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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Blog Tour + Early Review & Excerpt: Hades by Larissa Ione

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Welcome to today’s stop on the Review & Excerpt Tour for Hades by Larissa Ione!

Hades by Larisas Ione

Hades by Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica #11.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 26th 2015
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A fallen angel with a mean streak and a mohawk, Hades has spent thousands of years serving as Jailor of the Underworld. The souls he guards are as evil as they come, but few dare to cross him. All of that changes when a sexy fallen angel infiltrates his prison and unintentionally starts a riot. It’s easy enough to quell an uprising, but for the first time, Hades is torn between delivering justice — or bestowing mercy — on the beautiful female who could be his salvation…or his undoing.

Thanks to her unwitting participation in another angel’s plot to start Armageddon, Cataclysm was kicked out of Heaven and is now a fallen angel in service of Hades’s boss, Azagoth. All she wants is to redeem herself and get back where she belongs. But when she gets trapped in Hades’s prison domain with only the cocky but irresistible Hades to help her, Cat finds that where she belongs might be in the place she least expected…

Buy Links:
Amazon EbookAmazon Paperback • Amazon UK

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The Demonica series is one of my top favorite PNR series ever! I know that every time I pick up a Larissa Ione book, I’m going to enjoy myself. And Hades absolutely didn’t let me down. I loved being back in the Demonica world, and I had so much fun reading the Jailor of the Underworld’s story. Infused with the perfect amount of humor, action, intensity, and sexiness, Hades is a must read for fans of Larissa Ione!

Cataclysm, a fallen angel booted out of Heaven, is working for Azagoth in the Underworld. She’s trying to get back into Heaven’s good graces, but in the meantime, she’s found a good place for herself in Azagoth’s realm. Cat also has a crush on a certain Jailor of the Underworld, He doesn’t seem to notice her, but when she accidentally starts a riot in his prison, she gets his attention – as well as the attention of some evil creatures. I adored Cat’s character. She’s so heartfelt and genuine, and her awkwardness and clumsiness made her that much more endearing. I thought that she was a perfect match to Hades.

I’d been curious about Hades ever since he first appeared in the series, so I was so happy to know that he would be getting his own story. I really liked Hades’s character – he’s such a flippant person, but he’s got a hidden depth to him that no one sees except Cat. He’s lived thousands of years in loneliness, but the moment he lays eyes on Cat, things start to change for him… excerpt Azagoth has forbidden him to have anything to do with her.

I want you, Cat. I want you more than I’ve wanted anything since I fell.”

But some things are worth the Grim Reaper’s wrath, right? As Hades fights the rioters to gain back control over his domain, he can’t get Cat out of his mind. He tries to resist temptation (I loved seeing Cat try to seduce Hades), but he soon comes to realize that Cat is the best thing to ever happen to him. And holy wow, Hades and Cat together are HOT!

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I hope you know that I’d do it all over again to be with you. Thousands of years of loneliness was worth every second you’ve been in my life.”

I wish there was a bit more romance – I’m such a sap for love, and Hades and Cat were so perfect together. I wish they had a longer book! Still, Hades was a highly entertaining read – once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. It’s a short, sexy, sweet novel that paranormal fans and fans of the author shouldn’t miss!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Now here’s an excerpt from Hades! ❤

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“And what does good and evil feel like?” he rasped. “On your skin, I mean?”

“I’ll show you.” She moved toward him, every step popping out her hips and making her breasts bounce in a smooth, seductive rhythm. His mouth went dry again, but then it began to water as she reached out and placed her palm in the center of his chest.

Very slowly, she dragged her hand along the contours of his pecs, her touch so featherlike that he barely felt it, and yet, he was hyper-aware of every move her hand made, every centimeter of skin her palm passed over.

“Goodness and light,” she said softly, “is like bathing in Champagne. It’s tingly and effervescent. It wakes you up even as it relaxes you.”

“Like sex,” he murmured. “With someone you like.”

“With someone you like?” She blinked. “Why would you have sex with someone you didn’t like?”

A rumbling purr vibrated his chest. “Baby, it’s like fighting, but with orgasms.”

“And less blood, I suppose.”

“Not if you’re doing it right.” He waggled his brows, and she rolled her eyes. “So what does evil feel like to you? If good feels good, then does evil feel bad?”

“That’s the funny thing.” She inched closer, adding another palm to his chest, and he gripped the cup so hard he heard it crack. More. He needed more. And damn her for making him crave it when he’d been perfectly fine being alone for all these years. “It’s as seductive as good, but in a different way.” She shivered delicately. “It’s hot. If good is like bathing in Champagne, evil is like bathing in whiskey. There’s a burn, but it’s almost always a lovely burn.”

Yeah, he felt that lovely burn where she was touching him. As she talked, it spread across his chest and into his abdomen, then lower, to his pelvis and groin. Everything tightened and grew feverish with lust.

“Seems to me,” he said in a humiliatingly rough voice, “that bumping up against evil would be an incredible temptation for angels like you.”

“It is,” she purred. “Which is why we aren’t allowed to leave Heaven except under certain circumstances, and even then, we must have an escort. It’s one of the reasons I know I can’t ever enter Sheoul. To become a True Fallen would be to have my full powers of detection restored, and I’d be skewed toward evil. The few Seraphim who have become fallen angels are like drug addicts, seeking out the most evil beings they can find, to serve them, to just be near them.”

He wondered how having a Seraphim fallen angel as a warden in the Inner Sanctum would play out. Then Cat dragged her palms down his chest to his abs, and he forgot all about everything except what was happening right now, right here in his home.

Reading Order: Demonica series

  
  Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione
Reaver by Larissa Ione Azagoth by Larissa Ione Revenant by Larissa Ione Hades by Larisas Ione

#1 ~ Pleasure Unbound: EbookPaperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Desire Unchained: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Passioned Unleashed: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Ecstasy Unveiled: EbookPaperback • AudibleGoodreads
#5 ~ Sin Undone: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#6 ~ Eternal Rider: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Immortal Rider: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Lethal Rider: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Rogue Rider: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#10 ~ Reaver: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#10.5 ~ Azagoth: EbookPaperbackGoodreads
#11 ~ Revenant: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#11.5 ~ Hades: EbookPaperbackGoodreads

about the author button

Larissa IoneLarissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Newsletter • Pinterest • Goodreads

Follow the Tour

May 22
BBF Book Boyfriends Forever-Excerpt
Books Can Take You There-Review & Excerpt
Collector of Book Boyfriends-Excerpt
Cosying Up With Books-Excerpt
Indy Book Fairy-Review & Excerpt
Read-Love-Blog-Excerpt
When Books Defy Gravity-Excerpt

May 23
BookHounds-Excerpt
BookLovers for Life-Review & Excerpt
Deluged With Books Café-Review & Excerpt
The Book Blog-Review & Excerpt

May 24
Books That Hook-Review & Excerpt
Cocktails and Books-Review & Excerpt
RhiReading-Excerpt
Undercover Book Reviews-Excerpt

May 25
Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom-Review & Excerpt
Grownup Fangirl-Excerpt
Literary Misfit-Review & Excerpt
Love Affair with Fiction-Excerpt
New Syndrome Book-Excerpt
Rambling Reads-Review & Excerpt
TSK TSK What to Read-Review & Excerpt

May 26
A Fortress of Books-Review
CJ’s Book Corner-Excerpt
Diane’s Book Blog-Review & Excerpt
Home is Where the Wine Is-Review
Mama Reads Hazel Reads-Review & Excerpt
Reads All the Books-Review & Excerpt
Sultry, Steamy Reading-Review

May 27
Book Lovin Mamas-Review
Little Read Riding Hood-Review & Excerpt
Lostinthegreatperhaps-Review
The Reading Chameleon-Review & Excerpt

May 28
Between the Lines-Review
Kelsey’s Corner Time-Review & Excerpt
Nite Lite Book Reviews-Review & Excerpt
Reading in Pajamas-Excerpt
Revenge of the Feels-Review & Excerpt
Smut Book Junkie Reviews-Review & Excerpt

May 29
Girls With Books-Excerpt
Got Nikki?-Excerpt
Reading Between the Wines-Excerpt
Travels N Reads-Review & Excerpt
Us Girls & A Book-Review & Excerpt

May 30
Book Liaison-Review & Excerpt
Jax’s Book Magic-Excerpt
Kayla’s Place-Review & Excerpt
Red Moon-Excerpt
Roxy’s Reviews-Excerpt

May 31
Becky on Books-Review & Excerpt
Evermore Books-Review & Excerpt
I Heart YA Books-Excerpt
Vera is Reading-Excerpt


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Blog Tour + Early Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Black Rainbow by J.J. McAvoy

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Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Black Rainbow by J.J. McAvoy!

Black Rainbow by J.J. McAvoy

Black Rainbow by J.J. McAvoy
Series: Standalone
Publication date: May 15th 2015
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After an erotic one-week fling with a musician she meets in a bar, Thea Cunning never expects to see Levi Black again. Then Monday morning comes around, and she discovers that her former lover is not only her professor, but he’s also one of the top criminal lawyers in the state of Massachusetts.

With everyone in class vying to be one of the twelve disciples—a group of twelve students that Professor Black takes under his wing—tensions run high. Thea considers dropping his class, given their passionate week together and their undeniable chemistry. After all, there are other (less infuriatingly sexy) law professors on campus.

But to accomplish her goal and get her father out of prison, Thea knows she needs to learn under the best of the best—and that’s Levi Black.

But can she learn under the best, without being under the best?

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • iTunes

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I’d never read any of J.J. McAvoy’s books before, but when I read the blurb for Black Rainbow, I had to get my hands on it! I’m a sucker for a good forbidden love story, and this one seemed amazing – a one-week fling with a man who turns out to be her law professor!? Yes, please! Black Rainbow was a fun, sexy read, and while I really enjoyed it, I had a few problems with it as well. Still, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, exciting, HOT read with a little suspense mixed in, this is for you!

“You are not a black rainbow. I see every one of your colors. You may have been one once, but you sure as hell aren’t one now.”

I really liked Thea and Levi together – they have an insanely hot chemistry together, which worked out well when they wanted to have a one-week, no-strings-attached fling. It’s during this week that we see the potential Thea and Levi have toward becoming an actual couple. They’re so sweet and funny, and their teasing and banter had me grinning a lot. We see them grow to care for each other over the week, these two people who usually have their hearts guarded. But when the week is over, they have to go back to their lives – without each other. What they never expected was to see each other again, but in a classroom setting.

Levi Black turns out to be Professor Black – as in, Thea’s professor. He’s also one of the top criminal lawyers in the state, his ruthlessness and expertise nicknaming him ‘El Diablo’. Thea, though, won’t be dropping his class just because they slept together for a week. She needs to learn how to be the best lawyer she can be in order to get her father out of prison, and the only way she can do that is the stay in Levi’s class.

I was really looking forward to the ‘forbidden romance’ aspect of the story. Black Rainbow is a teacher/student romance – I was able to really feel the romance part, but the forbidden aspect was a little lacking. Like I said before, Thea and Levi are absolutely great together, but I never really felt like there would be any consequences for them if they ever got caught. I was never anxious for them, which I’m a little sad about, because that’s the best part of a forbidden love story, for me anyway. Still, the romance was sweet and heartwarming. I loved how Levi was so caring and tender with Thea, and I loved how hard he worked to claim Thea’s heart.

“When will you get it? I don’t just want you at my side, I need you.”
I love you.

One thing that really grated on me, though, was that Levi never seemed to act his age, which was thirteen years older than Thea. Some things were just a liiitle bit unbelievable at times, especially with things regarding Thea’s father’s case, but it wasn’t that big of a deal so I was able to let it go. I was really able to enjoy the story more when the main thing I focused on was the romance. Black Rainbow was a quick, fun, sexy read, and though I didn’t love everything about it, I still had a great time reading it. I’m looking forward to reading the author’s other books!

3.5 hearts
lacey

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

Now here’s an excerpt from Black Rainbow! ❤

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“Oh please, don’t say sorry, this is embarrassing enough as it is. So much for me trying to be sexy,” I sighed.

He paused for a moment looking up at me like I was crazy— “I came into the bathroom to find you standing under my shower, wet, naked, and beautiful. Then, I got to carry you out of the shower like a man, and now, you’re sitting on my bed, dripping wet, with nothing around you but a towel. The only thing that could make this sexier is this,” he said as he reached up and pulled off my shower cap.

Goddamn it! I forgot I had it on. Why, God? Why?!

“You’re sexy without even trying,” he said, as he planted a light kiss on my kneecap, “now stop ruining this for me.”

I remained silent, allowing him to finish bandaging me up. At least I had finished ninety percent of shaving my legs before I got hurt.

“I’ll finish breakfast, while you get ready,” he said, as he stood back from me.

“Reaching up, I grabbed the edge of his shirt, and as I sat up on to the bed, I allowed the towel to fall. He swallowed, his eyes fixated on every inch of me.

about the author button

J.J. McAvoyJ. J. McAvoy first started working on Ruthless People during a Morality and Ethics lecture her freshman year of college. X number of years later, she is an insomniac who has changed her major three times, and is a master in the art of procrastination. If you ask her why she began writing, she will simply tell you “They wanted to get their story out.”

She is currently working on her next novel . . . so please bug her on Twitter @JJMcAvoy

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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Black Rainbow Prize

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Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Fair Game by Monica Murphy

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Fair Game by Monica Murphy

Fair Game by Monica Murphy
Series: The Rules #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 12th 2015
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When your boyfriend bets YOU in a poker game, you better know when to run…

Bad enough Jade Frost’s boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round…and lost. Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend.

Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.

When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. No way could he want a serious relationship with her…or could he?

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • iTunes • Kobo • B&N

Monica Murphy knows how to write sexy books, but Fair Game is adorably sweet AND sexy! I really enjoyed Shep and Jade’s story – it’s a charming new adult book with endearing characters, some hot chemistry, the occasional humor sprinkled in, and the perfect amount of angst to hit you right in the heart. I highly recommend this for Monica Murphy fans!

When Jade goes with her boyfriend to an illegal poker game hosted by Shepard Prescott and his rich friends, Jade is not a happy camper. She doesn’t want to be a part of some illegal gambling and she definitely doesn’t want to have to look at Shep, who’s playing against her boyfriend… no matter how good the rich, pompous playboy looks.

“Even his name makes him sound like an asshole. And his nickname is stupid too. Shep.” I grimace. All rich dudes have stupid nicknames. I swear. “Sounds like a dog’s name. ‘Here boy. Here Shep. Mommy’s got a treat for you’,” I sing song then roll my eyes. “Ridiculous.”
“I’ll just bet Mommy’s god a treat for him,” Kelli says, her droll voice dripping with sarcasm.

Even worse, Jade is infuriated when her boyfriend (soon to be ex) throws her into the betting pot without her permission. One thing leads to another, Jade’s (ex)boyfriend ends up losing, and Jade ends up owing a date to Shep Prescott himself.

“I hate to break it to you, Jade. But you’re my prize. And I plan on collecting.” I lean in close to her, so close I can feel her warm breath waft across my face, see the way her eyes widen the slightest bit. Her lips part, her tongue appears, touching the very center of her upper lip and my skin tightens. “How about a victory kiss for starters?”

Jade is an awesome character who takes no shit from anyone, least of all Shep. I totally admired this girl and her sassiness. At the start of the book, Jade REALLY doesn’t like Shep – he’s that rich manwhore on campus who gets anything and everything he wants, and he and his arrogance do not amuse her. I actually really loved that Jade very nearly despises Shep, because I was so looking forward to seeing how Shep would change her mind about him. And he really does. We get both Jade and Shep’s perspectives in this book, and through Shep’s POV we learn how throughout his whole life, everyone only sees him for his looks and money. And Jade is the only one who sees through to the real him. Slowly, Shep breaks down Jade’s defenses around her heart and before they both know it, they want to spend more time together, and not because of the stupid bet.

It was so much fun getting to know Jade and Shep and their story. They’re so perfect for one another and they match each other so well, despite not having much in common. Jade is not easily swayed by Shep and his natural charm, so he has to actually make an effort for her to give him the time of day. Shep has never had to lift a finger to get a girl to notice him and he’s never wanted to, but something about Jade is different from any other girl he’s met. This book is definitely not an insta-love story, though both are insanely attracted to one another from the start. I could see and feel their relationship grow, and I loved that they took the time to get to know each other better. They’re just so, so sweet together!

“You own every piece of me, baby. Just like I own every piece of you.”

I can’t forget that this book is seriously HOT! Shep has one dirty mouth on him. But as much as I loved the sexiness in Fair Game, the best part of this book was definitely the relationship development between Jade and Shep. I was able to feel them falling for one another in a real, believable way. Fair Game is a refreshing take on the typical new adult college story, and I’m so glad to have experienced Shep and Jade’s.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: The Rules series

Fair Game by Monica Murphy In the Dark by Monica Murphy Slow Play by Monica Murphy

#1 ~ Fair Game: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ In the Dark: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Slow Play: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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Karen EricksonNew York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She’s a workaholic who loves her job. When she’s not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

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