ARC Review: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen
Series: Scarlett #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 19th 2015
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Only the greatest loves can survive great danger. . .

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine needs Scarlet’s help to free him. For a lifelong thief, this newfound allegiance to the crown-her family-is a strange feeling.

Scarlet knows that helping Eleanor will put her and those she loves back in Prince John’s sights. Desperate not to risk anyone’s life but her own, Scarlet formulates a plan to help save the king on her own. But fate-and her heart-won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long. Even if Scarlet and Rob can together stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England, will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

I love this series so much. Scarlet and Rob hold a special place in my heart. After reading and absolutely adoring the first two books in the series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the third and final book. It’s a bittersweet thing that we’ve come to the end of Scarlet’s incredible story. I honestly never wanted it to end – I could read about Scarlet, Rob, and the rest of the gang forever! I love A.C. Gaughen’s unique writing and the refreshing take on the Robin Hood story. This series is honestly one of the best fairytale retellings I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

As much as I loved the first two books, I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I couldn’t really get into Lion Heart in the beginning. It had been so long since I last read the second book, and it took me a while to remember everyone and to piece everything back together. But it was easy enough to just keep reading and slowly catch up on the story. In Lion Heart, Scarlet takes us readers on one last, final journey – to protect the ones she loves from the evil Prince John and to fight for the man she’s in love with.

Scarlet is such a unique, fascinating heroine that I love with all my heart. She’s a character I look at with such admiration. Despite the ways Prince John has tried to sabotage her and her loved ones, she never stops her stand against him. And not only does she fight for her loved ones, she uses her position of power as the daughter of King Richard to fight on behalf the weak and poor. And no matter how many times Prince John pushes her down, Scarlet always gets back up.

“I am not weak, and i am not broken, and I will not be hurt by you. … I am King Richard’s daughter, and I am lionhearted too.”

I’d forgotten how much I was utterly in love with not only Scarlet, but also Rob. My heart freaking flipped every time Rob appeared by Scarlet’s side, a place he’s absolutely meant to be. Rob and Scarlet both have scars, but together, they can overcome them, support one another, and fight for their future. And, oh, how my heart melted each and every time Rob showed his love and devotion towards Scarlet.

“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”

I really wish there was more at the end. If there was just a few more chapters, so I could see exactly how the characters ended up, then I would have loved this book perfectly. But I was left hanging, longing for more, even though it was a fairly concrete, solid ending.

I may not have loved this book as much as the first two, but this series overall is without a doubt one of my favorite series of all-time. It’s incredibly well-written, with a fascinating historical plot and characters you grow to love and adore. And seriously, Rob is to die. for.

“I didn’t deserve this–I couldn’t do this–until you, Scarlet. So if there’s something I’m meant for, it’s you.”

I highly, highly recommend this series! I’m so incredibly sad it’s over, but Scarlet’s story is a must read!

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

Reading Order: Scarlet series

#1 ~ Scarlet: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Lady Thief: My Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Lion Heart: Ebook • Hardcover • Goodreads

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11May2015

Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Fair Game by Monica Murphy

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Fair Game by Monica Murphy
Series: The Rules #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 12th 2015

When your boyfriend bets YOU in a poker game, you better know when to run…

Bad enough Jade Frost’s boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round…and lost. Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend.

Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.

When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. No way could he want a serious relationship with her…or could he?

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • iTunes • Kobo • B&N

Monica Murphy knows how to write sexy books, but Fair Game is adorably sweet AND sexy! I really enjoyed Shep and Jade’s story – it’s a charming new adult book with endearing characters, some hot chemistry, the occasional humor sprinkled in, and the perfect amount of angst to hit you right in the heart. I highly recommend this for Monica Murphy fans!

When Jade goes with her boyfriend to an illegal poker game hosted by Shepard Prescott and his rich friends, Jade is not a happy camper. She doesn’t want to be a part of some illegal gambling and she definitely doesn’t want to have to look at Shep, who’s playing against her boyfriend… no matter how good the rich, pompous playboy looks.

“Even his name makes him sound like an asshole. And his nickname is stupid too. Shep.” I grimace. All rich dudes have stupid nicknames. I swear. “Sounds like a dog’s name. ‘Here boy. Here Shep. Mommy’s got a treat for you’,” I sing song then roll my eyes. “Ridiculous.”
“I’ll just bet Mommy’s god a treat for him,” Kelli says, her droll voice dripping with sarcasm.

Even worse, Jade is infuriated when her boyfriend (soon to be ex) throws her into the betting pot without her permission. One thing leads to another, Jade’s (ex)boyfriend ends up losing, and Jade ends up owing a date to Shep Prescott himself.

“I hate to break it to you, Jade. But you’re my prize. And I plan on collecting.” I lean in close to her, so close I can feel her warm breath waft across my face, see the way her eyes widen the slightest bit. Her lips part, her tongue appears, touching the very center of her upper lip and my skin tightens. “How about a victory kiss for starters?”

Jade is an awesome character who takes no shit from anyone, least of all Shep. I totally admired this girl and her sassiness. At the start of the book, Jade REALLY doesn’t like Shep – he’s that rich manwhore on campus who gets anything and everything he wants, and he and his arrogance do not amuse her. I actually really loved that Jade very nearly despises Shep, because I was so looking forward to seeing how Shep would change her mind about him. And he really does. We get both Jade and Shep’s perspectives in this book, and through Shep’s POV we learn how throughout his whole life, everyone only sees him for his looks and money. And Jade is the only one who sees through to the real him. Slowly, Shep breaks down Jade’s defenses around her heart and before they both know it, they want to spend more time together, and not because of the stupid bet.

It was so much fun getting to know Jade and Shep and their story. They’re so perfect for one another and they match each other so well, despite not having much in common. Jade is not easily swayed by Shep and his natural charm, so he has to actually make an effort for her to give him the time of day. Shep has never had to lift a finger to get a girl to notice him and he’s never wanted to, but something about Jade is different from any other girl he’s met. This book is definitely not an insta-love story, though both are insanely attracted to one another from the start. I could see and feel their relationship grow, and I loved that they took the time to get to know each other better. They’re just so, so sweet together!

“You own every piece of me, baby. Just like I own every piece of you.”

I can’t forget that this book is seriously HOT! Shep has one dirty mouth on him. But as much as I loved the sexiness in Fair Game, the best part of this book was definitely the relationship development between Jade and Shep. I was able to feel them falling for one another in a real, believable way. Fair Game is a refreshing take on the typical new adult college story, and I’m so glad to have experienced Shep and Jade’s.

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

Reading Order: The Rules series

#1 ~ Fair Game: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ In the Dark: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Slow Play: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She’s a workaholic who loves her job. When she’s not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

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2May2015

ARC Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: April 30th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend…

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve …

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

First thoughts upon finished this book: Awwww!!!!! *goofy smile*

Let me tell you, I had been eagerly looking forward to Sincerely, Carter. First, it’s a friends-to-lovers romance, which I’m a total SUCKER for. And second, it’s Whitney Gracia Williams! I really enjoyed her Reasonable Doubt series so I had high expectations about Sincerely, Carter… and I adored it! I literally couldn’t stop smiling for most of the book. It’s a heartwarming, sweet, humorous friends-to-lovers romance that fans of the trope are sure to enjoy. I was addicted to Ari and Carter’s story!

“Some people come into your life for a reason, some a season, and some a lifetime.“

Whitney completely NAILED the friendship between Carter and Ari. They’ve been best friends since they were in fourth grade and they’ve been attached at the hip ever since. They’ve been through everything together and they know each other so well. I could just feel the strength of that bond of friendship between them. Everyone they know always questions whether or not they’re actually “just friends”, but Ari and Carter have honestly never thought about each other in a non-platonic way. But when Ari and Carter begin a new chapter of their lives after graduating college – Carter is off to law school and Ari is going to a culinary arts school – things start to change between them…

I turned to my left to look at Ari again, hoping that the past few minutes were a mistake–that I was in the middle of a strange daydream. That there was no way I could be this attracted to her right now–no way I could want to tell her to pull over so I could taste her lips. Both sets of them.
Holy fucking shit….

I love that it completely baffles both Ari and Carter that they feel an intense attraction towards one another. One minute they think of each other as platonic best friends, and the next… they can’t stop thinking about the other person. What they’re like naked. In bed. God, I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling at how much they realized they wanted each other. Lines are crossed and hearts are on the line and they soon come to realize that the best thing that ever happened to them has been standing next to them all along.

“I’ve loved you since fourth grade. Since fourth fucking grade. … I just didn’t know it. You’ve been there for every moment of my life and I’ve been there for yours, too. I do love you, I am in love with you, and I also know you better than you know yourself.”

I absolutely loved the banter between Carter and Ari. They send each other texts and emails that are so freaking adorable. And the flashbacks of their younger years together adds such great depth and humor to the story. The author did a fantastic job balancing the sweetness of their friendship and the sexiness of their newfound desire for each other. My only complaint is that I felt it was too abrupt when Carter and Ari started getting together. It felt a bit rushed – their friendship I connected with from the start, but the love between them took a little more time to feel. Still, this was a fantastic friends-to-lovers romance that put me in such a great mood while reading. I definitely recommend it!

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

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15Apr2015

ARC Review + Giveaway: Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren

Posted in 4 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren
Series: Beautiful Bastard #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 14th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

AN UPTIGHT BRITISH EXECUTIVE. AN ADVENTUROUS AMERICAN NEWBIE. A SEXY INTERNATIONAL SCANDAL IN THE MAKING.

New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Christina Lauren’s Beautiful and Wild Seasons series hook up in Beautiful Secret for an erotic intercontinental romp that celebrates the best of both worlds!

When Ruby Miller’s boss announces he’s sending her on an extended business trip to New York City, she’s shocked. As one of the best and brightest young engineers in London, she knows she’s professionally up to the task. The part that’s throwing her is where she’ll be spending a month up close and personal working alongside—and staying in a hotel with—Niall Stella, her firm’s top urban planning executive and The Hottest Man Alive. Despite her ongoing crush, Ruby is certain Niall barely knows she’s alive…until their flirty overnight flight makes him sit up and take notice.

Not one for letting loose and breaking rules, recently divorced Niall would describe himself as hopeless when it comes to women. But even he knows outgoing California-girl Ruby is a breath of fresh air. Once she makes it her mission to help the sexy Brit loosen his tie, there’s no turning back. Thousands of miles from London, it’s easy for the lovers to play pretend. But when the trip is over, will the relationship they’ve built up fall down?

Christina Lauren is one of my FAVORITE authors ever – I will read anything and everything they write! They write such incredible books with compelling characters that it’s hard not to fall in love with every word. When I heard they were writing a new Beautiful Bastard book, I HAD to get my hands on it. I freaking adore this series, and I couldn’t wait to read about Max’s brother Niall. I LOVE Max, and now we get to know not one but TWO sexy British men in this series!

If you’re a fan of the series, you should know that Beautiful Secret has a much different feel than the other books, though I loved it in its own way. There’s a wicked hot chemistry between the hero and heroine, but the romance between them is fumbling and slow. Nonetheless, Beautiful Secret is another winner from this fantastic author duo – it’s a sexy, sweet, adorably awkward book that fans of the series shouldn’t miss.

Ruby Miller has had a crush on Niall Stella since she first saw him at her job in London. It was so adorable how much she liked Niall – she’s an outgoing girl, but would always act shy and awkward anytime she’s around him. It made her so down-to-earth and relatable. Niall is a lot more reserved than Ruby. He’s recently divorced, but his marriage has a more lasting effect on him, making him cautious of starting a new relationship. Having been in only one relationship in his life, he’s clueless about women, and he’s clueless about Ruby’s crush on him. He nearly doesn’t know she exists, until they’re placed together on a work assignment and Niall can’t help but notice this gorgeous, passionate girl who fires him up unlike any other.

Like I said before, the romance between Niall and Ruby in this book is slow, but it doesn’t make it any less amazing. I loved the way Ruby and Niall got to slowly explore each other, in and out of bed. Ruby is sweet, loving, and patient as she coaxes Niall out of his closed-off demeanor. She’s got so much enthusiasm and fire in her that I loved this girl instantly. Niall, though, I took a while to warm up to, unlike the other Beautiful Bastard men. Niall is very unlike the other heroes of the Beautiful Bastard series – he’s different than a lot of heroes I’ve read before, actually, and it was a breath of fresh air to read about him. Because of his previous relationship, he’s withdrawn into himself – he’s not confident about himself or about women. He fumbles with Ruby, he’s a bit formal with her, but as they spend more time together, they grow more comfortable with each other. Ruby awakens in him a sexuality that he never thought he was capable of, and it’s highly sensual seeing Niall discover his desire for Ruby, and seeing him act on it. I fell in love with him gradually alongside Ruby, with this man who had so much heart but never had anyone to give it to.

What I love about Christina Lauren’s writing is that they write such real, believable characters that you don’t want to let go of. I found myself glued to the pages of Beautiful Secret, not that that’s surprising. I was surprised by the awkwardness between the characters, though the awkwardness was written in the most endearing way. This is a book about discovering yourself, to opening your heart up to another person, despite the risks, so of course there should be some fumbling during this journey. Everything about this book is painstakingly real and honest – it just took a while for me to warm up to it. I may not have loved Beautiful Secret as much as the previous two books in the series, but it’s definitely a book worth reading. I absolutely adored reading about Niall and Ruby!

Reading Order: Beautiful Bastard series

#1 ~ Beautiful Bastard: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Beautiful Bitch: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Beautiful Stranger: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Beautiful Bombshell: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Beautiful Player: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Beautiful Beginning: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.6 ~ Beautiful Beloved: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Beautiful Secret: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Beautiful Boss: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Beautiful: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 4, 2016)

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15Apr2015

ARC Review: Crushed by Lauren Layne

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Crushed by Lauren Layne
Series: Redemption #2 (full reading order)
Release Date: April 14th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what you want isn’t always what you need.

Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half-brother, Devon.

Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side.

After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?

This is my first read from Lauren Layne, but it won’t be my last! Thankfully, since I hadn’t read the previous book, each of the books in this series can be read as a standalone, though I got the gist of what happened in the previous one in this novel. I think I still might give the previous books in the Redemption series a try, since I adored Crushed! It was an easy book to read and enjoy – I highly recommend this sweet, funny, heartwarming novel about finding redemption and falling in love with the person you least expected.

Michael St. Claire left his dysfunctional, upper class family to move to Texas to find a way to meet his biological father, Tim Patterson. His relationships with his family and friends are a mess, and he’s hoping to find a place to belong during his stay in Texas. While working as a personal trainer, he meets Kristin Bellamy, who in addition to being gorgeous, has connections to the Pattersons. He’s attracted to Kristin, but she has a boyfriend, and all he really wants an in to meet the Pattersons.

“Cute,” the girl says, gesturing between Kristin and me. “If you two copulate, I’m calling Pampers to tell them I know where their next baby model is coming from.”

Chloe Bellamy is Kristin’s sister. Chloe has always lived in Kristin’s shadow and she’s not about to move out of that place anytime soon. She’s a sarcastic, feisty, straightforward girl – I loved her! She’s hilarious, relatable, and did I mention sarcastic? She’s the kind of heroine I wish I could be friends with. But underneath all the sarcasm, Chloe doesn’t have much confidence in herself, and it doesn’t help that the boy she’s in love with is her sister’s long-time boyfriend, Devon.

When Chloe and Michael meet, they’re… intrigued by each other. Chloe is unlike anyone Michael’s met, and vice versa. They banter hilariously and they discover that their companionship is easy and comfortable. When Michael become’s Chloe’s personal trainer, they spend more time together and they become somewhat friends, though Michael still keeps his secret about his father. He decides to get an in to the Pattersons through Chloe instead of Kristin now, and he offers to help Chloe get Devon to notice her. Neither of them expected that their friendship could turn into something more.

And somewhere from the vicinity of my chest, the truth sneaks up on me. I know what I really mean is I like you like this. I like you so much more than I should.

I loved the dual POV between Michael and Chloe. I got to understand them so much better that way, especially Michael. He thinks so lowly of himself – he’s a bit of a tortured hero. He’s been hurt and has hurt other people in the past, and he doesn’t believe he deserves a happy ending even though the girl who’s perfect for him is right in front of him. I loved the way their relationship grew in a gradual, realistic way. And the banter between them was the best! I was laughing so much throughout this book – it’s a light-hearted read with just the right amount of angst. I highly recommend it!

With Chloe, it’s easy to forget that I’m nobody.
Because she makes me feel like somebody.

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

Reading Order: Redemption series

#0.5 ~ Isn’t She Lovely: Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ Broken: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Crushed: Ebook • Goodreads

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