ARC Review: A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson
Series: A Pound of Flesh #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Orange Is the New Black meets Jennifer Probst’s New York Times bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire trilogy, featuring a strong-minded prison tutor who discovers that her sexy bad-boy student is far more than he appears to be.

Haunted by nightmares of her father’s street murder fifteen years ago, Kat Lane decides to face her fears and uphold his legacy of helping others by teaching inmates at a New York prison. There she meets arrogant Wesley Carter, who’s as handsome as he is dangerous, as mysterious as he is quick-witted, and with a reputation that ensures people will keep their distance.

As teacher and student, Kat and Carter are forced to leave their animosities at the door and learn that one should never judge a book by its cover. As Carter’s barriers begin to crumble, Kat realizes there’s much more to her angry student than she thought, leaving them to face a new, perilous obstacle: their undeniable attraction to one another.

When Carter is released and Kat continues to tutor him on the outside, the obstacles mount. Can they fight the odds to make their relationship work? Will Kat’s family and friends ever accept her being with someone of his background? And will Kat’s discovery of Carter’s role on the night her father died force them apart forever…or unite them?

WOW!!! What an incredibly stunning book!

I’ll admit, the second I read the blurb for A Pound of Flesh, I wanted to read it ASAP. A teacher falling for her sexy prison student? HELL YES, sign me up!! I ended up absolutely adoring Kat and Carter’s story – I’m so glad I got to experience them and their profound love.

When Kat was young, she tragically witnessed her father’s murder, but vowed to follow through with what he wanted for her to do in life. She helps others by teaching a literature class at Arthur Kill Correctional Facility. She loves her job – it’s what she’s born to do, but a certain sexy, bad boy student tempts her in ways she’s never felt before. He’s her student, in prison, so he’s off-limits, but she can’t get him out of her head.

“You should be scared, Peaches,” he murmured. “I’ve done things that would make your pretty little head spin, and, you being this close”–he gestured with his chin between them–“well, let’s just say”–his eyes met hers–“it just makes me want to be bad all over again.”

Wesley Carter took the fall for a friend for a crime he didn’t commit and is nearing the end of his sentence in prison. He’s forced to take a literature class, where he meets the beautiful, caring Kat. He believes he’s not good enough but wants her anyway – there’s an undeniable chemistry between them that only amps up once he’s released and they have private lessons together. I absolutely LOVED the way the author was able to mesh the forbidden-ness of their relationship with how genuinely attracted Kat and Carter were to each other. The chemistry between them is a slow, sensual burn that soon ends up consuming them.

“Just one taste. Just one. That’s all I want.”
And then his lips pressed against hers.
Oh God.

Carter is so. damn. sweet. I was expecting this sexy bad boy, and while we get that (and he is HOT!), we also see such a beautiful, heartwarming side to him that he only shows Kat. He completely melted my heart every time he was sweet to Kat, his Peaches. He’s so protective of her, all the while exuding this aura of confidence and sexiness. There are just so many wonderful layers to this man, and as we get to see his vulnerable sides, it’s hard not to fall for him.

“You’re everything to me, Peaches. You always have been. Always. You’re the best thing I’ve ever had in my life.” He kissed her. “You’re my everything.”

Kat is a wonderful heroine. I may not have connected with her as much as I would have liked, but her story hooked me in from the start. She’s a gorgeous, independent woman who sees more in Carter than anyone ever has. She has a big heart, and I just really liked her character.

The thing is, while I never really connected with Kat or Carter, I truly enjoyed their story. It’s gorgeously written, and although the pacing was sometimes slow, I was able to get over that. The romance swept me away, and I loved that there was no unnecessary drama for Kat and Carter. A Pound of Flesh is simply a stunning story of them finding each other and falling deeply, passionately in love. It’s a beautifully written, emotional book, and I highly recommend it.

4.5 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: A Pound of Flesh series

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson Love and Always by Sophie Jackson
 Fate and Forever by Sophie Jackson A Measure of Love by Sophie Jackson

#1 ~ A Pound of Flesh: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Love and Always: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ An Ounce of Hope: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Fate and Forever: My Review • EbookAudible • Goodreads
#3 ~ A Measure of Love: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (June 21, 2016)


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ARC Review: Rules of Seduction by Joya Ryan

Rules of Seduction by Joya Ryan

Rules of Seduction by Joya Ryan
Series: Serve #7 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He’ll be the dream and the dirty fantasy…

Through with both her controlling ex and relationships, Ava Webber is determined to explore the spicy and sometimes forbidden appetites of the exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. Here, she’ll get exactly what she needs…as long as it’s from a man she doesn’t know.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve’s clients get what they want, how they want it. But with one look at the curvy brunette, Nolan knows he’s the man to fulfill her desires. As the anonymous lover, he’s Ava’s dirtiest fantasy. Outside of Serve, he’s her charming, smartass friend.

But Nolan wants more. More than Ava is willing to give. And as long as the blindfold stays on, she’ll never discover that the two men she’s falling for are one and the same…

I’ve read and loved two of the three Tessa Bailey books in the Serve series, so I was excited to read more from the series! This is my first Joya Ryan, and I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. Rules of Seduction centers around Nolan, the man who works at Serve, an exclusive BDSM club, who’s in charge of fulfilling clients’ needs. I’m not the biggest fan of BDSM books, but every once in a while I’ll give it a try. These types of books are usually a hit or miss, and while I didn’t LOVE Rules of Seduction, it was a hot, quick read that was easy to enjoy.

Ava Webber came out of her previous, long-term relationship a shell of herself. She lost herself somewhere along that relationship, but now with a successful career, she’s been able to move on. But while she’s moved on, that doesn’t mean she wants to enter into a relationship again any time soon. This is where Serve comes in, a sex club catering to any and all its clients’ needs. When Ava goes to Serve, she wants to forget her life for just a little while – she wants an anonymous man who will consume her with no strings attached. But meeting Nolan Hart has her questioning whether she truly wants a relationship with someone or not.

Nolan has never met anyone quite like Ava – she fascinates him, and the more he gets to know her, the more he wants her. So when Ava details the kind of man she wants, Nolan’s ready to be that man – especially since he’ll be completely anonymous. Nolan doesn’t do relationships either, but being with Ava, both in and out of the club, makes him fall hard and deep for the first time.

“I want to belong to you. If you’ll have me? I want to give myself to you. And I want you to give yourself to me. Because together, we’re more than we could ever be apart.”

Rules of Seduction is so sexy – the anonymous hookups between Ava and Nolan are seriously on fire. I really enjoyed the angst of the story as well, with Nolan deciding whether or not to reveal himself to Ava as her mysterious man. This is a fun, quick read that fans of the series would enjoy. It’s very light on the BDSM. I didn’t connect well with Ava or Nolan, but I was able to overall enjoy their story.

3 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Serve series

Owned by Fate by Tessa Bailey Exposed by Fate by Tessa Bailey Mistaken by Fate by Katee Fate Betting on Fate by Katee Robert
Driven by Fate by Tessa Bailey Protecting Fate by Katee Robert Rules of Seduction by Joya Ryan Bind Me Before You Go by Harper Kincaid

#1 ~ Owned by Fate (Tessa Bailey): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Exposed by Fate (Tessa Bailey): EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Mistaken by Fate (Katee Robert): EbookPaperbackGoodreads
#4 ~ Betting on Fate (Katee Robert): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Driven by Fate (Tessa Bailey): EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#6 ~ Protecting Fate (Katee Robert): EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#7 ~ Rules of Seduction (Joya Ryan): Ebook • Goodreads
#8 ~ Bind Me Before You Go (Harper Kincaid): My Review • Ebook • Gooodreads


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Early Review: Zack by Sawyer Bennett

Zack by Sawyer Bennett

Zack by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett goes for a hat trick with the latest romance in a sexy series about cool-as-ice hockey players and the women heating up their lives.

Warning: The following contains spoilers from a cliffhanger in Garrett.

Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief that has put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury, still crippled by emotional baggage, and now a single dad, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.

Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

OH MY GOD. YES. I. Loved. Zack! I’d been seriously SO excited for Zack’s book after reading what happened to him in Garrett. My heart was devastated for him… But I knew that his tragedy would make for an even better book. And yes, Zack absolutely did not disappoint! It’s currently my favorite of the Cold Fury Hockey series, which I highly recommend! It’s a fantastic series about hot, sexy hockey players who fall hard for their women… what’s not to love!?

Zack is a lot different than the two previous books in the series. It has a more serious tone to it, and at the same time, I laughed the hardest in this book. An odd combination, but Sawyer Bennett rocked it. I was a bit worried about how Zack would play out, but I should’ve trusted the author from the beginning. I absolutely adored Zack and Kate’s story – I loved the angst, the forbidden-ness, the sweet moments… it really was a fantastic book.

My insides feel dead, my capacity to care for much of anything seems lost, but there are two things that still keep me functioning. It’s the prospect of playing hockey again, and, most important, my son, Ben.

Zack Grantham is grief-stricken and devastated over the accident that led to the death of Gina, the mother of his son, Ben. Even though he never married Gina, he still loved her, and his heart is still in mourning over her. But life moves on, and when Zack is finally able to get back into hockey, he needs to hire a nanny to take care of Ben when he’s away.

Enter Kate Francis. A dorky, nerdy, hilarious twenty-three year old woman working her way through college. Kate is seriously the most endearing, adorkable heroine ever. I honestly love Kate more than Zack, because she’s just so funny, heartwarming, and incredible. I love Zack too, but he got frustrating sometimes… But Kate is pure heart and gold. I adored the way she took care of Ben and grew to actually love him. She’s so great with him, and she’s fantastic with dealing with a grieving Zack. She’s the only person to have been able to make him smile and laugh since Gina died.

Zack may not have thought much about Kate when she first starts working, but one glimpse of Kate in her short, revealing pajamas and Zack is hooked. The tension between Kate and Zack is out of this world… this book is hot, hot, hot!!! I was fanning myself like crazy once they start a sex-only relationship. Some scenes, like the one in Zack’s man cave… hot. damn. Of course, Zack doesn’t want feelings involved between them because he thinks he’s no longer capable of love after Gina. Which I get, but Zack is stubbornly oblivious to his own growing feelings for Kate.

There’s a part of me that wants to show her everything.
To show here all about exploration and intimacy and all of the different ways I could make her come. I want to learn her body and have her get to know mine. I want her wild with abandon, and every time I take her I want it to be in a way that completely possesses her.

Zack was frustrating in this book, with his refusal to accept his loving Kate, yes, but it was the kind of frustrating that I could understand. Sawyer Bennett did an excellent job in writing and explaining Zack’s character – we can appreciate how he loved Gina, but we can firmly see that Zack grows to be IN LOVE with Kate. His love for the mother of his son doesn’t at all diminish his love for Kate.

“You were what has been missing all my life.”

What was so unexpected about this book was how funny it was. I was expecting the angst, what with the guilt and forbidden aspect to Kate and Zack’s relationship, but I had no idea I would be cracking up so much throughout this book! Kate is so, SO funny. She says the most hilarious, crazy, adorkable things… she’s a complete dork! And Ben was absolutely adorable too – Ben and Zack together totally melted my heart.

If you’re a fan of the series, Zack is a must read! It wrung so many feelings out of me, but by the end I was smiling like a goofball. It was the perfect combination of sexy, angsty, and emotional. Aside from Zack’s frustrations, this book was nearly perfect!

4.5 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Cold Fury Hockey series

Alex by Sawyer Bennett Garrett by Sawyer Bennett
Zack by Sawyer Bennett Ryker by Sawyer Bennett Hawke by Sawyer Bennett

#1 ~ Alex: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Garrett: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Zack: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Ryker: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hawke: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Max: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 13, 2016)

Check out a special guest post with Sawyer Bennett, in which she interviews the Cold Fury players!


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Early Review: The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert
Series: The O’Malleys #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Links: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert begins a smoking hot new series about the O’Malley family-wealthy, powerful, dangerous and seething with scandal.

Teague O’Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family’s name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a “business” alliance, Teague’s ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O’Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn’t aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they’re in. Because Callie’s keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn’t know could get him killed.

I’d previously only read one other book by Katee Robert (Falling for His Best Friend) and utterly adored it, so I was looking forward to reading the author’s other books. I was especially looking forward to this one, since I’m a big fan of mafia books. The Marriage Contract sounded right up my alley, and that blurb had me hooked! I didn’t end up entirely loving this book, but I really enjoyed it – it’s a promising start to The O’Malley’s series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this series.

Callista “Callie” Sheridan is heir to the Sheridan mafia family, and as the heir her duty is to do anything and everything that benefits the family – including an arranged marriage with one of the O’Malley’s, a rival mafia family. As much as she opposes an arranged marriage, she takes her job as the heir seriously, but once she gets a glimpse of her fiancé, she’s not as reluctant to enter into the marriage.

“If you could see the way you’re looking at me right now.”
She immediately dropped her eyes, but only for a heartbeat. “How am I looking at you?”
… “Like there are a thousand thoughts rushing behind those beautiful blue eyes and every single on of them involves up, naked and sweaty.”

Teague O’Malley wants nothing better than to take his siblings away and escape from the mafia life. Unfortunately, his father has other plans for him. He’s ordered to marry the Sheridan heir to form an alliance between the families. But upon their first meeting, Teague is intrigued by Callie and his protective instincts rise when he sees bruises on her neck. Both are incredibly attracted to one another, and the author did a great job amping up the chemistry between the main characters.

I didn’t connect very well with Callie or Teague, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy their characters or story, because I did. I liked how both Callie and Teague grew so protective of each other. The Hallorans, the other prominent mafia family in their city, want to start a war with the Sheridans and O’Malleys, and Callie and Teague are in danger. They go to great lengths to protect each other and their families, all the while taking time out to spend as much time together. They easily fall for one another, although Callie hides a secret that could tear them apart. Both are loyal, passionate, stubborn people, and I really enjoyed the way they just clicked together.

“I might not have been the one to choose you, but you’re mine, Teague O’Malley, for better or worse.”

Overall, I liked this book, though it wasn’t what I expected. There’s a ton of stuff going on between the three mafia families, and it was nearly difficult to keep up with everything. The plot, intriguing as it is, sometimes overshadowed the romance, which I wasn’t a fan of. Still, it’s a good first book to this series that I expect I’ll come to love. I’m actually really excited for the next book, Carrigan and James’s story! Carrigan is Teague’s sister and James is a Halloran, so I’m VERY intrigued to see how the story will play out with such an antagonistic couple.

3.5 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: The O’Malleys series

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert 

#1 ~ The Marriage Contract: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Wedding Pact: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ An Indecent Proposal: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (Aug. 30, 2016)


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Early Review: Asking for It by Lilah Pace

Asking for It by Lilah Pace

Asking for It by Lilah Pace
Series: Asking for It #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Links: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“This is who I am. This is what I want. Now I need a man dangerous enough to give it to me.”

Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.

Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker…

Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised.

Holy WOW!!! WOW. What an incredible read. I’m still not quite sure what to make of it, but I know I wholehearted enjoyed this book.

When I first got an email about Asking for It, I was SO intrigued. It’s a book about two people who fantasize about non-consensual sex. Rape. A sensitive subject, definitely, but I thought the author handled it excellently.

If it’s all in my head, and it makes me come, what’s the harm?
(It makes me come hard.)
The harm is when the lines between reality and fantasy get blurred.
Like they did last night.

This book is just… it’s a lot to handle. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel reading a book with this theme, but the author wrote this book so flawlessly that I couldn’t put it down. Vivienne and Jonah’s exploration of their fantasies is nothing short of mind-blowing, mentally and physically. I was intrigued by the blurb, but the moment I started reading, I was hooked onto the story and the characters.

“You hate it, don’t you? The fantasy. I do too. But it doesn’t change anything.”

Asking for It is provocative. Sexy. Intense. When Vivienne and Jonah start a no-strings relationship in which they get fulfill their fantasies, it was so much hotter than I thought it would be. None of the sex felt gratuitous – it all served a purpose. I got so turned on by the raw, gritty, intense, hot fucking between them, yet the story goes so much deeper than just the enacting of their fantasies. As I got to know Vivienne and Jonah, I became invested in their characters. There are so many layers to them, and so many more to unravel by the end of the book. And just a heads up, Asking for It is not a standalone.

I loved how Vivienne and Jonah find a safe place with each other to enact their fantasies. There’s a huge amount of trust involved, which means it’s easy for their hearts to get involved. The romance isn’t quite a romance – feelings develop but they’re not concrete quite yet. There’s a lot of potential for love between Jonah and Vivienne, and I’m looking forward to reading more of them.

“You destroy me every time. Completely.”

If you’re intrigued by the blurb, then I say go for it. It’s a sensitive subject, but the author handles it with confidence and grace. The writing is absolutely stunning – I’d recommend this book based on that alone. As for the romance, even though there’s not much of it, I’d still recommend giving this a try. I’m a total romance sap, yet I wasn’t dissatisfied by the way the romance played out in this book. It’s slow going, for sure, but I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel to see where the author takes Jonah and Vivienne.

4 hearts for Asking for It – it’s a fascinating, promising start to Vivienne and Jonah’s story.

4 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Asking for It series

Asking for It by Lilah Pace Begging for It by Lilah Pace Asking for More by Lilah Pace

#1 ~ Asking for It: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Begging for It: My Review • EbookPaperbackGoodreads
#2.5 ~ Asking for More: My Review • EbookGoodreads


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