Tag Archives: contemporary

Review: Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young

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Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: November 19th 2019
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

What happens when a boxer finds chemistry with a geek?

Parker Brown can’t believe she needs to hire a fake boyfriend. When she landed her dream job in renewable energy, she thought she’d be entering a world at the forefront of progressive thinking. But the head boss prefers to promote employees who are “settled.” Thankfully, she’s found the perfect candidate, a fellow intellectual looking for some quick cash. What Parker gets is his protective big brother—Rhys Morgan. The tall, muscled ex-boxer with a foul mouth shows up just as her boss does, and now she’s stuck with the manipulative jerk.

Responsibility weighs heavily on Rhys. Now permanently out of the ring, he’s trying to hold together his late father’s gym and keep his younger brother, Dean, on the straight and narrow. To save Dean from himself, Rhys takes his place, ready to give this society girl a piece of his mind. Instead, he finds an opportunity. Even though they can hardly stand each other, posing as Parker’s boyfriend is a win-win deal. She gets to keep her job, and he’ll charm her star-struck boss into sponsoring his gym.

Problem is, they can barely keep their hands off each other. And what started as an easy deal isn’t so easy anymore. Because what future can a rough ex-boxer, afraid to open his heart, and a polished society geek, who has sworn off real relationships, possibly have?

They say opposites attract. These opposites are about to combust on impact.

When Samantha Young and Kristen Callihan announced that they would be writing a book together, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! I had no idea these two authors had ever even though about collaborating but I’m so glad they did. Their writing meshed together well – they know how to write relatable characters and humor, both of which made me fall in love with Parker, Rhys, and their enemies to lovers romance. If you’re a fan of either of the authors (which I am), you will more than likely adore Outmatched!

Parker Brown needs a fake boyfriend to impress her sexist boss and keep her job. Rhys Morgan needs money to keep his gym running and out of the red. So it would be a perfect setup for them to come to an agreement wouldn’t it? Except that to say that these two get on each others’ nerves would be an understatement. It’s a bit difficult for them to pretend to be head over heels in love, but they make it work. The one thing that goes right though, is the insane chemistry between them. They hate each other, but they can’t get enough of each other. This is the perfect case of ‘opposites attract,’ with Rhys being a huge, grumpy ex-boxer and Parker being a tiny, adorable nerd. She comes from wealth, he does not. I loved the way they genuinely come to slowly understand the other better, their background and where they come from, and ultimately fall for each other.

I love a smol, dorky, nerdy heroine and a big, gruff, grumpy hero. Parker and Rhys make the sweetest couple in this fake-relationship romance, with lots of great banter and tension. Samantha Young and Kristen Callihan did a fantastic job with this collaboration and I hope they write more together! I absolutely wouldn’t mind a book for Dean, Rhys’ brother!


lacey

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Audiobook Review: Make Me Yours by Tia Louise

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Make Me Yours by Tia Louise
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Publication Date: October 23rd 2019
Length: 7 hours and 48 minutes
Narrated by: Lucy Rivers & Teddy Hamilton
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

He’s a billionaire single dad who needs help.
She’s a sassy single gal who needs work.
Live-in nanny? What could go wrong?

Remington Key: I left the Navy, scored a billion in tech, got married, and had a baby. I did everything by the book. Happily ever after, right?

Fast-forward four years, and I’m alone, raising my daughter, caring for my mother-in-law, and trying to keep my stuff together. How did this happen?

I was clearly drunk the night I offered a gorgeous girl in a bar $500 a day to be my live-in nanny. Or maybe it was my dick talking.

So what if I’ve been alone since forever? I’m focused on launching my new business, not bedding the sexy siren who sleeps down the hall.

At least that’s what I keep reminding myself…

Ruby Banks: Remington Key is distant, brooding, and drop-dead sexy. And when he scoops up his adorable four-year-old daughter Lillie and blows raspberries on her tummy while she squeals with delight, I totally swoon.

Bumping into him at our local pub that night slightly drunk and overly frustrated was a total accident. He needed help, and he offered me a ridiculous salary. I couldn’t say no. Right?

Now he’s given me the chance to pay off my debts and take control of my life. I can’t screw up this job. But as bad as I want to be good, I’m not sure I can fake it…

The way he watches me sends heat sizzling through my insides.
Our hands touch, our eyes meet, and I want to do very naughty things with my new boss.

Make Me Yours was such a sweet audiobook! This is actually my first Tia Louise book and now I’m thinking I need to read/listen to her others, especially Make You Mine. Obviously I went into this as a standalone, but it has characters that interconnect with MYM, so I’m sure if you enjoyed that read, you’ll enjoy this one too!

I was so looking forward to listening to this story because 1) it’s a single dad romance 2) it’s a falling-for-the-nanny romance and 3) it has Teddy Hamilton narrating the hero’s POV. These three things made the perfect combination and I just adored listening to Remi and Ruby’s story! We have a widowed hero and single dad who has been celibate since his wife passed, but when he meets the heroine, he feels a connection that he wants to pursue, something I LOVE in my heroes. Of course, it’s a little touchy when they make a deal – Ruby is hired to be Remi’s live-in nanny so she can pay her debts and he can get some space from his overbearing mother-in-law – but it’s clear from the get-go how meant to be they are. The chemistry is on fire and I so enjoyed seeing these two fall for each other!

Also, how can I not enjoy an audiobook that’s narrated by the lovely Teddy Hamilton? I first listened to his narration in Him/Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy and he has never disappointed me since. He did a fantastic job at narrating Remi’s voice. Lucy Rivers was new to me and she did a great job with Ruby’s voice. I would definitely listen to another audiobook of hers.

If you’re looking for a sweet audiobook that’s low on drama, Make Me Yours is the perfect choice. I already can’t wait to get to Make You Mine and I hope this isn’t the last time we see all of these characters.


lacey

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Review: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

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The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
Series: All the King’s Men Duet #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 28th 2019
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Power. Passion. Betrayal.

Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition.

In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.

My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and will do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.

And neither will I.

This book is ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. It deserves all the stars and all the love. I haven’t felt this giggly and excited about a read in a while, but The Kingmaker blew. me. away. It’s sexy, smart, aware – I LOVED the way Kennedy Ryan blended the romance and politics. Also… Maxim and Lennix were on fire together!!! This book without a doubt is definitely going on my best of 2019 list and right now I’m willing to do anything to get my hands on the sequel.

It’s been a while since my last Kennedy Ryan read, but reading The Kingmaker reminded me of how much I love her writing. Everything from the romance, the second chance, the heroine’s Native American heritage, the hero’s sustainability ambitions, all were seamlessly blended together in a thoughtful, meaningful, and addicting read. Have I mentioned how much I love this book?

When Lennix and Maxim first meet, they find an instantaneous connection together over their youthful ambition and desire for a better world. She’s trying to save her Native American ancestors’ land, and she doesn’t know that he’s the son of the corporation’s CEO trying to destroy that land. They never expect to see each other again after their time in jail after a protest, but years later, they reunite in a chance encounter in Amsterdam. They have one week left before they move to opposite sides of the Earth, but they use that week to its fullest. Theirs is a whirlwind, passionate romance that had me swooning and wanting an HEA for them, even though I knew they wouldn’t get one… yet.

“How does it feel knowing you could bring a man like me to my knees?”

The Kingmaker is divided into three parts, and the last part is the second chance Maxim and Lennix deserve ten years later. It’s a beautiful, emotional, and sexy as hell second chance. Lennix wants nothing to do with Maxim and Maxim is determined to win the heart of the woman who stole his a decade ago. If you thought these two were steamy in their 20s, that’s NOTHING compared to them in their 30s. They’re all grown up now, Maxim especially. You will absolutely be fanning yourself over this man, his desire to save Mother Nature, and how single-minded he is to make Lennix love him again.

He was my first. Ten years ago when we made love, I didn’t know a passion like this was rare, something to be coveted and chased and clutched, but tonight, I know it’s a comet shooting across the sky and all we can do is ride its fiery trail.
Now I know.

If there’s a romance you need to read this year, it’s The Kingmaker. Lennix is one of the strongest, most passionate and admirable heroines I’ve ever read. Maxim will have you heart-eyeing for days. I fell so hard for this couple and the first part of their epic love story. Now I am DYING to read The Rebel King!


lacey

Reading Order: All the King’s Men Duet

#1 ~ The Kingmaker: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Rebel King: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 17, 2019)

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Release Day Review: Dreams of 18 by Saffron A. Kent

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Dreams of 18 by Saffron A. Kent
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: October 10th 2019
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

“You don’t go around kissing your best friend’s dad, do you?
Even though that’s all you ever dream about.”

Violet Moore is in love with a man who hates her.

Well, to be fair, she kinda deserves it.

On her eighteenth birthday, she got drunk and threw herself at him, causing a huge scandal in their sleepy suburban town.

Now everyone thinks she’s a slut and he has disappeared. Rumor has it that he’s been living up in the mountains of Colorado, all alone and in isolation.

But Violet is going to make it right.

She’s going to find him and bring him back.

No matter how cruel and mean he is, how much he hurts her with his cold-hearted and abrasive ways, she won’t give up.

And neither will she think about his tempting lips or his sculpted muscles or his strong hands. The hands that she wants on her body, touching her, feeling her skin…

The hands that make her want to forget everything and kiss Graham Edwards – Mr. Edwards, actually – again.

Because you don’t go around kissing your best friend’s dad, do you?

Even though that’s all you ever dream about.

I really wanted to love this one more! I love age gap and forbidden love in my romances, so I had high expectations going into this, despite it being my first Saffron A. Kent book. And this book was HOT – no denying that. It delivers on all the taboo and forbidden-ness that I was hoping for. But the romance itself was lacking a bit in the development side. It was very much instalove, which I personally don’t mind. But in this case, I needed something MORE to make me believe in this couple, especially with how different the main characters are.

Violet first meets her new, older next door neighbor when she’s 16. She’s a loner but becomes best friends with Graham’s son, who’s in the same class as her. Nothing happens with Graham except a buildup of fantasies and lust until she’s 18, when she kisses him on her birthday, which ends up spiraling both their lives out of control. Violet is sent to a mental institution and Graham moves across the country. 10 months later, Violet shows up on Graham’s doorstep wanting to make things right… and Graham wants nothing to do with her.

If you love asshole, surly heroes, Graham is your man. I was really interested in seeing how Violet would break down his walls and get him to warm up to her. Violet is cute and quirky, but has a huge anxiety disorder that makes it difficult for her to go out. She only ever feels safe with Graham, which I thought was so sweet. Graham took a while for me to warm up to, just because he is SUCH a huge jerk to Violet. I got a little tired of it after a while, but I did love how alpha and possessive he was around Violet.

When sex got involved, things went a little downhill for me. It’s filthy, with a TON of dirty talk, but there’s just sooo much sex that the romance wasn’t at the forefront anymore. I wanted to see Graham and Violet fall for each other outside of sex, but we didn’t get much of that.

I enjoyed SAK’s writing, but the story itself wasn’t for me. Apparently this book connects with Medicine Man, so maybe if you loved that one, you might enjoy Dreams of 18 too. But even though I didn’t love this book, I definitely want to read more from this author!


lacey

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Review: Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

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Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 24th 2019
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

It’s love. Trust me.

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-term plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.

Even though I’ve only read a few books in the Heartbreaker Bay series, I’ve adored them all, so I had no doubt this latest one would also be another hit from Jill Shalvis! It’s about the holidays, tacos, and San Francisco – how could I not enjoy all that together?

Ivy Snow has reinvented herself from the struggling childhood she had growing up to a taco truck owner who’s hugely successful in San Francisco. She’s her own boss, is about to put a down payment on a brand new spanking apartment, and has a group of amazing friends, though she still keeps a bit of distance from them. Then enters a friend of a friend, Kel O’Donnell, a sheriff and ranch owner temporarily in the Bay Area for “vacation,” who turns her world upside down.

I adored Kel so, SO much. He was a sweetheart of a hero, so patient, swoony, and understanding with Ivy’s hangups. He has his own issues when it comes to love and relationships, after catching his mother cheating on his father, but there’s something about Ivy that compels him. He knows his time in SF is temporary, but maybe this is the right push for him to move back to the place that’s always felt like home to him.

Wrapped Up in You is heartfelt, emotional, and just a feel-good romance I couldn’t help but enjoy. I loved the main characters and I loved being back with the Heartbreaker Bay group of friends. One of my favorite parts of this book is watching Ivy open her heart up to her group of girl friends, all of whom are so supportive and amazing with Ivy. Go Girl Power! Even though I haven’t read every single book in this series, I didn’t feel lost at all, and now I want to go back and catch myself up because I adore all of these characters bunches!


lacey

Reading Order: Heartbreaker Bay series

 

#1 ~ Sweet Little Lies: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Trouble with Mistletoe: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ One Snowy Night: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Accidentally on Purpose: My Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Chasing Christmas Eve: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Holiday Wishes: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ About That Kiss: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Hot Winter Nights: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Playing for Keeps: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Wrapped Up in You: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8.5 ~ Twist of Fate: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 5, 2019)

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