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Book reviews from the week of March 28th





I had a fantastic week of reading.  I was able to read 4 ARCs and a book for book club.  I stepped out of my normal this week with "Sweet Revenge" for book club. It is a little darker than I usually read.  That said, I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read more of Jennifer Hanks' work.  In addition, readers looking for married couple second chance will adore "My Almost Ex" by Piper Rayne. It is steamy and romantic with a big dose of heart and meant-to-be.  "The Fae King's Prize" took me back to the realm of Valora and I want more, more, more. (You all are going to love this book so much!) The collaboration between Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray, "Texting with the Enemy,"  is bringing you a sweet romance set in wine country that is very funny. Wrapping up my week was "Just One Night" by Carly Phillips.  This is only my second book by this author but I am completely hooked on the Kingston family and I want all their books now.  I wish everyone a wonderful week of reading with lots of happily-ever-afters.



Texting with the Enemy (Digital Dating #1) 

by Delancey Stewart & Marika Ray

ARC: Release Date- 4/16/2021

#RomanticComedy #SweetRomance #WorkplaceRomance #MistakenIdentity #OppositesAttract

4.5 STARS

This collaboration produced a rom com that is sweet and very funny.  It is written in first person from a dual POV.

El is a clumsy, funny, heroine who is all sunshine.  I love her giving heart and her perseverance.  Boston is weighed down by responsibility, is a little on the grumpy side, and is not the always the most tactful person.  I adored that he is working so hard for his family.  I love the circumstances which lead them to form a text friendship, though El does not realize it is Boston she is texting.  I love the setting in wine country.  The moms are very funny.  There are a lot of witty name conventions, which I adored.

My favorite thing was reading as Boston fell head over heels for the girl and was willing to do anything to win her.  Kissing and hugging are it as far as heat goes.  This romance is on the clean and sweet side of things, but what it lacks in steam is made up for with romance. I loved this couple and their HEA.  I look forward to reading more in this series.



Sweet Revenge (Sinners MC #1) by Jennifer Hanks

#MCClub #RomanticSuspense #ActionanadAdventureRomance #HealingRomance #BookClub

5 STARS

This was my first book by this author, and I am completely hooked.  I need to read all of her books.  This is written in first person from a dual POV.

Gunner is a protective MC VP and he falls for Maggie at fist sight.  But she is with the enemy.  Maggie is trapped in a violent relationship.  She makes some decisions that lead her to the rival MC and into Gunner’s life.  Gunner has secrets and a violent past but is trying to live life on the right side of the law.  Maggie has experienced physical and emotional trauma and needs to heal.  I loved how patient Gunner was with Maggie.  I love how protective he was of her.  I loved how he encouraged her to find her voice and her confidence.  I loved how safe Maggie felt with him and how that allowed her to grow.

There is seriously so much I loved about this book!  Steam, danger, right vs. wrong, gray areas, brotherhood of the MC, and so much more made this a book I could not put down.  I was invested in the characters.  The pacing was on point.  I NEED to read more of this series and the ones before it.  I highly recommend this one.

(Readers may need to know that Maggie suffers physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex before she gets away and these situations might be triggers for some.)



The Fae King's Prize (Between Dawn and Dusk #3) 

by Jamie Schlosser

ARC: Release date- 4/8/2021

#FantasyRomance #OppositesAttract #FatedMates #Grumpy Hero #ARC

 5 STARS

I have loved this entire series and this book is no exception.  Zander, King of the Day Realm, is different in that he was born to a human mother and without fae powers.  I learned in previous books that his power, the ability to shift into a griffin, was given by a wizard when he was a child.  What we learn more about through this book is the abuse, suffering, and pain he has endured his entire life.  As a reader, it helped me understand him.  I understood his grumpiness, and I empathized with his hopelessness, and then his hope when he hears Maelyn.  I understood his action and his commitment to his fated mate.

Maelyn has been stolen from her life and finds herself in a weird and dangerous situation.  I loved reading as she works through things in her mind and makes decisions not only based on who she has been in the past, but on who she wants to be now and in the future.  She makes some decisions, that while brave, are also reckless.  Fortunately for her, Zander is there for her.  I love that she is so innocent, clumsy, and a little goofy.  She is so opposite of Zander and I loved her acceptance of everything he is as she gets to know him.  I love how she quickly grows into her responsibility and the challenge of being a queen.  I love that she can bring something to her new kingdom that was missing and is able to make a positive impact.

These two have a lot of heat.  Their relationship is complicated, and I adore that Mae must fall in love with Zander for who he is.  I want more of this world.  Though we have met all three kings, there is a new generation growing.  In addition, many of the secondary characters, in particular the prominent soldiers (Kai, Thayne, Pippin, Mereck, Tirius) still need their HEA.  I read this in one sitting.  I could not put it down. I am begging this author to give me more Valora- please?

Zander and Maelyn’s story is written in first person from a dual POV.




My Almost Ex (Greene Family #2) by Piper Rayne

ARC: Release Date 4/6/2021

#Amnesia #SecondChance #SmallTown #FamilySeries #ARC

5 STARS

I think there are some authors who have taken up a challenge.  I am not normally a fan of second chance romance.  But I think I may be converting.  This book is written in first person from a dual POV.

I loved Adam in in the first book. He was so heart broken.   I never expected that I would love Lucy too.  This Book!   I love that they fell for each other for the first time at 13.  I love that they have been an item for so long and know each other well. Even when Lucy doesn’t remember the specifics, she can still read him.   No one knows why Lucy left a year ago, including Lucy. I love Adam’s vulnerability.  I love that he still cares about Lucy so much that he puts her needs ahead of his own heart.  I adored Lucy and her quest to find her memories, who she was, and who she is now.  The way the two characters reconnect, trust, and love each other melted my heart.

I loved the small town and the secondary characters.  I am really enjoying the Greene family as I get to know them.  Grandma Ethel is hilarious.  There are some funny moments, some steamy times, and lots of heart as this book puts Adam and Lucy back together where they belong.  I definitely recommend this one, even if second chance is not your favorite.  This one may change your mind.




 Just One Night (The Kingston Family #1) by Carly Phillips

ARC: Release Date 4/20/2021

#FriendsToLovers #SurprisePregnancy #WorkplaceRomance #FamilySeries #ARC

5 STARS

This first book in the Kingston Family series is written in third person from a dual POV.

I loved Linc and his sense of responsibility to his family.  I love that he has good relationships with his mom and siblings.   I adore the friendship he and Jordan share.  I could tell that they had been in love with each other for a long time without realizing it and giving in.  They were each other’s everything, but without the physical intimacy.  Once they crossed the line, they could not go back.  I love that Linc fights for Jordan.  I really loved the family dynamics in this story, and I appreciated the secondary characters. I found myself smiling uncontrollably on several occasions.  There was plenty of heat and times when Linc & Jordan’s ability to read each other melted my heart.  This was especially true when one of them was hurting.  I really enjoyed the book and I am certainly looking forward to reading more books in this series as well as more of the author’s back list.


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