Aestas Book Blog

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF March 12, 2018

March 12, 2018 by Aestas · Leave a Comment

UPCOMING TOP RECOMMENDATION: The Birthday List by Devney Perry (Read my Review)
OH MY SWOOOOOOON!!!!! This was one of my most highly anticipated books of this year and I read an early copy and LOVED IT!!! It was such a beautifully written love story — the ultimate slow-burning romance full of HEART, HEALING, and HAPPINESS that truly showed that even after the most heart-breaking loss imaginable, it was still possible to find a second chance at love and life. This hero was SO patience and gentle and understanding… he just MADE MY HEART MELT over and over. And the heroine was strong and relatable. While some parts of the story were painful, I would definitely describe this book as a FEEL-GOOD ROMANCE and one that left me with the biggest smile on my face. This book is a complete standalone NOT related to any of her other amazing books and I would highly recommend pre-ordering a copy so you don’t miss its upcoming release!! This is a NEW FAVORITE!!!!

UPCOMING 5 STAR FAVORITE: All Your Perfects: A Novel by Colleen Hoover (Read my Review)
I got to read an early copy of this book and you guys, it was one of the most POWERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, HEART-BREAKING, and HEALING LOVE STORIES I’ve ever read! It’s about a married couple struggling through some dark days and HOLY EPIC FEELS!!!! I read the book in one sitting and just DEVOURED this story. I FELT SO DEEPLY and STRONGLY for this couple and everything they were going through. And then there was just this MOMENT where everything CLICKED and I swear I just literally burst into tears and then SOBBED my way through the whole rest of the book. But in the BEST WAY. These weren’t tears of sadness, rather an EMOTIONAL OVERFLOW. And the EPILOGUE was PERFECT. This book was PERFECT. Everything about it was perfect. You have to read it!! It’s one of the BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR!!! Be sure to pre-order a copy because you do NOT want to miss this book!

LATEST BOOKWORM NEWS:

Only Him by Melanie Harlow was just announced!! This is the next standalone following Only You which was recently released! — “He was my first crush, my first kiss, my first everything. But I’m not a lovesick teenager anymore, and I refuse to let him break my heart again. So when he shows up out of the blue asking me to take a road trip with him “for old time’s sake,” I say I will. After all, it’s been ten years. I’m stronger and smarter, full of inner peace and harmony… Except he’s still got eyes that make me weak. Kisses that steal my rational thoughts. Tattoos that declare war on my senses and a body that renders me completely defenseless. We’re just as good together as we were back then—better, even—and I’m willing to give the only man I’ve ever loved another chance. But he’s got to tell me the truth.”

Consumed (Firefighters series Book 1) by JR Ward was just announced!!! — “From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series comes a brand-new novel about arson investigator, Ann Ashburn, who is consumed by her troubled past, her family’s scorched legacy, and her current case: chasing a deadly killer… Anne Ashburn is a woman consumed. By her bitter family legacy, by her scorched career as a firefighter, by her obsession with department bad-boy Danny McGuire, and by a new case that pits her against a fiery killer…”

From Here to You by Jamie McGuire was just announced!! — “As she sits in a tiny Texas church bathroom on her wedding day holding a positive pregnancy test, she realizes that of all the bad decisions she’s made in her life, marrying her abusive fiancé would be the worst. She’s never been able to stand up for herself, but she’ll sure as hell stand up for her baby. With just the cash she has on hand, she runs to get a bus ticket to the farthest place she can afford. Between her sheer grit and pageant-queen smile, she lands a job as a front desk clerk at the Colorado Springs Hotel. It’s not a glamorous life, but she and her baby are all that matters. A former Marine, Scott Trexler has worked in the most dangerous, corrupt, war-torn places on earth. Now he finally has a chance to return to the last place he’d felt at peace–Colorado Springs, Colorado, to take a new job with a top-secret military installation buried deep within the granite… The moment he walks into the inn, she knows he’s dangerous. There’s no way she wants to get involved with another man who seems to be keeping way too many secrets. As charming and devastatingly gorgeous as he is, he clearly isn’t telling her everything…”

The Simple Wild: A Novel by KA Tucker was just announced!! It’s a standalone! — Calla Fletcher was two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren Fletcher, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at twenty-six, a busy life in Toronto is all she knows. But when her father reaches out to inform her that his days are numbered, Calla knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born… She braves the roaming wildlife, the odd daylight hours, the exorbitant prices, and even the occasional—dear God—outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this new subarctic environment, Jonah—the quiet, brooding, and proud Alaskan pilot who keeps her father’s charter plane company operational [and] can’t imagine calling anywhere else home… It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried—and failed at—years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all.

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):

Only You by Melanie Harlow (surprise single dad romance, standalone)
The Hook-Up Experiment by Emma Hart (single dad romantic comedy, The Experiment series)
Dearest Ivie by J.R. Ward (paranormal romance novella in Black Dagger Brotherhood world)
The Scars I Bare by J.L. Berg (second chance romance, standalone in By The Bay series)
Ride Dirty by Laura Kaye (biker romance novella, standalone in Raven Riders series)
Justice for Milena by Susan Stoker (second chance romance/suspense, standalone in Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes)
INK: A Love Story on 7th and Main by Elizabeth Hunter (book shop/tattoo artist fall in love, standalone)
Get It On by J. Kenner (surprise baby romance, standalone in Man of the Month series)
Alphas Like Us by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie (MM romance in Like Us Series: Billionaires & Bodyguards)
Possessive by Willow Winters (playboy hero romance, standalone)
No Ordinary Love by Melody Grace (small town romance, standalone in Sweetbriar Cove series)
Playing His Wife by Erika Wilde (erotic romance novella, standalone in The Players Club series)
A Dangerous Game by Heather Graham (mystery/thriller in New York Confidential series)
Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh (mystery/thriller)
The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian (mystery/thriller)
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (mystery/thriller)
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files series finale)

LATER WEEK RELEASES (PRE-ORDER NOW):

Before and Ever Since by Sharla Lovelace (second chance romance, standalone in What Happens in Texas series)
Sinner by Sierra Simone (provocative romance, standalone in Priest series)
Pretty as a Peach by Juliette Poe (small town romantic comedy, standalone in The Sex & Sweet Tea Series)
Matters of the Hart by M.E. Carter (iTunes link — Hart series)

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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF March 5, 2018

March 5, 2018 by Aestas · 2 Comments

NEW 5 STAR FAVORITE: All Your Perfects: A Novel by Colleen Hoover (Read my Review)
OMG. OMG. OH. MY. GOD!!!!!!!!! HOLY WOW!!!!!! I just finished reading an early copy of this book and it was one of the most POWERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, HEART-BREAKING, and HEALING LOVE STORIES I’ve ever read. It’s about a married couple struggling through some dark days and THE EPIC FEELS!!!! I read the book in one sitting and just DEVOURED this story. I FELT SO DEEPLY and STRONGLY for this couple and everything they were going through. And then there was just this MOMENT where everything CLICKED and I swear I just literally burst into tears and then SOBBED my way through the whole rest of the book. But in the BEST WAY. These weren’t tears of sadness, rather an EMOTIONAL OVERFLOW and HOLY EPILOGUE!!!!!! It was PERFECT. This book was PERFECT. Everything about it was perfect. You have to read it!!!!!!! It’s one of the BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR!!! I honestly just LOVED it!! Be sure to pre-order a copy because you do NOT want to miss this release! 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM FAVORITE AUTHORS (PRE-ORDER NOW):

Wild Like the Wind by Kristen Ashley was just announced!!! This is a new standalone in the amazing biker romance Chaos series!! — “The brother known as Hound has a reputation. He’s all about cracking heads, having a good time, and when the Chaos Motorcycle Club needs someone to do the tough job, they call on him. But Hound has a secret. He fell in love with a woman years ago. She’s untouchable. Unattainable. And even when her status changes, for Hound, it remains the same. Keely Black had it all early and lost it all not long after. Thrown into an abyss of loss and grief, she’s faced a life of raising two sons alone and battling the rage at all that had been ripped from them. And why. Words spoken in anger open Hound’s and Keely’s eyes. For Hound, he sees he’s wasted his life loving the wrong woman. Keely sees she’s wasting her life not opening herself to the love of a good man.” — If you’re new to the series, here’s the reading order: Own The Wind, Fire Inside, Ride Steady, Walk Through Fire, Rough Ride, Wild Like The Wind.

Blind Kiss: A Novel by Renee Carlino was just announced!! It’s a standalone! — Penny spends her afternoons sitting outside a sandwich shop. Fourteen years ago, this shop was her childhood dance studio… Now she’s a suburban housewife, dreading the moment her son departs for MIT, leaving her with [a] McMansion and a failing marriage. She had her chance at wild, stars-in-her-eyes happiness, but that was a lifetime ago. After The Kiss. Before The Decision. The Kiss was soulful. Magical. Earth-shattering, And it was all for a free gift card. Asked to participate in a psych study that posed the question, “Can you have sexual chemistry without knowing what the other person looks like?” Penny agreed to be blindfolded, make polite conversation with a total stranger, and kiss him. She never expected The Kiss to change her life forever and introduce her to Gavin: tattooed, gorgeous, and spontaneous enough to ask her out seconds after the blindfolds came off… For a year, they danced between friendship and romance—until Penny made The Decision that forced them to settle for friendship. Now, fourteen years later, both of their lives are about to radically change—and it’s his turn to decide what will become of their once-in-a-lifetime connection.”

In Bed With The Beast by Tara Sivec was just announced!! A tale as old as time: she needs a place to stay, he’s a grump with a secret and an extra room…can love find a way? — This is the second standalone in her modern fairytale romantic comedy series The Naughty Princess Club about three women fall into once they decide to strut their stuff and bring on their own happily ever after. — Living in her overprotective dad’s basement, shy Belle lives her life through books. Being a part of the Naughty Princess Club is the first adventure she’s ever had, plus she desperately needs the money to save one of her favorite places – the local library. But when her new friends and new business gets her kicked out of her dad’s house, Belle is rescued by the surly Vincent “Beast” Adams who invites her to be his house guest until she gets back on her feet. Despite his attitude problem and long list of rules, Belle finds herself warming to the muscled man with a penchant for growling and starts seeing a gentle side to him that wasn’t there before.

Love At Last by Claudia Connor was just announced!!! It’s a single dad romance standalone! — “I’m in love with someone else.” With her ex-groom’s words still ringing in her ears, she flies off alone to her would-be honeymoon. Forced to accept not everyone gets that happily ever after she’s always dreamed of, she’s done with men. Until she gets tangled up, quite literally, with one sexy veterinarian… The only thing he wants is to share his surgical expertise and get back to his two year old twin daughters. But, the connection he feels with her just how alone he really is and makes him wonder if he can be more than doctor and daddy… Long talks and moonlit walks under the rustle of palms has her thinking maybe she gave up on love too soon. Until one phone call from home changes everything…”

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

HOT NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro & Daniel Kraus (OMG, this was an amazing movie and now there’s a book!!! Gorgeous forbidden love story!)
Until Harmony by Aurora Rose Reynolds (biker romance, standalone in Until Her/ Him series)
Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid (romantic comedy, standalone in Knitting in the City series)
Accidental Tryst: A Romantic Comedy by Natasha Boyd (two strangers accidentally switch cell phones in a busy airport in this edgier You’ve Got Mail, sexy romance for the smart-phone era)
High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning (urban fantasy continuation of the Fever series)
Dane’s Storm (Audiobook) by Mia Sheridan (divorced couple crash lands in the mountains, second chance romance standalone — if you’re new to audiobooks, grab a Free Audible Membership Trial)
White Knight by CD Reiss (opposites attract romance, can standalone)
Ruin by Samantha Towle (fighter/second chance romance standalone)
Sweet Dreams by Stacey Keith (sweet small town romance, standalone in Dreams Come True series)
Making Sense by Lila Rose (divorced single mom/office romance/romantic comedy standalone)
A Rogue of Her Own by Grace Burrowes (historical romance in Windham Brides series)
The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard (suspense/thriller standalone)
Dark Alpha’s Night by Donna Grant (paranormal romance in Reapers series)
Sin With Me by JA Huss &‎ Johnathan McClain (two broken people in a city fueled by sin, Original Sin series)
Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi (continuation of Shatter Me series)
Tap That by Jennifer Blackwood & RC Boldt (office romance/ comedy standalone)
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop (fantasy romance in The Others series)
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs (shifter romance in Alpha and Omega series)
Bad Bachelor by Stefanie London (fun sexy romance, can standalone)
Kissing the Boss: A Cinderella Story by Linda Kage (modern fairy tale, standalone in Fairy Tale Quartet)
Spiced by Jamie Farrell (romantic comedy, standalone in Misfit Brides series)

LATER WEEK RELEASES (PRE-ORDER NOW):

Law & Beard by Lani Lynn Vale (The Dixie Warden Rejects MC Book 8)

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Book Review — One Last Time by Corinne Michaels

February 26, 2018 by Aestas · 4 Comments

“I know that your laugh makes my heart race. The way you smile when you think no one is watching stirs something inside me that makes me desperate for more. The way your entire face lights up when you talk about [your children]. I know what it feels like to have you in my arms, touch your lips, and fuck, I’d be lying if I said I’m not wishing for it again. I think about you more than I should. I know that you think you’re weak, but I see a strong, beautiful, and smart woman who deserves a man to worship her.”

HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEEEE!! This was just the sweetest romance you can imagine with the swooniest hero, a strong single mom heroine, an addictive story, and even some serious angst!! I read it in one non-stop sitting and absolutely loved it!! It was seriously SO heart-warming to watch this larger-than-life Alpha hero be so wonderful and caring with the heroine’s kids, and I loved that not only was there a sexy, hot romance at the heart of this story but it was grounded by so much healing and even a couple badass moments that made me cheer!! If you’re looking for a FANTASTIC new read, definitely try this book!!

The story begins when Kristin’s fourteen year marriage to the man she’d loved since she was twenty-two finally disintegrated beyond the point of repair and her world was turned upside down. Now a single mom of two kids, she had to shift her life around in ways she’d never anticipated.

The prologue was absolutely heart-breaking as it showed the true deterioration and quiet destruction of a marriage — without any huge betrayal or outrage. It was just quietly devastating and genuinely made me ache for this heroine.

I loved that this book took the time to set Kristin up as her own independent character before diving into the romance of this story. Allowing that time to establish her history and show her loss as well as how she was adjusting to being an almost-divorced-working-mother-of-two was a huge help in defining her backstory and because the reader was given that, it made a lot of what happened later in the book make a lot more sense.

One of the big changes in her life led her back to work and she began a job writing for a celebrity gossip blog and her newest assignment was Noah Frazier — movie star extraordinaire and one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. He also happened to be her best friend’s husband’s best friend so when they connected, she was determined to keep their relationship professional.

“Hey.” He waits for me to look up from my hands before he continues, “We’re all messes. If you think anyone in Hollywood has it together, you’re wrong. I haven’t had a girlfriend in almost fifteen years, and I’m not asking you to date me. Heather already threatened to castrate me if I tried.”
There’s my best friend I know and love.
“But I won’t lie, I’m attracted to you, and if all we’lll ever be is friends… I’m okay with that.”
… “We can’t really be friends, can we? It’s my job to write stories about your life.”
He shrugs. “It means you’ll be around a lot. Lots of time to win you over.”

He dazzled her but she never counted on him being equally taken with her. He made her feel free again for the first time in what seemed like forever and more importantly, he was falling in love with who she was just as she was.

Her blue eyes meet mine. “I’m not usually like this,” she admits. “I’m the uptight one out of my friends.”
“Don’t be anyone else but who you are, Kristin. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who’d confident. Trust me.”

No matter how strong their connection though, she was naturally wary of jumping into any new relationship and, because of that time where we’d really seen how her marriage had impacted her life, I found her hesitation at starting anything with Noah much more sympathetic than the standard heroine “running” from a relationship. Instead, I found her reaction to be very understandable and could definitely see where she was coming from.

One of my favorite things about this book was watching her gain back her inner strength. Her broken marriage had sapped her happiness and this book was not only a Romance, but also the story of a woman building herself back up and it was so empowering. Not to mention that Noah was so supportive and understanding.

She told me a little about her marriage last night between rounds, and I want to beat the ever-loving hell out of him. Who the fuck treats a woman like that? …
A man doesn’t do that.
A man fights for his family.
A man treats a woman with respect.
Cowards tear people down to build themselves up. I’m not a fucking coward.
I turn to her, wanting her to hear my words very clearly. “You’re nothing that he says you are. You are the woman who tucks those kids in at night, encourages them, and has a mock concert in the living room to cheer them up.” I brush my thumb against her palm. “You’re so much more than he ever saw, sweetheart.”

But speaking of the romance as well… Noah was genuinely pure swooooooooon material. He was one of the good guys inside and out. Having lived so much of his life in the media spotlight though made it rare for him to trust anyone enough to open up and show them the real him and to share the truth about his past. But Kristin was it for him and he was determined to do whatever he could to win her heart and get her to take a chance on him.

“Tell me you don’t feel anything.” I give her a chance out of this. I’ll let her go if she says the words. “Tell me to stop coming around and that you’re not interested.”
“I can’t…”
My hand slides up her back, moulding her body to mine. “I want to kiss you.”
She shakes her head, but her fingers move against my chest and find their way to the back of my neck. “We shouldn’t.”
“No, we shouldn’t,” I agree. “But if you don’t stop me, I’m going to.”
Her fingers play with the hair at my nape.
My restraint is slipping.
“Three.” I start to count.
“Two.”
She moves a little closer to my mouth, and I’m done.
Our lips meet…

I will say though that hands down the most adorable thing about this book was seeing Noah with Kristin’s little daughter. ALL THE SWEETNESS you can imagine!!!!

Aubrey walks over and throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you for the cookies. I like you.” She kisses my cheek, and I’m toast.
This little girl just stole my heart.

Kristin and Noah had many hurdles to work through and let me tell you, things got I-N-T-E-N-S-E towards the end when the shit hit the and everything was just going haywire and my heart was racing a mile a minute as I read as fast as I could flipping pages like mad… but let me tell you, the ending was SO gratifying!!!! Seriously. It was strong and badass and honestly it just felt plain fucking GOOD to see the good guys win.

“You have no idea what I’m really like.”
His hand lifts and skims my cheek. “I know that your laugh makes my heart race. The way you smile when you think no one is watching stirs something inside me that makes me desperate for more. The way your entire face lights up when you talk about [your children]. I know what it feels like to have you in my arms, touch your lips, and fuck, I’d be lying if I said I’m not wishing for it again. I think about you more than I should. I know that you think you’re weak, but I see a strong, beautiful, and smart woman who deserves a man to worship her.”

This is a standalone novel and you can read it 100% alone, however it is slightly interconnected with We Own Tonight (my review) as both the hero & heroine of that book and this book are close friends. You absolutely do not need to read them in order, neither do you need to have read one in order to connect with the other so both books genuinely can be read alone. I did love both books however (though this one even slightly more so).

Bottom line, I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was HOT, SEXY, ADDICTIVE, and well-written with a heart-melting hero, an empowering heroine, a swoon-filled romance, and just enough feels to really connect you to the story. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves reading romance!

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

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Series of standalones.

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LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF February 26, 2018

February 26, 2018 by Aestas · Leave a Comment

NEW RECOMMENDATION & REVIEW: One Last Time by Corinne Michaels (Read my Review)
HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEEEE!!!!! I just finished reading this AWESOME new book!!!! OMG, just the SWEETEST romance with the SWOONIEST hero, a STRONG single mom heroine, an ADDICTIVE story, and even some serious ANGST!!!!! I read it in one non-stop sitting and absolutely LOVED it!!!! It was seriously SO heart-warming to watch this larger-than-life Alpha hero be so wonderful with the heroine’s kids, and I loved that not only was there a SEXY, HOT romance but there was also so much HEALING and even a couple badass moments that made me cheer!!!! If you’re looking for a FANTASTIC new read to start now, then definitely grab a copy of this book because it’s now live early!! Happy reading!

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS (PRE-ORDER NOW):

Getting Down by Helena Hunting was just announced!!
The Pumpkin Was Stuffed by Tara Sivec was just announced!!
Fallen Crest Nightmare by Tijan was just announced!!
So Much More by J. Daniels was just announced!!
Unsafe Haven by Bella Jewel was just announced!!
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz was just announced!!
Bishop: An Arizona Vengeance Novel by Sawyer Bennett and Erik were just announced!!
Full list of 250+ Upcoming Book Releases — check ’em out and preorder anything you want to read!!

WEEKLY NEW RELEASES RECAP

NEW RELEASES (NOW LIVE):

One Last Time by Corinne Michaels (single mom & celebrity romance standalone)
At the Stroke of Midnight by Tara Sivec (modern fairytale romcom, standalone in The Naughty Princess Club)
Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan (sexy pregnancy romance standalone)
Charming Hannah by Kristen Proby (cop/doctor romance, standalone in The Big Sky Series)
Crux Untamed by Tillie Cole (biker romance in Hades Hangmen series)
Fighting Irish by Katy Regnery (second chance-ish romance, can standalone)
Getting Schooled: AUDIOBOOK by Emma Chase (audiobook only romantic comedy standalone)
Secret Lucidity by E.K. Blair (student/teacher forbidden romance standalone)
Start Me Up by J. Kenner (famous hero romance, standalone in Man of the Month series)
The Reason Is You by Sharla Lovelace (small town romance, standalone in What Happens in Texas)
Fatal Chaos by Marie Force (romantic suspense in The Fatal Series)
Playmaker by L.P. Dover (sports romance standalone)
Second Chance Cowboy by AJ Pine (secret baby Western romance, can standalone)
It Might Be You by Jennifer Gracen (secret child romance, can standalone)
Montana Heat by Jennifer Ryan (undercover agent falls for killers daughter, can standalone)
Whiskey Rebellion by Toni Aleo (contemporary romance in Taking Risks series)
Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (historical romance, standalone in The Ravenels series)
Misadventures of a College Girl by Lauren Rowe (college sport romance, standalone in Misadventures series)
Forgetting You, Remembering Me by Monica James (anmesia love triangle in Memories from Yesterday series)
Claim My Baby by Taryn Quinn (single dad romance, can standalone)

LATER WEEK RELEASES (PRE-ORDER NOW):

Kissing the Boss by Linda Kage (modern Cinderella story, standalone in Fairy Tale Quartet)
Spiced by Jamie Farrell (romantic comedy standalone in Misfit Brides series)

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Book Review — Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward

February 20, 2018 by Aestas · 11 Comments

“Every day I’ve felt closer to you… I may not have the past nine years to give you, but I can give you many more to come.”

Penelope Ward has been one of my favorite authors for many years so when this book was released, naturally I had to dive right in. I read it in one non-stop sitting. It was addictive, angsty, and romantic!! It checked off a lot of favorite boxes for me: friends-to-lovers, childhood friends, roommates, and even though I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, I actually though that the one that eventually develops in this book was very well written and handled. Once I started reading this book, I was hooked. It was hot and sexy, but still romantic and swoony with characters who shared a lot of history. Definitely give this book a shot if you’re looking for something new to read!

Growing up, the three of us were friends.
He was the nerd.
I was the playboy.
She was the beauty.

Deep down, I only ever wanted her. I kept it inside because Rory and I made a pact that our friend, Amber, was off-limits.

He lied.

I went off to college, and he got the girl.
Amber never knew how I felt.
They were together for years—before he broke her heart.

Through it all and across the miles, she and I casually stayed in touch.
When my job sent me to Boston for a three-month contract position, Amber let me stay in her spare room.

Still reeling from her breakup, she’d sworn off men.
One night, I opened her computer to find the shock of my life. She’d hesitantly contacted a male escort company. Afraid to date and get her heart broken again, she was looking for sex with no strings.
Every emotion imaginable ran through me: protectiveness, jealousy—curiosity.
Amber had chosen Gentleman Number Nine and sent him a message.
She opened up to him, confessing, among other things, her physical attraction to her friend—me. But she considered me off-limits—and she thought I was a manwhore. (Ironic, considering the circumstances.)

Eventually, she set up a date to meet Gentleman Nine at a hotel.
When she showed up several nights later to meet him, she was stunned to see me standing there—with an offer I hoped she wouldn’t refuse.

When an unexpected turn of events brought her childhood friend back into her life after a bad break up, she had no intention of starting anything with him no matter how hot she’d always thought he was. Growing up, she’d been best friends with his little sister. When his sister died, she grew closer to him, which was how she met his best friend. After they all went off to college, she’d started to date his best friend. Besides, no matter how attracted she’d once been to him, he was the campus manwhore and had never given her any indication that he had feelings for her so she’d always assumed that he’d never settle down and she assumed she’d end up married to his best friend who she’d been dating for years. Until things changed. And suddenly she was single and nursing a broken heart. And he was her new roommate. And suddenly possibilities that they’d never before explored became very, very tempting.

This book has sizzling sexual tension heightened by a bit of a “forbidden” vibe (even though there’s nothing directly forbidden about their relationship) but it had that tantalizing “will they won’t they” element that kept my heart racing.

For as long as I’d known him, I reluctantly and secretly crushed on Channing. For one reason or another, he was always off-limits. Then, our relationship evolved into a friendship I values. Off-limits. Crossing the line with Channing wasn’t a possibility, especially after I fell in love with his best friend, Rory, which made Channing once again… off-limits.

And I will say that very often in set ups like this where the heroine first dates one guy and then his friend, I worry that it might seem like the second guy is just a second best choice but I assure you it’s not like that at all. Without going into detail, I’ll just say that the right people have the right reasons for their actions.

I moved my hands to wrap them firmly around her face. “I feel like I didn’t really get to make my feelings as clear as I wanted to earlier, because I was crunched for time. I misspoke.” Sucking in some air, I said, “I’m not falling in love with you. I am in love with you.” When she started to open her mouth to speak, I cut her off, “Please don’t ever tell me you love me back unless you’re one-hundred percent mine. I don’t want to hear those words otherwise. It will only sting.” I leaned my forehead on hers. “… This has all happened fast with us, yes, but it’s very real for me. Every day I’ve felt closer to you. Even when you’d show me your vulnerabilities, I love those , too. They make you real. I may not have the past nine years to give you, but I can give you many more to come.”

There were three things that bothered me a little in this book. One thing that was a little gross, one line that didn’t sit right, and one situation that I thought was handled in a way that made no sense. But other than those, everything else about the book was great! It was super addictive like I said and I found it to be a very fast-paced read even though it was a full length novel. Penelope Ward is definitely an auto-click author for me. Her books are just that good. I always look forward to her new releases and this was a good read!

Rating: 4 stars. Contemporary Adult Romance Standalone

LATEST NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — WEEK OF February 20, 2018

February 20, 2018 by Aestas · Leave a Comment

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCED: The Birthday List by Devney Perry (standalone)
OMG. This is a new STANDALONE (no series) by one of my FAVORITE authors. I’ve loved every book she’s written and this one sounds AMAZING!!! — “Happily married to her college sweetheart, Poppy lived a blessed life with the husband of her dreams. Then everything changed. She is no longer a wife. She is no longer the envy of her single friends. Now, people look at her with pity as they whisper a single word behind her back. Widow.

Years after her husband’s tragic death, years of pain and sorrow and wishing for the life she’ll never get back, Poppy decides to finish Jamie’s birthday list. She’ll do the things he wanted to most. Because maybe, just maybe, if she can complete his list, she can start to live again… Poppy expects going through the birthday list will be hard. She expects it to hurt. But what she doesn’t expect is Cole. Could the man who delivered the news of her husband’s death and shattered her heart be the one to help her put it back together again?” — Be sure to pre-order a copy so that you don’t miss its release. I’m SO EXCITED for this!!! (Note: this is not connected to her Jamison Valley series, which I ADORED btw)

LATEST BOOK REVIEW: Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward (Read my Review)
Penelope Ward has been one of my favorite authors for many years so when this book was released, naturally I had to dive right in. I read it in one non-stop sitting. It was addictive, angsty, and romantic!! It checked off a lot of favorite trope boxes for me: friends-to-lovers, childhood friends, roommates, and even though I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, I actually though that the one that eventually develops in this book was very well written and handled. Once I started reading it, I was hooked. It was hot and sexy, but still romantic and swoony. I had a few issues with the storyline but overall thought it was a really good read. Definitely give this a shot if you’re looking for something new to read!

LATEST BOOK NEWS:

Bishop: An Arizona Vengeance Novel by Sawyer Bennett and Erik: An Arizona Vengeance Novel were just announced!! — “The Arizona Vengeance series launches with the introduction of BISHOP, who is about to find himself in a compromising position… with the coach’s daughter. She’s got a plan to keep him from losing his place on the team, but it may land him by her side at the altar, the last place he’s looking to be.”

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young was just announced!! — The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn’t hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava’s ever had. And that’s all it was–until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz just went on sale for $2.99 (reg. $8.99)! It’s a standalone! — “When he wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it’s to discover he’s been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it’s property of the Maddox family who owned and operated [the] distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except her.”