Release Day Review: Dare to Take by Carly Phillips

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Dare to Take by Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Love #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

A one night stand.
A secret.
A mistake they tried to forget.

On leave from the army, Tyler Dare is just looking for a little fun, but his best friend’s sister is off limits. Yet unable to deny how sexy and alluring she is, he finds it all too easy to succumb to a night of passion and heat that ends the next morning in the worst way possible.

There are just some guys you don’t touch–even someone as innocent and inexperienced as Ella Shaw knows that. But when her brother’s best friend is up for grabs and willing, she can’t resist. After all, she’s wanted him for years…

Now, Ella is stranded on a tropical island with a hurricane bearing down, and only Tyler can save her. It’s his chance to make amends for the past and show the woman he’s never forgotten that he’s coming after her . . . in more ways than one.

I’d previously never read a Carly Phillips book before Dare to Take, but I wanted to read this one because I’m a sucker for the best friend’s older brother trope! I actually zipped through this book so fast – it’s a fun, quick-paced second chance romance that I’d definitely recommend for lovers of the trope!

Ella’s had a crush on her best friend’s brother, Tyler, for ages – but the one night they were together? He shot out of town without even saying goodbye. So to say Ella’s resentful is an understatement, which is why she doesn’t want to be stranded on a tropical island with the man who broke her heart. But the chemistry that existed all those years ago seems to never have died – can Ella resist Tyler when it seems like he’s trying to make amends… and maybe try a relationship again?

Former soldier Tyler Dare has never been able to forget the Ella and their night together, and the guilt he holds only builds as the years go by and he never apologizes. But now that he has the chance, he’s taking it – and taking Ella. Tyler may have a habit of running when things get tough, but he’s now realizing what a good thing he’d have with Ella. Plus, his protective instincts roar to life when they find out that someone’s out to steal something from Ella by any means necessary.

She was everything he’d never known he wanted or needed in his life.

Dare to Take can be read entirely as a standalone, which I was thankful for. After reading this, I’m intrigued now about the other Dare siblings, and I just might read the other books in the series. Carly Phillips wrote a seriously fun and sweet contemporary romance – it’s fairly predictable, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment. This is the perfect read to get your mind off of things and spend a few hours with a lovely romance.

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

Reading Order: Dare to Love series

#1 ~ Dare to Love: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Dare to Desire: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Dare to Touch: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Dare to Hold: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Dare to Rock: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Dare to Take: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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28Apr2016

Audiobook Review: Bounty by Kristen Ashley

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Bounty by Kristen Ashley
Series: Colorado Mountain #7 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: April 18th 2016
Length: 21 hours and 7 minutes
Narrated by: Emma Taylor
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty.

Even so, she’s inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet’s soul. Which means she’s still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less…that’s more.

And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado and decides to stay.

Deke Hightower lost everything at the age of two. He lost it again at fifteen. His life has not been about bounty. It’s been about learning to live with less, because there’s no way to get more.

Deke’s also watched all his friends go down to the women who gave them what they needed. He wants that for himself. But he knows that search isn’t going to be easy because he’s a rider. His home is the road. That’s the only place he can breathe. And the woman who takes her place at his side has to do it sitting on the back of his bike.

When Deke meets Justice, he knows she’s not that woman. She’s cute. She’s sweet. And she’s into him, but she’s got it all and Deke knows he won’t fit into that. So he holds her at arm’s length. Establishes boundaries. And Justice will take it because she wants Deke any way he’ll let her have him.

But when Justice finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game, Deke makes a decision.

When he does, he has no idea he’s just opened himself up to bounty.

Every time I start one of Kristen Ashley’s audiobooks, I know it’ll be worth the listen. All of them have great narrators and even better stories. I love audiobooks that are LONG too, so these are pretty much perfect for me. 20+ hours of listening is a little daunting, but the length is totally worth it when it’s KA. Bounty, the latest standalone in her Colorado Mountain series, is another winner – it’s got KA’s classic, endearing characters, a sweeping romance, and overall, just a feel-good mood that lifted my spirits as I listened. It’s a heartwarming story that takes you on a gradual journey of falling in love – if you love audiobooks, this series, or this author, Bounty is a must-listen!

Seven years ago, Deke and Justice met and connected instantly – but after a failed date where Deke never showed up, Justice moved on and went on to become a well-known singer, whose hit song was inspired by the very man who stood her up. Now, their lives cross paths again – this time, Justice is ready to settle down from her rock star life and build a life for herself… and Deke is the man hired to renovate her house. While Justice remembers everything about Deke, he doesn’t recognize her at all, but the attraction between them is still very much present and palpable. Deke is known to be a nomad, never wanting to settle down in any place, while Justice wants to build a home for herself. Will these two be able to turn their newfound friendship into something meaningful and bountiful, or will they always be fated to cross paths but never come together?

Bounty is a slow-building kind of story – from Justice and Deke’s slowly growing friendship, to their blossoming feelings for each other, to their relationship developing in an organic, steady pace, all of this takes time and patience to build. KA takes you along for the sweet ride, step by step besides these two wonderful characters as they discover a forever kind of love they never expected to find. I was surprised by how light-hearted and optimistic Bounty was, which is most likely thanks to Justice’s characters. She’s a sweetheart of a heroine, always looking at the bright side of things and persevering to have the kind of life that’s full of love she’s always dreamed of. And Deke, while normally stoic and gruff, finds a lightness within himself whenever he’s with Jussie. These two characters are just perfect together!

There’s always a magical feel in KA’s romances, and I definitely felt that as I listened to Bounty. If you’re a romance lover, I highly encourage you to give her audiobooks a try. Emma Taylor, while a little monotonous at times, did a great job with the little subtleties in accents between different characters. She really brought all the Colorado Mountain characters to life. So definitely use that credit to get Bounty – it’s totally worth the listen!

Reading Order: Colorado Mountain series

#1 ~ The Gamble: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet Dreams: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Lady Luck: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Breathe: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Jagged: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~Kaleidoscope: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Bounty: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Bounty!

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26Apr2016

Release Day Review: Ladies Man by Katy Evans

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Ladies Man by Katy Evans
Series: Manwhore #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 26th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

TAHOE ROTH.
Irreverent, cocky, playful and naughty.
He’s not the guy you date.
He’s the one night stand.
The one your mother warned you about.
The one your body craves.

You’d think the man who called me succulent would want to strip me down and spread me out on his bed—like he’s done with countless others.
But he passed on my offer….
Just like I’d once passed on his.
He’s wary, like I am.
He’s broken, like I am.
And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.
Tahoe and I are strictly friends.
So I distract myself with other men.
He doesn’t think my new man is good enough. This blond blue-eyed beast doesn’t think any man is—himself included.
But the more time we spend together, the more confused I feel.
I’m trying to open myself to love.
Yet I’m quickly realizing that the only man I want is Tahoe Roth.
The one man who will surely break my heart.

“Love should make you feel good about yourself and about the person you are when you’re with the one you love. Love should make you feel accepted as you are.”

I have yet to not love a Katy Evans book – she’s one of my favorite auto-buy authors, because she really never disappoints. I absolutely ADORED Rachel and Saint’s story in the Manwhore series, and Gina and Tahoe’s characters had me endlessly curious about their own possible romance. So Ladies Man was a dream come true – you don’t even know my level of excitement when I received an ARC! I dove straight into Gina and Tahoe’s story and practically didn’t come up for air for a second. And once again, Katy Evans stunned me with a powerful romance that swept me away and left me breathless for more. I did have one major problem with the book (sad face), but everything else was PERFECT. I have to admit, Ladies Man isn’t quite like the author’s other books, but if you loved the Manwhore series, you’ll seriously want to get your hands on this one.

Beast. Stud. He’s hot. Irreverent. Insatiable. Incorrigible. Pure I, I, I—cause he’s selfish too, and he’ll never care for anyone more than he cares about Tahoe.

Tahoe Roth is manwhore personified. He’s alpha, charming, cocky, flirty, and the biggest player there is. He has no shame in the number of women he beds – and why should he? He’s not in a relationship, and he’s never going to be. Which is unfortunate for Gina, who’s got the biggest crush on him, but won’t risk breaking her heart over him. She’s already been through enough in her life – she’s never been a priority to anyone, and her self-esteem has taken hit after hit because of her parents and her ex. How can she survive being brought down again if Tahoe tosses her away like he does with every other woman?

Gina and Tahoe stay firmly in the friend zone, despite the roaring attraction they have for each other. The chemistry they have – it’s sizzling. Every glance, every touch, every text, every conversation is leaden with desire. Seriously, this book is HOT. It might be Katy Evans’ hottest one, despite the fact that it’s probably got the least number of sex scenes out of all her books. The build-up and tension between Gina and Tahoe were what made this book so addicting, I devoured it in one sitting.

He’s my best friend. The only person I love to be with, want to be with, always. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted like this.

Gina is the sweetest heroine ever. I felt terribly for this girl, for the fact that even though she’s got the biggest, kindest, most loving heart ever, no one besides her two best friends has ever cared about her the way she cares about them and everyone else in her life. She’s been left behind again and again… except with Tahoe. Tahoe, who has never once let her down when she needed him. With him, she doesn’t feel like the broken person she believes she is. And the amazing this is, Tahoe feels the same way about Gina. In Ladies Man, these two beautifully broken characters go on an amazing journey of discovering not just love, but themselves as well – and it was a joy to read.

“I love you.” He looks at me. “I love every part of you. I could be a thousand miles away from you, stay away from you my whole life, put an ocean between us, take a million other women in my arms, and you’re still the one I want, the only woman on my mind.”

The only reason I can’t give this five hearts though… is the fact that Tahoe just CANNOT keep it in his pants in the beginning of the book. I HATED that he kept sleeping with other women even with his and Gina’s growing feelings for each other – but I don’t consider this cheating because he’s technically not with Gina at this point. Still, I love loyalty in my heroes, and Tahoe doesn’t have much until the second half of the book. So if you’re not a fan of main characters being with other people in your romances, this book probably won’t be the best read for you. But if you’re curious whether a ladies man change his ways for good? The answer is a big, fat YES. 😉

I adored this book. I didn’t love everything about it, but I adored it all the same. The writing and the character development are absolutely incredible – Katy Evans brings her A-game in this novel. I also looooved seeing more of Rachel and Saint! They play a bigger part in this book than I expected, which I’m so happy about. Ladies Man truly made me feel – angry, happy, frustrated, giggly, swoony – everything. It’s an emotionally raw and heart-wrenching book that I highly recommend.

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

Reading Order: Manwhore series

#1 ~ Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Manwhore +1: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Ms. Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Ladies Man: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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24Apr2016

Release Day Review: Sidebarred by Emma Chase

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sidebarred by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #3.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 24th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Join Jake & Chelsea, Stanton & Sofia, Brent & Kennedy as they navigate the hilarious and heartwarming hurdles of love, life and the law in this final addition to the Legal Briefs Series.

There was a time when Jake Becker had it all together. He was controlled, driven, ruthless—in and out of the courtroom.

Then, six irresistible orphans and their heartbreakingly beautiful aunt crashed into his perfectly ordered life. They changed everything. They changed him. Now he’s a husband, an upstanding member of society, a father figure—a family man.

And he’s pretty damn good at it.

Sure, he has to referee sibling smackdowns, re-learn algebra, ensure his clients stay of jail, and keep his wife happy—but it finally feels like he’s got it together again….

So, of course something has to screw it all up. It’s huge. Life-changing. Kind of terrifying.

And it will be the most amazing, perfect thing he’ll ever do.

Sustained is without doubt my FAVORITE in the Legal Briefs series, so when I heard that we would be getting a little more of Jake, Chelsea, and the McQuaid children, I jumped for joy. Sidebarred is an incredible follow-up, not just to Sustained, but to the entire series. Even though this is very much about Jake, Chelsea, and the kids, we also get a lot of Stanton and Sofia, Brent and Kennedy. If you love this series, you definitely need to get your hands on this novella!

We’ve been married for about two years and there hasn’t been a single morning when I didn’t wake with a smile tugging at my lips. Not one fucking time. Because she’s beside me—half on top of my—and the six little shits we love more than anything are tucked safely away upstairs. They’re all really good sleepers. That’s key.

Jake and Chelsea are married and settled down. It’s not easy raising six children, but they do it, and they do it well, mostly because everything is an organized chaos. But when Chelsea tells Jake that her period is late (in the most hilarious conversation ever), the two of them are excited – but terrified too. Can they handle one more addition to their family?

She’s my love, my home, the solace to my soul, the keeper of my heart, the center of my entire fucking world. The only reason I really believe in my own goodness is because I see it reflected in her eyes.

If you know Emma Chase (and why wouldn’t you), then you know that she rocks at male POV and comedy. She brings out her best once again in Sidebarred – not only is Jake a funny, sarcastic SOB, all of the McQuaid children are a riot. There’s never a dull moment in their home, and I honestly couldn’t stop smiling while reading this. Seeing this little glimpse at what happens after the happily-ever-after was delightful. This novella is sugary-sweet and laugh-out-loud funny – and it’s got the most perfect epilogue ever! Again, if you’ve read Sustained (or the whole series), I highly encourage you to read this follow-up – you won’t regret it!

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

Reading Order: The Legal Briefs series

#1 ~ Overruled: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sustained: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Appealed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Sidebarred: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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19Apr2016

Release Day Review: Worth It All by Claudia Connor

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Worth It All by Claudia Connor
Series: The McKinney Brothers #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 19th 2016
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

She’s fighting for control. . . . Paige Roberts learned to fend for herself growing up. Now she’s doing everything possible to give her daughter, Casey, the stability she never had. But when the vivacious five-year-old decides she’s done wearing her prosthesis, Paige faces her toughest challenge yet: trusting a handsome, brooding stranger who simply wants to help.

He’s struggling to connect. . . . JT McKinney lost more than his leg in a car accident that stole his dreams of pro football. Eight years later, he’s made a new life for himself far away from his old one. His business is developing cutting-edge prosthetics and he’s more than happy to turn his attention to machines instead of people. Still, he can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.

Will they take a chance on love? . . . When JT gets the chance to help Paige’s daughter, he takes it. He never planned on the two of them tearing down his walls or teaching him to believe in himself again. Paige might not believe in happily ever afters, but JT wants more than anything to be her prince. They’ll both have to let go of the past if they want a future.

I love The McKinney Brothers!! Well, the two books I’ve read of the three in the series. The first, Worth the Fall, is one of my favorite audiobooks ever, so when I had the chance to read the third, I jumped right in. I’m such a sucker for romances where the hero who falls for a single mom and her child(ren) – my heart just melts reading about a sexy alpha turning into mush for a child. Gah! So Worth It All was pretty much the perfect contemporary romance for me – it’s sweet, heart-melting, drama-free, and did I mention sweet?

What would it be like? To love a man and have him love you back. To be with one person forever and make a real family like the ones she’d seen here. She hadn’t thought it was real. Hadn’t believed in it at all.

Paige Roberts has been working her butt off to provide for her 5-year-old daughter, Casey, everything that she never had as a child – safety, security, stability, love. It’s not easy working two jobs while also caring for a daughter who doesn’t want to wear her leg prosthesis anymore. But when a gorgeous, kind-hearted man enters her life who has the power to help not only Casey, but also Paige, will Paige be willing to risk her heart for love?

JT McKinney’s life was turned upside down after a car accident causes him to lose his leg, his football scholarship, and something even more devastating that still haunts him to this day. He’s got scars inside and out, but he’s been able to pick himself up and become a biomedical engineer who uses his experiences as an amputee to help develop top-of-the-line prosthetic equipment. Jake is a GOOD guy – and when he meets Paige, he wants to do everything he can to make life easier for her. He’s utterly sweet and sexy with Paige, always there for her and making her feel like the amazing woman and mother that she is. And Jake with her daughter Casey? SWOOON!!! I died every time these two were together. Understandably, Paige is wary of starting anything with a man, but Jake is determined to make her see that the three of them would make the perfect family.

He loved Casey and Paige more than himself. He wanted to give them everything, wanted to do what was best for them. And he always would.

Worth It All is a heartfelt, gentle love story that will leave you with a smile on your face. The pages flew by quickly and easily – I really didn’t want to put it down. If you love a hero who is perfect with children and want to read a romance that won’t disappoint, I highly recommend this book – and series!

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

Reading Order: The McKinney Brothers series

#1 ~ Worth the Fall: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Worth the Risk: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Worth It All: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads

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