Happy weekend and happy almost new year! This week I read three ARCs, two of which were novellas, for books releasing early in 2023. I also read two new to me authors that have been on my list for a while. And if Zoe Chant has any doubts, her Facebook ads pulled me in for reading now instead of later. I will have year end wrap up coming, so I will keep this short. Check out my reviews and see if these are books you need to add to your TBR. I think you will be adding them. Have a Happy New Year and a great week reading!
#RockStar #ARC
4 STARS
This is book 4 of the Mile High Matched series but it can be
read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.
I have been waiting for Tanner’s book. A rock star who is awkward with pretty
women? Oh, yeah! This book allows readers to get to know him
better. We learn the origin of his
awkwardness and grow to understand the coping mechanisms he has in place to
handle it in the face of stardom. I
honestly loved Tanner. He sees Sam and
is bowled over. I loved his persistence
in the face of discomfort to win a date with her. I love that he wants to
romance her and make sure she knows she is special. He has some baggage, but Sam makes him want
to overcome it.
Samantha has a ton of baggage. She has been living in fear and running for a
long time. Though I understood her to a
point, I had a little bit of a hard time relating to her. If Tanner gave me attention, I would totally
figure the rest out and abandon the whole fear thing. Maybe that’s just me. She struggles though. At times, it gets a little annoying. I wanted to yell, “C’mon already!” The book does touch on cyber-bullying and
bullying in general as it relates to Sam’s experience. I felt like that was handled well. We live in an age where people feel
comfortable saying things online that would never be acceptable in person. Often those things can lead to hurt and
impact people’s lives in ways that the trolls honestly don’t care to
imagine. It makes me both angry and sad
that this is where our society is now.
Eye Candy (Sugar & Spice #1) by Tawna Fenske
ARC: Release Date-1/27/2023
#Novella #Erotica #ARC
5 STARS
Book one in the Sugar & Spice series can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA. It is
written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Readers should be aware that this is not your
typical Rom-Com by this author. Spicy is a HUGE understatement. Originally ghost written as an erotic romance
under a pen name, this book has been rewritten and re-edited to capture the
author’s rom-com voice without sacrificing any of the smoking hotness that is
the story.
Lyla and Aidan are neighbors. What starts out as games involving
exhibitionism and voyeurism quickly becomes all-out role play and
no-holds-barred sexiness. Readers may
need a fan, ice water, and a fresh pair of panties. One of the things I appreciated apart from
the hotness in this book is the way the characters are complete, even in the
short novella format. I understood Aidan
and Lyla and why they are the people they are.
I appreciated their individual histories. I love their present. And I am excited about
their future. Their HEA might look a little different than an average romance,
yet it is perfect for them. This book
was extremely hot, and I loved every word of it.
From the author: Eye Candy is a short, scorching
hot standalone m/f erotic romance with a little m/f/m/m surprise. If you like voyeurism, exhibitionism, and
menage, this one’s for you. The story
contains no cheating and an HEA is guaranteed!
#Novella #Erotica #AgeGap #EnemiesToLovers #ARC
5 STARS
Book two in the Sugar and Spice series can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA. It is
written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Readers should be aware that this is not your
typical Rom-Com by this author. Spicy is a HUGE understatement. Originally ghost written as an erotic romance
under a pen name, this book has been rewritten and re-edited to capture the
author’s rom-com voice without sacrificing any of the smoking hotness that is
the story.
Readers meet Devon in book one of the series. In fact, because these are short, I would
recommend reading the series in order if you can since characters overlap all
the books in the series. Skye is a
feisty fireball. She is a 24-year-old
med student with red gold hair and a lot of attitude. She has been looking for love in the wrong
places and is surprised by how much she likes Devon when he literally drops
into her broken elevator. At 38, Devon
is successful in his career as an architect.
Recently purchasing a run-down building to fix up into low-income
student housing, he has been drawn to Skye’s fiery personality and beautiful
looks from the start. Once they spend some time together sparks fly. I love that the characters have the depth
they do for being a novella length book.
They each have some baggage. Devon
falls fast and Skye has the ability to hurt him. It felt very realistic. I loved it when they work through the damage
of their pasts to get to their HEA.
There are a lot of hot, hot scenes in this book. I am telling you now- like SUPER HOT. If that isn’t your thing, you maybe want to
pick a different book to read.
Personally, I loved it. When the
author asked her arc team if we wanted to read these uber-spicy books as
arcs? It was a no-brainer for me. I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. These are very well done and honestly some of
the best erotic romance I have read. If
you like it hot, make sure you grab this series.
From the author: Tough Cookie is a short, scorching hot standalone m/f erotic romance with a little m/f/m/f/f surprise. If you like age gap, enemies to lovers, and menage, this one’s for you. The story contains no cheating and an HEA is guaranteed!
My Big Fat Fabulous Christmas by Lyndsey Gallagher
#Holiday #RockStar #SecondChance
5 STARS
Book one of the Sexton Sisters series can be read as a stand alone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
This is my first book by this author, and I am impressed. The characters are complex as individuals, and the plot is intricately wound and full of layers of emotion. There is some heat, some humor, and some angst as Sasha and Ryan are reunited after ten years apart. What was once first love becomes more as they learn to trust each other again and they develop a determination within themselves to make their relationship work in spite of circumstances. And they have a lot to overcome.
Ryan has been living the rock star lifestyle, but feels empty. When he returns to Dublin in a last-ditch attempt to defeat his writer's block, he is faced with the ramifications of his father's decision to leave suddenly so long ago. I adore that he never really got over Sasha. I loved that music comes back to him in Ireland. I love that he becomes a full character with pain, grief, anger, and love as he learns to feel all his emotions again. Despite the challenges he faced on the way to becoming a star, he has retained a solidly good character. I say this, even though at times he is very naïve about the effects his actions have on others. I love how willing he is to sacrifice for Sasha's happiness and I am thrilled they were able to work out another way to be together in the end.
Sasha has been barely surviving in the face of difficult circumstances. The survival of the castle and raising her youngest sister have taken a toll though. I could really feel her exhaustion at always putting everyone and everything else above her own needs. The author does an amazing job allowing readers to feel her hopelessness, her anger, distrust, and her grief. I loved her determination. I could really appreciate her feelings for Ryan and her fear of not being enough for him. I also love how she is able to finally take what she needs even when it requires her to be stronger than she thought she could be. I adore their HEA.
This is not a fluffy, hallmark holiday read. Yes, there are some humorous moments. However, this book is about so much more. There is so much depth and character development as Sasha and Ryan find their way back to each other. Miscommunications, misunderstandings, and secrets threaten this couple who found their great love as teens, lost it, and finally fight to win it back.
CW: death of parents, parental neglect, miscarriage
#Paranormal #Shifter #Firefighter #SingleMom #FatedMates
5 STARS
There was this Facebook ad that kept catching my eye. Each time I saw it I would read a little more until I finally screen shot it so I could add it to my TBR. Then when I went to add it to my TBR, I really just wanted to read it now, So I did. Though this is book is book three in the series, It can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in third person from multiple POV. This was my first book by this author.
Hayley is a single mom who is shocked when her 5-year-old son suddenly turns into a lion cub and gets stuck in a tree. His father had left while she was still pregnant and she was completely in the dark about the existence of shifters. Griff arrives to help her and they have an instant connection. He is able to explain a lot of things to her and support her through this big change. I loved Hayley and how she generally just rolls with things. I love her fierce loyalty and love for her son. I really loved the way she becomes so protective and feisty when it comes to Griff.
Griff is unlike any shifter I have ever read. I love the conflict he faces within himself. His character is complex and well-developed. I could feel his emotions pour off the page as he struggled with thoughts of his future and their future together. The chemistry between Hayley and Griff is intense. There are some seriously steamy moments. The relationship he forms with little Danny is really special. I love the gentleness he shows him.
I really liked that this book does not follow a typical arc line most romance novels. The couple has significant conflict trying to tear them apart all the way through the book. I really wasn't sure how the author was going to be able to give them the future they deserved. I really shouldn't have doubted though, because when it all comes together it is magnificent.
This was a deliciously different shifter read with quality writing and beautiful character development. I can't wait to read more.
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