Early Review: Reap by Tillie Cole

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Reap by Tillie Cole
Series: Scarred Souls #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 10th 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva’s obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he’s his master’s perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life–away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family’s underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family’s captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made–blood for blood…life for life…souls for scarred souls…

I loved, loved, loooved this!!! Reap is an incredible, heart-pounding, romantic read I was utterly enthralled with. I’m such a fan of the way Tillie Cole writes – it’s dark, powerful, addicting. Her stories are riveting, and her characters are intense yet lovable. I had high expectations for Reap after loving Raze – and I’m so glad to say Reap is another winner from one of my favorite authors!

The Scarred Souls series is not for the faint of heart. It’s dark, gruesome at times, and yet I can’t stop reading it. Reap is the story of 221, also known as Zaal Kostava, and Talia Tolstaia. It could be read as a standalone, but I think it’s much easier to understand Reap if you’ve read Raze, because we also get some chapters in Luka’s POV, who was the main character in Raze. Reap is a bit of a continuation of Raze, though it is still firmly Zaal and Talia’s story.

For over 20 years, Zaal has been known as 221, an enslaved fighter who, under the influence of forced drugs, is a soulless killing machine for his ‘master’. He and his twin were abducted at a young age and forced into horrible, tragic circumstances. But it turns out that Zaal’s twin is none other than the one person Luka owes his life to, and Luka is determined to pay his debts by saving Zaal.

Talia, Luka’s sister, may be the daughter of one of the leading Russian mobsters, but she struggles with the responsibilities that come with the role. When she grows tired of the Bratva life, she runs away to a private beach house – but everything changes when Luka shows up with a feral, beast of a man and chains him up in the basement. Talia grows intrigued by Zaal, who’s the son of her family’s enemy, until her obsession with him grows and one day she can’t help but go to him.

Our desperate gazes met.
He took a deep breath.
Then he whispered, “You are … for me?”
And I knew I was done.
Trampled, heart-flattened, done.

This book kept tearing my heart open and filling it with love for the characters over and over again. My heart broke for Zaal, for the tragedy that happened to him and his family. I nearly wanted to cry, the story got so emotional sometimes. But then with Talia, Zaal finds family, love, again, and my heart would ache with happiness for the two of them. Tillie Cole has a talent at conveying such powerful love between her couples, and Zaal and Talia’s romance by far is my favorite.

“Zaal Kostava, you’ve stolen my forbidden heart.”

The Scarred Souls series is dark romance at its finest. The love story is stunning, written perfectly to balance out the dark parts of the book. I don’t know how Tillie Cole does it, but every time, I am just so blown away by the sheer brilliance of the writing and the gorgeous love between her characters. I have to admit, I loved Reap even more than Raze, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third book (whose main character is one I’m SO excited for)!

“My heart, it is full, Talia. It is full, for you.”

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

Reading Order: Scarred Souls series

#1 ~ Raze: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Reap: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Ravage: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Riot: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1-2 ~ Scarred Souls: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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3Nov2015

Release Day Review: Tough Enough by M. Leighton

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Tough Enough by M. Leighton
Series: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 3rd 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart?

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars.

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid.

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most.

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

“Pugnare superesse. Vivere pugna. Fight to survive. Fight to live.”

Tough Enough is so, so, sooooo sweet!!!! I love Rogan so freaking much! He’s one of the sweetest heroes I’ve ever read, and I absolutely adored him. I actually wasn’t expecting this book to be as wonderfully romantic as it was, so it was such a great surprise to find out that Rogan is as sweet and heart-melting as he is sexy and alpha. He and Katie are perfect together – I simply adored their story. The romance in Tough Enough swept me away and had my heart swooning and sighing. I highly recommend this book for those who love romances!

“You think I don’t see you, don’t you? But I do. I see you. I could watch you and see you all day and never get tired of it.”

M. Leighton always writes the most wonderful heroes, but I have to say, Rogan is now my top favorite hero of hers. I LOVED HIM! Sweet, utterly smitten with Katie, but also powerful and dangerous. He may be a fighter, but he’s a lover at heart, and the second he sees Katie, he’s totally gone for her. But Katie has her own scars and an abusive past that prevents her from jumping into anything with Rogan, no matter how much she wants this man, who’s gorgeous inside and out. She’s the kind of girl I instantly related to – down-to-earth, sweet, self-conscious. She’s amazed that someone like Rogan could want her, and while I normally would’ve been annoyed by that attitude, it worked with her. I understood her so well and my heart broke at the painful past she has. But being with Rogan changes everything for her, and where she was once existing, he now makes her start to truly live.

“This . . . you are the closest I’ve come to living in a long time.”
“Then let me bring you back to life,” he whispers, brushing his lips over mine in a kiss even softer than his words. “Inch by inch, day by day, touch by touch.”

Katie and Rogan were both fantastic, dynamic characters that I grew addicted to reading about. And the chemistry between them is on fire! My heart grew invested in their characters and story because I loved them so much. I also enjoyed being in both their POVs. I especially appreciated the individual journey that Katie goes through. She learns to love herself and grow confident in herself, thanks to Rogan. Ah, I just want grab Katie and hug her, she’s such a sweetheart of a heroine!

The main reason I can’t give this book 5 stars is because I was expecting something… different. After reading Strong Enough, I thought Tough Enough would also have a strong romantic suspense theme, but this book is very much just straight-up contemporary romance with only the barest hints of suspense. If I’d known that going in, I’m sure this easily would’ve been a 5 star read, but since I was kind of looking forward to some action, I was a little let down. Still, I really did love this book – M. Leighton knows how to write romance, and she’s blown me away with Katie and Rogan’s heart-wrenchingly sweet love story.

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

Reading Order: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series

#1 ~ Strong Enough: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Tough Enough: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Brave Enough: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Nov2015

Audiobook Review: Dragonfly by Leigh T. Moore

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Dragonfly by Leigh T. Moore
Series: Dragonfly #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: October 20th 2015
Length: 6 hours and 33 minutes
Narrated by: Christy Romano
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Falling in love changes everything.

Three bad things I learned this year:

People you trust lie, even parents.
That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, might not be the one.
Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:

Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away.
That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, just might be the one.
Oh, and things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich and sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister, Lucy. Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced – until he mysteriously withdrew.

Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction to Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father.

A secret that could permanently change all their lives.

The audiobook of Dragonfly is a quick, fun listen. I really enjoyed Christy Romano’s narration – she did a great job with portraying the teenage main character’s voice. While I didn’t love the story, I still appreciated the way the author was able to make her high school characters realistic and relatable. I’d definitely recommend this audiobook if you’re a fan of romance with realistic teenage characters and high school angst/drama.

Anna Sanders is that very typical high school senior girl who, in between dealing with school and college, has one mess of a romantic life. She has a fling with the hot and rich Jack Kyser, whose father practically owns the town they live in, and her feelings for Jack eventually grow into something deeper. But when Jack withdraws from her, her best guy friend Julian is always there for her. It’s obvious that both boys care deeply for Anna, and vice versa, but I felt like only one of them was really meant to be with her.

As many times as Anna annoyed me with her wishy-washy attitude, I really enjoyed the way she took the time to think over her feelings for both boys before making any rash decisions. I’m not a fan of love triangles but the author handled it better than I expected in this book.

There’s also a mystery involving Jack’s father and Julian’s mother, and Anna slowly unravels that secondary story throughout the novel. This mystery definitely made listening to Dragonfly much more interesting, especially when I sometimes grew tired of the romance.

The best part of listening to Dragonfly is definitely the narration. Christy Romano is fantastic! I love her voice. Dragonfly is a good start to Leigh T. Moore’s series, and while I didn’t quite love it, I’m still curious enough after finishing this to continue with the series. Anna and Julian were by far the most interesting characters, and I’m looking forward to more of them in the rest of the series!

Reading Order: Dragonfly series

#1 ~ Dragonfly: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Undertow: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Watercolor: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mosaic: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Nov2015

Early Review: Untamed by S.C. Stephens

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Untamed by S.C. Stephens
Series: Thoughtless #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 3rd 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

#1 New York Times bestselling author S.C. Stephens brings us the next book in her Thoughtless series!

The spotlight doesn’t only shine. Sometimes it burns.

Being the bad-boy bassist for the world’s hottest band has earned Griffin Hancock some perks: a big house, a fast car, and most importantly his incredible wife, Anna. The one thing it hasn’t brought him is the spotlight. Anna tells him to be patient, that his talent will win out. But Griffin is through waiting for permission to shine.

Without warning, Griffin makes a shocking decision and takes the gamble of a lifetime. Suddenly he’s caught up in a new level of lights, cameras, and chaos. One that pushes his relationship with Anna to its limits. Anna has always found his unpredictable behavior sexy, but lately he’s seen an ache in her eyes–and it has his soul in knots. Just as the recognition Griffin seeks is finally within reach, the thing he loves most in life could be slipping through his fingers…

HOLY SHIT!!!!! I am SHOCKED, utterly shocked, at how much I loved Untamed. I can firmly say I was NOT a fan of Thoughtless (I loathed Kiera and Kellan), but I liked Griffin for the most part, so I thought I’d give his book a chance even though I hadn’t finished up the series… and I’m so glad I did. This book was so much more than I expected, so much more emotional and meaningful, and I loved it. Untamed is jam-packed with hilarity and heart-wrenching moments (I even freaking teared up at some parts, and I am NOT a crier for books), and I am just so impressed with the way Griffin is portrayed. I applaud S.C. Stephens for her wonderful storytelling and brilliant character development – especially since I almost DNF’ed this book. So if you’re like me, and feel like giving up on this – on Griffin – I promise that if you keep reading, he will surprise you in the best of ways and it will totally be worth it in the end.

Fuck being lead guitarist. I could be lead everything.

Griffin, bassist for the D-Bags, is rude, obnoxious, and from the other members’ POVs, he doesn’t really contribute to the band. He’s kind of there to always make a mess of things. And his way of thinking is just… awful. It’s practically pornographic and very, very arrogant. I almost couldn’t keep reading Untamed, Griffin was so idiotic and ridiculous. But somewhere along the way… I felt sorry for him, which I’m guessing is the author’s intention. Griffin is tired of living in the shadows of lead singer Kellan Kyle, who gets all the fame and glory. All he wants is just a little spotlight on him, but time and again, everyone refuses to give him even five minutes of it. They all have zero faith in him, and I felt so sad for how he never even gets a chance to really prove himself. My feelings about Griffin – amazingly – slowly changed from annoyance to sympathy, and he went from being a moronic character to someone with depth and issues.

I’d had it all, and now… I had nothing.

Oh, Griffin made my heart hurt. He makes a life-changing decision that not only affects him and the band, but also his pregnant wife and daughter. He’s a literal train wreck waiting to happen – actually, not even. He’s a train wreck that is HAPPENING. I wanted to reach into the pages and strangle him for the dumb, desperate decisions he makes, but when things start spiraling out of control and he starts to lose everything, I wanted to cry for him. His fall from the top hurts, and I almost couldn’t keep reading because of how my heart broke at how hard he crashes to the bottom.

“…more people care about you than you think. But… it’s like your ego is a force field… it pushes people back, instead of letting them in. You’d see the world differently if you opened yourself up to the possibility that…”
… “That what?” …
“That you’re an imperfect person… just like the rest of us.”

The best part about Griffin is definitely the way he is with his family, no matter the horrible decisions he makes. He adores his wife, daughter, and the upcoming baby, all of whom I adored as well. I don’t really remember how I felt about Anna when I read Thoughtless, but I absolutely loved her in Untamed. She’s a kickass woman, mom, and wife, and she’s the only person who endlessly supports Griffin, even when it seems like she shouldn’t. I truly enjoyed reading about her character, and I loved that she and Griffin were just perfect for each other. She’s pretty much the only woman who could handle Griffin, and for that I admire her.

I’d been handed fame on a platter and hadn’t appreciated it until it was too late.

This book is definitely eye-opening, both for Griffin and the reader. Griffin’s heart-wrenching fall from the top and his climb back up is a tumultuous journey that is truly incredible to witness. S.C. Stephen’s writing had me feeling like I was there right alongside Griffin through his ups and downs. And as emotional as this book is, it’s also pretty freaking hilarious. I laughed so much at all the insanely ridiculous, inappropriate things Griffin says and does. Also, I’ll admit, Kellan and Kiera grew on me later on in Untamed – they were pretty much the only supporters of Griffin, besides Anna. Plus, I was highly amused by how Griffin thought they were annoying.

Untamed is so worth the read. Griffin makes HUGE changes in his character as he learns to be the person his family and band deserve. I’m honestly so proud of Griffin right now after finishing this book – and I’m so impressed with the way S.C. Stephens was able to make me change my feelings towards him! The way he learns to appreciate the life he has is just beyond incredible and I’m so glad to have read his story.

“Mrs. Anna Hancock… you are my best friend, my partner in crime, my reason for living, and the only thing that really matters to me. Forever only scratches the surface of how long I’ll love you.”

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

Reading Order: Thoughtless series

#1 ~ Thoughtless: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Thoughtful: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Effortless: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Reckless: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Untamed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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1Nov2015

Release Day Review: The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan
Series: Game On #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 1st 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

A beard-related dare and one hot-as-hell kiss changes everything.

NFL center Ethan Dexter’s focus has always been on playing football and little else. Except when it comes to one particular woman. The lovely Fiona Mackenzie might not care about his fame, but she’s also never looked at him as anything more than one of her brother-in-law’s best friends. That ends now.

Fi doesn’t know what to make of Dex. The bearded, tattooed, mountain of man-muscle looks more like a biker than a football player. Rumor has it he’s a virgin, but she finds that hard to believe. Because from the moment he decides to turn his quiet intensity on her she’s left weak at the knees and aching to see his famous control fully unleashed.

Fi ought to guard her heart and walk away; they live vastly different lives in separate cities. And Dex is looking for a forever girl. But Dex has upped his game and is using all his considerable charm to convince Fi he’s her forever man.

Game On

My god. I don’t know how Kristen Callihan does it, but each book in the Game On series (easily one of the best NA series I’ve ever read) gets better and better. I didn’t think I could love anyone as much as I loved Gray from The Friend Zone (my review here), but oh, how wrong I was. Dex is just… perfection. An absolute wonderful hero I’ve fallen so, so, sooooo hard for. AH, I can’t even fully describe how much I love him! And this series!!! This is truly one of the top NA series that I’d recommend to EVERYONE. The lovable, mature characters, the fantastic writing, the humor, the heartache… Kristen Callihan mixes all of these into a potent combination that will steal your heart and take your breath away.

I see Ethan Dexter; he shines for me. And I burn hotter than the sun when I’m in his orbit.

We previously met Dex and Fiona in The Friend Zone, and they were quite the opposites. Dex is quiet and reserved, the go-to guy when his teammates need advice. Fi is an out-going, feisty girl who doesn’t hold anything back. He’s a virgin and a football player; she’s open about her sexuality and hates dating football players. Fi doesn’t really notice Dex, but he’s had his eye on her since the moment they first meet. And for two years, Dex has kept to the shadows, always watching her from afar, but one dare and kiss changes everything, and this sexy lumbersexual is determined to fight for the one woman he wants.

“You’ve ruined me, Fiona. I’m not sure I know how to live without you anymore.”

I’m just a pile of melted goo now, after finishing this book. Dex makes my heart practically SING – he’s romantic, sweet, thoughtful, patient. He’s just the perfect man for Fi, and she’s the perfect woman for him. Fi gets Dex to open up and show his true self only to her, while Dex gives Fi an anchor, a foundation. God, I seriously loved this couple. The two of them truly bring out the best and most out of each other. You can’t read this book and NOT smile and clutch at your heart at seeing them interact with each other, at them being TOGETHER. Oh, and did I mention how freaking HOT this book is!? You will seriously need a fan because the chemistry between Dex and Fi is off. the. charts. And Dex’s dirty mouth… *flails* I loved it!

“Being with you. Loving you—You make me feel everything.”

I haven’t rated a book 5 stars in quite a while, but what better way to get me out of my book funk than with Dex and Fi!? The Game Plan is another brilliant, heart-wrenching, utterly romantic addition to this series that I will forever adore. Fi and Dex’s story isn’t perfect, as they have their ups and downs, but their story was written perfectly and I couldn’t imagine it better. I honestly never wanted this book to end. And, another plus, we get to see the other couples from the previous series, and the new NFL teammates! The banters, the bromances, and the camaraderie were all a joy to read. Gah, this book. Just thinking about it makes me smile. I loved it with my whole heart – I can’t recommend it enough!

“I love you. I don’t say that enough. Just know that whatever I do, wherever I am, it is a constant refrain in my heart. You color my world, Fi.”

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

Reading Order: Game On series

#1 ~ The Hook Up: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Friend Zone: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Game Plan: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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