Book reviews for February 26th - 28th

 

February was a fantastic month.  I read 24 books, attended the Holidays with the Belles signing, and completed another full card for Jessica Peterson's City Girls monthly reading challenge.  I read eleven new-to-me authors this month.  My reviews are always available on my blog. I hope they help other readers find their next great read.

#ReadingChallenge

Comeback Hero (Redleg Security #3) by Jackie Walker

ARC: Release Date-02/28/2023

#RomanticSuspense #Workplace #HealingLove #Bodyguard #ARC

4.5 STARS

Book three of this 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 there are spoilers to other previous Redleg books in this third in series, so they can determine if they would rather read the series in order.  In addition, the author is conscientious and has a list of several potential triggers readers may want to be aware of prior to reading.

Shep and Kri have a rough road to their HEA. They both have mental baggage and PTSD to work through.  In addition, Kri is recovering from a difficult injury suffered while on the job.  They become protection for a fifteen-year-old girl, who turns out to be a fabulous character. 

Shep is swoony.  Kris is a little crusty on top and is a marshmallow inside.  Together, they have amazing chemistry.  They banter and antagonize each other regularly before they finally give into both the physical and emotional connections they share.  There are lots of hot times in this smexy book.  There are also elements of danger, bad guys to take out, and some laugh-out-loud moments.  This author is known for her sarcasm and characters inner dialogues.  Some of them are pretty darn funny.  Shep has an internal dialogue with his conscience that was a bit over the top for me.  There were times I found it annoying.  Most of the internal dialogue is fun, and witty.  This is not your typical romantic suspense.  It is a mix with rom-com and readers need to know that going in. 

I love the characters, the team, and the suspenseful plot line.  I adored the relationship that Shep and Kri form with Valerie.  Val is one of my favorite secondary characters: I loved her.  The action-packed climax is exciting and fun.  The HEA is especially sweet.  The epilogue sets up the next book nicely and I can’t wait to read it. This was a fun and action-packed read where the MCs make each other complete and better than they are as individuals.

Bought for Marriage (Bought by the Billionaire #1) 

by Fiona Davenport

#Billionaire #MarriageofConvenience #SurpriseBaby #Novella

5 STARS

This novella is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. 

Sullivan's mom sets him up with a matchmaker to find a wife.  Sullivan takes it a step further, by making the arrangement a contract.  Kinsley is willing to meet Sullivan's terms to get the money she needs to pay for her brother's surgery.  Neither one of them expects to fall hard and fast for the other.

This was a well-written steamy read.  I enjoyed the arranged marriage and surprise baby tropes.  This one was a fun read with a whole lot of heat, likable characters, and a wonderful and steamy HEA.

Mile High Rock Star (Mile High Love) by Ember Davis

#RockStar #Bodyguard  #OppositesAttract #FakeRelationship #Novella 

4 STARS

This novella is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. 

Hayes is a mess of a rock star.  His partying ways are causing him grief with his label.  In addition, he has acquired a stalker.  The label's solution is a steady girlfriend who happens to be a bodyguard.  Ellington is starting fresh in a new town and a new job when she is assigned to guard to bad boy and be his pretend girlfriend.  

Hayes falls hard and fast for Ellington which was very fun to read.  He turns his act around to woo her, telling her from the beginning that he is not pretending his feelings.  El is cautious but can't resist falling for Hayes.  They have a hot and steamy relationship while on tour.  Real feelings lead to forever with a sweet HEA.  This was a steamy read with fun characters and a surprise or two along the way.  

The Calum by Xio Axelrod

#Fling #OppositesAttract #Novella

5 STARS

This novella is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

It is tough for authors to create a whole world with complex characters in a novella length book, ,but this author did it.  Lovie and Duff are both wonderful characters with layers.  Their story is not without a challenge or two.  Their chemistry is instant and they do have some hot moments.  They also spend time talking and getting to know each other.  Lovie meets Duff's gran, who is amazing.  He allows her to know him in a way he rarely lets other people see.  Set in Inverness, Scotland, the author does a wonderful job setting the scene.  I felt like I was there.

I couldn't put this down and I highly recommend this novella.  I can't wait to read more by this author.

A Baby for the Navy Seal (Be My Baby) by Shaw Hart

#Military #BrothersBestFriend #Virgin #SurpriseBaby #Novella

3.5 STARS

This novella is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Lottie has had feelings for Anson for as long as she can remember.  Anson has also had feelings for her, but never made a move.  they are both terrified to complicate their friendship and their relationships with Lottie's brother, Rhett.  One night they finally give into their attraction to each other.  They are a steamy read with forever consequences.  They have to overcome some bumps and learn to communicate to get their happy ending.

This was a fun and steamy read. 

Coming for Christmas by Krystyna Allyn

#Erotica #MFM #Holiday #Novella

4 STARS

Written in first person from multiple POV, this steamy holiday novella was a fast and fun read.

I loved Beth's sense of adventure.  She sets out to complete her bucket list and is particular about what she wants.  Jared and Cooper are up to the task of making Beth's dreams come true.  There are some secrets that are brought to light along the way to the HEA.  Overall, I really enjoyed this novella.