Author: Jen (Page 1 of 206)

I ♥ Paranormal, Dystopian, Romance, YA, NA & some Fantasy and Science Fiction. I ♥ not being able to knock that darn smirk off my face, crying my eyes out or feeling every emotion under the sun with characters. I ♥ cheesecake, wakeboarding, snowboarding, being a mommy & wife, dancing, singing and being a beach bum addict!
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BOOK REVIEW: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood & Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt

December 23, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.

Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through—and he’s a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can’t stop thinking about. The woman who's off-limits to him.

Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business—one that plays for keeps.

Review:

Ali Hazelwood has written some of my favorite romances, and this was not one of them. Rue was challenging for me to like or even click with, it took till 82% into the book. And while that last 18% was amazing, it was a little too late for me. I kept trying to figure out what Eli saw in her. He could be so kind, and I loved how he made sure she was safe. Whereas Rue was completely closed off and rigid. I am all for the reverse grumpy sunshine trope, but I desperately need to connect to the characters to enjoy any aspect of a book. So, when you add in that I was bored to tears with the buyout, and I didn’t like how they shared terrible stories with one another, this book was just not for me.

I like you when you laugh. I like you when you’re serious. I like you all the damn time.

Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When falling in love is the punchline…

Farley Jones is a loud, chaotic, and hilariously clever standup comedian on the way to stardom. The only thing she loves more than the rush of telling jokes in front of a revved-up audience is her hot older manager Meyer, though he doesn’t have a clue. Keeping her feelings hidden from him is agony (a tragedy, even―in lieu of flowers, please send cash...) but Meyer has been Farley’s closest and most treasured friend, not to mention vital to the trajectory of her career. She can’t risk ruining their relationship by telling him how she truly feels. After all, who else would have the patience to put up with a hot mess like her?

A former standup star himself, single father Meyer Harrigan left the stage years ago in order to focus on raising his deaf daughter Hazel. Farley has been everything to them since she came into their lives three years ago, and despite his grumpiness, his protectiveness over Hazel, and his disdain for public attention, Meyer will do anything to make her standup dreams come true.

When the biggest opportunity of Farley’s career comes along and forces the pair to fake-date in order to stir up publicity, it doesn't take long for their act to bring all those other funny feelings out into the open. Like most matters of the heart, it quickly begins to feel like anything but a joke.

Touching on the creative spirit and all that comes with sharing that gift, Tarah DeWitt's Funny Feelings is a swoony story about friendship, love, and looking for the laugh in life.

Review:

Funny Feelings was an adorable, friends to lovers, fake dating, single dad, age gap romance. The characters were easy to like, the story-line was so enjoyable to listen to, and I loved the steam in the pages. One of my favorite things was the relationship between Farley and Meyer’s hearing impaired daughter, Hazel. It tugged at my heart, and I loved how easily they clicked. I also loved that we got little flashbacks here and there to see how Farley and Meyer met and how they progressed to where they were now today. It added so much to their story. This feel good romance played out with some wonderful tension and their happily ever after was fabulous!

BOOK REVIEW: Servant of Earth(The Shards of Magic #1) by Sarah Hawley

December 20, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say half feral—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

Review:

Servant of Earth was a fantasy that completely swept me away. The world was fascinating, the characters were multifaceted and kept us on our toes, and the storyline played out beautifully! This is a book I’ll definitely be re-reading down the road, because I couldn’t put this one down! With a heroine we could respect, morally gray Fae princes that captured our heart, and political intrigue with games abound, this book was so easy to love!

Kenna Heron became trapped in the underground kingdom of Mistei surrounded by the Fae. She found herself forced to help her new mistress pass trials to gain her immortality and became the new heir of Earth House. Right from the start, Kenna became an instant favorite. She was brave and I loved her ability to dive into any situation no matter how terrifying. Plus, she was smart and had such a good heart. Also I loved that she didn’t think twice about stabbing someone! Yet the world Kenna knew wasn’t as black and white as she thought it was. As new things and horrors became known, Kenna found herself in the middle of a rebellion that she couldn’t walk away from.

While there were multiple morally gray Fae princes in the pages, two of them captured my attention. I have extremely strong opinions on them, but I don’t want to say what they are because of spoilers. Just know that you should trust your heart and gut. Because it led me to screaming, I knew it!. And I was left excited to see what will happen next!

One of my favorite aspects about this story were the tests. And how Kenna had such an intricate role with helping Laura. I was fascinated and so nervous for them. I hung onto their every word. And as the story unfolded, I loved all that we learned. Rules became broken. Alliances formed and others became unknown. And those you thought you could trust seemed to hang on a precipice. This book was absolutely fascinating! Plus I loved how a certain object seemed to become its own character!

With secrets, murder, traitors, kisses, betrayal, twists, and tests, Servant of Earth was a romantasy book that was so easy to love! The ending left us in the perfect holding pattern, and I’m eagerly counting down till that next book releases. I listened to the audiobook of this, and it was beautifully done!

BOOK REVIEW: Rival (Fall Away #3) by Penelope Douglas

December 19, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Rival (Fall Away #3)
by Penelope Douglas
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Two estranged teenagers play games that push the boundaries between love and war....

For the two years she was away at boarding school, Madoc had no word from Fallon. Back when they lived in the same house, she used to cut him down during the day and then leave her door open for him at night. Now he's ready to beat her at her own game....

Fallon can tell that Madoc still wants her, even if he acts like he's better than her. But she won't be scared away. Or pushed down. She'll call his bluff and fight back. That's what he wants right?

As long as she keeps her guard up, he'll never know how much he affects her....

Review:

Rival was a steamy, new adult, bully romance that I devoured. Madoc and Fallon’s parents were married, yet they didn’t live under the same roof anymore. Something happened in the past, and Madoc and Fallon were supposed to stay away from each other. So, while mystery swirled through the pages, there was a world’s worth of hurt and anger too. Madoc was the ultimate asshole to Fallon. He easily tormented her in front of others without a second thought. I didn’t understand what happened for him to want to treat her that way. It was horrific. And harsh. Yet at the same time, you could see glimmers of light in Madoc. Even if I didn’t want to.

“You’ve always wanted me. You know why? Because I don’t try to kill your demons. I run with them.”

I listened to the audiobook, and the storyline flew by so quickly. There was drama on top of drama, but underneath it all was the most fabulous angst. With sexual tension simmering between them. But Fallon kept secrets from us, the reader. We didn’t know her whole past. So, as she slowly let us in and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, my heart hurt for Fallon. And Madoc too.

“The thing is, Fallon . . . I told you before to lock the door if you wanted me to stay out. Funny thing is . . .” I leaned in. “You. Never. Did.”

With those we loved from previous books having no problem stepping in and forcing certain situations lol, to all the drama, blackmail, karaoke, parties and more, this book was so hard to put down. It was a lot mixed together, but at the same time it was effortless to listen to and had a wonderful ending. It felt like a bag of chips, you can’t stop until you consume the whole thing ha. So, if you’re looking for a series that you won’t be able to put down, definitely check this one out if you love bully romances.

BOOK REVIEW: Heated Pursuit (Alpha Security #1) by April Hunt

December 18, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Heated Pursuit (Alpha Security #1)
by April Hunt
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
TROPICAL HEAT

Penny Kline didn't come to Honduras on a pleasure trip. She's here to rescue her kidnapped niece, the only family she's got left. What she didn't plan on was walking into a covert ops mission-or being wrapped up in the hard-muscled arms of Rafe Ortega. The cool-as-ice operative's touch may get her all hot and bothered, but no man can have a hold on her heart until her niece is home where she belongs.

Even in the tropics, Alpha Security operative Rafe can take down the bad guys without breaking a sweat. Hostage extractions. Clandestine missions. Those are the things he's been trained to handle. Relationships? Not so much. But one look at this strong, sexy redhead and he's seized by a fierce urge to protect her at all costs. Now Penny and Rafe will have to up their game because they're about to go into a master criminal's lair without backup, and the danger---and passion---is about to explode . . .

Review:

From that first chapter, I was hooked! Heated Pursuit kept me on the edge of the seat and I desperately needed to know what happened next. The characters came alive and the storyline was so much fun! I’m not a huge romantic suspense person, but April Hunt has me sold!

Penny went to Honduras to rescue her kidnapped niece from a drug lord. And I love how she landed with Rafi and tried her best to insert herself into his covert ops mission. From that first moment, there was the most fabulous sexual tension between the two of them.

Penny was determined, strong willed, and I loved how she wouldn’t back down. And then there was Rafe, who was everything. He was the silent yet deadly type who worked beautifully under pressure. Rafe was someone who would go to the end of the world to protect those he loved and cared for. So watching them wiggle their way into each other’s hearts was smile inducing. And the situations they landed themselves in led to non-stop action!

With life and death situations, to steamy moments that were scorching hot, to a found family that was heartwarming, this book had it all! I’m excited to see where the rest of this series takes us. I listened to the audiobook of this story, and I was completely transported away! If you’re looking for a steamy romantic suspense book, definitely put this one on your tbr!

GIVEAWAY: Wedding Bells in Silverwood by Dorothy Dreyer

December 6, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

I read the first book, Christmas in Silverwood, a couple years ago and that story has stuck with me ♥. It was beyond adorable and had all the Christmas feels. I can’t wait to read this next one! You can read my review of Christmas in Silverwood here, and enter a fabulous giveaway below. Enjoy!

Wedding Bells in Silverwood
Dorothy Dreyer
(Silverwood Series)
Publication date: November 26th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Silverwood’s most anticipated event of the year is upon us—Holly St. Ives and Nick Mason’s New Year’s Eve wedding. But as one disaster after another strikes in the weeks leading up to their big day, Holly begins to suspect that something is amiss.

Enter Viola Carver, a former culinary prodigy who put her career on hold to care for her disabled mother. Given a last-minute opportunity to cater the event of the season, Viola is determined to prove herself. But she fears she may blow her big chance after several rocky encounters with the dashing venue owner.

With a saboteur on the loose who’s intent on ruining Nick and Holly’s wedding, it might take Nick’s team of Alaskan Malamutes and a New Year’s miracle to save the day.

Goodreads / Purchase

Excerpt:

Did I really agree to this?

Holly St. Ives shielded her eyes from the August sun and glared at the uphill dirt trail in front of her, half tempted to fake a sudden illness so she could go home and hide under the covers. She’d prefer her nice, warm, cozy bed to a thin sleeping bag on a cold, bumpy tent floor anyway.

Nick Mason, her devoted boyfriend for eight months and counting, closed the SUV’s trunk and roped his arms through the straps of the oversized backpack. “You ready for this?”

Nick’s Alaskan Malamute, Cupid, wagged his tail eagerly, waiting for the green light to charge up the hill.

Holly eyed the steep climb and raised her brow. “Would you be upset if I changed my mind?”

Nick handed Holly her rucksack, which was considerably smaller than his. “I thought you said seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of your bucket list.”

Holly squirmed as she slung the pack over her thin jacket. “I could just watch them online.” She yanked her chestnut brown waves out from the purple, pashmina scarf encompassing her neck, hoping Nick might agree with her.

Nick smirked, rubbing a hand over the scruff on his chiseled jawline. “That’s not the same thing.”

“I know.” Holly shifted, kicking a rock with her hiking boots. “But when you invited me on this trip, I didn’t realize how much we’d be … roughing it.”

Nick placed his hands on her hips and tugged her close. “Look, once we get up there and have everything set up, you’ll love it. I booked a premium spot, one the park assured me was a perfect place to experience the aurora borealis. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, I’ve brought hot chocolate and marshmallows.”

Holly swayed, adjusting the weight she carried. “Like mini marshmallows that go in the hot chocolate or big ones for roasting over a fire?”

“Both.”

Holly squinted at him with a half-smile. “Fine. But only because I’m a sucker for cocoa.” And the company’s not so bad either.

Cupid barked, reminding them he was still waiting for permission to start their adventure. The black and white bundle of fur sniffed at the air and paced around Nick.

“Yeah, go on, boy.” Nick grasped the tent bag handles as Cupid took off and then gave Holly a quick peck before pulling a cap over his short-cropped, dark hair.

With a sigh of defeat, Holly gathered her waves into a quick, messy bun. You can do this. It’ll be worth it. Just think of those magical lights.

About Dorothy Dryer:

Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, romance, and horror books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X

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