I haven’t read the other books in the series and the worked just fine reading THE CHOICE. Ryan is the brother that seemed to be the most idealistic and while in control of his emotions, it seems like he feels things more deeply than his brothers.
Laura is a strong woman with a troubled background and feelings of not being good enough for someone like Ryan, but he doesn’t give up. Things get very tough, trust is tested, and what a twist at the end!
Fairly typical lawyer themed accidental pregnancy story. A little bit of betrayal and distrust going on. Overuse of the metaphor “hurricane”.
The stalker in I’LL NEVER STOP is top tier as is the little town of Hamlet and how perfect it was for this story. The book fell a little short in that it dragged in places and there were lost opportunities to spice up the plot. Grace was certainly entitled to all her fears, but still was annoying about getting to the bottom of things.
QUIT ME IF YOU CAN combined a second chance romance with a workplace romance complete with pining for one another for years, a bad break up, and the obligatory secret that could not be revealed without hurting the person you already hurt quite a bit.
ARDENTLY YOURS was not at all what I expected and I loved it. It is one of my favorite this year. Arden and Charlotte’s worlds could not be more different but run on a clever parallel. From the moment he shows up at her late fiancé’s funeral, I was hooked.
This was heart gripping, romantic, clever and humorous. In reading an advance copy, I can recommend this to anyone looking for a book to immerse yourself in and enjoy despite the inevitable messiness of these lives.
I enjoyed INDISCRETION from the very first page. Upon reflection, there is a whole lot going on in this story. It’s hard to believe all that we learn about Naomi and Dawson. The story just seems to fly by while at the same time covering such huge life events and the increments of life lived surviving them.
Read it for the story and for the romance.
Both the romance and the suspense are worth reading TEMPTATION TRAILS.
Harper was new in town so couldn’t escaping the matchmakers. Deputy Sheriff Garrett had been divorced several years and did little more than work, take care of a teenage son, and have a beer with his brothers now and then. Neither wanted a relationship and their reasons are part of the drama. I really enjoyed the book.
THE BET is entertaining because it’s a grumpy/sunshine workplace romance. The writing is formal adding to Guy’s aloof and principled personality. A romance with a boss that would never mess around with his employees is always one I would read.
I really got sucked deep into THE LAST ONE YOU LOVED from the first page and it never let up. It’s got some of my favorite themes - second chance love, years long pining, swoon worthy single dad, cute but not annoying little girl, and all with a page turning story of blackmail, suspense, and tragedy. Loved it!
Mafia romance fans will find DANGEROUS SEDUCTION taking a different direction than most similar novels. The scene is tipping more toward the law and order side than the criminal enterprise side.
There is plenty of suspense worrying that Natalia’s cover will be blown. She has to take risks that are dangerous and could implicate Dante.
There is all the spice right from the beginning. I enjoyed an early copy I read, would recommend it to mafia romance fans, and look forward to others in the series.
THE BRAWL is a unique plot. The twists weren’t too hard to predict with Ronan and Larke, and even Ember. The single mom/found family aspect was done well. The romance was nurtured by a teasing and playful-like Ronan and cautious Larke.
I have read all the books in the series but I like that you don’t get bogged down in all the other characters. It works as a standalone.
What do you do when your 18 year relationship ends and you work at the same place as your ex? And not only that, the reasons for the break up are going are heartbreaking?
IF I NEVER MET YOU is a good book about how hurt people, hurt people. Jamie and Laurie both have their baggage. Their fake relationship is the centerpiece of the story, but the author does a good job peeling away the outside influences of their pasts.
In BRUTALLY HIS, I liked the plot. The character development was weak. They both started out in a position neither of them would let themselves risk. I don’t mind over the top story elements, but Harrison did not behave like a respected District Attorney in some crucial ways and that spoiled how I saw him as a “hero”. What he let his mother do further deteriorated my respect for him.
But like I said, the plot kept me reading even though some of it is a little weak logically. I enjoyed a copy of this book ahead of its release and this reflects my opinion about it.
In the Venomous Gods series, Gabriel Black has been something of an enigma until POISONOUS KISS. If you like your heroes with really dark tendencies, you’ll love this is for you. It’s not really a contest about who’s more broken, it’s an immersion into their wildly debauched and depraved way of coping with it.
This is my favorite book of the series so far, but I think I say that about every new book. I read a complementary copy of the book and my honest opinion is if you aren’t shy about how dark things can go in an alley or Club Venom, you’ll really enjoy this book.
This author writes books I love. I can’t say that about many people. FILTHY LAWYER is reminiscent of the series Suits with Damien being the shark with a dubious start to his career at the firm. He has so many contradictory layers that we love to hate him, and love to love him.
Elizabeth is equally an enigma, especially the way Whitney G puts her story together. I had all sorts of scenarios going on in my head trying to figure her out, but I couldn’t do it and I love a book that can make me think and not make it easy for me.
So, the filthy part? Yes. Damien has that down from the first page. Elizabeth? Well, he’s kind of irresistible in a so bad it’s good way.
I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. My honest opinion is that it’s worth reading, and I’m about to read its predecessor, Reasonable Doubt, again because it wasn’t enough.
Grumpy boss is one thing, but MR BIG SHOT is the guy that has the underlings sweating and scurrying in his presence - and he loves it. When the boss’s daughter is assigned to his legal team all intraoffice resentment and gossip seems directed at her, but she is the kind of woman that rises above it.
The tone goes from flirty to intense to “hands off, we work together” so you’ll enjoy the journey. I can’t end the review without commenting on Moira. I’m not a cat person, but I loved this character.
I really liked this intro to the Last Refuge Protectors series, HARD KNOCK HERO. The book gave me a Jack Reacher vibe with the bonus of some romance. There is mystery, adventure, sinister low lives, and principled heroes of military and law enforcement origin.
Aiden is our first hero stumbling into a tip of the iceberg situation. As the story unfolds more of the sinister iceberg gets revealed while Aiden and Jessi heats things up on their own.
If you like those books where couples are bound over adversity and the hero and heroine rescue each other, you’ll enjoy HARD KNOCK HERO.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After reading Lavender’s Blue, I really wondered where the Burney story could continue since there weren’t a lot of loose ends at its conclusion. Suffice to say, book 1 was clearly just the tip of the iceberg as far as the mystery surrounding the Blues and Burney.
While Vince and Liz figure prominently in the romance portion of the story, other characters start to shine as well. Between the good guys, bad guys, and mystery people, there is a lot to keep track of including Liz’s writing, her motherly instincts, and her convoluted family.
I can see a little where the next book might go, and I am all in.
I liked the action and suspense in JUSTICE, but the relationships were a little thin. Both Melissa and Nick were good characters. Their romance was not very convincing to me.
