Release Day Review: Friction by Sawyer Bennett

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Friction by Sawyer Bennett
Series: A Legal Affairs Standalone (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

At the powerhouse law firm of Knight & Payne, winning comes first and ethics a distant second. Leary Michaels uses her female charms to daze opponents, and it’s always worked well—until now. On her most personal case yet, she finds herself going up against a defense attorney just as skilled, shameless, and seductive as she is.

Reeve Holloway has never met a woman as sure of her own sexuality, or as ruthless in wielding it, as Leary is. But he won’t be toyed with. What Leary starts, he’ll finish—in the courtroom, the bedroom, or any-damn-place he wants. The sex is uninhibited, electrifying, and absolutely against the rules. Reeve’s job is to ruin Leary’s case…even if it destroys her in the process and costs him the woman he’s come to love.

I loooove Sawyer Bennett!! The way she writes is just so… intelligent and mature, yet so much fun to read. Friction is actually the first Legal Affairs book I’ve read from this author, but it definitely won’t be my last! I enjoyed the heck out of Leary and Reeve’s enemies-to-lovers story. These two attorneys may be on opposing sides of a case, but bring them together and the chemistry between them is off the charts. Friction is a sexy, fun, quick-paced read that fans of the author won’t be disappointed with.

Leary Michaels has the job of her dreams working as a kickass lawyer for Knight & Payne. She’s an independent, strong, intelligent woman who owns her sexuality and isn’t afraid to use it to her benefit. And in her newest case, a case that’s near to her heart, Leary uses her feminine wiles on the opposing counsel… except she never expects for him to give as good as he gets.

How can one man be so vastly different from the others I’ve had? How can he bring me so quickly to dizzying heights? How can he fully entertain and annoy me at the same time? And how can I actually be starting to have feelings for a man who should be my sworn enemy?

Reeve Holloway may have been duped (spectacularly) by Leary upon their first meeting, but he’s not about to let this fierce, gorgeous women do it again. But one taste of her and he’s dying for more. And hot. Damn! The intense chemistry between them makes for some smokin’ hot scenes. But when the lust starts to grow into something deeper and more, can these two should-be enemies actually make a relationship work?

I had such a fun time reading Friction. Actually, I always enjoy Sawyer Bennett’s books – so just a little nudge, if you haven’t given her a try yet, you’re missing out. Her writing is fantastic – witty, intelligent, and FUN! Her characters are also always kickass, especially the women. Leary and Reeve’s story can be read completely as a standalone, though it’s a part of the Legal Affairs series, and I definitely recommend it for those who like their romances sexy and intelligent.

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

Reading Order: Legal Affairs series

McKayla & Matt:

#1 ~ Legal Affairs Vol. 1-6: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Confessions of a Litigation God: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Macy & Cal:

#1 ~ Clash: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Grind: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Yield: Ebook • Goodreads

Leary & Reeve:

Friction: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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26Oct2015

Early Review: Childstar 1 by J.J. McAvoy

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Childstar 1 by J.J. McAvoy
Series: Childstar #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Amelia London is America’s sweetheart. Noah Sloan is America’s bad boy. Both are former child stars and once were lovers. When they are cast as the leads in the upcoming erotic suspense blockbuster—Sinners Like Us—they are forced to come to terms with the issues that tore them apart to begin with.

As the whole world watches, can they keep their secrets hidden? After all, everybody is a sinner…

Even after all of these years, Amelia London was still my kryptonite, and she still didn’t know it.

Oooh!!!! This celebrity second chance romance was fantastic!! Childstar 1 is the first in a three-part serial, and I NEED the next part now! Not because of the cliffie (though there is one), but because I am just so intrigued by the characters and so addicted to the story. I love second chance romances, so this seemed right up my alley, and I wasn’t disappointed. Childstar 1 is a flat-out entertaining, addicting read about former child star lovers that I highly recommend.

Former child stars Noah Sloan and Amelia London were once in love as teenagers, until Noah broke and tore apart their hearts. Now, ten years later, both of them are trying to salvage their careers. Getting out of rehab, bad boy Noah doesn’t have many prospective roles, and Amelia is still known as a child star and as America’s ‘good girl’. The only way to jumpstart their careers is to star in Sinners Like Us, an upcoming erotic suspense blockbuster that’s based on a book with a huge fanbase.

Ever since their painful breakup, Amelia has hated Noah, and Noah has cultivated his bad boy, manwhore persona to perfection. The two of them do NOT get along, but they have to for the sake of the movie and careers. But of course, the wicked-hot chemistry between them that they had as teenagers has never gone away… and neither has their feelings for each other.

What were we now? I had no idea.
Would he hurt me? Most likely.
Would I still love him anyway? Yes.
Should I? No.

Sometimes when I read serials, I’m unsatisfied with the individual parts, because I just wanted more, you know? But Childstar 1 is a completely satisfying read – it has a beginning, middle, and end, the pacing is spot-on, there’s character development… it’s a solid first installment in a serial I know I’ll come to wholeheartedly love. Honestly, the second I picked Childstar 1 up, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve become completely invested in Noah and Amelia’s story – their characters have such great potential, and the author got me addicted to their HOT tension and Hollywood life! I really loved the Hollywood aspect of the story – the author’s writing had me fully immersed in the production of Sinners Like Us. Also, there IS a cliffhanger, but the twist at the end kind of came out of nowhere, so I didn’t really know what to make of it. It was probably the only thing I didn’t like about the book, but otherwise I have no complaints. This first part of Childstar is one you definitely need to pick up.

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

Reading Order: Childstar series

#1 ~ Childstar 1: Ebook • Goodreads (Oct. 27, 2015)
#2 ~ Childstar 2: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 10, 2015)
#3 ~ Childstar 3: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 17, 2015)

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23Oct2015

Early Review: Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker
Series: Burying Water #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.

When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner with a penchant for blackmail got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.

Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.

I’m such a big fan of K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water series, because each book I’ve read I have enjoyed so much. Surviving Ice is another solid, entertaining addition to the series – I think it might be my new favorite! I highly enjoyed Ivy and Sebastian characters, who are much different than the series’ previous characters. They are unique and refreshing, and I was addicted to their story from the start. Fans of the series won’t want to miss this intense, romantic tale between an edgy tattoo artist and a former Navy SEAL with a secret.

Ivy is a nomad at heart, never able to settle in one place for long. But for now, she’s in San Francisco, where her beloved uncle lives with his tattoo shop. She’s actually thinking about staying in SF for longer than the norm, until her uncle gets murdered – and she’s the only witness. In between having to deal with her grief and the tattoo shop that now belongs to her, she unknowingly becomes a target to a dangerous organization who wants to take her out.

I would become a reaper of sorts, delivering an end to those who needed it.
Without medals, without fanfare, but with quiet honor.

I kind of dig books whose main character is hiding his/her identity, and in the case of Surviving Ice, Sebastian – also known as Ice – is hiding one hell of an identity. A former SEAL and a mercenary, Sebastian has incredible skills he uses on targets when his employer sends him off on a mission. And his next mission is to find a missing tape that could incriminate his employer, and the only connection to that tape goes by the name of Ivy Lee.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. K.A. Tucker has a way with words that kept me hooked onto each page. She’s created incredible characters in Ivy and Sebastian, who couldn’t be more perfect together. Ivy is a sassy, strong, badass chick I admired. Sebastian is the calm and quiet kind of hero, though his character is tinged with mystery and danger. I loved how the two of them form a connection through a seven-hour long tattoo session, despite the fact that Sebastian enters Ivy’s life with a false identity. Ivy is supposed to be Sebastian’s target, but what happens when he starts falling for her, and vice versa?

Who are you, really, Sebastian?
Besides the stranger who strolled in and seized my heart?

The romance between Ivy and Sebastian developed so naturally, I applaud the author for being able to make me root for them despite the lies. And I loved how K.A. Tucker was able to weave the suspense perfectly well within the romance. The suspense is heart-pounding and nail-biting, with enough action throughout the book to keep me satisfied and never bored.

A seamless mix of romance and suspense, Surviving Ice is a brilliant NA novel not to be missed.

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

Reading Order: Burying Water series

#1 ~ Burying Water: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Becoming Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chasing River: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Surviving Ice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads (Oct. 27, 2015)

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20Oct2015

Release Day Review: The Billionaire Takes a Bride by Jessica Clare

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Billionaire Takes a Bride by Jessica Clare
Series: Billionaires and Bridesmaids #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 20th 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A lie turns to love in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Taming of the Billionaire.

Billionaire Sebastian Cabral loves his family, he just doesn’t love their reality TV show, The Cabral Empire. So when his ex-girlfriend tries to rekindle their relationship on camera, Sebastian decides that drastic measures are in order.

By day, Chelsea Hall is a happy-go-lucky, rough and tumble roller derby skater. By night, she’s still living in fear of her past. Most of all, she just doesn’t want to be alone. And she really, really doesn’t want to date.

So when their mutual friends’ upcoming wedding turns Chelsea and Sebastian into fast friends, they realize they can solve both of their problems with one life-changing lie: a quick trip down the aisle.

But with one kiss, Chelsea and Sebastian suddenly realize that their pretend relationship is more real than either of them expected….

Jessica Clare’s billionaire reads are with a doubt always auto-buy books for me, because she just never disappoints! She has such a talent for writing entertaining books – she takes these tropes and spins them in a unique, fun, and sexy way… I love them! The Billionaire Takes a Bride is Jessica Clare’s newest billionaire release, and is an utterly enjoyable, hilarious, heartwarming read. It’s a little different than her previous billionaire books, but it’s a book that surprised me in the best way. I think fans of the author will wholeheartedly enjoy it – I know I did.

The next couple in Gretchen (GOD I LOVE GRETCHEN) and Hunter’s wedding party to fall in love are Sebastian and Chelsea, two people from totally different worlds who find a connection with one another and become fast friends. Sebastian has a family that is completely over-the-top. The Cabral Empire is a reality TV show about his family, which he wants nothing to do with. Add in an ex-girlfriend who wants screen-time by trying to get back with Sebastian, and he’s had it with all the fake people in his life. Chelsea is a roller derby skater – how cool is that!? When she puts on her derby skates and uniform, she’s this kickass, fierce woman, but when she’s out of them, she’s very much still living in her past, terrified. With Sebastian though, her fears aren’t as strong – and the two of them concoct a plan to marry one another so they don’t have to deal with their problems. The marriage is supposed to be temporary, but what happens when real feelings for each other start to come up?

Chelsea Hall was now his to protect. He wouldn’t fail her. It was clear that someone had failed her in the past.
Never again.

I adored Chelsea and Sebastian. Chelsea is unlike any other heroine of Jessica Clare’s – she’s split between her strong, derby self and her more fragile, vulnerable self, but with Sebastian, she realizes she can be both. She’s a wonderful heroine who had me both laughing at her wittiness and hurting for her past. Sebastian is really just perfect for Chelsea. He’s patient, considerate, funny, and not to mention, gorgeous… I loved him so much. The way he grows to care so much for Chelsea had my heart swooning, and I just loved how determined he is to show her that their marriage doesn’t have to be temporary at all.

“You are my family, Chelsea. Don’t you get that? I love you with all of my heart and soul. If you’re not in my life, I have nothing. I don’t care if you’re the woman you think I need, but you’re the woman I want. I love you and adore you, and every minute without you is worthless.”

What I absolutely appreciated was how Jessica Clare was adamant in her story that Sebastian is not the cure to Chelsea’s problem. She’s the kind of heroine who finds the strength within herself to not let the past drown her, and for that I admire her so much. The love and support from Sebastian, though, definitely helped a long way.

Overall, The Billionaire Takes a Bride was a joy to read. A little slow sometimes, but a great read nonetheless. Jessica Clare always writes the best stories, with incredible characters, humor, and heart. If you plan on reading this book (which you should), I’d say to have a little patience, because I promise Jessica Clare will deliver.

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

Reading Order: Billionaires and Bridesmaids series

#1 ~ The Billionaire and the Virgin: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Taming of the Billionaire: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Billionaire Takes a Bride: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Billionaire on the Loose: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 20, 2016)

The Billionaires and Bridesmaids series is a spinoff series of the Billionaire Boys Club. Though it’s not necessary to read it prior to Billionaires and Bridesmaids, some recurring characters from the older series appear in the new series.

Reading Order: Billionaire Boys Club series

#1 ~ Stranded with a Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Beauty and the Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Wrong Billionaire’s Bed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Once Upon a Billionaire: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Romancing the Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ One Night with a Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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20Oct2015

Release Day Review + Paperback Giveaway (Intl): Nuts by Alice Clayton

Posted in 4 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Nuts by Alice Clayton
Series: Hudson Valley #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 20th 2015
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 Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?

Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.

I’ve simply ADORED Alice Clayton ever since her debut of the fantastic Wallbanger (which will forever be one of my favorite books of all time), and she’s now one of those authors who I will never hesitate to read. I got so excited when she announced a new series – and it’s finally here! The first book in the Hudson Valley, Nuts, is full of Alice Clayton’s classic laugh-out-loud humor, with heartwarming characters and a setting that comes to life. It’s a flat-out entertaining read that fans of the author do not want to miss.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef for Hollywood’s most famous, but after getting fired and losing most of her clients, she finds herself back home in Bailey Falls, New York for the summer, the very place she never wanted to return to ever since she escaped at 18, to run her family’s diner. An unexpected perk though, is one sexy local farmer by the name of Leo Maxwell. He’s gorgeous, knows his way around produce, has a BEARD… what more can a girl ask for?

“Go on. Try it,” he said, offering me the strawberry.
“I don’t take candy from strangers.”
“It’s not candy, and we’re not strangers. We painted together.”
“And fell down a few times.”
“Exactly,” he nodded, holding it out once more. “Put this in your mouth.”
“That’s exactly what a stranger might say,” I said, but opened up.

Neither Roxie nor Leo are looking for anything long-term, so a summer fling is the perfect solution for them. And oh, how much fun the two of them have. Roxie and Leo make the most ADORABLE couple ever, in between Roxie’s hilarious way of flirting, Leo’s laid-back, sexy-as-hell charm, and even some vegetable jokes…

“Did you bring me anything else?”
He brought his face back to mine, tinged with the slightest of blush. “I hesitate to say it now.”
“What did you bring?” I asked, shaking his shoulders.
He buried his head once again into my neck. “A really big zucchini” was the muffled reply, and I threw my head back and laughed.

I loooove how much Roxie hates bees – because I so feel you, girl. Over half of the laugh-out-loud moments for me were about Roxie running away from bees, I swear. Leo and Roxie are so sweet and playful in this book. I do wish the pacing of their romance moved a little faster, and I’m still side-eyeing that plot twist, but other than that, Nuts is one hilarious, AWESOME read. And just a warning, if you like food (who doesn’t!?), you will seriously go hungry while reading this book.

I definitely recommend this book if you like your romances with a light-hearted tone and tons of humor. I don’t know how Alice Clayton does it, but every time, her heroines are so ridiculous, funny, and adorable in the most natural, believable way. I loved Roxie, and Leo of course. Nuts is a fantastic start to a series I have no doubt will become a new fan favorite, and I can’t wait for more!

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

Reading Order: Hudson Valley series

#1 ~ Nuts: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Cream of the Crop: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

I have a PAPERBACK of NUTS by Alice Clayton to give away, open internationally!

There are three ways to enter to win:
1. On the post on my Facebook page
2. Following & RTing the pinned tweet on my Twitter
3. Comment below!

I’ll be choosing one winner (open intl!) randomly from all of the entries! Giveaway ends 10/23.

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