Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Aestas Book Database

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF February 12, 2019

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JUST ANNOUNCED: The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons (The End of Forever Trilogy) 
OMG. OMG. OMG!! This brand new trilogy by the author of my all-time favorite books EVER was just announced and the story sounds so intriguing! — “Can true love ever die? Julian lives a charmed life in Los Angeles. Surrounded by friends, he is young, handsome, and runs a successful business. Everything changes after he has a fateful encounter with a mysterious young woman named Josephine. Julian’s world is turned upside down by a love affair that takes him—and everyone else in his life—by storm. For the two new lovers, the City of Angels is transformed into a magical playground. But Josephine is not what she seems and carries secrets that threaten to tear them apart—seemingly forever. A broken man, his faith in tatters, Julian meets a mysterious stranger who tells him how to find Josephine again if he is willing to give up everything and take a death-defying trip from which no one has ever returned. So begins Julian and Josephine’s extraordinary adventure of love, loss, and the mystical forces that bind people across time and space. It is a journey that propels Julian toward an impossible choice which will lead him to love fulfilled…or to oblivion. The Tiger Catcher takes readers from the depths of despair to the dizzying heights of joy in the first novel of an unforgettable trilogy of love lost and found. For all fans of Outlander, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Jojo Moyes.” — Be sure to pre-order a copy!!! And if you haven’t yet read my favorite book in the whole wide world (yes, truly my #1 favorite of all time) The Bronze Horseman (my reviews), it is currently 50% OFF at this link!! It is an unforgettable, life-changing read and an EPIC LOVE STORY!!

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

 
HOT NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):  


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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF February 5, 2019

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BOOKWORM NEWS:

  • Down Too Deep by J Daniels was announced! — “After his wife died two years ago, Nathan Bell has neglected his responsibility to his baby daughter, letting his parents raise her while he loses himself in his work. But when his parents give him an ultimatum, Nate needs new child care… fast. Jenna Savage can see the pain Nate is in and how much he desperately wants to connect with his daughter. It’s not a problem at all for the single mom to watch his little girl along with her own two children. Soon, Jenna can’t help but fall in love with Nate and the family they seem to be building together, but can the career-driven, guilt-ridden man look beyond his heartbreak and learn to love again?” (Note: this is the 4th standalone in an awesome series. I’ve loved them all so if you want something to start reading now the first 3 are: Four Letter Word, Hit The Spot, and Bad For You)

  • Junk Mail by Kendall Ryan was announced! — “It all started with a sexy selfie. Texted to the wrong number. Oops. Not my finest moment—but I have nothing to be ashamed of. She thought I was no better, and I quote, than the knuckle-dragging douche-bags she was never dating again. It was a stupid dare from a girl I’d met online, but since she’d given me a fake number, I didn’t feel bad that my interests were suddenly focused elsewhere—on the fiery and sharp-tongued, Peyton that I found myself sparring with over text for the rest of the evening. The following day, my case of mistaken identity came back to bite me in the banana. When I strolled into the office, I was introduced to Peyton as the new client I needed to win over. The Peyton, in case you’re not tracking. And let’s just say she had my full attention. Brains? Check. Beauty? Oh yeah. And the best part? She hated me on sight. Dear God, do I love a challenge. Let the games begin.”

  • The Promise by RL Mathewson (Neighbor From Hell series) was announced! — “How far would you go to keep a promise? Reed Bradford never should have made that promise. He’d barely survived the first time around, but now she was back, his best friend’s little sister, his one-time neighbor, and the woman that he never should have promised to protect. He never should have done a lot of things, like cross that line, but once he did… There was no turning back. Joey Lawson always had a plan, but unfortunately, mostly for her, sometimes those plans backfired. On her. This time would be no different. After the unfortunate incident that she felt was better not to think about, she found herself doing the one thing that she’d never survive. Falling in love with a Bradford.”

  • The Roommate Agreement by Emma Hart was announced! — “Let your homeless best friend stay with you, he said. Being roommates will be fun, he said. It’s only temporary, he said. He never said I’d fall for him. You know what isn’t ‘temporary?’ The endless stream of dirty socks in my bathroom and empty food packets under the sofa—and don’t even get me started on the hot guys who take over my living room every Sunday to watch sports. I can’t take anymore. So I propose a roommate agreement. One that will bring peace and order back to my life, complete with rules that might just stop my newfound crush on my best friend in its tracks. After all, there’s only so many times you can see your best friend naked before you start to lose your mind. Rules. They’re meant to be broken… Aren’t they?”

  • Say You Still Love Me by KA Tucker was announced!! — “A sizzling novel about an ambitious executive who reconnects with her first love: the boy who broke her heart… Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway. On the one hand, she’s a VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm… On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth… Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard, and coincidentally the first love of her life. The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counselors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name… She’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.”

 
MORE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:  


Apr 16
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May 07
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May 14
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Jun 18
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Aug 06
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Aug 13
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WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

 
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DETAILED LIST: NEW RELEASES

 

Legend by Sawyer Bennett — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Everything is clicking for the Vengeance. We may be new, but we’re well on our way to winning the championship, and I’m having the time of my life headlining the sports media as the hottest goalie—hell, player—ever. I for one am going to live up to my name… because I am Legend Bay.
 
Dragging my ass home from the gym, I’m blinded by some gaudy, glowing holiday lights. As usual, my hot-as-hell neighbor has gone way over the top. But just as I’m about to tell her off, something else catches my eye… Seems like Santa left me a present, and not one I was expecting.
 
As life takes an unexpected turn, I realize that there’s much more to her than meets the eye. Sure, she’s gorgeous. And exasperating. And her taste in decorating may be a bit … unique.

But beneath her carefree demeanor is a fierce determination and a heart of gold. And before I know it I’ve fallen for her. Hard…
 
She is exactly the woman I never knew I needed.”

 

Waiting for Willa by Kristen Proby — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Max Hull left Cunningham Falls a long time ago. Thanks to his killer instincts and business smarts, he’s come back to town richer than anyone’s wildest imagination. Now he’s closer to his family, living in his dream home, and at the top of his career—it sure looks like he has it all. All but one thing. And she’s not interested.

Willa Monroe and Max were childhood sweethearts. She daydreamed about their wedding day and named their children, but Max’s dreams were bigger than her. After high school, he left her behind without another word. Now, Willa is a single mother and a successful business owner, and the heartbreak of losing Max was a very long time ago.

She’s moved on.

But when he walks into her shop and back into her life, suddenly it feels like no time has passed at all. He’s as handsome as ever, and more charming than she remembered. Once he makes friends with her son and turns his attention on her, how long will she be able to resist him?

And does she really want to? Sometimes you do get a second chance at first love.”

 

Gentleman Sinner by Jodi Ellen Malpas — New Release!!

Standalone: “A steamy, suspenseful new standalone romance about a British alpha hero and the one woman who may be able to save him-as long as he can protect her from his dark past.

Izzy White knows of the darkness in this world. After all, she escaped it long ago. Determined not to let her past beat her, Izzy has a secure, stable life with a job she loves in nursing. But one act of kindness will completely upend everything she’s so carefully built-putting her right back in the crosshairs of danger she’s been so desperate to avoid.

When Theo Kane shows up like a knight in shining armor, Izzy can’t help thinking she’s been saved from one threat and exposed to another. His imposing physique, the harsh lines of his face, and the wariness of everyone who comes close are just a few clues to Theo Kane’s notorious reputation. The man is positively terrifying. But with Izzy, he’s tender and a complete gentleman, and her fascination with the mysterious beast of a man becomes too powerful for her to walk away.

As Theo’s demons come to light, running becomes even more impossible. And yet staying together could doom them both.”

 

The Fearless King by Katee Robert — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Journey King is an expert at managing the family business. But when her father returns to Houston hell-bent on making a play for the company, Journey will do anything to stop him, even if that means going to Frank Evans for help. Frank deals in information, the dirtier the better. Rugged and rock solid, he’s by far her best ally — and also the most dangerous.

Frank knows better than to get tangled up with the Kings. But something about Journey’s rare vulnerability drags him deep into enemy territory… and into her darkest past. Pretending to be her boyfriend may be necessary for their plan to work, but Frank soon finds helping Journey is much more than just another job – and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

 

Dirty Halo by Julie Johnson — New Release!!

New series: “She’s the royal family’s dirty little secret. 
Born the illegitimate daughter of a duke, for twenty years she’s lived as a commoner… despite the regal blood running through her veins. But when the entire royal family is killed in a deadly attack, the line of succession swiftly changes course. With her ailing father appointed king and no legitimate heirs in sight, she is pulled from the shadows and thrust into a destiny she never wanted.

If this were a fairy tale, the palace would be paradise. In reality, with a father she barely knows on the throne, a deadly assassin still on the loose, and enemies around every gilded corridor corner — the callous, captivating Lord Carter Thorne chief among them — it feels more like a prison to her. One filled with unattainable expectations, unfamiliar customs, and undesirable suitors. 

They want her to behave like a good little girl. 
They want her to put on her glittering crown and keep her mouth shut. 

They’re about to be disappointed. 

She may have agreed to be their princess… 
But she’s no one’s puppet.“

 

Sexy Little Sinner by J. Kenner — New Release!!

Can standalone: “It was wrong to stay together … but we couldn’t stay apart. I’ve been with my share of women, but none touched my heart and fired my senses the way she did. Her smile enticed me. Her caresses teased me. Her body aroused me. And yet, it couldn’t last. There were too many years between us. A gap we couldn’t breach, and we broke it off. No. I broke it off. And I’ve regretted that decision ever since.

Now she’s in danger, and there’s no one else I trust to protect her. But the more time we spend together, the more I want her back. And all I know now is I have to keep her safe—and despite both of us knowing better, somehow, someway, she will be mine again.”

 

The Last by Tawna Fenske — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Sarah Keating was sure she’d be married by 30. Husband, kids, the kick-ass career helping adults with Down Syndrome—she assumed she’d have it all, and there’d be no need to fall back on the marriage pact she made with her best pal from college. But a tipsy message she sends from her birthday party brings Ian Nolan to her door ready to rock her world, and not just with mind-blowing sex. He’s up for tying the knot, and has a million pragmatic reasons it makes perfectly good sense.

As Sarah and Ian test drive their marriage-of-convenience, they navigate awkward business dinners, a slippery steam room hookup, and a costume party gone awry. Their friendship is stronger than ever, and the sexual chemistry is off the charts. But is that enough to make a marriage work, or will one of them fall hard and end up brokenhearted?”

 

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald — New Release!!

Standalone: “A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies. In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.

When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?

Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?”

 

The Military Wife: Heart of a Hero by Laura Trentham — New Release!!

Standalone: “Harper has been marking time in her hometown since her husband’s death, nearly five years earlier. With her son turning five and living at home with her mother, she fights a growing restlessness, worried that moving on means leaving the memory of her husband behind…

In an effort to reenergize her own life, she sees an opportunity to help [a] network of other military wives eager to support her idea of starting a string of coffee houses close to military bases around the country.

In her pursuit of her dream, she crosses paths with [her late husband’s] best friend and SEAL brother. A man who has a promise to keep, entangling their lives in ways neither of them can foresee. As her business grows so does an unexpected relationship with him. Can she let go of her grief and build a future with him even as the man they both loved haunts their pasts?”

 

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella — New Release!!

Standalone: “An irresistible story of love and empowerment about a young woman with a complicated family, a handsome man who might be “the one,” and an IOU that changes everything.

She has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, she spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way she sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?

It’s simply not in her nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. She laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?…”

 

Hard-Riding Cowboy by Stacey Kennedy — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Megan Harrison is the owner of Kinky Spurs. She’s mortgaged up to her eyeballs and works long days and nights, but she’s living life on her terms, not on her wealthy father’s. She’s done being in the cattle rancher’s shadow. She’s got it all figured out, except for the part that involves Nash Blackshaw. He’s a sexy as hell cowboy whose smile can easily charm her out of her tight jeans. The only problem is—their fathers were business rivals, and Megan and Nash have been taught to hate each other since birth… he shouldn’t have time to think about all the ways he wants Megan. But it’s all he thinks of around the sassy and sweet woman. She might be forbidden to him, but Nash wants to take her for a hard, kinky ride.

But small towns have a way of spreading gossip like wildfire, and not everyone is happy about their relationship. Especially when Megan drops a bombshell on Nash after one heated night between them. As much as Megan and Nash want to forget the old feud between their fathers and lose each other in explosive passion, they can’t escape reality. They are meant to be enemies, and Nash’s sizzling, dominant touch might not be enough to keep them together.”

 

More Than Words by Jill Santopolo — New Release!!

Standalone: “Nina has always known who she’s supposed to be. But is that who she truly is?

Nina Gregory has always been a good daughter. Raised by her father, owner of New York City’s glamorous Gregory Hotels, Nina was taught that family, reputation, and legacy are what matter most. And Tim–her devoted boyfriend and best friend since childhood–feels the same. But when Nina’s father dies, he leaves behind a secret that shocks Nina to her core. As her world falls apart, Nina begins to see the men in her life–her father, her boyfriend, and unexpectedly, her boss, Rafael–in a new light. Soon Nina finds herself caught between the world she loves, and a passion that could upend everything. More Than Words is a heartbreaking and romantic novel about grief, loss, love, and self-discovery, and how we choose which life we are meant to live.”

 

The Lost Man by Jane Harper — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Brothers Nathan and Bub Bright meet for the first time in months at the remote fence line separating their cattle ranches in the lonely outback. Their third brother, Cameron, lies dead at their feet.

In an isolated belt of Australia, their homes a three-hour drive apart, the brothers were one another’s nearest neighbors. Cameron was the middle child, the one who ran the family homestead. But something made him head out alone under the unrelenting sun. Nathan, Bub and Nathan’s son return to Cameron’s ranch and to those left behind by his passing: his wife, his daughters, and his mother, as well as their long-time employee and two recently hired seasonal workers. While they grieve Cameron’s loss, suspicion starts to take hold, and Nathan is forced to examine secrets the family would rather leave in the past. Because if someone forced Cameron to his death, the isolation of the outback leaves few suspects.”

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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF January 28, 2019

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF January 28, 2019

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NEW TOP RECOMMENDATION: If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels (Read my Review) 
HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! This is now live and I was overflowing with HAPPY FEELS when I finished reading it because seriously the ending was just pure SWOOOOONY PERFECTION!!!!! Ahhhhh!!! This book was absolutely everything a romance should be — addictive, intense, unputdownable, sexy, swoooony, sassy, emotional, healing, it had EVERYTHING and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVED it!!!! Seriously, everything about this book worked so well — the writing was on point, there were deep feels that tugged my heart-strings, scenes that made me laugh-out-loud, complex characters with layers, and a believable love story that genuinely made my heart HAPPY!!! If you’re looking for a FANTASTIC NEW BOOK to fall in love with, be sure to grab a copy!! It’s LIVE! 😀

 
ANNOUNCED RECENTLY:  


Apr 16
Pre-Order

May 07
Pre-Order

May 14
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Jun 18
Pre-Order

Aug 06
Pre-Order

Aug 13
Pre-Order

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

 
HOT NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):  


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Book Review — If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels

Book Review — If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels

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“What’s happening with us?”
Milo brings his lips to my forehead and places a soft kiss there. “I don’t know, but I’m not sure I’m strong enough to stay away from you.”

HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!

You guys! This book was AMAZING! When I finished reading it, I literally just sat there smiling from ear to ear overflowing with all the happy feels because seriously the epilogue was pure SWOOOOONY PERFECTION and the absolutely best ending I could have hoped for for such a wonderful story!!

This book was absolutely everything a strong Romance should be — it was addictive and unputdownable, heart-poundingly intense at times, but sexy and romantic at others, it had a sprinkling of sass, complex and relatable characters, a lot of emotional healing and depth that tugged my heart-strings, and a believable love story that made me genuinely happy. It had everything in the perfect balance all rounded out with beautiful writing, not to mention that the pacing was on point so the editing was well done. I was just truly impressed with this book!

“My life was perfect – until a shocking tragedy pulled the rug out from underneath me.

My children were left without a father. I was without a husband and a provider. Instead of wallowing in my grief, I buried myself in my work at Dovetail Enterprises. Landing the promotion as the CEO’s right hand was exactly what I needed.

Getting saddled with Milo Huxley as an assistant is exactly the opposite.

I can’t stand him.

He’s arrogant, irresponsible, and out for my job. As if that’s not bad enough, he has to be devastatingly sexy, and have a posh English accent that makes me squirm on top of it all. I’ve had enough unpredictability for one lifetime, thank you.

But soon enough, we’re fighting less and laughing more. He’s there for me when no one else is. And those good looks aren’t the only panty-dropping thing about him.

If I only knew what to do about it…”

The story starts out with a heart-breaking prologue where the heroine faces one of the worst things a wife or mother could endure. The writing was so honest and I loved that the author conveyed the pain without making their lives seem perfect — their marriage was messy and imperfect, but the love was so very real, and was the loss.

As soon as I think of Peter, my chest aches. I miss him.
I miss him so much sometimes that I can’t breathe.
No amount of time has erased the pain that sits inside of me, festering, clawing up my throat until I choke on it. I’ve gotten very good at hiding my agony.
My friends eep saying how great I’m doing, and how they’re proud of the woman they see, but they’re not there at night when I break. When I long for the smell of his cologne on the pillow next to me. When I can’t stop the tears and bury my head in the pillow to muffle the sobs.

The heroine is the true voice behind this story even though later on in the book it begins to alternate POVs between the heroine and hero. But this truly begins as HER story and I loved her as a heroine. She was a character I cared for even enough that I cared about her individually, separate from the romance. Usually I tend to lose focus when a book veers away from the romance, but in this case, the slow build made so much sense and I absolutely loved the relationships she had with her tribe of amazingly supportive girl friends. It brought a lot of depth to the story to have her character and family built up with so many layer before turning the focus onto the romance.

The small boy walks over with his hand extended. “I’m Parker Bergen.”
“Milo Huxley,” I say as I give him a nice strong shake. “Quite a grip you have there, Parker.”
“Dad said a man is measured by his handshake,” he tells me.
I smile. “Your dad was right.”

The hero was surprising in the best way. I kind of expected him to just be another bad boy but the more we learned about him, the more intrigued I was by this character who seemed like a bad boy on the surface, but was hiding so many unhealed hurts underneath.

“I’m all in.”
She smiles, lifts up on her toes, and kisses me. “And you said you weren’t a hero.”
I release a breath through my nose and rest my head against hers. “I guess I needed to find a cause worth fighting for.”

For the record, the heroine is late 30’s and the hero is early 40s. I usually don’t comment much on age but the burb could be interpreted as them (or at least him) being a lot younger and I actually really loved that they were both so mature and level headed.

“You only see what you want,” I say.
Milo lifts his head, wiping th tear that’s slowly falling, leaving little black rivers against my skin. “I see you. I wish I didn’t sometimes. You can continue to push back, and that’s fine, but I’ve bene dealing with people doing it to me my entire life, Danielle. I’ve gotten bloody good at fighting back and I’ll fight for you.”

Now, you can read this book as a standalone, but it is also the 4th standalone in a series of standalones following several others that I’ve loved. The reading order is listed below so you could easily dive right into this one, but if you’re looking for a whole bunch of reading, I do recommend them all.

If you’re looking for a FANTASTIC NEW BOOK to fall in love with, this is it!!!!

Rating: 4.5+ STARS!! Contemporary Adult Romance, can standalone

________________________

Series of standalones.


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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF January 22, 2019

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF January 22, 2019

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NEW TOP RECOMMENDATION: We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland (Read my Review) 
SQUEEEEEEE!!!! I read this book in one sitting from start to finish without stopping because it was just THAT addictive!!!! It was a SEXY, SWOONY ROMANCE that started off with a bit of a fun office rivalry, but as the book went on the story brought on a lot of deep feels that kept me flipping pages non-stop!! I’m always drawn to stories with DAMAGED HEROES and STRONG HEROINES so this book definitely was exactly what I was looking for right now!!! If you’re looking for a FANTASTIC NEW READ, try this book!!! — “Bennett Fox walked into my life on one hell of a crappy Monday morning. I was late for the first day at my new job—a job I’d now have to compete for even though I’d already worked eight years to earn it, because of an unexpected merger. While I lugged my belongings up to my new office, a meter maid wrote me a parking summons. She’d ticketed a long line of cars—except for the Audi parked in front of me, which happened to be the same make and model as mine. Annoyed, I decided to regift my ticket to the car that had evaded a fine. Chances were, the owner would pay it and be none the wiser. Except, I accidentally broke the windshield wiper while slipping the ticket onto the car’s window. Seriously, my day couldn’t get any worse. Things started to perk up when I ran into a gorgeous man in the elevator. We had one of those brief moments that only happened in movies. You know the deal…your body lights up, fireworks go off, and the air around you crackles with electricity. His heated stare left me flushed when I stepped off the elevator. Maybe things here wouldn’t be so bad after all. Or so I thought. Until I walked into my new boss’s office and met my competition. The gorgeous man from the elevator was now my nemesis…” — It’s such a fun read!! Be sure to grab a copy!!!

 
JUST ANNOUNCED: The Mister by EL James 
OH MY GOD!!!!! The passionate new romance from E L James, author of the #1 bestselling Fifty Shades Trilogy. — “London, 2019. Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own? From the heart of London through wild, rural Cornwall to the bleak, forbidding beauty of the Balkans, The Mister is a roller-coaster ride of danger and desire that leaves the reader breathless to the very last page.” AHHHH!! How exciting!! — Be sure to pre-order a copy!!! Both eBook and Paperback are available for preorder!

 
NEW COVER JUST ANNOUNCED: Letters To Molly by Devney Perry 
OMG!!!! The new cover for Letters To Molly was just announced and I CAN’T WAIT for it because I LOVE this author’s writing!!! This is a standalone novel that’s also interconnected with The Birthday List (my review) and it sounds amazing! — “Molly and Finn Alcott had the picture-perfect marriage. With two gorgeous children, a lovely home and their own business, they were the couple others aspired to be. But when news of their divorce spreads through town like wildfire, it sends their beautiful image up in flames. Molly spends years mending her broken heart. She finds joy in a life centered around her kids and career. Her happiness has a different picture now. Then one day, she finds a letter in her mailbox. Written in Finn’s handwriting, dated over fifteen years ago, it’s a letter he wrote Molly after their first date. Week after week, Finn’s letters appear. Each marks a date in their history. Each holds the confession of the man who still owns Molly’s heart. Each heals a wound from their past. It’s just too bad Finn isn’t the one sending them…” — Be sure to pre-order Letters to Molly!! And if you want something to read now, grab a copy of The Birthday List!!! These are both standalone novels about different couples!

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

 
HOT NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):  


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DETAILED LIST: NEW RELEASES

 

We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland — New Release!!

Standalone: “He walked into my life on one hell of a crappy Monday morning. I was late for the first day at my new job—a job I’d now have to compete for even though I’d already worked eight years to earn it, because of an unexpected merger. While I lugged my belongings up to my new office, a meter maid wrote me a parking summons.

She’d ticketed a long line of cars—except for the Audi parked in front of me, which happened to be the same make and model as mine.

Annoyed, I decided to regift my ticket to the car that had evaded a fine. Chances were, the owner would pay it and be none the wiser.

Except, I accidentally broke the windshield wiper while slipping the ticket onto the car’s window.

Seriously, my day couldn’t get any worse.

Things started to perk up when I ran into a gorgeous man in the elevator. We had one of those brief moments that only happened in movies.

You know the deal…your body lights up, fireworks go off, and the air around you crackles with electricity.

His heated stare left me flushed when I stepped off the elevator.

Maybe things here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Or so I thought.

Until I walked into my new boss’s office and met my competition.

The gorgeous man from the elevator was now my nemesis. His heated stare wasn’t because of any mutual attraction. It was because he’d seen me vandalize his car. And now he couldn’t wait to annihilate his rival.

There’s a fine line between love and hate—and we shouldn’t cross it.

We shouldn’t—but straddling that line could be so much fun.”

 

Darkness Embraced by Tillie Cole — New Release!!

Can standalone: “The deepest love can be born from the fiercest hate…⁣ Born to sit on opposing thrones.⁣ They were never meant to fall.⁣ ⁣

Fed nothing but hate, violence, and intolerance from the day he was born, Tanner kills for his cause without remorse.⁣ Until he meets her…⁣ They hate each other instantly. But there is something between them that neither can explain or deny. Hate turns to desire, desire turns to love, and for the first time he sees how wrong his whole life has been.⁣.. When they are thrown together again, they are forced to fight for a love that should never have been. For a love that puts them and everyone they have ever loved in danger.⁣ ⁣ The White Prince.⁣ The cartel princess.⁣ And a future that seems shrouded in darkness…⁣”

 

Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis — New Release!!

Can standalone: “When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s yoga pants, he’s a suit. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.”

 

Take Me Again by Carly Phillips — New Release!!

Can standalone: “He’s alpha, he’s sexy, and he’s sure he’s got life in his hands … Until she returns, wanting nothing to do with the playboy who broke her heart. 

He’s a closer. Be it a business deal or the woman of his choice, everything he wants is his for the taking. Sexy and irresistible, a wink, a smile, or a handshake always seals the deal. Until she returns at the worst possible time, and everything unravels around him. 

[She]’s sassy and sexy–everything he craves and he wants a second chance. Despite her reluctance, his sex appeal makes it harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.

He might have a talent for sealing the deal, but she is no longer easily charmed. This time he’s going to have to work to win.”

 

Cruel Money by K.A. Linde — New Release!!

New series: “She was supposed to be a one night stand…
I let her glimpse the man I am. The face that I hide behind my carefully cultivated life. But she ripped open that divide—and there’s no going back.
Now, she’s here. In my city.
I don’t care that I’m Manhattan royalty and she’s the help.
Only that she’s living in my summer home. With me.
And I want more.”

 

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry — New Release!!

Standalone: “The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she’s psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…”

 

Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen — New Release!!

Can standalone: There’s this girl… “She and I have been trading hungry looks all year, and everything she does makes me smile. But I don’t do girlfriends, and I certainly can’t get involved with the league commissioner’s daughter. I need shots on goal, not a hookup and a widely misunderstood paparazzi photo. Can I resist her, though?”

There’s this guy… “He wants me, but he won’t admit it. That man looks at me the way a hockey player eyes the lunch buffet after practice—and I love it.  But when victory is finally within my grasp, I blow it and humiliate myself. Even then I can’t even avoid him—as the team intern, I’m in constant view of his hard body and cocky smile.  I need another chance. He is about to learn the true meaning of an overnight sensation.”

 

Ashes to Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Back in Denver, she lost everything she ever loved, except for her daughter, the one memory she has left of the man she loved and lost. Now, she’s leaving her past behind to start her new life. One step at a time.

He’s the newest tattoo artist at Montgomery Ink Too and knows the others are curious about his secrets. But he’s not ready to tell them. Not yet. That is…until he meets her.

They thought they had their own paths, ones that had nothing to do with one another. Then…they took a chance.
On each other.
One night at a time.“

 

Be the Girl by K.A. Tucker — New Release!!

Standalone: “Almost-sixteen-year-old Aria Jones is starting over. New postal code, new last name, new rules. But she doesn’t mind, because it means she can leave her painful regrets behind. In the bustling town of Eastmonte, she can become someone else. Someone better.

With the Hartford family living next door, it seems she will succeed. Sure, Cassie Hartford may be the epitome of social awkwardness thanks to her autism, but she also offers an innocent and sincere friendship that Aria learns to appreciate. And Cassie’s older brother, Emmett—a popular Junior A hockey player with a bright future—well … Aria wishes that friendship could lead to something more. If he didn’t already have a girlfriend, maybe it would.

But Aria soon finds herself in a dicey moral predicament that could derail her attempt at a fresh start. It is her loyalty to Cassie and her growing crush on Emmett that leads her to make a risky move, one that earns her a vindictive enemy who is determined to splinter her happy new world.”

 

Illegally Yours by Kate Meader — New Release!!

Can standalone: “Rule #1: Never fall for your client.
Rule #2: Never fall for your client’s fiercely protective, smoking hot sister-in-law.
I’m the kind of guy who believes that everyone deserves the best legal representation money can buy—which just so happens to be me, Lucas Wright. Give me your henpecked, your cuckolded, your irreconcilable differences yearning to break free! And if you’re the bad guy in your marriage, that’s cool too. Your green is as good as anyone’s.

Tell that to Trinity Jones. It’s my job to destroy her sister—the soon-to-be ex-wife of my a-hole of a client—and her “big sis” instincts are dialed up to the max. I admire that. I admire her. But she won’t stop me from representing my client to the best of my ability.

Not even if my chemistry with Trinity is undeniable. Not even if we can’t keep our hands off each other. Not even if she injects life into a heart assumed to be long dead.
 
Because when faced with a choice between love and duty, the job will always win—or at least that’s what I thought before I met Trinity … and suddenly conflict of interest never felt so right.”

 …

Read More  >
Book Review — We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland

Book Review — We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland

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“In thirty-one years, I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you, and of course, you’re the one woman I can’t have.”

SQUEEEEE!!!

This was exactly the type of swoony, sexy, addictive romance I was looking for! I’ve read so many books by Vi Keeland over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed every one — so it’s definitely safe to say that she’s one of my favorite go-to one-click authors and this book was another winner!

Here, the blurb will give you the best idea of what to expect from this story…


Bennett Fox walked into my life on one hell of a crappy Monday morning.

I was late for the first day at my new job—a job I’d now have to compete for even though I’d already worked eight years to earn it, because of an unexpected merger.

While I lugged my belongings up to my new office, a meter maid wrote me a parking summons.

She’d ticketed a long line of cars—except for the Audi parked in front of me, which happened to be the same make and model as mine.

Annoyed, I decided to regift my ticket to the car that had evaded a fine. Chances were, the owner would pay it and be none the wiser.

Except, I accidentally broke the windshield wiper while slipping the ticket onto the car’s window.

Seriously, my day couldn’t get any worse.

Things started to perk up when I ran into a gorgeous man in the elevator. We had one of those brief moments that only happened in movies.

You know the deal…your body lights up, fireworks go off, and the air around you crackles with electricity.

His heated stare left me flushed when I stepped off the elevator.

Maybe things here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Or so I thought.

Until I walked into my new boss’s office and met my competition.

The gorgeous man from the elevator was now my nemesis. His heated stare wasn’t because of any mutual attraction. It was because he’d seen me vandalize his car. And now he couldn’t wait to annihilate his rival.

There’s a fine line between love and hate—and we shouldn’t cross it.

We shouldn’t—but straddling that line could be so much fun.

Doesn’t it sound fun?? Well, I promise it is!!

The story starts out as a chemistry sparking, light-hearted, office rivalry romance but as the story went on, it became both sexy and also heart-warming adding depth with character back stories that really changed the way you looked at them.

“You like him that much.”
I nodded some more. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s all those things I originally thought, but there’s so much more underneath. Like, he has this childlike quality to him, but at the same time, he’s so committed and responsible with his godson. Plus, he makes me laugh, even when I’m pissed off at him. And he has a good heart, but he doesn’t want anyone to know. Not to mention — he has the goods and knows how to use them.”

The hero came off as a bit of a self-entitled asshat with a heart of gold at first. Like you could tell he was a good guy but he was also quite infuriating at times. Although in his defense, the heroine was literally vying for the job he’d worked hard to secure so I could understand some natural antagonism given the situation. But I did really appreciate his self-awareness. He knew how he was and made no apologies for it, but turns out he had a very good reason for not being a romantic and I really enjoyed the way the bits of his past were revealed over the course of the book.

“I thought you were asleep.”
“You were going to try to sneak out?”
“No. Ummm… Yeah. I thought maybe it would be better if I went home.”
He pulled me back down to his chest, hugging my shoulder tight to him. “It wouldn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re a nice girl. A nice woman. I like you here. But if I tell you that some of my scars aren’t healable on the inside, you’re going to try to heal me.”
“And something is wrong with that?”
“Some scars don’t deserve to be healed. But that doesn’t mean I want you to go home. Get some sleep, babe.”

I’m always drawn to romances with damaged heroes and strong heroines so this book was exactly what I was looking for right now. It never gets old to read about the guy who never thought that a relationship wasn’t in the cards for him fall head over heels in love for the first time! Not to mention that the story all wraps up in a beautiful epilogue!

If you’re looking for a sexy, swoony romance that’s both light and heart-warming, then definitely try this book!

Rating: 4-4.5 stars!! Contemporary Adult Romance, standalone.

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