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Release Day Review: To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne

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To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne

To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne
Series: The Wedding Belles #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international conman just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Burke’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet, if slightly spoiled, hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse springs.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister’s fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Lauren Layne is my go-to author for fun and flirty contemporary romances. She pretty much never disappoints, and she delivers another winner with To Have and to Hold! This book is the first in the Wedding Belles series, featuring wedding planners who witness not only others’ HEAs, but their own as well. I freaking adored this book, and I have no doubts the series will keep on getting better. If you’re a contemporary romance lover, you have to check this one out! I had so much fun reading it – Seth and Brooke’s way to their HEA is utterly sweet and romantic, with the perfect amount of steam to round it off.

After the wedding fiasco where her con-man groom gets arrested at the altar, Brooke’s wedding planner days in Los Angeles are over. Luckily she gets the chance to start again in NYC with the Wedding Belles, one of the most popular and top-notch wedding planning businesses there is. Her first client is a hotel heiress named Maya – but it’s Maya’s older brother who will prove to be a pain in Brooke’s side. Seth and Brooke get off to a rough start, mainly because Seth is nowhere near agreeable with his sister’s fiancé, so with every meeting there are lusty glares and a simmering tension between the two. Their chemistry is my absolute favorite part of the story – I was seriously hooked onto it and just waiting for when these two characters would finally act on their desires.

Lauren Layne had me glued to the pages as she builds up the romance and tension. Brooke and Seth are two wonderful characters, both strong, independent, yet vulnerable, and I loved reading how they broke down each others’ walls. And there’s also so much going on with Maya’s wedding as well that there’s really never a dull moment in this book. To Have and to Hold is entertaining from start to finish, and with a sweet romance that’s both intense and heartwarming, what’s not to love about it?

If you’re a fan of the author, you won’t want to miss this new series. There are weddings and love and romance and everything that makes for the perfect, sweet summer read. I’m already so excited for the rest of the Wedding Belles series – I have crazy high expectations for the next two books, and I know LL won’t let me down!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Wedding Belles series

 To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne

#0.5 ~ From This Day Forward: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ To Have and to Hold: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ For Better or Worse: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ To Love and to Cherish: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 18, 2016)

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Release Day Review: Broken Prince by Erin Watt

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Broken Prince by Erin Watt
Series: The Royals #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 25th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

These Royals will ruin you…

From wharf fights and school brawls to crumbling lives inside glittery mansions, one guy tries to save himself.

Reed Royal has it all―looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.

What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father’s new ward suffer turned into something else entirely―keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed’s arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed’s entire world begins to fall apart around him.

Ella doesn’t want him anymore. She says they’ll only destroy each other.

She might be right.

Secrets. Betrayal. Enemies. It’s like nothing Reed has ever dealt with before, and if he’s going to win back his princess, he’ll need to prove himself Royally worthy.

After that god-awful cliffhanger from Paper Princess, I was literally dying to get my hands on Broken Prince. I had so many hopes and expectations for this book, things mainly concerning Reed, and Erin Watt did not disappoint. If you can believe it, in this sequel things get even wilder and intense for Ella and the Royals… so you’re in for a hell of a ride when you pick up Broken Prince. It’s seriously a fantastic follow-up to one of my favorite books of the year – and if you’ve read Paper Princess, you need to get your hands on the sequel!

From the moment she walked in the door, all big eyes and guarded hope, I couldn’t keep away.
My instincts had screamed at me that she was in trouble. My instincts were wrong. She wasn’t trouble. I was. Still am.
Reed, the destroyer.
It’d be a cool nickname if it wasn’t my life and hers that I’m taking down.

My favorite thing about Broken Prince? Reed’s POV!!! I was so thankful that we get Reed’s POV, because I was dying to get in his head and figure out where his heart lay in terms of Ella and even his family. I don’t want to spoil anything from Paper Princess, but if you’ve read the first book, then you know Reed has a lot to make up for in Broken Prince. He’s broken Ella’s trust, but he’s determined to do whatever it takes to earn her forgiveness and win her back. I wasn’t 100% in love with Reed in book 1, but I can say without a doubt that I’ve completely fallen head over heels for him in book 2. His love for Ella shines so brightly in this book – my heart couldn’t stop swooning because of him!

“I’m done playing games, Ella. No other girls exist in this world for me. If you see me talking to one, know that I’m talking about you. If you see me walking next to someone, I’m wishing it was you.” He steps toward me. “You’re the only one for me.”

But of course, you can’t have the Royals without some messed up shit going on. There’s drama with Brooke. Callum, the Royal father. Easton and his self-destructive tendencies. Gideon and his mysterious secrets. Mean girls at prep school. Ella and Reed just can’t catch a break – they have to deal with all of that on top of fixing their rocky relationship. There is so much drama and not enough resolution that I nearly wanted to scream! Broken Prince left me with more questions than answers – and I can only hope that all will be revealed in the next and final book.

…that girl flew into our hose like a whirlwind and made everything come alive again. She brought steel and fire. She made us laugh again. She gave us a purpose—at first, it was us uniting against her. Then it turned into us standing beside her. Protecting her. Loving her.

The thing about this series that has me thinking about it again and again is how there is still so much we have to uncover about the Royals and all the people they’re involved with. There are secrets on top of secrets. Lies that you know will catch up with them sooner or later. These characters… they are truly unforgettable. I may not have loved Broken Prince quite as much as Paper Princess, but it’s still a fantastic read I couldn’t put down. I pretty much devoured it from the second it appeared on my kindle. Fair warning though, this also has an epic cliffhanger at the end. Twisted Palace can’t get here soon enough! I can’t wait to see where Erin Watt will take us next with the Royals – and is it too much to ask for stories about the rest of the Royal brothers?

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: The Royals series

 

#1 ~ Paper Princess: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Broken Prince: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Twisted Palace: Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 7, 2016)

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Release Day Review: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

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Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton
Series: Hudson Valley #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 12th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is…cheese.

Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.

Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be…love?

I’ve loved Alice Clayton since Wallbanger first came out, and her newest books in the Hudson Valley series are just as fun and entertaining as her first book. This author does rom-com like no other, so if you’re a fan of funny, sexy books, you’ll want to get your hands on this series! These books will have you laughing with delight and also have you blushing like crazy the next. Cream of the Crop is another winner from Alice Clayton — Nuts is still my favorite Hudson Valley book, but this one was pretty unique and I absolutely adored the heroine!

We first met Natalie in Nuts as one of Roxie’s best friends, and we know that Natalie has got a bit of a crush on a certain dairy farmer. Normally, Natalie’s the most confident, self-assured woman there is, but every time she’s within the vicinity of Oscar Mendoza, her brain fries and she’s literally only capable of saying two words to him. It’s hilarious and endearing – Natalie is seriously one of my favorite heroines ever! I just love her confidence (when she’s not shy around Oscar) and I love how empowered she is. She owns every one of her curves and I really couldn’t admire her more.

When she gets the chance to visit Hudson Valley for a job, Natalie jumps at the chance not only to see her best friend, but also to see Oscar in all his dairy glory. There’s a hot chemistry between these two characters despite how frazzled she is around Oscar, but once she gets over it, holy crap do sparks fly. These two are crazy hot together – there might have been a litttle too much sex, but otherwise I really enjoyed the way they were together.

Cream of the Crop is pure, light-hearted fun, and the perfect drama-free summer read. The romance was simple and uncomplicated, and the setting of Hudson Valley is gorgeous and homey. It’s seriously such a fun read – and I already can’t wait to read more of the series!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Hudson Valley series

Nuts by Alice Clayton 

#1 ~ Nuts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Cream of the Crop: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: One Week to Score by Kate Meader

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One Week to Score by Kate Meader
Series: Tall, Dark, and Texan #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 11th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

He’s the man she loves to hate…

Olivia Kane’s wedding day has just imploded spectacularly. Shots lined up at the bar? Bring it. Hot stranger on the hook? Come on down. What this party does not need is six feet and change of home-grown Texas cockiness in the form of her brother’s best friend, the man who broke her heart seven years ago.

She’s the woman he has to have…

Flynn Cross won’t stand by while Liv finds sensual solace in the arms of a stranger, not when his own hard-for-her body is more than up for the task. For one week, he’ll make her honeymoon-for-one a sizzling party for two.

Breaking the rules, one steamy night at a time…

But the taboo they’re breaking is only the beginning…and Flynn’s part in Liv’s wedding debacle could bring about their end.

Kate Meader never disappoints with her hot and fun contemporary romances! One Week to Score is really the perfect steamy, summer read – it’s got fun characters, a scorching hot chemistry, and an amazing enemies-to-lovers romance you can’t get enough of. It’s quick, light-hearted, and did I mention sexy? So yeah, if you’re in the mood for something to escape to for a little while, this book would be it.

Olivia Kane used to have a huge crush her brother’s best friend, Flynn Cross, and they were good friends… until Flynn up and dumped her and never talked to her again. Years later, Olivia’s about to walk down the aisle to another man – except it turns out her fiancé is a lying cheat. Humiliated and angry on her wedding day, Olivia flies out to her honeymoon with the plan to sleep her way out of her misery. Any gorgeous man will do… but what happens when her former crush and friend, who she now hates, shows up?

“You were off-limits then for a whole host of reasons but now, I’m taking what belongs to me.”

Flynn has always known he’s never been good enough for Olivia. She was the only woman he ever cared about, but he chose to stay away from her when they were younger. Now, things are different, and Flynn’s not about to let Olivia have a fling with a random stranger when he’s there and perfectly willing to let her use him to her heart’s content. But this is Olivia, and despite all the years apart, Flynn finds himself falling fast and hard for her all over again. What happens when the seven-day honeymoon is over and they have to return back to reality?

“You slay me, Liv. Into little pieces. Always have.”

I had SO much fun reading One Week to Score. It was entertaining from start to finish – I LOVE enemies-to-lovers romances, and this was one I didn’t want to put down. Both main characters were well-written and the tension and banter between Flynn and Olivia really had me going. I almost wish the book were longer, because the story went by so fast! If you’re a fan of the author, or the older brother’s best friend/enemies-to-lovers tropes, then I highly recommend giving One Week to Score a try!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Tall, Dark, and Texan series

 Taking the Score by Kate Meader 

#1 ~ Even the Score: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Taking the Score: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ One Week to Score: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton

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Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Wild Aces #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 5th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Eric Jansen—call sign Thor—loves nothing more than pushing his F-16 to the limit. Returning home to South Carolina after a tragic loss, he hopes to fix the mistake he made long ago, when he chose the Air Force over his fiancée.

Becca Madison isn’t quick to welcome Thor back. She can’t forget how he shattered her heart. But Thor won’t give up once he’s set his sights on what he wants—and he wants Becca.

Thor shows Becca that he’s no longer the impulsive boy he used to be, and Becca finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But will Thor be able to walk away from his dream of flying the F-16 for their love or does his heart belong to the sky?

I loved loved LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Into the Blue was the PERFECT second chance romance/military romance for me. I’m usually a bit picky about these two tropes, and put them together? I was terrified about how it would play out, but holy hell, did I adore Eric and Becca’s second chance at love. I couldn’t have imagined a better story for these two characters. And omg Eric – can you say SWOON!? He was utter perfection as a hero. Seriously, I loved this book so much! Into the Blue is the second book in the Wild Aces series, though it can be read as a standalone (you can check out my review for book one here). If you loved Fly with Me, get ready to get your hands on Into the Blue – it’s an absolute must read.

I’d been an idiot before and thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to me, but there was no way I was making the same mistake again.

Ten years ago, Becca and Eric had been in love, engaged, and ready to begin a new chapter in their lives. Becca thought they were happy, but apparently not, because Eric just up and left her behind to join the US Air Force. The past ten years have been filled with bitterness, anger, and hurt, so understandably, when Eric comes back home for the first time in a decade, Becca wants nothing to do with him. I felt for this girl so hard. I was angry on her behalf, even though I knew her heart has only ever been his. My heart broke for the way hers broke, and I wanted nothing more than for her to kick Eric’s ass and show him what he’s been missing, and thankfully, she delivers. I loved Becca wholeheartedly, because I could connect with her so well. She’s got a huge heart capable of so much love, but the hurt Eric caused only made her grow stronger. And this time, she’s not about to let him in that easily. I was so happy with the way she kept making Eric prove his love to her – Becca ROCKED as a heroine.

You couldn’t fake what we had. Couldn’t duplicate it. We were so fucking lucky to have found each other once, and even as I’d always suspected it, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that letting her go was the biggest mistake of my life.
Now I needed to fix it.

The one thing that describes Eric? Regretful. He has so many regrets in life, but none does he regret more than leaving Becca, the love of his life. THIS is the kind of hero I adore reading about in second chance romances. The hero who never forgot about his lost love, the one who knows he effed up and can admit his mistakes. The kind of hero who’s not afraid to put his heart on the line again, and once he’s back in his woman’s life, he’s going to do everything he can to stay there permanently. Ten years ago, Eric gave up Becca for F-16’s – but this time around, he knows he’s not going to make the same mistake again. Will he be able to prove his love and devotion to her and win her heart again?

I’d never felt this way about anyone before. Wasn’t sure I’d even felt this way about her before. Maybe it took losing her to realize just how much I needed her, the contrast between my life with Becca and my life without never clearer than in this moment.

Eric and Becca were beautiful together. They might have loved each other back then, but they are so meant for each other even more now. Into the Blue made my heart ache in all the right places – the angst is so well done, but the love is what totally swept me away. Chanel Cleeton did such an amazing job with this story – it’s already become one of my favorite books of the year. Fly with Me was a fantastic read, but Into the Blue went above and beyond my expectations.

If you haven’t read the Wild Aces series yet, you are missing out. It’s an amazing military romance series – and if you love second chance romances too, Into the Blue will be perfect for you. This series only seems to be getting better and better, so I can’t even imagine how the third book will turn out, but I know I’m dying to read Easy’s story. I can already feel the heartache from On Broken Wings – January 2017 can’t get here fast enough!

5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Wild Aces series

  

#1 ~ Fly With Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Into the Blue: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ On Broken Wings: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Jan. 3, 2017)

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