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Monthly Wrap-Up: August – October

October 31, 2022 / Jen / 10 Comments

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, and our most popular Instagram posts..

*We linked this post to the October Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

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Jen’s Life:

✮ The last three months have been a whirlwind. My oldest qualified for state in swimming and my youngest got chosen to be on the All-Stars team for soccer, so sports have continued to be 6 days a week for us. We also got to watch The Blue Angels, go to a concert in South Lake Tahoe, do rock wall climbing, visit Southern California and have so many play dates with friends and family dinners that make my heart oh so happy. Today I’m looking forward to watching my kids trick or treat with their friends while I get to walk around while chatting with my friends. Happy Halloween everyone!

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
✮ The Awakening: As Told by the Boys by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
✮ Never Enough Cowboy (Creedence Horse Rescue #4) by Jennie Marts
✮ Dissent: A Charity Romance (Prove It by Lauren Stewart)
✮ Hat Trick Heart (Thunderclap #1) by Ella Market
✮ The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber
✮ The Sweetest Game (Southern U O’Brien Brothers #3) by Cookie O’Gorman
✮ House of Beating Wings (The Kingdom of Crows #1) by Olivia Wildenstein
✮ Dauntless (In Vino Veritas #6) by Victoria Denault
✮ Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch
✮ Forbidden Legacy (Fallen Fae #1) by Theresa Kay

4.5 Stars:
✮ Much Ado About Dukes (Never a Wallflower #2) by Eva Devon
✮ Wildfire (In Vino Veritas #1) by Garrett Leigh
✮ Unmanageable (In Vino Veritas #3) by Leslie McAdam
✮ Wonderland (In Vino Veritas #5) by Rachel Ember
✮ Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay #1)
✮ A Little too Late (Madigan Mountain) by Sarina Bowen
✮ The Unmarked Witch by Miranda Lyn
✮ A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain #1) by Sarina Bowen

4 Stars:
✮ Stealing Infinity (Stolen Beauty #1) by Alyson Noel
✮ Underdog (In Vino Veritas #4) by L.A. Witt
✮ Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay #2)
✮ The Perfects by Rachel Van Dyken
✮ A Little Too Close (Madigan Mountain #2) by Rebecca Yarros

3.5 Stars:
✮ The Dark King (Deviant Kings #1) by Gina L. Maxwell

3 Stars:
✮ Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

2 Stars:
✮ A Year to the Day by Robin Benway

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:

Chelsea’s Choice – The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber
I am crumbling, tumbling, disintegrating into a pile of ash as I slowly lose my mind over what this evil. Chaotic. Out to freaking KILL me author has done to my not-so-innocent soul. That’s right. She got me. She got me BLEEPING good.

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Jen’s Choice – House of Beating Wings (The Kingdom of Crows #1) by Olivia Wildenstein
With a richly imagined world, a dark and luscious story and characters that were brilliantly done, House of Beating Wings was a phenomenal start to a new series! This story kept me glued to the pages and consumed my every waking thought.

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Arielle’s Choice – Hat Trick Heart (Thunderclap #1) by Ella Market
Second chance romance, friends to lovers, a great supporting cast, the perfect amount of drama, and men groveling, lollll. This might be Ella Market’s first book but if THIS is her baseline for quality writing, I honestly can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

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Cassie’s Choice – Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay #1)
Good Girl Complex literally came out of nowhere and surprised me in all the best ways possible. I struggle to find (and love) contemporary romance books. I’ve had a handful launch their way into my favorites, but so, so many have been 3 stars or less. I’m so happy this one was a winner and has made excited to read more of Elle Kennedy.

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Instagram:

Here were our most popular posts last month, from each of us ♥.

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So this was our last few months….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful last few months. And cheers to November being fabulous for all of us!

BOOK REVIEW: A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain #1) by Sarina Bowen

October 18, 2022 / Jen / 6 Comments

A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain #1)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
How to behave when the guy who broke your heart two thousand miles away turns up in your office:

One: Don’t drop your lucky coffee cup in shock, even though it’s been ten years.

Two: Don’t get defensive when he asks how you ended up working his family’s ski mountain… and why you kept it a secret.

Three: Give him the worst room in the resort. He deserves it for suddenly waltzing back in like he owns the place. (Which he kind of does.)

Four, five, six, seven, eight and nine: Do not kiss him in the hot tub.

Ten: Try to keep your heart intact after you break all of your rules.

Because Reed is leaving again. Hate can't turn back into love. And it’s a little too late…

Review:

A Little Too Late was a romantic second chance story! With a gorgeous snowy setting, old truths coming out, a fabulous group of friends and lots of family dynamics, I adored this book!

Reed Madigan is going to wreck me all over again. And I’m going to let him.

Ava was someone who was so easy to love! She had a wonderful group of friends and was dedicated and loved her job. So when Reed stepped back into her life, she was shocked. When he left her 10 years ago, after they lost their baby in college, a part of Ava stayed broken and lost. Years later she was still mad at him for the pain he caused her. I loved how she played dirty with him and that she had no problem being open and harsh. He deserved it. But with Reed back in her life to help oversee the sale of his family ski resort, I had so much hope for her healing. The chemistry was still between them. And the banter was too. So when kisses snuck in and moments caused the both of them to smile together, it made my heart so happy to watch Ava heal. Well, as long as Reed didn’t leave her again, which seemed inevitable.

I want a do-over. I want to toss the misshapen mess I made against the art studio floor and start over.
But that’s impossible, so I settle for the next best thing, which is kissing Ava until we’re both breathless and frustrated.

Reed was thoughtful, kind, compassionate and someone so easy to fall for. Yet his past and how he ended things with Ava spoke otherwise. After he lost his mom and his dad turned into someone he didn’t know, he met Ava in college and it changed his world. But after getting hurt again and leaving Ava behind, I couldn’t wait to see how he would redeem himself. I expected him to earn her trust and love back. So when Reed faced the music, he stole a piece of my heart. When he was jealous and always looked out for Ava, he stole yet another. We got to alternate between Reed and Ava and I loved that Reed showed us his heart and it caused mine to faster every time he showed it to Ava.

I close my eyes and try to memorize this perfect feeling. “It’s always been you,” I whisper.
“Shh,” is her reply.

We got peaks into Reed & Ava’s past from 10 years ago and it added such a richness to their story. I loved their moments together, past and present. Even if they both had heart wrenching pasts. And as they both talked and worked together, which I loved, the angst was never too much or too little. It was the perfect amount. And the steam was in that same category too. This story was rounded out with a wonderful cast of side characters. Halley was definitely one of my favorites!

I never believed in second chances until right this moment.

Filled with laughter and love, A Little Too Late was a fabulous second chance romance! There was so much healing in the pages, it made my heart so happy. Between Reed and Ava, Reed and his dad, to even with themselves, all of it was done wonderfully! So if you like adult romance that is charming and heartfelt, then definitely make sure you have this one on your tbr!

BOOK REVIEW: A Little Too Close (Madigan Mountain #2) by Rebecca Yarros

October 17, 2022 / Jen / 2 Comments

I’m beyond excited to be on the tour for A Little Too Close! I love the books Rebecca Yarros writes, and this opposites attracts story was so fun to devour! Enjoy ♥

BOOK REVIEW: A Little Too Close (Madigan Mountain #2) by Rebecca Yarros

BOOK REVIEW: A Little Too Close (Madigan Mountain #2) by Rebecca Yarros

A Little Too Close (Madigan Mountain #2)
by Rebecca Yarros
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros comes a small town, single parent romance.

Nine years ago, Weston Madigan saved me. I came to Colorado penniless, heartbroken, and pregnant, searching for a fresh start. Weston gave me a job at his family's resort, then left the next day and never returned, not even to visit.

Then I stumble in on Weston cooking breakfast shirtless-gloriously, inappropriately shirtless-in the shared kitchen of my duplex in employee housing. Given the shock on both our faces, he wasn't expecting a roommate either, let alone two.

The growly pilot is only home to start his family's new heli-skiing operation. I can handle being his temporary roommate, right? Chemistry and attraction aren't impossible to ignore when you agree on ground rules. Besides, even with those gorgeous, brooding brown eyes, the guy is a walking thundercloud...until my daughter, Sutton, makes him laugh and he smiles at me. Then everything changes. Cue inconvenient heart flip.

This is only temporary.

I can't fall for Weston.

I. Will. Not. Fall. For. Weston.

But rules go out the window when you're a little too close.

Review:

A Little Too Close was a steamy story about opposites attract! With a forced proximity that was done phenomenally, a story-line that will tug at your heart and characters you can’t hep but love, this story was such a huge hit. With the right amount of hope and laughter, mixed with an emotional backstory for both characters, this romance story is bound to sweep you off your feet!

Staring at my roommate’s mouth was the worst idea in the fucking world.
Nope. Kissing her would be the worst. Staring is just…bad.

Callie Thorne was a single mom that was dedicated, a hard worker and had the most beautiful heart. She had put so many of her plans aside for others happiness, and the joy she filled a room with was infectious. She was the photographer for the ski resort, and living in a duplex in employee housing while saving money for her and her daughter, Sutton’s, own place. Yet when she found Weston Madigon cooking in her kitchen shirtless, everything changed. This was the same man who gave her a job ten years ago when she was pregnant and absolutely lost in life. And then he disappeared the next day. When Callie and Weston agreed to share the duplex, along with a list of rules, neither of their lives would ever be the same again.

Weston smiled. He really, actually smiled, and I almost lost my balance. He was gorgeous while broody and serious, but smiling? He was beautiful.

Weston Madigan didn’t expect to find himself back at his family’s ski resort. He left after he helped raise his younger brother, since his mom died and his father checked out while being an alcoholic. He was now in the army as a helicopter pilot. Yet his older brother Reed needed him, to help branch the resort into heli tours and drops for skiing and snowboarding. With resentment towards Reed, questioning himself and a whole slew of other emotions, Weston found himself back home. And sharing living quarters with Callie and her daughter Sutton. Being around Callie and Sutton showed us how considerate, thoughtful, caring and protective he could be. Weston was sigh worthy. For someone who didn’t even want a pet for fear or attachment, I loved watching him come to care for the both of them. And I loved even more the attraction between Callie and Weston that couldn’t be ignored.

A second later, he ripped his head back. “This is a really bad idea.” But his grip tightened on my hips.
“The worst,” I agreed, my hands sliding to his neck and behind, up into his hair.
“Fuck it.” He slanted his mouth over mine and kissed me, his tongue parting my lips and sliding into my mouth like he owned it.

While Weston and Callie each had their walls, I loved watching them get to know each other. As the weeks went by, they let the other in just a little bit more each time they interacted. The friendship that forged felt natural, along with how they cared for the other. Yet they were also both attracted to each other. So the longer they lived together, the more impossible it became for them to ignore the sparks between them. And when they pushed the boundaries from friends to more, oh it was hot *fans face*!

I was a compass, and she was north. I was powerless to fight whatever this was between us.

A Little Too Close was a charming, romantic, opposites attract that will capture your heart. With side characters that I loved, both of their groups of friends were fabulous! And a happily ever after with a look into the future, this book was so wonderful! Ohhhhh I have to share that one of my favorite things in this book was Weston and his bond with Callie’s daughter, Sutton. He was her biggest cheerleader and their relationship will give you all the smiles! And while yes you could technically read this as a standalone, I can’t recommend A Little Too Late enough! I read that story first, since it’s about Weston’s older brother Reed and how he ended up back at the ski resort. So if you love adult romance that has some steam in the pages and lots of heart then this is one you’ll want to check out!

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

NOW AVAILABLE!!
Amazon l Nook l Apple l Kobo l Audio
Find all of the Madigan Brothers books HERE

Add to Goodreads

About Rebecca Yarros:

Rebecca Yarros is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels, including The Things We Leave Unfinished and The Last Letter. “A gifted storyteller” (Kirkus), she is also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight and Glory series. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. She’s the mother of six children, and is currently surviving the teenage years with three of her four hockey-playing sons. When she’s not writing, you can find her at the hockey rink or sneaking in some guitar time while guzzling coffee. She and her family live in Colorado with their stubborn English bulldogs, two feisty chinchillas, and a Maine Coon kitten named Artemis, who rules them all. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October, which she co-founded with her husband in 2019. To learn more about their mission to better the lives of kids in foster care, visit www.oneoctober.org. To catch up on Rebecca’s latest releases and upcoming novels visit www.RebeccaYarros.com.
Connect w/Rebecca: Website I Facebook I Facebook Group I Twitter I Instagram I Goodreads I Bookbub I Amazon

BOOK REVIEW: Forbidden Legacy (Fallen Fae #1) by Theresa Kay

October 14, 2022 / Jen / 0 Comments

Forbidden Legacy (Fallen Fae #1)
by Theresa Kay
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Stealing from the fae is easy, but working with one to retrieve the relic I was hired to swipe? Not so much.

The job was supposed to be simple: Sneak in, break the wards, grab the necklace, and get out. Being arrested for the murder of a high-profile Autumn Court fae was definitely not part of the plan.

After I’m cleared of the crime and sent home, the dead fae's arrogant grandson shows up at my door. He demands I help him retrieve the thing I never had a chance to take, though he neglects to tell me the item's true worth. In the battle for power between the fae Courts, the necklace is beyond priceless and there's more than one person willing to kill for it.

But my new associate is not the only person with secrets, and the teenage dragon shifter who lives with me in the human realm is only one of mine. After all, I haven’t spent the past six years hiding in a seedy section of post-Merge Chicago for fun.

Forced out of obscurity and on the trail of a blood magic wielding murderer, I’ll have to work quickly in order to prevent disaster. Because if we can’t find the necklace before it’s too late, then the fate of all the Courts may be at stake.

Forbidden Legacy is the first book of the Fallen Fae trilogy, an exciting new adult urban fantasy series with magic, mystery, and a slow-burn romance.

Review:

Forbidden Legacy was a fabulous start to this trilogy! With dread pooling in my stomach, the first chapter sucked me right in! Magic swirled within the story while deals were made, motives were unknown, and there were moments that I didn’t know if they would make it out alive. This story was impossible to put down and an instant fave!

My truths are one of the few things that belong to me and I refuse to give them up without a fight.

I absolutely loved Ari! She was from the Winter Court and kept a low profile in the human world. She did odd jobs, using her ability to take down wards, to survive. So when Declan swept into her world, I couldn’t stop smiling! Declan was from the Autumn Court and Ari had no problem putting him in his place! I loved watching her play with words, and I loved how confident she was of herself. Of her skills. And I loved her even more because she helped take care of Finn, a teenage dragon shifter. However, Ari held her cards close to her chest and protected those that she cared for fiercely. She would literally go to the ends of the world for them. But she didn’t let others in easily, or at all. I was nervous for Declan, if he would be able to knock down her walls.

If I had any sense at all, I’d walk away right now.
The problem is, I think it’s too late for that.

I am obsessed with Declan. He was a full blooded Fae who was arrogant and saw the world differently than Ari. He definitely made some assumptions that were wrong, like about Ari. But not only did Declan grow in leaps and bounds from the beginning of the first book to the end, so much of who he was beautiful. He took responsibility. He protected others. He was smile inducing and I loved some of the tricks he pulled on Ari. His words, his actions, his loyalty, and his ability to go all in made it so easy to fall for and love Declan. But I also loved that Declan pushed Ari. And tried his best to knock down her walls. I so desperately wish I could have known his thoughts!

I have to get away.
I can’t stay here.
I can’t breathe.
I’m going to die.

Forbidden Legacy had a slow burn romance that will definitely be worth the wait! Not only were Ari and Declan from different courts, but they both had lots of secrets. Being stuck in perilous situations forced them to trust and rely on each other’s magic, and one other, to survive. I loved how that led them to letting their guard down at moments or sharing something about themselves. It was smile inducing and gave me so much hope! Through it all, I felt desire laced in some of their interactions. Whether it was a look or a phrase, it left me so hopeful. Because I kept wishing that they could be together. They would be a formidable team. So the moments they went that extra length to do something for the other, I don’t even have words for how happy it made me. I just wanted to push them together and never let them be apart lol!

I reach up and take one of his hands, linking my fingers with his and squeezing his hand. “I’ve got you.”

Rounding out the story where side characters that came alive. Finn was my absolute favorite among them, and I am beyond intrigued by Agatha! There were also characters that I would love to see destroyed! So many moments I had sweaty palms as truths surfaced and paths were set in motion. And while I guessed one of the twists, there’s still so much for us to learn and figure out. Forbidden Legacy was an addictive story that will take you on a spellbinding adventure! Brimming with banter, fabulous characters and a story-line that makes it so easy to devour, this book was such a huge win! The ending of this story left us at the perfect stopping place. We can breathe but we’re also left beyond excited for that next book! If you’re a fan of slow burn romance, I can’t recommend this book enough!

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Dark King (Deviant Kings #1) by Gina L. Maxwell

October 13, 2022 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Dark King (Deviant Kings #1)
by Gina L. Maxwell
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
For Bryn Meara, a free trip to the exclusive and ultra-luxe Nightfall hotel and casino in Vegas should’ve been the perfect way to escape the debris of her crumbling career. But waking up from a martini-and-lust-fueled night to find herself married to Caiden Verran, the reclusive billionaire who owns the hotel and most of the city, isn’t the jackpot one would think. It seems her dark and sexy new husband is actual royalty—the fae king of the Night Court—and there’s an entire world beneath the veil of Vegas.

Whether light or shadow, the fae are a far cry from fairy tales, and now they’ve made Bryn a pawn in their dark games for power. And Caiden is the most dangerous of all—an intoxicating cocktail of sin and raw, insatiable hunger. She should run. But every night of passion pulls Bryn deeper into his strange and sinister world, until she’s no longer certain she wants to leave…even if she could.

Review:

All is fair in marriage and war.

The Dark King was an extremely seductive tale about the Fae living in our world. With adult flawed characters, an enemies to lovers premise, a captive situation, and death constantly around the corner, this book was such a quick read! The Dark King was a memorable story that fantasy lovers will devour!

“I’d rather be sorry for taking a thousand risks than be safe for never taking any.”

Bryn Meara ended up with a free trip to the city of sin, Las Vegas. I adored her happy go lucky personality and how she could find so much positive even when the world knocked her down. Upon meeting Caiden Verran, a billionaire who owned the hotel she was staying at, there were sparks. And after a wild night with Caiden, they ended up married. But what Bryn didn’t realize was that he was Fae. And the king of the Night Court. Bryn found herself trapped and part of a deadly game. But are you truly trapped if a part of your heart wanted to stay?

I’m a selfish fucking bastard who wants to keep what he’s not supposed to have.

Caiden Verran was a multi-faceted man. He showed us he had compassion for his employees and to keep them safe. That he loved his brothers. But he also showed us how he had no problem being dark, controlling and an asshole. Caiden’s court was banished to the human world, and they made Vegas what it is today. And his court was also cursed. I loved watching how that played out as the story progressed. The Fae were so tricky, especially with their words! Caiden was sex appeal, danger and control all rolled into a beautifully powerful man. So when he showed us his heart or when he opened up to Bryn, it was impossible not to fall for him.

“So I was thinking, since I’m your prisoner—”
“Guest.”
“Hostage—”
“Roommate.”
She sighs.

Caiden and Bryn together were electric with their enemies to lovers romance. I loved how she had no problem standing her ground when it came to him. He definitely wasn’t used to that lol. But at the same point, they were trapped together. So Bryn became a hostage. One who still had feelings and a wild attraction to her captor. Yet her captor felt so much towards her too, even if he didn’t want to. Their moments together were beyond erotic. Sooooooo why didn’t I gave this book a higher rating, since I loved so much of it? It’s because the BDSM was way too much for me. I would have been fine with it once, but that was not how the story unfolded. Butt plugs, being called a slut, spanking, nipple clamps etc just aren’t my preferences when reading a book. Just like the moment below, I flinched when reading ugh.

As her next orgasm builds and twists inside her, tears overflow and cause her mascara to run. I use the fingers of my free hand and smear the black drops into messy streaks down her face, then I grip the front of her throat and apply pressure on either side. Lips and nipples both swollen and red, cheeks painted in black tears…

Mysteries, secrets, and fabulous twists filled this story. And there was a sacrifice that was beautiful! Plus the side characters, oh I have way too many lovely words for them to write it all here, but readers will be excited to learn that this world will continue with those other characters. I absolutely loved the story-line and the characters, I just personally couldn’t handle the BDSM. Not even a little bit. I read the synopsis on Goodreads, but lesson learned to also look at Amazon because on Amazon it states the book is similar to Fifty Shades. I wish I would have seen that. But here’s hoping my friends who love their fantasy with all the spice enjoy this book!

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