Release Day Review: The Score by Elle Kennedy

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Score by Elle Kennedy
Series: Off-Campus #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 11th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

DEAN!!!! *heart eyes*

If you know me, then you know I absolutely LOVE the Off-Campus series. The Deal and The Mistake made my top reads of 2015 so to say I had high expectations for The Score is an understatement. I couldn’t WAIT to get my hands on ~~Dean~~ Dean’s book, and of course, Elle Kennedy met all of my expectations. To be honest, she surprised me a bit with The Score. It went in a completely different direction than I anticipated, but I loved it all the same.

I know some people are worried about Allie being the heroine for Dean, that they were hoping he would be with Sabrina instead, but I can tell you that Dean and Allie are absolutely PERFECT together. They are sweet, hilarious, sassy, hopeful, and just plain perfect for each other. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed with this next installment in the series – it’s got the usual laugh-out-loud humor, fantastic sexy-times, amazing bromances, even some Twilight references, and a romance that warm your heart and leave you smiling and wanting more.

Allie Hayes has broken up with her boyfriend Sean for the last time, and she’s in need of someone to keep her from taking Sean back. Enter Dean Di-Laurentis, resident manwhore and hockey player. Dean lives by his own rules, doing what he wants, when he wants, and for the moment, what he wants is Allie. But one night of drinks leads to sizzling-hot passion and Dean can’t quite seem to get Allie off his mind or stop wanting her…

I dip my head to whisper in her ear. “Please, baby, I’ve been such a good boy… I’ve waited a whole week for this. Don’t I deserve a reward for my patience?” I rub the side of her neck with my lips. “I’ve been—” I kiss her jaw “such—” I kiss my way up to her mouth “—a good boy.”

Holy hell, this book is HOT. Who knew Dean would have a dirty mouth and some alpha in him!? I normally don’t care for manwhore heroes since I’m getting so sick of reading them these days, but there’s just something about Dean that makes him so charming and easily lovable. So I had no problems with Dean being a manwhore, since the second he’s with Allie, he can’t even think of having another girl. When Dean falls, he falls hard, and my heart swooned like crazy over the love he gradually grows to have for Allie.

Allie is a fantastic heroine! There’s so much sarcasm and sass in this girl, I loved it. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from her, but Elle Kennedy has yet to disappoint me with a weak heroine. Allie might’ve given in her body over to Dean, but her heart is an entirely different matter. She’s not about to fall for his charms or naively believe that she’s the one girl who will change his manwhore ways, with the track record he has. Allie is wonderful, relatable, and even when she’s feisty, she’s super sweet as well. I really enjoyed her character and watching her slowly lower her defenses against Dean.

“I though you said you didn’t want to salsa dance. And Dean De Laurentis only does what he wants, remember?”
He shrugs. “I am doing what I want.”
My eyebrows knit together as I wait for him to clarify.
“I’m making you happy.”

I loved this book, even when the author shattered my heart when she took the story somewhere unexpected. This part of the book will definitely tear your heart up a bit, but don’t worry, Elle Kennedy won’t leave you hanging because she’s awesome that way. She mends your heart back together… and leaves you dying for Tucker’s book. Allie and Dean’s romance was nothing short of wonderful, even when a wrench is thrown into their relationship. If you loved the previous books in the series, you absolutely DON’T want to miss The Score!

…I will do anything that woman asks. I’d sell my fucking soul to the devil himself if Allie told me to do it.

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

Reading Order: Off-Campus series

#1 ~ The Deal: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Mistake: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Score: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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6Jan2016

Release Day Review: Big Rock by Lauren Blakely

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Big Rock by Lauren Blakely
Series: Big Rock Standalone (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 6th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

It’s not just the motion of the ocean, ladies. It’s definitely the SIZE of the boat too.

And I’ve got both firing on all cylinders. In fact, I have ALL the right assets. Looks, brains, my own money, and a big c&$k.

You might think I’m an as%*$le. I sound like one, don’t I? I’m hot as sin, rich as heaven, smart as hell and hung like a horse.

Guess what? You haven’t heard my story before. Sure, I might be a playboy, like the NY gossip rags call me. But I’m the playboy who’s actually a great guy. Which makes me one of a kind.

The only trouble is, my dad needs me to cool it for a bit. With conservative investors in town wanting to buy his flagship Fifth Avenue jewelry store, he needs me not only to zip it up, but to look the part of the committed guy. Fine. I can do this for Dad. After all, I’ve got him to thank for the family jewels. So I ask my best friend and business partner to be my fiancée for the next week. Charlotte’s up for it. She has her own reasons for saying yes to wearing this big rock.

And pretty soon all this playing pretend in public leads to no pretending whatsoever in the bedroom, because she just can’t fake the kind of toe-curling, window-shattering orgasmic cries she makes as I take her to new heights between the sheets.

But I can’t seem to fake that I might be feeling something real for her.

What the hell have I gotten myself into with this…big rock?

This was the sweetest book ever! I was hoping to get something better than a typical manwhore hero story, and Lauren Blakely certainly delivered. This is actually the first book I’ve read by her, but it won’t be my last. I adored this romantic comedy of a book – if you’re looking for something light, quick, sexy, and sweet, I highly recommend Big Rock.

I love, love, looove friends to lovers romances, so I just couldn’t resist reading Big Rock. I was a little hesitant about Spencer being a manwhore, but his character got rid of my doubts quickly and I absolutely loved him from the start. Even as he has his fun with women, he respects them and treats them well. But the number of women he’s slept with is getting him into trouble for the first time – so what does he do? Pretends he’s engaged to his best friend and business partner, Charlotte.

Spencer and Charlotte have never crossed the friendship line, but with this fake engagement, the chemistry between them skyrockets until all Spencer can see is Charlotte. This gorgeous, funny, incredible woman has been right under his nose the whole time, and now Spencer can’t help but want more between them.

My heart trips over itself in a race to get closer to her.
Something is happening. Something strange and completely foreign. My heart is speaking a language I don’t understand as it tries to fling itself at Charlotte.
Great. Now, that’s two organs I have to do battle with every day.

This is the perfect light-hearted read if you’re in the mood for it. Big Rock is written entirely in Spencer’s POV, which I loved. He’s so funny and charming, you can’t help but love him. Charlotte is perfect with him – you can tell that even when they’re faking an engagement, the two of them are meant to be together for real. Their romance was a delight to read and I highly recommend it for romcom lovers!

I’ve broken the biggest ground rule of all.
I’ve fallen in love with my best friend.

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

Reading Order: Big Rock series

Each book can be read as a standalone.

#1 ~ Big Rock: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Mister O: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Well Hung: Goodreads (Sept. 12, 2016)
#4 ~ Full Package: Goodreads (May 23, 2017)

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30Dec2015

Blog Tour + Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Last Round by Emmy L. Montes

Posted in 3 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for The Last Round by Emmy L. Montes!

The Last Round by Emmy Montes
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: December 28th 2015

In the ring, I’m trained, powerful, and in control.

And that’s exactly how I built my legacy.

For years I’ve trained to fight, but no championship title in the world has prepared me for the most important fight of my life.

Out of the ring, I’m untamed and reckless.

Which is why my wife of nine years has filed for divorce.

I’m done with living up to the bad boy image my middleweight titles come with. Boxing is my life, but the money and the fame mean nothing to me without her by my side.

This fight is for the woman that I love.

And I can’t lose.

I won’t lose.

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Amazon AU

I’m a huge fan of second chance romances, so when I read the blurb for The Last Round, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! While it wasn’t exactly what I expected, if you like your reads short and sweet, I’d recommend this book.

Julian and Natalia were childhood sweethearts who married years ago, but now their marriage is almost fallen apart. With Julian a champion boxer, he lives the wild life full of parties and drinks, and Natalia has finally had enough.

When Julian finds out that the love of his life is walking away from him the day he gets out of rehab, he realizes what a mess he’s made of his marriage and he’s going to fight for it – and them.

We get flashbacks of Julian and Natalia’s past, showing the sweet moments leading up to them falling in love for the first time. This was probably my favorite part of the book, because the actual second chance romance didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

I really wish the author would’ve delved deeper into Natalia and Julian’s characters, because what little we know of them wasn’t enough to make me connect with them or their story. I liked and enjoyed this book for the most part, but I really wish it was more fleshed out and longer. It’s about half the length of a normal sized book, and it wasn’t long enough to really make me invested in the characters. Still, if you’re looking for a quick, emotional read, I’d still say to give this a try!

Now here’s an excerpt from The Last Round! ❤

FLASHBACK of Julian and Natalia (High School Years)

My smile brightened with each step. This should be fun. His head was bent low as his fork stabbed into a baked potato.

Placing my tray down, I took a seat across from him. “If that was a living being lying on your plate, I’m sure you’d be charged for aggravated assault or even attempted murder. What has that poor potato done to you?”

He lifted his head, eyes meeting mine with a raised brow. He seemed both amused and annoyed I interrupted his train of thought.

“I eat alone,” he said, eyes tensed. Then he shoved a fork full of the loaded starch into his mouth. His tongue darted out and wiped clean his perfect lips. I wonder what it would be like to kiss Julian Rios.

“So do I!” I sounded a bit too bubbly, even for myself, but with a wide grin, I nestled further into the seat, crossed my legs, and reached for my apple. “We can eat alone together.”

“Why do I have the feeling you’re gonna make my life miserable?”

“But quite the contrary; by the time I’m done with you, you’re gonna want me part of your life every waking second.”

He scoffed. “I find that very difficult to believe.”

“Listen. I’m a freshman. You’re a junior. We have two long years together. Unless you switch schools, I’m all for bugging the hell out of you until you fall irresistibly in love with me.”

He pointed a plastic fork at me. “I’ve seen girls like you on The First 48. You’re one of those psycho obsessed chicks, right? I’m gonna have to get a restraining order, aren’t I?”

I never laughed so hard in my life and for a moment the cafeteria went quiet. Only the sound of my hooting bounced in the space. I froze and looked around along with Julian. I focused my gaze back on him, leaned in and whispered, “Everyone is staring at us.”

Julian moved in closer. “Because you’ve just crossed over dangerous grounds.”

Squinting, I mouthed, “You don’t scare me.”

“You scare me.”

A soft grin touched my lips. “Good.”

USA Today Bestselling Author, E.L. Montes (Emmy Luz Montes) lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Alex, and their English Bulldog name Butters. She has a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies.

Ms. Montes worked several years as a paralegal for a mid-size law firm. She had always loved the legal field and found it to be interesting. She more so “secretly” loved to write. Disastrous was her debut novel which was released October 2012. After the release of her second novel Ms. Montes took a huge leap, by leaving her fulltime job to focus on her writing career. She has and continues to write characters with flaws. Ms. Montes said, “No one is perfect and neither are my characters. It makes the storyline a bit more realistic, in my opinion. But I also feel no matter who you are or the life you have lived, everyone deserves someone to love and be loved. I’m a hopeless romantic, and enjoy writing a story where my readers feel like they’re living and feeling every emotion.”

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29Dec2015

Release Day Review: Dirty Pleasures by Meghan March

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Dirty Pleasures by Meghan March
Series: Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: December 29th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I did it. I married a billionaire.

My reasons are my own, but the last thing I expected was to feel owned.

I may have taken vows, but I’m still determined to be me.

Now his rules are taking over my world, but I’m not the kind of girl to just obey.

There’s only one problem: I might actually be falling for him…

I have no idea how this marriage is going to go, but holding onto a piece of myself while succumbing to his dirty pleasures is shaping up to be the ride of a lifetime.

I enjoyed Dirty Pleasures a lot more than the first installment in the Dirty Billionaire Trilogy! While I liked Dirty Billionaire, it was missing the relationship development between Holly and Creighton that becomes much more apparent in Dirty Pleasures. In this book, it’s clear that Creighton is fighting for their marriage to work, and I was rooting for him every step of the way. If you were a fan of the first book, you’ll want to get your hands on this sequel.

“You’re not an afterthought. Jesus Christ, Holly. When you look at me like that, you’re my only fucking thought.”

Dirty Pleasures picks up right after that cliffhanger in Dirty Billionaire, and Creighton is chasing after his country singer wife who left him. Creighton is quickly realizing that the woman he had a one night stand with and married is becoming the most important thing in his life. As for Holly though… Holly’s number one priority right now is her singing career, and she won’t allow anyone, even her husband, to jeopardize it.

I liked Creighton so much more in Dirty Pleasures, because he’s actually become a likable guy. In the first book, he was too alpha and controlling and almost unreasonable, but in the second book, he grows to see that marriage is a compromise. He wants his marriage with Holly to work, and it’s clear that he’s putting his time and effort into doing so.

Holly grew to frustrate me. I liked that she puts her career ahead of everything and won’t bow down to Creighton, but I wanted to see her realize how much effort Creighton is putting into their marriage. Holly reasonably has doubts about the two of them lasting, and she becomes even more scared when she realizes she’s falling for her husband.

This book is just as hot and dirty as the previous book was, but it ends in a cliffhanger in the exact same way. I have high hopes for the final installment, and I’m hoping we’ll get to know more about Creighton’s past. I’m excited to see how Holly and Creighton’s story will end!

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

Reading Order: Dirty Billionaire Trilogy

#1 ~ Dirty Billionaire: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Dirty Pleasures: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Dirty Together: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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27Dec2015

Release Day Review: Break Even by Lisa De Jong

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Break Even by Lisa De Jong
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: December 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

My story isn’t a love story … not the typical kind anyway.
As a lawyer, I’m used to discovery, but I never saw this one coming.

Every day, River gives me ten reasons to stay away, and then eleven reasons why I can’t. Our relationship was to remain strictly business, or at least I tried.

Four years of marriage, and everything with Cole has changed. I never knew two people who lived together could be so distant. But I’m not ready to give up on him.

One man wants to break me.
The other is just trying to get even.

Both are lying to me.

People claim each of us has a soul mate who we’re meant to be with. I don’t think that’s true at all. There are multiple people in the world each of us could fall in love with. How well you change together is truly what determines how long you’ll be together.

Oh. My. God. OH MY GOD!!! I honestly don’t know what to say about this book except HOLY. SHIT. If you love twists and turns in your books, you NEED to pick up Break Even. This is my first read by Lisa De Jong and she didn’t disappoint. I read this in one sitting because I HAD to know what was going on – my mind kept racing as I read more and more. This book made me want to scream, it messed with my mind so much. I loved how twisty and thrilling it was!

The one who made me believe in love shouldn’t also be the one who makes me doubt it.

I really don’t want to say anything about the plot, because this is the kind of book that’s best to go in blind. I will say that yes, there is a love triangle, and yes, there is infidelity… but everything happens with GOOD REASON. And honestly, when the truth is revealed, you’ll be feeling so hurt for the heroine because her supposedly perfect life is spiraling and she has no idea how to fix it that you won’t care about the love triangle or infidelity.

He’s a magnet.
I’m a nickel.
He wants me.
I need to feel wanted.
Days of loneliness, and he’s filled each one.

I usually avoid books that have cheating in them, but Break Even had me so curious from the blurb. And now I’m really glad I read it, even though the story took me out of my comfort zone. While I didn’t connect with the Marley, Cole, or River, I was seriously sucked into their story. I loved them and I hated them – they made me feel so much. This is definitely a book that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. If you love books with twists and turns that you don’t see coming, you need to pick up Break Even!

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

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