Release Day Review: Legend by Katy Evans

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Legend by Katy Evans
Series: Real #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 9th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Can love really conquer all?—Book Six in Katy Evans’s breakout New York Times bestselling series that began with REAL.

Maverick “The Avenger” Cage wants to rise to the top and become a legend in the ring. Though he keeps his identity well guarded, he’s known on the fighting circuit as the new kid with a chip on his shoulder and a tattoo on his back that marks him as trouble. He’s got a personal score to settle with the Underground’s one and only Remington “Riptide” Tate.

As Mav trains, he meets a young girl—the only other new person in the town—and sparks fly. When things get heated between them, he finds out she’s none other than Reese Dumas, the cousin of Remington Tate’s wife. A girl who’s supposed to root against him and a girl he’s supposed to stay away from.

But Mav fights for the woman in his heart and the monsters in his blood. The world’s eyes are on them, and the victor will go down in history as the ultimate fighting champion—the ultimate LEGEND.

“I want to be a legend.”

AHHHH!!!!! I’ve already found my favorite book of 2016 so far – Katy Evans’ Legend is BRILLIANT!! Just the PERFECT ending to a series I utterly adore. Katy wows me every time I read one of her books, but Legend just might be my favorite of hers yet. Seriously, I loved everything about Legend so. much. From the adorable heroine, to the alpha hero, to the epic ending… This book was everything I expected and more. If you’re a fan of the Real series, you absolutely need to get your hands on this final book!

For the summer, Reese Dumas is moving in with her cousin Brooke, Brooke’s husband Remy, and their son Racer. Reese is there to babysit Racer, but she’s also there to basically find herself. She has issues with self-esteem and confidence, so she wants to take the time with the Tates to work on herself, mentally and physically. And it’s at a gym where she meets Maverick, a fighter with whom she forms an indelible connection. He’s gorgeous, quiet, and a little mysterious, and all Reese wants to do is unravel every piece of him the way he does her.

He gives me this rebel vibe. Like he’d rather say I’m sorry than may I, and maybe not even the “sorry” at all. There’s a fierce passion in his features and a kindled fire in his eyes. I admire passionate people. People who burn out everyone around them, they’re so passionate, they want so much, they crave so much.

Maverick “The Avenger” Cage is on a mission of his own to fight in the Underground and work his way up to the top and become the champion. He wants to prove that he’s worth more than what he got from his neglectful father and that he’s an even better fighter than his father was. My heart fell for Maverick right from the start – he’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s got the biggest heart, and the determination and strength within him had me in awe.

Maverick and Reese. Reese and Maverick. I loved these two individually and I loved these two together. And heads up, they are utter PERFECTION together. Their powerful love story gripped my heart and didn’t let go even after I finished the book. Katy Evans knows how to write love in its most primal, raw, intense way – I was completely swept away by Reese and Maverick’s love for one another.

I’m memorizing her. It’ll take me forever, but I’m dedicated and I want to memorize every tiny inch and pore with my eyes and my fingers and my tongue.

I’m always such a sucker for Katy Evans’ alpha heroes, and Maverick is just breath-taking. I’m obsessed with him. Not only is he fiercely dedicated to becoming the champion, his love and devotion for Reese blow me away. When he falls, he falls so hard – Maverick is the sweetest alpha-male I’ve ever read!

“You’re priceless. Gold. Not gold, you’re the whole fucking mine to me. Do you know that?”

What surprised me in this book was the connection Maverick also forms with Remy. Remy is the current champion of the Underground, but Maverick is the only one to come close to Remy’s fighting level. As the two of them bond over their practice fights together, Remy becomes somewhat of a father-figure to Maverick. Every scene with the two of them together had me full-on smiling because there was just something wonderful and inspiring how they pushed each other to become the best fighter and man they could be.

We come full circle in the series with the epic ending in Legend. I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect ending for the series. This book is perfection – I swooned, I sighed, I gasped… I felt every word of Legend. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll be happy to know there is lots of Remy, Brooke, and Racer, both from Reese and Maverick’s perspectives. And if you haven’t read the series yet, you’re missing out on some powerful love stories and swoony, sexy alpha-males. It’s a bittersweet ending for sure that the series is over, but only Katy Evans could have me finishing Legend with a giddy smile on my face.

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: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ripped: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Legend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Feb2016

Release Day Review + Giveaway: Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

Posted in 5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren
Series: Wild Seasons #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For two people ambivalent about dating and love, they sure get naked around each other an awful lot . . .

London Hughes is very content to surf daily, tend bar, hang out with her group of friends, and slowly orient herself in the years after college. Everything’s going great and according to the non-plan.

But when a wave knocks her for a loop one morning, then Luke Sutter’s flirtatious smile knocks her for another that evening, she veers slightly off course…and into his path. Sure, he’s a total player, but the Why not—it’s only one night is a persistent voice in her ear.

For his part, Luke’s been on hookup autopilot for so long that he rarely ever pauses to consider what he’s doing. But after an amazing time with London, he realizes that he hasn’t been moving on from a devastating heartbreak so much as he’s been drifting to wherever—andwhomever—the current takes him. With London he wants more.

Every relationship involves two people…plus their pasts. And as much as she enjoys her fling with Luke, when London learns about his past—more specifically, who’s in it—everything becomes the brand of complicated she strives to avoid. It’s up to Luke then to change some things in order to try and ensure he’s not something she’ll outright avoid as well.

We finally get the fourth and final installment in the Wild Seasons series, which is Luke and London’s book! As bittersweet as I am to see this series end, Christina Lauren couldn’t have ended it with a more perfect book. I loved Wicked Sexy Liar. LOVED it!! I honestly couldn’t stop smiling the whole way through. Luke and London’s story was an absolute joy and pure fun to read. Once again, Christina Lauren has stunned me with another brilliant, intelligent, refreshing read – this time, about a girl and her friend’s… ex.

Following me with his eyes, he asks, “So is this no-dating-guys-you-meet-at-work thing, like, an actual rule?”
“Sort of.” I fold the bar towel and tuck it into the back of my apron, meeting his eyes.
“What if I promised I was absolutely worth it?”

We don’t know much about Luke or London in the previous books, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about them going into this book. But right from the get-go, I fell so hard for these two. They instantly captivated me with their honesty, depth, and realness. Christina Lauren has a magical talent at writing characters who feel so genuinely real to me – there are so many hidden layers to each and every one of their characters, and as you unravel each one, you can’t help but grow to love that character.

Luke was the one I expected to have trouble with, but there’s something so lovely and good about him that I couldn’t help but love him. He may be a manwhore, but Luke is also so much more. He’s genuinely a good guy, but he’s buried away his hurt from his ex-girlfriend to give off this easy-going vibe that no one sees through until he meets London. London’s also got a messy romantic past, so to say these two are wary of relationships is an understatement. But slowly, through a budding friendship and a deep sexual connection, the both of them chip away at the walls around their hearts until they find themselves completely immersed in one another.

Luke is managing to break down my walls one smile at a time. Being with him feels a little like letting go of the handlebars and racing down a hill. And it also feels like being wrapped up in the warmest blanket.
How can he feel both like an adventure and a comfort?

The slow burn in Wicked Sexy Liar is absolutely wonderful and the perfect pace for Luke and London. I was expecting the romance to include some crazy drama and angst, since Luke is London’s friend’s ex, but honestly, everything about this book was FUN. It’s flirty, sexy (so freaking sexy), sweet, funny, original, and just all around a feel-good read. I read this book in one day, that’s how totally INTO this book I was. And what I loved most about the romance was how much effort it took for Luke to win London’s trust, and eventually, her heart. Ahh, Luke just makes me SWOON!

It’s sex, but it’s not.
It’s sex, but it’s more.
There are so many ways to love this girl; good God, let me find each and every one of them.

This newest book of Christina Lauren’s only reaffirms how brilliant these two writers are and how they’ll forever be my go-to authors for some incredible contemporary romances. Luke and London’s romance blew me away and is definitely one of my top favorites from this author duo. I can’t recommend this book – and author – enough. Everyone who loves romance just needs to read this book and experience how wonderful Luke and London are!

Reading Order: Wild Seasons series

#1 ~ Sweet Filthy Boy: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Dirty Rowdy Thing: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Dark Wild Night: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wicked Sexy Liar: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

A paperback of Wicked Sexy Liar (US Only)

ENTER HERE

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2Feb2016

Release Day Review: The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard
Series: The Florentine #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel trilogy comes the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Raven, a sensual novel set in Florence featuring the dangerously intoxicating coupling of Raven and William…

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness…

I highly enjoyed the first book in The Florentine series, so I couldn’t wait to jump into my early copy of the sequel. The Shadow picks up right where The Raven left off, continuing with Raven and William’s passionate love story and the dark underworld they live in. Sylvain Reynard’s writing is as lyrical and lush as ever, and though I didn’t love this book as much as I loved The Raven, it’s still a great installment to the series.

“You’re a dream.” She sighed. “A dream of love I never thought I’d have.”

William has now accepted that his heart belongs to Raven, and he’ll do anything and everything to protect her. There are dark forces that threaten his reign over Florence, and the best way to hurt him is to hurt Raven. The Shadow focuses a lot more on William and Raven’s beautiful romance, which is certainly the highlight of the book. We also get to know William so much better and he’s no longer such a mystery. Their relationship has now developed into something deeper, more intense and passionate. The depth of love these two have for one another is above and beyond, and I really loved seeing how they interact together.

He touched her cheek. “You are the light that shines in my darkness.”

I really liked this book. That being said, the first half of the book felt too slow and there wasn’t much going on besides Raven and William reaffirming their love. However, once the plot involving the underworld developed more, the suspense and action went up a notch. This is when I became fully immersed in the story and couldn’t stop flipping the pages. The action and intensity near the end of the book reminded me of why I fell so in love with the paranormal romance genre years ago, and continue to love it to this day.

The Shadow is a must-read for fans of the series. The romance is captivating and sexy, the writing is detailed and sensual – everything about this book is so very SR, even though it’s PNR and not contemporary. I’m already eager to get my hands on the next book in the series – I can’t wait to see what SR has in store for William and Raven, because I really need them to get their HEA!

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

Reading Order: The Florentine series

#0.5 ~ The Prince: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ The Raven: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Shadow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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26Jan2016

Release Day Review: Sin & Suffer by Pepper Winters

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sin & Suffer by Pepper Winters
Series: Pure Corruption MC #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 26th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“Some say the past is in the past. That vengeance will hurt both innocent and guilty. I never believed those lies. Once my lust for revenge is sated, I’ll say goodbye to hatred. I’ll find a new beginning.”

She came from a past Arthur “Kill” Killian never forgot. She made him sin and made him suffer. She tugged him from the shadows and showed him he wasn’t as dead as he thought. And with her resurrection came betrayal, deceit, and war.

But then they took her. Stole her. Imprisoned her.

Now Kill’s carefully laid plans for vengeance are complete. He craves action, retribution-the blood of his enemies. War has begun. War is all they’ll know until they’ve paid their penance. He will get her back-and rewrite their destiny . . .

I’d been dying to read Sin & Suffer ever since that cliffhanger in Ruin & Rule! I had pretty high expectations for this sequel, since I absolutely loved the first book and fell head over heels for Cleo and Arthur’s story. While Pepper Winters took me in a completely different direction than I expected with Sin & Suffer, I still really enjoyed it. There’s plenty of action, tons of steam, and the beautiful romance is as intense as ever. If you were a fan of Ruin & Rule, you definitely want to get your hands on Sin & Suffer to experience Cleo and Arthur’s raw and passionate ending.

“You are me. And I am you. We might have separate thoughts and minds, Buttercup, but we have the same heart and soul.”

Sin & Suffer picks up right where Ruin & Rule left off, with Cleo being taken and Arthur being attacked. As consumed as these two lovers are with each other, you know that there’s nothing Arthur won’t do to get Cleo back to safety. The highlight of this book is most definitely the gorgeous, all-consuming, dedicated love Arthur and Cleo have for each other. They’ve loved each other since they were children, lost their way for a few years, but now that they’re back together, there’s no force on earth that can keep them apart. I have to say, I loved the romance even more in Sin & Suffer than in Ruin & Rule – it’s in this book that you truly see the extent of their love for each other.

“There’s never been anyone like you. Never. You owned me since I was a boy. And you completely consume me now that I’m a man.”

Sin & Suffer surprised me by the depth of intelligence Pepper Winters has woven into the novel. It isn’t JUST a romance, and it isn’t JUST an MC book. Underneath all the layers of the story is a plan of vengeance that’s been years in the making. Arthur and his MC are fighting for something bigger than a personal revenge, something that will affect people on a much larger scale. It was quite fascinating to read, even if it did seem pretty overwhelming. Sometimes there were too many things going on at once, so I got frustrated with the story a bit. The action and suspense took away from the romance, which I really wanted more of.

“You’re my home, Cleo Price. And through life or death, I’m never letting you go.”

If you’re a fan of well-written MC romances, the Pure Corruption MC series is not to be missed. Everything about this series is addicting, intense, and unpredictable. The love story between Arthur and Cleo is truly unforgettable. Pepper Winters’ writing is also beautiful to read, almost lyrical – I honestly could read anything this woman writes. Overall, Sin & Suffer is an entertaining, worthwhile ending, and I’m so impressed with the way the author has created such a unique, intelligent read!

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

Reading Order: Pure Corruption MC series

#1 ~ Ruin & Rule: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sin & Suffer: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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25Jan2016

Release Day Review: Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros
Series: Flight & Glory #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 25th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

There are some debts you can’t repay…

Josh Walker is loyal, reckless, and every girl’s dream. But he only has eyes for December Howard, the girl he has yearned for since his high school hockey days. Together they have survived grief, the military, distance, and time as they’ve fought for stolen weekends between his post at Ft. Rucker and her schooling at Vanderbilt. Now that Josh is a medevac pilot and Ember is headed toward graduation, they’re moving on—and in—together.

Ember never wanted the Army life, but loving Josh means accepting whatever the army dictates—even when that means saying goodbye as Josh heads to Afghanistan, a country that nearly killed him once before and that took her father. But filling their last days together with love, passion, and plans for their future doesn’t temper Ember’s fear, and if there’s one thing she’s learned from her father’s death, it’s that there are some obstacles even love can’t conquer.

Flight school is over.

This is war.

I had no idea it was possible to fall even more in love with Josh and Ember from Full Measures, but Rebecca Yarros proved me wrong. Full Measures was one of my favorite reads of last year – I fell so hard for Josh and Ember’s story! So when I heard they would be getting another book, I jumped at the chance to read it. I mean, how could I turn down more Josh Walker? And now, after reading Hallowed Ground, I love them even more than I did in Full Measures. Through the trials, the heartache, the deployments, a war, they’ve come out on top and stronger than ever. This book was incredibly emotional – I nearly cried about 3 times, and I rarely ever cry for books. There were so many ups and downs, but overall it was a beautiful, fantastic follow-up and conclusion to Josh and Ember’s story.

Here was my salvation.
December was my saving grace.

Hallowed Ground is book 4 in the Flight & Glory series, but you only need to read the first book, Full Measures, to first be introduced to Josh and Ember. Still, I highly recommend reading the series in order so you get the full effect of each of the characters’ appearances in Hallowed Ground. If you’re a fan of Ember and Josh, Paisley and Jagger, and Sam and Grayson, then you absolutely need to read this final book.

“You are my dream now, December Howard. You are everything to me. My heart beats for you, my soul is only whole when you’re near. You’re my home, my shelter, my wildest fantasy, and I cannot imagine a future where you’re not mine, because I’m yours in every sense of the word.”

I don’t want to give anything away in the book, because when you read it, you need to experience everything first-hand. Rebecca Yarros has a brilliant talent at writing and bringing emotion to life through her words, and after every book I read from her, I only become a bigger fan. Her words pack a punch, and hands down, Hallowed Ground was the most difficult to read. This book hurt – it very much ripped my heart with all the emotional, gut-wrenching scenes between Josh and Ember. You get frustrated, you laugh, you want to cry… you seriously feel a whole spectrum of emotions. But I promise, everything – all the heartache, the ups and downs – will be worth it in the end. The epilogue seriously left me with a smile on my face and I couldn’t be happier with the way things ended for Josh and Ember.

“You are a flesh-and-bone wet dream, and you owned me the first fucking moment my mouth touched yours.”

I am so, so happy I decided to read Full Measures last year. If I didn’t, I would’ve been missing out on one fantastic, beautifully-written series. Josh is still one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends, and I can only hope for many more from Rebecca Yarros. As sad as I am to see the Flight & Glory series end, I’m so excited to see what’s next from the author!

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

Reading Order: Flight & Glory series

#1 ~ Full Measures: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Eyes Turned Skyward: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Beyond What is Given: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Hallowed Ground: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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