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.

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SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of July 21, 2015

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of July 21, 2015

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Here’s the latest weekly list!! HAPPY READING 😀

GREY FSOG sm*** BREAKING NEWS **** Here are two awesome $0.99 deals!!

Grey by EL James is ONLY $0.99 in the US!! This book tells Christian Grey’s perspective of Fifty Shades of Grey and it’s the first time this new release has gone on sale (regular price is $7.99) so it could be discounted only for a very limited time! Get it here.

THE PAPER SWAN smThe Paper Swan by Leylah Attar just went up for pre-order ($0.99) and I’m so excited for it!! It’s a standalone (I’m told it’s no cheating, no triangle, not tragic) from an author who writes beautifully!! Check it out! — “They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. They lie. For 21 days she held on. But on Day 22, she would have given anything for the sweet slumber of death. Because on Day 22, she realizes that her only way out means certain death for one of the two men she loves.”

Also, if you’re curious about how I rate books or choose which books to review, go here.

*** BRAND NEW TOP FAVORITE ***

 

Vanguard by CJ Markusfeld (Read my Review)

OMG. OMG. OMG!!!! I absolutely loooooooooooooved this brand new release!!!!!! From the moment I read the prologue, I was hooked and could NOT put it down even for a single minute!! I cried, laughed, swooned, was totally overwhelmed with emotion, and even had to take little “breathers” before turning the page because it could get literally that intense!!! It had ALL THE FEELS. This story was 100% unique and unlike any other I’ve ever read. It’s a modern-day wartime love story with fantastic writing, strong characters, a gripping and emotional tale, and an epic romance that kept my heart racing from start to finish. This was smart, intelligent romance. Total BOOK HEAVEN!! And I’d recommend it for anyone who loved The Bronze Horseman (yup, I went there!!) It’s quite outside-the-box, but if you love “different” love stories, definitely try this!!

The story is about Sophie Swenda, a refugee aid expert, who is used to saving lives on a grand scale. And now she’s has to save just one person — the man she loves. Michael Nariovsky-Trent is a doctor who vanished months ago. She believes he’s trapped “trapped inside the fences and barbed wire of a sinister refugee camp, lost in a sea of freezing, starving prisoners of war.” Despite being separated for ten years after their romance failed, they’ve both been too stubborn to forgive past mistakes… and still too in love to move on. She has “always believed their time would come – no matter how unlikely it seems to everyone around them… [But] unless she can find him, their long-delayed chance at love will be lost forever….”

Standalone. No cheating, no triangle, and NOT tragic! 5 STARS!!! Purchase/Review

*** JUST FINISHED READING THIS!!! ***

 

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

WOWWWWWWWW!!!! I just finished a (very) early copy of this STUNNING book. It blew me away!!! I read it in one sitting with my heart racing the whole time!! The story was SO unique and unexpected that it took me completely by surprise over and over again!! I swooned, I fell in love, my heart was broken, and then healed again. And THE TWIST!!!!! Holy hell, that twist!!! Total shocker but I LOVED the direction it spun the story in. This book was perfect from cover to cover and definitely one of the BEST BOOKS of the year!! It’s a standalone and just trust me and pre-order a copy!! You’ll want to read this one the MOMENT it’s released!!!

Standalone contemporary romance (not part of a series). 5 stars!

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist…

*** LATEST RELEASE!!! ***

 

Nine Minutes & Out Of Time by Beth Flynn

Biker fans!!!! Out Of Time, the highly-anticipated sequel to Nine Minutes was released early!!! I read the first book last year and was completely blown away!! It was a dark, gritty, dangerous, intense, shocking, addictive, raw, and captivating page-turner. A complex, multi-layered story with outstanding writing and unexpected twists and turns!! I could not put it down for even a minute!! If you’re looking for a well-written, intense, and utterly unputdownable book with a completely unique and original plot, and a surprising love story that’ll captivate you from the very first page, then try it!!! And, if you’ve already read it, grab the sequel now!! (Note: these must be read in order)

*** RECENT FAVORITE: $0.99 SALE!! ***

 

The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur (Read my Review)

SQUEE!!!! This is one my June favorites and it just went on sale for only $0.99!!
If you love really BEAUTIFUL WRITING and UNIQUE PLOTLINES, then you have to try this book!! — It was a very slow-building, detailed story, but one where EVERY detail matters. Everything was connected and had DEPTH. It was vivid and powerful and completely UNIQUE. It told a love story that spanned 10-15 years, but didn’t follow ANY rules. Normally that would be scary to me but the way that everything was portrayed made me really *get* where these characters came from. And I was honestly blown away by how much I FELT and how BEAUTIFULLY it was written. It’s like I lived the story with them. It just felt REAL. Highly recommended!

The story is about a college freshman who falls in love with a beautiful dancer. But “when a disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, six lives are lost and she is left seriously injured, her professional dreams shattered. Traumatized by the experience, the lovers spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, he must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes…

As he moves into adulthood, he comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for her continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving?

Spanning fifteen years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through his experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.”

*** WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ***

 

*** LATEST 5-STAR FAVORITES ***

*** LATEST NEW RELEASES *** — These are all live!!

*** AUDIOBOOK UPGRADES ***

*** RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS & REVIEWS ***

*** THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES ***

 

The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire by Heidi Mclaughlin — New!!

This appears to be a standalone!
— “He never forgot the blue-eyed girl that lived on the ranch next door. So when he hears that she’s coming back for the summer, he can’t wait to reminisce about the good ole days…. She never thought she’d return to the ranch she once called home. Determined to hate her surroundings, he works to remind her of everything’s she’s missed. With her future planned out, falling in love with him was the last thing she expected…”

 

Truth or Beard by Penelope Reid — New Release!!

Teehee!!!! I’ve heard AMAZING things about this author’s books and this new romantic comedy was just released!! It’s the first standalone in a series of connected standalones. This one features a set of sexy identical twins with opposite personalities, and a girl who has maybe been crushing on the wrong twin her whole life. “After a case of mistaken identity, she finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. She’s spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of one twin and her assumptions of the other’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for his insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks…”
 

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy C Reichert — New Release!!

This was a delightful standalone that I recently read. It’s a cross between women’s fiction/romance and was about a woman who started her dream restaurant and had the misfortune of finding her douchebag fiance in bed with another woman on the same day that a ruthless restaurant critic visited her restaurant. Needless to say she was not on point that night, the food was awful, and his scathing review destroyed her reputation. Unbeknowst to either of them (the chef and the critic), they’d met coincidentally in the city (having no idea who the other was) and hit it off. As they begin spending more time together, they fell in love… but with her restaurant on the brink of closing, little did she know that the man she was falling for was responsible for ruining her dreams. And then came the reveal — of both of their identities…

 

Chaos by Jamie Shaw — New Release!!

Rock star romance fans! This is the third standalone following Mayhem and Riot.

— “He may not remember their reckless night together, but she has never forgotten…and she’s determined to make him eat his heart out. The release of their new album means a month cooped up on a tour bus, sleeping inches away from the ridiculously sexy musician she’s never quite gotten over. And as she gets to know the real him—not the rock god—their attraction becomes too hot to resist.”

 

Breaking Her Rules by Jennifer Snow — New Release!!

MMA Fighter alert!! This is the first standalone in a series of standalones.
— He’s training to be an MMA fighter. And while he works for his chance to make it in the Maximum Fight League, he’s bunking on his baby sister’s best friend’s couch. She’s all grown up—in all the right places. But she’s engaged to the fight match-maker who holds his career in his hands… She’d almost convinced herself that she’d put her silly childhood crush on him to rest. But the sight of him sleeping in only a pair of boxer briefs makes it clear that some things never change. And as old sparks turn to flames, Gracie is forced to decide between the future she thought she wanted or the man she’s never stopped loving…

 

Caught Up In The Touch by Laura Trentham — New Release!!

This is a standalone within a series of standalones.
The heroine is a business woman who’s dream job of CFO is within reach IF she can convince a certain “stubborn and sexy” chef to come manage their flagship restaurant. “She estimates it will take a week tops to get Logan Wilde’s signature on her generous offer, but their first meeting is anything but professional. He shreds her control and unleashes a passion she didn’t know existed even as a deeper connection between them takes root…”

 

Playing With Trouble by Chanel Cleeton — New Release!!

Sexy scandals!! This is the second standalone following Flirting With Scandal.
— The daughter of one of the Senate’s most powerful figures, Blair Reynolds was ready to become the ultimate political wife—until she caught her fiancé cheating on her wedding day. Law school is a fresh start, until trouble comes in the form of her Torts professor, the man whose arrogance infuriates her in class but haunts her private fantasies… And when they’re forced to work together, their explosive attraction becomes impossible to resist…

 

Exposed by Brighton Walsh — New Release!!

“In this sexy, suspenseful novel, a young woman escaping her criminal past is snatched away and taken into hiding by her ex-boyfriend, the ultimate bad boy…”
— Five years ago she created a new identity for herself, but it all crashes back when something she witnessed years ago comes back to haunt her. Now she’s in danger… Determined to protect the life she’s built for herself, she doesn’t want anything to do with the criminal for hire who stole her heart years ago. But he’s never forgotten her, and to protect her, he steals her away. Hidden from the world, sparks begin to fly as old memories resurface and their passion reignites.”

 

Outside by Michelle Mankin — New Release!!

This is the first book in the ‘Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances’ series.
— When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly comes home, her foundation is shaken. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc. But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and she’s still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she’s stowed away the mementos, it hasn’t been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love. It seems he hasn’t forgotten, either.

 

If You Dare by Jessica Lemon — New Release!!

This can be read as a standalone. — “He’ll make her a bet she can’t refuse… Lily is in the creepiest mansion in town. Alone. At night. Because she’s an idiot-and can’t ignore a dare from her cocky and infuriatingly hot co-worker, Marcus Black. But she’ll be damned if she’s going to give him the satisfaction of winning. He’s had a thing for Lily for ages, and he has no intention of losing this bet. His plan? Scare her out of the house, and into his arms. Once there, scaring her turns into protecting her and soon after, into seducing her. And his plan is working…”

 

Take The Fall by Marquita Valentine — New Release!!

“As a teenager, he went to jail for a crime he had nothing to do with. He took the fall to protect the girl he loved, but prison hardened him. After doing his time, he shuts her out and enlists in the Marines—until a funeral forces him to come home and face her once again… After he pushed her away, she swore that no man would ever hurt her again. But the boy who broke her heart has become a sexy Marine, capable of fulfilling her every desire—and now that he’s back in town, old feelings are simmering… She only hopes that by taking him back, she can finally help heal the wounds that drove them apart.”

 

Never Loved by Charlotte Stein — New Release!!

Street fighter romance alert!! This is “the story of a beautiful wallflower who falls for a chiseled street fighter—and learns just how dangerous love can be.”

“Big and surly with a whole host of riotous tattoos, Serge is supposed to scare the hell out of her. But beneath his harsh exterior, Beatrix discovers a kindred spirit who knows what it’s like to be a misfit. Most exhilarating—and terrifying—is what he does for a living: illegal street fighting…”

 

Release Me by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K Rogers — New Release!!

Second chance romance alert!! This is the sequel to Remind Me.
— She knows he’s the last man she should want. The boy from the wrong side of the tracks has grown into a man who would do anything to get ahead, even if it means breaking Allie’s heart. But whenever she’s near him, the attraction between them is undeniable. And now that they’re working together, keeping her distance from Hudson is almost as impossible as keeping her feelings in check… He already lost her once and he refuses to lose her again…

 

Pretending To Be Erica by Michelle Painchaud — New Release!!

A mystery/thriller!! — Seventeen-year-old Violet’s entire life has revolved around one thing: becoming Erica Silverman, an heiress kidnapped at age five and never seen again. Violet’s father, the best con man in Las Vegas, has a plan, chilling in its very specific precision. Violet shares a blood type with Erica; soon, thanks to surgery and blackmail, she has the same face, body, and DNA. She knows every detail of the Silvermans’ lives, as well as the PTSD she will have to fake around them. And then, when the time is right, she “reappears”—Erica Silverman, brought home by some kind of miracle. But she is also Violet, and she has a job: Stay long enough to steal the Silverman Painting, an Old Master legendary in the Vegas crime world. Walking a razor’s edge, calculating every decision, not sure sometimes who she is or what she is doing it for, Violet is an unforgettable heroine, and this is a killer debut.

 

Damage Done by Amanda Panitch — New Release!!

This is a YA romantic mystery/thriller standalone.
— 22 minutes separate Julia’s before and after. Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend. After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that’s what she tells the police. Now that she’s Lucy Black, she’s able to begin again. And her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school, a boy who will do anything to protect her…

 

Over The Top by Rebecca Zanetti — New Release!!

She had a huge crush on Hawk Rain for years, and the entire town knows it. It’s understandable? The man is total hotness. That tall, lean body. Intense dark eyes. And always one foot out the door. Now he’s on leave for exactly one week. And this time, he’s made it crystal clear that he only wants one thing. Her… Hawk’s been fighting his attraction to Dawn for as long as he can remember. She’s his best friend’s little sister, and that means hands-off. Except now she’s all grown up, and her sweet sexiness is exactly what he craves…

 

Crave Me by Geneva Lee — New Release!!

The latest Royals Sage book. It’s best to read Commended by You first though.
— I made myself a promise: No men. No romance. No waiting around for a prince that’s not going to come. Because some girls don’t get happily ever afters. Some girls only get broken hearts. Which is exactly why I should stay away from him. He’s vile. He’s arrogant. He’s controlling. And I don’t trust him. But some men get into your blood—under your skin. Some men you just can’t get enough of. Some men you just crave.

 

I Wish For You by Camilla Isley — New Release!!

A romantic comedy standalone with a dash of magic! — If all your wishes could suddenly come true, what would you do? A year ago when the love of her life dumped her, Ally thought she had hit rock bottom. But now that she has seen him with another woman, and one she knows only too well, her life seems to have reached a whole new level of low. Yet, when she stumbles across an ancient object infused with magical powers and a stranger with a dark past appears out of nowhere promising to grant all her wishes, she finds herself hoping again…

 

Unexpected by Lilly Avalon — New Release!!

Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore… An unlikely bond with her former best friend’s ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. But as time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction…

 

Life Before Damaged 7 by HM Ward — New Release!!

This is the latest instalment in the Life Before Damaged (Ferro Family) serial
— Money. Power. Sex. Even Pete Ferro, with that sinful body & beautiful blue gaze, can’t drag me from here. My life is finally mine. Things are finally going my way. But as my life grows content, Pete’s eyes grow troubled. There’s something there, something beneath the pointed words and charm–someone real–and it scares him. The real Peter Ferro frightens me, too, but I won’t give up on him–even if everyone else has.

*** AUDIOBOOK UPGRADES!! ***

 
For fans of AUDIOBOOKS (or if you want to try them out), Amazon has a great program that searches YOUR Kindle library and finds you discounted audio upgrades for the books you already own. This means you’ll be able to switch seamlessly between reading and listening. If you’re curious, just click the link below… Everyone will see something different because it’s custom-tailored to YOUR personal books!

*** MORE RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS ***

 

The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole (Read my Review)

TATTOOED HERO FANS!!! I recently finished this great new book!! The sexy, tattooed hero had me swooooooooning!!! The heroine had survived an attack that left her back covered in scars and the hero was a talented tattoo artist whose specialty was inking over scars. When she shows up at his studio, he cant turn her down, and designs the perfect tattoo while fighting his intense feelings for her that grow with each tattooing session… This story was swoony, heart-meltingly romantic, a little suspenseful (her ex was a real piece of work), a lot sexy… with a hot, protective Alpha male hero!! (It’s a standalone)

 

Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Read my Review)

SQUEEEEEE!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVED this so freaking much!!! My gosh, that last 10% was seriously loaded with feels!! This was honestly one of the BEST BOOKS I’ve read this year. The story was unlike any other I’ve read, the writing was AMAZING, and it kept me glued to the page. It was totally unconventional and gave such a UNIQUE perspective on finding your soul mate and one true love. I cried, I laughed, my heart felt like it was bursting with emotions. I LOVED IT!!! 5++ STARS!!! — “I still love you,” he says. “I’ve always loved you. I might never stop.”

 

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley (My Review)

Bad boy biker alert!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! 5 STARS!! (Chaos series)

“Once upon a time, she believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy… Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire pondering her mistakes, when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower… In high school, he was a bad boy loner who put her on a pedestal… Today, he’s a hard-bodied biker, and it’s clear she’s falling fast.”

 

The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur (Read my Review)

WOW WOW WOW!!! I recently read this and LOVED it!! The WRITING was truly exquisite! It was a very slow-building, detailed story, but one where EVERY detail matters. Everything was connected and had DEPTH. It was vivid and powerful and completely UNIQUE. It told a love story that spanned 10-15 years, but didn’t follow ANY rules. Normally that would be scary to me but the way that everything was portrayed made me really *get* where these characters came from. And I was honestly blown away by how much I FELT and how BEAUTIFULLY it was written. It’s like I lived the story with them. It just felt REAL. Highly recommended!

 

Never Let You Go by Katy Regnery (Read my Review)

HOLY HELL!!! I read reading this in one non-stop sitting because I could NOT put it down. I mean seriously… THE ANGST!!!!! Gah. *clutches heart* It’ll be a while before my heart rate to go back to normal, but WOW, it was unputdownable!!! It felt like I barely blinked or stopped to breathe because I was flipping the pages so fast…… It was sweet and romantic, heart-breaking and painful, angsty as all freaking hell, and really just a gorgeous story of UNDYING LOVE!!! The story was unique and it’s a complete standalone so if you’re looking for a new read, try this!

 

Rush by Emma Scott (Read my Review)

This was a really touching story! The first few chapters were a little slow but once they officially met, I was hooked. If you loved the “feeling” of Me Before You (minus the ugly-crying), then definitely try this! — The hero used to be a pro extreme sports athlete who was blinded and severely injured in a cliff diving accident. With his life and dreams shattered, he was left bitter and angry and shut himself away the world until the heroine arrived to work for him as a live-in assistant. She was a prodigy musician who’d suffering her own loss as well but they began to help each other heal as they fell unexpectedly in love…

 

King by T.M. Frazier (Read my Review)

Holy wow, I totally LOVED this book!! Dark and gritty, sweet and sexy, raw and shocking, and utterly addictive, with an unapologetic, badass Alpha male hero and unexpected twists that I never saw coming!! I highly recommend it!!
— Homeless. Hungry. Desperate. Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from…A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.

 

A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson (Read my Review)

SQUEEEEEEE!!!!! I absolutely LOOOOOOOVED this book!!! If you love SEXY BAD BOY heroes and unique love stories, then you have to try this!!!! The thrill of their forbidden romance kept my heart RACING the whole way through. I swooned over their love for each other, and really appreciated the way there was no ‘stupid’ drama. And now I just can’t stop smiling because the story was just so freaking GOOD!!!! I adored it!!! It’s about a “strong-minded prison tutor who discovers that her sexy bad-boy student is far more than he appears to be…”

*** CURRENT SALES & PRICE DROPS ***

*** This page is no longer being updated. See this post for the reason why. ***

*** UPDATED LIST: BEST BOOKS OF 2015 ***

 
I’ve recently posted my list of Best Books of 2015 so far. If you’re looking for a great new recommendation, be sure to check them out!! All of those books are favorites! Just click here!

Here are a few of my most recent favorite books and recommendations:

*** UPCOMING BOOKS: PRE-ORDER NOW ***

Note: You are NOT charged for pre-orders until the book is released.

*** This page is no longer being updated. See this post for the reason why. ***

*** STORE: BOOKWORM MERCHANDISE!! ***


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*** LOOKING FOR A RECOMMENDATION?? ***

Click a box to see recommendation lists in each category.

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Let me know if there are any other books you’re loving right now too!!

Comments

  2. Just saw the list. Thank you for keeping us up-to-date with these! I think I’m gonna cave and grab your new fav too. Plus I have several other pre-orders on the way. Better get reading!

    Reply

  3. Eep! I had forgotten that Lauren Kate announced a book for Cam’s story. I LOVE that cover, but I’ll need a sale before I can one-click that beauty. I’m hoping that she does a promo tour at the B&N Grove location so I’ll have an excuse to save up for a hardcover/paperback edition of it. And I am so eager to read TYRANT. I have to read King first of course. =)

    Reply

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