Release Day Review: Beauty and the Boss by Diane Alberts

Beauty and the Boss by Diane Alberts
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: November 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Beauty is about to tame her beast…

Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn’t help that she can’t keep her eyes off of her sexy boss – the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast. Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on the line, but the future of the company.

Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn’t believe in love or romance, but the look on his mother’s face when Maggie tells her that she’s his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms–and in his bed–she’d be everything he could ever want…which is why he can’t have her.

But if he doesn’t let her go, they’ll lose everything…

I was first intrigued by Beauty and the Boss because of the fact that it’s a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite fairy tale! Benjamin Gale III – the Beast – is a cold-hearted billionaire who doesn’t believe in love. Maggie Donovan – the Beauty – is one of Benjamin’s employees… but she thinks about her gorgeous boss a lot. The two of them couldn’t be more different, but when you bring them together, you get something sweet and sexy. I enjoyed Beauty and the Boss – I didn’t love it, but it was entertaining nonetheless. If you love your office romances, you should definitely give this a try.

When Maggie accidentally announces herself as Benjamin’s fiancée to save him from his manipulative mother, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. She and her boss may have some wicked chemistry together, but pretending to be in a relationship? And engaged? She doesn’t know how she can pull it off, but she won’t let Benjamin get thrown to the wolves. As long as she can keep her heart from getting involved, then she’ll have no problem pulling of the charade… right?

Never had he had something as sweet, or addictive, as Maggie Donovan. Pretending to love her would be a pleasure if it meant he got to kiss her. Hold her. Touch her.
Make her scream out his name.

Benjamin is a workaholic, with no time for relationships, and least of all, love. His company is his life, but when he and Maggie begin their charade, he starts to see that maybe there’s more to life than just work. Maggie is a sweetheart of a character, able to bring out the laughs and smiles out of Benjamin, which has rarely happened in the past few years. I really enjoyed the way their relationship progressed as they slowly fell for each other. It was sweet how they grew to trust each other and become friends, and the banter between them was fun to read.

“You make me… happy. I didn’t think I knew what that was, or if it was even a real thing, until you. But now I do, and I don’t want to let go of it. I don’t want to let go of you.”

Beauty and the Boss is fun and sweet, and a good way to pass the time. There isn’t anything particularly amazing that made me love this book, but it’s still a satisfying read with plenty of sexy times.

3 hearts
lacey

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


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Early Review: Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke

Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke

Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke
Series: Anderson Brothers #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • PaperbackGoodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe.

Gen Richards is tired of living down to her family’s expectation of the helpless blind girl. Resurrecting her high-school bucket list that begins with “kiss a total stranger” seems just the thing until she finds herself in a panty-melting lip lock with her big brother’s best friend.

Chance Anderson thrives on adrenaline, but Genny’s the one risk he’s not willing to take. His recklessness a decade ago landed her in the hospital and ejected him from her life. He’s bad for her and everyone knows it—especially her big brother.

Chance reluctantly helps Gen complete her bucket list in order to keep her out of trouble. Running through a freezing fountain, playing spin the bottle while fending off a mad horde of stinging insects, and skinny dipping with homicidal attack swans don’t hold a candle to the real danger: falling for the one person he can never have.

“You’re my first. My first love. My only love.”

Oh god, I loved Chance of a Lifetime so, so much. When I started it, I thought it would easily be a 4 star read like the previous Anderson Brothers book was (my review here), but this… Chance and Gen’s story was so much more than I expected. It’s a gorgeous, emotional, heartwarming read I absolutely LOVED! It’s a mix of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and older brother’s best friend, which for sure are my top three tropes ever. So basically, this book was perfect for me.

Gen Richards is tired of her family thinking that her blindness makes her helpless and weak. She just wants to be treated like any other person – but the only person who ever treated her like normal was Chance, her old crush and her older brother’s best friend, and he abandoned her. But now, Gen is taking charge of her life, and she’s starting off by completing her high school bucket list. The first item? Kiss a stranger. And of all the people in the world, she accidentally chooses to kiss Chance… but then she realizes she’s found the perfect person to help her fulfill her bucket list.

He’d never been able to stay away. She was like a drug. He needed more. He always had. He was addicted, but had been able to control it and hide it… Until last night when she’d kissed him. He’d fallen off the wagon. Hell, the whole fucking wagon had fallen off a cliff with him on it. One taste of Genny and he was gone. The next week would be hell.

Chance has stayed out of Gen’s life for the past ten years, but he’s never forgotten her. He’s always regretted the way he left her life, but he’s here with her now to make amends and to prove to her that he’s there to say. He’s patient, supporting, loving… a swoon-worthy hero. I fell so hard for his character – he’s made his mistakes, but his number-one priority has always been Gen, and the love he’s had for her over the years comes so clearly off the pages.

“What do you see?”
“Nothing but you.”

Chance and Gen are absolutely perfect together! Gen is feisty, awesome, down-to-earth, and she never lets her blindness be a crutch for her. Chance is the only person who’s never seen her as disabled, who’s never held her back from doing what she wanted, and I loved that he admired her strength and found inspiration from it. Gen’s older brother is an obstacle in their relationship, one that both Gen and Chance need to overcome, but with the passion and love they have for each other, I had no doubt that these two would fight for their love.

“Most people would insist on leading me to him.”
“Nobody needs to lead you two to each other. You’d find each other from opposite sides of the planet.”

My heart grew so emotionally invested in Gen and Chance’s story. It was the perfect romance! And I loved that the author infused a bit of humor in this book – it wasn’t as funny as the previous one, but it was the perfect amount of humor for this story. I loved everything about this book! I read it in one sitting and I couldn’t get enough of it. I’m actually really glad that I haven’t read the first book in the series yet, because I seriously don’t want to let go of these characters!

5 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Anderson Brothers series

Sleeping with the Boss by Marissa Clarke Neighbors with Benefits by Marissa Clarke Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke

#1 ~ Sleeping with the Boss: EbookPaperbackGoodreads
#2 ~ Neighbors with Benefits: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chance of a Lifetime: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads


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Release Day Review: How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks

How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks

How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: November 9th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Revenge was never this much fun…

When Rochelle Ransom auditioned for the dating show Luring Love, she had big plans for winning the prize money to help her favorite charity-and if she won the hot bachelor’s heart, even better. But at the last minute she finds out the hot bachelor is her ex-boyfriend, Grant Drake. Desperate to keep her distance from him, she’ll do anything-and everything-to get voted off.

Years ago, Rochelle broke Grant’s heart, and he’s out for revenge. There’s no way he’ll vote her off.

After all, vengeance is a dish best served red-hot…and on live television.

When her hilarious antics to get kicked off the show escalate, Grant’s reminded why he fell in love with her the first time. Now he isn’t sure which might be more fun… Seeing how far Rochelle is willing to go to get away or how far he will to keep her forever.

How to Lose a Bachelor is a super cute, quick, and fun second chance romance with a The Bachelor twist to it! I really enjoyed it – I adore second chance romances, so this was right up my alley. It’s hilarious yet sweetly romantic, and I loved all the crazy shenanigans that the heroine came up with on the reality show. If you’re a fan of light-hearted romances, or even second chance romances, I highly recommend this one!

She was going to be on TV. But more importantly, nothing was going to stop her from winning the grand prize money for her charity.
Oh yeah, and the bachelor’s heart or whatever.

Rochelle Ransom auditions for a reality TV show in order to try to win a bachelor’s heart… and the grand prize money that will help with funding her woman’s shelter. The last person she ever expects the bachelor to be is her ex, the former love of her life, Grant Drake. As much as she’d like to quit the show and get away from the man who broke her heart, Rochelle needs the money for the shelter. So she strikes a deal with the producer – if she agrees to stay on the show to add drama, then she’ll get double the prize money, regardless of whether Grant kicks her off the show or not. And so ensues her hilarious ways of trying her best to get kicked off the show and pay Grant back for breaking her heart.

Grant also wants revenge on the woman who abandoned him and their relationship. But seeing Rochelle again, being with her and getting glimpses of the woman he fell in love with ten years ago, quickly has him changing his plan from getting revenge to winning her back.

Rochelle needed some gentle coaxing, some delicate care, a lot of nurturing–and to know that he was still the man she loved. He knew she’d loved him before. And somehow, he had to find a way to make her love him again.

How to Lose a Bachelor was so much fun to read. In between the hilarious antics Rochelle comes up with to embarrass herself and get Grant to kick her out and Grant’s own ridiculous paybacks, I was giggling so much. The second chance romance was sweet – I really adored seeing Grant and Rochelle warm up to each other again, fall in love again. The two of them are likable, funny characters, and they’re wonderful together – I was rooting for them to get back together from the start. This is a fast-paced, satisfying book I easily read in one sitting. I will definitely be looking forward to more contemporary romances from Anna Banks!

4 hearts
lacey

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


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Release Day Review: Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss

Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss

Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss
Series: Tangled in Texas #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 26th 2015
Links: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Nothing ignites a fire like the perfect match…

Anna Weber is every inch the proper librarian–old-fashioned, conservatively dressed right down to her tightly clipped flaming red hair. She’s just moved to a small Texas town, and is determined to spend time with her friend before she has to disappear. Relationships aren’t easy for her. She knows too well what it means to be burned. And the last thing she ever wants to do is fall in love…

Especially not with a fireman who’s hot enough to set the entire state of Texas on fire.

Cowboy can’t resist the fiery little librarian, and he’s determined to make her his. Beneath that prim-and-proper exterior is a woman he very much wants to know–if she’d let him. She’ll test his patience. His control. Hell, his very sanity. And for the first time, Cowboy wonders if he’s found the one fire he can’t control…

This is actually my first Alison Bliss book, but as entertaining as her writing is, it won’t be my last. Playing with Fire is a hilarious, fun, wild read that I really enjoyed. I didn’t completely love it, since some parts of the book aggravated me, but it’s still an entertaining read nonetheless. If you’re a fan of humorous reads with a lovable characters and an intriguing storyline, I’d recommend this one.

The blurb first intrigued me, because the town manwhore falling for the shy librarian? Yes, please! I couldn’t WAIT to see how this librarian would bring the playboy to his knees. And ahhh, what a fun read this was. I really liked how Cowboy, fireman and most eligible bachelor, was so taken away by the sweet and quiet Anna. They are complete opposites and so not meant for each other, but their hot chemistry says otherwise. I loved how the author was able to incorporate both sexiness AND humor into Anna and Cowboy’s growing relationship.

I straightened my spine and took on a chastising tone. “Doesn’t matter. Someone has to teach you proper etiquette.”
“Oh, fuck me,” Cowboy groaned, shifting the bulge in his crotch and shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m getting all hot and bothered for a woman who acts like an old-fashioned schoolmarm.”

I did get frustrated at how both Anna and Cowboy would always somehow get mad at each other and run away from their problems. Cowboy has the occasional mantrum, which took away from his alpha-ness, but I still liked him in the end. Anna is definitely my favorite of the two – she’s shy, awkward, self-conscious… she’s relatable. I was heartbroken over her tragic past, but she has a strength that she uses to go head-to-head with Cowboy. The two of them have such hilarious banter! I laughed so much while reading.

The romance is so sweet. I wanted to see Cowboy fight just a liiittle bit more for Anna, but the grand gesture at the end totally made up for everything. This former player definitely, to everyone’s amusement, falls head-over-heels for the town librarian, and I loved that once Cowboy saw Anna, there was no one else for him.

“Okay, so maybe I’ve come on a little strong. But when it comes to you, I can’t help myself. I’ve never met anyone like you. You challenge me in ways no other woman ever has.” He lessened the strength of his hold on me. “I want you to give this thing between us a chance.”

I really liked this book. It wasn’t perfect, but I was entertained the whole time I was reading. There’s a little bit of suspense thrown in too, with someone setting things on fire in town. Overall, Playing with Fire is a great read with tons of laugh-out-loud moments and an opposites-attract romance. I really hope that there will be more in the series!

3.5 hearts
lacey

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


Reading Order: Tangled in Texas series

Rules of Protection by Alison Bliss Playing with Fire by Alison Bliss

#1 ~ Rules of Protection: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Playing with Fire: Ebook • PaperbackGoodreads


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Early Review: A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye

A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye

A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye
Series: Boston Alibi #1
Publication Date: October 19th 2015
Links: EbookGoodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He can fight anything…except his need for her.

Until her new job starts in September, buttoned-up elementary school teacher Laurel Harris is at loose ends and in need of cash. Fortunately her best friend’s older brother is a single dad and desperately needs a nanny. Or so she’s told. She doesn’t anticipate him being such a menacing, muscled, and undeniably gorgeous man…or that he has zero interest in hiring a nanny.

Micah Crane will do right by his young daughter, no matter the cost. And right now, that cost is juggling parenthood with long hours at his bar and working as an enforcer for a notorious crime boss. He doesn’t need another complication in his life, but the sweet, frustratingly opinionated little blonde hell-bent on caring for his daughter stirs his blood like no woman ever has.

All it takes is a moment of weakness to ignite the lust blazing between them. A moment that will unravel their self-control and unleash all of Micah’s darkest secrets…

I absolutely loved the sound of A Moment of Weakness – a hot, single father with a bit of danger in him falls for his daughter’s nanny? Yes please! I ended up really enjoying this book, even though it wasn’t quite what I expected. I wasn’t really sold on the hero in the beginning, but he grew more likable later on. Overall, Brooklyn Skye’s A Moment of Weakness is certainly an entertaining, sexy read I’d recommend.

Laurel Harris is looking for a job for the summer, and her best friend gets her one as a babysitter for Micah, her friend’s brother. What she doesn’t expect is for Micah to be a sexy, big, tattooed hunk of a man. Micah, on the other hand, doesn’t believe he needs a babysitter for his daughter, Shea, because he thinks he’s doing just fine as a single parent… even though he takes Shea with him to the bar he owns and has a side job as a mob enforcer. When he finally sees that maybe his daughter isn’t in the best environment, he reluctantly hires Laurel and has her stay in his home – which only makes the sparks between them fly hotter than ever.

Micah was a bit too hot-and-cold in the beginning for my taste – it was pretty off-putting. One minute he’d be all over Laurel, the chemistry between them hot-as-hell, and the next he’d be cold and distant. This grew better later on in the book though, thankfully, as the two start falling for each other. I adored Laurel – she’s a sweetheart of a character, and I loved the way she was with Micah’s daughter. The three of them together is honestly the cutest thing ever!

A Moment of Weakness is incredibly well-written. I’m excited for more from Brooklyn Skye, since this book seems to be the first in the Boston Alibi series. The author definitely knows how to write a steamy book with some intense scenes. Overall, I’d definitely recommend A Moment of Weakness for those who like quick, sexy, satisfying reads.

4 hearts
lacey


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