Category: Review (Page 72 of 276)

BOOK EXCERPT: Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen

BOOK EXCERPT: Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen

I cannot stress enough how amazing this book is. It honestly might have bumped its way into the top favorite spot of everything I've ever read by Bowen (and that's a lot of books, lol).

BOOK EXCERPT: Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina BowenBombshells (Brooklyn #5)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The women's league is in the house! And Brooklyn will never be the same again for Anton Bayer and the team…

This is my last chance to ditch my playboy reputation and finally fulfill my potential. So I’ve made three rules for our biggest season yet: no boozing, no women, and no scandals.

Especially that last thing.

So who do I befriend on the very first day back at the rink? An amazing female hockey player. I want Sylvie in a way that’s more than just friendly. I crave her. But I have a championship to win, and so does she.

Then she gets her heart broken by my teammate, and I make the foolish mistake of comforting her in the best way I know how. Our night together sets off a string of sins.

Nobody can know about our affair, especially my overprotective teammate. I can’t let anyone see into my greedy little heart. Not even her.

The things I want from her, and the things we’ve already done? If anyone knew, there’d be bombshells.

Contains: a defenseman with dreamy blue eyes, a female goalie with bad ideas, a major battle of the sexes and a swimming pool scene...

Excerpt

He hums under his breath as he locates the safety pin tucked under the fabric, and carefully frees it from the dress.

“There,” he says quietly as the velvet begins to slip against my skin. “Ah, careful.” He pauses, holding the dress in place, because that narrow circle of fabric is the only thing holding up the top of the dress. It wants to slip down my body. 

I don’t make a move to help him. I don’t reach back, and I don’t let him off the hook. Instead, I reach for his free hand, and wrap it around my hip. And then I lean back against him, taking in the heat of his hard chest through his tuxedo shirt. 

I hold my breath. Because I want this. No, I need this. I’m so tired of waiting and wanting. And Anton’s nearness has always done swoopy things to my stomach. 

Why not now? Why not him, and why not me?

“Sylvie,” he whispers, and it sounds like a prayer. Then he drops the collar of the dress, and it slides like a silky waterfall down my upper body, until stopped by the zipper.

Then? I reach back and tug the zipper down slowly. 

Cool air hits my skin. Anton makes a low groan of protest as the dress continues to slide, exposing my lacy strapless bra. Then soft lips slip across the back of my neck. “Is this what you’re asking me for?” He kisses the juncture of my shoulder.

“Yes.”

“And this?” His tongue darts out to taste my skin, and my goosebumps redouble.

Yes,” I gasp.

He kisses me again, his mouth growing bolder and less gentle. Wet, open-mouthed kisses swirl against my skin, and then he taunts me with his tongue. 

Hell, I feel it in my nipples. I feel it everywhere. And I tilt my head to give him better access. He groans again, tasting my skin, tonguing each new inch, sucking lazily where it suits him before moving on. 

I had no idea a man could get me so hot by kissing my neck. I want more, so I try to turn around. 

But Anton tightens his arm around my waist, fighting me. He pins me in place, my back to his chest, and he continues the erotic assault on my bare shoulder.

My breasts feel achy, and I’ve started to shake. The brace of his hard body makes me sweat. “Please,” I beg. I’m in a hurry now. More. Hotter. Faster. 

“Slow the fuck down,” he hisses. “If we’re making this trip to the land of reckless decisions, I’m gonna enjoy the ride. Now hold still.”

I stand quietly on loose knees, while Anton locates the zipper where it’s trapped at my hips. He eases it down at a torturous pace. I fight off a shiver as he drags his fingertips down my bare back, past the lace of my bra, and all the way onto my lacy black panties.

My dress falls into a silky heap at my feet.

“Sweet Jesus,” he whispers, as one big hand massages my ass cheek. “You’re stunning, Sylvie.”

No one has ever paid me such a compliment, in such a reverent tone. And nobody has ever run his hands over my ass the way he’s doing now—his touch a mixture of wonder and ownership. 

This is exactly what my life has been missing. 

Again, I try to turn around, and this time he lets me. I look up into that incredible gaze. “Take me to bed now, Anton. You know you want to.”

He swallows roughly. I see a flicker of something dark cross those bright eyes. “If this is really what you want.” He lifts his chin toward the bedroom. “Lead the way.”

“It is,” I assure him. Then I step out of the circle of my dress and lean down to pick it up, wearing nothing but see-through black lingerie and my heels.

“Jesus fuck,” he mutters in a voice that sounds almost angry. The moment I’m vertical again, he yanks my hips toward his body as his mouth crushes mine. 

I wasn’t expecting the kiss, but I am a professional goalkeeper, and pretty damn good at catching things flying my way. So it only takes me a split second to adjust to the friendly assault of Anton’s aggressive mouth. His lips stroke mine urgently. I lean in and kiss him with everything I’ve got. 

He tilts his head and brushes his tongue across the seam of my lips. His roughened hand cups my jaw, his thumb sliding over my cheekbone. It’s possessive in a way that makes my heart stutter. 

It doesn’t matter that I’m in way over my head. It doesn’t matter that I’ve never actually been naked with a man before. When I chose this one, I chose well.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Headstrong (Vino & Veritas #3) by Eden Finley

BOOK REVIEW: Headstrong (Vino & Veritas #3) by Eden FinleyHeadstrong (Vino & Veritas #3)
by Eden Finley
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong?

When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that once broke my heart.

But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away.

Agreeing to be his wingman should’ve been simple. Watching him flirt with other guys made things complicated.

Whit challenges me in every aspect of my life, from my hatred of hockey to the new questions I’m asking myself. Like why a straight man suddenly can’t stop thinking about kissing another guy.

I think the answer lies somewhere on Whit’s lips...

Review

I’m going to let you in on something that I think is hilarious, lol. I am lucky enough to be part of Sarina Bowen’s ARC team and as such, was super lucky enough to snag a few of these World of True North books early. When I was going through this series, I saw the phrase “hockey player” and was like DAMN I need this. Then, as I was reading Heartscape I got to wondering, “Hmmm I wonder if any of these books will feature Rainn…I know he said he was straight when we first met him bartending in Roommate but I guess you never know.” LOL what do you know! The straight guy in the tagline for this book in in fact, Rainn.

Along with Rainn, his book features Whit, a hockey player at Moo U who has recently come out but has yet to have any sort of relationship/hookup with anyone. In attempts to remedy that, he decides to spend some time at the local bar that is popular and welcoming to the queer community and bumps into Rainn, quite literally. Basically they two are off to a shitty start, lol. Whit is the type of person who constantly has word vomit and can’t ever stop and Rainn is….the complete opposite lol. The two wind up striking up an unlikely friendship because Rainn feels for Whit after seeing him strike out a few times at the bar and Whit is convinced he’s going to make Rainn fall in love with hockey again.

Two things you have to know: #1 Rainn had been a great hockey player from Moo U with a bright future until a career ending injury snatched away his dreams. #2 Whit has a huge crush on Rainn.

Even though there were times that Whit’s personality kind of annoyed me?? Like some of the flippant word vomit I talked about earlier just made me think that he’s the type of person people either love or hate, lol. Overall I did love their relationship. The fact that Rainn just slowly started to realize that he couldn’t deny this chemistry the two of them shared. They just grew into a friendship that morphed into so much more and I loved that.

While there is a small bit of “drama” between the two towards the end, it’s completely realistic stuff. Especially with the type of emotional baggage Rainn has been carrying around since his injury. The way they both took the time to work on their own stuff for a short second to come back together stronger and more sure than ever made my heart happy. Another win for The World of True North!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Heartscape (Vino & Veritas #2) by Garrett Leigh

BOOK REVIEW: Heartscape (Vino & Veritas #2) by Garrett LeighHeartscape (Vino & Veritas #2)
by Garrett Leigh
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

From award-winning author Garrett Leigh comes a gorgeous new romance in the True North world! Think: great food, burly men and good times. Beards are optional but encouraged.

I’m not the obvious choice to run Burlington’s coolest wine bar—quiet, brooding, clueless about tannin content, and always one wrong turn away from another downward spiral.

But no one seems to mind that I'm a wreck. Besides me. I just focus on getting through each shift until the night a beautiful stranger appears, looking as lost and damaged as I feel.

When a mutual friend calls in a favor, the sexy newcomer winds up crashing on my couch. I don't know if it's his melodic Cornish accent, or his ocean blue eyes, or the rock-hard body with the mysterious scars, but I get the feeling whatever happened to him runs far deeper than those wounds.

Having Jax in my home makes my chest warm. Makes me shiver. Makes me want more. But I've got a pile of baggage and I don't want to be a burden on anyone let alone a man who seems to have enough demons of his own.

Our chemistry is off the charts. His arms feel like home. The last thing I want is to screw this up. Is it wrong to hope we can heal each other? Or will one of us die trying?

HEARTSCAPE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers romance in the True North world, with a brooding bartender, a rugged outdoorsman, sweet angst and lots of Shipley cider. Triggers: contains mentions of depression, suicidal ideation and PTSD recovery.

Review

My favorite thing in immersing myself into this World of True North project so far has been that every book is so uniquely different. So many new authors, new writing, new characters–all wrapped up in a world I already know and love. Sometimes when you find yourself reading romance after romance, they start to blend together. I forget which names belong to which books and the tropes begin to loose that freshness they once had.

Something about this book was different. I don’t know if it was because I haven’t read a romance more on the angsty side in a while but Heartscape resonated deep within my bones. Tanner, manager of Vino and Veritas, and Jax, Cornish wildlife photographer both have their fair share of inner demons. Both have had terrible things happen to them at different points in their lives and bear those invisible scars the best they can. When a mutual friend and freak accident find them crossing paths, the two are immediately drawn to one another.

Leigh did an excellent job with drawing out both of their histories so that we only got little snippets here and there as Tanner and Jax became more and more comfortable around one another; more willing to open up. She also does an amazing job depicting all of VERY raw internal thoughts and feelings of both men. The different aspects of both of their mental heath issues are NOT taken lightly and I know I personally could tell she did her research.

Overall, while there weren’t many parts of this book that were “easy,” I felt that the way in which Tanner and Jax fell into a relationship was. It was quite obviously they were made for each other and even now, just thinking about how obvious their love for each other was just makes my heart so happy *cries* lol. Such a great book.

It’s Jax. It’s me. It’s the heartscape we’ll leave behind when we’re gone.

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

I’m so excited that I get to be a part of the tour for The Secret Recipe for Moving On! This story was beyond adorable! So check out my 4.5 Star Review below and enter in a fabulous giveaway. Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen BischerThe Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks

Synopsis:

Ellie Agresti's not sure anything could be worse than being dumped by her boyfriend, Hunter, the first day of senior year.

But sharing a "life skills" class with him and his new girlfriend, Brynn? AND getting partnered with a "family" of misfits (A.J., the loudmouth; Isaiah, the horse-racing obsessive; and Luke, the tattooed stunt-biker)?

It's a recipe for certain disaster...until an in-class competition allows Ellie to channel her angst into beating Hunter and Brynn's team, and she unexpectedly bonds with her own group–especially Luke–in the process.

But as Ellie soon discovers, it will take more than classroom triumphs to heal her broken heart–and find herself again.

Review:

The Secret Recipe for Moving On was an adorable, feel good story! This book had so much heart and would be the perfect beach side read! The pages were filled with finding yourself, trusting others, learning to stumble and rise above it and so much more. If you love YA Romance and a group of misfits pulling together, then this is your book! Bischer is an author to watch and I’ll definitely be looking forward to whatever books she releases in the future!

I stride into the pantry as the tears spill over. I can’t do this. No matter how much I think I’m over this….

Ellie had to change schools in the middle of her Junior year and she knew no one there. Thankfully Hunter took an interest in her and they started dating shortly after. The fact that his friends became hers seemed like an added bonus. The story started eight months into them dating annnnnnddd I was not a fan of Hunter or his catty friends. He showed his colors when Hunter dumped Ellie on the first day of school so he could date one of his friends. I felt so bad for Ellie! Especially since she was stuck for the whole next year watching them flirt, they all shared a life skills class together. And to top it all off, she got partnered with a group of misfits that had to work together as a “family”. Ack.

“Hey,” A.J. mouths, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I quickly turn my attention back to Mrs. Sanchez.
What have I done? Oh god, what have I done?

I was actually of unsure of Ellie to begin with. I didn’t exactly see eye to eye with her in regards to dating Hunter and tolerating his friends. When they broke up, I was happy yet I felt bad for her *covers face*. She had been in such a cloud of darkness with Hunter’s group and I was ready to watch her shine! As the story unfolded I loved watching Ellie grow up and I liked her so much! Every time she did something on her own, that made her happy, I was beyond proud of her. Like how she was passionate about becoming a meteorologist, I love the path that led her down. She was beyond brave! But she was still dealing with having to see Hunter and Brynn every single day in class. And deal with her “family” too.

I think back to Luke telling me they’re not worth it last week, and now Isaiah. They don’t owe me anything and yet they’re seeing this from my point of view.
I give him a wobbly smile. “Thank you.”

In Ellie’s group, there was A.J. who was beyond guarded and always acted like he was ready to fight and take on the world. Isaiah who seemed to be obsessed with horse racing. And Luke who was a tattooed stunt biker. They had kind of a rough start but you guys!! I LOVED watching them slowly come together as a team! They did not have an easy path. Every time they succeeded in class, it felt like a huge step. I laughed and smiled as they worked together. And the fact that it turned into sooo much more, my heart was extremely happy. Race day, house party and group texts were the best!

“Agresti,” Luke says, stepping closer and surprising me by tilting up my chin with his finger. “If you didn’t hit him, I would have.”
I look at Luke through the snowflakes. The way he’s staring at me right now is so intense, it makes my heart rate speed up and I have to catch my breath.

My favorite in her group was Luke Burke. He offered an olive branch in the beginning, so to speak, and I was captivated. Luke was sweet, kind, and I loved how thoughtful he could be. When they were together they made me smile. But he had a girlfriend right?! I don’t want to say more other then I loved how their story ended and that I was completely enchanted by Luke. He was swoon worthy and anytime he was on the pages my heart was happy. So yes, I loved learning more about Luke. I loved that we got to see A.J. work towards something. And I also loved where Isaiah’s interests led him. They were my favorite group of misfits ever and the fact that we got a love story in there was such a huge added bonus, yay!

They say if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I’m glad I stayed.

The Secret Recipe for Moving On had so much heart and was a delightful romance! I loved how flawed and relatable Ellie, Luke, Isaiah and even A.J. were. And I enjoyed how much fun this story was. This book ended with a HFN and I would love for a novella or epilogue showing where all the characters ended up on their last day of school. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them, I got attached to every single character! They were memorable, heartwarming and I definitely recommend you meeting them!

PS The spatula awwwwwwwwww!!!

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

 
 

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

About Karen Bischer:

Karen Bischer has written short stories for Girls’ World and Animal Tales magazines and currently works as a copyeditor. She lives in her native New Jersey, where she has never encountered Bruce Springsteen in the wild, but does have a cat named after a member of the E Street Band.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram

 

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

 

BOOK REVIEW: Wallflower by Cookie O’Gorman

BOOK REVIEW: Wallflower by Cookie O’GormanWallflower by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Wallflower (wohl-flou-erh): Identifier for someone who is shy and/or awkward. For reference, see Viola Kent.

Seventeen-year-old Viola Kent likes being invisible. Well, not literally, but she's content being a loner, reading her books, and hanging out with the animals at the shelter. She just wants to keep her head down and get through her senior year at Durham High.

Driving Dare Frost to school every day wasn't part of the plan.

And when Viola finds out her dad recruited Dare, his number one player, to be her friend?

Her inner Slytherin demands revenge.

The solution: Get Dare to be her fake boyfriend.

Convincing the star athlete to pretend is easier than she'd thought it would be. The hard part is protecting her heart. With every word, touch, and kiss, Viola's feelings become more real.

The problem: Viola knows she's falling for Dare—but he doesn't believe in love.

This book features two sets of soulmates, one happy pooch named Hermione, so many sizzling kisses and answers the question:

Can a dork and a jock fake their way to true love?


Review:

Wallflower was impossible not to devour in one sitting! This story swept me away and the pages were filled with charm, humor and romance. So this book went straight onto my favorites list! I loved that the story line was so much fun and that I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling.  I even cried a few tears, happy and sad.  And that ending?!  It made my heart so happy.  If you’re a fan of young adult romance, characters that will embed themselves into your heart and kissing that will make you swoon, then this is a must for your tbr! While Wallflower can easily be read as a standalone, if you enjoyed Adorkable, I have a feeling you’re going to love this book as much as me.

My face heated. “Could you not do that.”
“Do what?” he said.
That.” I ran a hand through my hair, trying to cover my face a little and hide. “People will think you’re flirting.”
Dare stared at me. “And?”
Ugh, it felt like I was in the freaking Twilight zone. “You know, maybe I sat over here because I didn’t want to be found,” I said. “Did you ever think of that?”
“Too bad,” he said with a cockiness I hadn’t heard in a while. “I already found you. And now, we’re having lunch. Deal with it.”

Viola Kent was coerced by her Dad, Becks (screaming since I love Adorkable), to drive one of the boys on his soccer team to school.  Dare Frost was popular, outgoing and sexy.  Viola was a loner, who loved to read her books and help out at the animal shelter.  So when she found out that her Dad had convinced Dare to be her friend, she made plans to get him back.  And what better way then fake dating the boy her father forced to be her friend.

“What are you doing?” I gasped.
“Getting naked,” he said.
“What?!?”
“Jeez, relax. I was kidding, flower.” He laughed, the movement making the muscles in his stomach contract, and I could do nothing but stare. “You should’ve seen your face.”
My eyes flashed back to his. “Did I look stunned and appalled? Because that’s what I felt when you ripped your clothes off in front of me like that.”
He tsked. “Funny. The only thing I saw was appreciation.”

Right from the start I loved Viola!  She was so easy to click with, had the hugest heart ever and the kindest soul.  It seemed like her only friends in the world were the animals at the animal shelter.  I got so attached to two of them and wanted to take them home ♥.  Viola did have a fabulous relationship with her parents, and that made my heart so happy. I also loved that while Viola enjoyed her solitude, I respected how brave she could be and the chances she took.  There were times that I had sweaty palms and also felt so embarrassed for her.  Viola was so much more courageous than I ever could have been in some of those situations.  So it hurt to watch others bully her. I hated that a group of kids at her school tried to dim her light and make her feel bad about herself. But with Dare now in her life, I had all the hope in the world that he would help out with that horrific situation. And help her become a little more involved with those around her.

After a moment, I added, “But I’ve never gone to the games.”
“That was before you were my girlfriend.”
The words sent a ripple of warmth straight through me, and I cursed my heart for a fool.

Dare sailed right onto my book boyfriend list! He was such a good guy at heart.  Dare was kind, protective, seductive, thoughtful, caring and I was obsessed with him.  He was a star athlete at his school, so of course he was cocky but also swoon worthy. So I loved that he was so much more than Viola ever thought he was.  How could I not fall madly in love with him?!  Especially when he was sweet and charming to her.  Although…..Dare did enjoy messing with Viola.  But Viola would throw it right back at him.  It all made me laugh so much.  Each moment that we spent with Dare, the further he pulled me under his spell.  Plus when Dare called Viola flower, I literally melted.

Who knew a stolen first kiss could be so soul-shattering?

While Viola and Dare had known of each other, we got to watch their friendship grow.  Their moments in her car and at school kept me turning the pages faster. And the fact that Viola wanted them to get caught by her dad made their plans a ton of fun and smile inducing!  Their interactions were so entertaining and the way their fake dating played out gave me butterflies. But with a touch here.  A genuine smile there.  And kisses.  It slowly started to build something between them.  Something that felt real, even though it wasn’t supposed to be. But they’re both just faking it right? So what happens when one of them starts to feel more then they should?  Where are they supposed to go from there?

Oh my God.
Dare Frost had kissed me.
No, he’d branded me with his lips, stamping it into my memory, making sure I’d never forget him or this moment.
And I had one-hundred percent let him. Had kissed him back as if my life depended on it. My cheeks flared hot.
He read my expression and gave a slow smile.

Romance lovers will absolutely adore Wallflower!  With Princess Bride, Dirty Dancing, Clueless and other references, I actually screamed out loud a few times because of how they wove into the story.  From beginning to end this story was laugh out loud hilarious.  And I loved that there was also friendship, I heart good people like Estelle, and that we got to see what Sally and Becks were up to *jumping up and down*.  So while there were deeper moments with bullying, family struggles, and love, I spent the majority of this book constantly smiling.  I’m so happy to say that Cookie O’Gorman wrote another book that sailed right onto my favorites list!

Other Favorite Quotes:

“I don’t want to be your friend,” I said with as much distaste as I could muster.
“Too bad, flower.”
Dare stared into my eyes, his baby blues warm and unflinching as my heart tried to escape my chest. “I’m going to be the best friend you’ve ever had,” he said. The words were like a vow. “I’m going to friend you so hard no other friends will ever compare.”
I had no idea what he meant by that.
But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dying to find out.

✮✩✮✩✮✩✮✩✮

With the next breath, Dare had picked me up, my legs closing in reaction about his waist. I didn’t realize he was walking until my back was pressed against the wall.
And still, we kissed.

✮✩✮✩✮✩✮✩✮

One thing was certain: Dare was very good at pretending.
That kiss had sure felt real.
But it wasn’t, I reminded myself sternly. This was all just a means to an end.

*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 »

© 2024

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑