Book reviews from the week of July 18th

 

I had an excellent week reading.  I read 5 ARCs and a Regency Romance to meet a reading challenge requirement.  Thankfully it had been sitting on my Kindle and my TBR for a while, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to push it to the top of the list. This week I was treated to humor, steam, some suspense, and lots of interaction between characters and their families.  I loved catching up with the Greene Family and enjoyed the way the book sets up the next round of books for them. My first book by Louise Bay was a treat.   After having other readers recommend her work for a while, I can say that I agree that she puts together an enjoyable books with engaging characters and I look forward to reading more of her work.  Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray delivered the next Digital Dating book with a romance that is nearly clean and certainly sweet and fun.  Finally I read an ARC of the next Marie James  release and fell hopelessly in love with shy, kind of awkward, Jude as he finds his HEA.  I hope you enjoy the reviews and are prepared to increase your TBR with these fabulous reads. Happy reading.

Rogue (King Cousins #2) by K.D. Elizabeth

Late ARC: Release Date- 6/26/21

#FakeRelationship #SmallTown #FamilySeries #RomanticSuspense

4.5 STARS

The man who never expected love finds it in the most unlikely place.

Noah and Lucia’s story is book #2 in the King Cousins series.  It ends with a HEA and can be read as a standalone.  There is an underlying story of crime in a small town that stretches to other books but does not affect the ability to read this book by itself.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

I was intrigued with Noah when I read Lush, and I really liked learning more about him in this book. I felt like I was able to understand his motivations and why his character acted the way he does.  I love how protective he is of his family, his town, and ultimately of Lucia.  In this book, I learned a little more about Noah’s job, yet still do not completely understand what it is.

Lucia was a sweet heroine with a fierce soul.  I loved her ability to fight back against attackers, societal expectations, and family pressure to stay true to herself and her ideals.  I adored her ability to read people and especially her ability to understand Noah so quickly.  I loved reading as they fall for each other and meet needs in each other they never would have admitted before.

As always, I love the interactions of the King family.  There is danger, drama, and suspense as they fight for what is right and support one another.  Noah and Lucia steamed up my kindle, and the heat when they are resisting the inevitable and before they give in was sizzling. This was a very enjoyable read and I cannot wait for more books in the series.

Save the Last Text (Digital Dating #3) 

by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray

ARC: Release Date-7/27/21

#RomanticComedy #FamilySeries #ARC

5 STARS

Dalton and Rae meet I the third book in the Digital Dating series.  It is a standalone within an interconnected series and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Dalton is known for being the funny guy, unafraid to be goofy in pursuit of a good time.  At 24, he wants to be taken more seriously.  He has fully embraced using social media for marketing and makes a bet with his brother, Boston, that he can increase the bottom line of West Wines using Tik Tok.  What follows is a fun meet cute with Rae, who is also trying to grow her dance studio business.  Rae is sweet, smart, and passionate about dance.  Together, Dalton and Rae use Tik Tok to the advantage of their businesses and fall hard for each other along the way.

There are romantic moments, including an impressive grand gesture.  I love the family and friend support and interactions.  Physical scenes are limited with closed door bedroom interactions. There were also several scenes where I laughed out loud.  This was a fun and enjoyable read and an excellent addition to the series.

Private Player by Louise Bay

ARC: Release Date-7/27/21

#Fling #BillionaireRomance #ARC

4 STARS

Nathan and Madison meet at a wedding and have a night neither of them will forget.   When Madison is assigned to write a newspaper profile on Nathan a couple of days later, they are both surprised that they are seeing each other again.  Their story is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

I really enjoyed the heat between the characters.  The open-door bedroom scenes are hot and steamy. I liked the setting, primarily shared between London and Norfolk.  They go to Norfolk to meet Nathan’s family, and I really loved the banter and interactions with his brothers and his parents.  Both characters experience personal growth through the course of the story, which I love.  There are secrets which they keep from each other, and that always leads to problems.  Though I understand why their story had to have that element, I did not love that part.  This author has been recommended to me by other readers, but this was my first book by her.  The story was paced well and engaging.  I wanted more details of Nathan and Madison’s interactions as she profiled him.  By the time they get to Norfolk, they know each other well and I feel like I missed the process of getting there.  Overall, I really liked the book, and I will be reading more of this author in the future.

A Greene Family Summer Bash (The Greene Family) 

by Piper Rayne

ARC: Release Date- 7/27/21

#FamilySeries #ARC

5 STARS

This peek at the Greene Family during the summer is written in first person from multiple POV.  Get insight into nearly everyone’s thoughts as the family gets together.  There are plans revealed, and hints of couples to come next.  It was fun to catch up with all of the characters.  This quick read will whet your appetite for the rest of the Greene family series.  I am so excited for what is going to come, I cannot wait!  

Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security #6) 

by Marie James

ARC: Release Date- 8/3/21

#RomanticSupense #OppositesAttract #ARC

5 STARS

This is book #6 in the Blackbridge Security series, but it can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Jude and Parker’s story is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Jude is unbearably shy and at 31, is still a virgin.  When he sees Parker for the first time, he is mesmerized but holds no hope that he could ever have her.  Parker is a confident woman who happens to like a shy guy every now and then.  Honestly, Jude never stood a chance when she set her mind to having him.  I enjoyed their interactions.  Jude is a special hero that I fell hard for.  He is a good guy with a heart that is soft and squishy.  It did not surprise me that he falls fast and hard for Parker.  I loved Parker’s confusion over her feelings for Judy.  The girl never thought of happily ever after until Jude shows her it could be real.

There is a lot of steam, some awkwardness, some humor, and some moments of danger woven into this story where both characters experience personal growth.  I really did not want to put the book down.  I love the characters and the world that surrounds Blackbridge Security and I look forward to reading more books in the series.

The Viscount's Tempting Minx (Dukes of War #1) 

by Erica Ridley

#HistoricalRomance #RomanticComedy #RegencyRomance

4 STARS

This quick and witty novella is written in third person from a dual POV. Lady Amelia is one of the most intelligent, witty, and organized heroines I have ever read. I love how she brings Lord Sheffield around while falling head over heels for him without it being part of her plan. I love how Lord Sheffield is the perfect match for the Lady Amelia and I adore how hard he falls for her. Witty dialogue, a fun story line, and engaging characters made this a fast and enjoyable read. I was lost in the Regency era and I did not want to come back to modern day.