Release Day Review: Tonic by Staci Hart

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Tonic by Staci Hart
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: October 13th 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Joel Anderson doesn’t take anything seriously.

Not his relationships, which have been few and far between since his brutal divorce. Not the drama of working in a tattoo parlor, which seems to be around every corner. When things get him down, he smiles and cracks a joke. But he’s not the kind of man you cross, or you’ll find yourself at the wrong end of his fists.

Annika Belousov takes everything seriously.

Like her job as a reality television producer, given that she typically has something to prove. Or her love life, which is defined by a series of requirements — affluent, ambitious, accomplished, to name a few. Definitely her family, who worked their whole lives to afford her every opportunity, a sacrifice she doesn’t take lightly. When she’s tapped to produce a reality show at Joel’s shop, she doesn’t think twice, just goes in for the kill, as if there were any other way.

The second Annika walks into Joel’s shop, he makes it his mission to crack her open, but she’s not having it. He’s all wrong — too crass, too hairy, too un-serious. But it doesn’t take her long to find out there’s more to him than smirks and tattoos. And what she finds could put her career and his heart on the line.

Not that Joel cares. Because for the first time in a long time, he’s found his tonic.

I was excited for Tonic mainly because of Joel – he was so intriguing in Wasted Words, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his story. It wasn’t quite what I expected though – I didn’t love Tonic or hate it. It was very meh for me, to be honest, and I just wasn’t feeling the romance or story at all. The romance was too superficial and not fleshed out enough for me, and the story dragged too much. That being said, it’s not a bad book. I’d say if you’ve been a long-time fan of the author and her writing, then you’ll probably enjoy Tonic.

Joel and his brother are tattoo shop c0-owners, and they’ve just signed on with a TV producer to film a reality show based off their tattoo shop, Tonic. Joel is reluctant to have anything to do with being part of a reality show, so he’s not going to make it easy for the producers to film. But when he meets Annika Belousov, he might not like her job, but he’s definitely intrigued by her as a woman. He can’t stop thinking about her, taunting her… trying to get her into his bed.

Annika is the total opposite of Joel – while he’s laid-back and relaxed, she’s uptight and serious about everything she does. She has an incredible work ethic, though they don’t call her an ice queen for nothing. But what happens when Joel starts to melt the walls around her heart? Can she choose between the man she’s falling for or the career she’s worked so hard to achieve?

While I enjoyed Tonic on a surface level, there were things that prevented me from connecting with the book on a deeper level. Some parts felt too forced and a little awkward – the author tried to fit in too many references to pop culture that it got old fast. I really only cared about Joel and Annika, but these two took too long to sort their problems out and used sex as an avoidance tactic too often. Joel annoyed me in the second half of the novel – he doesn’t seem to know when to take responsibility and likes to blame other people for mistakes that he’s a part of. His character also didn’t feel like a 38-year-old man – he seemed a lot younger and immature, which was not a good thing.

Tonic wasn’t a bad book, but’s it’s definitely one of my least favorites from Staci Hart. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to connect with her future novels more – I still have hope that she’ll write another book as good, or even better than, Chaser!

Tonic is a standalone spinoff of Wasted Words. Joel first appears here in this book!

Wasted Words: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Tonic and Wasted Words are a standalone spinoffs of the Bad Habits series, a series of standalones with characters featured in the spinoffs!

Reading Order: Bad Habits series

#1 ~ With a Twist: My Review • 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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10Oct2016

Audiobook Review: The Score by Elle Kennedy

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Score by Elle Kennedy
Series: Off-Campus #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 11 hours and 41 minutes
Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood & Andrew Eiden
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

Y’all, the audiobook of The Score is SUCH an improvement from the last two Off-Campus audiobooks. I’m so glad that they decided to go with a male and female author instead of one female author who sounded nothing like two college-aged students. So if you weren’t a fan of The Deal and The Mistake in audio, I can promise you will enjoy listening to The Score SO much more. Good narrators make all the difference in the audiobooks I listen too, and it made a huge difference in The Score. I loved listening to it this time around, and I’m hoping that the next book will also have dual narrators!

Allie Hayes has broken up with her boyfriend Sean for the last time, and she’s in need of someone to keep her from taking Sean back. Enter Dean Di-Laurentis, resident manwhore and hockey player. Dean lives by his own rules, doing what he wants, when he wants, and for the moment, what he wants is Allie. But one night of drinks leads to sizzling-hot passion and Dean can’t quite seem to get Allie off his mind or stop wanting her… And soon enough, when Dean falls, he falls hard, and my heart swooned like crazy over the love he gradually grows to have for Allie.

If you haven’t already read The Score, it’s amazing as an audiobook – or you could be like me, and have read AND listened to it! It’s another great installment to the Off-Campus series – it’s got the usual laugh-out-loud humor (I literally laughed out loud while listening to this), fantastic sexy-times, amazing bromances, even some Twilight references, and a romance that warm your heart and leave you smiling and wanting more. Dean and Allie are perfect together, and what’s even better, their narrators are spectacular as well. The male narrator, Andrew Eiden, was PERFECT as Dean, and though it took me a little while to warm up to Savannah Peachwood, Allie’s narrator, since she spoke really slowly in the beginning, I enjoyed her narration by the end of the audiobook. So if you’re thinking of getting an audiobook in the Off-Campus series, I highly recommend The Score – it’s got the best narration of the series.

THE SCORE is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2e2IfN3

Reading Order: Off-Campus series

#1 ~ The Deal: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Mistake: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Score: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Goal: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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4Oct2016

Blog Tour + Release Day Review & Giveaway: Thief of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

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

Happy Release Day to L.H. Cosway – Thief of Hearts is live!

Thief of Hearts by L.H. Cosway
Series: Hearts #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 4th 2016

Seduce the teacher.
Meet the cousin.
Make a deal.
Steal the painting.

Andrea Anderson has no clue of the thoughts churning around in the dark and dangerous ex-con’s head as he enters her classroom. In fact, she’s momentarily lost for words. Not in her entire teaching career has she had a student who looked quite like Stu Cross.

A widow at just twenty-eight, love is something Andie hasn’t considered a part of her life for a very long time. However, when lingering touches turn to whispered words and hot, searching stares, she begins to wonder if maybe she should take a leap of faith.

But Stu is in her class for a reason, and it has nothing to do with love. He’s there to burrow his way into her life and repay a debt, otherwise his family will suffer. Andie is the first person to show him true kindness since he left prison, and though he doesn’t want to mislead her, he doesn’t have another choice.

Before long, Stu can’t tell whether or not he’s acting anymore, and his feelings for Andie could throw all of his carefully crafted plans into complete and utter disarray.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Amazon AU
iTunes • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • Smashwords

I’ve adored every book in L.H. Cosway’s Hearts series, and though Thief of Hearts isn’t quite my favorite, it’s still a great addition to the series, and one that fans of the author should definitely read. This is the eldest Cross brother’s story, and we get to experience this ex-con fall for his teacher. A delicious forbidden love, a dirty-minded alpha, and a painting heist all made for one entertaining read.

Andrea Anderson may have been a widow for four years, but she hasn’t been able to let go of her husband and high school sweetheart. She works day to day at an adult school, barely making ends meet, and in serious hospital debt back when her husband was ailing. Things seem bleak until a mysterious, gorgeous bad boy enrolls in her class. Stu Cross is everything she should stay away from, but he’s the one man who’s been able to make her forget her troubles. She sees in him the intelligence and potential everyone seems to glance over – and can’t help falling for him because of it. But when he ropes her into helping him steal a painting, things start to get complicated. Can Andie really trust Stu’s feelings for her, or is he just using her for the painting?

Stu Cross made me feel alive. So much so that it took him coming into my life to make me realise I hadn’t been living. I’d been imprisoned in the past, hiding behind a future that was lost to me.

L.H. Cosway has such a quirky way of writing – I can’t say that I love it, but it’s different and a little refreshing to read. Andie was a sweet, adorable character I really felt for. Stu is a swoony hero – loyal, caring, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family. And he certainly knows how to use his mouth, the dirty talker. Their romance was seriously the sweetest thing – I was rooting for them from the start, though their story is certainly not the least bit easy. The plot with the blackmail and painting made things way more complicated, and I sadly didn’t find myself caring that much about it. All I really wanted to focus on was the romance, which was good enough for me.

Overall, Thief of Hearts is a great installment to the series, and though it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading at least the book before it, Hearts of Blue, which is where the Cross family is first introduced. Right now, I’m dying to read the final Cross brother’s book – I love friends-to-lovers romances, and I can’t wait for Trevor and his best friend Reya to get their story!

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

Reading Order: Hearts series

#1 ~ Six of Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hearts of Fire: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ King of Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Hearts of Blue: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Thief of Hearts: Ebook • Goodreads
#6 ~ Hearts on Air: Goodreads (2017)

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

1st prize:
A collection of signed books by a number of different authors (Kristen Ashley, Samantha Young, Penny Reid, Mariana Zapata, Amy Harmon) including signed copies of the entire Hearts series and a selection of L.H. Cosway swag
2nd prize:
A signed paperback copy of Thief of Hearts, signed swag and a $15 Amazon gift card
3rd prize:
A kindle copy of Thief of Hearts and a $5 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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3Oct2016

Early Review: Four Letter Word by J. Daniels

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Four Letter Word by J. Daniels
Series: Dirty Deeds #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 4th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Fate. Hate. Love. Lies.
Which four letter word will change their lives forever?

Sydney Paige was never so mortified to hear the words “wrong number” in her life. She meant to tell off the guy who broke her best friend’s heart, but unleashed her anger on a perfect stranger instead. And now her world is turned upside down by the captivating man who wants to keep her on the line.

Brian Savage is living a life he’s quickly come to hate-until Sydney’s wild rant has him hooked and hungry for more. Soon the sexy woman on the phone becomes the lover in his bed. But Brian has secrets, and the closer he lets Syd get, the harder it is to shield her from the devastating mistakes of his past . . .

Ho-lee god, I was not expecting Four Letter Word to be as hot and dirty as it turned out to be! WOW. If all of J. Daniels’ books are like this, I think I’m going to have to start reading them, because seriously, this book nearly had me on fire. I loved it! I loved Brian and Sydney and I’m so happy about how their story turned out. I was intrigued by the idea of two strangers accidentally meeting by phone, and the execution, while starting off slow, didn’t disappoint. I’m very impressed with this story, and I’m definitely looking forward to more of the series!

After getting basically dumped by her husband of seven years, Sydney needs a break from her life, so she hides away at her best friend’s place. Turns out her bff, Tori, also has a man who’s scum – so with all her pent-up anger thanks to her husband, Sydney goes to dial the man who broke her best friend’s heart and yell at him and chew him out. Except she misdialed and called the wrong man – who would turn out to become so much more than just a voice on the other end of the phone. An exchange of texts leads to phone calls, which leads to sharing things about each other that neither of them have ever shared before. Who knew an accidental phone call would change a person’s life?

“You’re the best mistake I’ve ever made.”

Brian Savage lives for Sydney’s texts and calls. He thinks about her 24/7 – but he knows that nothing will ever come out of it, much to his devastation. The situation he’s in, the job he has, everything conspires to prevent him from being with the one girl he knows is meant for him. I’ll admit, when I found out about Brian’s job, I was wary of his character as a hero, but I really shouldn’t have worried. This is a man completely obsessed and into his woman – there is no one and nothing but her for him. If you know me, then you’ll know I kinda love that in my heroes, so Brian won me over pretty quickly. And holy smokes, does this man have a mouth on him! He’s a dirty talking alpha like no other, and I loved it. He honestly reminded me of Kristen Ashley’s heroes, but dare I say it… even better?

Best two and a half weeks of my life came from a girl who was never meant to give me anything. And she was giving me everything.

This book did get off to a rough start for me. It was kind of dragging and I was basically just waiting for when the main characters would meet. But once the story picked up, I seriously couldn’t stop reading. I got HOOKED onto the story, the characters, and their explosive love. The ending gets a little OTT, but that was easily forgivable because I was enjoying Brian and Sydney so much. If you love insanely hot books with a hero who is 100% into the heroine, you will definitely want to pick this book up. It was a fabulously dirty read – and now I’m crazy for book two! I don’t particularly care for Jamie (Brian’s best friend) at this point, but I love enemies-to-lovers romances, and I know Jamie and Tori will have one epic story. I can’t wait to read it!

Love was a risk. It was wild and unpredictable. You could either hold on for the ride, not knowing how it would end, or you could let go and never know the amazing you could’ve had.

quote

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

Reading Order: Dirty Deeds series

#1 ~ Four Letter Word: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hit the Spot: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Dec. 6, 2016)

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3Oct2016

Audiobook Review: Fearless in Love by Bella Andre & Jennifer Skully

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Fearless in Love by Bella Andre & Jennifer Skully
Series: The Maverick Billionaires #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 10th 2016
Length: 9 hours and 15 minutes
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Meet the Maverick Billionaires―sexy, self-made men from the wrong side of town who survived hell together and now have everything they ever wanted. But when each Maverick falls head-over-heels for an incredible woman he never saw coming, he will soon find that true love is the only thing he ever really needed…

After growing up dirt poor in a seedy Chicago neighborhood, Matt Tremont seemingly has it all now–brains, brawn, and billions. And most importantly, Noah, his five-year-old son, the one good outcome of a disastrous relationship that destroyed his last ounce of trust. The only thing he’s lacking is the perfect nanny for his son. And Ariana Jones is absolute perfection. Utterly enchanting. Completely fascinating. And totally off limits.

Like a match made in heaven, this is Ari’s dream job. Swallowed up in the foster care system after losing her brother and mother, Ari has always dreamed of family. She showers five-year-old Noah with all the love she’s kept bottled up inside. Love she could also offer to her gorgeous billionaire boss–if only he weren’t the very last man she could ever hope to have.

But when sizzling sparks of attraction turn into a forbidden, sinfully hot night of pleasure, will Ari’s love be enough to make Matt forget the past and love fearlessly?

I absolutely adore listening to the Maverick Billionaires series! Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully make up a fantastic writing duo, and add in Eva Kaminsky’s narration, I’m pretty much a happy camper. Fearless in Love is book three in the series, though it can be read/listened as a standalone. Here we have a sexy, billionaire, single father who falls for his nanny – if you love sweet, sexy romances that will tug at your heart, this one is a must listen!

Matt Tremont came from a broken family, but after meeting the Mavericks and turning his life into something better, he’s grown into the incredible self-made man he is today, with a few walls guarding his heart. He’s a single father and his son, Noah, is the most important thing in his life and is his top priority. Which means finding the perfect nanny – which is where Ariana Jones comes in. Ari is sweet, kind, and has a heart of gold – there is no one better to care for Noah. She is beautiful inside and out, and it’s not long before Matt starts falling for her. Can Matt let down the walls around his heart in order to let Ari in? Or will he only keep her out and push away one of the best things to ever happen to him?

As usual, Fearless in Love is another syrupy sweet romance from Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully – but it’s not TOO sweet that it’s hard to digest. I don’t know how they do it, but they write books that are just the right amount of swooniness. I really enjoyed Ari and Matt’s slow, heartwarming romance. The journey to their HEA isn’t quite smooth (there’s actually quite a bit of back-and-forth thanks to Matt’s feelings and hesitations) but overall it was a worthwhile listen, made all the better thanks to Eva Kaminsky’s narration (I seriously love her!). If you’ve never experienced one of Bella Andre’s audiobooks/Eva Kaminsky’s narration, I highly recommend doing so. The Maverick Billionaires series is the perfect place to start, though I do recommend the Sullivans series as well!

FEARLESS IN LOVE is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2dq8gK3

Reading Order: The Maverick Billionaires series

#1 ~ Breathless in Love: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Reckless in Love: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fearless in Love: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Irresistible in Love: Goodreads (release date TBA)
#5 ~ Wild in Love: Goodreads (release date TBA)

Here’s an audio excerpt from Reckless in Love, also narrated by Eva Kaminsky!

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