I read three ARCs and 2 books from my TBR in the last 2 weeks. I feel good about that considering that life at home has been pretty full lately. May has been an excellent reading month for me. There are so many good releases right now, it is impossible for me to keep up. These are all worth adding to your TBR. Check my reviews and add them to your list.
Until next time, happy reading.
Built To Last (Park Avenue Promise #3) by Lexi Blake
ARC: Release Date- 05/27/2025
#EnemiesToLovers #Celebrity #Workplace #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. This is the third book in the series, and
it is written in first person from Harper’s POV. This book is driven heavily by
dialogue, and I personally did not miss having the male POV. Though it fully
contains the love story of Harper and Reid, I think readers will gain the most
value from reading this series in order. The friendship and found family
relationship between Ivy, Anika, and Harper are what truly makes this series
shine. You don’t want to miss one single moment of this story about their
dreams and watching them come true.
Set in a Gilded Age Mansion in NYC, the story begins as Banover
Place is being renovated on a reality TV series. Harper is a hard-working
contractor hired for the job. I adore her spunk, her capability, and her
authenticity. Her blood family is over-the-top obnoxious and downright mean to
her. Thankfully she has her girls, and her “adopted moms” that make up a family
that really cares about her as a person, her hopes, and dreams. Reid is old
money with skill as a decorator/designer and experience in reality renovation
TV. Under his arrogance and his walls is a man with a heart he tries valiantly
to protect. There is solid banter and spark between Harper and Reid as they
establish dominance on the project and finally come to a truce to work together
for the greater good. A little heat, some angst, a few secrets, and a lot of
loving support later, they find their HEA. Harper really grows into her own in
this book. She finally figures out the direction she wants in her life and
loves herself enough to stop taking the cr@p her blood family keeps flinging
her way. The confidence she gains when
she gets there, fights for her relationship with Reid, and cherishes her found
family made me warm and fuzzy and left me with a smile on my face.
This is a special series. If you are looking for three woman
who are like sisters and hang tights through thick and thin: read this series
now.
Duplicity (Seraph #2) by Elodie Hart
ARC: Release Date- 06/05/2025
#AgeGap #Billionaire #Escort #Workplace #SingleMom #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from a dual
POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a HEA.
After meeting both Marlowe and Brendan in book one of this
series, I knew that their HEA would not be an easy one. Unfortunately, I was
right. The author puts these two characters through a lot to get to their happy
ending. Marlowe is a wonderful heroine who only gained more and more of my
admiration as the book progressed. She is independent, fierce, loyal, loving,
and stronger than any 27-year-old should have ever had to be. Her 8-year-old
daughter is seriously ill, and Marlowe does everything in her power to make
sure she has the care she needs. When it becomes apparent that waiting for
Tabby to get her next procedure is no longer an option, Marlowe makes a
difficult choice to step way beyond her comfort zone and into the role of a
“full-service” executive assistant. Thankfully, her friend Athena, from book 1,
helps ease that transition into something that should be easier and more
palatable than other options.
Brendan, brother of Gabe from book 1, is 37 and more than a
little ridiculously spoiled. The first 2/3 of the book he is primarily a
self-centered, immature, petulant, alpha-hole. He had a few moments of
tenderness where he is vulnerable with Marlowe and which I feel made his
eventual redemption possible. The author does a good job with Brendan’s ADHD. I
feel like it was very important to understand that he marched to his own
drummer, that he had some impulse control issues, and that he had an incessant
need for action. Readers also gain a better understanding of his family dynamic
which allows for a bit of understanding of why he self-validates as he does. His
lack of consideration for others does bite him though. The way treated Marlowe
with his power flex in front of his friends was inexcusable. I have never been
so proud of a heroine as I was of Marlowe in that moment. It was a new low point
for him and I wasn’t sure I could get past it. I was nauseous on Marlowe’s
behalf. Thankfully, it isn’t long before he has a moment of epiphany, and his
world perspective is completely changed. He owes Marlowe a LOT of grovel and he
delivers. Time and again, he proves that he has grown up, changed for the
better, and that he is willing to place them in the center of the universe that
formerly orbited only himself. Again, it is believable because readers
previously had glimpses of the man he could be when he wasn’t a total “wanker”.
This book delivers spicy, steamy scenes, gorgeous romance, and heart-wrenching emotions. It grabbed me and would not let me go. Their HEA was hard-won and beautiful to read. I believe I will be thinking about this one for a very long time indeed.
The VIP Package (Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club #2)
by Tawna Fenske
ARC: Release Date- 06/06/2025
#AgeGap #Billionaire #ForcedProximity #GrumpySunshine #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. Written in first person from an alternating
dual POV, this book ends with a HEA. Though it can be read as a standalone, I
do recommend readers read book one of the series first as both characters are
introduced there.
I adored Camille in book one and I really enjoyed her story
here. She is a firecracker. Smart, feisty, witty, funny: she’s the complete
package. When she decides to take off to the Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club,
things do not go as expected. In the end, they go much, much better. Ashton is
the stoic, sometimes cold billionaire who owns the resort. Camille gets under
his skin and in his pants right away though. Her fire breaks his shell and hot,
hot times ensue. I adored their attraction, their passion, their banter, and
their humor. I loved that Camille brings a side of him out that no one else
sees. Once he cracks, it is only a matter of time before he becomes vulnerable
to Camille and shares his secrets. His pain broke my heart. He had punished
himself long enough for the past. His growth over the course of the book, and
his willingness to try with Camille and to allow himself potential happiness
was beautiful. It was an inspiring,
steamy read.
This series is an erotic romance series. This book includes
FFF and MFMM scenes in addition to several H.O.T. MF scenes. The character
development and the story arc/plot this author always delivers is present, but
readers should go in knowing this is spicier than books by this author outside
of this series and the Sugar & Spice series.
Ruin Me (Beckett Brothers #3) by L.A. Gallagher
#Bodyguard #Billionaire #ForcedProximity #OppositesAttract #MorallyGrayHero #FamilySeries
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Because this story is part of
an interconnected family series, some readers may find the most enjoyment from
reading the series in publication order.
Avery is a beautiful woman, a glamour model, and smart. She holds a doctorate in Psychology and understands that her modeling career is a temporary way to earn a lot of money and a steppingstone to achieving her real dreams. Killian is the broodiest of the Beckett brothers. He is the epitome of the strong silent type. Under his silence, he is smart and dangerous. He also rocks a heck of a crush of Avery. I adored his protective nature with Avery. She is so incredibly body confident, I adored her. I loved her willingness to jump into an adventure. Her spontaneous personality was a perfect compliment for Killian. The share boat loads of heat as they attempt to avoid the danger of a st@lker determined to get Avery. There is some suspense along the way because of it. I adored the way the tense moments played out and that they continued to trust each other and the foundation they had been building when things get difficult. This was a read I did not want to put down. It also made it tough to pick up the next book. These are characters and a story that will stick with me for a long while.
My Perfect Remix (Feel the Beat #1) by Swati M.H.
#Celebrity #FriendsToLovers #SingleDad
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
is book one of an interconnected series. It can be read as a standalone and
ends with a HEA.
Logan and Anisa were childhood best friends. When they
reunite ten years later, they have a chance to try to be MORE. Anisa (22) is
freshly out of college and an emotionally abusive ex and is spreading her wings.
She asserts her independence from her parents by moving to Austin to prove she
can be successful on her own and in her own way. Logan (23) is a celebrity DJ
and single dad to an adorable and precocious 4-year-old daughter. I loved how
he is as a dad and how he put Lainey first while trying to build his career.
The unsung hero is his mom who stands in the gap and plays a huge role in
Lainey’s life.
Anisa and Logan both experience a lot of character growth
over the course of this book. Their road to their HEA is bumpy and messy. Their
relationship felt authentic, especially for their young ages. I loved their
romantic moments. Logan seriously knocks it out of the park with a perfect
first date. They have blinding chemistry and hot times, tender moments, and a
little angst. I adored the writing of this one. I highlighted a lot of quotes.
This was my 8th book by this author as I am now reading through her
back list. I have to say I feel like this book doesn’t get enough credit
because I absolutely couldn’t put it down.
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