Release Day Review: For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne
Series: The Wedding Belles #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 30th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.

I am falling more and more in love with Lauren Layne’s The Wedding Belles series with every new release! If you like wedding romances or sweet contemporary romance, this series – and honestly, this author – is a must read. The characters are adorable, the romance is swoony, and the wedding planning backdrop is perfect for a light-hearted, summery read!

Heather Fowler is living her life-long dream – to be a wedding planner living in NYC. Well, she’s almost living out the dream, since she’s currently only an assistant wedding planner. But her next wedding will make or break her career, since she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime to plan celebrity Danica Robinson’s wedding. But with the bride completely hands-off the wedding, the pressure and stress to get everything right and perfect starts to get to Heather… and it doesn’t help that her late nights become even more late thanks to a rowdy neighbor blasting music at inconsiderate times. She goes to confront the guy in 4A, but what she gets is something more, something better than she could have imagined.

Once again, it was this snotty, mouthy woman who’d managed to shake him out of his funk.
It was becoming increasingly clear that his intriguing new neighbor might be exactly what he needed to make him feel alive.

Josh Tanner is a cancer survivor who knows how short life can be and is living his life to the fullest… or is he? He threw away a job doing what he loved, and now he’s in a band making music and not having any worries. When the girl in 4C comes over to confront him about his late-night playing, he finds himself intrigued by her, and the more he gets to know her, the more he wants her – but only in bed, and not for a relationship. I’ll admit, I’m a little tired of heroes who are adamantly against having anything to do with love, but Josh is something else. He’s an adorable, frustrating, lovable man, with many layers to him that make him feel real and genuine. And he’s seriously the SWEETEST – with the things he says and does, how could Heather NOT fall for him!?

He was good.
He was the best.
He was everything.

I love when the MCs bring out the best in each other, and Heather and Josh do exactly that. Josh makes Heather realize there are other things to appreciate in life than a high-pressure job, and Heather makes Josh notice how he’s not exactly living the full life he expected to after surviving cancer. The two of them make the most adorable couple – I had a smile on my face practically the whole time I was reading their story! Their banter, their sweet moments, their inside joke with banana bread… all of it made for a fun, worthwhile read. For Better or Worse is a feel-good, slow romance with touches of meaningful moments that warmed my heart. I would definitely recommend this to those who loved the first book. And can I just say how freaking excited I am about the final book of the series!? I need To Love and to Cherish ASAP.

Reading Order: The Wedding Belles series

#0.5 ~ From This Day Forward: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ To Have and to Hold: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ For Better or Worse: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ To Love and to Cherish: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 18, 2016)

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30Aug2016

ARC Review: A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean
Series: Scandal & Scoundrel #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 30th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Lonesome Lily turned Scandalous Siren

Miss Lillian Hargrove has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn’t hesitate . . . until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

Highland Devil turned Halfhearted Duke

The Duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain—he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem.

Tartan Comes to Town

Warnick arrives in London with a single goal: get the chit married and see her become someone else’s problem, then return to a normal, quiet life in Scotland. It’s the perfect plan, until Lily declares she’ll only marry for love . . . and the Scot finds that there is one thing in England he likes far too much . . .

Sarah MacLean is probably my favorite historical romance author. I fell in love with her Rules of Scoundrels series and have been enjoying her spinoff, the Scandal & Scoundrel series. A Scot in the Dark is the second in the spinoff series, featuring an England-hating Scottish Duke and his new, scandalized ward. Their story is an emotional, angst-filled romance with a hero who believes he doesn’t deserve to be with the woman he loves. If you loved The Rogue Not Taken, then you will definitely love A Scot in the Dark!

Lily Hargrove has been alone all her life and dreams of finding love and a place to belong. She thinks she’s found that with a rising artist, but he ends up using her and betraying her in the end. Her reputation on the bridge of ruin, she’s reminded of just why she wants to leave London and never look back, but she needs the help of the Duke responsible for her to do so. Except when said Duke finds out about his scandalized ward, he makes plans to marry her off and be done with her.

“You forget yourself,” he said. “As my ward, your things are my things.”
Her gaze flew to his. “You beast.”
His lips pressed into a long straight line. “And you, the most beautiful woman in London,” he said, as though being beautiful was the most ugly thing she could be. “We make a fine match, Lovely Lily.”

The Scottish Duke of Warnick, Alec Stuart hates everything about London and its aristocracy, the same aristocracy that looked down on his when he was younger and caters to him now that he’s a Duke. He’s especially annoyed to find out he has a ward and has to go into the dreaded city to fix her reputation. But Lily turns out to be so much different than he expected and he finds himself unable to resist being around her and growing feelings for her. But he knows that she’s in a different league in him, not just in looks, but that she also deserves someone who will love and cherish her like she deserves, because that man can’t be him.

More. He’d thought he’d known what wanting felt like. What longing meant. And then he’d met Lillian Hargrove, and he’d realized the truth—that everything for which he’d ever hungered was nothing compared to her. There was nothing he would not pay. Nothing he would not do for another taste of her.
And that he was unworthy of her.

I really enjoyed the banter between Lily and Alec! I have to say it might be my favorite part of this book. To say these two don’t get along would be an understatement, which makes for some entertaining conversations between them. Plus, the underlying chemistry they have made the banter all the more fun. What did annoy me, though, was the back-and-forth between Alec’s feelings for Lily. He kept saying he didn’t deserve her but would take her for his own anyway, would go hot and cold so often it was a little frustrating. This ended up making the romance a little slower than I would’ve liked, but I could definitely feel the angst and emotional upheaval the characters were feeling themselves.

“I am yours, my love, body and soul. When I am old, I do not wish to think of you. I wish to be with you. I wish to love you.”

Despite the annoyances, Lily and Alec’s story was touching, romantic, and their love was definitely hard-earned. It had similar vibes to The Rogue Not Taken, so if you enjoyed that story, you will most likely enjoy this one too! Right now, I’m dying for the next Scandal & Scoundrel book – I love a good second chance romance, and The Day of the Duchess seems like there will be plenty of groveling too. I’m really hoping Sarah MacLean doesn’t disappoint (not that she ever does)!

lacey

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

Reading Order: Scandal & Scoundrel series

#1 ~ The Rogue Not Taken: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ A Scot in the Dark: Ebook • Paperback • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Day of the Duchess: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (June 27, 2017)

The Scandal & Scoundrel series is a spinoff of The Rules of Scoundrels series. You don’t have to read The Rules of Scoundrels prior to Scandal & Scoundrel, but I highly recommend the series! Here is the reading order if you’d like to start it:

Reading Order: The Rules of Scoundrels series

#1 ~ A Rogue by Any Other Name: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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29Aug2016

Audiobook Review: With Everything I Am by Kristen Ashley

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

With Everything I Am by Kristen Ashley
Series: The Three #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: August 9th 2016
Length: 19 hours and 16 minutes
Narrated by: Stella Bloom
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

One night, Callum is driven into the woods by instinct – an instinct to protect. In the form of wolf, he meets a young human child who he is instantly drawn to in a fierce way he doesn’t quite understand.

Sonia Arlington has lived a lonely life. She has certain abilities that make her strange and she has a rare disease that, if untreated, could kill her. Her father makes her vow that she will never let others discover her abilities. This forces Sonia to stay distant, always guarding against exposure.

Intelligence leaks that Sonia is Callum’s human mate. He is now King of the Werewolves and has war on his hands. He’s forced to claim his mate and integrate Sonia into a world that is strange and frightening.

As Sonia attempts to adjust, Callum attempts to cope with the knowledge that his mate is mortal. He will have her beauty and gentleness only the length of a mortal life, making their union unbearably bitter, even as Sonia makes it unbelievably sweet.

If you know me, then you probably know I looove Kristen Ashley’s audiobooks. Amazing stories + amazing narrators = audiobook heaven for me, and KA’s audiobooks always deliver. With Everything I Am is the second book in her paranormal The Three series, and though it can be read as a standalone, I will warn you that if you experience one book in the series, you’ll probably want to experience the rest (that’s how KA gets you!). This one’s also narrated by Stella Bloom, who I love – I’ve listened to her narrations in the past and she’s absolutely fantastic at it. With Everything I Am is another audiobook win from KA – I loved reading it as a book and loved it even more as an audiobook. I highly recommend this one for PNR lovers!

Callum, King of the Werewolves, has been waiting decades to claim his human mate. But when rebel werewolves find out about Sonya and try to attack her, the time for Callum to reveal himself to her comes sooner rather than later. After he saves her life, he whisks her off to his isolated cabin to prepare her to enter his world… except that the very human Sonya still has no idea werewolves exist, and he has to convince her to be the queen of them.

Neither Sonya nor Callum get off to a good start with one another – in fact, neither of them wanted to even have a relationship in the first place. But as they get to know one another, a slow, genuine romance starts to form, and it’s seriously the sweetest! Sonya is one of my favorite of KA’s heroines. Despite how alpha, domineering, and pushy Callum is, she doesn’t roll over and let him do whatever he wants. I admired how tough she was, after all the heartache she’s been through, like losing her parents at a young age, dealing with a painful disease, and leading a lonely life. She’s sweet to the core, willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs one, and thankfully Callum sees that.

Stella Bloom was perfect as Sonya – I love her voice so much! And her Scottish/British mixed accent for Callum and the rest of the werewolves was spot-on. I loved all the slight inflections her voice took for every character – it made this listen all the more enjoyable. If you’ve read and enjoyed With Everything I Am, you definitely need to experience it again as an audiobook. And if you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for!? It’s a classic KA romance, only with a paranormal twist. You’ll be in for a wild ride with an alpha-male, an adorable heroine, badass yet surprisingly sweet werewolves, and an epic love story.

WITH EVERYTHING I AM is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2br1VuJ

Reading Order: The Three series

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

Here’s an audio excerpt from With Everything I Am!

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23Aug2016

Release Day Review: Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #15.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 23rd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The “alpha author of paranormal romance” presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…

Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…

Nalini Singh is one of the few authors I’ve read who’s capable of writing so much in so little. Despite the novella length of each of the stories in Wild Embrace, they are all packed with heart and emotion. I seriously loved reading Wild Embrace – it’s only made me even more immersed and in love with the Psy-Changeling world. If you’re a fan of the series, you don’t want to miss out on these four stories!

Echo of Silence: If you’ve missed the old Psy-Changeling romance where the two characters are different species, like I’ll admit I have, then you HAVE to read Echo of Silence. The heroine, Tazia, is human, an engineer who’s captivated by her Psy station commander. As a Psy, Stefan is quiet and in control of all emotions. This novella is set before the Psy broke Silence, so it’s forbidden for Stefan to fall for Tazia, but when they start to work together in close proximity, you can feel the developing emotions between them. This story warmed my heart and is definitely my favorite in Wild Embrace.

Dorian: This is the shortest of the novellas, and not a romance, but I loved it anyway. We’re back with Dorian, getting snippets of his past and present, back from when he was struggling with his latent Changeling to now in his utter happiness and contentment with his mate and adopted children. We also see much of Dorian’s friends, including all the sentinels and Lucas. It was great to dive back into DarkRiver, because I’ve definitely missed them.

Partners in Persuasion: I loved the idea of this novella, with a romance between a SnowDancer male submissive and a DarkRiver female dominant. And obviously, Nalini Singh doesn’t disappoint – I was fascinated with this Changeling pairing role-reversal. Felix and Dezi’s romance is seriously the sweetest! It grew at a slow, genuine pace and put a smile on my face.

Flirtation of Fate: Kenji and Garnet is the main reason why I was most excited to read Wild Embrace, because throughout the series we’ve seen the chemistry between these two as they go head-to-head and we don’t know why they aren’t already together. Well, now we finally find out the reason and I’ll admit, Kenji’s reason for pushing Garnet away was a little disappointing. I didn’t feel like it warranted him breaking her heart and staying away for years. But other than that, it was wonderful to see these two, who have always been meant for each other, finally get together.

Is it too soon to already want more Psy-Changeling? I seriously can’t get enough of this series, and Wild Embrace has only just barely whetted my appetite for more. While this book isn’t necessary to keep up with the series, it’s still an incredible, entertaining read that gives you an even more in-depth glance at the Psy-Changeling world. I wouldn’t say you need to be all caught up to read this either – whether you’ve read all fifteen books out so far, or just one, Wild Embrace has all the PNR goodness that Nalini Singh is so good at delivering.

Reading Order: Psy-Changeling series

#1 ~ Slave to Sensation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Visions of Heat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Caressed by Ice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mine to Possess: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hostage to Pleasure: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Branded by Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Blaze of Memory: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Bonds of Justice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Play of Passion: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#10 ~ Kiss of Snow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Collection #1 ~ Wild Invitation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#11 ~ Tangle of Need: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#12 ~ Heart of Obsidian: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#13 ~ Shield of Winter: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#14 ~ Shards of Hope: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#15 ~ Allegiance of Honor: My Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Collection #2 ~ Wild Embrace: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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23Aug2016

Release Day Review: Ravenous by M.S. Force

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Ravenous by M.S. Force
Series: Quantum #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 23rd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

She wants a baby. He wants her. Simple enough, right?

Ellie Godfrey has kissed her share of frogs. So many, in fact, that she fears she won’t recognize her prince if and when he finally comes along. Tired of waiting for THE ONE, Ellie decides to have a baby on her own before it’s too late.

When Jasper Autry hears about Ellie’s plan, what else can he do but step in and offer to “contribute” to her project. Does that make him an opportunist? Whatever. He wants the perpetually out-of-reach Ellie Godfrey, and when he sees his chance, he takes it. That she’s the sister of his business partner and close friend Flynn gives him pause, but it doesn’t stop him from having what he wants.

As Jasper and Ellie embark upon their secret “project,” he makes it clear that for as long as they’re together, he’s in charge—in the bedroom anyway. After the hottest sex of her life, Ellie realizes she’s made a deal with the devil himself.

Ravenous is actually my first book by M.S. Force/Marie Force and it was a sexy, sweet read I enjoyed. I don’t particularly LOVE tropes that have anything to do with babies, nor am I a fan of BDSM romances all that much, but I thought I’d give this a try, and it turned out better than I expected! The characters were likable and the kink was not boring – I liked Ravenous enough that I’m definitely contemplating reading the rest of the series!

Ellie Godfrey’s biological clock is ticking at thirty-five, and since she really doesn’t want anything to do with men at this point, she decides to have a baby – on her own. But right before she decides to go to a clinic for some random sperm, her brother’s best friend offers to be the donor, but only if they conceive the baby the old-fashioned way. What’s a girl to do when the guy she’s always been attracted to but could never have wants to help her have a baby? Well, she obviously says YES.

British, wicked, and gorgeous, Jasper Autry has always wanted Ellie, but being best friends with her brother has kept him from ever pursuing her. He’s not cut out for a relationship, and a secret about his own heritage has him even more against relationships. But getting to be with Ellie, awakening her to his kinkier tastes of BDSM, particularly his dominance, has him wanting her more and more – until he’s not satisfied until he owns her, body, heart, and soul. Now he has to find a way to convince he wants everything with Ellie, and fight for their chance at a HEA.

Jasper is the absolute sweetest – almost too sweet at times that it got a little cheesy, I’ll admit. But I liked that he didn’t fight that hard against loving Ellie. Ellie is tough and independent – I didn’t connect with her all that much, but I still enjoyed her character. Jasper and Ellie’s romance had a few surprises I didn’t see coming, but I found myself enjoying their developing relationship and how hard they fought for their love. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like their BDSM on the lighter side and sweet, almost cheesy, romances.

Reading Order: Quantum series

#1 ~ Virtuous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Valorous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Victorious: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Rapturous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ravenous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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