Early Review: Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton
Series: Cocktail #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 2nd 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin is a tough-as-nails software engineer who designs programs and loves hospital corners. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.

When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?

There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.

In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian. Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Holy hot dirty talkin’ librarians!

I loooove Alice Clayton. She is one of my favorite go-to authors, because I never fail to enjoy her books, and they always make me laugh so hard. Plus, she wrote the gem that is Wallbanger, one of my FAVORITE books ever, which I’ve reread countless times, so what’s not to love about Alice Clayton?

This latest book in the Cocktail series is another fabulous, delightful read from this author. Though I didn’t love Screwdrivered as much as the previous two books (I honestly don’t think anyone can match up to Simon and Caroline), I still loved Alice Clayton’s classic humor and writing. Fans of Wallbanger definitely shouldn’t miss this next installment of the series!

Our heroine, Viv Franklin, was first introduced as a friend of Simon’s from high school in Rusty Nailed. She’s an adorable heroine—she’s sassy and feisty, a total girly girl, a complete computer geek, and daydreams all the time about starring in her own raunchy romance novel. She’ll literally drift off and imagine a hunky man sweeping her off her feet and ravishing her—after all, that’s not so much to ask, right? But unfortunately for Viv, she hasn’t quite found THE ONE who’ll satisfy all her dirty romance book cravings.

So Viv is pretty bored with her life. That is, until a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes, and she gets the chance to move across the country to Mendocino, California. (Guess who else lives in California? SIMON AND CAROLINE!)

It’s there at her aunt’s home that she inherited that Viv meets the hot cowboy Hank….

“I see by your buckle your name’s Hunk. I mean, Hunk. I mean, fuck, Hank. Crap.”

So yeah… Viv becomes a total dork around ~~Hunk~~ Hank, and he basically doesn’t give her the time of day.

But then… when Viv decides to remodel her aunt’s home, she meets the town librarian, Clark Barrow, who is very much like all those boring men Viv tried dating. Right? Well, not exactly. While ~~Hunk~~ Hank fires up Viv’s loins, Clark fires her up in different ways…

“Impossible woman,” he muttered, straightening his tie and picking up the picture that had brought him here the first place.
“Impossible woman,” I mimicked in a tone I hadn’t used since third grade. I accompanied it with a face I also hadn’t made since the third grade. Honestly.

Clark and Vic DO NOT get along, which makes their romance all the better. I went from laughing at their banter (which is just SO GOOD) to wanting them to just freaking kiss already!! It takes a while for Viv to realize that a certain librarian may be more than she first thought he was, and that she might be falling for him.

“Hiya, Clark,” I said, slowly straightening and turning to lean against my car. I smiled as I saw his gaze drop down to my legs, as it often did, and slowly rise up my body. I don’t know if all librarians ogled the way this one did, but he had it down to an art form. He took his time, leaving no curve unseen. Did I arch my back when his gaze finally made it to my chest? Of course I did. And was rewarded with a nostril flare, the equivalent of a facial boner.

Screwdrivered is a very slow paced book. I honestly wished it was much faster paced, but I trusted Alice Clayton not to disappoint me when the time came for Viv and Clark go be together. Viv had to first rediscover herself before she could form any real relationship. And I loved that this book was about self-discovery as well as a love story (an adorably hilarious one at that).

And Clark!! Oh my word, I don’t think I’ve ever found a librarian so attractive before! Clark definitely made me swoon and sigh. He’s cute, awkward, quirky, funny, and just a plain ole good man, and I adored him.

Screwdrivered was just an adorably fun book to read. I was smiling the whole way through. That’s what I love about Alice Clayton’s books—they never fail to make me smile! And I definitely recommend Viv’s story for those who want to have a good time while reading.

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

Reading Order: Cocktail series

#1 ~ Wallbanger: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Rusty Nailed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Screwdrivered: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mai Tai’d Up: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Last Call: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

31Jul2014

Review: Rogue by Katy Evans

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Rogue by Katy Evans
Series: Real #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 29th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

HE SAYS HE’S NO GOOD FOR HER.
SHE HATES THAT HE MIGHT BE RIGHT.

Brook Dumas found Remington Tate in REAL, and now it’s her best friend Melanie’s turn to find the man who makes her heart sing. After years of searching, one night in the rain, the strong and mysterious Greyson King comes to her rescue. He’s bold, and maybe just the lover, friend, and protector she’s been searching for. When they make love, he says her name like it means something. Like she means something–and that’s everything she’s ever wanted.

He disappears for days without a word, and when he’s around, he says he’ll only hurt her. Buy when he’s away, her heart hurts more.

Then Melanie uncovers the dark world he’d been determined to keep hidden, and suspects that their random first meeting might have not been so random after all.

Caught in a free fall of emotions, Melanie has no one to catch her but the man she should be running from. . .

But what do you do when your Prince Charming has gone Rogue?

Oh, my heart… Rogue is absolutely perfect! It’s a stunning, phenomenal read that had me riveted from start to finish. I am so in love with Greyson and Melanie’s story, I can’t even describe how much. Their story took my breath away–everything about this book is intense and raw and so freaking goooood. I went through so many emotions while reading–I was swooning one moment, then heartbroken the next. Katy Evans, you ruined me with this book! I loved it!

“I’m going to give you the fucking of your life, princess.”

Oh. My. God. Please have a fan with you when you read Rogue because it is one smokin’ book! Greyson is one of the hottest alpha-males I’ve ever read–he’s sex on a stick, and the things that come out of his mouth are just… perfect. He has one dirty, dirty mouth, Greyson does. God, I love this man so much!

The book is told through Melanie and Greyson’s alternating POVs, which I found added immensely to the story. We get to know what’s going on in both of their heads, which I was so happy for because I LOVED Greyson’s POV! Not saying I didn’t love Melanie’s either, but Katy Evans is fantastic at writing from a male perspective! Actually, to be honest, I love ALL of Katy’s writing–it’s unique and pulls you in until you can’t stop reading.

FUCK HER PRINCE CHARMING.
She’s getting me.

Melanie is the quintessential girly girl who loves all things feminine. She’s had dreams about finding her Prince Charming since she was a little girl, and she still holds on to the hope that she’ll find him some day. Melanie is such a sweet girl, and I totally connected with her from the start. But even though Melanie is such a happy girl, her quest for Prince Charming does take its toll on her–she sleeps with men, ‘kissing frogs’ hoping they’ll be THE ONE, but she only gets hurt time and again. My heart went out to Melanie, because she’s the kind of girl you wish would never get hurt. I loved her determination to never give up, despite the number of times her heart was broken.

Then one day, she meets Greyson. Greyson, a man who fires her up like no one ever has. She connects with him on a visceral level, and there is an explosive chemistry between them. Their chemistry is hot and powerful, and Katy Evans’s writing is so well done that I could feel it coming off the pages.

Suddenly, every fiber in my body, my sober body, tells me his is the one.
He is the one.
The one who’s going to wreck me. Hurt me. Demolish me. The one who is going to remove every inch of the girl in me. He will be the memory I will never forget, and good or bad, he will be THE one I dream of.

When Melanie and Greyson come together, it’s passionate and beautiful. I was completely immersed in them, in their romance. What was supposed to be only one night between them turns out to be so much more, but what Melanie doesn’t know is that Greyson is keeping a huge secret from her.

Greyson is a bad, bad man. He is known as Zero in the Underground world, and his job is to make sure that the people who owe the Underground pay up. And if they can’t… well, bad things happen. As Zero, Greyson is hard, cold, and unforgiving, but when Melanie falls into his life, nothing is the same.

I have never, ever wanted anything the way I want those green eyes to memorize me the way I’ve made it a religion to memorize her.

I love, looove, and absolutely adore how much Greyson loves his Princess. I never though I’d actually like the endearment Princess, but the way Greyson uses it for Melanie makes me swoon so hard for him. He’s an alpha-male to the max, so he’s protective, possessive and obsessive of Melanie, but in the best way possible. He wants all of her, but there’s no doubt that she has all of him.

“You got me, princess. Jesus! Do you not see what you’re doing to me? You have all of me, Melanie. I’m states away and I feel like half a man, I feel like I’ll tear something apart if I don’t see you soon with my own two eyes…”

Melanie has found her ONE in Greyson, but her Prince Charming isn’t a good man. But these two are meant for each other–there’s an something between them that can’t be ignored, and I was captivated by their story. I loved reading Rogue so, so much. I never expected this level of raw intensity in a book, but I applaud Katy Evans for writing it so well. Rogue is an emotional, heart-racing read that I never wanted to end. It was just perfect.

Reading Order: Real series

#1 ~ Real: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Mine: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Remy: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Rogue: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ripped: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Legend: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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15Jul2014

Release Day Review + Giveaway: Tamed by Emma Chase

Posted in 5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Tamed by Emma Chase
Series: Tangled #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 15th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

What does Drew Evans have to say next? Find out in this forty page short story, filled with his sexy charm, unique advice and hilarious one-liners.

Marriage: the final frontier. Steven went first. He was kind of our test subject. Like those monkeys that NASA sent off into space in the fifties, all the while knowing they’d never make it back.

And now another poor rocket is ready to launch.

But this isn’t just any posh New York wedding. You’ve seen my friends, you’ve met our families, you know you’re in for a treat. Everyone wants their wedding to be memorable. This one’s going to be un-frigging-forgettable.

OMG!! I. Love. Matthew Fisher!! I never expected it, but I love him JUST as much as I love Drew! While Drew had that ‘womanizer’ thing going on (until Kate, of course), Matthew is the kind of guy that you can’t help but LOVE. He’s sweet, charming, sexy, and just a plain ol’ good guy. He’s friendly with the ladies, has a fabulous time with them, but he’s not as bad as Drew was. So Matthew is pretty much perfect hero material–and when you partner him up with Delores Warren? You get one fun, wild ride.

This is a story about a player, who meets a slightly crazy girl. They fall in love and the player changes his ways forever. It’s a story you’ve probably heard before, maybe even from my buddy, Drew Evans. But the thing is, while he and Kate were figuring their shit out? There was this whole alternate universe going on with Delores and me that you don’t know about. So stick around, even if you think you already know the ending. Because the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination. It’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.

This quote is the absolute PERFECT way to describe Matthew and Dee’s story. No matter what you think you might already know of their story, Tamed still ends up being unique, refreshing, and such a fun read. Matthew’s voice is distinctly different from Drew’s, all while keeping up the hilarity that is the Tangled series. I absolutely loved reading from Matthew’s POV–his and Drew’s relationship as well as his and Alexandra, Drew’s sister’s, relationship, had me laughing so much!

We already know who Delores is. Dee is that fierce kind of girl who’ll protect her best friend with her claws out. She’s tough, stubborn, insanely smart, hilarious, and so much fun. Everyone who knows Dee is slightly afraid of her. And that’s just how Dee likes it. She doesn’t need anyone getting close to her. She doesn’t let anyone get under her skin–until she meets Matthew. They were supposed to just have a one-night-stand, but that one-night-stand becomes so much more.

Matthew has never met anyone like Dee–he sees the tough persona she puts on as well as the vulnerable side she hides. Dee’s been burned more than once, and doesn’t trust easily. Matthew grows to care for Dee more and more, and before he knows it, he’s in love with her. I love Matthew’s humor, but the best part I love about Matthew is the soft side he shows to Dee. I loved seeing Matthew in love, seeing him fight to bring down all of Dee’s walls.

I’ll work at convincing her, that I’m one of the chosen few she can give her trust to.
Because Delores is worth waiting and working for.

*Sigh* I swoon madly for Matthew.

Emma Chase once again writes a story I fell so easily in love with. Her stories and characters are just so addicting. And Emma’s male POV is once again top-notch. Once I picked Tamed up, I couldn’t put it down–this book is sweet, heartfelt, hilarious, romantic, and I never wanted it to end. Matthew and Dee definitely don’t have an easy road ahead of them–there’s some hurt and there’s some angst, but they’ll fight for each other because they’re perfect together. Tamed made me smile, laugh, and cheer for Dee and Matthew the whole way through, and I loved it.

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

Reading Order: Tangled series

#1 ~ Tangled: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Holy Frigging Matrimony: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Twisted: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Tamed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Tied: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Paperback copy of Tangled

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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24Jun2014

Release Day Review: Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton
Series: Cocktail #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 24th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

In this sequel to Wallbanger, fan favorites Caroline Reynolds and Simon Parker negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in Sausalito.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on an extended honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy-long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel. And with Simon, her hotshot photographer boyfriend, gallivanting all over the world for his job, the couple is heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. No complaints about the great reunion sex, though!

Then a trip back east to his childhood home has Simon questioning his nomadic lifestyle. He decides to be home more. A lot more. And he wants Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort out their relationship. Sure, more togetherness is a good thing—but does less traveling and working have to mean the other extreme? Apple pie and picket fences? With this second book in the Cocktail series, USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy confection of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!

In case you didn’t know, I’m in love with Caroline and Simon. Like, seriously IN LOVE. I fell so hard for their story in Wallbanger, and I was desperate for more about them. And thank goodness Alice Clayton wrote Rusty Nailed!! I pretty much devoured Rusty Nailed in one sitting. I seriously don’t think I could ever get tired of reading about Simon or Caroline.

Rusty Nailed is a continuation of Simon and Caroline’s story from Wallbanger, so RN definitely should NOT be read as a standalone. Simon and Caroline have been together for a year, and life is… well, pretty great for them.

After a year, he could still bring me to my knees in seconds with one touch, one kiss, one look.

They still have sexy times, they still have those hilarious, sweet moments. Simon is off traveling the world most of the time because of his work as a photographer, but Caroline’s okay with that as she’s working hard at her job as an interior designer. The two of them have reached the point in their relationship where there’s not much angst or drama. I loved seeing how even though Simon is away many times throughout the year, the second he comes home, it’s like he and Caroline have never been apart. Simon is seriously the sweetest, and the two of them still have such a great chemistry with each other.

When you were in a long-distance relationship, of course you made the most of the time you were together. But sometimes, it was the unexpected that really made the difference. The unexpected emotions you were hit with when you saw that face, looked into those eyes, felt those lips. The unexpected reminder of why you fell in love with this person could hit you so powerfully. And this was that time.

We have Caroline and Simon’s friends’ stories entwined in the book too, which I was so happy about! Mimi and Ryan are engaged, Sophia and Neil have broken up (whaaat?), and Caroline’s boss Jillian is getting married. I love Caroline and Simon, don’t get me wrong, but their friends are so freaking hilarious!!! Caroline and Simon are funny enough, but add in the antics of their friends, and you have the laugh-out-loud humor that is an Alice Clayton classic.

So things are cruising along nicely for Caroline and Simon… until Caroline’s boss heads off on her honeymoon, leaving Caroline in charge of an entire business. Caroline has to work long-ass hours to keep the business running, but on the bright side, her boss left her in charge of a beautiful home to “house-sit” with Simon. Yeah, “house-sit”, as in have crazy monkey sex all over the place. 😉

Another aspect I loved about the book was how much more serious both Simon and Caroline were about their relationship. Simon is a very light-hearted guy–he’s sweet, funny, charming, and it’s enough to make us forget that he was orphaned at eighteen when his parents died. But in Rusty Nailed, we finally get to see the more vulnerable side to Simon–he finally opens up more about his past and his parents. Which only served to make me fall even more head-over-heels in love with this man.

But with Caroline getting more and more stressed over her temporary new job, and Simon getting contemplative about his and Caroline’s relationship, life’s not all sunshine and rainbows anymore. Caroline barely has any time to spend with Simon, and Simon is home a lot more now that he’s not taking many jobs.

Being half of a “we” is sometimes hard.

The two of them have to deal with what it means to be in a steady relationship, and it was so great to see Simon and Caroline discover that together. The two of them could not be more perfect for each other, so I was rooting for them all the way. They have their bumps along the road (i.e. some arguments, but nothing that a little lovin’ can’t solve 😉 ) but when the going gets tough, these two don’t get going. They stay with each other, hash it out with each other, and do what real couples do–they talk (and have sex. Of course).

“I adore you, and I want a home. Again. With you.”~Simon

I have to say though, I didn’t love Rusty Nailed as much as Wallbanger. Did I expect to? Maybe… but just because I didn’t love this book as much as I did Wallbanger doesn’t mean I love Caroline and Simon any less. Pink Nightie Girl and Wallbanger for the win! The book did move too slow in some parts, where some communication could have easily solved everything, and Caroline was being too stubborn for too long. But still, how could I not love a book about Simon and Caroline? I really enjoyed reading more of their lives past Wallbanger–I was laughing and swooning the whole time reading. I can’t ever get enough of these two!

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

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