ARC Review: The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

The One Real Thing by Samantha Young
Series: Hart’s Boardwalk #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 6th 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 of On Dublin Street is back with the first in a sexy new romance series set in a small town on the Delaware coastline.

Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…

While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.

Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her.

Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for….

First, I have to talk about the gorgeous cover of The One Real Thing!! The colors look so, so pretty together. Sunsets are always stunning, and I love that it’s a theme with the covers of the series. As for the book itself, TORT is a good introduction to Hart’s Boardwalk, but I can’t say that I loved it or connected all that well with it. This book might not be for everyone, but I see the potential this series has, and I’m still very much looking forward to the upcoming books.

Small-town romances are usually a hit or miss for me, but TORT lies somewhere in the middle. While I adored the tight-knit community and all of the secondary characters, I just didn’t connect with the main characters at all. Jessica and Cooper didn’t feel unique, and though their romance was sweet, it was too slow and underwhelming. Nothing about them particularly sparked – that being said, it sounds like I hated them, but I truly didn’t. They were just OKAY, but they did grow on me near the end of the novel.

I struggled with a big chunk of the middle of the book – I’d find myself skimming because things just weren’t moving along fast enough for me. Of course, if you’re a fan of the author (her On Dublin Street series is amazing) and you have a lot of patience, I’d definitely recommend giving this book a try.

TORT is a great introduction to the series and its characters. I’m excited to read more about the rest of Hart’s Boardwalk’s quirky inhabitants – shy Emery, volatile Vaughn and Bailey, and even Cooper’s ex-best friend. I have high hopes that the series will continue to grow and get better. This is Samantha Young, after all!

3 hearts
lacey


Reading Order: Hart’s Boardwalk series

 

#1 ~ The One Real Thing: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Every Little Thing: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads


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ARC Review: Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 6th 2016
Links: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The first novel in a sexy new series featuring the hockey players of the Brooklyn Bruisers and the women who win their hearts—from the USA Today bestselling author of the Ivy Years series.

In high school they were the perfect couple—until the day Georgia left Leo in the cold…

Hockey player Leo Trevi has spent the last six years trying to do two things: get over the girl who broke his heart, and succeed in the NHL. But on the first day he’s called up to the newly franchised Brooklyn Bruisers, Leo gets checked on both sides, first by the team’s coach—who has a long simmering grudge, and then by the Bruisers’ sexy, icy publicist—his former girlfriend Georgia Worthington.

Saying goodbye to Leo was one of the hardest things Georgia ever had to do—and saying hello again isn’t much easier. Georgia is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but when a press conference microphone catches Leo declaring his feelings for her, things get really personal, really fast….

I’ve missed hockey romances so much! I haven’t read one in quite a while, so Rookie Move came at the perfect time. Plus, this one is a second chance romance, one of my favorite tropes, so how could I NOT enjoy it? If you’re a fan of the author or second chance romances, you need to get your hands on this book. It’s full of fun, flirty banter, a wicked sexy hero with a dirty mouth, and a sweet romance that will make your heart flutter. I seriously ADORED this book, and I can’t wait for more of the series!

Damn, how he’d missed her. This was too much and yet not enough, either. He deepened the kiss, stroking her cheek with his thumb, his groin tightening at the feel of her skin under his hand. She tasted like the happiest years of his life.
She tasted like his.

Six years ago, Georgia Worthington broke both her and her high school sweetheart’s hearts when she left him. They haven’t spoken or heard from each other since, but right when Georgia is trying to prove her position as the Brooklyn Bruisers’ publicist, none other than Leo Trevi, the one love of her life, gets traded to the team. Georgia won’t let anything get in the way of her job, but Leo is hard to resist, so she has to avoid him as much as necessary. But Leo has other plans, one of which includes winning the love of his life back…

“It’s exactly this easy. You and me, alone together. There’s not one thing about it that’s complicated. You’re mine, Georgia Worthington. I don’t care what your fucking dad thinks. I spent six years trying to get over you, and it didn’t take. Our time is now.”

I had so much fun reading Rookie Move. It’s the perfect summery read – a heartwarming romance that will make you smile, some delicious chemistry that heats up the pages, and wonderful characters you can’t get enough of. I loved Leo so, so much. His dedication and love for Georgia, even after all those years, has never waned. He is the SWEETEST hero you will ever meet – and his being a hockey player is just a plus. 😉 And Georgia herself is such a strong, independent woman, despite what happened to her in the past that caused her to break up with Leo. I felt for her, I hurt for her, I was happy for her. She made me feel so many emotions! These two are brilliant characters by themselves, but together, they are like magic.

This isn’t quite the 5 star read for me, because the third person POV isn’t my favorite, and I couldn’t really connect with the characters as much as I wish I did. But this is totally a me thing, and I have no doubt that tons of other readers will love this first Brooklyn Bruisers novel. I’m so excited to see what Sarina Bowen has in store for us next in the series! (And can Nate and Becca PLEASE have a book!?)

4 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Brooklyn Bruisers series

  

#1 ~ Rookie Move: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hard Hitter: EbookPaperbackGoodreads (Jan. 3, 2017)
#3 ~ Pipe Dreams: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (May 2, 2017)


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Audiobook Review: Wild and Free by Kristen Ashley

Wild and Free by Kristen Ashley
Series: The Three #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: August 9th 2016
Length: 19 hours and 17 minutes
Narrated by: Erin MallonAbby CradenStella Bloom
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Abel Jin and Delilah Johnson have lived their lives with holes in their souls, yearning for something they don’t understand. Until one night Delilah is in mortal danger, and a man who’s otherworldly strong and supernaturally fast saves her. Delilah is then cast into a world where fiction comes to life in the form of Abel, her destined mate, a vampire/werewolf hybrid who claims her at first breath as his. But Abel knows the danger isn’t done. He’s dreamed for centuries that his mate will perish, and he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

For Delilah, she’s coping not only with a fantasy come to life but also with a mingling of very different families. Not to mention she has on her hands a man who doesn’t understand his true nature and has lived his long life thinking he’s a monster. Abel and Delilah together fill the hole that has been clawing at them for decades. But, finally finding each other, it also tips their destinies as the last of The Three. They must unite with the other destined lovers, who, with Abel and Delilah, are fated to save the world. Or die trying.

Wild and Free is the final book in The Three series, and while it’s not my favorite of the series, it’s a good conclusion that fans of the series shouldn’t miss. I took a while to finish up this audiobook, first because I’ve been crazy busy this past week, and also because I didn’t LOVE the main characters. Wild and Free is pretty slow paced, but I did enjoy revisiting the past main characters and some new secondary characters as well. Erin Mallon is a great narrator (I’ve listened to her narrate the Addicted series) and she does an incredible job with voicing Delilah and Abel. If you’re a fan of audiobooks and KA, I’d say you should give this a try!

Abel Jin is the only known hybrid vampire and werewolf, and his time to join The Three is fast approaching now that he’s found the one mate meant for him. Delilah is unfortunately thrust into this new paranormal world she knew nothing about, but with Abel by her side, she’s ready to fight to save humanity and all paranormal creatures alongside her mate.

The thing I was most disappointed about was that there wasn’t much romance development between Abel and Delilah. It was pretty much instalove and that was it. What was able to save this story though, was the side-plot romance between Yuri and Aurora. Every time the scenes would switch to their POV, I would always find myself hooked and eager for more. They are definitely the highlight of this audiobook!

Wild and Free is certainly not KA’s best, but I think that long-time fans of series would enjoy finding out what happens to The Three and how they finally get their HEAs. There’s a pretty epic battle at the end too, if you’re into that thing 😉 And again, the narrator was perfect – and I loved that the past narrators of the series were brought in again too. I only wish the main romance could’ve been fleshed out more, because then I know I would’ve loved every bit of Wild and Free.

WILD AND FREE is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2bI44zW

3 hearts
lacey


Reading Order: The Three series

  

#1 ~ Until the Sun Falls from the Sky: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ With Everything I Am: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#3 ~ Wild and Free: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Wild and Free!


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ARC Review: Too Wild to Tame by Tessa Bailey

Too Wild to Tame by Tessa Bailey
Series: Romancing the Clarksons #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 6th 2016
Links: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sometimes you just can’t resist playing with fire . . .

By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country’s most powerful senator, he’ll have to keep his eye on the prize. That’s easier said than done when he meets the senator’s daughter, who’s wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble.

Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron’s presence reminds her of a past she’d rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it’s the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it’s because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle . . .

Has there been a Tessa Bailey book I haven’t enjoyed!? I think not. I’ve been loving the two Romancing the Clarksons books (but I have a feeling the next two will be the ones to SLAY ME) and already I want more! Rita Clarkson got her HEA in the previous book, and now it’s Aaron’s turn. But this man doesn’t fall for a well-mannered girl who would fit his politician persona – instead, Aaron falls head over heels for a hippie… and the daughter of a senator.

“Moments, Aaron. This is one of them. Come live in it with me.” She brushed some snow out of his hair, soft fingertips grazing his ear. “Please?”

Aaron is the classic politician – perfectly coifed, put together, and well, a little fake. His entire career, he’s been putting on a persona that he doesn’t even recognize anymore. And now that his career is in jeopardy, he’s got to do everything he can to salvage it, because if he’s not a politician anymore, who is he? But the one thing standing in his way of succeeding is the one girl who’s capable of turning him inside out, who happens to be the daughter of the man he’s working for.

Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of the family. She’s not the typical politician’s daughter – instead, she acts out for what she believes in, almost always making trouble for her senator father to cover up. Grace is free-spirited and full of life, but she’s also got scars from her past that she doesn’t let bring her down. I adored Grace. She was a heroine I totally felt for, and wished was real so I could know her in real life. Her free nature and wild spirit is a little inspiring, and it’s those exact things that drew Aaron to her. Their chemistry is just as wild as Grace is, and despite how much Aaron tries to resist, he can’t. But he’s still got walls around his heart that won’t let him be all in with the one he wants – so can Grace break them down or will he lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him?

“… I’m yours. Wherever I am, I’ll be yours, baby, hippie, Grace. My Grace. Your Aaron.”

Aaron and Grace brought out all the heartache and swoons in me. I was hooked onto their romance, and for once I wasn’t too frustrated with the back and forth and ups and downs between them. Their struggles felt honest and real to me, but what made it better was all the support they had from the rest of the Clarksons (and Sage, who I’d say is an honorary Clarkson anyway). I loved getting to know more about Peggy, Belmont, and Sage, and to say I need their stories ASAP would be an understatement. Tessa Bailey knows how to hype up her readers, because I’m DYING to get my hands on Peggy’s book now! April can’t get here soon enough.

4 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Romancing the Clarksons series

  

#1 ~ Too Hot to Handle: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Too Wild to Tame: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Too Hard to Forget: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (April 25, 2017)
#4 ~ Too Bonded to Break: Goodreads (Sept. 5, 2017)


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Release Day Review: Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray

Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 5th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Folks in town call him a monster—say he’s dangerous. But I know him simply as Elijah Hays, the quiet, gentle giant who works with the horses on my ranch. I can feel him watching me, that steady intense gaze making me crave things I don’t quite understand, burn in a way that frightens me. He’s always kept his distance…until that night.

I remember him coming to my rescue, me following him into the barn, giving him his first taste of a woman, and his inexperienced yet barely reined touch turning me to ash.

Now all I can think about is exposing the dark desire I see deep inside him—having him turn those dark desires on me. That low, gritty voice rasping orders in my ear. Those huge, rough hands holding me down when a storm blows in.

I want his surrender. His control. I want to break him…and have him break me…

Y’all, I haven’t read some good smut in ages, but Breaking Him pushed allll the right buttons for me. Lovely heroine I adored? Check. Alpha hero who’s the strong and silent type, a cowboy, a gentleman, and a VIRGIN? Check, check, check. Hot, dirty, sweaty, sexy smut where the hero basically worships the heroine and deals out some good dirty talk? CHECK! So basically, I loved this book – I had so much fun reading it, and if the author’s other books are anything like Breaking Him, I’m going to need to start them stat. You can never have too much smut in your life!

I wanted to break through, break him—so I could put him back together piece by piece and make him whole again.

After inheriting her father’s ranch, Abigail has barely been able to keep the ranch afloat. It doesn’t help that every day she’s insanely attracted to and distracted by her ranch hand, the big, brooding Elijah Hays. Thanks to the way he grew up, everyone in their small town thinks he’s a monster, but Abigail’s the only one who knows otherwise. She sees him for the good, kind, honest man he is – that she just happens to imagine him in her sexual fantasies doesn’t influence the way she sees him either. But when Eli accidentally walks in on her masturbation session, the chemistry that’s been brewing between them suddenly explodes, and these two can’t keep their hands off each other.

“You feel so good. So soft and warm and goddamn perfect.” He licked his lips. “Darlin’, you’re all over my hand.” I was gripping his biceps, and the muscles twitched. “I can smell you. Christ, I think I’m losing my mind, Abigail. Making you feel good, it’s all I want to do. I never want to stop.”

I love me some virgin heroes, and a cowboy one at that. Eli is my favorite kind of hero, too, one who’s protective, caring, and willing to do anything for his woman. Abigail is the only one for him, and he makes this so obvious I couldn’t help but swoon. I loved the way these two were together, how well they worked both on the ranch and in bed. And though Eli is a virgin, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he’s doing – the smut in Breaking Him nearly reminds me of Tessa Bailey’s, and that’s high praise if you know me 😉 But of course, Abigail and Eli can’t stay on the ranch forever. The town’s judgment, the fate of the ranch, and all the outside forces seem to be against these two being together. But the love and dedication they have for one another isn’t so easy to break.

“You’re my salvation, Abigail,” he said, voice low and guttural, each word punctuated with an almost violent thrust of his hips. “Right here, inside you, I’m redeemed. I’m the man you need. I’m yours and you’re mine.”

This is erotic romance at its finest. If you enjoy that genre, you MUST give Breaking Him a try! I loved the characters and the smut. If anyone can tell me where I can find more virgin cowboy heroes, please tell me, because I am ALL about that now. Now I’m off to read more books by Sherilee Gray, because I need more of her smut in my life!

4.5 hearts
lacey

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


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