Release Day Review: Sugar Rush by Sawyer Bennett

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sugar Rush by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Sugar Bowl #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 16th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In the steamy and suspenseful sequel to Sugar Daddy (“A totally gripping take on romance and revenge!”—Lauren Blakely), a heartbreaking rift threatens to unravel a dangerous alliance . . . and a fragile new love.

After posing as an escort for the Sugar Bowl online dating service, Sela Halstead is looking for one thing: payback. She’s closing in on the site’s heartless founder, Jonathon Townsend, and she needs Beckett North, Townsend’s business partner and her lover, by her side. She’d thought that their intimate nights together had forged an unbreakable bond, but after a shocking betrayal, Sela begins to doubt the brilliant bad boy. When push comes to shove, can she trust Beck to do the right thing?

Now that he understands the truth, Beck will stop at nothing to secure the reckoning Sela deserves. But between his desire for her and his disgust for JT, Beck doesn’t exactly have a lot of control over his emotional state. Left with no other choice, he must summon all his discipline to maintain JT’s trust and pretend that they’re still friends. But how far will Beck go to prove his loyalty to Sela? He nearly lost her once. To keep her, Beck might have to kill for her.

Note: Sugar Rush ends on a cliffhanger. Sela and Beck’s story concludes in Sugar Free!

Sugar Rush is a fantastic follow-up to Sugar Daddy! To say I had high expectations would be an understatement – the cliffhanger ending in Sugar Daddy nearly killed me, so Sugar Rush became one of my top anticipated reads, and thankfully Sawyer Bennett didn’t disappoint. I’m so happy with the way things were handled in this book. If you enjoyed the first Sugar Bowl book, make sure to get your hands on this sequel – you need to continue on with Sela and Beck’s story!

I’m not going to spoil anything from the first book in case you haven’t read it yet, but at the end of Sugar Daddy, Beck knows he’s effed up. He’s got a ton to make up for – and while I would’ve loved a little more groveling than we got, I liked the way the author resolved this conflict. It’s not gratuitously dramatic and it’s handled with maturity and of course, love.

“I intend to spoil you, Sela,” he murmurs. “I want to give you the world.”

Sela continues to want revenge against the man who raped her, but her love for Beck is making her reconsider her plans by leaving her past in the past and moving on with the man of her dreams. JT is as vile and disgusting as ever though – Sawyer Bennett has really written a great antagonist in him.

The pacing is pretty slow, but I was still hooked on the pages and dying to see what would happen at the end. And of course, there’s another cliffhanger that has you salivating for the third and final book (which I’ve actually already read… 😉 ) I have to admit, I liked this sequel even more than I did the first – Sugar Rush is an intense, emotional, and suspenseful follow-up to Sela and Beck’s addicting story. If you love Sawyer Bennett, this is definitely a series you need to try out!

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

Reading Order: Sugar Bowl series

#1 ~ Sugar Daddy: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sugar Rush: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Sugar Free: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 11, 2016)

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9Aug2016

Release Day Review: Swear on this Life by Renée Carlino

Posted in 2 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Swear on this Life by Renée Carlino
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: August 9th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel about a struggling writer who must come to grips with her past, present, and future after she discovers that she’s the inspiration for a pseudonymously published bestselling novel.

When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J. Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.

Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.

That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.

The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?

Once again, I’m probably in the minority for Renée Carlino’s latest release. As much as I wish I could’ve loved this book, I didn’t enjoy it at all. Back when I read Before We Were Strangers, my first book by this author, I didn’t see the appeal and I wasn’t a fan of the writing, so I was hesitant to read Swear on this Life. But the blurb hooked me in (as always), and I ended up disappointed nonetheless. The writing was mediocre, I didn’t care for the characters, and the second chance romance (which is one of my favorite tropes ever) failed to make me feel anything but annoyance. Looking at the ratings, I’m sure most readers will enjoy this book, but honestly, I’d only recommend SotL to those who loved BWWS.

“I love you, Emiline. I loved you before I even knew what it meant.”

The premise of this story is amazing – the heroine, Emiline, reads a bestselling book only to realize it’s a book about HER life… and the childhood she shared with her one and only love. She figures the author of the book must be Jase Colbertson, the lost love she hasn’t seen in over a decade, and she gets pissed. She can’t believe he would share to the world such private details about her not-so-savory childhood. Luckily, he’s about to show up in San Diego for a book signing, and she has to decide whether she wants to confront him or let the past stay in the past.

My main problem with this second chance romance is how much focus is on the past. We’re given passages from Jase’s book (which honestly didn’t read anything like a top bestselling novel) and we learn about Emiline’s past through them. Her past is sad, tragic, and pretty predictable, but what really killed it for me was how LONG and drawn out it was. Every time I read the passages from the book, I already wanted to get back to the present and the upcoming reunion (which fyi, doesn’t happen until over halfway through the book). I didn’t even end up liking the scenes where Em falls in love with Jase as a young girl, because the Jase from the past is NOTHING like the Jase from the present, so I had no real point to invest my time in his past self.

Unfortunately, the present couldn’t save the novel for me. Emiline, who is in her late twenties, acts like she’s a teenager, one even more immature than she was as a child. She also has a long-time boyfriend, Trevor, whose character I really saw no point in existing other than to take even more time for Emiline and Jase to get back together. And the reunion with Jase? Such a let-down, because guess who’s grown up to become a smug, smirking manwhore, like every other boring hero ever? Can you tell I don’t really like those kinds of heroes? I honestly didn’t see why Jase was acting so smug, when Emiline had every right to be angry with him and not fall directly into his arms and crotch when they saw each other again.

And this is slightly spoilery, but what kind of man tells the woman he’s supposedly loved his whole life that he’s currently fucking another woman, his agent who he sees practically every day no less? Obviously, he stops when he reunites with Emiline, so what exactly is the point of saying it anyway?

So this book was disappointing, but I can’t say it’s a surprise. I felt the same disappointment and annoyance with the author’s previous book – I really don’t think Renée Carlino is for me. I’m not a fan of her writing – it’s all telling, no showing, except for those rare paragraphs that are pretty deep and meaningful, which throws me off. I’m probably going to give up on her books now and let others enjoy it, no matter how enticing her future stories sound.

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

Also by Renée Carlino

Sweet Thing: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Nowhere But Here: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
After the Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Beofre We Were Strangers: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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2Aug2016

Release Day Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Just What I Needed by Lorelei James
Series: Need You #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same. He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

Oh my gosh!!! I loved this book. LOVED! I was in the mood for a light-hearted, fun contemporary romance, and Lorelei James delivered perfectly. I really enjoyed the first book in the Need You series, but Just What I Needed is definitely my favorite of the series so far. The hero is swoony and perfect, the heroine is down-to-earth and quirky, and the romance between them is so freaking sweet! My heart was seriously so happy with this book. I highly recommend this one for those who love contemporary romances!

“From the moment I saw you, I felt that same unexplainable pull.”

Artist Trinity Carlson has just lost a commission and she’s turned to a dive bar to drown out her misery. But even there she can’t catch a break, because she spots her ex and the girl he was cheating on with. Things turn around when Trinity catches the eye of a gorgeous, bearded man – and she literally walks up to him to give this stranger a kiss. But once they sit down and start a conversation, they find out their connection isn’t just on a physical level, and she leaves him her number with hope for more.

I thought I was totally over the lumbersexual thing, but Lorelei James has proved me wrong with Walker Lund. This man is just… perfect! He’s sweet, patient, considerate – all things that mesh perfectly with an artist who has her ups and downs and will sometimes spend days in her artist zone. Walker considers himself the black sheep of the family since he doesn’t work at the Lunds’ billion-dollar company, even though he co-owns a construction company. He’s that rare type of hero who wants to find love, and he has hopes of creating a family of his own. He’s sexy as hell and very much determined to win over Trinity, the woman he wants to build a family with – I loved how single-minded he was about her!

You make me happier than anyone I’ve ever met. When I’m with you, for the first time in my life I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Trinity and Walker’s romance was heart-warming and had me entertained from start to finish. It’s a total feel-good read – I adored the main characters and the Lund family is such a hoot. I’m really hoping that we’ll get stories for the rest of the family (especially Jaxson!) because I don’t want to let go of them just yet! The only thing I wish there was more of? Steam. It’s pretty light in this book, even less than I feel like there was in the previous one. Still, the chemistry between the main characters is fantastically written, and I’d still recommend this book even if you like steamy reads like I do. It’s such a great romance – I loved it!

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

Reading Order: Need You series

#1 ~ What You Need: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Just What I Needed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Aug2016

Release Day Review: The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker
Series: The McKays #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Desire won’t take no for an answer in The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

In the small Southern town of McKay’s Treasure, everybody knows that the handsome local police chief, Gideon Marshall, has been carrying a torch for Moira McKay. It’s also no secret that Moira has been rejecting Gideon since…forever. But after an attack from a mysterious stranger bent on taking down the McKay family, Moira becomes filled with distrust toward most men. Now she wonders whether she’s been wrong about Gideon all along—and if it’s not too late to admit him back into her life…and into her bed…

Gideon has finally convinced his wasted heart to give up on Moira, who he’s loved since he was sixteen years old. Moira’s attack changes everything, however—and he vows to protect her. But how much is he willing to risk for a woman who’s always kept him at bay…until now? And is it too late for Moira to tell him that her love for him has always been locked deep in her heart—and he holds the key?

I LOVED the second book in the McKays series, so when I had the chance to read the next book, I couldn’t wait to start it! I also adore second chance romances too, so Gideon and Moira’s story should’ve been perfect for me. But sadly, I just never grew invested in their romance and the suspense/mystery was a little tedious to read. It wasn’t a bad read, but I didn’t love it the way I hoped I would. If you’ve kept up with the series, then you probably want to give this a try, otherwise it’s a little hard to read The Right Kind of Trouble as a standalone.

Moira McKay was Gideon Marshall’s childhood sweetheart, before she ripped his heart out and threw him away. Now in their 30s, they’re still in love with each other, but the years have drifted them too far apart for Moira to ever try to make up for what she did. Gideon is trying to move on with another woman, but when Moira’s life becomes at risk, he’s back in her life once again, unable to resist the only woman he’s ever loved. Will Moira be able to earn his forgiveness – and will Gideon take her back?

Small town romances are usually so sweet, so it was a nice change to read one with a mystery. Unfortunately, the suspense didn’t really have me hooked, so I was mainly focused on Moira and Gideon’s romance, which was a little heartbreaking and angsty. I really liked the hero and was impressed with the way he never stopped loving the heroine, though I was glad he tried to move on after what she put him through. I wish Moira had taken action sooner than she did regarding Gideon – SO many years have gone by, and just now is she trying to win him back. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, this story might be a little confusing, so I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order. If you have read the series, The Right Kind of Trouble is a fairly good conclusion to the McKay family. I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy seeing how everything ended up!

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

Reading Order: The McKays series

#1 ~ Headed for Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Trouble with Temptation: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Right Kind of Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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1Aug2016

Release Day Review: Out of Bounds by R.S. Grey

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Out of Bounds by R.S. Grey
Series: The Summer Games #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 1st 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I despise Erik Winter.

He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.

I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.

Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.

The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.

Fine. By. Me.

If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.

It’s almost time for the 2016 Olympics, and what better way to usher it in than by reading a sports romance about an Olympian? Out of Bounds is R.S. Grey’s HOTTEST book yet – it’s an incredible enemies-to-lovers/forbidden romance between an upcoming gymnastics Olympian and her coach. It’s my second favorite of her books, right after the first Summer Games book. It’s steamy – so, sooo steamy. The lust and hate come so clearly off the pages, it’s mind-blowing. If you don’t like heroes who act like complete asses and heroines who give as good as they get, this probably won’t be the book for you. But if you do love that intense chemistry that comes with hate, you NEED to get your hands on Out of Bounds!

She was fierce; she wanted to be seen, and not just for her gymnastics skills. No, she wanted to be desired. Coveted. Craved. Had anyone ever touched her the way she wanted to be touched? Had anyone ever ripped that bun out and tugged her long hair, tilting her head back to expose the creamy skin of her neck?

Brie Watson needs to win the gold so she can repay her mother for everything she sacrificed for her daughter to become the Olympian she is today. The prize money, the future endorsements, all of it will go into giving her and her mother a better life. So even though her original coach steps down due to health issues and his son takes his place, there’s nothing stopping Brie from giving her all during gymnastics training – not even a beautiful 29-year-old coach she loves to hate.

Erik Winter may not have asked for the position of gymnastics coach to Team USA, but he’s going to do what his father didn’t and lead the team to gold. But from the very first moment Brie steps into his life, it’s antagonism and lust and everything in between. To say Erik and Brie don’t get along would be an understatement – these two LIVE for getting under the other’s skin. They fight, argue, cock-block – if it’ll make the other annoyed, they’ll do it. There’s so much hate between them, but underneath it all is a burning lust, a fiery chemistry that can’t be denied. They want each other bad, no matter how much they hate each other.

But in between grueling practices and training, Brie and Erik get to understand each other on a deeper, more visceral level. They might not like each other, but they KNOW each other. Their connection is powerful and unlike anything they’ve ever experienced – so it’s only inevitable that feelings eventually get involved.

He and I weren’t supposed to fall in love. We’d been at war, fighting and pushing each other because it was a fun distraction, because I liked to get a reaction out of him, and because I just couldn’t help myself. It was the most shocking kind of love I’d ever experienced, the sort that hid itself behind the other edge of the blade—hate. I’d focused so much of my energy on hating Erik that when love appeared out of nowhere, it stole my breath.
I loved Erik.

This book… I couldn’t put it down from the moment I picked it up. Brie and Erik’s tumultuous, crazy hot romance gripped me and wouldn’t let me go. I mentioned this book was the author’s hottest one yet, right? Because the steam in this – holy GOD. The things that happen between Brie and Erik will make your panties melt and make you blush like crazy!

I do wish there was more of the forbidden love aspect of the story. Despite Erik being Brie’s coach, I never really felt like there were any possible consequences with them getting together. Most of everyone surrounding them approved of their relationship, so if they had that more developed dynamic of forbidden romance, this book would’ve been perfect.

“At the end of this, you’re mine.”

I love that R.S. Grey set the Summer Games series during the 2016 Olympics in Rio – this series has seriously gotten me so hyped up about the upcoming competitions! Also, with every book the author writes, her writing improves, and I have to say, I’m so impressed with her ability to create such lust/hate between her main characters. This series is one of the best sports romance series I’ve ever read, and if you love reading that genre, the Summer Games is a must read. Out of Bounds is such an amazing enemies-to-lovers romance. Just a fair warning before you start it though – you are going to be in such lust/hate with Erik right alongside Brie, you’ll need a fan as you read!

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

Reading Order: The Summer Games series

#1 ~ Settling the Score: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Out of Bounds: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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