Tag: Romance (Page 84 of 122)

BOOK REVIEW: Tell Me Pretty Lies by Charleigh Rose

BOOK REVIEW: Tell Me Pretty Lies by Charleigh RoseTell Me Pretty Lies by Charleigh Rose
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Three things my mother acquired when she became engaged:

1. A brand new Tiffany's ring.
2. A lavish home on Heartbreak Hill.
3. Three privileged stepsons.

The last thing I expected was to fall for one of them, least of all Thayer Ames.
Beautiful, brooding, and untouchable.
I knew it was a bad idea. He warned me himself.
But he was a thunderstorm, and I never could resist the rain.
It was perfect…
Until it wasn’t.
One night was all it took for our world to crumble, leaving only secrets and lies between us.
Now, I have to face him again, but the boy I used to know has become the man who loves to hate me.

Review:

How can you simultaneously love and hate how a person makes you feel?

Charlie Rose has done it again!  Tell Me Pretty Lies was addictive, sexy and impossible to put down!  The characters were so easy to connect with and the story-line was so much fun.  The way it all unfolded was emotional and I loved not knowing exactly where the story was going. So if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers and plenty of angst, definitely put this one on your tbr!

Something about him brings out the worst in me, and I can’t ever seem to think clearly when he’s around. Not then, and apparently not now. He made me reckless, and I loved it.

 The story started off with an emotional bang.  Shayne was at the funeral of her future step brother, along with his brothers and both of their families.  That first chapter gutted me and then in the next one we jumped nine months ahead.  Shayne’s mother had broken off her engagement and they moved away, but now they’re back in town.  And nothing seemed the same.  Her brother was off at college.  Her mom was constantly gone for work.  And those who had been like family now treated her like dirt.  The only good thing in her life was her best friend, Valen, who I loved with my whole heart!

They want me to cry and run away. They want a reaction. And I’m not going to give it to them.

I absolutely loved Shayne!  She was so easy to connect with and I loved how tough she could be.  She was smart, tried her hardest and I loved that she went after what she wanted.  I also loved that she tried not to let what other’s thought affect her.  Especially since everyone at her school seemed to talk or whisper about her.  But when it came to Thayer, her ex-step brother, that’s where her self-control would falter.  She had loved him with her whole heart, but now he was a total douche bag. And Shayne should really ignore how much Thayer’s touch made her come alive.  Because the moment she would give in, the next she would be hurt all over again.

I was hard as fuck, needing to touch her. To taste her. To be so far inside her that we both forgot about our families, our tragedies, our fucked-up lives, and everything that’s keeping us apart.

Thayer did some fucked up things and at times I wanted to punch him in the throat.  I didn’t understand why he bullied her.  And I couldn’t wrap my head around how he could touch her, and create so much emotion between them, only then to completely shut down and block her out.  He ran so hot and cold and he could be such an asshole.  Thayer hurt Shayne again and again and it broke my heart.  But I’m one of those who always tries to find the redeeming qualities and look for the tiniest of clues.  So when Thayer did something even a little nice, oh my gosh I wanted to cry.  And when we got to his chapters we got to learn all.  His heart bled so truthfully to us and I fell madly in love with him.  It all made sense and my heart soared even higher.

It’s not fair for his touch to be so sweet when his words cut like a knife. It’s not fair that he still has this effect on me.

When Thayer and Shayne were together it was explosive.  Their moments were erotic, scorching hot and beyond additive.  All of their emotions fed into those moments making it even more intense.  But we also got a peak into their past, which gave me all the feels.  I wish we would have had more peaks into their past.  But this book almost had a mysterious feel to it.  Because when we were listening to Shayne’s chapters, it felt like we only knew part of the story.  There seemed to be secrets everywhere.  So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I was sitting there with a WTF expression on my face quite a few times.  The path this story took kept me on my toes and I truly didn’t know what was going to come next.

 “I hate you.” Even as I say the words, I’m arching into him, needing more.
“Tell me another lie.” His hand flattens against my stomach and slides beneath my shorts and underwear.

So yes, I can’t recommend this book enough.  If you love sexy and edgy romance, that is enemies to lovers and has the most fabulous angst, then definitely give this one a try!  And I also want to say that I loved Thayer’s brother, Holden.  Even if I wanted to throat punch him in the beginning too.  He cracked me up while also breaking my heart and I’m hoping we get his story in the future!  I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Finding Him (Covet #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

BOOK REVIEW: Finding Him (Covet #2) by Rachel Van DykenFinding Him (Covet #2)
by Rachel Van Dyken
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A novel about a shattered family, broken hearts, and healing love by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of Stealing Her.

Coming out of a coma was one hell of a wake-up call. While I was in the dark, my estranged twin brother, Bridge, had replaced me in the company I owned and swept up my fiancée in the takeover. With my ruthless reputation, can I blame them for falling in love? I have to look long and hard at where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Alone time? The universe has other plans.

Our family’s secluded Vermont cabin comes with a gorgeous—if at first, unwelcoming—surprise. She’s renter Keaton Westbrook, a social media superstar struggling with her own private grief. As a winter storm bears down, we’ve found something to keep us warm—an intimacy neither of us expected and both of us need.

After we say goodbye, what happens then? Keaton and I are longing to reconcile with our painful pasts. I can’t bear to do it without her. Is it too much to ask of fate to give us a second chance at life and love?

Review:

“You’re the annoying twin, aren’t you?”
I narrowed my eyes at the back of her head. “Actually, I’m the charming one.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Hmm, can’t see it.”

Finding Him was beautifully emotional and one of my favorite books this year!  By that first chapter, I already had tears in my eyes.  Twice.  And as the story unfolded, I had tears for a past love story, tears for brothers and of course tears for Julian and Keaton.  But there was also so much to smile and swoon about.  This book was sexy, funny and had the best banter.  So if you’re a fan of romance, a tortured hero and the most beautiful happily ever after, definitely add this one to your list.  I can’t recommend it enough!

“You’re going to get drunk while I take care of our basic human needs?”
“Think of it this way . . .”He smirked. “If you don’t build a fire, we’re going to have to get naked and share body heat, and I highly doubt that would be your first choice, since you’re already so fucking frigid.”
I almost picked up the knife.
I almost threw it at his perfect face.
Instead, I took the high road, flipped him off, and went in search of my coat.

Julian and Keaton got off on the wrong foot, and then some.  Julian was forced to get away from life and find some peace after waking up from a coma, losing his fiancée to his twin brother, and having his mother pass away.  Keaton wanted to write her past love story, but away from all of the lime light.  Neither of them expected to find someone else at that cabin.   And neither of them wanted to be the one to leave.  So what unfolded was an emotional roller coaster that had me completely addicted.

Because my heart might as well have been buried in that casket next to my mom’s. God knows that’s how my soul felt, like the dirt was trying to pull me under, trying to bury me along with my mother.
I was just as dead as she was.
And I had to wonder if maybe, maybe the world was better off without Julian Tennyson fully existing in it.

Julian fascinated me in Stealing Her, and as we got to know him in this story, I loved him even more than Bridge.  His thoughts bled from the pages, since he was consumed by the pain of his past.  His decisions, actions and who he was haunted him at every waking moment.  Yes he had done horrific things, but at the same time it felt like he had been so easily cast aside.  His whole world changed in the blink of an eye.  So of course he was an asshole to those around him.  Especially when we saw how little he thought of himself.  He broke my heart again and again.  So tortured doesn’t even begin to describe Julian.  Yet, he could be so thoughtful and considerate.  Well, when he wanted to be lol.

I would always need a weapon and armor.
Because Julian Tennyson up close was lethal.
And Julian Tennyson thinking about me, holding me in his arms, felt too good.
I shivered again.

And while Julian was battling his own demons, Keaton was there.  She was sassy and I loved how she had no problem standing up to him. She would go toe to toe with him and wouldn’t back down!  They definitely didn’t like each other in the beginning, and they had no qualms letting the other know it.  It was awkward and funny, and I loved how the messed with each other.  The “test” had me laughing so hard I was gasping for air! 

“Just because you type the end to one story doesn’t mean you don’t get to start another,” he said wisely as he stood and made his way back to the stove.

Yet at the same time, Keaton had her own personal struggles.  Her parents were celebrities and she was a social media sensation.  Keaton fell in love with a normal guy who sadly ended up passing away from cancer.  And she was writing their love story for a book.  So while there was lightness within Keaton, she was still drowning in her own pain too.  Just like Julian.

We were polar opposites. The media painted me like a saint. And Julian Tennyson? Hell’s number -one sinner.
I wasn’t stupid enough to believe it was just mind-blowing sex.
It wasn’t.
Not with Julian.
It felt raw, aggressive, violent in the way it crashed over me every time he touched me.

Finding Him truly had it all.  There was love, friendship, redemption, forgiveness and it was emotional every step of the way.  There was also sexual tension, steamy moments and scenes that had me laughing so hard. And the journey Julian and Keaton faced, after leaving the cabin, had me even more obsessed with what would happen next.  Finding Him had everything I always look for in a romance novel.  It was uplifting while also gutting.  If made me laugh, smile, cry and best of all, I fell madly in love.  This story will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope you’ll discover Finding Him too!

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

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Resistance (The Union #5) by T.H. Hernandez

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Resistance (The Union #5) by T.H. Hernandez

I’m so excited to be on The Resistance Tour! In case you don’t know, The Union Series is one of my favorite series ever! So check out my 5 star review of the latest book and enter in a fabulous giveaway. Enjoy!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Resistance (The Union #5) by T.H. HernandezThe Resistance (The Union #5)
by T.H. Hernandez
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Fighting back is twice as hard when battling on two fronts.

Living in an encampment in the Ruins, life is harsh for most Unis in the Resistance, but for Cyrus and the other Ruins survivors, it's just more of the same. While training for their ultimate mission to take down the Uprising, tragedy strikes, turning Evan's and Cyrus's world upside down. Before they can recover, they discover someone in their ranks is working against them.

Facing tougher odds than they ever imagined, the group realizes the only hope they have of saving the world they know is to find help. When no one is above suspicion, even accomplishing everyday tasks is fraught with danger, but seeking out reinforcements could mean the end of the Resistance and all of them along with it.

Review:

The Resistance was an action packed ride from start to finish.  All of our favorites were back and the stakes were even higher.  With fabulous twists and turns, and characters that continually pulled at my heart, this book sailed right onto my favorites list!  If you’re a fan of young adult, dystopian and romance then you definitely need to add this series to your tbr!

I take one step forward, then another, heading to an unknown future, fear spiraling through me, on the verge of twisting me apart.

 

✮ Twists and Turns:

“It scares me.”
I reach out and locate her hand in the darkness, giving it a gentle squeeze. “What does?”
“I don’t know what’s real anymore.”
Leaning forward, I find her lips, devouring them with a searing kiss. “You and me. We’re real. That’ll never change.”

I absolutely loved how throughout this book, so many of the puzzle pieces were falling into place.  It made me feel confident with where the story was going.  I should have known better, since moments started making me gasp out loud.  My mind was blown.  Multiple times.  I had some guesses that were sooo wrong and there were twists I didn’t even see coming.  Looking back, the clues were there, I just thought they were leading me elsewhere. The Resistance unfolded so effortlessly and the unexpected twists made for a fun and exciting read!

 

✮ An Emotional and Action Packed Journey:

“Cyrus!” Evan yells as if she’s entered a tunnel . “Oh my god! Cyrus!” Cool hands cradle my face that feel like ice against my raging skin. “Cyrus.” One sob follows another as she continues to yell my name, softer and softer, as if she’s fading away.

One of my favorite things about this series, is how emotional moments and action packed ones were seamlessly intertwined.  With love, family and friendship splashed across the pages, it made for an emotional story.  The characters became a part of my heart and soul.  And since that first book, I have felt everything they have felt.  So it wasn’t a surprise that I found tears pouring down my face multiple times.  And once those tears would dry, then I’d find myself with sweaty palms.  I was scared to death over the fate of those I loved, since there were so many moments where I was on the edge of my seat.  This book impossible to put down!

 

✮ The Heart of This Series:

“All the shit we’ve weathered , we’re still us, Ev. We go from one disaster to another, but we never lose who we are. I’m sorry I forgot that. No matter what still lies ahead for us, that’s all I need. Just… you and me.”
“Always,” I say, squeezing his hand. “That will never change.”

The hurdles thrown in their way seemed insurmountable at times.  Yet these characters, who I love with my whole heart, kept pushing forward.  Even when the odds were stacked against them. And that’s because they have all grown so much since they first appeared in this series.  Especially Evan and Cyrus.  Their moments together were powerful and I loved how they’ve learned to communicate. Even if it was hard at times.  It made my heart so happy watching the two of them be such a formidable team.  And when you throw in the rest of their group of friends and family, they were a true team.  I loved how they worked together.  I couldn’t be prouder of all of them!

When our lips meet it’s a sultry dance of desire, forgiveness, and undying love.

I loved The Resistance with my whole heart!  With a heroine I’d love to have by my side, a book boyfriend I want to steal from the pages and a storyline that had me turning the pages faster, this book was such a huge win!  Add in the fact that there was a strong redemption theme in this story, how could I not love every single thing about it?  Okay maybe I didn’t completely love Bryce.  Yet.  But that yet is all I’m admitting lol!  So definitely add this series and book to your tbr, it’s a must read!

 

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

 
 

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

 

About T.H. Hernandez:

T.H. Hernandez is the author of young adult books. The Union, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category.

She loves pumpkin spice lattes, Game of Thrones, Comic-Con, Star Wars, Doctor Who marathons, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.

When not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, T.H. Hernandez lives in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband and three children, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, affectionately referred to as “the puppycat.”

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: Undercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2) by Lyssa Kay Adams

BOOK REVIEW: Undercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2) by Lyssa Kay AdamsUndercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2)
by Lyssa Kay Adams
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction.

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart... even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned. (

Review

Liv Papandreas is a badass. I repeat, Liv Papandreas is a badass.

Even though we get a picture of what these two main characters were like in the first book, the scope of what we learn when they are the focus is obviously so much more. The two briefly meet earlier on because of  Liv’s sister Thea and Mack’s friend, Gavin,  but they really don’t know anything about each other. When Mack decides to wine and dine his latest girl and make things ~official~ he of course decides that he needs to go to a super swanky restaurant and buy her this $1,000 cupcake that surprise, surprise is Liv’s job to make. Due to a series of….very unfortunate events…the cupcake ends up in Mack’s girl’s lap. Neither one of them care very much as it was an accident EXCEPT for Liv’s douchey, slime-ball of a boss. When she goes up to his office later that night to receive the talking-to of a life time, she walks in on him sexually harassing another employee and things proceed to blow up from there.

Let’s just say that neither Liv nor Mack’s nights end up very good after that. Liv is FURIOUS about what she witnessed and without a job and Mack is left sans girlfriend, feeling guilty for playing a role in Liv being fired. The two, begrudgingly (especially on Liv’s part) eventually decide to team up to take down the previously mentioned douchey slime-ball.

What I really enjoyed about this book, other than Liv’s badassery, was the push and pull of Mack’s and Liv’s relationship. They both have their own share of issues but as the book progresses we slowly see both of them showing sides of their life and who they truly are to each other that no one else has ever seen before. There were plenty of bickering scenes which then always sets up a good scene for explosive kisses (which we get a few of) and you know that this is going to be a couple that is always going to be poking at each other just to rile the other one up.

The scenes with the other guys from book club were just as fun as the first book. The Russian, I tell ya, lol. He might be my favorite. I just love picturing this huge group of hot, hulking guys who are insanely famous and rich getting together reading romance novels lololol. Ugh, still such a genius idea.

Finally, the biggest component of this book that ended up being so satisfying to read was the take-down of the bad guy. It ends up coming to light that (not surprisingly) this guy has been a predator for LONG time and has paid a lot of women off because he’s done terrible things. There were a few really important scenes with Liv and a friend that also happened to have been taken advantage of by the sleaze bag, where Liv got so mad because her friend just wanted to let it lie. She had a café that she owned and ran and she just wanted the past to stay in the past. I mean that is such…relevant commentary on situations that have come to light recently with several different rich and powerful men and that you know has happened for years and years in the past. While Liv’s friend did eventually come forward about it, they had a little bit of a falling out about it before that. What I learned from that situation is that even though you are always going to want those people to get in trouble, the women who went through it don’t necessarily want to drag that past into the now because of the pain it’s going to cause them. Just because they didn’t come forward with it when it happened, doesn’t mean they should be discredited (like what seems to happen these days). They just knew in that moment that even if they did come forward, they probably still wouldn’t have gotten believed and their life would have been even worse off than if they just stayed quiet.

UGH. It makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it honestly.

Luckily in this story at least, the girls and Liv get partial justice anyway which is something. Liv learns to be more understanding and to trust and love and Mack learns how to just be himself. Overall a very good continuation of the series!

Huge thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion! ♥

BOOK REVIEW: Magic Bound (Ravencrest Academy #1) by Theresa Kay

BOOK REVIEW: Magic Bound (Ravencrest Academy #1) by Theresa KayMagic Bound (Ravencrest Academy #1)
by Theresa Kay
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Starting a new school is never easy and this time not fitting in could cost lives.

Despite being raised by shifters, my life was fairly ordinary . . . until I tried to break up a fight and got zapped with magic.

Then, all hell broke loose.

Power I didn’t know I had came surging out of me, revealing me as a witch and drawing unfavorable attention to my adoptive parents.

Now, as the witches attempt to use my concealment as an excuse to push an anti-shifter agenda, the only way to keep my parents—and myself—safe is to enroll in the elite Ravencrest Academy and prove I can control my newfound abilities.

Unfortunately, raw power doesn’t translate into competency and everything is way more difficult than I imagined.

Even with all the things working against me (like my complete ignorance of magic and witch society), I manage to make a few new friends and there's a spark of something more with the last person I expect.

But I can’t let that distract me from the ugly truth that many who walk the halls of Ravencrest are eager to see me fail. To keep the peace between shifters and witches I must succeed . . . no matter the cost.

Magic Bound is the first book in an exciting new YA paranormal academy series with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Perfect for fans of Supernatural Academy, Shadowspell Academy, and Evermore Academy.

Review:

Magic Bound was heartwarming, addictive and completely mesmerized me.  With characters that were easy to relate to and a story line that made this book impossible to put down, I devoured this book so fast!  It was just so much fun.  With enemies to lovers, magic and friendship swirling through the pages, Magic Bound easily landed on my favorites list!

The fragile hold I have on my emotions shatters, and the tears come down full force, followed by a hiccuping sob.
I can’t do this. I don’t want to be here. I want to go home.

Selene had been raised by her adoptive parents, who were shifters. She thought she was a blank, a child that had no magic and was from two witches. But a moment at a party went awry, and she discovered she had magic.  To help protect her adoptive family, since shifters should not have raised a child with magic, she was shipped off to Ravencrest Academy.  But life wasn’t easy there for Selene, and what unfolded had me turning the pages faster and faster.

The level of arrogance dripping off this guy is ridiculous. And I’ve dealt with moody alpha level shifters. It makes me want to punch him. Hard.

Selene is definitely one of my favorite heroines.  She was brave, kind, held her own, and acted from her heart. So she was someone I easily looked up to and respected. But oh my gosh did she struggle. She had problems with something as simple as opening a door, with her magic.   And because of how she was raised, and her lack of knowledge, others weren’t kind to her.  She was different.  She was an outsider.  But even though Selene struggled with magic, she was still completely kick ass. She had so much fire in her and I loved that she had a backbone and stood up for herself.  Especially when it came to her interactions with Tristan.

From the very first moment I met Tristan, he irritated me. The fact that he’s a St. James just makes it all the worse.

Ohhh the illustrious Tristan St. James.  I. Loved. Him!  He landed on my favorite book boyfriend list, but it wasn’t an easy path.  You see, Tristan was a total douche bag.  He wasn’t nice to Selene and he hurt her at times.  But I always looked for the tiniest of clues that Tristan was so much more than what he showed the world. And what I saw underneath it all, made me fall for him so hard.  As more of his past came to light, and we saw how he was raised, it all started to click together.

“You are a St. James after all. I don’t know why I ever expected better. You’re just as bad as everything I ever thought about your parents. Maybe worse. Perfect, pretty Tristan who always gets what he wants.”
“I always get what I want?” he asks, the question carried on a huff of incredulity. “If only that were true . . .”

Selene and Tristan had the most addictive slow burn enemies to lovers romance.  Especially since there was a forbidden feel to it, because of who they each were.  So I loved watching their interactions.  They butted heads, each had their preconceived notions and it was rough at times.  But I fell so hard watching them interact.  Moments made me smile and sigh, and others had me wondering how they could even be in the same room together lol.  So hold on because it was a bumpy ride.  On top of Selene and Tristan, there was friendships, family, school and even politics in the pages.

Tristan grabs my arm. “You didn’t have to do that. There’ll be . . . repercussions for you, won’t there? With your pack or whatever.”
“Did you think I was going to stand there and let you get hurt? That’s really not my style.” I tug my arm out of his hold.

The side characters rounded out this story so perfectly.  There was Basil, the eccentric “Grandpa” who helped guide Selene at the academy.  And whose quirks made me smile.  To Isobel, who was Selene’s roommate and was the sweetest girl ever.  To even her cousin Reid, who felt more like a brother and was someone I cared deeply for.  But my favorite side character was Adrian.  He was a fellow student who made me laugh and smile so much.  He seemed to have a lot of secrets, so I can’t wait to learn all about him in this series!

My entire world narrows down to nothing but the feel of his mouth on mine, his breath against my face, his fingers around my waist. And I am lost in it.

So, yup, this book had it all!  And that ending had me beyond excited to see what will happen next.  It was such an easy book to devour and understand their world.  Plus I loved so many of the characters.  So if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, academy books or paranormal stories, then definitely add this one to your list!   I can’t recommend it enough!

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

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2026

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑