Book reviews from the week of September 17th

 

Happy weekend!  This week I ended up working 4 x 12 hour dayshifts at my job.  On top of keeping the household running, that severely cut into my reading time.  I still managed to read a trilogy by a new-to-me author, including an ARC of book three which released on the 21st.  

I do not read many duets or trilogies.  When I do, they have to be complete because I cannot stand cliffhangers.  They also require a commitment of time between the books already on my ARC schedule. Having time to squeeze in more than a standalone here and there in some months is very tough.  For example, I am committed to ARC read ten books that release is the month of September.  It all depends on how they are spaced as to what else I can fit in.  Though I read many subgenres, most of what I read are either true standalones or standalones within an interconnected series.

When Ms. Jones' PA reached out to me to read book three of this trilogy as an ARC, I realized that I already owned the first two books and just hadn't gotten there yet.  The author has been on my TBR for a while though.  It seemed like a good excuse to move things up.  Then my work schedule went crazy.  For a little bit, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to meet my commitment.  That would have been a first. I am careful as to what I accept since I never want to not honor my word when I say I can read and review by release.

I had previously watched "The Real Life of Amy Benson" on PassionFlix after seeing (but unfortunately not meeting) the author at Readers Take Denver earlier this year.   I was intrigued by the pace of that story and the twists it took.  It made me interested in her work.  I really enjoyed the way she unravels her character development and the intrigue within the story.  

This trilogy was engaging. Tyler and Bella have a hard won HEA.  I am glad I read their story.  I certainly am looking forward to reading more by this author, especially as I have accumulated several additional titles of hers over the last few months.

Check out my reviews and think about adding this trilogy to your TBR.  I wish everyone a week filled with excellent and immersive reads.  Happy reading.

Bastard Boss (Tyler & Bella Trilogy #1) 

by Lisa Renee Jones

#Workplace #Billionaire #Trilogy

4 STARS

This is my first book by this author and I read it knowing that it would not end in a HEA, but that it would be book one of a trilogy.  At the time of my reading, the trilogy is complete.  I despise cliffhangers, so this is the only way I will read a trilogy unless I have been fooled.  I have to be able to read them back to back and get my HEA.  So I wait.  Often this means it is hard to fit into my schedule later between ARCs.  The entire trilogy is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Though I have not read the necklace trilogy, and I could tell there is some history revealed in it, I did not feel like it is necessary to enjoy this one.  

I liked Bella from the beginning of the story.  She is intelligent, determined, and strong while retaining intense femininity.  I like how she both challenges and supports Tyler when he doesn't even realize it is exactly what he needs.  Tyler sometimes acts in a manner that fits the book's title.  He does his very best to push Bella away from him.  Their attraction, empathy for each other, and the strong undercurrent of intense feelings between them will ultimately make staying apart impossible.  This book is all about the push and pull between them.  They try to pull away from each other only to be drawn back again with each time making it more difficult to resist.

They are hot together.  Tyler has a lot of emotional baggage from his parental relationships that he has to figure out.  I felt like this was a good start to a trilogy.  Though there are some timeline inconsistencies that were slightly distracting to me, the dialogue and plot are strong.  I also like the way the characters are being developed.  I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Sweet Sinner (Tyler & Bella Trilogy #2) 

by Lisa Renee Jones

#Workplace #Billionaire #Trilogy

4.5 STARS

Book two in this trilogy continues in first person from an alternating dual POV. This book ends in a solid cliffhanger and readers will want to continue to find out what happens.

Tyler and Bella's relationship develops well in this book.  They find a happy place with each other full of all the heat.  As they settle in, they realize that his father is continuing to mess with Tyler from the grave.  There are two elemental relationships in this book.  Tyler's relationship with Bella, and his relationship with his father.  Each relationship unfolds over the book.  Tyler learns that he can be happy and different with Bella in a way he never thought possible.  He recognizes that his father's hatred has shaped his reactions and his self-view, and that he can change that with time, effort, and Bella.

Parts of this book are flashbacks to Tyler and Bella's past.  Readers get insight into some events early in their relationships well as reminders of events in book one.  That makes this book flow a little faster if you are reading them back to back.  Plot twists and new challenges made this book one I didn't want to put down.  And you can bet without risk that I immediately started book three at the end of this one.  

Dirty Little Vow (Tyler & Bella Trilogy #3) 

by Lisa Renee Jones

ARC: Release Date: 09/21/2023

#Workplace #Billionaire #Trilogy

5 STARS

This is my first trilogy by this author.  Honestly, I do not read trilogies very often because of the time commitment they take between ARCs and I can’t stand cliff hangers.  I tend to wait till they are complete before I touch them for this reason.

Book three is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends in a HEA.

I adored the character of Bella.  Tyler had to grow on me a little at the beginning of the series, but he won my heart over quickly with his vulnerability underneath the surface.  The author does an excellent job with dialogue and creating tension both between the characters and within the story.  Lots of heat, twists, and turns kept me on my toes.  I kept waiting for one final twist that would ruin everything, and I was so relieved when they got their happy ending.

Tyler and Bella come together in this book stronger and committed to each other.  I loved their united front and that Tyler and Dash moved in a coordinated effort to make things right.   I loved how strong Bella was and how she challenged Tyler.  I love how she makes him a better man when he feels safe enough with her to be open and honest about his feelings.  I adore how consumed Tyler is with Bella and how he is a man who will use all his control to make sure she is safe.

Though there is some timeline inconsistency throughout the series, I really enjoyed this trilogy, and I am excited to read more of this author’s work.