Tag Archives: adult

ARC Review: Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by

Worked Up by Tessa Bailey
Series: Made in Jersey #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 1st 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Does Tessa Bailey ever disappoint!? Since Worked Up is another fabulous read from her, that would be a resounding no. Tessa is the queen of dirty talk and alpha males, but this time she’s introduced us to the Pouty Man Bear (PMB) known as Duke Crawford. He’s big, burly, hairy, sexy, and likes to keep to himself… that is, until Samantha Waverly enters his life. I loved seeing this giant of a man turn to mush for a woman – and his dirty mouth was a plus too. If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey, I don’t need to tell you to read this, because you probably will, but for those who haven’t experience the wonder that is a TB book, Worked Up will seriously get you worked. up.

Duke has no time for women when he’s got his four divorced sisters living in his home. He’s committed to being single for life, but when Samantha walks into the same bar he’s at, he suddenly can’t seem to focus on SportsCenter or his beer anymore. He feels the strange urge to protect her, to be around her more, but she’s a fellow commitment-phobe herself. Can the two of them ever have a relationship when neither of them imagined ever being in one?

“I see you, sweetheart. Now see the only man who’s going to give you everything in return.”

Samantha is utterly adorable, quirky, and awkward. She can’t help but make the corniest jokes and puns every time she opens her mouth, but luckily Duke likes that about her. She’s hilarious and endearing… and she’s got a problem only Duke can fix. Will Sam be able to keep her heart out of the equation when they’re forced in close proximity, or will this sexy PMB be able to change her stance on relationships?

“I was your warrior our first night, wasn’t I, Sam?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I’m going to be for the rest of my life. For you. Until you’re sure of me, I’ll go to battle and win my woman.”

Worked Up was so much FUN to read. The sweet, funny moments between Sam and Duke stole my heart and had me smiling like crazy. The chemistry between them had me on fire (obviously, it’s Tessa Bailey). Tessa’s dirty talk seems to only get dirtier and better (or is that the same thing?) with each book – I can’t even imagine what she’ll come up with in future books. Duke and Sam were a total win in this book – but what I’m excited for now is the next Made in Jersey, which will be Tessa’s first M/M romance. I can’t WAIT to get my hands on it!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Made in Jersey series

Crashed Out by Tessa Bailey Rough Rhythm by Tessa Bailey Thrown Down by Tessa Bailey 

#1 ~ Crashed Out: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Rough Rhythm: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Thrown Down: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Worked Up: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wound Tight: Goodreads (Dec. 5, 2016)

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Release Day Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by

Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

Just What I Needed by Lorelei James
Series: Need You #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same. He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

Oh my gosh!!! I loved this book. LOVED! I was in the mood for a light-hearted, fun contemporary romance, and Lorelei James delivered perfectly. I really enjoyed the first book in the Need You series, but Just What I Needed is definitely my favorite of the series so far. The hero is swoony and perfect, the heroine is down-to-earth and quirky, and the romance between them is so freaking sweet! My heart was seriously so happy with this book. I highly recommend this one for those who love contemporary romances!

“From the moment I saw you, I felt that same unexplainable pull.”

Artist Trinity Carlson has just lost a commission and she’s turned to a dive bar to drown out her misery. But even there she can’t catch a break, because she spots her ex and the girl he was cheating on with. Things turn around when Trinity catches the eye of a gorgeous, bearded man – and she literally walks up to him to give this stranger a kiss. But once they sit down and start a conversation, they find out their connection isn’t just on a physical level, and she leaves him her number with hope for more.

I thought I was totally over the lumbersexual thing, but Lorelei James has proved me wrong with Walker Lund. This man is just… perfect! He’s sweet, patient, considerate – all things that mesh perfectly with an artist who has her ups and downs and will sometimes spend days in her artist zone. Walker considers himself the black sheep of the family since he doesn’t work at the Lunds’ billion-dollar company, even though he co-owns a construction company. He’s that rare type of hero who wants to find love, and he has hopes of creating a family of his own. He’s sexy as hell and very much determined to win over Trinity, the woman he wants to build a family with – I loved how single-minded he was about her!

You make me happier than anyone I’ve ever met. When I’m with you, for the first time in my life I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Trinity and Walker’s romance was heart-warming and had me entertained from start to finish. It’s a total feel-good read – I adored the main characters and the Lund family is such a hoot. I’m really hoping that we’ll get stories for the rest of the family (especially Jaxson!) because I don’t want to let go of them just yet! The only thing I wish there was more of? Steam. It’s pretty light in this book, even less than I feel like there was in the previous one. Still, the chemistry between the main characters is fantastically written, and I’d still recommend this book even if you like steamy reads like I do. It’s such a great romance – I loved it!

4.5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Need You series

What You Need by Lorelei James Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

#1 ~ What You Need: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Just What I Needed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by

The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker
Series: The McKays #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Desire won’t take no for an answer in The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

In the small Southern town of McKay’s Treasure, everybody knows that the handsome local police chief, Gideon Marshall, has been carrying a torch for Moira McKay. It’s also no secret that Moira has been rejecting Gideon since…forever. But after an attack from a mysterious stranger bent on taking down the McKay family, Moira becomes filled with distrust toward most men. Now she wonders whether she’s been wrong about Gideon all along—and if it’s not too late to admit him back into her life…and into her bed…

Gideon has finally convinced his wasted heart to give up on Moira, who he’s loved since he was sixteen years old. Moira’s attack changes everything, however—and he vows to protect her. But how much is he willing to risk for a woman who’s always kept him at bay…until now? And is it too late for Moira to tell him that her love for him has always been locked deep in her heart—and he holds the key?

I LOVED the second book in the McKays series, so when I had the chance to read the next book, I couldn’t wait to start it! I also adore second chance romances too, so Gideon and Moira’s story should’ve been perfect for me. But sadly, I just never grew invested in their romance and the suspense/mystery was a little tedious to read. It wasn’t a bad read, but I didn’t love it the way I hoped I would. If you’ve kept up with the series, then you probably want to give this a try, otherwise it’s a little hard to read The Right Kind of Trouble as a standalone.

Moira McKay was Gideon Marshall’s childhood sweetheart, before she ripped his heart out and threw him away. Now in their 30s, they’re still in love with each other, but the years have drifted them too far apart for Moira to ever try to make up for what she did. Gideon is trying to move on with another woman, but when Moira’s life becomes at risk, he’s back in her life once again, unable to resist the only woman he’s ever loved. Will Moira be able to earn his forgiveness – and will Gideon take her back?

Small town romances are usually so sweet, so it was a nice change to read one with a mystery. Unfortunately, the suspense didn’t really have me hooked, so I was mainly focused on Moira and Gideon’s romance, which was a little heartbreaking and angsty. I really liked the hero and was impressed with the way he never stopped loving the heroine, though I was glad he tried to move on after what she put him through. I wish Moira had taken action sooner than she did regarding Gideon – SO many years have gone by, and just now is she trying to win him back. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, this story might be a little confusing, so I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order. If you have read the series, The Right Kind of Trouble is a fairly good conclusion to the McKay family. I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy seeing how everything ended up!

3 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: The McKays series

 

#1 ~ Headed for Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Trouble with Temptation: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Right Kind of Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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ARC Review: Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by

Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan
Series: Devil’s Rock #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Hell hath no hunger like a man let out of a cage . . .

Shy and awkward, First Daughter Grace Reeves has always done what she’s told. Tired of taking orders, she escapes her security detail for a rare moment of peace. Except her worst nightmare comes to life when a ruthless gang of criminals abducts her. Her only choice is to place her trust in Reid Allister, an escaped convict whose piercing gaze awakens something deep inside her. Reid is nothing like her other captors.

He’s tougher, smarter…and one blistering look from him makes her hotter than any man ever has.

Reid spent years plotting escape and revenge . . .years without a woman in his bed. For this hardened felon, Grace Reeves isn’t just out of his league—she’s from another planet, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Escaping Devil’s Rock was tough, but resisting this woman could be the end of him. For a man with nothing to lose, protecting her . . . claiming her as his own, becomes more necessary than his next breath.

I’d been excited for Hell Breaks Loose since I really enjoyed the first Devil’s Rock book, All Chained Up! While I didn’t like this second book quite as much as the first, it’s still a fairly good suspenseful, action-filled steamy romance. I love the idea of the heroes being ex-convicts – although technically, Reid is still a convict… just an escaped one. 😉

Grace Reeves is the daughter of the President, and her life with her political father has been anything but fun. She has no freedom and no social life – so one day, she decides to escape it all. But she must have terrible luck, because instead of freedom, she finds herself kidnapped and held hostage by a gang.

When Reid Allister escapes prison and is on the run to find his younger brother, the last thing he expects is for his brother and the bad gang he got involved with to have kidnapped the President’s daughter. Prison may have tainted his soul, but Reid would never hurt a woman, and somehow finds himself to be Grace’s protecter, unbeknownst to the gang. They think Reid will be delivering her to their boss, but Reid will make sure that no harm comes to her.

The chemistry between Reid and Grace is definitely my favorite part of the story. From the moment they meet, they feel a connection with each other, despite their reluctance. Grace doesn’t want to fall for her dark and dangerous kidnapper, and Reid doesn’t want to fall for anyone, much less the President’s daughter. But while I liked the passion they have for each other, I did feel that the romance was a bit too Stockholm Syndrome-y for my taste.

One other problem I had with this book was that it was really, really slow. I grew a little bored at times and had to skim to parts with more action or romance. If you have a lot of patience with your romances or you love slow-burn, you’ll probably enjoy this more, but I think I just wasn’t in the mood for something slow when I read Hell Breaks Loose. Nonetheless, I did enjoy some parts of it, and if you were a fan of the first book in the Devil’s Rock series, you’ll probably enjoy this too.

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Devil’s Rock series

 

#1 ~ All Chained Up: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hell Breaks Loose: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne

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To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne

To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne
Series: The Wedding Belles #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international conman just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Burke’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet, if slightly spoiled, hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse springs.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister’s fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Lauren Layne is my go-to author for fun and flirty contemporary romances. She pretty much never disappoints, and she delivers another winner with To Have and to Hold! This book is the first in the Wedding Belles series, featuring wedding planners who witness not only others’ HEAs, but their own as well. I freaking adored this book, and I have no doubts the series will keep on getting better. If you’re a contemporary romance lover, you have to check this one out! I had so much fun reading it – Seth and Brooke’s way to their HEA is utterly sweet and romantic, with the perfect amount of steam to round it off.

After the wedding fiasco where her con-man groom gets arrested at the altar, Brooke’s wedding planner days in Los Angeles are over. Luckily she gets the chance to start again in NYC with the Wedding Belles, one of the most popular and top-notch wedding planning businesses there is. Her first client is a hotel heiress named Maya – but it’s Maya’s older brother who will prove to be a pain in Brooke’s side. Seth and Brooke get off to a rough start, mainly because Seth is nowhere near agreeable with his sister’s fiancé, so with every meeting there are lusty glares and a simmering tension between the two. Their chemistry is my absolute favorite part of the story – I was seriously hooked onto it and just waiting for when these two characters would finally act on their desires.

Lauren Layne had me glued to the pages as she builds up the romance and tension. Brooke and Seth are two wonderful characters, both strong, independent, yet vulnerable, and I loved reading how they broke down each others’ walls. And there’s also so much going on with Maya’s wedding as well that there’s really never a dull moment in this book. To Have and to Hold is entertaining from start to finish, and with a sweet romance that’s both intense and heartwarming, what’s not to love about it?

If you’re a fan of the author, you won’t want to miss this new series. There are weddings and love and romance and everything that makes for the perfect, sweet summer read. I’m already so excited for the rest of the Wedding Belles series – I have crazy high expectations for the next two books, and I know LL won’t let me down!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Wedding Belles series

 To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne

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

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