Audiobook Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Series: Off-Campus #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: November 3rd 2015
Length: 12 hours and 52 minutes
Narrated by: Lorelei Avalon
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

…and it’s going to be oh so good.

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

The Deal is one of my top favorite reads of the year – I read an early copy of it before it was published, and it blew me away. It’s one of the BEST NA books I’ve ever read – and the sequel is just as good. So when I heard that it was going to be available as an audiobook, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

The Deal is a standalone NA sports romance between a hockey player and the girl he’s trying to get to tutor him in a class he’s failing. It’s hilarious, sexy, sweet, and most of all, so down-to-earth and believable. I really felt Hannah and Garrett’s characters – I fell in love with them and was swept away by their slow-burn romance. I loved that in the beginning, Hannah didn’t want anything to do with Garrett, who’s a little bit of a jerk and player. But as they get to know each other, they become actual friends, which I love in romances. And when chemistry heats up between them, and they start to fall for each other, they learn that they can be so much more.

I was really hoping that this audiobook would have dual narrators (which I love) since The Deal is told in both Garrett and Hannah’s POVs, but it only had one female narrator. This was a little disappointing, since I would’ve loved to listen to Garrett’s voice, but I was hoping Lorelei Avalon could pull off narrating both POVs. Unfortunately, this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to where I didn’t like listening to the narrator. Lorelei Avalon’s voice is a bit nasally and sounds a lot older than what 20-somethings sound like, and she couldn’t narrate the male dialog at all. Narrators can make or break an audiobook, and sadly her voice just didn’t fit well with either of the main characters.

So while the story is a 5 star read, the narrator definitely brought this audiobook down a bit. I’m really hoping that if The Score is made into an audiobook, it’ll have a different narrator (and hopefully a male one too)!

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: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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19Nov2015

Release Day Review + Giveaway: Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews, Spotlight by Lacey

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

As a special treat, L.H. Cosway will be writing a bonus scene! There will be a poll on her FB page to vote for a male POV scene!

Which scene from Hearts of Blue would you most like to read from Lee’s perspective?

The football riot scene.
The warehouse rave scene.
Karla & Lee’s ‘first time’ at the night club.

Vote in the tour poll for the male POV scene HERE.

Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway
Series: Hearts #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 19th 2015

She upholds the law. He breaks it.

Two blue hearts, both alike in bravery
In not-so-fair London, where we lay our scene
From gun crime to petty theft
Where family is blood and survival makes hands unclean
In this place, we find two hearts who should be foes
And yet, amidst the turmoil their love still grows
Misadventure abounds and the divide will bring them strife
But with luck, death doesn’t always mean an end to life.

Hearts of Blue is a standalone contemporary romance that tells the story of star-crossed lovers Karla Sheehan and Lee Cross, a police constable and the thief who steals her heart.

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

I’ve adored every one of the Hearts books by L.H. Cosway, but I think Hearts of Blue might be my favorite one so far. I LOVED Karla and Lee together – they are the sweetest couple EVER! I’d been looking forward to their story ever since I read about them in King of Hearts, because a romance between a police constable and a thief? YES. PLEASE. I freaking love the opposites-attract trope, and L.H. Cosway has written one that is an absolute joy to read. If you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely must read Hearts of Blue – it’s an exciting, sexy, and heartwarmingly sweet romance that I loved.

“Give me a chance, and I’ll prove to you that everything you think you see is blurred by perception.”

Karla Sheehan sees things in black and white, which makes the job of a police constable perfect for her. She gets to uphold the law, protect the innocent, and send the not-so-innocent to jail. But what happens when her black-and-white heart starts to fall for someone who lies on the gray side of the law?

“You make me feel so fucking alive,” Lee said fervently, his words muffled by my skin. “Made for me.”

Lee might be only a few years younger than Karla, but he’s lived through so much. He’s had to take care of his family since he was just a boy, and he’s never stopped. When he loves, he does it with everything he’s got, and he’ll do anything to protect what he loves. And from the moment Lee meets Karla, he sets his eyes on her, determined to make her see that what they have, the connection that they’ve formed from the start, is something worth exploring.

I loved Lee and Karla. SO much. They are witty, sassy, so much fun read about – they’re the kind of characters that you wish were real. And I couldn’t believe how ridiculously sweet this book was – I love that Lee falls so hard for Karla, trying to protect her from the bad parts of his life all the while making her love him back. The thing that surprised me the most about Hearts of Blue was definitely Lee’s character. I was expecting him to be some obvious bad boy, but he’s actually so much more than that. He’s not just a bad boy to Karla’s good girl – he’s got depth, and his heart is loyal like no other. He is now my favorite hero of L.H. Cosway’s so far.

The world isn’t blue, isn’t lonely any more, and though I was supposed to be the thief, she was the one who stole my heart.

Hearts of Blue is a satisfying, fun, and unique romance I couldn’t put down. Every time I pick up an L.H. Cosway novel, I know I’m going to be entertained. Her stories are unlike any other and are simply unforgettable. If you haven’t tried her books yet, you are missing out!

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: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Thief of Hearts: Goodreads (2016)
#6 ~ Hearts on Air: Goodreads (2016)

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

1^st prize:
Signed paperback copies of the entire ‘Hearts’ series.
L.H. Cosway swag.
$25 Amazon gift card.

2^nd prize:
Signed copy of Hearts of Blue.
L.H. Cosway swag.
$10 Amazon gift card.

ENTER HERE

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17Nov2015

Release Day Review: After Tonight by Annie Kelly

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

After Tonight by Annie Kelly
Series: Flirting with Trouble #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 17th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

She may be the teacher…

All Hyacinth “Cyn” Hendricks ever wanted to do was make a difference in the world. But when she joins the faculty of a Baltimore reform school, she discovers that she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Because the last thing she expects when she meets her newest student is to see the guy she met—and made out with—at a bar last week.

But he’s the one giving her a lesson…

To Cyn, Smith Asher is an enigma. The 20-year old doesn’t look like a high schooler and he certainly didn’t act like one the other night. Despite the smoldering chemistry between them, she knows she has to squash this dangerous infatuation before it gets them both in serious trouble. But her desire for Smith—and his lust for her—quickly grows too hot to ignore. And Cyn soon learns that there is one thing worse than teaching someone you’ve seen nearly naked…

Teaching someone you want to see nearly naked again.

I looove forbidden romances, so when I read the blurb for After Tonight, I couldn’t wait to start it. A forbidden love story between a teacher and her 20-year-old student… who she actually met the other night and almost hooked up with? Um, yes please!!! I had high expectations for this book, but… it fell a little short of them. Don’t get me wrong, this was still fun and sexy as hell, but I wanted something more. I didn’t really connect with the characters, so I wasn’t as into this book as I wish I had been. It was a little dull at some parts, intense at others, but overall, After Tonight was a very okay book.

Apparently, I’m going to teach Hamlet tomorrow to a room full of teenagers who couldn’t care less.
Oh, and one man who’s seen me almost naked.
Fucking hell.
I wonder if it’s too late to call in sick.

On her first day of student teaching, the last person Hyacinth expects to see is Smith Asher, the man she had an intense connection with the other night at a fantasy club. They may not have technically done anything that night, but she still let loose and let him see her naked… so she’s mortified to realize that he’s actually going to be her student. Now, Cyn is determined to ignore their chemistry and pretend like nothing ever happened between them, but Smith won’t let her forget. Even though he’s twenty, he’s intense, sexy, and very much hard to ignore. He riles Cyn up easily, and the forbidden-ness of their relationship only makes the chemistry between them burn hotter than ever.

“Every day I want you more, and every day I can have you less,” he murmurs.

I didn’t really like Smith, to be honest. He was pushy at times, and very hot-and-cold. His behavior was basically all over the place, so I couldn’t see why Cyn liked him, other than their attraction for each other. I didn’t get or connect with their relationship at all – it was basically only ever sexual between them. I expected a little more from this. I love forbidden romances, especially teacher/student ones, but After Tonight was only… okay. A little boring sometimes, but still plenty sexy. I will say, though, that I didn’t see the plot twist coming at all! That was probably the best part of the book – the author certainly surprised me with a twist I didn’t see coming, but was completely believable.

If you’re a fan of forbidden romances, this might not be the best book, but if you’re looking for something quick and sexy, I’d say why not. The writing was good, but the story and characters weren’t as good as I’d hoped. Still, I’m intrigued enough by the sequel that I will most likely continue the series and give it a try.

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

Reading Order: Flirting with Trouble series

#1 ~ After Tonight: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Until Tomorrow: Ebook • Goodreads (March 15, 2016)

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16Nov2015

Release Day Review: Beauty and the Boss by Diane Alberts

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Beauty and the Boss by Diane Alberts
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: November 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Beauty is about to tame her beast…

Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn’t help that she can’t keep her eyes off of her sexy boss – the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast. Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on the line, but the future of the company.

Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn’t believe in love or romance, but the look on his mother’s face when Maggie tells her that she’s his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms–and in his bed–she’d be everything he could ever want…which is why he can’t have her.

But if he doesn’t let her go, they’ll lose everything…

I was first intrigued by Beauty and the Boss because of the fact that it’s a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite fairy tale! Benjamin Gale III – the Beast – is a cold-hearted billionaire who doesn’t believe in love. Maggie Donovan – the Beauty – is one of Benjamin’s employees… but she thinks about her gorgeous boss a lot. The two of them couldn’t be more different, but when you bring them together, you get something sweet and sexy. I enjoyed Beauty and the Boss – I didn’t love it, but it was entertaining nonetheless. If you love your office romances, you should definitely give this a try.

When Maggie accidentally announces herself as Benjamin’s fiancée to save him from his manipulative mother, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. She and her boss may have some wicked chemistry together, but pretending to be in a relationship? And engaged? She doesn’t know how she can pull it off, but she won’t let Benjamin get thrown to the wolves. As long as she can keep her heart from getting involved, then she’ll have no problem pulling of the charade… right?

Never had he had something as sweet, or addictive, as Maggie Donovan. Pretending to love her would be a pleasure if it meant he got to kiss her. Hold her. Touch her.
Make her scream out his name.

Benjamin is a workaholic, with no time for relationships, and least of all, love. His company is his life, but when he and Maggie begin their charade, he starts to see that maybe there’s more to life than just work. Maggie is a sweetheart of a character, able to bring out the laughs and smiles out of Benjamin, which has rarely happened in the past few years. I really enjoyed the way their relationship progressed as they slowly fell for each other. It was sweet how they grew to trust each other and become friends, and the banter between them was fun to read.

“You make me… happy. I didn’t think I knew what that was, or if it was even a real thing, until you. But now I do, and I don’t want to let go of it. I don’t want to let go of you.”

Beauty and the Boss is fun and sweet, and a good way to pass the time. There isn’t anything particularly amazing that made me love this book, but it’s still a satisfying read with plenty of sexy times.

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

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12Nov2015

Early Review: Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Chance of a Lifetime by Marissa Clarke
Series: Anderson Brothers #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe.

Gen Richards is tired of living down to her family’s expectation of the helpless blind girl. Resurrecting her high-school bucket list that begins with “kiss a total stranger” seems just the thing until she finds herself in a panty-melting lip lock with her big brother’s best friend.

Chance Anderson thrives on adrenaline, but Genny’s the one risk he’s not willing to take. His recklessness a decade ago landed her in the hospital and ejected him from her life. He’s bad for her and everyone knows it—especially her big brother.

Chance reluctantly helps Gen complete her bucket list in order to keep her out of trouble. Running through a freezing fountain, playing spin the bottle while fending off a mad horde of stinging insects, and skinny dipping with homicidal attack swans don’t hold a candle to the real danger: falling for the one person he can never have.

“You’re my first. My first love. My only love.”

Oh god, I loved Chance of a Lifetime so, so much. When I started it, I thought it would easily be a 4 star read like the previous Anderson Brothers book was (my review here), but this… Chance and Gen’s story was so much more than I expected. It’s a gorgeous, emotional, heartwarming read I absolutely LOVED! It’s a mix of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and older brother’s best friend, which for sure are my top three tropes ever. So basically, this book was perfect for me.

Gen Richards is tired of her family thinking that her blindness makes her helpless and weak. She just wants to be treated like any other person – but the only person who ever treated her like normal was Chance, her old crush and her older brother’s best friend, and he abandoned her. But now, Gen is taking charge of her life, and she’s starting off by completing her high school bucket list. The first item? Kiss a stranger. And of all the people in the world, she accidentally chooses to kiss Chance… but then she realizes she’s found the perfect person to help her fulfill her bucket list.

He’d never been able to stay away. She was like a drug. He needed more. He always had. He was addicted, but had been able to control it and hide it… Until last night when she’d kissed him. He’d fallen off the wagon. Hell, the whole fucking wagon had fallen off a cliff with him on it. One taste of Genny and he was gone. The next week would be hell.

Chance has stayed out of Gen’s life for the past ten years, but he’s never forgotten her. He’s always regretted the way he left her life, but he’s here with her now to make amends and to prove to her that he’s there to say. He’s patient, supporting, loving… a swoon-worthy hero. I fell so hard for his character – he’s made his mistakes, but his number-one priority has always been Gen, and the love he’s had for her over the years comes so clearly off the pages.

“What do you see?”
“Nothing but you.”

Chance and Gen are absolutely perfect together! Gen is feisty, awesome, down-to-earth, and she never lets her blindness be a crutch for her. Chance is the only person who’s never seen her as disabled, who’s never held her back from doing what she wanted, and I loved that he admired her strength and found inspiration from it. Gen’s older brother is an obstacle in their relationship, one that both Gen and Chance need to overcome, but with the passion and love they have for each other, I had no doubt that these two would fight for their love.

“Most people would insist on leading me to him.”
“Nobody needs to lead you two to each other. You’d find each other from opposite sides of the planet.”

My heart grew so emotionally invested in Gen and Chance’s story. It was the perfect romance! And I loved that the author infused a bit of humor in this book – it wasn’t as funny as the previous one, but it was the perfect amount of humor for this story. I loved everything about this book! I read it in one sitting and I couldn’t get enough of it. I’m actually really glad that I haven’t read the first book in the series yet, because I seriously don’t want to let go of these characters!

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

Reading Order: Anderson Brothers series

#1 ~ Sleeping with the Boss: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Neighbors with Benefits: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chance of a Lifetime: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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