric just up and left her behind to join the US Air Force. The past ten years have been filled with bitterness, anger, and hurt, so understandably, when Eric comes back home for the first time in a decade, Becca wants nothing to do with him. I felt for this girl so hard. I was angry on her behalf, even though I knew her heart has only ever been his. My heart broke for the way hers broke, and I wanted nothing more than for her to kick Eric’s ass and show him what he’s been missing, and thankfully, she delivers. I loved Becca wholeheartedly, because I could connect with her so well. She’s got a huge heart capable of so much love, but the hurt Eric caused only made her grow stronger. And this time, she’s not about to let him in that easily. I was so happy with the way she kept making Eric prove his love to her – Becca ROCKED as a heroine.

You couldn’t fake what we had. Couldn’t duplicate it. We were so fucking lucky to have found each other once, and even as I’d always suspected it, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that letting her go was the biggest mistake of my life.
Now I needed to fix it.

The one thing that describes Eric? Regretful. He has so many regrets in life, but none does he regret more than leaving Becca, the love of his life. THIS is the kind of hero I adore reading about in second chance romances. The hero who never forgot about his lost love, the one who knows he effed up and can admit his mistakes. The kind of hero who’s not afraid to put his heart on the line again, and once he’s back in his woman’s life, he’s going to do everything he can to stay there permanently. Ten years ago, Eric gave up Becca for F-16’s – but this time around, he knows he’s not going to make the same mistake again. Will he be able to prove his love and devotion to her and win her heart again?

I’d never felt this way about anyone before. Wasn’t sure I’d even felt this way about her before. Maybe it took losing her to realize just how much I needed her, the contrast between my life with Becca and my life without never clearer than in this moment.

Eric and Becca were beautiful together. They might have loved each other back then, but they are so meant for each other even more now. Into the Blue made my heart ache in all the right places – the angst is so well done, but the love is what totally swept me away. Chanel Cleeton did such an amazing job with this story – it’s already become one of my favorite books of the year. Fly with Me was a fantastic read, but Into the Blue went above and beyond my expectations.

If you haven’t read the Wild Aces series yet, you are missing out. It’s an amazing military romance series – and if you love second chance romances too, Into the Blue will be perfect for you. This series only seems to be getting better and better, so I can’t even imagine how the third book will turn out, but I know I’m dying to read Easy’s story. I can already feel the heartache from On Broken Wings – January 2017 can’t get here fast enough!

5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Wild Aces series

  

#1 ~ Fly With Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Into the Blue: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ On Broken Wings: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Jan. 3, 2017)

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