Tag: Adult (Page 20 of 50)

BOOK REVIEW: Flight by R.V. Wilbur

September 20, 2023 / Jen / 0 Comments

Flight by R.V. Wilbur
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
As an invisible battle rages…
The Balance preventing the world from falling into the hands of either good or evil has fallen, plunging the world into chaos. Ripped from their home behind an unseen Veil, the forces of both Darkness and Light find themselves exiled to earth—free to rise up and claim it as their own.

Hundreds of years later…
Lacey Talanton has lived alone in the city of Anatoliene for years despite still running from her past in her dreams every night. When she unwittingly enters the Veil and thwarts an attack on the leader of the most notorious gang in the city, she finds herself caught at the center of the war between the Light and the Darkness in a world she never knew existed

But all is not as it seems…
The deeper Lacey immerses herself in the battle between the forces of Light and Darkness hiding in plain sight, the more her nightmares begin to awaken. As new revelations and a traitor in the midst threaten the love, family, and home she has found in Anatoliene, Lacey faces impossible choices with deadly consequences that force the question:

How long can you endure the fight when all you know is to take flight?

Review:

Peace did not exist here. Only nightmares. And it was getting worse.

Flight whisked me away to a world that I got lost in. I was not prepared for everything these characters made me feel. Or that ending. If you’re looking for a dystopian story that is laced with magical elements, then Flight is definitely your book!

“What happens if we don’t win?”
Silence stretched on for so long that she began to wonder if she had imagined his responsive grunt, or if maybe he had simply muttered in his sleep.
But then, finally, he spoke. “I don’t think the outcome matters. I have a feeling we’ll all find out that we’ve both won and lost before the end.”

Lacy was a woman who was struggling. She wasn’t happy with who she had become and her past was haunting her thoughts. It seemed like the only way she could muffle those voices and images was with alcohol and wild nights with her friend Becca. Living in a dystopian world 100 years after the devastation took place added to an eeriness that could be felt in the pages. There were only a handful of cities left on the continent, and it seemed like so many were just struggling to survive. And stay safe. Like Lacy who didn’t always feel safe. She had secrets that no one could know about. So when she witnessed a meeting of the Unseen, which should be impossible for a human, her whole world was flipped upside down. And she found herself in the middle of two warring gangs. The Darkness, Tzel, and the Lightness, Liorah.

“If you believe anything you’ve heard here tonight, believe me when I say there is only one thing that should be feared in this city. And that is you.”
Lacey stared at him a moment more, trying to process what that even meant before she shifted toward the door.

This book took some dark and twisty paths. Murdering their own wasn’t given a second thought. And doing whatever it took to take out the enemy wasn’t even blinked at. With life and death situations commonplace, there was a slow burn romance that helped balance this book perfectly. As the story unfolded, we met characters that I have so many thoughts on. Here are a few….

How good would it feel to stop being the victim? To be the villain for once?

Jackoby was the definition of morally gray. I was traumatized from that torture scene eeps. Yet Jackoby also showed us moments of compassion and his heart. So I had questions about his past and what he wanted. I always felt like we got pieces of him, since he was so complex.

Becca was Lacy’s friend, who helped her make interesting life choices. My feelings for her changed as we got to see more of who she was. But my lips are zipped about what those feelings are!

The housemates were a group of woman who loved and supported one another. I’m looking forward to getting to know each of them in the future books!

Finn was a book boyfriend many will fall for. I was always questioning what his thoughts were and desperately wanted to hear his voice. I loved watching him connect with Lacy, their relationship warmed my heart!

Finn glanced back at his cup, suddenly looking uncomfortable as a prickle of nervousness rose around him. “I thought they were the only family I needed in my life. And then I met you.”
Lacey’s eyes widened, and she felt her mouth gape open before jamming it shut.

There was a lot of world building in this story. I still don’t have a firm grasp on it and Lacy’s powers, but I’m hoping to in the future books. There was also lots of political intrigue for those who love that! So if you adore morally grey characters, dystopian worlds, slow burn romance, found family and the chosen one, you definitely need this book in your life! The storyline felt so unique and that ending left me excited for what is to come next!

There was no use in staying strong now. She would grieve. She would accept. And then she would get up. And she would keep going.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: One More Secret (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #1, Carson Brothers #2) by Stina Lindenblatt

September 15, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

One More Secret (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #1, )
by Stina Lindenblatt
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A steamy, dual-timeline romance about a survivor of domestic abuse starting her life over in a small town and the protective ex-Marine determined to save her…

After being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of her abusive husband, all Jessica Smithson wants is to start a new life where no one knows her true identity. Maple Ridge is the perfect place to hide from the media circus battling to know who really rid her of the man. A question she can’t answer.

The last thing she expects to find in the small idyllic mountain town is the good-looking and very persistent Troy Carson. From the moment he sees her, the ex-Marine is determined to help Jess with her anxiety attacks and to get to know her better. He’s determined to help her renovate the old house she bought—a house with secrets hidden behind the walls.

Heat simmers and grows between the pair, but Jess can’t risk getting too close to Troy. Can’t risk her own secrets being revealed.

So much is at stake if the truth gets out.

THE CARSON BROTHERS
ONE MORE CHANCE (Lucas & Simone, standalone)
ONE MORE SECRET (Troy & Jessica, book 1 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy)
ONE MORE BETRAYAL (Troy & Jessica, book 2 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy; coming Jan 2024)
ONE MORE TRUTH ((Troy & Jessica, book 3 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy; coming May 2024)

Review:

One More Secret was a small town romance that was filled with new beginnings, struggle and hope. While this is the second book in the Carson Brothers series, you can easily start with this book just like I did! After finishing this I bought One More Chance, so I’m excited to go back and read one of the other brother’s story! One More Secret brimmed with heart, second chances, and was an emotionally gritty and rugged read.

Savannah Townsend was gorgeous. Unforgettable. The two words my husband called me the first time we met.
Jessica Smithson is the one with the scars on her face. The scars the media never found out about.
I’m safe now. They’ll never find me.

With Jessica leaving prison, this story started off with a bang. She had served 5 of her 25 year sentence, since she had been convicted of killing her abusive ex-husband. The glimpses we got of her thinking about the past was beyond heartbreaking and more cruel and frightful than I ever could have imagined. Upon release, she moved to a quiet little town to start her new life. Somewhere that no one would know her, hopefully. The media had swarmed around her story, and she just wanted to disappear. As Jessica slowly started to put roots down, I was so proud of her. She tried to work, while avoiding triggers, and bought a house. But within that house, she found a box filled with items and journals. The journals told the story of Angelique D’Aboville who was a SOE agent in France during World War II. As Jessica and Angelique’s stories unraveled, I saw so many similarities between the two of them. And there came a point where I was just as invested in Angelique’s life and desperately didn’t want to leave my time with her. I had to know what happened next.

He puts his hand gently on my arm. My muscles instinctively tighten under his touch. He’s not my dead husband. He’s not my dead husband. He’s not my dead husband.

Jessica, previously Savannah Townsend, had so many insecurities because of how she was physically and emotionally damaged. Not only from her ex-husband, but also from her time in a maximum-security penitentiary. So each time she took the tiniest step forward, I was so nervous for her. That she would have another PTSD episode. That someone would figure out who she was. That her whole world would get blown up all over again. So I got why she was terrified of everything. I understood why she was so challenging for others to get to know her. And why her walls were higher than almost anyone I have read about. I wanted to connect with her, but it was challenging. Her past wasn’t her fault. Yet it was embedded into every single aspect and moment of her life. Thankfully Troy stepped into her life, and was the hugest of help.

But the effect Troy has on me makes me wonder if I was wrong. Maybe I’m not quite as broken as I believed. Not all my bits were smashed into a million tiny pieces and discarded.
And that’s… that’s kind of a relief. Not that I’m in any rush for that. Not yet.

Troy was someone that was so easy to fall in love with. He was kind, patient and had the most wonderful heart. He noticed signs of Jessica suffering from PTSD, and as someone who lost their friend to the battle of it, he wasn’t going to walk away from her. He tried his best and did everything he could to help her with it. It was beyond amazing the lengths he went to, to help Jessica mentally. And all the while, he tried to be just her friend. Even though he was attracted to her. Yet Troy definitely took some routes that make me nervous for him. And will probably bite him down the road. So I’m thinking all of my happy thoughts for him!

But even after what we just did, I don’t feel any closer to her. There’s still the wall between us.
And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

We also got the story from Troy’s POV, and he had an uphill battle trying to get to know Jessica. This story took place over several months and I loved watching an acquaintance slowly start to turn into a friendship between them. And as more time passed, that friendship started to slowly blossom to more. The length that it took to get there felt realistic to me. But even when Troy and Jessica pushed the limit of their friendship, and that was steamy!, Troy still didn’t feel like he completely knew her. And I understood his sentiment. I felt the same way in regards to being able to connect with her. It took me till about 4/5ths of the way into the story till I made that connection with her. And I’m so grateful I did!

I can’t see him right now as the enemy. He’s just a man who looks as though his own world is caving in on him in a way I hope to never understand.

This book wove two stories together. One of Jessica in the present, and another from the journals that Jessica found about Angelique the SOE agent during World War II. The lengths Angelique would go and risk her life left me terrified. There were moments that were so terrifying that it felt like if she took a breath too big, she could die. Nowhere felt safe and I questioned all of those around her. So by our 4th chapter with her, I was obsessed. I officially didn’t want to leave the past and had to know what happened next in her story. Angelique was so easy to like and connect with. As we got to know those around her, I became obsessed with Schmidt. Yet he was a part of everything she hated and was working against, but I kept holding out hope that there was more to him the meets the eye. I kept my fingers crossed that he would be one of the good guys! So where their story ended left me so excited for that next book! And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that sparks start to fly and that they can be more. The romantic in me just can’t help but wish for that haha.

“Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.” My voice is a shaky whisper, a prayer, a plea.

Suspense wove its way into the end of these two stories, and one scene even made me cry. And that ending?! It was a brutal cliffhanger for both Jessica and Angelique! We’re left mid scene in perilous situations for both of them and I need that next book now please! If you’re looking for a memorable journey that intertwines the past and the present, definitely pick this one up! It brimmed with feelings that were both raw and real. And I’m looking forward to continuing this series!

PS I adored Butterscotch and Bailey! They were the cutest!

PPS There was a festival scene that had me screaming out loud because I was so happy with something Troy did haha!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening #1) by Jennifer L Armentrout

September 13, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
SHE LIVES BY HER INTUITION. HE FEEDS ON HER PLEASURE.

Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian―royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.

Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.

When her intuition leads her to save a traveling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he'll be her doom.

When the Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.

Calista must choose: follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.

Breathtaking suspense and scorching romance meet in this immersive new fantasy from a mega-bestselling force, Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Review:

Fall of Ruin and Wrath was a dark and sensual romtansy that was so easy to get lost in. Within those first few pages I had no clue what was going on, but I was terrified. So take those first few chapters to immerse yourself in this new world. It’s lethal, archaic and shrouded in mystery. With a dystopian background, that was laced with high fantasy, Fall of Ruin and Wrath easily became an instant favorite!

“We keep meeting under the strangest circumstances,” he noted. “I’m beginning to think fate is afoot.”
“Fate?” I laughed. “You believe in fate?”
“You don’t?”

Calista aka Lis was a paramour to Claude who was a Caelestia; half Hyhborn and half lowborn. And while I’ve read almost every single book by JLA, over the last decade, Lis was unlike any other heroine that we have met from Armentrout. Her intuition guided where she went in life and the decisions she made. She also had the ability to see things happen before they did. Like how someone would die, or horrific events on the horizon. And I was fascinated to watch her listen into others thoughts, without needing to touch them. Yet my heart twisted for Lis. I questioned whether she truly knew how to have a strong mental bond with others. She seemed to struggle with that outside of her “brother”, Grady. Maybe it was because of her gifts? Or maybe it was because of her childhood? Or maybe it even had to do with how she ended up as a paramour and nothing truly felt like hers? But regardless, she seemed to have connections with those around her physically, instead of emotionally.

“Hold still.”
“I am holding still, but . . . you’re on your knees, your fingers are near my dick, and you’re currently gloriously nude, so . . .”
Undoing the final button, I rolled my eyes. “You can’t even stand on your own two feet and you’re currently regrowing eyeballs. The last thing you need to be thinking about is me on my knees, your dick, or my nudity.”
“I’ve regrown my eyes, na’laa.”
My chin jerked up.

Lis’ intuition one night led her to rescue a Hyhborn. Hyhborn’s weren’t mortal, they were scions of the Gods. And the scene she was led to was terrifying, yet I couldn’t help but noticing that I loved her thoughts. They were real and honest, making it so easy to connect with her. And the Hyhborn we met?! I. Was. Obsessed! Thorne was a book boyfriend many will fall hard for. I loved that he could be sarcastic and also oh so polite. His manners as he murdered those to keep Lis safe had me cracking up. Thorne was truly lethal, yet at the same time he was so much fun. He loved to push Lis’ buttons and get a rise out of her while being addictively possessive. Add to all of that that he was capable of admitting when he was wrong. Well. It was impossible not to love everything there was about him.

“Na’laa?”
I stopped as something . . . something like hope swelled inside me. Hope for what? I really couldn’t say as I looked over my shoulder at him.
The Lord stood with his back to me, shoulders a tense straight line. “Be careful.”

Around Thorne, Lis could touch him and just be in the moment. She never got pulled into her brain or saw future events she would prefer not to see. Like she did when she touched other lowborns and Caelestias. So the sexual tension between Lis and Thorne was done fabulously. It was a slow burn that was filled with the most fabulous banter. It was impossible not to smile at so many of the moments between them. And while Thorne and Lis were worlds apart, it always felt like there was something pulling them together. As though there was a higher power connecting them. So because of that, I loved watching the tentative trust build. That they could be comfortable with each other. That it felt like Lis was finally making an emotional connection with someone. And of course how steamy they could be together too *fans face*.

I connected with him, and my intuition came alive, showing me the future— the excruciating crack of bone in my right arm, then my left. The phantom pain traveled to my throat. I felt it all.
His death.
And I . . . I smiled.

Yes there were other characters outside of Lis and Thorne, but I am rather obsessed with those two. I’m still unsure of how to feel towards Naomi, who was her first friend outside of Grady. And I would love if Lis threw an apple at Claude’s head, like Alex. Yes he took care of Lis as he used her as his own personal lie detector, but I loathed that he called her Pet. There was also a man named Hymel that I kept hoping would die on every page he appeared lol. Ohhh then there were two friends of Thorne that we didn’t spend a lot of time with, yet I adored both of them. I can’t wait to get to know them better! They had found family written all over them! But on top of those we met, there was a whole world and political intrigue that I’m not even touching on. It was fascinating and better left for you to discover on your own!

“Don’t.”
My gaze flew back to him.
“I would warn against attempting to run,” he advised, walking past me.
“Because you will stop me?”
“Because I will give chase.” He unhooked the straps holding the short sword to his back as he crossed into the bedchamber. “And I will capture you.”

Fall of Ruin and Wrath was laced with a fascinating world, characters that will steal you heart, mysteries that are intertwined with secrets, and moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat! There were so many moments that were impossible to stop smiling or screaming from excitement. Especially when it came to Thorne. That last page was the most perfect stopping point. Yet I am definitely counting down until the next book is released and we can be back in this world!

PS The shower scene was one of my favorite moments. Nope, it’s not what you think it is *side smirk*.

Other Favorite Quotes:

My senses opened to him. I saw nothing in his eyes or in my mind.
But I felt something.
A warning.
A reckoning.
A promise of what was to come.
And I knew.

“Apologies, my pet. I do get a bit animated when I speak. Got it from my mother.”
“‘ Pet’?” Prince Thorne queried softly.
The back of my neck tingled, and it had nothing to do with intuition.

I froze. Tiny hairs lifted along the nape of my neck as the air thickened and the flames stilled. That mouth of mine had surely gotten me in trouble this time.
But Prince Thorne . . . he smiled.
My stomach dipped.
The smile he bestowed was not tight or cold. It was wide and real, showing a hint of teeth and softening the icy, unreal beauty of his features.

“Do you finally think of me as a monster?”
I closed my eyes.
“You should,” he said softly. “The blood that is on my hands will never wash off. I wouldn’t even attempt to do so.”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: A Matter of Temptation (Unforgettable Love #1) by Stacy Reid

August 28, 2023 / Jen / 0 Comments

A Matter of Temptation (Unforgettable Love #1)
by Stacy Reid
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford is desperate. Having been ruined in the eyes of society years ago for one foolish, starry-eyed mistake, she spends her days secreted away at her family’s crumbling estate, helping her brother manage the land but not able to truly live life the way she’s always dreamed. When her brother admits to just how dire their finances have gotten, she takes it upon herself to procure employment…but the only one who will even consider the scandalous idea of a female secretary is the brilliant, ruthless, and infuriating Earl of Creswick.

Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, needs help if he wants to finally pass the reform bill he’s been championing for years and secure the vote for England’s most vulnerable constituents. Too bad help comes in the form of a woman with breathtaking nerve, fiery red hair, and a sense of humor to match.

Now temptation―disguised as a lovely, clever-mouthed devil―lives and works under Simon’s very roof. And Mina finally feels as though she’s truly living life to her wildest dreams. But even the most incendiary of kisses can’t incinerate Mina’s past…or the shocking secret that could ruin them both.

Review:

A Matter of Temptation was a forced proximity historical romance that was laced with laughter and love! With fabulous banter, a wonderful storyline and characters that were so easy to like, this was another huge win from Stacy Reid. If you’re a fan of historical romance, you definitely need her books in your life!

“Most men would have been appalled.”
“I am not most men.” His quiet voice held a sardonic note. “And allow me to say: you are not most women.”

Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford felt like she had to right her wrongs from the past. She had eloped, and now she wasn’t able to help her family financially by marrying someone. So watching her fix her twin brother’s issue was so much fun. I absolutely loved how Mina gained employment working for Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick….but I won’t say how. Other than it had me cheering for Mina every step of the way! And from that first meeting, it was glaringly obvious that there were sparks between them! Working with him was already pushing the envelope. Nothing more than that could ever develop between them.

Yet when his gaze met hers, his eyes gleamed with an expression Mina dearly wished she could interpret. A sharp sensation wrenched in the vicinity of her heart and Mina had to quickly look away.

Mina was so easy to love! I loved how bold, quick witted and insightful she was! It was so wonderful watching how passionate she was about her work and I loved seeing how happy she was with what she was able to accomplish. As Mina worked side by side with Simon, she seemed to read him so well. And established the beginnings of a wonderful friendship. So when there was some perilous action within the pages, I loved how it changed the trajectory of Mina and Simon. Not only did it show that she could be brave and fierce, but how Simon reacted will warm readers’ hearts!

He reached out and touched her cheek. “I love laughing with you.”
Such simple words, yet they slammed into her heart with the force of a hammer, for it sounded like he’d never had reason to laugh before.

Simon thought he could maintain distance from Mina, so I loved how he told her not to smile. As if that would work lol. His efforts were futile! Especially when he spent so much time with her, loved how hard she worked, and respected how clever she was. All the while thinking she was too pretty. So from the moment he had the scene with the puppy, I was a goner. Simon made me cry happy tears, he was such a good and kind man. Who also has a dirty mouth too. Yet Simon was to marry someone that went along with his station and reputation. His grandmother even had contenders picked out. And with the work he was doing, his image was everything.

When he kissed her, it was with such aching softness that her chest squeezed.

As they worked together, they couldn’t help falling for the other. Simon tried everything to ignore his need for Mina, but his desire ran too deep for her. So I loved watching them connect and become even more entwined with one another. And some of my favorite moments involved the bucket list. Kissing. Confessions. Gambling. But at the same time, the world was separating them. Because of who they both were and what was expected of them. I wasn’t sure how they could make it work, especially with Mina’s past, but I kept my fingers crossed!

“Don’t you know who I am?”
“The Earl of Creswick,” she whispered.
“I will be the shelter for the storm over our heads, Mina, you need not fear what I might lose. What I know I cannot lose is you.”

A Matter of Temptation was a fabulous, swoon worthy and steamy historical romance! And within these pages there was also politics showing the inequality of social and gender issues back then. I loved how that added to the story. I can’t wait to read whatever Stacy Reid releases next!

BOOK REVIEW: The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley

August 23, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
All of the fun, none of the heartache…as long as they stick to the agreement.

The proposition is simple: if ER nurse Claire Harper and her roommate, firefighter Graham Scott, are still single by the time they’re forty, they’ll take the proverbial plunge together…as friends with benefits. Maybe it’s the wine, but in the moment, Claire figures the pact is a safe-enough deal, considering she hasn’t had much luck in love and he’s in no rush to settle down. Like, at all. Besides, there’s no way she could ever really fall for Graham and his thrill-seeking ways. Not after what happened to her father…

Just as things begin to heat up way before the proposed deadline, Graham’s injured in a serious rock climbing accident—and he needs Claire’s help to heal. She’ll do whatever it takes to nurse him back to health…even if it means moving in to Graham’s bed and putting up with his little dog, who hates her. But with this no-strings arrangement taking a complicated turn, keeping “for now” from turning into “forever” isn’t as easy as they’d planned.

Review:

The Roommate Pact was a friends to lovers romance that was sweet and will have you smiling from that first page to the last! ER nurse Claire Harper and her roommate, firefighter Graham Scott had a pact that if they weren’t married by the time they were 40, they would tie the knot! Yet one night while drinking, Claire tried to change the rules to being hookup buddies. While there were sparks, and a scorching hot kiss that seemed to be fueled by a plethora of emotions, both of their lives were turned upside down when Graham was in an accident. And Claire found herself taking care of him. We got to alternate between the two of them as this heartwarming story unfolded in an emotional and touching way that will have romance lovers falling in love.

“Thinking about marrying me now, aren’t you?” he called after her.
She didn’t miss a beat.
“Not a chance.”

Claire and Graham’s friendship felt like it ran deep. And it left me wanting to read the previous story about their friends in Would You Rather, just so I could catch more glances of them. But within their friendship was the most fabulous of banter. So I loved how Graham teased Claire, and how that would make her flustered. She tried her best to deny his charm. But even her bestie thought she should hook up with him, while waiting for Mr. Right. Why not? The attraction was there, the tension between them was there and their first kiss turned passionate quickly and was so hot. It left me desperately wanting more.

Her gaze started at his collarbone and slowly, slowly traveled down his torso. Heat followed in the wake of her gaze, which felt more like a caress then a perusal.
Fuck.
What would she do if he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her across his lap?

But there were also emotional moments laced into the story. Watching Graham get hurt. Claire’s reaction. Graham’s struggle with his long road to recovery. Claire dealing with her fears from the past. It hurt. My throat felt tight and I tried to keep the tears out of my eyes. And that all led to them slowly opening up about their pasts, telling each other things that they held close to their hearts. Through it all, Graham was still charming and sexy as hell. And the tension building between them felt like a scorching inferno. The shampoo scene?! Hot! Yet keep in mind the intimate scenes were almost a fade to black.

“What did you do all day?”
“The usual. Worked out, watched TV, sat outside.”
Wrote you an email.

This story was the perfect mixture of fun with some angst mixed in! One of my favorite things was the letters. I’m not saying what they are about, but I laughed and smiled so much! It felt like each letter stole a little piece of my heart. They were deep, honest and made me want to shout at someone that they deserved so much more than they thought they did! Also I absolutely loved Graham’s little dog Gertie! I loved watching Claire struggle with Gertie’s feisty self!

“Would it bother you to never kiss me again?”
Graham’s chin dipped but his gave lifted to hers, his eyes dark and conflicted. “I think it’s best I don’t answer that.”

With tragic backstories, jaded hearts and a fight for true love, The Roommate Pact had it all! These pages had a man who was book boyfriend worthy, a woman you’ll want to be besties with while you shake a little sense into her, and friends and a little dog that will warm your heart! This was my first book by Allison Ashley, and I can’t wait to read more by her!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*