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Book reviews for books read September 12th-20th

 



Happy weekend. This week I read two books from my TBR, five novellas, DNF'd one book, and completed the B.A.N.G. book Club 52 week reading challenge for the year. I read six new-to-me authors this week to continue of what seems to be a September theme for me this year.  That brings me to 16 new-to-me authors this month when I include the two books I did not finish.

The two books from my TBR were both recent releases I have been wanting to read. I was not disappointed as Lyndsey and Susie always impress me.

I also read books for the following challenge categories:
  • A book set in Canada
  • An academy romance
  • A Thanksgiving romance
  • A book I purchased in 2020

It was a really good reading week. Check out my reviews and add some more books to that TBR.

Until next time, happy reading!


The Categories.


The completed chart.


This is the group site if you want to join and compete in challenges.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/946607852613605


Book Reviews:

Reveal Me (The Beckett Brothers #4) by L.A. Gallagher

#BDSM #Billionaire #Forbidden #Royal #FamilySeries

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Because this is an interconnected series, readers beginning with book four may read spoilers from the first three books as those characters are included in this story.

Sean is the quiet brother. I was curious about him and, boy, did he surprise me. HOT doesn’t even come close to this guy. I loved his possessiveness, his dominance, his control, and his alpha jealousy. Even more, I loved the way he worships Layla and cherishes her in a way she had never experienced. He is a definite pleasure dom and Layla is a lucky girl.

Layla is the rebellious princess who wants to love, to live a real life, and to control her own destiny. I adore that she discovers her freedom through submission. Sean helps her make all her dreams come true, though she has to save herself to get there. I loved her confidence, her intelligence, and her defiance of the expectations placed on her against her will. She is fiery and feisty and the princess every girl should aspire to be.

Smoking hot scenes, romantic and caring moments between the characters, a little risk, and a forever love made this a book I didn’t want to end. Now I will wait impatiently for Rian and Dominic’s stories. (Toes tapping impatiently.)

Outlier (Daydreamer #3) by Susie Tate

#BrothersBestFriend #HealingLove #OppositesAttract

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this book follows Mike and Vicky’s love story and ends with a HEA. Though it can function as a standalone, both characters have roles in the two previous books, and the timeline of this book does overlap with Golddigger. Readers may find the most enjoyment by reading the series in publication order.

This is my fourth book by this author, and I have yet to be disappointed. She has a habit of making the MMC make a huge mistake that requires a massive grovel. This book is no exception. Mike is a blue-collar carpenter/artist who builds furniture among other things. He is gruff and has a chip on his shoulder relating to his class status the size of England.  He knows that Vicky has a crush on him, but he has never once tried to understand her. Vicky is a brilliant FMC who is neuro-diverse on the Autism spectrum. She has played important roles in both of the other books in the series and I have been so excited for her to get her happy ending. This book details more of the struggle she faces in daily interactions and her traumatic childhood. I love how much she works to grow and to better understand the social cues she knows she is missing. I really appreciated her efforts to be honest with Mike. I also appreciated that she takes some time after he hurts her before being able to move forward. Honestly, I adored her character. She is incredibly strong and resilient. I have loved the whole series, but this book is my favorite.

Krammin’ With A Kraken (Slaymore Academy #1) 

by Darci R. Acula

#Monster #Fantasy #FatedMates #NewAdult #Paranormal #Novella

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this novella is set at the college Slaymore Academy. This can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. I was looking for an academy book for a reading challenge that was not high school, not bully, and that was a standalone when I found this. It was just what I wanted. This was my first book by this author (in either of her pen names) and I was impressed with her creativity, her writing style, and her ability to make the characters so engaging in a novella length book.

Seta, 20, is a Kraken. She has an enchantment that allows her to have a human form and to shift or partial shift as she desires. She arrives at Slaymore (love that name) to get her degree in Marine Mythology in the hopes of building better relations between her clan and other paranormal groups. Amadeus is a golden retriever guy who falls fast for Seta and is drawn to her from the moment she arrives on campus. I have never read a book with a character who has powers like his or a FMC with tentacles before. Both allowed the fun times between the characters to have an element of danger and unexpected hotness. This was a fun read, and I can see myself returning for more of the variety of monsters and paranormals who attend Slaymore.

Claimed by the Center (Toronto Thunder #1) 

by Alyson Archer

#AgeGap #InstaLove #Virgin #Sports #Novella

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. I was looking for an easy read set in Canada and this one fits the bill perfectly.

Lilah (20) is the new coach’s young, shy, innocent daughter. Kincaid (34) is the new center for the Toronto Thunder hockey team. It was love at first sight when Kincaid spots Lilah at the team bonding party and rescues her from an over-eager waiter. Their relationship moves fast. Their feelings are intense, and forever together is on deck very quickly.

I loved how Lilah blossoms with Kincaid’s love and protection. He cherishes her and worships her like a queen. Kincaid was a big softy that is all about taking care of his good girl. Lots of heated scenes made this a quick and spicy read. This was my first book by this author, but she did a good job making the characters interesting and making me want to read more books in the series. 

Belle Curve (Curvy Soulmates #6) by Fern Fraser

#AlphaMale #SurprisePregnancy #InstaLove #Novella

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this is a standalone that ends with a HEA. It was a quick and steamy read.

After meeting on a dating app, they fall fast and hard for each other. The story moves quickly. Mack is possessive and protective. Other reviews mention a couple of things that also bothered me, but overall, this was a fun read.


Sent For the Mountain Man (Whispered Echoes) 

by Ebony Snow

#InstaLove #MailOrderBride #ShortStory

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this standalone short ends with a HEA.

I love a mail order bride romance. This one has a twist, some instant love, a steamy scene and a wedding. The characters were cute. It was an under an hour read one evening, that was what I needed.



Thanksgiving with Dad’s Best Friend 

(Dad’s Best Friend #4) by Lena Little

#AgeGap #Taboo #ExCon #Holiday #InstaLove #Virgin #Novella

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this standalone ends with a very happy HEA. Tate (37) is just getting out of a 20-year prison sentence when he arrives at his best friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Tate is a character with layers you don’t often see in a novella. The book slowly reveals truths and depths that are only hinted at in the beginning of the story. Tatem is 18 and finishing high school. There are some dimensions to her relationship with her parents that are also unveiled along the way. Tate is utterly devoted to Tatem from the very beginning. He is protective, tender, and consumed with the desire for her and the future he pictures with her. Hot times include a very strong br33ding trope as Tate plans to keep her knocked up for a long time while he supports her future goals. It was a fun, steamy, insta-love, OTT and exactly what I needed today.


Best Friend Baby Daddy My Baby Daddy #1) 

by B.B. Hamel

#FriendsToLovers #MoC #SurprisePregnancy #Virgin #Novella

Continuing what seems to be a trend this month, this was my first book by this author. I picked up this book in 2020. I was looking for an unread book I purchased that year and this one jumped out. It was a perfect evening read. Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, it is a standalone that ends with a HEA.

I love the marriage of convenience and surprise pregnancy tropes. When you add in friends to lovers, I know I have to read it. Unfortunately, this one got buried on my kindle for a while. Amy is a high school physics teacher. She and Ever have been good friends since middle school. Though his proposal was not all that grand she accepted. Lines are quickly crossed with long term consequences. It was a spicy read that just felt a little too short. I would have liked more character development shown on the page. Ever makes some huge changes and Amy seemed overly accepting of the changes that rapidly occur in her life. It was fast and fun.






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