Early Review: Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Capital Confessions #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 15th 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 third 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…

Kate Reynolds has just graduated from college and is determined to make it on her own. Her job as a junior political analyst at the CIA is a dream come true and the perfect opportunity to find answers about the night that’s plagued her for four years—the night she lost her fiancé, Matt, on a Special Forces mission in Afghanistan. Kate’s consumed with uncovering the truth and avenging the man she loved and lost, even if it means risking her own life to prove that his death wasn’t an accident.

When she gets too close to discovering what happened that fateful night and danger arrives on her doorstep, Kate’s stunned by the man who comes to her rescue. Together, they begin to dig for the truth, fighting to stay alive as they’re dragged down into a world of secrets and lies. But when the threat hits close to home, Kate must choose between vengeance and a future with the man who’s ignited a fire inside her that she thought died long ago.

I was really looking forward to reading Falling for Danger after reading the snippet at the end of Playing with Trouble. The heroine’s supposedly dead fiancé turns out to be alive! And he’s back in her life! How could I NOT read it after finding that out? But the romance didn’t quite pan out the way I expected it to. While I enjoyed Falling for Danger, it wasn’t quite the epic conclusion to the series I was hoping for.

He’d promised me that he’d love me forever. Where did forever go?

Kate Reynolds is on a mission to take her father down. She’s determined to expose her father for the fraud that he is, and to uncover the link between him and the reason why her fiancé, Matt, was suspiciously killed while in Afghanistan. In the four years since Matt’s death, her life has become about avenging her lost love, and there’s nothing that will stand in her way. But one night, someone breaks into her home, and she comes face-to-face with last person on earth she expected: her dead fiancé.

I really liked how determined Kate was. I could feel for her and the pain she went through with losing Matt. She’s a girl hell-bent on revenge, and I couldn’t help but admire that. She’s also never stopped loving Matt, so when he appears, she’s struck by all the feelings that come rushing back in. But four years took their toll on Matt, and he’s not the same boy she knew and loved.

She was the one constant in this never-ending purgatory where I was stuck somewhere between life and death, a walking ghost.

Matt has changed a lot over the years, no longer the carefree boy in love with his best friend. His time in Afghanistan was rough and heartbreaking, but he survived, only to hide away from the people he loved the most. Matt is pretty gruff, dark, and intense… but I struggled to like him. He’s the main reason why I didn’t love this book like I wanted to. I guess I just never really understood why he had to stay away from Kate, if he loved her so much. We never really get an explanation – or rather, Matt never gives Kate an explanation for why he faked his death and what he did over the last four years. Kate was hurt and devastated over his ‘death’, and it would’ve been nice if Matt tried to make up for the hurt. And while it was obvious that Kate still loved Matt, I didn’t feel the love Matt still had for Kate. I needed more from Matt, I really did.

The suspense in Falling for Danger was pretty mellow. It was slow in the middle and then rushed at the end, so I didn’t really become invested in the mystery/suspense. The ending wasn’t as dramatic as I’d hoped, but it was still a good end for all the characters.

I wish I could’ve loved this book more. I had such high hopes based on the premise, but since I didn’t like the hero, I couldn’t fully enjoy the story. If you’re a fan of the series, I’d recommend you read this if you want to know how the series plot-line involving the Kate’s father turns out. Hopefully you’ll love more than I did! Not to say Falling for Danger is a bad book – it just wasn’t as good as I hoped.

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: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Falling for Danger: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 15, 2015)

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14Sep2015

Audiobook Review: Hold On by Kristen Ashley

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Hold On by Kristen Ashley
Series: The ‘Burg #6 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 1st 2015
Length: 21 hours and 20 minutes
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Since she was young, Cher Rivers knew she was not the kind of girl who got what she wanted. A girl who could hope. A girl who could dream. She knew a happily ever after just wasn’t in the cards for her.

In love for years with the last bastion of the ‘burg’s eligible bachelors, Garrett Merrick, Cher worked hard at making him laugh. Being one of the guys. Having him in her life the only way she could. All this knowing he was in love with another woman.

The Merrick Family is known for loving deep. So when Cecelia Merrick was murdered, it marked the Merricks in a way none of them recovered. Both Cecelia’s children found love. Both turned their backs on it. But Garrett “Merry” Merrick knew in his soul the woman he divorced years ago was the one for him.

Until the night when Cher took Garrett’s back and things changed. The Merrick family loves deep. They also protect fiercely. And with his eyes finally open, Garrett sees the woman who truly is for him and he goes after her.

It’s been a long while since the last time I read a Kristen Ashley book, and this is the first time I’ve listened to an audiobook of hers, but listening to Hold On reminded me of just how much I love KA and her kickass books. It’s just so easy to get sucked into her writing and her wonderful cast of characters. Hold On is the sixth and final book in The ‘Burg series, though it can be read as a standalone. This is Cher and Merry’s story, one that’s heartfelt, romantic, and absolutely fantastic to listen to.

Kristen Ashley’s books are long, which means the audiobooks are loooong, and I love it. I love getting to spend so much time in her world, with her characters, because everything is so detailed and fleshed-out. Hold On is 21 hours of KA goodness, and I couldn’t be happier about it. It took me quite a few days to finish it, but I was happy about the time I spent with this book, because listening to this practically lifted my spirits. Cher and Merry’s romance is one about fighting for one another, about holding on to the best thing that could happen to them, and not letting go.

“You got it good, you don’t let it go. It lets you go, you hold on. It slips through your fingers, you pull out all the stops to get it back. You got somethin’ worth fighting for, you fight for it. You do not sit on your ass waitin’ for it to come back to you. You show whoever that is they mean something and you go all out on that, and the only way you go down is doin’ that shit swinging.”

Cher Rivers’ life has been through the wringer, but she comes out stronger on the other side. A single mom, she’s got a boy to take care of, so she’ll do whatever it takes to give him a good life. THIS is the kind of woman who never lets anything bring her down, and I admired her so much for it. After the mess that happened with serial killer Dennis Lowe, she doesn’t have room for romance in her life, but it doesn’t stop her from unrequitedly loving Garrett “Merry” Merrick.

Cher and Merry are great friends, but Merry is oblivious to Cher’s feelings for him, because all he can feel is regret at losing his ex-wife. But one night, when he’s drowning in his sorrows, it’s Cher who’s there for him, and he quickly realizes she’s always been there for him. And that one night together for them is enough to make Merry open his eyes and see what’s been in front of him all along.

I really enjoyed listening to Cher and Merry’s wonderful romance. This is a bit of the friends-to-lovers trope, which I adore. Cher is a fantastic, strong, independent woman who is definitely a one-of-a-kind heroine. Merry is also an incredible hero – alpha (as KA’s hero’s always are), fiercely protective, and unwavering in his loyalty, he’s certainly the perfect man for Cher and her son. Their romance is slow, but heartfelt, full of laughter, sexytimes, and love. And Ethan, Cher’s son, is a definite highlight of this book – he’s absolutely adorable and hilarious!

“It happens … For people like us, baby. It happens, eventually. Just as long as we hold on.”

Erin Bennett’s narration meshed perfectly well with the tone of this book. She did a fantastic job conveying both Cher and Merry’s POVs, and it was easy to distinguish between the dialogue of different characters. I would most likely listen to another audiobook of hers.

Overall, Hold On is an entertaining book that fans of KA should not miss. It wasn’t perfect – I felt like the suspense and action in this was a bit lacking compared to the romance – but it was a great listen all the same. Now I’m very much looking forward to listening to KA’s other audiobooks!

Reading Order: The ‘Burg series

#1 ~ For You: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ At Peace: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Golden Trail: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Games of the Heart: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ The Promise: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Hold On: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Hold On!

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14Sep2015

Early Review: Bad Romance by Jen McLaughlin

Posted in 2 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Bad Romance by Jen McLaughlin
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 15th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In this explosive novel from bestselling author Jen McLaughlin, a good girl falls for the ultimate bad boy: her stepbrother. Perfect for fans of Sabrina Paige, Caitlin Daire, and Krista Lakes, Bad Romance proves that passion can be so wrong it’s right.

Seven years in the army will change a guy. But after a shoulder wound ends his career as a sniper, Jackson Worthington finds himself back home, fighting a battle that’s all too familiar: keeping his hands off Lily Hastings. She’s still her rich daddy’s little angel, innocent, impossibly lovely, as squeaky-clean as Jackson is dirty. And she’s still his stepsister—forbidden but not forgotten, not after the soul-melting kiss that got him kicked out of the house at eighteen. He couldn’t resist her then. How the hell can he resist her now?

Lily is about to marry a man she doesn’t love, and commit to a high-stress job she hates, all to please the father who controls every waking moment of her life. On top of everything, her teenage crush is back, with a sleek, chiseled body and a trace of the rebellious boy whose lips sealed her fate. Jackson’s timing couldn’t be worse . . . or better. Because Lily’s all grown up, too. She’s aching for another taste. And for the first time, she’s ready to be a bad girl.

I was really looking forward to Bad Romance, since I’m a sucker for forbidden love stories, and this one’s a stepbrother romance at that! But unfortunately, this book wasn’t what I’d hoped it would be. I didn’t like the characters at all, and found myself skimming parts of the story. I really wish I could’ve liked this more, because I did enjoy the writing, but it was the characters that ruined the book for me.

Jackson Worthington is back from the army after seven years, back to the home and family that turned him away. Well, everyone turned him away except for Lilly Hastings, his stepsister. The sweet stepsister sent him letters throughout his time in the army, keeping him sane, but not once did he write to her back. He felt like a clean break between them, after that kiss they had when she was fifteen and he was eighteen, was the best thing for her.

Lilly Hastings has had a crush on Jackson ever since he came into her life, but unfortunately as her stepbrother. She held out hope for him until she left for college, but now that he’s back, she’s going to go after what she’s always wanted – Jackson.

While I liked the premise of Bad Romance, the execution of the story played out poorly. The forbidden love aspect of the story was a disappointment – I felt no chemistry between the main characters, and I didn’t feel like there anything nothing forbidden or taboo about their relationship. They met at 15 and 18, he left right away and stayed away for seven years, neither of them like their parents – what exactly was holding them back from being together?

I didn’t like either Jackson or Lilly, and I didn’t like how repetitive their back-and-forth was. Jackson keeps going on and on about how ‘innocent’ and ‘pure’ Lilly is, and how he doesn’t want to ruin her life. I hated how assuming he is about the kind of person Lilly is without really getting to know her after not seeing her for seven years. And Lilly has her own little problem of being forced to marry someone to save her father’s company. Really? I absolutely didn’t believe she no choice but to marry someone just to save a company she’s not even involved in. Everyone keeps guilting her, telling her how she’ll make thousands of people lose their jobs, and she doesn’t do anything to fight all the people hounding her. She is quite the doormat around everyone but Jackson, but even her times with Jackson wasn’t enough to make me like her.

I didn’t hate this book, but it was a disappointing read. The only saving point to the book was the writing, but sadly everything else was a bust. I really hoped for something exciting and taboo, but I got neither of those.

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10Sep2015

Release Day Review: Grayson’s Vow by Mia Sheridan

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Grayson’s Vow by Mia Sheridan
Series: A Sign of Love #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 10th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Kira Dallaire is desperate.

Some challenges in life seem too hard to overcome. With little money, and even fewer options, the quick-witted and vibrant twenty-two-year-old needs to reinvent herself. Known for her generous heart and impulsive personality, she devises a survival plan, possibly her most outrageous idea yet.

Grayson Hawthorn is losing hope.

Some obstacles in life seem too hard to overcome. Betrayal definitely being one of them. With limited capital, and dwindling resources, he is attempting to resurrect his failing family vineyard, a self-imposed vow seemingly destined to fail. That is until a young woman enters his office with an outlandish, unexpected proposition impossible to refuse.

What begins as a temporary business arrangement, soon evolves into more as vivacious, spirited Kira challenges detached, arrogant Grayson to want more from life. To want more for himself. But as their wills clash and fiery passion ignites, they’ll realize that sometimes the past creates walls too difficult to climb, and that lies and deception rarely precede a happily every after.

As Kira and Grayson race toward their destiny, they will discover that some vows are meant to be broken, and others are worth risking everything for . . . even your very own heart.

Mia Sheridan is an author whose books I will never hesitate to read. Her books – her words – pack such a powerful punch, it’s honestly exhilarating to read her stories. And her stories are so gorgeous and romantic. Her latest A Sign of Love novel, Grayson’s Vow, very much felt like a fairy-tale romance. I loved the setting of the vineyard and I loved how Mia Sheridan created two flawed, broken characters who find love and hope in each other. I wholehearted enjoyed Grayson’s Vow, and though it may not be my favorite of the series, THIS book is the only one that made me tear up.

“Love is not always smooth and easy. Love can be piercing. Love means exposing yourself–all of yourself, every tender part–to being hurt. Because true love is not only the flower, true love is also the thorns.”

Grayson Hawthorn is trying to restore the failing family vineyard his father left him, but with no money, no working equipment, and so few workers, he’s losing hope that he’ll be able to fulfill his final vow to his father. Then, like a godsend, Kira Dallaire comes into his life and makes him a deal – they get married and convince the public that their marriage is real, and Kira will give Grayson enough money to restore the vineyard. But Kira isn’t really making this deal out of the kindness of her heart – she’s desperate herself, broke, and in need of the money that she only has access to once she gets married. So theirs is an arrangement made out of desperation, but one that ends in hope.

Kira and Grayson may need each other, but it’s clear that from the very first moment they meet, they don’t like each other. Grayson is quite the ass to Kira, making quick judgements about her that aren’t necessarily true. Kira definitely doesn’t hold back against Grayson, and the two go head-to-head, fighting and provoking each other. Underneath it all, though, is an intense sexual tension that the two try to ignore, but can’t.

“Oh, I dare you,” she said, something fiery and thrilling in her eyes. “Show me that dragonish side. Do your worst.”
I stepped in immediately to the challenge. “Dragonish? Oh, my little wife, you haven’t even glimpsed dragonish yet.”

Grayson holds so much pain and hurt within him because of the lonely life he’s lived, that he lashes out against the people around him, especially Kira. This is why it was difficult to like him for pretty much the first half of the book. He’s just so… mean to Kira, so he had a lot of making up to do in my eyes. Kira, thankfully, stands up to Grayson, and she was the highlight of this book. I really enjoyed her warmth, her huge heart, and the way she views the world so optimistically, unlike Grayson. These two are very different characters, but they manage to balance each other out in the most perfect way. And the way they slowly fall in love… it’s breathtaking and beautiful and so heart-wrenching.

She was everything to me: my dreams, my weakness, and the person who made me want to be strong. She was the one woman who showed me I mattered, that I was wanted. That I was enough.

I liked this book, I really did, but I just didn’t LOVE it like I expected to. It was slow going for the first half of the book, but once the pace picked up, I couldn’t stop reading. I didn’t really connect emotionally for the majority of the book, though, since Grayson and Kira are at each other’s throats for so long. It took a little too long for me to become invested in these two characters, but when I finally did, the story swept me away. I even TEARED UP at some parts of the book, I was so swept up in the emotions this book brought out in me. I wholeheartedly suggest you don’t give up on this book if, like me, you feel the story dragging a bit, because the end will be so worth it (the epilogue is one of the most gorgeous things I’ve ever read!). Grayson’s Vow isn’t quite as epic as Mia Sheridan’s previous incredible works (Becoming Calder/Finding Eden will forever be my favorites of the series), but with the author’s beautiful writing, I couldn’t not enjoy it. I still think this book is a fantastic love story, a very worthwhile read, and one fans of the series should not miss.

“True love is the greatest leap of faith there is.”

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

Reading Order: A Sign of Love series

Note: Each of the books in the A Sign of Love series can be read as complete standalones that have no connection with each other, with the exception of Leo’s Chance, which is the hero’s POV of Leo, and Becoming Calder and Finding Eden, a two-book story featuring the same cast of characters. None of the characters in the different Sign of Love books are connected.

#1 ~ Leo: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Leo’s Chance: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Stinger: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Archer’s Voice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Becoming Calder: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Finding Eden: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Kyland: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Grayson’s Vow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Midnight Lily: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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8Sep2015

Early Review: Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras
Series: Hearts #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 9th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I lost her.
No, I didn’t lose her. I threw her away.
She was my best friend.

I was never supposed to fall in love with her.
I was careless.
She was heartbroken.

I thought I was doing fine. But here she is, years later, forced to work with me, reminding me why I fell in love with her in the first place.
And this time I’m going to do everything in my power to never let her go.

“Real love stories never end.”

Second chance romances are probably my favorite kinds of romances to read. The angst, the heartbreak, the reunion, the rekindled love… everything about the trope just appeals to me. So I had high expectations for Paper Hearts – ever since I read Kaleidoscope Hearts (my review here) and Torn Hearts (the free prequel novella to Paper Hearts), Mia and Jensen’s story was a highly anticipated read of mine. And I’m so glad to say that Claire Contreras didn’t let me down – Paper Hearts is a fantastic, heart-wrenching second chance romance that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. It’s the kind of book that will tug on your heartstrings, make your heart pound, and leave you breathless.

It’s been said that we’re only given one chance at things in life. I’d love to prove that wrong.

Normally, I’m not sure I would’ve been able to read this book – but I felt like I just HAD to know Mia and Jensen’s story. In the prequel (which is also in the beginning of Paper Hearts), we learn that Jensen and Mia were the inseparable, totally-in-love kind of couple. But when Jensen goes off to college, their relationship takes a break… and then Jensen does something that changes the course of their lives forever. My heart broke for the two of them – they went from being best friends who were in love to being shattered beyond repair. I honestly didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive Jensen for what he did. But reading Paper Hearts has put everything in perspective, and now I’m just so glad to have experienced Mia and Jensen’s love story.

My heart felt like it wanted to leap out and settle inside of his. Not again, I told myself. I knew if it did, I’d never get it back.

Mia and Jensen have rarely seen each other in the years since they’ve broken apart, but now Mia is moving to New York City to work as a photographer at the same place Jensen writes his column. In the same city and in the same workplace, it’s inevitable that they’ll see each other again. And when they do, it’s obvious that the love between them has never waned, as much as Mia wishes it would. But with Jensen determined to win back the love of his life, can Mia find it in herself to forgive him and move on… with him?

Mia is a wonderful, well-rounded character. My heart was completely invested in this girl, who’s been through so much heartbreak because of Jensen. She’s smart and tough, and though she’s not without faults – she was partly to blame for her and Jensen’s bad breakup, though the majority of the blame definitely belongs to him – I really enjoyed her character. And I was all ready to be totally pissed at Jensen on her behalf, but Jensen surprised me, in the best way. Through the little snippets of his column, written in his POV, we see how much he regrets hurting Mia, how devastated at their breakup he was, and how much he still wants another chance. I could literally FEEL how much Jensen still loves Mia, which was something I definitely needed in this book. I also was expecting a lot of groveling, and the columns were basically that. Claire Contreras did a fantastic job with Jensen’s character, showing his flaws, his motivations, and most of all, his complete devotion to Mia.

Maybe our souls really are scattered in the things we love, and we are all completely lost, but from the moment she looked at me, I felt like I’d been found.

I was expecting a lot of angst in Paper Hearts, but I’d say the angst was more sweet than anything. Both the main characters have grown up and matured over the years, which I appreciated. The pace of the book was spot-on – there are a lot of obstacles that Jensen and Mia need to overcome before they can finally have that HEA, and everything played out at the perfect pace. Even though I may not have completely loved Paper Hearts, it’s still a brilliant read that fans of second chance romances should not miss. It’s a GREAT read, one I recommend – if you’re into intense love stories that will make you will feel so much, you should definitely give this book a try. You won’t regret it!

“I love you, and there’s no negotiating with what I feel in my heart.”

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

Reading Order: Hearts series

#1 ~ Kaleidoscope Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Paper Hearts: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Elastic Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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Early Review: Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton

Reading Order: Capital Confessions series

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