Tag Archives: contemporary

Review: Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen

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Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 12th 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audio • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

I always look forward to reading Sarina Bowen, especially when they’re her hockey romances. Sure Shot is the latest in her Brooklynaire series and is a bit of a second chance romance between two characters who used to have a fling years ago. Now they’re back in each others’ lives – her as a sports agent, him as a new team member of the Brooklyn Bruisers. I enjoyed this romance for the most part, but it’s probably one of my least favorites of the series. It’s not that it’s bad, but more like not as memorable as the other books in the series. Still, if you’re a fan of the Brooklyn Bruisers, you won’t want to miss this latest installment featuring this beloved hockey team!

Years ago, Bess and Tank met in NYC during the start of their careers and had the best sex of their lives for the few months they were hooking up together. It never developed into a relationship, though they were exclusive, so that’s why I say it’s a ‘bit’ of a second chance romance. Now, both highly successful people, they reunite when Tank gets traded. But starting anything up again isn’t the best idea when Bess wants a serious relationship with someone who wants to build a family and Tank has just gotten divorced and is on the rebound.

Bess and Tank were great characters and I loved seeing Tank’s sweet side when it comes to Bess. He is quite the grump to everyone else. I didn’t necessarily LOVE their characters, but I still enjoyed their romance and the way it played out. Even though this book can be read as a standalone, a lot of characters from previous books do show up. Bess is the sister of the hero in Bountiful, part of the True North series. We see nearly everyone in the Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bruisers series. They all truly become a family even though they come from different Sarina Bowen series, and it makes me so happy to see all the characters I loved reading together. Even though this isn’t a new favorite Sarina Bowen for me, I still love all the hockey romances and this one hit the spot for me.


lacey

Reading Order: Brooklyn series

 

#1 ~ Brooklynaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Overnight Sensation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Superfan: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Sure Shot: Ebook • Paperback • Audio • Goodreads

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Review: Black Tangled Heart by Samantha Young

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Black Tangled Heart by Samantha Young
Series: Play On #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 14th 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

To my siblings, Jane was a friend. A pseudo-sister, the girl we grew up with.
To me? She was everything.
Our passion consumed us.

When our world fell apart, I thought our love would be the thing that held us together.
She was the love of my life. But she abandoned me when I needed her most.
And I’ll never forgive her.

For years I’ve been planning my revenge against the people who took everything from me.
Jane won’t be an exception. I’m coming for her.
She knows it.

She says she wants to help me serve my version of justice on the people who hurt me.
I’ll let her.
She probably thinks it will save her from me.

It won’t.

Black Tangled Heart took me by surprise by how gripping and addicting it was! I enjoyed the first Play On book and though I haven’t read the second yet, I was still excited to see what Samantha Young had in store for us. As soon as I started reading, I was HOOKED onto Jane and Jamie’s story. It’s a story of first love, revenge, and second chances. There are moments that will hit you in the gut and give you ALL the feels. The romance is beautifully passionate and messy at the same time. I highly recommend this one if you want something unique and unputdownable!

This book is split into two different parts: the past, when Jane and Jamie first fall in love as teenagers, and the present, when they reunite as adults and are filled with revenge. In the past, Jane is a foster child when Jamie’s family moves in next door. His family becomes her pseudo-family and slowly, we see their love develop and bloom into something deep and beautiful. They may have only been teens, but the strength of their love is everlasting. Then tragedy strikes them, leaving the two heartbroken and eventually split apart for years. Now, Jamie is back in Jane’s life, feeling hurt, angry, and wanting revenge against the people who hurt his family… and wanting revenge against Jane.

What a wild, emotional trip this book was! The passion and chemistry between Jane and Jamie is INTENSE. I loved the parallel between their sweet young love and the volatile passion it turned into. The story’s also got a good dose of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book could’ve easily been a 5 star read for me – I was LOVING the past and the way it was set up. But I got mad at what happened during Jane and Jamie’s separation, and the part when they got back together was a little too easy after all the build up. I wanted Jamie to grovel a bit more for what he did. And the revenge plot gets resolved too conveniently, which is why I’m giving this book 4 stars instead of 5. Still, it’s a fantastic read that will take you on an emotional journey. If you love Samantha Young, you don’t want to miss this one!


lacey

Reading Order: Play On series


#1 ~ Play On: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ As Dust Dances: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Black Tanged Heart: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Annika Martin

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The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Annika Martin
Series: Billionaires of Manhattan #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 28th 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I’m no Prince Charming, and the last thing I need is a Cinderella.

My instructions were simple: scour the city for a fake fiancée who’s not my type at all. Have her on my jet Monday morning, dressed appropriately for a yacht vacation.

I need a woman believable enough to convince a certain client that I’ve changed my playboy ways…yet nothing like the supermodels and socialites I usually have on my arm.

Somebody too annoying to tempt me–no emotional entanglements, thank you very much. This is business only.

If she’s unfazed by my looks and wealth, all the better.

Should be easy. Right?

Apparently not, because my people go and hire Tabitha. My hairdresser.

What were they thinking? Yes, I said annoying, but I didn’t mean Tabitha, the most frustrating woman in the world.

Tabitha is sunshiny. She has a pet hamster. She loves Hello Kitty, and she gets under my skin like nobody else.

As if that’s not bad enough, the minute we step on deck, she thinks that certain people on the yacht are up to something shady–based completely on her soap opera knowledge.

She won’t listen when I tell her she’s being ridiculous.

But as the days go by, I find that we’re actually having fun. And our fake kisses are heating up. And suddenly her wild theories aren’t sounding so strange after all…

Anyone else a sucker for the grump falling for the sunshine character trope? Or the fake engagement trope? If so, you’re in luck! Annika Martin’s latest rom-com has all that goodness (if you couldn’t tell, I love a good grump) and more. The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée is a fantastic, light-hearted romance that will have you smiling and giggling. It’s feel-good and adorable and exactly what I want in a rom-com!

I’ve been wanting to read Annika Martin’s contemporary romances for a while. I’ve only ever read her dark romances, and I always find it so fascinating and impressive when authors switch up genres/subgenres – and do it well. Now I know for a fact that Annika Martin can do both dark and lighthearted romances, because I enjoyed The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée so much! We’ve got the grumpiest grump of a hero (which, if you include in a book, I’ll want to read it) who needs a fake fiancée to win over an account for his billion-dollar company. Rex wants to find someone he does not like and who is in no danger of falling for him… so he hires his hairdresser Tabitha. Tabitha, the sunshiniest girl he’s ever met, the woman he sees once a week for his hair, the one who owns a hamster, loves daytime soap operas, and gets on his nerves like no other.

“Don’t worry, your kindness is a secret between us. You’re my brutish, gothic Heathcliff, the alpha male who shows his soft side only to me. Ooh, that’s good.” Here she does one of her upwards finger-pointing gestures. “Right there. That’s our couples dynamic.”

Most of the story takes place on a giant yacht, so not only do we have fake fiancés, we’ve got fake fiancés who are forced to be in close proximity for the next two weeks. Rex and Tabitha are entertaining as all get out when they’re together – she’s constantly ruffling his feathers and he’s being a total grump about it. I loved their dynamic, with and without the fake engagement. And I loved being able to see Rex slowly let down his walls to let Tabitha in. She turns his life completely upside down with her adoring, sweet ways. She’s ridiculous and hilarious and I loved her for him.

It drives me crazy that I can’t read her right now. It drives me crazy that she isn’t wearing any of her secret little Tabitha things. She’s everything that drives me crazy, and everything that I ragingly, infuriatingly, frustratingly want.

Now I am absolutely looking forward to reading Annika Martin’s other billionaire rom-coms! This one read completely fine as a standalone, so I’m sure the others can be too. I’m also DYING to read the next book in the series, another opposites attract romance, about the shy friend who confronts the owner of the building they live in!


lacey

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

Reading Order: Billionaires of Manhattan series

#1 ~ The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Most Eligible Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules: Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Return Billionaire to Sender: Goodreads (Sept. 2020)

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Review: Don’t Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind

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Don’t Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind
Series: Showmen #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 22nd 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Some people would call Clementine Abernathy a criminal. She considers herself a modern day Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Not exactly on the up-and-up, but she knows what it’s like to lose everything. Her latest heist involves swiping a priceless Van Gogh from its owner, who’s supposed to be an egotistical trust-fund brat.

Turns out Jack David is a sexy, kind-hearted man…and Clementine is in trouble. Falling for her mark would make her the World’s Dumbest Conwoman, but Jack is charmingly persistent, always singing sweet songs in her ear.

And that earth-shattering kiss? She never stood a chance.

Now she’s imagining a fresh start with this dashing man, but that means telling Jack about her past. And other nefarious sorts are after the same painting. Too soon, Clementine learns what it means to risk it all for love.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It’s adorable, quirky, dorky, and so, so sweet. I loved the shy hero – he was the perfect guy for the Robin Hood heroine. This book had so many random things, from Elvis impersonators, bearded dragons with matching names, to a painting heist, but it all completely worked for me! If you’re looking for a rom-com (with a hint of suspense) to read this spring, let it be this one.

Don’t Go Stealing My Heart had me hooked from the blurb. A Robin Hood heroine who steals from the rich to give to the poor? And her next mark is none other than the hero?? Sign me up for ALL of that. I had high expectations going into this, but I was truly taken by surprise with how charming this romance turned out to be, with such lovable main characters. Clementine is a sweetheart of a heroine, despite the not-so-good things she does for a good cause. Jack is a cinnamon roll of a hero – pure and kind-hearted! He’s also so adorkable – he’s a freaking Elvis impersonator! I fell head over heels in love with him. He’s shy and blushing at first when it comes to Clementine, but as they get to know each other, his swooniness (is that a word?) and a bit of an alpha edge to him comes out. They were just PERFECT for each other and I really can’t describe how much I loved both of them.

Obviously, Clementine is trying to hide the fact that she’s planning on stealing from Jack, with Jack being none the wiser. There’s a little bit of angst and heartache when it comes to that, but this book as a whole just made my heart happy. I can’t recommend this enough if you want something feel-good that will put a smile on your face. This book is already going on my “best of 2020” list!


lacey

Reading Order: Showmen series

 

#1 ~ New Orleans Rush: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Don’t Go Stealing My Heart: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Royally Endowed: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Sept. 26, 2020)

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Review: Lovewrecked by Karina Halle

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Lovewrecked by Karina Halle
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: April 25th 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

What happens when you take a grumpy yet oh-so sexy groomsman, add a cheerful maid-of-honor that gets under his skin, and strand them on a deserted island together? Lovewrecked is the sexiest, funniest, sweetest romantic comedy of the year, from the NYT bestselling author of The Pact and A Nordic King

Daisy Lewis is experiencing a relentless string of bad luck.

Fortunately, Daisy has her sister’s destination wedding coming up. A week of sand, sea, and sun in the South Pacific as the maid-of-honor is exactly what Daisy needs to forget her upturned life and focus on the positive.

That is until Daisy meets the best man.

If you take tall, dark, and handsome, and add a dash of rugged, a pinch of brooding, and a whole lot of sexy, you’ve got Tai Wakefield. Unfortunately he’s also a major grump, total alpha, and seemingly out to antagonize Daisy at every turn.

As if being part of the wedding party with Tai wasn’t bad enough, Daisy’s bad luck soon resurfaces when she ends up on a cramped sailboat with Tai and the newlyweds.

Which then shipwrecks on a deserted island near Fiji.

Okay, so they aren’t completely alone. There’s an oddball research scientist who has been isolated for far too long, they have rundown bungalows as shelter, stores of water and canned food, plus a feral goat named Wilson.

It’s Lost…without the smoke monster.

But with rescue weeks away, Tai and Daisy realize the only way they’re going to get through this mess is to stop fighting and start working together.

And with their guards down, they get closer.

A lot closer.

Soon, Daisy realizes that the only thing worse than being stuck on a deserted island, is being stuck on a deserted island with a man she hates to love and loves to hate.

A man that can break her heart.

If you ever wanted to read a rom-com about getting shipwrecked and stuck on a deserted island, and NOT have to worry about anyone dying on that deserted island, Lovewrecked is your book! This was a hilarious, low angst/drama, entertaining romance that I highly recommend.

I’ll admit, if you ever show me a romance with the grumpy hero + sunshine heroine trope, I will read it 99% of the time. This trope just always gets to me! I love the dynamic and Karina Halle writes it wonderfully in Tai and Daisy’s relationship. They get off on the wrong foot from the very second Daisy lands in New Zealand and it only gets better when they get themselves into trouble (along with Daisy’s sister and her new husband) by getting shipwrecked on their way to Fiji and forced on an island together.

I had a grin on my face pretty much the entire time I read Lovewrecked. Daisy and Tai are so funny and charming together, and once the romance picked up, I was swooning! There were times when I genuinely laughed out land over the craziness everyone gets up to while stranded on the island (like a certain someone using some poisonous leaves when there’s no toilet paper around). This book was truly a blast to read and I already can’t wait for another rom-com from Karina Halle!


lacey

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