Release Day Review: Broken Play by Samantha Kane

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Broken Play by Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 1st 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Perfect for fans of Shayla Black and Lexi Blake, the deeply sensual new Birmingham Rebels series introduces an unforgettable team of chiseled football gods—and the daring, provocative games they play behind closed doors.

Birmingham Rebels offensive linemen Beau Perez and Cass Zielinski are inseparable, on and off the field. Cass, the captain with the cowboy swagger, is a loose cannon. Beau, the veteran tight end, is cool under pressure. And ever since they were caught on tape in a steamy threesome, their exploits have fueled more than a few tabloid headlines—and naughty fantasies.

Marian Treadwell knows all about the video. And now that she’s the Rebels’ new assistant offensive coach, she can’t look at Beau and Cass without picturing their hard, naked bodies—with her pressed in between. Marian would like nothing more than to indulge those impulses, but she knows better than to get too close to her players, a bunch of adrenaline-fueled alpha males who don’t always follow the rules.

Just the thought of sharing the gorgeous yet guarded Marian drives Cass wild. At first, Beau isn’t sure she’s right for them . . . and lately, all he desires is a little alone time with Cass to explore their new intimacy. But it’s only a matter of time before Cass breaks through both of their defenses. Because when seduction is the game plan, he always plays to win.

Wow – this sports romance is definitely different from what I’m used to! Broken Play is a menage romance, and a CRAZY hot and kinky one at that! I actually kind of loved it – I was in the perfect mood for some hot, smutty goodness, and Broken Play certainly delivered.

Marian Treadwell has just become the new coach to the red-headed stepchild of the football league, the Birmingham Rebels. They’re the team with all the misfits, but Marian plans to whip the team up in shape to win. What she doesn’t plan on is feeling a fiery-hot chemistry with the team’s captain, Cass, and his best friend Beau. Marian has always had fantasies of taking part in a menage, so lucky for her that Cass and Beau have their sights set on her right after their first meeting.

Cass and Beau are a bit in love with each other, but the only way they have to show their love is through a woman. So threesomes are their MO, but once they meet Marian, they plan on winning her heart and keeping her for themselves. I loved how alpha and possessive Cass and Beau were around Marian, though in different ways. Cass is the dominant one with a temper, while Beau is the more sweet and charming one. They are certainly alpha-males, but it’s also so clear how much the both of them love, respect, and care about Marian.

I loved getting to know the players on the Birmingham Rebels team. I was pleasantly surprised by how funny this book was! Cass and Beau are great, but I really enjoyed learning more about their teammates, especially Tyler. His book is next, and I can’t wait for it!

And holy hell, this menage romance is H.O.T!!! Seriously, you will need a fan when you read this book. There are kinky threesomes, some yummy M/M, and even an orgy at the end. This is definitely not your typical sports romance, but if you’re open-minded and in the mood for something hot and kinky, I highly recommend this book.

SEXUAL CONTENT: M/F/M, M/M/F, M/M, + an ORGY

Reading Order: Birmingham Rebels series

#1 ~ Broken Play: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Calling the Play: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads

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30Aug2015

Audiobook Review: A Love Called Simon by Sandi Lynn

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

A Love Called Simon by Sandi Lynn
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Publication Date: August 25th 2015
Length: 5 hours and 50 minutes
Narrated by: Erin Mallon & Mark Boyett
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

No more men.
No more rich men.

That was what I vowed when I left New York and moved to Seattle until I met Simon Young, CEO of Young International, one of the largest luxury hotel chains in the world. He desired me and I let him. I was fully aware of his love for women and his hatred for relationships but I decided to play his game. I had a void that needed to be fulfilled and Simon Young was the man who could do it. Entering into a physical relationship only was the plan. No strings and no emotions allowed. But plans are made to be changed and rules are meant to be broken. We grew closer and I was falling in love, but Simon had a secret. A secret that would destroy everything. He was about to lose me and I was willing to walk away.

A Love Called Simon is the first book I’ve read by Sandi Lynn, and it’s a fairly short and sweet audiobook that I enjoyed for the most part. I find myself enjoying audiobooks so much easier than I would if I read the same book, and I generally bump up the rating if I love the narrators, which I did for A Love Called Simon. So while I loved the narration for this book, the story was a bit over-the-top and unbelievable, though I really enjoyed the heroine’s character.

Gabby has been with her boyfriend, Brendon, for six years, even though he mentally and verbally abuses her. My heart went out to Gabby from the beginning, since she has such low self-esteem. She can’t seem to leave Brendon, though, because he’s the only man to have shown her love, in his twisted way. When they’re on a flight home from Vegas, Gabby makes eye contact with a handsome stranger who witnesses Brendon being horrible to Gabby, and ends up showing her kindness and helping her out on the flight. When she’s back home, she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous gentleman, even though she knows she’ll probably never see him again.

Gabby’s life starts to unravel when she gets laid off from work, only to come home and find Brendon cheating on her in their bed. She rightfully dumps him and runs to Seattle, where her best friend Gianna lives. Gianna was an interesting character, since she had a more prominent role than just that of a secondary character. As we follow Gabby’s story, we also get to see Gianna’s, who is in a relationship with a married man who supposedly will leave his wife for her.

It’s in Seattle that Gabby once again sees the handsome stranger from her flight, but she’s not about to trust him – or any man – since she was burned by Brendon. Gabby finds herself a job at Young International and is completely shocked to find out the CEO, Simon Young, is actually the man she never stopped thinking about. Gabby tries to keep a safe distance from him, but Simon is determined to have Gabby, and what Simon wants, Simon gets.

Simon is very much that rich, dominating, alpha sort of hero, and while Gabby fell for him, I… didn’t. He was just too alpha and controlling. He’s a millionaire and CEO, sure, but he was too entitled to things and very unreasonable with Gabby. Thankfully, he learns to compromise at the risk of losing the woman he’s fallen for. Their romance is very quick but passionate – I liked it, but I wish there could’ve been more to their story that was fleshed out.

The best part of this audiobook was definitely the narrators. I’m a huge fan of Erin Mallon, since she narrates the Addicted series by Krista & Becca Ritchie. Here, she does a great job of conveying all of Gabby’s up-and-down emotions in this book. Mark Boyett only had one chapter in Simon’s POV to narrate, which is a bit disappointing, since I would’ve loved hearing more of his narration.

If you’re a fan of rich, alpha heroes, you might enjoy A Love Called Simon. It’s a quick, sexy, sometimes sweet read with a heroine who grows to stand up for and believe in herself, all the while falling for her irresistible boss.

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24Aug2015

Early Review: Sustained by Emma Chase

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sustained by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 25th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal’s office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

I loved this book. I absolutely adored it. Emma Chase has once again wowed me with her brilliant writing and incredibly endearing characters. I had high hopes for Sustained (despite not liking Overruled), mainly because of the blurb. Manwhore Jake falling for a woman with six kids in tow? Um, yes please! I love when there are children involved because they add so much sweetness to the story, but Emma Chase went above and beyond what I expected. I fell for each character (yes, including each of the six kids!) and this book was so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing. Sustained is a wonderful, heartwarming, delightful read that fans of the author shouldn’t miss!

“A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.”

Jake is one of the best defense attorneys in DC, a man who defends criminals. It’s a tough job, so Jake’s not exactly the most friendly guy around. He’s a playboy who’s anti-relationship and doesn’t ever expect to settle down – but a scare leads him to rethink his idea of banging his way through DC. He’s still not ready for a commitment, but one meeting with Chelsea McQuaid and her newly adopted orphan nieces and nephews changes everything for him.

Chelsea’s life turned upside down when she gained custody of her brother and his wife’s six children. She gave up everything for them, but has never regretted it. I loved this woman, and I loved how much she loved her nieces and nephews. Everything she does, she does with love and with them in mind, even if they can’t appreciate what she’s done for them just yet. The children are still in mourning, but Chelsea’s too busy to even think about mourning herself, much less dating. Until Jake comes along and sweeps her – and the children – off her feet.

The oldest girl–the one who hates her family–lets out a short snort of disbelief. “Did you just ask her out on a date?”
I keep my eyes on Chelsea’s face. “Yeah–I did.”
… Then it’s blond Shirley Temple’s turn. “But you’re so old!”
I tear my eyes from Chelsea’s blush to blast the kid with a grumpy brow.
“I’m thirty.”
The grumpy brow fails to intimidate.
“Thirty!” Her hands go to her hips. “Do you have grandchildren?”

I looooooved how Jake was with the McQuaid kids. He’s so baffled by them, but so protective. He grows to care and love them so much, and how can he not? Each child is such a distinct, adorable, wonderful character. I was so impressed with the way Emma Chase portrayed Riley, Rory, Raymond, Rosaleen, Regan, and Ronan. They’re absolutely hilarious and so full of heart. I honestly couldn’t get enough of them! And, of course, I love Jake with Chelsea. Their romance grows so genuinely and sweetly that it’s easy to fall for their story. Chelsea and Jake honestly made the perfect couple. I also love how much Jake has changed because of Chelsea and the children – I have to give props to the author for Jake’s wonderful character development.

I want her–this fearless, stunning woman. And I want the kids. Those perfect, awful, amazing children–whom she loves with every inch of her soul. I want them to be mine. Mine to hold, mine to protect and teach. Their joy, their laughter, their love. I want to come home to it, bask in it, be the reason for it.
But even more than that, I want to deserve them.
To be worthy.

Jake is a total idiot sometimes though, when his doubts of being good enough and fears of commitment rise. I still love him to death (he’s my new favorite since Drew), but I got super mad at him at those times, so that’s why I can’t give this book a full 5 stars. Otherwise… Sustained was nearly perfect. Emma Chase only gets better and better at writing, especially the male POV – I grew to almost love Jake as much as I love Drew. If you’re in the mood for something funny, light-hearted, and absolutely heartwarming, then go read Sustained! I was entertained the whole time I was reading – I highly recommend 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: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Appealed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Sidebarred: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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18Aug2015

Release Day Review: Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: August 18th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:

We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.

You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.

We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.

Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…

I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

There are so, SO many amazing reviews for Before We Were Strangers, but I’m floundering on what to think about it. I loved some aspects of the book, but my overall feel for the book is that it was only… okay. I was expecting something sweepingly romantic (second chance romances are my favorite kind of books) and pretty epic, but what I got disappointed me. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad read – like I said, there were things about the book that I enjoyed very much, but there were also plenty that I couldn’t enjoy. I really, really wish I could have loved this book more, since so many people seem to love it, but this missed the mark for me.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?
M

I absolutely LOVED the idea of Before We Were Strangers – a chance encounter with a first love you lost touch with for fifteen years, only to meet up again because of a Craigslist ad? YES PLEASE! I thought the premise was so unique and sweet – I expected to fall so hard for this second chance romance, and I did enjoy it in the beginning. It starts off with Matt seeing Grace for the first time in fifteen years and meeting her eyes just as she’s pulling away on the subway. It takes him a while and some courage before he puts up a Craigslist ad for Grace asking her to reach out to him.

I felt it for Grace before I even had a name for it. I might have said the word a million times, but it sounded different now that I meant it. When I thought about what we had, it didn’t matter that it was just friendship. I loved her.

Unfortunately, what brought the book down for me was the big chunk of the book that is set in the past, fifteen years ago. Here, we meet college Matt and Grace – who I greatly disliked. I honestly couldn’t connect with them – their personalities in college were so not what I was expecting, and they clashed with what I thought about them in the present. I felt so disconnected from them and their story, and I just wasn’t invested in their budding romance. College Grace and Matt sometimes came across as irritating, much to my disappointment. The main reason for this was the writing – it was very, very flat. All tell and no show. It’s the kind of writing that’s too simple, with short sentences, and feels slightly choppy. This is the first book I’ve read by Renée Carline so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was disappointed with the writing in Before We Were Strangers. If the writing in this is similar to the writing in her other books, I’m not sure I’d be able to read them. An author’s writing greatly influences the way I perceive a novel, and flat writing means flat characters to me.

Also, the reason why Grace and Matt fell apart for fifteen years was such a disappointment. I wanted a solid reason that would break my heart, but it was only a miscommunication that could have easily been solved that broke them apart.

Time passes, life goes on, places change, people change. And still, I couldn’t get Grace off my mind after seeing her in the subway. Fifteen years is too long to be holding on to a few heart-pounding moments from college.

I do want to point out some things that I actually really liked about this book. After the large two-thirds of the story that is set in the past, we go back to the present, when Matt and Grace reunite. So many things have changed in those fifteen years for them, but the one constant is their love for one another. This last third of the book is definitely the more enjoyable part. I loved the touching way Grace and Matt reconnected, how their love endured so strong and for so long. My heart finally felt SOMETHING for these two characters. If the book had been set mostly in the present, I think I would have enjoyed Before We Were Strangers so much more.

As much as I hoped to fall in love with this, I couldn’t get past the surprisingly mediocre writing and I didn’t connect with the characters. I expected so much more, but I’m probably in the minority for not loving Before We Were Strangers. It was only an okay read for me – it didn’t wow me, most of the book didn’t make me FEEL, and I had too high expectations that weren’t met.

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

Also by Renée Carlino

Sweet Thing: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Nowhere But Here: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
After the Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Swear on This Life: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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11Aug2015

Release Day Review: Playing for Her Heart by Megan Erickson

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Playing for Her Heart by Megan Erickson
Series: Gamers #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 11th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Grant Osprey just had the hottest sex of his life. Sure, they were both in costume, and yes, it was anonymous, but he never expected her to bolt in the middle of the night without so much as a good bye, let alone exchanging numbers. Or names. All he’s left with are her panties and some seriously X-rated memories…until he meets his business partner’s little sister.

Only Chloe Talley isn’t the bold, sexy vixen he remembers. And she wants nothing to do with him.

Cosplay is Chloe’s only chance to leave her boring, socially awkward world behind. To forget that she’s failing at life and can’t be with anyone, let alone a single-father like Grant. But the raw hunger between them is undeniable. With him, she can be a misbehaving maid. A sexy call girl for hire. Each scene pushes Chloe beyond her strict boundaries, until Grant demands the one character she can’t play.

Herself.

I kind of adore nerdy characters, and I really wish there are more of them since I always find myself enjoying them in the books I read. Playing for Her Heart is the second book in Megan Erickson’s Gamers series but can be read as a standalone (which I did). I really enjoyed this book – it was sexy, nerdy, charming, and oh so sweet. Grant and Chloe were so much fun to read about!

Grant and Chloe meet at Comic-Con, cosplaying their favorite gamer characters. They don’t know who the other person is, but they end up having the hottest sex of their lives together. Despite the connection they feel, and not to mention all the HOT nerd sex they had, they don’t expect anything more than their one night together. And they certainly don’t expect to meet every again… but they do. Because Grant ended up sleeping with his best friends little sister.

The real-life Chloe isn’t anything like the no-holds-barred woman who had anonymous sex with a hot stranger at Comic-Con. There, she had a disguise, but the real Chloe is so much more heartbreaking. A tragedy left her and her family broken. Chloe tries to fix the broken pieces, but she’s failing – and losing herself in the process. She doesn’t think highly of herself, so she can’t seem to see why Grant would want more than the one night they had.

And he was a sucker for letting her think she could hide from him, but if role-playing was the only way he could get close to her, he’d take it. For now.

Grant is an absolute sweetheart. He’s wonderful as single father and as Chloe’s lover. He stole my heart with the way he has so much faith and support for Chloe when she doesn’t have any for herself. I loved that Grant was the one who wanted to pursue a relationship – the chemistry and connection between them was too difficult to ignore for him, and he relentlessly tries to get Chloe to open her heart and let him in.

This was such a sweet romance. I liked the characters, I liked the story, I liked how it was the best friend’s little sister trope. I especially enjoyed how freaking HOT Chloe and Grant are together. As short as Playing for Her Heart was, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read with a great cast of characters whose story will tug at your heart.

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

Reading Order: Gamers series

#1 ~ Changing His Game: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Playing for Her Heart: Ebook • Goodreads

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