Release Day Review: The Taming of the Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Taming of the Billionaire by Jessica Clare
Series: Billionaires and Bridesmaids #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 21st 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The New York Times bestselling author of The Billionaire and the Virgin returns with a tale of Shakespearean-style seduction…

Edie’s an overbearing cat behaviorist who’s not big on people. Magnus is a newly-rich game developer who likes to be in control. When the two of them meet at Gretchen and Hunter’s masquerade engagement party, the loathing is mutual. Unfortunately for them—and everyone else—they’re in the wedding party together and must deal with each other for the next few months.

But when Magnus’s younger brother falls for Edie’s sister, he begs for his brother’s help in concocting a plan to win her over. If Magnus can keep the prickly Edie occupied, his brother will have time to woo Edie’s sister. Of course, Magnus isn’t interested in the slightest, but Edie is…intriguing. And stubborn. And smart. And sexy. And they might have more in common than they thought.

Before long, it becomes a challenge between the two of them to see who will be tamed first. But how’s Edie going to react when she finds out that Magnus is using her? And how’s Magnus going to handle the fact that he’s fallen for a cat lady?

Jessica Clare’s Billionaire books are a total guilty pleasure of mine – I inhale them like candy because they’re just so good. They’re easy to enjoy and well-written with hilarious, endearing characters. The Taming of the Billionaire, the second book in the Billionaire and Bridesmaids series, is another win from Jessica Clare – I adored this warm-hearted, enchanting story of the cat lady and the billionaire!

“I thought I was going to tame the cat lady, and it seems that she’s tamed me.”

Edie is a cat behaviorist, otherwise known as a cat lady. She’s not the most friendly person, but hand her a cat and she’s the sweetest person you know. She has a leg injury that causes a limp, and she’s dependent on her sister Bianca, who’s pretty but manipulative. Edie a bridesmaid at her friend Gretchen’s wedding, and at the engagement party she meets Magnus, one of the groomsman – and they dislike each other at first sight. She thinks he’s a dick and he thinks she’s a bitch, which makes for some hilarious banter between them.

Magnus is a billionaire who got rich by developing video games and his latest project requires the help of his brother Levi. But Levi won’t work unless he can be with Edie’s gorgeous sister Bianca, so they make a deal: Magnus will spend time with Edie to distract her from Bianca so Levi can have Bianca to himself, and Levi will work on their gamer project. While Magnus expects to hate his time with Edie, he’s surprised by the sassy yet warm-hearted woman underneath her cat lady exterior. Before long, Magnus wants to spend time with Edie – and he wants her pretty bad, too.

Jessica Clare writes some fantastic chemistry between Magnus and Edie – they’re such unique characters and make an unexpected couple, but I loved them together. Not only is the sex between them HOT, the two are also hilarious together! I was giggling my way through this book with the banter and with how ridiculous they were. Edie and Magnus make the cutest couple ever and I adored them!

“I’m going to lick your pussy so hard you’re not going to be able to walk straight.”
“That’s not much of a threat for a girl like me, Magnus,” she teased. Her hand moved down the front of his chest, then landed at his waist.
“Then I’ll lick your pussy so hard that I won’t be able to walk straight,” he told her.

The Taming of the Billionaire is a hilariously fun, light-hearted read with just the right amount of angst to keep my heart invested. I looooved seeing Magnus fall so hard for his cat lady – he definitely makes a huge 180 in regards to his feelings towards Edie AND he becomes a total cat person himself. Edie was a great heroine too – she’s funny, relatable, and I connected with her from the start. I also loved seeing the characters from the Billionaire Boys Club series (I still have the BIGGEST girl crush on Gretchen)! This book is definitely a must-read for fans of the author – it’s a fun-filled, delightful read and I highly recommend it!

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

Reading Order: Billionaires and Bridesmaids series

#1 ~ The Billionaire and the Virgin: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Taming of the Billionaire: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Billionaire Takes a Bride: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Billionaire on the Loose: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 20, 2016)

The Billionaires and Bridesmaids series is a spinoff series of the Billionaire Boys Club. Though it’s not necessary to read it prior to Billionaires and Bridesmaids, some recurring characters from the older series appear in the new series.

Reading Order: Billionaire Boys Club series

#1 ~ Stranded with a Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Beauty and the Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Wrong Billionaire’s Bed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Once Upon a Billionaire: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Romancing the Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ One Night with a Billionaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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21Jul2015

Release Day Review: Bind Me Before You Go by Harper Kincaid

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Bind Me Before You Go by Joya Ryan
Series: Serve #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 21st 2015
Links: Ebook • Gooodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

His heart is bound tighter than the bondage he craves…

Determined to put her past behind her, Cassidy Peyton moves to the Big Apple. But New York has a few dark secrets of its own, including Serve, an exclusive BDSM club. It’s a place she isn’t sure she’s ready for, until she sees him watching her. Hot. Intent. Knowing. With eyes that leave her stomach tied in knots, because the loneliness he’s trying to hide matches her own.

Security expert David Cavill has more secrets than any man should. Secrets that forever shut down any possibility of love, marriage, or family. Yet Cassidy draws him in, an intoxicating combination of strength, candor, and sensuality that David can’t resist. But as their bond deepens, Cassidy must decide if she can love a man whose heart is bound tighter than the form of bondage he craves…

Bind Me Before You Go is the latest addition to the Serve series, which I’m a big fan of. Though it’s a fairly good, enjoyable read, I wouldn’t say it’s my new favorite of the series. It was too short for my liking, but the characters were likable and the writing was solid. Harper Kincaid is a new author for me, but I would definitely read more from her if she wrote something a little longer.

Cassidy Peyton moves to New York looking for a fresh start. She feels like she’s missing something in life, so she agrees to go to Serve, a BDSM club, with her roommate. There, she meets David Cavill, an expert in the art of Shibari, Japanese rope bondage. They instantly feel a connection to one another, and they agree to have a two week affair where they learn to trust and explore each other with their bodies. Harper Kincaid can certainly write some hot, steamy scenes, and I was really intrigued by David’s rope kink.

The romance felt a bit lacking. It’s not exactly instalove, but the book is so short that they fall in love too quickly and unbelievably. Both have demons haunting their pasts, which I would’ve liked to be more developed, but again, the book was too short for the story development to be solid enough. Still, Cassidy and David really made a sweet couple, and I enjoyed their book for the most part. If you’re in the mood for a short, quick, steamy read, I’d recommend Bind Me Before You Go. The good writing and hot kink made this a worthwhile read.

Reading Order: Serve series

#1 ~ Owned by Fate (Tessa Bailey): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Exposed by Fate (Tessa Bailey): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Mistaken by Fate (Katee Robert): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Betting on Fate (Katee Robert): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Driven by Fate (Tessa Bailey): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#6 ~ Protecting Fate (Katee Robert): Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#7 ~ Rules of Seduction (Joya Ryan): My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#8 ~ Bind Me Before You Go (Harper Kincaid): Ebook • Gooodreads

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21Jul2015

Release Day Review: Playing with Trouble by Chanel Cleeton

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Playing with Trouble by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Capital Confessions #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 21st 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The author of Flirting with Scandal presents her second book in a sexy contemporary romance series about three sisters in a powerful political family, the scandals that threaten to destroy them, and the passion that drives them…

The daughter of one of the Senate’s most powerful figures, Blair Reynolds was ready to become the ultimate political wife—until she caught her fiancé cheating on her wedding day. Law school is a fresh start, her shot at putting the pieces of her life back together. That’s the plan, at least. Until trouble comes in the form of her Torts professor, the man whose arrogance infuriates her in class but haunts her private fantasies.

Graydon Canter had a fortune and a place on all the hottest “Thirty under Thirty” lists, until a series of personal missteps nearly destroyed his career. A year teaching at a D.C. law school is just the break he needs to get his life back in order, as long as nothing—and no one—trips him up.

When Blair and Gray are forced to work together, their explosive attraction becomes impossible to resist. But Gray’s demons have drawn him dangerously close to the edge, and Blair has spent her life playing by the rules. Will she break them for a shot at love?

This is the first book I’ve read from Chanel Cleeton and it certainly won’t be the last! I enjoyed Playing with Trouble SO much – it’s a deliciously sexy, forbidden romance between a law professor and his student. There’s TONS of hot chemistry between Blair and Gray, which I thought the author handled so well. This is definitely a must-read for fans of forbidden romances!

It was the cruelest irony that the man I despised, the man who tortured me from the front of the classroom three days a week, was the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen.

After the mess her life became after catching her fiancé cheating on her with the best man, Blair Reynolds enrolls in law school to get her life back on track and to please her Senator father. Unfortunately, law school is kicking her ass, and it doesn’t help that her Torts professor, Graydon Canter, is serious sex-on-a-stick.

Gray notices Blair on the first day of class, but obviously, he can’t act on his growing lust for his student, even if she is only seven years younger than him. Gray is a deeply flawed man who’s haunted by the mistakes he made that ended up ruining his law career, but he’s on his way to straightening out his life. He hates teaching, but the one good thing to come out of it is Blair. When they’re unexpectedly thrust together for a project, tensions run high and it isn’t long before they can’t resist each other’s pull.

I really liked the dual POV between Blair and Gray, although sometimes it switched around too many times for my taste. I could feel the chemistry that Gray and Blair were both feeling – there’s a serious case of insta-lust, but I actually loved it in this book because the characters can’t DO anything about it, at least not for a while. As Gray and Blair continue meeting up for the project, the chemistry between them only grows hotter. But they also start getting to know one another on a deeper, personal level, and I loved the way their feelings grew naturally and believably. Gray and Blair grew up in different worlds, but the two of them just clicked together. I’m just really impressed with the way the author handled their forbidden romance.

“You tempt me. So fucking much. I want to think I can be better for you. That I can change. But what if I can’t? It’s one thing to hurt myself, what if I hurt you, too? What if I let you down? I break things. I don’t want to break you.”

There’s a lot of depth to Blair and Gray’s characters and lots to overcome before they can even think of reaching a HEA, but these were two characters I couldn’t help but root for. There are some frustrations, with Gray’s back-and-forth feelings, but it was nothing too annoying. I loved the sexy times, but I also really enjoyed the deeper, meaningful parts to Blair and Gray’s relationship. The forbidden aspect was expertly handled, I really enjoyed the writing, and overall, Playing with Trouble was worthwhile read. I’m thinking I should definitely read the first book, which I skipped, since I enjoyed this second book so much!

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

Reading Order: Capital Confessions series

#1 ~ Flirting with Scandal: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Playing with Trouble: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Falling for Danger: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads

Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband.

Chanel writes contemporary romances. She is published by Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the International School, Capital Confessions, and Wild Aces series.

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16Jul2015

Release Day Review: With a Twist by Staci Hart

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

With a Twist by Staci Hart
Series: Bad Habits #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Love is somewhere near the bottom of Lily Thomas’ list of life goals, right next to competitive eating and underwater cave diving. She’s spent six years pirouetting and pliéing her way up the ranks of the New York Ballet with her eye on the prize and love in the back seat. But now that Blane Baker — Lily’s long time crush — is finally single, she’ll throw her rules out the window without thinking twice.

Reality with Blane isn’t as epic as the fantasy she imagined, and the truth sends her spinning straight into the arms of the man she never knew she’d always wanted.

West Williams has been friends with Lily since the day she moved into their building and he saved her armoire from a swift, sudden death by staircase. Their friendship has always been easy, the boundaries clearly defined. With neither of them willing to risk their relationship, they’ve drifted happily through the years as companions, never considering more.

That is, until they do. And that realization changes everything.

“You don’t get it, man. One day, you’re going to meet a girl who you can’t live without, and it’s going to fuck you up. Joke all you want, but when it hits you, it’s going to be like a glass door to the face.”

OMG!!! I freaking adored this SO HARD. WOW – what an incredible read!! This is seriously one of the sweetest, most heartfelt books I’ve ever read. And the writing is absolutely BRILLIANT! With a Twist is definitely one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I’ve ever read – and I’ve read A LOT, since it’s my absolute favorite trope! This book is just one of the more special ones out there. I literally could feel every emotion coming from West and Lily, who’s friendship-turned-love is just the most adorable, heartwarming thing ever. I loved this book!

“All this time, you were right here. You were right in front of me, and I missed it.” She searched my face, eyes soft with wonder. “How could i not have seen you?”

Staci Hart blew me away with her gorgeous writing and the depth of her characters in With a Twist. Lily and West felt so real to me – they were characters that I connected with and loved from the start. Lily is a professional ballet dancer whose passion for ballet came so clear off the pages. West is a TA for an English professor at Columbia with a love for books, writing, and his man bun and beard. Initially, when West and Lily first met, they were attracted to one another, but never pursued a relationship. Instead, they developed a profound, deep friendship that could never be questioned. And they thought they would never be more than friends… until now.

When Lily finally gets to be with her longtime crush and fellow ballet dancer Blane Baker, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Right? Except all Blane wants is sex… and he’s a jerk in the sack, too. So maybe Blane isn’t the man for her… but who has time to find true love when Lily is practicing nearly 24/7 for the production of Swan Lake, of which she’s the coveted lead?

West finds himself uncharacteristically annoyed and jealous when Lily seems to have stars in her eyes when she talks about Blane. He normally wouldn’t care who she’s with, but now… something’s different. He’s slowly coming to grips with the fact that he may possibly be in love with Lily, that he may have loved her from the very start. It’s very much an ‘aha’ moment for West, and I couldn’t stop smiling when West finally figures out his feelings for Lily. But when they both realize the depth of their feelings for one another, it’s not that easy to just fall into a relationship. They both have to risk their hearts and possibly lose a friendship that means everything to them.

“What if we end up hating each other? And what if everything is perfect? What if he’s my forever?” I slump in my seat. “All of those endings are equally terrifying. How can I choose?”

I’ll admit, I wasn’t a fan of the fact that both Lily and West sleep with other people during the beginning book, but honestly, I got over that pretty quickly, mostly because THEY got over that quickly. What made it up was the fact that the writing is just so eloquent and the characters are so well-written that everything felt real, honest, and believable. This is a light-hearted, funny book for the most part, with the perfect amount of angst mixed in to get my heart pounding. I was cheering so hard for West and Lily, because they are so perfect for each other – that solid foundation of friendship paved the way for a love that was always meant to be.

I do wish that there could have been a little more romance after they realize their love for one another. Most of the book sets us up to believe in their friendship, but I would’ve loved some more romance and sexy times. And I have to say it, but this book is so totally hipster… but I love it. And I loved the secondary characters in the book as well. Lily and West are part of a core group of quirky friends that hang out at a bar called Bad Habits, and I can’t wait to read more about them. I’m praying that Patrick and Rose get a book next!

I adored With a Twist. I’d recommend it on the writing alone, but it’s also got lovable characters and a well-developed story to make this book an all-around win. It’s a gorgeous friends-to-lovers romance that I highly recommend!

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

Reading Order: Bad Habits series

#1 ~ With a Twist: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Chaser: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Last Call: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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7Jul2015

Release Day Review: Manwhore +1 by Katy Evans

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Manwhore +1 by Katy Evans
Series: Manwhore #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The unexpected love story that began in MANWHORE continues heating up the pages in MANWHORE +1 by New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans…

Billionaire playboy? Check.
Ruthless businessman? Check.
Absolutely sinful? Check.

Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.

I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle–not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard.

Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I’ve become a hopeless Sinner.

Now that the assignment is over, Saint wants something from me–something unexpected–and I want this wicked playboy’s heart. But how can I prove to the man who trusts no one that I’m worthy of becoming his plus one?

Oh. My. GOD!! AAHHHH!!!! YES – Manwhore +1 is absolute perfection! This book was everything I wanted and more. I had such high expectations after LOVING Manwhore (one of my favorite reads of the year), and Manwhore +1 went above and beyond. I loved this book so, so much.

Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint.
I just walked into the eye of the most powerful storm of my life. No. Not a storm. A hurricane.
Four weeks, I haven’t seen him. And he still looks exactly as I remember. Larger than life, and more irresistible than ever.

Manwhore +1 picks up right where Manwhore left off (in that god-awful cliffhanger), and Rachel is determined to win back Malcolm Saint and his affection and trust. I honestly was a bit scared about the way the sequel would play out – would Saint be able to forgive Rachel? Would they get back together? I NEEDED them to get back together!

“Yes. But I want you to trust me.”
“Trust you? Rachel, I don’t trust myself with you.”
I wipe a stray tear. “I want dibs on you,” I whisper, broken.

I shouldn’t have worried though, because Katy Evans wrote their story perfectly. It may not have been what I expected, but it absolutely was the right story for Rachel and Malcolm. I don’t want to say much about the plot, but one thing I will say is that you can trust Katy Evans to deliver a book you will wholeheartedly love and enjoy! I wasn’t expect how HAPPY this book would make me – I was grinning and swooning and sighing nearly the whole way through. Mainly because of Malcolm, because how can you not love this man!?

The chemistry is as scorching as ever between Rachel and Malcolm. If anything, I thought they were HOTTER in Manwhore +1 than in Manwhore! There are lots of yummy, panty-melting, heart-melting scenes between Malcolm and Rachel. I fell so hard for them and their story. I was swept away by their gorgeous romance and the wondrousness of their love – theirs is a love story you don’t want to miss.

“Take me,” I breathe.
“I’m taking you.”
“Use me. Do anything you want to me.”
“No,” he says chidingly. “You use something you discard. And I’ll never be done with you.”

Oh, Malcolm. I fell so much deeper and harder for this man in Manwhore +1. The things he says and does… He took my breath away and stole my heart. Malcolm is THE alpha-male of alpha-males – Katy Evans writes her heroes like no other. Malcolm is the type of character that comes across so clearly off the pages, and his power and sensuality captivated me all over again. I LOVE THIS MAN!

“Do you know what I’d do for you?” A huskiness enters his voice as he circles my chin with his thumb. “You’re the only heaven I will ever know, Rachel”–He looks into my eyes–“and if you were a hell, I’d sin my whole life just to stay with you.”

MY. HEART. Malcolm Saint is to die for!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

Once again, Katy Evans delivers a captivating, addicting, sexy read I devoured in one sitting. I can’t seem to not love her books! There are definitely obstacles that Rachel and Malcolm need to overcome before reaching their HEA, but Katy Evans deals with them in such a way that made for a seamless, perfect read. I shouldn’t have worried whether I would love this book as much as the previous – Manwhore +1 was flawless.

I can’t recommend this series enough! It’s definitely one of my top favorites, and I can’t WAIT for more. I’m dying for Ms. Manwhore… and dare I say a Tahoe and Gina book? In any case, whatever Katy Evans writes, I will read.

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

Reading Order: Manwhore series

#1 ~ Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Manwhore +1: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Ms. Manwhore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: The Taming of the Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Reading Order: Billionaires and Bridesmaids series

Reading Order: Billionaire Boys Club series

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