ARC Review: Chasing River by K.A. Tucker

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Chasing River by K.A. Tucker
Series: Burying Water #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Armed with two years’ worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin. Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude.

Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn’t let her die, but he also couldn’t risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub. Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move.

Maybe it’s because he saved her life, or maybe it’s because he’s completely different from everything she’s left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone.

And River isn’t the kind of guy she’d want to catch.

This third novel in the Burying Water series is about Amber Welles, Jesse’s younger sister (from Burying Water). This was a really sweet, heartfelt romance that was easily enjoyable. I liked this book quite a bit – maybe not as much as Burying Water, but Chasing River is definitely a book that fans of the series shouldn’t miss. K.A. Tucker’s writing swept me away to the gorgeous country of Ireland (which I swear I will visit one day!), Amber’s latest stop on her trip around the world.

1. Have a torrid affair with a foreigner. Country: TBD.

Amber has lived her whole life in the small town of Sisters, Oregon, but after a broken relationship, nothing’s holding her back from traveling the world. Amber has always been the ‘good girl’, the proper daughter of the town sheriff, but her friend Alex, Jesse’s girlfriend, makes Amber a list of things to do while traveling to bring Amber out of her shell and experience a more exciting and fulfilling life. I really enjoyed Amber’s character – she felt real and I easily connected with her character. And I really liked the way K.A. Tucker brought her and River together – River saves Amber’s life from a terrorist organization bomb.

“So . . . Where’d you meet this guy?”
“At the park one day. He kind of . . . ran into me.” I toy with a coaster to avoid her gaze.
“Sounds romantic.”
“It was, in a way.” If pipe bombs could be called romantic.

River Delaney is somewhat of a bad boy, but with a sweet side and a heart that’s loyal to the people he cares about. He saves Amber from a bomb his older brother plants, not expecting to see the pretty American girl again. But when she appears at the bar his family owns, he knows he wants a chance with her, despite believing that he’s not good enough for her. River shows Amber around Ireland, showing her how important his country means to him. I couldn’t help but fall a little in love with River – he’s Amber’s knight in shining armor, and he’s so sweet and tender towards her. The feelings between River and Amber grow slowly but genuinely. But how can they have a life together when Amber is bound to leave, and they live thousands of miles away?

I want to spend tonight with her, and tomorrow. I want to spend every second with Amber until she leaves.
I don’t want her to leave.
Do I tell her that, though?

There is a lot of political mumbo-jumbo going on within Ireland. River’s brother is part of the IRA, an Irish terrorist organization, and Amber, River, and his family unfortunately get pulled into the political drama. The beginning was a bit confusing when the IRA was introduced, but eventually I got the hang of what was going on. K.A. Tucker includes a note in the beginning of the novel that helped understand Ireland’s politics.

As much as I liked both Amber and River, I just wasn’t as invested in their characters as much as I wanted to be. Everything in this book goes by slowly, including their romance, and sometimes I got bored while reading. This doesn’t mean I didn’t like Chasing River, because I did – it’s a sweet read with fantastic storytelling. I’m definitely a fan of K.A. Tucker’s writing. But I just didn’t connect with the story as much as I wanted to. Still, it’s a satisfying, enjoyable read with likable characters and strong writing. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed with River and Amber’s story.

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

Reading Order: Burying Water series

#1 ~ Burying Water: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Becoming Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chasing River: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Surviving Ice: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Jul2015

Release Day Review: Manwhore +1 by Katy Evans

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Manwhore +1 by Katy Evans
Series: Manwhore #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The unexpected love story that began in MANWHORE continues heating up the pages in MANWHORE +1 by New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans…

Billionaire playboy? Check.
Ruthless businessman? Check.
Absolutely sinful? Check.

Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.

I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle–not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard.

Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I’ve become a hopeless Sinner.

Now that the assignment is over, Saint wants something from me–something unexpected–and I want this wicked playboy’s heart. But how can I prove to the man who trusts no one that I’m worthy of becoming his plus one?

Oh. My. GOD!! AAHHHH!!!! YES – Manwhore +1 is absolute perfection! This book was everything I wanted and more. I had such high expectations after LOVING Manwhore (one of my favorite reads of the year), and Manwhore +1 went above and beyond. I loved this book so, so much.

Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint.
I just walked into the eye of the most powerful storm of my life. No. Not a storm. A hurricane.
Four weeks, I haven’t seen him. And he still looks exactly as I remember. Larger than life, and more irresistible than ever.

Manwhore +1 picks up right where Manwhore left off (in that god-awful cliffhanger), and Rachel is determined to win back Malcolm Saint and his affection and trust. I honestly was a bit scared about the way the sequel would play out – would Saint be able to forgive Rachel? Would they get back together? I NEEDED them to get back together!

“Yes. But I want you to trust me.”
“Trust you? Rachel, I don’t trust myself with you.”
I wipe a stray tear. “I want dibs on you,” I whisper, broken.

I shouldn’t have worried though, because Katy Evans wrote their story perfectly. It may not have been what I expected, but it absolutely was the right story for Rachel and Malcolm. I don’t want to say much about the plot, but one thing I will say is that you can trust Katy Evans to deliver a book you will wholeheartedly love and enjoy! I wasn’t expect how HAPPY this book would make me – I was grinning and swooning and sighing nearly the whole way through. Mainly because of Malcolm, because how can you not love this man!?

The chemistry is as scorching as ever between Rachel and Malcolm. If anything, I thought they were HOTTER in Manwhore +1 than in Manwhore! There are lots of yummy, panty-melting, heart-melting scenes between Malcolm and Rachel. I fell so hard for them and their story. I was swept away by their gorgeous romance and the wondrousness of their love – theirs is a love story you don’t want to miss.

“Take me,” I breathe.
“I’m taking you.”
“Use me. Do anything you want to me.”
“No,” he says chidingly. “You use something you discard. And I’ll never be done with you.”

Oh, Malcolm. I fell so much deeper and harder for this man in Manwhore +1. The things he says and does… He took my breath away and stole my heart. Malcolm is THE alpha-male of alpha-males – Katy Evans writes her heroes like no other. Malcolm is the type of character that comes across so clearly off the pages, and his power and sensuality captivated me all over again. I LOVE THIS MAN!

“Do you know what I’d do for you?” A huskiness enters his voice as he circles my chin with his thumb. “You’re the only heaven I will ever know, Rachel”–He looks into my eyes–“and if you were a hell, I’d sin my whole life just to stay with you.”

MY. HEART. Malcolm Saint is to die for!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

Once again, Katy Evans delivers a captivating, addicting, sexy read I devoured in one sitting. I can’t seem to not love her books! There are definitely obstacles that Rachel and Malcolm need to overcome before reaching their HEA, but Katy Evans deals with them in such a way that made for a seamless, perfect read. I shouldn’t have worried whether I would love this book as much as the previous – Manwhore +1 was flawless.

I can’t recommend this series enough! It’s definitely one of my top favorites, and I can’t WAIT for more. I’m dying for Ms. Manwhore… and dare I say a Tahoe and Gina book? In any case, whatever Katy Evans writes, I will read.

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

Reading Order: Manwhore series

#1 ~ Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Manwhore +1: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Ms. Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Jul2015

Release Day Review: Taming Lily by Monica Murphy

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Taming Lily by Monica Murphy
Series: The Fowler Sisters #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, and Maya Banks, the anticipated finale in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sexy contemporary romance series about three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love.

I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and the sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler. And I’m loving every minute of it.

But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. And soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense.

Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s who I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—and what-ifs be damned. . . .

I was a huge fan of the first book in The Fowler Sisters series, Owning Violet, but the second book, Stealing Rose, was a let down. I was hoping Taming Lily would renew my love for the series, but sadly, it was only an okay read. I liked it more than Stealing Rose, but not by much. I just didn’t connect with the characters, and the book was too full of sex with little substance to the story. I really wanted to like Lily’s book – while it’s not a bad read, it just wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be.

Lily Fowler is the oldest and wildest of the three Fowler sisters. She’s the last of the sisters to fall in love, and Monica Murphy certainly doesn’t make Lily’s journey to love easy. Lily is in Hawaii, on the run from Pillar, Lily’s father’s girlfriend, who is also a total bitch. Lily is a woman with a whole mess of Daddy issues, and she acted out in her earlier years by becoming what everyone thought she was – a spoiled, rich, party girl. Deep down, she’s hurt by her family, who has no faith in her. While I tried to empathize with Lily and her issues, it was hard to – I couldn’t connect with her character, and I found myself annoyed when she never spoke up for herself.

Unfortunately, Lily’s getaway to Hawaii doesn’t go as well as she plans. She nearly drowns in the ocean, but a mysterious man comes out of nowhere and saves her life. She recognizes him as the sexy man who’s been watching her – she’s suspicious of him, but she can’t help feeling attracted to him.

I’m drawn to her, and not just because she’s my assignment. Feeling like this … letting my attraction to her distract me is risky. Stupid.
But I can’t seem to help it.

Max has been hired by Pillar to steal Lily’s laptop, so he follows her on her trip to Hawaii, but he never expects to end up wanting her. There’s a strong chemistry between them they can’t ignore, and once they fall into bed with each other, it becomes explosive. Monica Murphy is fantastic at writing hot, steamy scenes, and Taming Lily didn’t disappoint. There’s good sex in this book, but there was also too much of it – the majority of the time Lily and Max are together is spent in bed. I couldn’t really see how they fell for each other, especially when Max sometimes came off as a little creepy, stalker-wise.

My heart is beating like crazy, pounding to a rhythm that suspiciously sounds like her name. Li-ly. Li-ly. It’s fucking crazy. I’m crazy.
Crazy for her.

Max keeps the reason why he’s in Hawaii a secret from Lily, of course, but secrets can’t stay quiet for long. Max now has to fight for the woman he’s fallen for, all the while protecting her from Pillar.

“I feel like you were made for me, Lily. That we were made for each other.”

There’s no doubt Monica Murphy can write hot chemistry, but the story and characters in Taming Lily felt lacking. I was less than impressed with the way things played out, and I just couldn’t for the life of me connect with the hero or heroine. I was really hoping to like Taming Lily, since I’d been excited for Lily’s book since Owning Violet, but the book ended up only being okay. It’s not necessarily a bad read, but it wasn’t as good as I was expecting.

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

Reading Order: The Fowler Sisters series

#1 ~ Owning Violet: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stealing Rose: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Taming Lily: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Jul2015

Blog Tour + Release Day Review & Giveaway: Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally

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

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally!

Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Practice makes perfect.

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow the Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

Purchase:
Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • B&N • BAM • IndieBound • iTunes

It’s been a while since I’ve read a young adult book, but what better way to go back to the YA contemporary genre than by reading a Miranda Kenneally book? I really enjoyed Jesse’s Girl – it’s a super sweet, fun romance that fans of the series shouldn’t miss.

I loved that Jesse’s Girl is about Maya, Sam Henry’s little sister. We get to see a lot of Sam and Jordan (from Catching Jordan), which I was so happy about, because I adored that book. Maya is a high school senior who is passionate about music. She loves to play the guitar and sing (though she’s more talented at playing the guitar than singing), but when she gets dumped by her band and crush, she’s left feeling devastated. The one thing that makes her feel better is the fact that she’ll be ‘shadowing’ eighteen-year-old country star and heartthrob Jesse Scott, but things don’t go as well as Maya thought it would.

I was so excited about the opportunity to spend time with a famous musician, but Jesse Scott is a certified country-boy ass.

Jesse is rude to Maya, thinking that she’s just another ‘fan’ of his who only wants to use him. After being the in music industry for so long, he’s tired of all the fake people and wants to retire and focus on his family. So Maya is a refreshingly different to Jesse, though he’s still reluctant to mentor someone. He decides to change things up a bit and have a sort of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off kind of day with Maya. And the more time they spend together, the more they get to know each other, and know themselves as well.

The romance developed slowly – Maya and Jesse are both the wary kind of people, but they slowly break down each other’s walls. I liked reading about their adventures, their deep conversations, and how they slowly fell for each other. They both connect so well with music and they bond easily over it.

I felt like Jesse’s Girl was a bit too short – the pages flew by and when I got to the end, I was left wanting for just a little more. It’s a quick, easy read with not much drama, but it was still a lot of fun to read. It’s not my favorite of the Hundred Oaks series (that one would be Breathe, Annie, Breathe) but it was definitely a worthwhile, sweet read about chasing your dreams and falling in love. I highly recommend this for fans of the series!

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

Reading Order: Hundred Oaks series

#1 ~ Catching Jordan: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stealing Parker: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Things I Can’t Forget: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Racing Savannah: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Breathe, Annie, Breathe: My Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Jesse’s Girl: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#7 ~ Defending Taylor: Shirley’s Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

Website • Goodreads • Facebook • Twitter

$50 iTunes Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

7Jul2015

Release Day Review: A Change of Plans by Robyn Thomas

Posted in 2 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

A Change of Plans by Robyn Thomas
Series: What Happens in Vegas #1
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

She planned for everything…except him.

Sara Greaves has been planning her perfect wedding since she was five. Twenty years. Wasted. When she’s dumped by her fiancé, she heads to Vegas to forget and ends up at a hotel hosting a Romance Readers conference. Cuz she’s lucky like that. Mr. Tall, Dark, And Anti-Marriage buys Sara a drink, and makes her a bet…she could marry any guy in Vegas tonight and make it work.

She wasn’t supposed to choose him.

Ethan Munroe is a ruthless divorce lawyer who would have been voted “Least Likely To Marry (Ever)” in school. And yet, here he is with a hangover, a wedding band, and a sexy, gorgeous bride for the next month. A bride who doesn’t want to stay married to him. He never planned this, but he can’t bring himself to go for the speedy divorce. Has Mr. Anti-Marriage finally met his match?

This was a very… hectic read. The story was all over the place, the characters weren’t very consistent… I didn’t enjoy this book very much, unfortunately. I really wanted to, since the blurb was intriguing, but everything about this book just didn’t work out for me.

Sara is the kind of woman who has been waiting and planning for her wedding day since she was a little girl. But to her devastation, she’s dumped by her fiancé, and she goes to Vegas to pawn off her engagement ring. There, she meets a mysterious, attractive man named Ethan, who helps and guides her trip in Vegas. Even though they’re complete opposites – Ethan is a divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in love – the two hit it off. And somehow they manage to get accidentally married while in Vegas.

This book felt very unfinished, with lots of plot holes and little explanation. It was hard to connect with either Sara or Ethan, since their personalities were so disconnected and hard to follow. As for the plot… it was very weakly written. I’m not even sure how Sara and Ethan accidentally got hitched – very little is explained in a cohesive way in the book. It felt like everything was just thrown together, and we had to accept it for what it was.

I really wish I could’ve enjoyed it more, but everything about the book felt weak. This book just didn’t work for me.

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

	Unlocking the Magic… on Review: A Promise of Fire by A…
	Lucas Middleton on Blog Tour // Review + Excerpt:…
	Van on Blog Tour + Release Day Review…
	Amber Elise @ Du Liv… on Audiobook Review: The Stand-In…
	daisyknox on Release Day Review: Tryst Six…

Booklovers For Life

Falling in love with romance one page at a time

Tag Archives: book review