ARC Review: Shatter by Erin McCarthy

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Shatter by Erin McCarthy
Series: True Believers #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 2nd 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (InterMix) in exchange for an honest review

From the USA Today bestselling author of True, Sweet, and Believe comes a tantalizing New Adult novel about finding love in the most unexpected ways…

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…

I’m a really, really big fan of this series (even though I–ugh!–still haven’t read the first book). I’ve become invested in the characters, in the Mann brothers, their girlfriends, and their whole group of friends, so of course I jumped at the chance to read this latest book in the series! Shatter is the fourth book in the True Believers series (which I highly recommend) and while I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, I still had such a fun time reading it. Shatter was cute, quirky, and had me smiling and giggling so much!

We know from Believe that Kylie’s boyfriend cheated on her… with her best friend. She’s normally a cheerful, glass-half-full kind of girl, but she’s heartbroken at the beginning of the book. Thankfully, Kylie has a distraction in the form of a hot chemistry tutor named Darwin, aka Jonathon. The two are a bit awkward but adorable together, and they just click. And there’s definitely some ‘chemistry’ going on between them too.

“You think I’m attractive?”
It was an embarrassing thing to ask. I wanted to choke myself for letting it slip out.
Darwin nodded though. “I find you very attractive. So attractive that I have to admit to being distracted the whole time I was tutoring you.”

Neither of them intended to fall into bed together, but they did, and their actions are not without consequences… because Kylie gets pregnant. Naturally, Kylie freaks the eff out–she doesn’t know how she can take care of a baby or how Jonathon will react. But Jonathon, the hot, dorky nerd that he is, is actually a really nice guy. He stands by Kylie’s side, but the two of them mutually agree that they won’t be falling in love with each other any time soon.

Shatter is told through both Kylie and Jonathon’s POVs, and I was really glad to get both of their perspectives. I liked reading Jonathon’s reactions–he’s a good guy through and through, though he does have his idiot moments. As he and Kylie spend more time together getting ready to have this baby, Jonathon can’t help but fall for the mother of his upcoming child. He’s clearly a very analytical, scientific guy, so seeing him fall in love is just the sweetest.

“I want a life partner, not a lab partner, do you understand? The day I met you was the best day of my life.”

I loved the contrast between Kylie and Jonathon, and how they complemented each other so well. Jonathon is smart and scientific, but he’s never fallen in love until he meets Kylie. Kylie doesn’t think too highly of herself, but being with Jonathon helps her realize that she’s smart in her own ways. These two make the most adorable couple ever!

But Jonathon and Kylie don’t have it easy. They go through some very rough, heartbreaking times, and sometimes it seemed as if a happily ever after wasn’t possible. But they eventually try to fight for each other, because even though they never expected the pregnancy, and expected to fall in love even less, they found something beautiful with each other.

Kylie and Jonathon are the most adorable thing ever, but I just didn’t love their story. The writing was a bit stilted and off, so I didn’t click with this book as much as I wanted to. I liked the story, and I really liked the characters, but I just didn’t love the book. Still, Shatter is an endearing, adorable love story that fans of the series shouldn’t miss.

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

Reading Order: True Believers series

#1 ~ True: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Believe: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Shatter: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

1Sep2014

Early Review: Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton
Series: Cocktail #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 2nd 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Gallery Books) in exchange for an honest review

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin is a tough-as-nails software engineer who designs programs and loves hospital corners. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.

When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?

There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.

In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian. Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Holy hot dirty talkin’ librarians!

I loooove Alice Clayton. She is one of my favorite go-to authors, because I never fail to enjoy her books, and they always make me laugh so hard. Plus, she wrote the gem that is Wallbanger, one of my FAVORITE books ever, which I’ve reread countless times, so what’s not to love about Alice Clayton?

This latest book in the Cocktail series is another fabulous, delightful read from this author. Though I didn’t love Screwdrivered as much as the previous two books (I honestly don’t think anyone can match up to Simon and Caroline), I still loved Alice Clayton’s classic humor and writing. Fans of Wallbanger definitely shouldn’t miss this next installment of the series!

Our heroine, Viv Franklin, was first introduced as a friend of Simon’s from high school in Rusty Nailed. She’s an adorable heroine—she’s sassy and feisty, a total girly girl, a complete computer geek, and daydreams all the time about starring in her own raunchy romance novel. She’ll literally drift off and imagine a hunky man sweeping her off her feet and ravishing her—after all, that’s not so much to ask, right? But unfortunately for Viv, she hasn’t quite found THE ONE who’ll satisfy all her dirty romance book cravings.

So Viv is pretty bored with her life. That is, until a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes, and she gets the chance to move across the country to Mendocino, California. (Guess who else lives in California? SIMON AND CAROLINE!)

It’s there at her aunt’s home that she inherited that Viv meets the hot cowboy Hank….

“I see by your buckle your name’s Hunk. I mean, Hunk. I mean, fuck, Hank. Crap.”

So yeah… Viv becomes a total dork around ~~Hunk~~ Hank, and he basically doesn’t give her the time of day.

But then… when Viv decides to remodel her aunt’s home, she meets the town librarian, Clark Barrow, who is very much like all those boring men Viv tried dating. Right? Well, not exactly. While ~~Hunk~~ Hank fires up Viv’s loins, Clark fires her up in different ways…

“Impossible woman,” he muttered, straightening his tie and picking up the picture that had brought him here the first place.
“Impossible woman,” I mimicked in a tone I hadn’t used since third grade. I accompanied it with a face I also hadn’t made since the third grade. Honestly.

Clark and Vic DO NOT get along, which makes their romance all the better. I went from laughing at their banter (which is just SO GOOD) to wanting them to just freaking kiss already!! It takes a while for Viv to realize that a certain librarian may be more than she first thought he was, and that she might be falling for him.

“Hiya, Clark,” I said, slowly straightening and turning to lean against my car. I smiled as I saw his gaze drop down to my legs, as it often did, and slowly rise up my body. I don’t know if all librarians ogled the way this one did, but he had it down to an art form. He took his time, leaving no curve unseen. Did I arch my back when his gaze finally made it to my chest? Of course I did. And was rewarded with a nostril flare, the equivalent of a facial boner.

Screwdrivered is a very slow paced book. I honestly wished it was much faster paced, but I trusted Alice Clayton not to disappoint me when the time came for Viv and Clark go be together. Viv had to first rediscover herself before she could form any real relationship. And I loved that this book was about self-discovery as well as a love story (an adorably hilarious one at that).

And Clark!! Oh my word, I don’t think I’ve ever found a librarian so attractive before! Clark definitely made me swoon and sigh. He’s cute, awkward, quirky, funny, and just a plain ole good man, and I adored him.

Screwdrivered was just an adorably fun book to read. I was smiling the whole way through. That’s what I love about Alice Clayton’s books—they never fail to make me smile! And I definitely recommend Viv’s story for those who want to have a good time while reading.

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

Reading Order: Cocktail series

#1 ~ Wallbanger: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Rusty Nailed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Screwdrivered: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mai Tai’d Up: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Last Call: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

30Aug2014

Review: Uncovered by Emily Snow

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Uncovered by Emily Snow
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: August 8th 2014
Purchase: Ebook

My name is Lizzie Connelly, and I have it all. The gorgeous apartment. The new job most women would rip out their own souls for—working for Margaret Emerson at Emerson & Taylor. I have one of those lives you’ve always dreamt about, the kind you only see on HBO. But, the thing is, that life is a lie. A façade.

It all started with one call. “Everything you know about your story—your father’s story—is a lie. It’s up to you to uncover everything.” One call, and I turned my world upside down to dig my way into Margaret’s life—the woman who I’d never laid eyes on until recently. My stepmother who took everything after my father died fourteen years ago.

The plan was simple—figure out what role she played in my father’s death and expose her to the world.

But here’s another thing: simplicity doesn’t exist, and my plans are flawed from the beginning because I never anticipated Oliver. Sexy, too smart for his own goddamn good, and infuriating, he’s the one person who could blow my plans to uncover Margaret. She’s his mother, and in another life, that would have made him my stepbrother.

I want to pretend that none of that matters, that I can simply finish what I came to do without sparing him a second glance and another thought.

Like I said, though, there’s no such thing as simplicity.

My real name is Gemma Emerson.

And this is my story.

I was in the perfect mood for Uncovered. I wanted a book I could get hooked onto that had some some hot tension and some excitement and thrills, and Emily Snow gave me all that and more! I was pleasantly surprised by Uncovered, actually. I was intrigued by the synopsis–it sounded sooo good, and I was crossing my fingers that the inside would be just as good. And it definitely was! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Uncovered–it was the perfect combination of sexy and suspenseful.

“Everything you’ve been told about your story, your father’s story, is a lie. It’s up to you to uncover the truth.”

Gemma Emerson receives a mysterious phone call one day that changes her life. She’s told that her father’s death years ago wasn’t as simple as a heart attack killing him. There was more involved in his death, and more to the fact that Gemma was left nothing in her father’s will. Gemma was left to struggle with money, especially after her mother died shortly after her father. She reached out to her stepmother, her father’s second wife, but was shot down, told that her father didn’t leave any money for her–and instead, all of her father’s possessions were instead handed over to Gemma’s stepmother. Even devastated by the loss of her parents, and by the hurt that she didn’t mean anything to her father, Gemma was able to move on and carve a life for herself. She wanted nothing to do with her stepmother ever again, but that one phone call collides her past and present.

Gemma becomes Lizzie Connelly, a fake identity she uses to uncover the truth surrounding her father’s death and will. Lizzie works at Emerson & Taylor for Margaret Emerson, the stepmother that Gemma’s father left everything to. Lizzie’s job is to infiltrate Margaret’s life and expose the truth, but Lizzie never factored in Oliver Manning, Margaret’s son–and Gemma’s stepbrother.

Oliver Manning is sex-on-a-stick. He’s charming, he oozes sexuality, and he very much wants Lizzie. He doesn’t recognize her as Gemma, to her relief, but Gemma’s attraction to him is something she loves and hates. He fires her up like no other, but their chemistry is never something she factored in on her plan to uncover the truth.

I totally adored Oliver. I didn’t LOVE him with all my heart, but he definitely made me swoon a couple times throughout the book. He and Gemma easily heat up the pages, and I loved the slightly taboo aspect of their relationship–of Gemma falling for her sexy stepbrother.

“I didn’t plan on bringing you up here. But when I saw you–” Pausing, he let out a laugh that was just a touch remorseful. “–nobody else in that room existed.”

Sexy and full of twists and turns, Uncovered had me hooked from start to finish. As I read, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next–some things shocked me, some things were predictable, but overall, Emily Snow wrote an addicting story in Uncovered. 4 hearts!

29Aug2014

Blog Tour + ARC Review & Giveaway: Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for DANTE’S FIRE!

Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst
Release Date: August 26th 2014

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…

Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…

Purchase:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes

Calling all superhero fans! Dante’s Fire is the perfect book for you! I loved that Jennifer Probst went in a completely different direction than her previous contemporary novels. Dante’s Fire is very much a superhero love story–and while I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to, it was still an incredibly fun and sweet read.

Dante Stark is the superhero of this story, though he doesn’t think of himself as one. He views his power to heal as a blessing and a curse. On one hand, he has the power to stop men from assaulting women, but on the other hand, he can never have a personal life. He has two identities–his real self as Dante Stark, owner of Inferno Enterprises, and his fake persona Daniel Stark, who works as the mail clerk at Inferno Enterprises.

As Daniel, Dante gets to meet Selina, who works at his company. Over the years that she’s worked there, he slowly falls in love with her, but he knows he has no chance of being with her–she can never know about his alter ego, and he believes she would never fall for a man who works as a mail clerk.

Selina is tough and ambitious. She’s been climbing up the corporate ladder, all the while becoming very good friends with Daniel Stark. There’s a chemistry between them, an attraction Selina can’t help but feel towards Daniel, but she’s not sure she can be with a man who doesn’t have as much ambition as she does. I admired Selina’s strength, her determination to be the best possible person she could be, despite being a product of the foster-care system.

During a traumatic incident, Selina meets and is saved by Dante, which changes everything in her life. Dante, the man with superhero powers, was never supposed to meet Selina, but Dante can’t stay away from her. She only knows him as Daniel, but he’s helplessly in love with her. Now Dante has to figure out a way to get Selina to accept both of his identities, because he can’t give her up.

Dante’s Fire wasn’t perfect–the plot had a few holes in it, but overall, it was a short and sweet read. Dante and Selina’s romance was romantic and full of chemistry. I’m glad Jennifer Probst decided to do a superhero story–I don’t come across one often, but this one was enjoyable and fun.

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

GRAND PRIZE: Win a customized necklace. 2 RUNNERS UP: Receive a “winner’s choice” signed book by Jennifer Probst. US Only.

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28Aug2014

Review: Rival by Penelope Douglas

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Rival by Penelope Douglas
Series: Fall Away #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 26th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Oh my gosh, OH MY GOSH! Rival was utter perfection! I laughed, I swooned, I gasped, and I fell deeply and madly in love with this book. Rival is a stunning, beautiful, heart-wrenching book that will make fans of Penelope Douglas fall in love all over again with this series after reading it.

Rival was definitely one of my TOP anticipated reads of the year, and it didn’t disappoint. It totally met every one of my high expectations and then some. So for those of you who, like me, fell in love with Jared and Tate’s story and were wondering if Rival will be just as good? I’m here to tell you that it abso-freaking-lutely is. It’s been a while since a book has had me so consumed in its story, but once I started Rival, I literally could not stop reading. I was utterly addicted to each and every page.

There were people I liked and people I didn’t like. People I loved and people I hated.
But there was only one person I loved to hate.

Madoc and Fallon: step-siblings–who hate each other. Basically, the perfect ingredients for one hell of a book.

Two years ago, Fallon was sent away to boarding school. Madoc was left behind, and during those two years, hatred festered over misunderstandings and hurt. But the Madoc we know now? He’s not exactly an angry boy. He’s obnoxious, rude, funny as hell, but not very emotional. But now that Fallon is back, all these emotions are rising up in him–his lust and hate for her–and the chemistry between them is passionate and can’t be denied.

That beautiful girl that hated me, and I hated her, but–goddamn it–I loved how we hated, because it was raw and real. It didn’t make any sense, but yeah–it was real.

I absolutely loved how Penelope Douglas portrayed Madoc and Fallon’s attraction. No matter how much they hate each other, that attraction is always there, and it’s hard and fast and felt very, very real. I could feel the tension between them, how on edge the two of them were. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, with my heart pounding, just waiting for the tension to explode between them. And besides, love and hate? There’s a very thin line between the two, and Madoc and Fallon cross that line again and again.

Fallon is one hell of a chick. I loved her, admired her, felt for her, hurt for her. She goes through such emotional turmoil from past and present hurts, all the while never giving up that badass persona. She’s tough through and through, but the one person who can get through those walls, the one person who sees her for her, is Madoc. Madoc, the first boy she’s ever been with, the boy who broke her heart, and now the man who fires her up like no other.

“You act like you have no heart, like you just swallow your conscience with all of the pain you cause. But I see through it, Fallon. The truth is, you want me like nobody’s business.” She closed her mouth and swallowed. “You’ve always wanted me. You know why? Because I don’t try to kill your demons. I run with them.”

Madoc and Fallon definitely don’t have an easy path ahead of them. They have so much history that we piece together as it’s slowly revealed throughout the book. Rival almost felt suspenseful, in the way that it was so thrilling and intense to read. There is just so much for Fallon and Madoc to overcome, but there is no doubt that these two can do anything together.

Rival is told in both Madoc and Fallon’s POVs, so we come to understand how both of them feel. We understand where their anger comes from, how their anger is justified. I never even wanted to smack either of them, that’s how much I came to love and understand them. This couple has one of the most gripping and addicting stories, and I applaud Penelope Douglas for creating them, for creating characters that I’ll never forget.

And Jared and Tate fans, don’t despair! These two play a heavy part in Rival, which totally me happy. And holy crapola, JAX! We get to see a little more of Jax, Jared’s brother, and I have to say, I have a feeling I’m going to love Jax even more than Jared or Madoc, which is saying something because I love Jared and Madoc to infinity and beyond. I grew a little obsessed with Jax while reading Rival–I swear, Falling Away cannot get here fast enough!

So, Rival? It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year. I loved every single thing about it. I was up until three in the morning finishing this darn book, but it was so worth it. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!

Reading Order: Fall Away series

#1 ~ Bully: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Until You: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Rival: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Falling Away: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Aflame: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads

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