Tag Archives: romance

Release Day Review: All Chained Up by Sophie Jordan

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by

All Chained Up by Sophie Jordan
Series: Devil’s Rock #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 29th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

There are bad boys and then there are the men of Devil’s Rock . . .

Some men come with a built-in warning label. Knox Callaghan is one of them. Danger radiates from every lean, muscled inch of him, and his deep blue eyes seem to see right through to Briar Davis’s most secret fantasies. But there’s one major problem: Briar is a nurse volunteering at the local prison, and Knox is an inmate who should be off-limits in every way.

Knox feels it too—a shocking animal magnetism that drives him to risk his own life to protect Briar’s. Paroled at last, he tries to resist her. She’s too innocent, too sweet, and she has no idea what Knox is capable of. But a single touch can lead to a kiss—and a taste . . . until the only crime is denying what feels so right . . .

“When the prison doors are open, the real dragon will fly out.”—Ho Chi Minh

It’s been a while since I’ve read a good bad boy hero, but Sophie Jordan certainly delivers with Knox Callaghan in All Chained Up. She packs a punch with all the intensity and sexiness in this first book in the Devil’s Rock series. I don’t usually read prison romances, but this one was unputdownable and highly entertaining. I really enjoyed the main characters, and the romance was off-the-charts sexy – I’d definitely recommend All Chained Up for those who want something different than your typical contemporary romance.

She and he were worlds apart, and that’s how it would always be.

Knox Callaghan and his brother have been in prison for eight years now, after being convicted of manslaughter for killing their cousin’s rapist. Knox has become a hardened, ice-cold man in order to survive prison, and his main goal is to ensure he and his brother don’t get into trouble so they can get parole. But a new, gorgeous nurse threatens everything when he can’t stop thinking about her and he finds himself wanting to protect her more than he wants to protect himself.

When Briar Davis volunteers at Devil’s Rock Penitentiary, she has no idea what she’s in for, and she certainly doesn’t expect to notice a sexy, dangerous inmate. She’s cautious and honestly a little of Knox, but the chemistry starts to build as they see each other again and again. After a heroic act leads Knox to be granted parole, Briar sees him in a whole new light. And when these two meet each other again, this time out of prison, the sexual tension between them ignites – you will seriously need a fan when you read this book!

He wanted to be the only man to touch her. It was total caveman of him, but that’s what he was. A fucking caveman that reveled in rocking her staid little world and making her fly apart. She made him want to pound his chest. Christ. Thinking about her that way was making him rock hard.

Sophie Jordan delivers a heart-pounding, sizzling read, full of tension and sexy-times. I honestly couldn’t put this book down! All Chained Up is a fantastic debut to a new series, and what’s great about it besides the fantastic romance is the set-up for the next book. I’m eagerly waiting to get my hands on Hell Breaks Loose – and I’m hoping there will be even more books in the series!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Devil’s Rock series

 

#1 ~ All Chained Up: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hell Breaks Loose: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry
Series: Thunder Road #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 29th 2016
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That’s seventeen-year-old Breanna’s role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully’s line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas “Razor” Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don’t belong. But when he learns she’s being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it’s time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he’ll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she’ll help him seek answers to the mystery that’s haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they’re both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they’re going from here.

The boy everyone sees but nobody knows is with the girl who everybody knows but nobody sees.

I absolutely love Katie McGarry, have ever since I first read Pushing the Limits, so it pains me to say that I didn’t particularly love Walk the Edge. Overall, it was just an okay read – I really wanted more out of it. I didn’t connect with the main characters all that well, and I got frustrated with the secondary characters. It’s well-written and definitely more on the mature side of YA, but that wasn’t enough to make me love this book. That being said, if you’ve read the previous Thunder Road book and loved it, hopefully you’ll enjoy Walk the Edge more than I did. I was sucked into the MC life just as much as I was in Nowhere But Here, but it was the characters I had problems with.

Breanna is sibling number 5 out of 9, and she’s always been the smart, responsible one that her family takes advantage of and never appreciates. She has a talent that she sees as a curse – she’s able to retain a lot of information in her brain, but she’s been seen as a freak because of it her whole life. It’s only when she starts talking to Thomas Turner, aka Razor of the Reign of Terror Motorcycle Club, that she begins to feel as brilliant as she really is. Breanna is sweet and an incredible girl, but I hated how she let her family walk all over her. I really felt for her character, in between her siblings nearly hating her and bullies at school, but it’s hard for her to stand up for herself, and all the antagonism against her got on my nerves.

Razor has never been the same since his mother’s death when he was a child, but ever since talking to an investigator, he suspects his mother never committed suicide and instead was murdered. Razor doesn’t trust easily, and when his club doesn’t offer the answers he knows they have, he begins to trust even less. But when he’s with Breanna, he can just be a regular boy, and not someone who has heaps of problems in his life.

She’s my girl now and I’ll do anything for her at any time. I’m in love with her.

Even though I didn’t connect very well with Razor or Breanna, I adored the way their romance developed. It’s the perfect bad boy/good girl story – so if you enjoy that trope, I would definitely recommend giving Walk the Edge a try. Hopefully you won’t be as annoyed as I was with all the secondary characters who cause problems in Razor and Breanna’s life. Even though I didn’t love Walk the Edge, I’m super excited for the sequel, Chevy and Violet’s book – I’ve been looking forward to them ever since meeting them in the first book of the series!

3 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Thunder Road series

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

#1 ~ Nowhere But Here: My Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Walk the Edge: Ebook • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads

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

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Reckless in Love by Bella Andre & Jennifer Skully
Series: The Maverick Billionaires #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: January 5th 2016
Length: 10 hours and 9 minutes
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Sebastian Montgomery rose from nothing to become one of the most powerful media moguls in the world. Yet beneath the seemingly perfect façade of his life, the past still haunts him. Because when he lost his parents in his teens, he also lost his faith in love. When he discovers Charlie Ballard and her incredible metal sculptures, he is awed, inspired—and he can’t help feeling things he swore never to let himself feel again. Soon, Sebastian wants not only Charlie’s art, he wants her as a woman, too. More than he’s ever wanted anything in his life. And what a Maverick wants, he always gets…

For Charlie, Sebastian offers the commission of a lifetime. Creating a magnificent sculpture for his new headquarters is a dream come true, but falling for the spellbinding billionaire isn’t part of the plan…until his luscious kisses entice her into total recklessness. He fascinates and captivates her, and as Charlie learns more about the dark depths of Sebastian’s past, all she wants is to heal him with her love. But can a man who has grown up thinking love is toxic ever believe that true love is real?

I absolutely adored listening to the first book in the Maverick Billionaires series, so this standalone sequel was an audiobook I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. Eva Kaminsky is one of my favorite narrators, and Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully have already proven that their writing meshes perfectly well together in Breathless in Love (my review here). And thankfully, I wasn’t let down – Reckless in Love is another sweet, charming love story from these two authors! If you love romance audiobooks, I highly recommend this one!

Sebastian Montgomery is a self-made billionaire, but all the money in the world can’t make up for the scars from his childhood and his need to be a perfectionist. But then he meets Charlie Ballard, a gifted and gorgeous artist who captivates him and shows him that he’s capable of love. The rich man that he is, Sebastian whisks her away on a fairy-tale ride, wanting to provide for her in all things. Charlie herself is a total sweetheart who’s full of passion and independence and spirit, but is also a little broken inside. She has a hard time accepting Sebastian’s help, since she’s been dealing with her problems on her own for so long, but it’s hard to resist the sexy, charming man.

Once again, Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully deliver a fantastic, heartfelt, light-hearted romance that Eva Kaminsky narrates perfectly. Charlie and Sebastian’s story was a delight to listen to – seriously, this book was so sweet! I loved the way the romance developed between these two characters and how they complemented each other so well. They’re both a little broken, but when they’re together, everything is perfect. They support each other just as much as they love each other. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, Reckless in Love is a must listen – I loved it!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Maverick Billionaires series

Breathless in Love by Bella Andre 
  

#1 ~ Breathless in Love: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Reckless in Love: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fearless in Love: Goodreads (June 15, 2016)
#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!

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Release Day Review: Felony Ever After (a Domino novel)

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by

Felony Ever After by Helena Hunting, Debra Anastasia, Nina Bocci, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Leisa Rayven, Liv Morris, Tijan, J.M. Darhower, Belle Aurora, K.A. Robinson, S.M. Lumetta, Katherine Stevens
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: March 22nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review

***13 Authors put their brains together to write ONE story***

Verity Michaels is new to New York City, but even she knows riding in a stolen a cab is not a normal way to meet someone. Damn it if that tattoo-covered would-be felon isn’t everywhere now, and lighting everything on fire under her skirt.

His name is Hudson Fenn, and he’s frustratingly impossible to pin down. He works as a bike messenger, but has the manners of a prince—along with a strange tendency toward breaking and entering. As much as Verity knows he’s not her type, and likely to land her in jail, she can’t help but find her truest self when they’re together.

Can she be brave enough to give Hudson a real chance? Will he be bold enough to reveal the man beneath the ink, or will his secrecy doom their connection? Also, WTF is the deal with Verity’s boss? No less than thirteen of your favorite romance writers have teamed up to tell this sexy, wacky, snort-inducing tale. With them you’ll visit the world’s most irritating office, a VIP room of questionable cleanliness, and the fanciest apartment a bike messenger has ever inhabited, but you’ll still never see this ending coming.

I absolutely LOVED the idea of Felony Ever After! Thirteen authors collaborating on ONE story – I was really excited to see how it would all work out. While I found the story fun but way over the top, the actual execution of it by all the authors more than impressed me. Despite the slightly different writing styles, I nearly couldn’t tell that each chapter was written by someone else, the story moved so smoothly. I would definitely read another book like this!

Verity Michaels gave up her failed dream job as a photographer and moved to NYC to work an office job with a perverted boss. On her way home one day, a gorgeous tattooed man jumps into a cab with her, offering to split the ride, but soon enough ends up hijacking the taxi and bringing Verity home. Is he a felon or a white knight?

“You’re a total criminal, aren’t you?” she asked, but to her surprise, she was grinning ear to ear.
He shook his head. “Have I stolen your heart yet?”
That stopped her cold. She blinked several times. “What?”
“Don’t answer,” he whispered. “I won’t take it until you give it freely.”

Hudson Fenn is more than just his tattoos and his job as a bike messenger, and he’s determined to show Verity that he’s perfect for her. Hudson is sweet, sexy, and hilarious – but he’s still keeping secrets that Verity is dying to know. He’s a bike messenger by day, but what does he get up to at night?

Felony Ever After is over-the-top hilarity. I laughed so much during this book – it truly is a fun read, even if I didn’t completely love it. The story kind of glosses over things, never really delving into the plot, but it’s a quick, entertaining read. Each author writes one or two chapters at a time, and you really can’t tell that much whenever it switches authors. If you’re a fan of any of the authors of this unique anthology, I recommend you give this book a try, if only to experience this kind of collaboration!

3.5 hearts
lacey

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

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Audiobook Review: Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley

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Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Length: 19 hours and 45 minutes
Narrated by: Felicity Munroe
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

After making a bad decision when she was very young, Kia Clementine finds herself in hell. Then, suddenly, within the time it takes for a shotgun to blast, her hell changes. Completely. Then out-of-the-blue she sees Sampson Cooper, her celebrity crush. A man the whole world knows is decent. A man the world knows is loyal. A man the world knows is good. All of these very unlike her now dead husband.

He’s sitting at a table right next to hers. And she catches his eye.

Terrified of the interest Sam shows in her, Kia finds the courage to go out with him. Not long after, she shares her dark secrets and Sam shares that he’ll stop at nothing to gain her trust.

As Sam leads Kia to heaven, Kia realizes that Sam is living his own hell. But although he gives her beauty and she gives him everything, he withholds his trust.

Even with all the beauty Sam shows her, Kia wants it all. But Sam forces Kia to make a heartbreaking decision and only she can decide. It’s all or nothing.

If you’re a romance fan and you’re looking for an audiobook to listen to, I can’t recommend Kristen Ashley enough. Her stories are always so satisfying and long – her books are more than worth the credit. Heaven and Hell is another excellent audiobook of hers, with a romance that will sweep you away and a fantastic narration from Felicity Munroe.

Kia Clementine has been living in hell with her abusive husband, but a tragedy and blessing in disguise leaves Kia free and with lots of cash. So she decides to spoil herself with the things she never had when she was married and travel the world – but mostly, she sets off to find the person she lost during her years of being in an abusive marriage. And in the midst of rediscovering herself, Kia meets former all-star athlete and soldier Sampson Cooper – her celebrity crush. Never in a million years would Kia expect the gorgeous, perfect, alpha-male Sam to notice her, but he does, and with him, she gets a second chance at love and romance.

Kia and Sam are heavenly together. Kia’s a little shy and innocent, but Sam’s honesty and gruffness are able to draw her out and just let her be who she’s really meant to be. And Kia breaks down Sam’s walls and discovers the real him behind the celebrity crush. Kia truly has found heaven with Sam, but when she finds herself giving all of her to him and not getting all of him in return, things get a little rocky. She has to make a choice between having only parts of the man she loves, or having it all at the risk of losing him.

Once again, Kristen Ashley delivers a powerful romance that you won’t be able to put down. Kia and Sam are wonderful characters you can’t help but adore and root for. Felicity Munroe narrates Kia’s voice perfectly with her light southern accent, and she also does a great job with voicing the male dialogue. I would definitely listen to another audiobook with her narration. Heaven and Hell is a worthwhile listen and I highly recommend the audio version of it!

4 hearts
lacey

Here’s an audio excerpt from Heaven and Hell!

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