Bane (Carnal Pleasures Book 1) by Claire Marta and Summer Stanton

Book Blurb:

Carnal Pleasures is the most exclusive BDSM club in the supernatural world. Renowned for their specialized Dominant and submissive training, people come from all over to explore what the club has to offer.

Cold and commanding, Adam Archer is the club manager. Though he hasn’t taken on a submissive in years, he agrees to see to the newest member of the club.

After surviving a horrific attack, Bane is left broken. The lost wolf is sent to Carnal Pleasures at the bidding of his Pack Alpha. Wrapped in pain and self-doubt he doesn’t want to be there. After all, who would help a damaged beast?

Their attraction is instant, but Bane is distrustful of the demanding vampire. Not used to following the orders of anyone but his Alpha, he fights against his temporary Master at every turn.

Determined to make him let go, Adam submerges Bane in a world he never thought to dream of. A place where trust and submission go hand in hand.

Both men are stubborn and fight tooth and nail to make their arrangement work. When they do figure it out, they find they have more in common than mutual attraction. Together, they might heal more than just Bane’s broken confidence.

*The Carnal Pleasures series will be a mixture of various M/M and M/F pairings following the lives of the employees and patrons of the club. Due to language and explicit sexual interaction it is recommended for readers 18 and up*

My Review:

This book is nothing like anything that I have ever read before but it feels like Claire and Summer have thrown together parts of all of my favourite books to make one sexy hybrid. Claire Marta is fast becoming my go to girl for all things paranormal and kinky so this book most definitely does not disappoint. Bane features paranormal creatures, BDSM and a gay male relationship, so the theme may not be to everyone’s taste. But if this is your jam or if you want to expand your horizons, like I did, then this book is very much for you.

Bane is a grumpy, argumentative but broken werewolf who is haunted by his past. He is feeling disconnected from his wolf side and his pack, as well as being lost and lonely with no hope for the future. His pack Alpha Liam signs Bane up to join the exclusive Mystic Cardinal Pleasure Club, in the hope that it will help him relax and get back to his old self. Cardinal Pleasure is an elusive and exclusive BDSM club that caters to all different kinds of supernatural’s. It aims at giving customers whatever they need and setting them up with either a Dom or a Sub depending upon their needs. Mistress Mystic, the owner of the club, gets a reluctant Bane to agree to submit for four weeks in the hope that giving away his control will get Bane out of his own head and will help him to heal. But naturally Bane is an Alpha, second in command within his pack and he is only meant to submit to his pack Alpha. Despite his reluctance all of that changes when he is introduced to his sexy, stern Master Adam.

Adam is an old vampire who has worked for Mistress Mystic as manager of Cardinal Pleasures for many years. Whilst he enjoys doing scenes, giving demonstrations and dishing out punishments as he is a Dom, he never takes on a Sub for longer than one night. So when Mystic asks him to introduce Bane to the world of BDSM, particularly puppy play and to help him learn how to submit, Adam realises it must be an important request. It is also clear from his sign-up sheet that Bane knows nothing about the lifestyle and it is unclear if he actually wants to be helped.

From the moment Adam and Bane meet there is obvious chemistry but the path to true love and true submission does not come easily. Both characters are severely hindered by their pasts and the heartbreaks that they have each encountered, whilst different it has had a profound effect on them. Bane has no self-esteem and is stuck in his own head with a relentless cycle of self-hatred taking over him. But the love, care and support that Adam gives Bane shows that he is capable of being loved, even if it takes him time to actually believe it. However, sometimes actions speak louder than words and it is clear from the way Adam cares for Bane, that he is screaming his love.

The BDSM element in this book is extremely hot and taught me quite a bit about a world I am not very familiar with. But I want to be clear and say I am a BDSM novice and so people who are in the community may disagree, but for me I enjoyed the sex scenes. I will be honest and say that I am not sure I enjoyed the puppy play element. Whilst it did seem to have its place in the book it did not do much for me but this may be just personal preference.

This book introduced us to a host of secondary characters who have all become good friends to Bane and Adam and I loved learning more about them and their different lifestyles. I am keen to learn more about Elias and Samuel to discover more about their strange yet intriguing back story. But my draw was to the mysterious Dom and Alpha of the rebel pack, Lucian. We get a mini hint at his story but I wanted so much more. I am hoping there are more books in this series and that Lucian finds a Sub who will keep him happy. But I would love to read the backstory of any of the secondary characters and that for me is a sign of good writing. If I care about every character, not just the main ones, then the authors must be doing something right.

Overall, I loved this book. Bane’s feistiness and his smart mouth were at times very funny to witness knowing that Adam would challenge him and then punish him. Adam may have a very cold, heartless exterior but he is far from that and his sweet, kind, caring personality gave him a very sexy appeal. But it is his strong, dominating force that will really draw you to the enigmatic vampire. Even though their relationship is fast paced and develops under extraordinary circumstances it is actually very beautiful to witness. Their relationship is not normal, but for them they have found a normal that works and it gives them both what they need, which is the key to any successful relationship. On a slight negative note, when I started I did find the writing style, particularly the speaking elements were quite difficult to get my head around, as they were formatted slightly different to normal. But after a couple of chapters this was no longer too much of an issue. I would definitely recommend you give this book a go, even if it sounds like it might not be for you because I am sure once you see the love, trust and care between Adam and Bane which builds over time it will leave you hooked.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchase here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Lb0nbJ

The Cover Reveal for KISS ME TONIGHT BY Maria Luis is finally here!!

Book Blurb:

I had it all.
The Super Bowl rings.
The hot shot TV gig.

Then I got fired.

Now I’m living in middle-of-nowhere Maine, playing assistant coach to the woman of my nightmares.

Did I mention that she and her son are my new neighbors?

If you talk to the locals, they’ll tell you Aspen Levi is the queen of high school football.
But if you ask me, my new head coach is a pain in my left nut sac.

She’s too blonde.
Too peppy.
And way too sexy for my peace of mind.

Only, one minute we’re fighting, and the next I can’t keep my hands off her. One hot kiss. One forbidden touch. I don’t do love but . . .

What I want, I take, and what I want is Aspen Levi.

🏈 𝘈𝘋𝘋 𝘒𝘔𝘛 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘙 𝘛𝘉𝘙: http://bit.ly/KMT-GR
🏈 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵: https://www.subscribepage.com/PutARing

Highly Recommended Author Info for MARIA LUIS:

Maria Luis is the author of sexy contemporary romances, though she may or may not have a few historical romances hiding in the cobwebs of her computer.

When she’s not writing about strong men and the sassy women who sweep them off their feet, Maria is a historian who specializes in medieval England and 19th century New Orleans. What do the two eras have in common, you ask? Not much, except for disease, scandalous activities and crime–Maria’s favorite topics.

Maria lives in New Orleans with her better half, where she can generally be found hiking with her two dogs, Zeus and Athena, kayaking in Louisiana’s inter-coastal waterways, or curled up on the couch with a good book.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://www.marialuis.org
Facebook: https://facebook.com/marialuisauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/493008187713277
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marialuisauthor
Books+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/users/19141
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisSubscribe

Heat (Russo Saga Book 1) by Nicolina Martin

Book Blurb:

Anything can happen during the hot nights in the Dominican Republic.

Sydney

I just wanted a tan and to sip drinks with little umbrellas in them. I didn’t know that vacation would mean sleeping with a hot stranger, being drugged, and nearly killed. My instincts tell me there’s more to the smooth facade of Nathan Russo, but my heart won’t listen. He’s my opposite: hot where I’m cool, experienced while I’ve never really lived. What starts out as a steamy fling can’t be more… can it?

Nathan

I’m a dangerous man with a mission to complete and people to kill. Sydney Lewis might literally cost me my life. As the stakes increase, I have to decide whether to follow my head or my heart. My life is too dangerous, I’m too much of a monster. She’s a good girl. She can’t be a part of this. I have to be cruel. I have to cut her out.
But she’s the only one who can save me.
Heat will take you on a journey to paradise, through hell, and back.

Publisher’s Note: This steamy, dark romance may contain triggers. It contains elements of danger, adventure, explicit scenes, power exchange, and a guaranteed HEA.

My Review:

For me this book has been a little bit of a tough one to review because there were lots of good aspects but there were some that I was not so keen on. I want to be clear that there is nothing that I hated or disliked about the book, in fact I did enjoy the story but there were elements that I felt could have been better and this let down the overall feel of the book. It had the potential to be amazing and I think that is why I felt a little let down. Nicolina Martin is an up and coming author and this is the first book of hers that I have read but I can already tell she has the potential to be great.

Heat is a mafia style dark romance that is set in the Dominican Republic where Sydney Lewis is enjoying her first holiday. Sydney has had a relatively mundane life, coming from a middle-class family who are very over protective. But she is almost bored and spends all her time working at the hotel or at home. So she decides to go abroad for her first ever holiday and before she flies she squeezes in a stop-over with her friends in New York to go out on a night out. Whilst enjoying the rare night out, Sydney is having fun with her friends until she is hit on by the most gorgeous man she has ever seen. But his chat up line is dirty and demanding, making it very clear that sex is all he is interested in. Syd is not looking for a one night stand and she makes that perfectly clear, walking away and not thinking anymore about it. Little did she know that fate was about to intervene.

When Nathan Russo is shot down by a gorgeous girl in a club it unnerves him, not only because it is the first time that it has happened in a long time but also because he realised how drawn to her he was. So imagine Nathan and Syd’s shock when they both turn up at the airport the next day and realise they are not only sharing a flight to the Dominican Republic but they are also sat next to each other. After a fast paced, sexually charged flight they part ways going off to different destinations but they find letting go harder than they thought. Nathan knows he needs to concentrate on his business and not get distracted but he can’t help but want more of Syd.

Syd and Nathan’s relationship is dark, dirty and based a lot around sex. Nathan is dominating and rough, taking what he needs and controlling Syd’s body in ways that she didn’t even realise that she wanted. It is incredibly hot and sexy. But Syd is worried that Nathan just wants her sexually and is unable to give her a normal relationship because of his dangerous lifestyle, however Nathan disagrees with this and says it is more than just sex. To me it felt like a lot of emphasis was placed on building the sexual chemistry and giving us some hot and spicy sex scenes, which were great but for me it made the whole relationship seem too superficial.

We are given some basic background knowledge about both of the characters and both of their lives were very intriguing in different ways. I was particularly excited about the possibility of exploring the rest of the Russo clan after we were introduced to Nathans brother. But the characters back stories are never fully explored and this left me with more questions than answers which I always hate. But I know that this is the first book in the Russo series, so there may be a possibility that some of this will be explored in later instalments.

The plot itself has a good feel to it and I like the idea that Nathan is in a dangerous family business but that he wants to get out and I am hoping this is an aspect that is explored further in the series. Sydney as a character was very confusing and it made me question whether I actually liked her. It’s clear she is attracted to Nathan and loves the way her body reacts to his but she can feel that he is dangerous and rather than talking or explaining herself she runs away. Then when he chases her and tries to talk she gets angry and they end up having sex which leads her to believing their relationship is all sexual and the whole cycle starts all over again. I just wanted her to be an adult and communicate a bit more. I think more development around her character might have left me understanding her rationale a bit more.

Nathan’s character was also a bit of a confusing one that was difficult to like. For me his alpha attitude was more possessive and forceful rather than strong and dominant. Although he claimed to love Syd it appeared more that he was drawn to her and felt he needed her. He did not display any of the kind, caring, loving behaviour that I normally like to see in leading men. Also, I found the dangerous side of his behaviour at work to be confusing. One minute he was disgusted in himself and his behaviour but then in the next he was so angry that he wanted to participate. I just found it very perplexing.

As for Nathan and Sydney’s relationship itself I thought that there were some good bits. I enjoyed the beach scene and watching their attempt at getting to know each other and acting normal with each other outside of the bedroom. They displayed some banter and we got to see them interact socially without sex and it was great. But sadly this scene was a rarity in the book and more of these would have enhanced the relationship development. I wanted to see more time when they are having fun, learning about each other and then falling in love. But I’m not going to complain about the sizzling hot sex scenes as they are great!

Overall, there were some really good aspects to this book and I did like reading it. The sex was dark and dirty and the plot had good premise. However, in my opinion I would have liked to have seen less focus on sex and more on character backgrounds and relationship development. I wanted to see the chemistry develop and watch them fall in love and I missed that. But I am looking forward to seeing where the series goes next and if Nathan will be able to stay on the right side. Also I am keen to learn a whole lot more about the Russo clan so am very much looking forward to the next book.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Pq7snu

Blood Lust (Milton City Book 1) by Lauren Cooper

Book Blurb:

Are you ready for your stay in the City of Death?
Milton City’s gang wars are out of control.

ME Laurel Armstrong is hellbent on getting to the bottomless pit of bodies stacked in her morgue, but the shiny new homicide detective with an accent to die for has other ideas. With new gangs claiming territory all over the city, the problem only grows, as does her case load but what can she do? Fight them? Or maybe even join them?

Finley O’Donovan wants nothing but revenge. He sees blood wherever he goes, but when a new job opportunity presents itself, he finds himself one step closer to the finish line. Will he get there without putting his deepest secrets on the line? Or will a certain blonde with her own blood lust get there first?

My Review:

Blood Lust is so unlike anything that I have ever read before and it captured my attention right from the very beginning. In this book there is no good side, only bad, and my word does it make you want to be on the wrong side. This book is designed to entice you, pull you in and blacken your soul in all of the right ways.

Laurel Armstrong is Milton City’s medical examiner and given her city is known for its gang related murders she is no stranger to death. She feels suffocated in her job as is hell bent on getting revenge for the stacks of bodies in her morgue, but with no evidence being left behind she is failing to prove who is responsible despite everyone knowing it is the Lingchi Triad. Laurel’s life is simple and is made up of work and hanging out with her best friend Brianna, the police receptionist. But she is also haunted by her childhood and the pain that is left behind from these experiences. However, mostly she is bored and craving something that she cannot quite put her finger on. But all that changes when a new detective with a cocky smirk and sexy accent arrives at the precinct and shakes up her life completely.

Finley O’Donavan is the new homicide detective that is assigned to Milton City and has been tasked with bringing down the Lingchi Triad that he knows is responsible for the murders occurring in the city. But Fin doesn’t need orders to want to bring them down as he is acting out of revenge for his past. Whilst Fin appears to be trying to bring them down legally in the background the La Lururia gang is closing in on them. They are a new style of gang driven by revenge and blood lust but with morals that ensure women and children are safe. They sweep through the cities that they choose taking out rival gangs, leaving no evidence behind and they do all of this on the orders of their trusted secret leader Fin.

Fin is not the person that he appears to be or the person that he presents to the outside world. He is dark, dangerous and powerful with a passion for bringing down those he feels have wronged him and causing paid. But this is exactly what Laurel sees the first time that they meet and this dark side appeals to a side of her that she didn’t know existed or how she can expose it. Fin brings out a blood lust in Laurel that she doesn’t know how to control and he gives her a chance to expose her dark side and be the real her.

I loved Laurel and Fin’s relationship. It starts as just pure lust, passion and chemistry with rough and dirty sex which exposes their dark personalities. From there they both have to take the chance on each other and expose their secret sides to the other. Laurel has to trust that Fin will keep her safe and not kill her, whereas Fin has to trust that Laurel is what she claims to be and that he can open up to fully trust her. When you strip away all the blood, guns and drama this is essentially how a normal relationship develops and that is what makes them so great. But despite Fin’s general lack of trust he does quickly open up to Laurel and it is almost like he just knows that they have the same kind of personality and are meant to be together. When Fin goes all in, he really goes for it and I loved it. I have to admit that his dark side was incredibly tempting and almost had me signing up to join the bad guys. I just could not help but find this sexy, cocky Irish man irresistible and it is not surprising that Laurel drops to her knees for him!

Laurel was such a confusing character but it is difficult not to like her. There were times that I felt like I did not understand the reasoning behind her blood lust and I wanted more of an explanation behind her rationale. I loved the fact that Fin was able to identify her submissive side and he knew exactly how to bring it out of her. But he also knows how to expose and develop the dark side that she is so desperate to expose. Their relationship is based on blood, sex and revenge but there is actually a very sweet element to it, where it is obvious that two people have found their equal and they love and cherish each other. There are times in this book where Laurel faces real pain and watching how she copes with it and becomes a strong, dangerous woman was great to witness.

Overall, I loved this book. I liked being introduced to the La Lujuria gang and it is clear that we will see more from them in the next book. I also want to know more about Fin’s second in command Mac, as the sexy little snippets that we get of him were more than enough to intrigue me! There were some occasions in the book where I felt like maybe the timeline got a little bit muddled and I got a bit confused in places, having to go back and re-read. But I have to acknowledge that the copy I read was an ARC so the finished published copy may not have this problem. However, even if this is in the published copy it is not enough of an issue to cause me any problems and I still devoured the book. I loved siding with the bad guys for once and I am looking forward to lots more in this in the future books!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be available to purchase here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PefBLN

Gone For You (All For You Book 1) by Jennifer Van Wyk

Book Blurb:

Ethan

I wasn’t expecting to find you. The night was only supposed to be a celebration for my friend, but I couldn’t stop my heart, or body, from being drawn to you.

Then I got to know you, and you chipped away every wall I’d built around my heart.

You don’t know how many times I found reasons to talk to you. To see you.

It has to stop.

There’s distance between us I can’t control.

Damn you and your dimple for being so irresistible.

I wish I wasn’t so Gone for You.

Olivia

I knew I wouldn’t be able to let you go the night you walked into my bar. Everything in me screams to keep you close.

I’m ready to move forward, to stop making excuses to see you, but I know you need more time.

You’ve created this distance between us to protect your heart, but you have to know it’s safe with me.

The moments you give me aren’t enough.

I want you forever and I’ll stop at nothing to make it happen.

After all, I’m so Gone for You.

My Review:

This book is not full of soap opera theatrics or lots of big emotional drama. It is simply a beautiful, gritty book that features real life characters, real situations and real emotions. That is what makes this book so breathtakingly beautiful and an absolute joy to read. I was completely drawn into this book and I literally could not put it down until I had finished it and I know that anyone who reads this will feel the same.

When Olivia is 17 years old she goes to visit her older brother at his new apartment and on her way into the building she meets a gorgeous guy who takes her breath away. They have a bit of banter together in the stairway before she finds out that her ‘hotstuff’ is actually her brother’s friend. Nothing happens but she never forgets the way he made her feel.

Ten years later Liv travels to her friend Lily’s birthday party at a pub called the Flying Goat. Liv has been through her fair share of rubbish men who have broken her heart and left her ruined and swearing off men, which is why she struggles to understand the inexplicable draw she has towards the gorgeous, cocky bar man. They begin talking and flirting and then Olivia realises the man she is drawn to, who she is starting to have stronger feelings towards than she ever has before, is her brother’s best friend Ethan, A.K.A hotstuff.

Ethan has put everything he has into making his bar, The Flying Goat, a success. He lives a simple life with no ties and is happy with his life the way that it is. Being raised by a single dad and abandoned by everyone else in his family because he was illegitimate as well as being born to a white man and a Mexican woman has left him with abandonment issues much deeper than even he realises. He has never really thought about wanting a relationship until a beautiful, quirky, funny blonde walks into his bar and steals a lot more than just his attention.

Not wanting their interaction to end, Ethan invites Liv to breakfast the next morning and that is the start of things to come. But life has put some pretty serious roadblocks in their way. They live in different states and need to figure out if they can handle being in a long distance relationship? Ethan has a fear of abandonment, will Liv be another person to leave him and break his heart? Liv is broken and doesn’t trust men or thinks she deserves to be loved, can she let Ethan in enough to love her and trust that she is more than enough? Will two ordinary people who find each other after all those years, overcome the obstacles to get their happily ever after?

Ethan is one of the best characters that I have read about in a while and he is just so freaking adorable. Not only is he gorgeous, cocky and sarcastic but he is also kind, caring and sensitive. There are parts of this book when Ethan reveals just how amazing and kind he is that made me literally want to shake Liv because I was falling in love with Ethan and I couldn’t understand how she possibly wasn’t falling at his feet. There were times when we got to see Ethan’s insecurities and elements that he said did not bother him in his life, but it was obvious he was actually heartbroken and I really felt for him, which naturally only made me love him more. Even when he did something stupid! He’s just one of those characters that you can’t help but love.

Surprisingly, I also loved Liv as a character. Normally when I love the male lead I am not overly keen on the female lead, maybe it is book boyfriend jealousy but I can’t help it. However, that did not happen in this book. Liv was funny, sweet and incredibly normal which I found refreshing. She was quirky and made stupid mistakes when they were on dates. She got word vomit when she got nervous and all that made her feel so real and relatable. It took me back to dates that I went on with guys that I liked when I could not help but do or say stupid things as a result of my nerves. Liv is also incredibly secure in her body and is not bothered about Ethan seeing her without make-up or with messy hair and this made me like her even more. However, under the surface Liv is very emotionally troubled. She holds a lot of deep-seated pain and insecurities that stem from her parents cheating, a controlling ex-boyfriend and being cheated on herself. She has a fear of commitment that makes it difficult for her to accept that Ethan wants her and that he is in the relationship for the long haul. Fear makes her do stupid things and I found it so frustrating, but simply because I wanted them to work things out!

Ethan and Liv’s relationship would definitely be called a slow burn. They start off as a long distance relationship and get to know each other through texts and calls. This makes their relationship grow based on more than just chemistry and sex. But it cannot be denied that when they are in the same room sparks fly. The chemistry between them is obvious for all to see and this reflects when they get into the bedroom. The way their relationship develops sexually is incredibly hot to witness. I loved watching two normal people start a normal relationship and watched it grow waiting for more.

This book introduces us to some amazing secondary characters. My favourite being the smart, sexy, sarcastic barman with the geeky glasses called Rex. I am more than thrilled to learn that the next book will feature Rex and the new girl we meet just at the end of the book, Chloe. Their relationship will definitely impact the characters in this instalment and so I am looking forward to seeing how both Ethan and Liv, and Rex and Chloe’s stories progress and intermingle.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It is gorgeous, gritty and real. It will draw you in and make you want more. The characters are so real that they are impossible not to like or relate to. It definitely proves that anything worth having in your life forever is more than worth the wait. The story is simple but fantastic at the same time. To write what is essentially just a normal relationship, with normal fears and hurdles to overcome and then turn that into an emotional, intriguing and beautiful book is a real talent. Jennifer Van Wyk should be incredibly proud of this book and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. Please do yourself a favour and read this book as I guarantee you will be smiling at the end.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or you can purchase it here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2v6MrVG

Just Neighbours (Blue Beech Book 4) by Charity Ferrell

Book Blurb:

Every day, my neighbor tells me to have a good morning.
Every day, I tell him to f*ck off.

Kyle Lane is the town’s hottest cop.
He’s also the man I’ve despised since high school.
Each morning, he stands on his porch with an annoying smirk on his perfect face.
He’s made it his life’s mission to get under my skin.

Until one day, he’s no longer on his porch but on mine.
He claims he wants to redeem himself for ruining my reputation.
My instincts tell me to stay away, but with each morning he shows up, it becomes harder and harder to resist his charm.

I was never supposed to fall in love with my neighbor and once he finds out my secret, we’ll forever be enemies.

(An enemies to lover romance.)

My Review:

Oh my word, it is hard to sum up a book like Just Neighbours other than simply saying that it is amazing. It drags you in, chews you up, spits you out and holds you until you are whole again. To say this book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions would be a massive understatement. I laughed, I got angry, I smiled and I almost shed a tear and finally I found myself audibly sighing with relief at the end. This book has more drama than a soap opera but it is breathtakingly beautiful to read.

Every morning town policeman Kyle says good morning to his gorgeous neighbour Chloe and every morning, without fail she replies with a curse. But Kyle and Chloe are more than just next door neighbours, they have known each other for years and went to school together. Then after one disastrous school dance their lives are irreparably changed and Chloe vows to hate Kyle forever.

However, years later Kyle has grown up and he is pining for the girl that got away. Although Kyle and Chloe grew up together their childhoods could not be more different and they both grew up in different environments. Chloe is from the rough part of town whereas Kyle’s father is the mayor and they are from an affluent area. They are from two very different worlds and Kyle’s family do not approve of Chloe.

The more time that Chloe and Kyle spend together makes her realise that Kyle is not the same kid he was in high school and she is slowly learning to forgive him. But will she ever completely trust him? Will she be able to forget about the fact that they come from different worlds and feel like she is actually good enough for him? Or will secrets and lies tear them apart?

Chloe is such a beautiful character. She is feisty yet timid at the same time. She has been hurt severely in the past which has left her heartbroken but when she does love she does it with all her heart. The love, care and tenderness she shows for her niece and nephew is beautiful and all she wants is to protect them and save them from having the life that she had. She has been through so much hurt and heartbreak in her life and it is amazing that she has remained so strong. I really wanted her to hear Kyle out sooner and to be more understanding but at the same time we all know there are few pains in life that rival that of a teenage heartbreak. Her pain throughout the book was hard to witness but seeing her grow and find happiness was beautiful to witness.

Kyle, oh wow what can I say about Kyle. Who doesn’t want to wake up every morning to a gorgeous topless police officer wishing you good morning every day? I loved Kyle’s cocky, egotistical banter but it was clear from the beginning that it was just teasing and he really was a nice guy. The love and adoration that he showed Chloe was beautiful. I hated when Kyle got hurt and how he reacted, but it did make his character seem more realistic and genuine. However when he sets aside his pain to support and care for Chloe in her time of need, he went up even more in my estimation. Then he puts himself and his heart out there with no safety net and I completely fell in love with him. Not only is he crazy sexy but he can rock a bedroom with a bit of dirty talk which is enough to win over any woman.

This is the fourth book in the Blue Beech Series, but they can all be read as standalones. I have not read the previous books so I can confirm that you don’t need to have read them to be able to follow the plot. However, characters feature in this book that are in the other books and this may be a spoiler. For me however, it was not a problem but it did make me want to go out and find all the earlier books in the series that Charity Ferrell has written, to see if they are all this good. I really hope that they are.

Overall, I could not recommend this book more. There is so much going on in this book with plot twists, secrets, lies and suspense that it will keep you addicted for hours. But it is the happy, funny, sexy parts of the story that will leave you with the feels and you will have such a big smile on your face as you look for the other books in the series to devour. I literally could not put this book down and I would most definitely tell people to read it. Congratulations to Ms Ferrell on an amazing book and I look forward to reading a whole lot more from her!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or is available to purchase here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2P4Lma3

The Hate Vow (Quicksilver Trilogy Book 1) by Nicole French

Book Blurb:

Eric de Vries.
Looks like millions. Worth billions.
Unfortunately for this wayward heir, to keep his money, he needs a wife.
And of all the women in the world, he chooses me.

Too bad I’ve hated him for five years, since he took all my tears and tossed me away.
The guy slept his way through half of New England and discarded women like hotel toiletries.
Been there. Done that.

Still…what would you do for twenty million dollars?
Would you wear the dress?
Fake a smile for the man who broke your heart?
Or would you run far, far away?

Yeah, that’s what I thought.
I’ll see you at the church.

My Review:

Wow, all I can say to start with is that this book is more than good. I don’t even know where to start with my review as I have just finished reading the last page and I am still picking my jaw up off the floor. I knew that this was the first book in the Quicksilver trilogy and therefore the story would not be finished in this instalment but nothing could have prepared me for the cliff-hanger ending. Nicole French literally ripped my heart out and is keeping it hostage until the next book comes out and I can get some answers. That is how good this book is and how invested in the characters you will become when you start reading.

Eric de Vries is heir to a multi-billion dollar industry but ten years ago he walked away from it all after his family pushed him to the edge causing tragedy and heartache. Although he has his father’s inheritance to support him, he has mostly made it on his own, qualifying as a lawyer from Harvard and then setting up his own firm with his friend Skylar (who you will remember is you have read the Spitfire series). Eric has made a name for himself and is well known for being one of America’s most eligible bachelors. But he likes being a playboy and has rarely thought about settling down. So when his dying grandmother and matriarch of the de Vries family approaches Eric saying that he can inherit the families billions but only on the condition that he marries for a minimum of five years, he is naturally worried. But if he does not claim the money she will sell all the businesses and give away all the money causing lots of people to lose their jobs. However Eric knows there is only one woman he would ever consider being with for the rest of his life, the only problem is that she hates him! His pretty girl!

Jane Lee Lefferts is definitely not what the upper class are expecting when Eric brings her home as his fiancée. She is quirky, funny, and stubborn and has bright rainbow coloured hair. But most importantly she is her own woman and doesn’t just do as she is told. She has a fire to her and somehow Eric knows exactly what to do to make her fire burn. When Eric offers Jane 20 million dollars to be his wife it brings up the age old hypothetical question that everyone thinks about at some point: how much would it take for me to marry someone that I don’t like? But I am not entirely sure that Jane ever really did hate Eric.

Five years ago they had a summer long fling that was only ever supposed to be a short term thing. But the more time they spent together the more they wanted each other. They loved to fight but enjoyed the make-up sex even more. Their chemistry was off the charts but as feelings got involved fear crept in and got in the way. They ended up hurting each other and both walked away with a broken heart. But when Jane agrees to marry Eric, I think she knows that she is not marrying someone that she hates. There is still love there, but they just need to find it again.

This book features lots of little plot twists that will keep you hooked. The drama, twists and turns really does rival something that Gossip Girl would be proud of and will more than keep you entertained. There was laughter, intrigue, chemistry and some amazingly hot sex, which for me are the exact ingredients needed for a fantastic book. The sex scenes will quite literally leave you reaching for a fan!

Overall, I could not recommend this book any more than I already am and I think it will be a long time before I stop raving about it. I literally cannot wait for the second book in the series and am sure when it is released that I will devour it like I did with this book. Jane is the perfect sexy, quirky, independent heroine that you can’t help but like. Eric is gorgeous, cocky and caring all at the same time which makes him easy to love. Their relationship is filled with secrets and mistrust but in spite of the mistakes they have made and the fact they are being forced to get married, I truly believe they want to be together and deserve to find their happily ever after. I just want to make sure I am there to see it, bring on book two quickly please Ms French!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You can read this book for Free on Kindle Unlimited or it is available to purchase here:

https://amzn.to/2uXg1fX

The Omega Prize (The Legion Omegas Series Book 1) by Leann Ryans

Book Blurb:

Being an omega on a space station is risky. Especially on a station that has illegal activities hosted by your boss…and he decided you’d make a good prize for the Alphas…

“She felt his fingers on the back of her head, trailing lightly along her body all the way to the swell of her ass. She arched, trying to press up into his touch, but he removed his hand only to bring it down in a sharp slap against her bottom.
Brie jumped, more out of surprise than pain as he told her, “That was for growling at me. I don’t suggest you do it again, because next time you’re punishment will be much worse.”

This is Book 1 in the Sci-fi Omegaverse series, The Legion Omegas. This book does not end on a cliffhanger and can be read as a standalone. This book has mature content and is intended for an adult audience.

My Review:

Being an Omegaverse virgin means I really did not know much of what to expect from this book, meaning I went in with no expectations and a blank canvas. But still this book managed to surprise me. The Omega Prize is something very different from anything that I have ever read before, even thought I have read different types of paranormal romances, I have never read about Omega’s. Initially I was unsure if I liked the idea, particularly the more sci-fi aspect as that is not my normal genre, or if I would be able to keep up with the plot in general. But after a couple of chapters that soon passed and I am not ashamed to say that I was completely hooked. I literally could not stop reading this exciting first book from Leann Ryans.

Brie is an Omega who is destined to submit and mate with an Alpha during her time of heat. However, Brie is not your typical Omega and she does not want to submit to anyone. With the help of a friend she starts taking heat suppressant tablets to hide her true identity and this enables her to blend in and live as a Beta. This has been the case since she fled as a child and she has never had to experience her first heat, which would force her to experience the longing and need for an Alpha to mate and care for her. She is happy with her life the way it is, living on a space station and working with her best friend at a bar, but what she loves most is having her own freedom. However, all of that is about to come crashing down when her supply of heat suppression tablets starts to run out allowing her Omega status to flutter through and then she bumps into the first Alpha who has ever made her feel anything.

Zander is an Alpha who lives on a mining planet that he owns with his best friend and fellow Alpha Rainer. He is visiting the space station to sell his product and stock up on building supplies when he literally bumps into Brie at the market. He cannot explain why he is drawn to the beautiful, curvy Beta but he knows that he wants her. Zander follows her to the bar where she works and ends up getting into a fight with other Alpha’s who are vying for Brie’s attention. This starts off a series of events that will change both Zander and Brie’s lives forever.

Zander and Brie’s relationship is both unusual and captivating. They are thrust together in far from usual circumstances but that does not change the chemistry between them, if anything it enhances it. They feel a draw to each other that I have come to realise is so much more than that of normal Alpha and Omega. Brie is a great character and even though her nature is to be submissive she fights against that and is such a feisty strong personality. Zander’s character is also slightly different from the normal projection of an Alpha as he is extremely caring towards Brie. It is normal for him to have a protective nature and to want to control and dominate her but the feelings he has towards her mean that he has a more caring and loving side than is normally seen. These two make a great couple and the heat between them is scorching hot and sexy whilst also having a sweet, caring aspect too.

Overall, it has to be said that I loved this book so much more than I ever thought I would. Whilst I cannot say how this compares to other books in the Omegaverse, what I can do is compare the book to other books in the paranormal world and it more than holds its own. The journey their relationship takes is rocky but incredibly enticing. We are introduced to some great secondary characters and I really want Rainer to find his Omega, as I liked the aspects of his personality that we were shown. It has to be noted that there are some trigger elements in this book that some readers may find offensive and is not for everyone. This is the first book in the Legion Omega series and I know for sure I will be reading book two when it is released. This is a great first book by Leann Ryans and I am excited for more.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You can buy this amazing book here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2WSm95b

A Sticky Situation (Awkward Love Series Book 7) by Missy Johnson

Book Blurb:

A sexy rockstar walking into your hotel room sounds like a dream come true
When you’re in the middle of some serious self-pleasure like I was
It’s a freaking nightmare
It gets worse
What I thought was my room…was actually his
I’d just given last year’s hottest new talent a performance worthy of my own Grammy
Now everyone is talking about the girl who got her rocks off in Brix Wilson’s hotel room
Nobody knows I’m that girl and it’s going to stay that way
It’s not like I’m going to run into him again, right?
Wrong

** This book is a COMPLETE standalone novel **
**Awkward Love is a series of sexy, fun novels that can be read in ANY order. You can read one, or you can read them all**

My Review:

Let me start by saying that you might read this review and find it extremely confusing or vague, but never has it been more true when I say that you need to go into this book blind to fully appreciate it. The story features a lot of minor turns but also a massive plot twist that you need to experience without any advanced knowledge. I am aware that some reviewers could not get on board with the plot twist but for me personally I liked it. So I would advise that you read it and make your own judgement.

The story features Hannah, who works as a nurse in a drug treatment facility. She has had a lot of extremely bad luck with men recently and it has been far too long since she experienced the big O. Her sister and niece are currently living with her and she is unable to relax with her home space being invaded. In an attempt to help Hannah relax, calm her down and give her some time to enjoy her own company her best friend buys her a night away in a nice hotel. Thrilled by the idea of a night alone, Hannah goes along with a suitcase containing every sex toy she owns to ensure she thoroughly enjoys the evening. However, as is typical with this series, an awkward and embarrassing situation occurs. She is given the wrong hotel room key card and ends up caught in the act with her favourite toy by famous rock star Brix Wilson.

Hannah flees full of humiliation but safe in the knowledge that she will never see him again. They most definitely do not run in the same kind of circles. However, fate has other ideas. Hannah turns up at work the next day to find that Brix is their newest drug rehab resident and he absolutely remembers the girl who fled from his hotel room leaving her sex toy behind.

‘Brix’ and Hannah’s relationship is a bit of a slow burn as she struggles with his initial rude behaviour. But the more time that they spend together the more their feelings grow. For me personally, I just wanted more. I felt like there was potential for Hannah and ‘Brix’ to have so much more chemistry than they did and the relationship just felt like it was a bit lacking. The sex scenes only occur towards the end of the book and they gave me the same feeling of wanting more. They almost felt a little wilted and there was potential for the scenes to be so much hotter.

I did enjoy the banter that featured in this book and found it had quite a few good one liners. Plus the constant link back to the embarrassing situation that got Hannah into the situation in the first place was a constant source of humour. The level of banter and joking between Hannah and ‘Brix’ did help to build up their relationship and helped me enjoy the book.

As I mentioned before, personally I liked the plot twist and it worked for me but I wanted so much more from it. I liked the friendship that built between them and the characters as individuals but I did not get as much chemistry as I would have liked in the relationship. There was potential for so much more heat and sizzle, particularly in the bedroom, and the plot in general which was lacking.

This is book 7 in the awkward love series by Missy Johnson and they are all standalones. Some feature the same characters but they can all be read alone or in any order. I have read the other books but you do not need to have. In comparison to the other books in the series there are books that are a lot better than this instalment. However there were a lot of elements that I did enjoy when reading this book. For me it was more of a shame because I liked the idea behind the book and I enjoyed the plot twists and turns but I just wanted more character development and chemistry.

Overall, this book is a light, easy, funny book with some major plot twists that you will either love or hate. Even though I wanted a bit more from the book and it was not my favourite in the series, I still enjoyed reading it. I would recommend you giving it a read to see what you think of the twists. I will wait happily for the next book in the series and see what embarrassing, awkward situation Missy Johnson is going to give us next time!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or it is available to purchase here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2WLiJ48

Clutch Endgame: A Baseball Romance by Tarrah Anders

Book Blurb:

“I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner…”

“The story is packed with emotions. Some amazing one liners…”

“This is a beautifully penned masterpiece…”

–CLUTCH— Def: [KLUTCH] – Adjective: Good performance under pressure when good performance really matters. Done or accomplished in a critical situation, dependable in crucial situations.

The Ultimate Fan Experience, I won it.
Would I say that I am?
No, I just got lucky at an event and now I get to spend the day with one of the San Diego Hornets players, Gunnar “The Gun” Reynolds. The overly gorgeous catcher for the team!

The known playboy and all-American good guy. I’ll act indifferent. I’m not really that huge of a baseball fan after all.
Who am I kidding, I’m a sucker and he ducked me right in. However, the media is spreading lies and Gunnar seems to care less – or does he?

When rumors leak out about a trade, Gunnar and Sawyer must make some heavy decisions. Will they stay together or go their separate ways? Can they overcome what the tabloids say?

You met Gunnar and Sawyer in the short story in Rounding Third, A Baseball Anthology.

The story that you may have previously read is new and improved and come find out what happens between Gunnar and Sawyer four years later.

My Review:

If you are looking for a nice, easy going romance novel that features a sassy, normal girl who wins over a sexy, baseball player then this is the book for you. This book builds on the relationship that was first introduced to us in the Rounding Third Anthology, where we see Gunner and Sawyer begin dating. I had not read the anthology and had no problems keeping up with the storyline. However, knowing their background may have helped me understand how their relationship progressed as this book features very little of their initial relationship and mostly takes place four years later.

Gunner is a famous baseball player that is well known for being a player and getting his own way. He is an up-and-coming catcher for the San Diego Hornets and as part of the new season’s promotion each player has to spend a day with the winner of the Ultimate Fan contest and first up it is Gunner’s turn, which is how he meets Sawyer. Everyone was expecting the winner of the contest to be a kid, which is why Gunner, with his love of cleat chasers and the general playboy lifestyle, he is ordered to tone down his appearance.

When Sawyer and Gunner first meet it is clear that neither is what they expected. They have an instant connection and by the end of spending the day together their chemistry is palpable. They cannot deny the draw that they have towards each other and end up getting together. Sawyer was warned about the fact Gunner had never been seen with the same girl twice but she doesn’t care. Until the next day when the news of their relationship breaks and starts to have an impact on their personal and professional lives.

What is unique about this book is that it is not about the journey towards that happily ever after moment, but rather what happens after it. Once Sawyer and Gunner have fought to be together the book follows them four years later and explores the challenges that they face. Essentially this book tells the story of a pro ball player and the normal girl that he falls in love with, showing their life and the turbulence that they face having a relationship in the public eye.

After their happily ever after moment they are not in a rush to marry and have babies, instead they have focused on getting to know each other, build on their relationship whilst working on their respective careers. Sawyer is still learning to deal with the media attention and the knowledge that there will always be girls chasing after her boyfriend.

Initially, I was a little unsure if I would like this book as I do not know a massive amount about baseball and while some bits did go over my head, for the most part I managed to keep up and it was definitely not something that was enough to hinder my reading experience. So you do not have to be a sports fan to enjoy this book.

I liked Gunner as a character and loved how meeting the woman of his dreams caused him to change his ways to win her over. But, at times with the way he was acting, I almost did not believe that he was a previous player as he did not behave how you would expect someone scared of commitment to behave. But I do appreciate that the relationship timeline moved quickly and that it may have been something I missed. However, I still can’t deny that I loved his sexy, loving, strong personality and the bedroom scenes more than reflected his alpha personality. He was an extremely easy person to like.

For me I found Sawyer to be a bit confusing, as I just did not understand why she was so trusting of someone she knew to be a player with no real evidence that he had changed. Also, when faced with change it is something she is scared of one minute and then jumping into it head first the next, without any explanation. I just wanted to know more about her rationales, to help me understand her and this would have made her more relatable and therefore likable.

Overall, I think this book is a great, classic, easy-going love story. It was obvious that the love they have for each other is genuine and incredibly sweet to witness. Watching them grow and learn to love each other was great. If I am being honest, I was looking for a little bit more drama in the plot but that is just my personal opinion. Nevertheless I can appreciate the beauty in a book that focuses on the normal life of a baseball player falling in love. Before I started reading this book there had been a lot of hype and I had read some good reviews, which is why I feel like I just wanted a tiny bit more from this book. But it is still worth a read and will make you smile at the end.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

You can purchase this book here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2K7Po2p