Category Archives: Reviews

Audiobook Review: Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

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Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

Sweet Home by Tillie Cole
Series: Sweet Home #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: October 4th 2016
Length: 10 hours and 9 minutes
Narrated by: Anna Parker-Naples
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

At age twenty, Molly Shakespeare knows a lot. She knows Descartes and Kant. She knows academia and Oxford. She knows that the people who love you leave you. She knows how to be alone.

But when Molly leaves England’s grey skies behind to start a new life at the University of Alabama, she finds that she has a lot to learn—she didn’t know a summer could be so hot, she didn’t know students could be so intimidating, and she certainly didn’t know just how much the folks of Alabama love their football.

When a chance encounter with notorious star quarterback, Romeo Prince, leaves her unable to think of anything but his chocolate-brown eyes, dirty-blond hair and perfect physique, Molly soon realises that her quiet, solitary life is about to dramatically change forever…

If you love new adult sports romances and audiobooks, you definitely need to pick up Sweet Home! I’ll admit, the first time I read this book, I wasn’t the biggest fan, but listening to it as an audiobook has made me enjoy it a little more (which is what usually happens with a good narrator). If you like opposites-attract romances, especially those where the popular quarterback falls for the quiet nerd, then you’ll probably enjoy Sweet Home.

Molly Shakespeare moved from England to the University of Alabama to complete her Master’s. She’s incredibly smart, but her social skills aren’t exactly the best. She keeps to herself, until one day she can’t – Romeo Prince storms into her life and turns it upside down and for the better. The quarterback and heir to an oil fortune, Rome sweeps Molly off her feet in a whirlwind romance. He’s intense, sexy, alpha – and there is no one but Molly for him. But family pressures have him locked in a cage, and they definitely don’t want to him end up with someone who isn’t of the same wealth and status. Can Molly and Rome find a way to be together, or will Rome’s family find a way to tear them apart?

I love romances where the main characters are IT for each other, and I felt this was very much the case in Sweet Home. Rome goes a little over-the-top with his alpha tendencies and Molly caves too easily, but if you don’t mind that, then you’ll most likely enjoy this audiobook. It’s very romantic (Rome can be seriously sweet sometimes) with a good dose of steam. Anna Parker-Naples was a great narrator, given that there were different accents for her to voice. The Southern accent wasn’t too cringeworthy, which I consider a plus. Even though it wasn’t a complete win for me, Sweet Home was a great listen that fans of the author and audiobook lovers should still give a try. I’m looking forward to listening to the rest of the series in audio!

SWEET HOME is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eAFoJT

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Sweet Home series

Sweet Home by Tillie Cole Sweet Rome by Tillie Cole
Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole

#1 ~ Sweet Home: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Sweet Rome: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet Fall: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Sweet Hope: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Sweet Soul: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Sweet Home!

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Audiobook Review: Pretend by Riley Hart

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Pretend by Riley Hart
Series: Blackcreek #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 6 hours and 52 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek…but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for his family.

Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.

Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.

Riley Hart’s Blackcreek series continues to be a hot, romantic M/M series that I’m enjoying listening to. I think the first book is still my favorite so far, but the rest of the series is still fun to listen to, especially with Luke Itzvic narrating all the books. Pretend features Gavin Davis, the ex-boyfriend of Braden, one of the main characters from book two of the Blackcreek series, and Mason Alexander, the new owner of Creekside bar. Both men are in Blackcreek to avoid family drama and their problems, while finding solace in each other.

Gavin has lost his position as a music teacher, so he’s in need of a job. What a coincidence that Mason needs help running his new bar, right? Plus, there’s the side perk of the two of them being wildly attracted to each other. They lose themselves in each other to avoid their current problems – Mason, not wanting to deal with his revelation of being adopted by his wealthy family, and Gavin, not wanting to deal with his religious family not accepting of his sexual orientation. The chemistry between them is fantastic – Gavin and Mason are insanely hot together! This might be the hottest of the series yet. And I loved how dominant Mason was even as a bottom (hello, power bottom!).

Riley Hart did a wonderful job balancing out the drama with the romance, though I do think the conflict dragged on for a bit too long. I didn’t feel as deep a connection with this story as the other two in the series, which is why I didn’t LOVE it, but I did adore the ending, which was perfect for the main characters. Luke Itzvic once again did an incredible job with narrating Gavin and Mason, and I’m really happy that he narrated the whole series. If you love audiobooks and M/M romances, I would definitely recommend you give this series a try!

PRETEND is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eCcrPo

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Blackcreek series

   

#1 ~ Collide: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Pretend!

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ARC Review: Looking Inside by Beth Kery

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Looking Inside by Beth Kery
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: November 1st 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The New York Times bestselling author who brought you Glow, Glimmer, and The Affair is back with a new novel that will have you leaving the curtains open.
 
Are you just going to stand there and watch?
 
Eleanor Briggs just can’t help herself. The sight of the man in the high-rise across the street is driving her wild. She longs to feel his touch up close and personal. To win him over, she’ll need to shake off her wallflower sensibilities and become the seductress she never imagined she could be. The only trouble will be finding the perfect way to meet him…
 
Or are you going to join in?

Sex is easy for millionaire entrepreneur Trey Riordan. Finding something of substance, however, seems impossible. That is until a simple night of reading at a local coffee shop becomes something far steamier when a beautiful brunette comes by and leaves a note telling him to look out his bedroom window at eleven o’clock. But when the time comes, neither of them will be truly ready for what follows…

Looking Inside took me by surprise in the best way possible. Going in, I was expecting just a steamy erotica with an exhibitionism/voyeurism theme, but it turned out to be so more more than that! I don’t believe I’ve read any of Beth Kery’s books before, but if they’re as incredible as this one was, I’ll definitely have to get on that. I love her writing and I loved the main characters of Looking Inside. Trey and Eleanor were so much fun to read about – I would highly recommend this book to erotica lovers!

For months, Eleanor Briggs has been looking out her window to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous man in the high-rise across the street. She’s seen him a total of seven times, but six of them were of him having sex, and every time Eleanor imagined that it was herself underneath him and experiencing all the kinky things he’s inclined to. One day, she gets the chance to meet the one and only Trey Riordan and transforms herself from her quiet, boring librarian self to a confident, sexy, sultry woman she wishes she truly was. The moment they meet in person, the insta-lust goes haywire – I loved the chemistry between these two!

Trey is an absolute sweetheart. For all the money he has, he’s very down-to-earth, though he does have alpha tendencies. He’s been burned enough times by women who only want him for his money, so he’s put his romantic life on the back-burner, but the second he meets Eleanor, he wants her bad. Along the way, though, he starts falling for her, too – but he’s the kind of man who values honesty and trust, and he’s been falling for a version of Eleanor that’s only a persona… or is it?

I’m not the biggest fan of BDSM, but Looking Inside was just the right amount of kinky that I really enjoyed. It wasn’t too much or too little – Beth Kery knows how to balance out the steam and the story, which I definitely appreciated. The main characters were a delight to read about, and I’m not just talking about their chemistry. Their romance was sweet and genuine, even as they explored their exhibitionist/voyeuristic sides. I seriously adored this book and am definitely looking forward to more from this author!

4 hearts
lacey

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Blog Tour + Review: Mr. President by Katy Evans

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mr-president-tour

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Mr. President by Katy Evans!

Mr. President by Katy Evans
Series: White House #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 31st 2016
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He’s won the hearts of millions. But is he willing to lose his?

I met the president’s son when we were both young. Matthew Hamilton was handsome, polished, and intelligent. I’d never met a guy like him.

He promised me that he’d never run for president. I promised that if he did, I’d be by his side.

Three terms later, an invitation to join Matthew Hamilton’s campaign is the most exhilarating opportunity I’ve ever experienced. I’m determined to make a difference; he is determined to win.

Focused on his goal, Matt is steadfast, ruthless, and disarming. All eyes are on him and his popularity is surging. But soon, the next possible president of the United States is possessing me in more ways than one—and despite the risks, I’m helpless to resist.

We’re stealing touches, stealing moments, and stealing away at night. But our chemical connection is quickly becoming dangerously combustive, putting not only my heart, but Matt’s chance at the presidency on the line.

Winning will take everything. Walking away will be the hardest thing of all.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo

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If you know me, then you know I utterly ADORE Katy Evans and her alpha heroes. So when I heard she’d be releasing a new book in November, I was ECSTATIC because I know she never disappoints! And seriously, Matt and Charlotte completely stole my heart in Mr. President and I never want it back. These two were the epitome of delicious chemistry, and I’m dying for more of them. If you’re a fan of Katy Evans, you won’t want to miss this latest release of hers.

“One day I’ll do all the things I need to. And she’ll be mine. Mark my words.”
“Does she know this yet?” I ask, quietly.
“I just told her,” he says.

A Senator’s daughter, Charlotte Wells has lived her life surrounded by politics but has never really wanted to have a career related to it. She’s currently feeling unfulfilled in her life though – but everything changes when Matthew Hamilton, a former president’s son whom she met eleven years earlier, extends an invitation for her to join his campaign for the presidency. Both are determined and ready to make a difference in the world one step at a time, but with the simmering attraction between them, can they risk having an affair that could cost Matt his chances of becoming president?

What we’re doing is risky, but how can it be wrong when it feels so right?

If I had to describe Mr. President in one word, it would be TENSION. Katy Evans’ masterful build-up of the sexual tension and chemistry between Matt and Charlotte had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails as I was waiting to see what would happen with their relationship. There was surprisingly very few explicitly sexual scenes – most of the story is built off of the growing desires between the main characters. The passion they have – both for each other and for politics – comes off the pages so clearly. I am always in awe of how Katy is able to infuse such passion in her romances!

She grounds me.
She obsesses me.
She fuels me.
This woman not only makes me want to be a great man, she makes me want to be the best goddamn president that ever lived.
She’s what I never knew I wanted and have discovered that I need.

I’m so greedy for more Matt and Charlotte. I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of books where I don’t know whether it’s a standalone or not, but I’m lenient when it comes to favorite authors because I know I won’t be disappointed. That being said, I hate that I have to wait for Commander in Chief! January seems like an awful long wait – but I’ll wait with bated breath because I adore these characters and can’t wait see how it all ends!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: White House series

#1 ~ Mr. President: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Commander in Chief: Goodreads (Jan. 11, 2017)

about the author button

Katy EvansKaty Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

Website • Email • Facebook • Twitter

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Audiobook Review: Stay by Riley Hart

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Stay by Riley Hart
Series: Blackcreek #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 7 hours and 14 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Wes Jensen just lost the sister who raised him, and gained custody of his niece. The last thing he needs to add to his full plate is dealing with Braden Roth, the one-night-stand who continues to try to push his way into Wes’s life. He has a kid to raise now, and Wes isn’t great at getting close anyway.

Braden has never had a woman or a man sneak out on him the morning after. From the start, Wes intrigues him, and Braden isn’t one to deny himself something he wants. And he wants Wes. The more time he spends with Wes and the little girl who constantly keeps them on their toes, the more Braden realizes this isn’t just about getting the guy who walked away.

As their lives intertwine more and more, Wes discovers Braden isn’t as shallow as he thought. But after everything Wes lost in his life, he isn’t sure he can risk his heart, and truly want Braden to stay—and if he did, would Wes’s quiet life be enough for Braden?

I’d been excited for Wes and Braden’s story ever since listening to Collide! They were such an interesting couple – I couldn’t wait to see how the man raising his sister’s daughter and the consummate playboy would fall for each other and make a relationship work out. This book was surprisingly sweet, especially with the adorable Jessie. I didn’t fully connect with the story, but I appreciated that there was so much heart in the romance and characters. I enjoyed listening to Stay, but I do think I liked the first book a little more.

Wes Jensen lost his beloved sister, but gained her daughter instead. Getting custody of Jessie was never in his plans, but he’ll do anything to care for and protect his niece. She’s his number one priority at the moment, which means his personal – and romantic – life has to take a step back. But Braden, his one-night-stand, won’t stop trying to push himself into Wes’s life. Can Wes believe that Braden truly wants more with him, or will he keep his heart forever guarded against this man?

I adored Braden and how hard he tried to make Wes see that he genuinely wanted more with him. This playboy fell hard and fast, and it warmed my heart to see him act in such a caring way with Wes and Jessie. Wes’s struggles and his back and forth with Braden were understandable but frustrated me a little. Overall, this story was a pretty mellow listen with little drama, which I appreciated. Luke Itzvic once again did an incredible job with narrating the two male characters, and I would definitely listen to other audiobooks he narrates Even though I didn’t love Stay, I’m still looking forward to listening to the rest of the series!

STAY is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eeCkGZ

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Blackcreek series

   

#1 ~ Collide: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Stay!

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