5 stars

Book Review — The Clover Chapel by Devney Perry

May 12, 2017 by Aestas · 14 Comments

You’ve always had my heart, Emmy.
We’re it for each other.
I thought about you every day for nine years.

WOW!!! This book was pure Alpha romance perfection!! I loved every single word and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gorgeous, sexy, well-written second chance romance that will make your heart race as two estranged lovers who were married in a whirlwind ceremony are reunited after a nine year long separation only to find that the intensity of the love they shared is just strong as they day they were separated…

After falling in love with Devney Perry’s writing earlier this year in The Coppersmith Farmhouse (my review), I was incredibly excited to read whatever she wrote next! While each book in this series is a standalones, the characters are all part of a small town and so there are delightful crossovers and cameos that are a treat to any reader who is familiar with the couples from previous books. New readers however can jump right in too.

The Clover Chapel was Nick and Emmy’s book. Their story began nine years ago in Vegas where one wild night led to an spontaneous marriage between these two strangers from opposite sides of the country who shared little in common other than their undeniable attraction to each other and sparking chemistry. But when Emmy woke up the next morning, her gorgeous new husband Nick was gone leaving nothing behind but a note.

Nearly a decade later, she needed an escape from the stifling city life she’d never even wanted. Finally determined to pursue a career she’d always dreamed about, she accepted a teaching post in a small town and her whole world turned upside down when she arrived and came face to face with long lost husband.

Nick had regretted leaving her since the moment he’d walked away and even though he’d done so for noble reasons, now that he was facing a second chance with the only woman he had ever loved, he was determined to do everything in his power to win back her trust and give them the happily ever after they’d always deserved…

She took a dare and fell in love. Truth would have been the smarter choice.

After years of living under her father’s thumb, Emmeline is ready to break free. She’s abandoned her life as a New York socialite to follow her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher in a small, wholesome town. Seeing the man that nearly broke her was absolutely not what she had hoped to find in Prescott, Montana.

Nick hasn’t seen his Emmy in nine years, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten a thing about the woman he loves. After just one blissful night as man and wife, he gave her up, sacrificing his own happiness to keep her safe—far away from him. But the moment she walks back into his lonely life is the moment he decides never to let her go again. He won’t waste his second chance. All he has to do is win back Emmeline’s heart, keep her safe from the shadows in his past and prove to her that taking a wager on him is a sure bet.

OH MY HEAVENS, YOU GUYS!!! There was SO MUCH SWOON in this book! I swear to you, Nick will melt your heart over and over and over and over again! Ahhhh even just that moment when they first saw each other again after such a long separation was pure, palm-tingling book magic!

Devney Perry’s books deliver that exact perfect balance between everything I love to read about in romance. Her writing FLOWS effortlessly — it’s brimming with emotions and sensual heat, and manages to be equally character and plot driven. Once I started reading this book, I just didn’t want to put it down even for a minute.

“If you keep looking at my mouth, I’m going to kiss you,” he said.

I absolutely loved that even though they’d been separated for over nine years, Nick treated her with such deep love and respect even from the start of their reunion. He had been the one to leave her in Vegas and that guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders. But he’d had a solid reason for doing so — right or wrong, at the time he truly believed it was the only way to protect her. But now that she’d come into his life again, he wasn’t going to let her go until he’d shown her the depth of his love.

“Emmy.”
“Emmeline!”
“Emmy. You’ll always be my Emmy.”
“I’m not your anything, Nick.”
“You’re my wife.”
“A paper certificate does not make me your wife,” I said.
His frame deflated and his eyes filled with regret. “Forgive me. Give us a chance. We have something here and you know I’m right… Your heart still belongs to me.”

My heart broke for Nick even while I understood Emmy’s reluctance to trust him. But anyone who reads even one page of these two together will be able to see without a shadow of a doubt that they were soul mates.

“I want a chance,” Nick said.
“A chance for what?” I asked.
“A chance to start again.”
My mouth fell open. Was he serious? “What? Why?”
“You asked me back then if I believed in fate. I didn’t until I met you. And I’ve spent nine years thinking I’d never see your face again. But fate brought you back into my life and I’m not going to mess it up again.”
I struggled to swallow the lump in my throat and speak. “You left me.”
“Please believe I did it for a good reason. And not a day has gone by when I haven’t regretted it.”

To be honest, I find it’s really rare to come across an Alpha male romance that is done this right. A true Alpha hero in my eyes has a delicate balance between possessiveness and protectiveness, he’s a bit overbearing but only because he cares so much but is also sweet and caring, loving and sexy. Different Alpha heroes have different measures of those qualities but, to me, the books in this series have the perfect balance of everything.

“I’m sorry. I am so fucking sorry, Emmy,” he whispered, peppering my hands with kisses.
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” I asked. “You could have told me back then. We could have worked something out.”
“Because I knew that if I looked into your eyes again, I would never let you go. And you were too good for that life. You needed someone who could give you so much more than I ever could… You’ve always had my heart, Emmy.”

Nick’s devotion to Emmy was utterly heart-melting — especially the way he wouldn’t let anything come between them. Honestly, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated what a functional couple they were. Sure, they each made mistakes — who doesn’t? — but it was clear that they both respected and loved each other enough to work together to get through every hurdle they came across.

“I thought about you every day for nine years, wondering what you were doing. I had questions I wanted to ask but couldn’t. Those nine years are on me. It was my mistake to walk away from you but I’m not doing it again. And I won’t let you do it either. All I’m asking for is time. I’ll prove to you that you can trust me again.”

I feel like I could read this series forever and there are so many couples and characters with stories to tell in this town so I’m incredibly excited for all the next books! I seriously want to read everyone’s story!

While this book is undeniably a Romance, there is also another more suspenseful storyline running parallel to the love story and I was equally wrapped up in both sides of this story. But let me tell you — things got INTENSE towards the end! My heart raced and pounded and I flipped those pages so fast that I barely took time to breathe.

“I haven’t gotten to travel much, but of all the places I’ve been, it’s my second favorite.”
“What’s your first?”
His arms hugged me tighter. “The Clover Chapel.”

I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty rare for me to rate a book 5 stars but honestly, I literally loved every single thing about this book. The romance, the writing, the story, the characters, the setting, the emotions, the humor, the suspense, the heat, the heart, everything was perfect. So far, both books in this series are in my Top 5 Favorites of 2017!

Devney Perry’s writing is top notch. If you’d told me this was her tenth book rather than her second, I would have absolutely believed you. There’s a flawless quality to the way her stories flow and a raw honesty to her characters that are at the heart of what has made me fall in love with her writing.

If you’re looking for an addictive second chance romance that’ll keep your heart racing, a swoony Alpha hero who’ll sweep you off your feet, and a strong sassy heroine who’ll make you smile, then I highly recommend this book!!

Rating: 5 stars!! Contemporary Adult Romance. Can standalone

PS: both the covers from this series are seriously my favorites ones I’ve seen in a long time! Elegant and beautiful!

________________________

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Book Review — Mister Romance by Leisa Rayven

April 25, 2017 by Aestas · 15 Comments

Max Riley is the man of your dreams.
Or at least he will be, for a price…

HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!

I fell in love with this book from the moment I started reading it and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the very last page!! It was the absolute perfect balance between sexy, steamy romance, laugh-out-loud humor, deep emotions, and deliciously intense angst!! True to Leisa Rayven’s signature style, this book was well-written, addictive, intriguing, and utterly UNPUTDOWNABLE!! This is definitely a top recommendation for every romance reader!

As his alter-ego Mister Romance, Max is a drop-dead gorgeous escort who makes romantic fantasies come to life. No sex, just swoon-worthy dates to die for, and the cream of New York’s socialites can’t get enough. Whether they want a dominating billionaire, bad boy with a heart of gold, hot geek, sexy biker, or best friend who loves them from afar, Max can make it all happen, but he’s careful to keep his real identity a secret.

Enter investigative journalist Eden Tate. Having caught wind of the urban legend of Mister Romance from a lovestruck client, Eden is determined to publish a scathing expose on Max and his ability to swindle lonely society women out of their fortunes.

Desperate to protect his anonymity and his clients, Max challenges Eden to give him three dates. If she doesn’t fall in love with him, she can run her story with his blessing. If she succumbs to his charms, the story dies.

Cynical Eden has no doubt she can resist his fake romance personas, but when the real Max admits he’s falling for her, she has to decide if the professional liar is telling the truth, or if the passionate man with the mysterious past is just one more character designed to con her out of her career-making story…

Max was the absolute, ultimate book boyfriend!! He was beyond dreamy and swoon-worthy with just enough of a tortured side to pull your heart strings! Trust me when I say that he will make you fall head over heels in love with him! I especially loved all the mystery surrounding his character. Nobody knew anything about the real ‘man behind the fantasy curtain’ and I was incredibly curious to find out more about him! He was a man of secrets who was equally elusive and heart-stoppingly charming! And the more I learned about him, the more I loved his character.

“So what you’re telling me,” I say, as I pour two cups of fresh Joe, “is that this mythical man-beast [is] some kind of… what? Superhero gigolo?”
“He’s an escort,” Asha clarifies.
“Isn’t that just a fancy label for man-whore?”
“No. He doesn’t have sex with his clients.”
I pass her a tip of coffee. “You just told me he did.”
“No,” she says… “I said he makes their romantic fantasies come to life.”
“And that doesn’t include sex.”
“No.”

And Eden was such a strong, sassy heroine! She felt very real and was the ultimate skeptic and romance cynic. She had guts and no fear about going toe-to-toe with anyone. I loved the way she unapologetically went after what she wanted. But she was also a firm non-believer in the concept of love or happily ever afters. Based on her years of dating, she was convinced that the fairytale passion and devotion being sold by movies and books was pure myth.

“You’re telling me that women hire a man to make their romantic fantasies come to life? Come on. There’s no way that’s a thing.”

So when she finally tracked Max down, and he made his proposal to allow him three dates to make her fall in love with him, she had no really concern about taking him up on it because she genuinely believed that there wasn’t even a snowball’s chance in hell that she would ever actually fall in love with him (or anyone else for that matter).

“Miss Tate, if you don’t stop and listen for five seconds, I’m going to kiss the hell out of you in front of your gran then drop to one knee and propose. If you think she’s obsessed with marrying you off now, imagine what she’d be like after that.”
He’s so close it takes me a second to get used to the heat of his proximity. “You wouldn’t.”
“Keep talking and find out.”

To be honest, when the story first began, I shared a bit of her skepticism as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in love. But I’m a little less sold on the idea of simulating it. But the more Max revealed about his services, the more I understood where he (and his clients) were coming from. I was fascinated by it. I mean, professional escort or no, it takes unholy levels of confidence to stake your career on the fact that someone will fall in love with you in three dates.

“And you went on your whole anti-love, fuck-relationships rant, and he still said he’s going to win you over? Was he drunk?”
“He actually said he’s going to make me fall in love with him.”

As their first date approached, her skepticism held strong. But the more she began to uncover about him, the more she began to understand the appeal and the deeper her intrigue grew about the real man behind the fantasy.

Surely he hasn’t learned all of this just for his business. It seems too natural. In fact, if someone told me that Caleb is his real personality and Max is the fake one, I’d believe them. His acting is impeccable.

And as she spent more and more time with him, she discovered so many different sides to his personality through the characters her showed her that it became hard — especially for such an untrusting person such as herself — to be certain who the real Max was. Each personality seemed so believable that if she’d been told that they were he real him, she’d have believed it. So even if she did fall for him, who exactly was she falling in love with?

“Do you want me to kiss you, Miss Tate?”
God, yes.
And God, no.
There’s no easy answer to this question. Kissing him would be wonderful and terrible. It would be like claiming a lion as a pet and counting down the days until it mauled me.
“It’s not a hard question,” he says. “Either you want me to or you don’t.”
“Is this your way of seducing me into dropping my story?”
His nose brushes mine, and I shiver as I grip the front of his shirt.
“That’s one explanation. A cynical one, of course, but I’ve come to expect that from you. Maybe I want to kiss you. Find out how your lips taste.”

GAH. I really can’t express enough how much I loved this book! It was exactly the kind of romance novel I crave reading! It had so many delightfully witty and hilarious scenes, oodles of sexiness and heat as Max and Eden’s connection and relationship deepened, but I especially loved that there was a deeper side to this story too that actually gave a really beautiful and honest perspective on the true meaning of romance (not love or sex, but actually romance itself). It really makes you think about the differences between those different elements. Not to mention that Max’s real backstory was quite sobering and heart-breaking giving the story the perfect emotional balance.

“It’s ironic,” he says as we sway to the music. “So many women hold me up as the paragon of a perfect man, and they couldn’t be more wrong. If only they knew the truth.”
… “What truth are you talking about?”
He pulls me closer. “Can we just dance? I’d like a little more time before you look at me like I’m a piece of shit.”

As their relationship progressed, things got HOT HOT HOT!!! I have to admit I’ve always found that there’s something about sexual restraint that can be a thousand times sexier than actual sex and with Max’s strict rule of no sex with clients, and with the fact during the beginning of their interactions, she was being treated as his clients in order to allow him the three dates to fall in love with him, the sexual tension between them was INTENSE!

“Uh… what’s happening?”
“I’m taking off my shirt.”
“Why?”
“Because we’ve apparently reached the portion of the evening where we get semi-naked to torture the other person.”
He pulls off his shirt and throws in onto the stool with his jacket, and I’ll admit it, I gape… I’ve seen glimpses of his naked torso before now, but never the whole thing. And here he is, standing there wearing only his slim-cut dinner pants and a pissed-off expression, and I can’t remember a single reason why I haven’t licked him yet.

MY HEART WAS RACING as the story hurtled towards the finish line. There are some angsty challenges they faced together as a natural side effect of their professions and watching them work through these things kept me glued to the page. I couldn’t put it down, didn’t want to stop reading, and eagerly devoured every single word.

“Have you ever felt true joy, Eden?”
I have to think about it for a few seconds. I’ve spent so long dulling my pain, joy kind of got lost in the mix. “I don’t think so. Or at least if I have, I don’t remember.”
“Me, neither. I’ve found a lot of ways to simulate it over the years, but that’s like renting a fancy car for the day and pretending you’re a millionaire. It’s self-delusion… But standing here, holding you… this feels like the real deal.”

Actually, you know what? This book would make a fantastic movie! It had all the right elements and just continued to throw you in all these unique scenarios. I would love to see it come to life on screen! *prays to movie gods*

Leisa Rayven is one of those authors whose books I always automatically want to read simply because she wrote them. I love her writing style, I love the uniqueness of her story ideas, and I love the way her books always make my heart race. She truly delivers the ultimate romance reading experience. A romance reader’s dream come true!

If you’re looking for a SEXY, ANGSTY, ADDICTIVE ROMANCE with a swoony hero, a strong heroine, and absolutely wonderful writing, then this is a must-read! Trust me, Max Riley is a book boyfriend you want to meet!

Rating: 4.5+ STARS!! Contemporary Adult Romance. Can standalone.

Book Review — The Coppersmith Farmhouse by Devney Perry

March 10, 2017 by Aestas · 29 Comments

One old farmhouse brought them together.
It could also tear them apart.

Oh my goodness, this was such a gorgeous book!! It’s such a thrill to discover a new author whose writing you love and reading this book was like experiencing old-school indie romance heaven! Pure gold! It was about an Alpha sheriff who, while grouchy at times, was also incredibly protective, possessive, and swoony who then fell for a single mom with a little daughter who moved into his town to start their lives over. My heart was racing for so much of the story!! I loved these characters. I cared for them. The romance was hot and heart-warming, the writing was strong, and there was even some intense suspense that kept me glued to the page. Oh, and the epilogue brought all the feels! I went into this book blind, I’d never heard of this author before, and I LOVED it!!

You know that feeling you get when you start a book and you just know deep down that it’s going to be a winner? I could feel it with this book. Two pages in and I was completely hooked and connected to the story. The writing was so smooth and compelling. I actually remember that I literally could not stop smiling while I was reading the first few chapters not because the story was funny, but just from the joy of reading such a genuinely good book.

Those of you who have been following my blog since the beginning will understand what I mean when I say that reading this book was like being transported back to 2012! Devney Perry was a completely new-to-me author and when I read it, the book didn’t even have any reviews or anything to look at, but now that I’ve read this, I can’t wait to read everything she writes next! She has a whole series of interconnected standalones planned and I’m so excited for the rest of them!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, THIS story starts out with the heroine, Georgia, who moves to a very small, remote town in the hopes of giving her and her young daughter a fresh start in life. They’d suffered heartbreaking losses and, after having been gifted a farmhouse, she took it to be the perfect opportunity to begin anew. However, she didn’t count on Jess Cleary, the grouchy, yet incredibly gorgeous, local sheriff to throw her world off its axis.

Turns out, he had a good (if not misguided) reason for being so grouchy with her. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll let you discover for yourself when you read the book. But he did mean well and what I loved most was that, once he realized the error of his ways, he did everything in his power to make amends, set things right between them, and show her what a good man he was. But he wasn’t satisfied there, something about this woman kept pulling him in and, even though her heart was guarded, he then made it his mission to convince her that they belonged together.

Actually, here, I’ll just show you the blurb:

One old farmhouse brought them together. It could also tear them apart.

Gigi has just uprooted her whole world to start a new life. The unexpected gift of a farmhouse in small-town Montana is just what she and her daughter need to escape big-city loneliness. The last thing she needs is attitude from the town’s sheriff, the most perfectly attractive and ruggedly handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on—and a complete jerk.

Jess knows all about women like Gigi. Beautiful. Sexy. Scheming. She’s stolen his sanctuary, the farmhouse that should have been his. But along with a face full of freckles, she’s got a sharp wit and a backbone of steel—something he doesn’t discover until after making a complete fool of himself. If he can earn back her trust and win her heart, he might just find the home he’s always needed.

Jess was such a fantastic hero! Protective, possessive, with a no-bullshit attitude. Certainly a little overbearing at times, but just soft, kind-hearted, and swoony enough to make you love him. There’s just something about a big powerful man who turns into a total sweetheart when caring for the child of the woman he’s falling in love with that is UTTERLY HEART MELTING!!!! Despite him being hot tempered, it was crystal clear that everything he did came from a good place and there was no doubt that he’d lay down his life for his two girls without a moment’s thought.

Seriously. THE SWOOOOOOON.

Around eight o’clock, he announced it was time for him to be heading home. [My daughter] and I walked him to his truck, where he knelt to say good-bye to my girl. He caught her chin between his thumb and the side of his index finger.
“I had fun getting to know you tonight, Rowen.”
She gave him a wide, beaming smile and turned to me. “He’s like a prince from my movies. Can he be your boyfriend, Mommy?”

Georgia was a wonderful heroine too! A loving mother, a strong woman, and very level headed and reasonable (which is such a welcome quality in a romance heroine). She sometimes came off as insecure but that was rooted in her past. Once burned, twice shy. She and Jess butted heads a lot — with him being such a bossy alpha and her being a strong woman who wasn’t about to be bossed around by anyone. He had a helluva lot of moments that made me a little ragey and go ‘Oh my God! He did NOT just say that?!?!’ but the fun thing was that once he explained himself, he actually usually made a lot of sense so it amused me to no end to watch him and Georgia work things out between them. I really enjoyed seeing them bicker and then make up and I loved that there was really no stupid drama. They had disagreements (like every couple) but I could always see where both of them were coming from.

“You’re going,” he finally said, breaking the heated moment. “Even if that means I have to pick you up and carry you to my truck.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I hissed.
“Try me.”
My hands fisted on my hips. “I’m not going.”
He jumped up the steps and came back into my space, forcing me backward. Then he bend down so his nose was centimeters from my own.
I was expecting him to order me again or actually pick me up and carry me away. So his voice, gentle and soft, caught me off guard.
“Georgia, give me a chance to show you that I’m not the asshole I’ve been this week. Please?”

Her heart was guarded with good reason, having been through a very bad experience with her daughter’s father, but Jess broke down all of her walls by showing her what it was life to be loved by a man who would stand by her side no matter what. I loved the way they compromised and complimented each other as they fell in love.

Their romance was heart-warming, incredibly sweet, and once they got serious, things also got HOT and steamy! But I really appreciated that their relationship grew at a such believable rate — no insta-love, and yet not too slow a burn. The characters felt very real and even though they were each flawed, they were consistently written and their flaws made a lot of sense for who they were. I keep saying this but I was so impressed with the writing.

“You know, I want to take care of you too. If you’ll let me,” I said.
He let out a long frustrated sigh. “You do, Georgia. Every day. Creating a warm place for me to come to every night. Letting me unload after work. Pushing back when I’m an asshole. Arguing with me. Calling me ‘honey.’ Being my girl. All those things are what I need and how you take care of me. And if you’d get gotta your head, stop doubting me, you’d see that I’ve been letting you take care of me all along.”

There’s more than romance in this book too and while I’m often not a fan of side stories, I actually loved the ones in this book. There were occasional slow spots in the story but I never once lost interest. For a small town though, they sure had a lot of drama and with a recent string of crimes throwing their usually peaceful life into chaos and danger, Jess’ job because considerably more intense. And as the book went on, these suspenseful elements really built to a point that kept my heart pounding — and this provided a great contrast to the warmth and heart of the romance.

This story had a lot of feels!! I teared up a few times and swooooooned endlessly. It had all the elements I loved — an alpha hero, a strong heroine, an adorable kid, a suspenseful element, strong sexy romance, a dash of mystery, and the epilogue (which is one of my favorite things in romance books) WAS GOLD!!!!! All. The. Feels.

As you can probably tell, I was so impressed with this book. It had everything I could want in a romance and the writing was amazing. For me, writing style is so important. I actually value it more highly than whether I like the storyline. But with this book, everything about it was gorgeous. The cover was stunning and completely captured my interest, the title was unique and intriguing, then from the first few pages, the writing drew me right into the story, the characters captured my heart, and then the romance brought in just the right amount of the emotional depth to fully round this story into a memorable book that is easily one of my top recommendations of the year! I LOVED IT!

Rating: 5 stars! Contemporary Adult Romance. Can standalone.

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Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him hungers for the lifestyle offered by this exclusive club. Here, no boundary will be left untested…and one’s deepest fantasies will become an exquisite reality.

Holy hell, this book was HOT! Passionate, wildly sensual, and boundary pushing, but oh-so addictive! I have loved everything Kristen Ashley has written for years, and even though I absolutely adore her usual style, it was thrilling to see that this book had some very different elements than her usual! It was INTENSELY EROTIC in a way that was incredibly sexy but definitely made me uncomfortable at times, however it had a very beautiful love story at its heart. Please be VERY OPEN MINDED when you read this book. When I first saw the blurb, I was wary because an ‘alpha submissive’ isn’t the kind of hero I’d usually choose to read about but let me assure you that he really was ALPHA!! Olivier was heart-meltingly sweet, deeply protective, incredibly loyal and I fell completely in love with him. Not to mention that Amelie was perfect for him. I loved him. I loved them. I loved this book!

I’d like to think of myself as a pretty open-minded non-judgemental person (and reader). I have a few hard limits but generally my stance is that as long as the characters are consenting and happy, I don’t really judge their kinks. That being said, I also know what I like and I tend to seek that out in the books I read. I love ALPHA heroes — the kind that Kristen Ashley is famous for writing — and when I saw that this hero was an ‘alpha-sub’, I was both intrigued and wary. Would he really be a believable Alpha? Would I like him? Fall for him? How could he be both an Alpha and a sub — weren’t those kind of contradictory? Bear in mind that I’m not hugely versed in the BDSM world so this isn’t my specialty or anything. I just know what I know from various books and even then, I had yet to encounter an alpha-sub hero. However, what I did know was that Kristen Ashley has never let me down so if she felt this was a story worth writing, then I absolutely was on board to read it.

Here’s the blurb…

Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are committed to fulfilling a woman’s every desire…

Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him hungers for the lifestyle offered by this exclusive club. Here, no boundary will be left untested…and one’s deepest fantasies will become an exquisite reality.

When Amélie invites Olivier to surrender, she gives the alpha submissive what he craves. Soon they both find themselves falling harder than they ever anticipated—but as their connection deepens, the truth about Olivier’s past could destroy everything…

I went into this book completely blind. I didn’t know anything other than the blurb. And let me tell you… from the very first MOMENT that Amelie and Olivier met, MY HEART DID NOT STOP RACING!!!!

He was colossal.
A mighty beast.
A magnificent beast.
Exquisite.
…
She was on the verge of speaking when he did.
His direct gaze appreciative, an arrogant smile curving his full lips, he asked, “How you doin’, sweetheart?”

This was a real private message that I sent to a friend of mine while I was reading:

“OMG. OMG. OMG. SHE DID IT!!!! She literally wrote an alpha sub. Seriously. HE IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!! The cheekiness. The cockiness. The submission. The undeniable power and manliness. All these things you’d think would be contradictory but actually they’re just making him UNBELIEVABLY HOT!!!!!”

It made me positively giddy with joy to read such a complex hero! I loved the way he cheekily toed the line between Alpha man and submissive. His actions showing submission just as much as they reinforced his alpha nature.

“Am I amusing you?” she whispered…
His face set hard and his two words were so firm, the boulders again came tumbling.
“Absolutely not.”
“Then can you explain your humor?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Sure. You are un-fucking-believably beautiful. You’re also un-fucking-believably hot. But I wouldn’t guess with the acres that make all of you, every inch of it so damned sweet, you’re a walking wet dream, that when you get riled you’re also un-fucking-believably cute. And there is no way in fuck five minutes ago, you told me a gorgeous redhead was gonna lead me to a room and make me her pony, I would be cool with that. But standing here with you, I’m totally fuckin’ cool with that.”
It took a great deal, and she expended every bit of effort she needed to accomplish it, but at his final two points, Amelie didn’t blink.
Instead, she decided to finish this part up.
Immediately.
“I must confirm you have no boundaries or rules.”
“Got no rules or boundaries, babe.”

In fact, in some ways, you could argue that Olivier is in fact one of the most Alpha males that KA has ever written because if you take an Alpha and strip him of everything that would classically make him an Alpha — put him in a position of absolute submission — for him to STILL radiate that kind of undeniable power, possession, love, loyalty and protectiveness even in submission, almost makes him the strongest alpha of all.

He dipped close. “And Leigh-Leigh, I’m an alpha-sub and operative part of that in every sense… is alpha. No way I’m gonna leave any woman, much less one who means something to me, alone with a visibly ticked-off dude.” He shook his head when she opened her mouth. “It’s just not gonna happen.” He grinned again. “Now I get you can take care of yourself, at least verbally, though I know for certain you swing a mean bat. But I don’t give a fuck. I understand where you were and where you needed me to be in these halls when dealing with that fucker. But that’s the way it is.”
He gathered her closer and summed it up succinctly.
“Paddle my balls on Friday, but that’s the way it is.”

Amelie was also a fantastically strong heroine. Despite the fact that she was a Domme, I think it’s really important to remember that she was also a woman. She was more than her sexuality (an important theme within this book) and while she loved and craved the sexual connection that she and Olivier shared in their play, she was also simply a woman falling deeply in love with a man who made her heart race.

It was the best kiss of her life, lying under, holding close, and connected intimately with a man whose last name she didn’t know.

I think one of my favorite things within this book was the very clear distinction between Amelie and Olivier inside and outside of the erotic scenes they engaged in. They performed roles within their play, but they were also people outside of it and that distinction was so perfectly portrayed in this book.

Olly was Olivier, her alpha-sub, she his Mistress.
But when not in the scene it was different.
It was Olly, the alpha, and Leigh, his woman.

This is easily the most erotic book Kristen Ashley has written but the important thing that I cannot stress enough is that even though there are incredibly detailed sex scenes (that literally go on for pages) each and every sexual encounter that Olivier and Amelie share serves a purpose in building their relationship. There is literally no ‘sex for sex’s sake’ in this book — every single scene drives the story forward by either solidifying their bond or building trust between them that allows them to fall in love with each other outside of just their encounters in the Club.

I also really loved Olivier’s struggle within this story. He wanted Amelie’s world and everything she could offer him, but he had his own reservations and it wasn’t easy for him to surrender despite how deeply he craved it. I loved the way she pushed him just far enough to bring him deeper into her world but never enough to break him. And, more than anything, I loved that he was intensely tuned into everything she was doing — and I don’t just mean physically. He wasn’t just the blind recipient. He completely understood what she was doing and he craved it all the more.

Before she could even make eye contact, he kissed her… She melted into him and gave him his kiss, giving herself something even better.
Getting that kiss.
When he lifted his head, his eyes flashed and his lips tipped up in a grin.
“Now you can bring on the Mistress if you want, gorgeous.”
Amelie felt her own lips tip up. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And you fuckin’ love it.”

And seriously THE FEEEEEEEEELS!!!

Fucking hell, she did it for him.
Christ.
She was perfect.  And Olly knew in that moment that he’d do anything for her.
For as long as he had her.
Which he hoped like fuck was a very long time.

I really hope that whoever reads this book can see past the sex into the absolutely stunning love story that Amelie and Olly shared. The sex is absolutely HOT as hell. It’s erotic. Intense. WILD. But that alone wouldn’t be enough to make this book what it was. What made this book so special was AMELIE AND OLLY. It was them. The people. They were the heart and soul of the story and their romance was what I fell in love with.

“Something funny?” she asked.
“You’re cute when you’re bossy.”
She opened her mouth but he lifted his chin in a “shut up” gesture and kept going before she could get a word in.
“Cute but hot. When you’re workin’ me, it’s just hot, Amelie. So don’t get pissy.”

I’ve said this countless times before, but if you read KA enough, you’ll notice that she has almost her own dialect of English. It’s her own unique writing style that sets her apart from everyone else. It’s not only the dialogue, but her very descriptions that captures the actions and emotions of her characters in a way that puts you right there with them on every page.

In fact, I think what makes KA’s writing so amazing is her understanding of subtleties — how she gets, on such a deep level, how important even the tiniest difference in a breath, a look, a jaw clench, or touch is, and she isn’t afraid to take the time to describe a scene to you in every possible detail such that you end up feeling completely attune to the characters — and perfectly in sync with their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences.

I do not think this book will be for every reader. In order to appreciate this book, I think you either have to have a very open mind or already be a fan of this subgenre. I will reassure you by saying that there is no cheating, no sharing, no stupidity, everything they did was fully consensual, and they were exclusive with each other, but some of the things they did may be shocking to some readers or even make them a little uncomfortable so I’d just like to urge every reader to be as non-judgemental as possible when reading. The way I looked at it was that, no matter how I personally felt about what they did, this was their love story, not mine, so as long as they were having a good time (which they clearly were), then I was happy. I just trusted KA, allowed myself to be a little scandalized, didn’t judge anything, and enjoyed the hell out of this book.

“You’re of course aware I should do something about you being so audaciously cheeky.”
Another darkness crossed his face. “What?”
“I shouldn’t allow you to be so cheeky with me.”
“Cheeky?”
“Impudent,” she explained.
The look fled. “You mean, in uppity, hot-chick speak, a wise-ass.”
Amelie couldn’t help it, she laughed softly.
“She’s got a pretty laugh, too, to go with that pretty accent,” he murmured and she saw his eyes on her lips… “Just sayin’, Mistress,” he stated her title like it was a nickname, something forbidden at the same time immensely alluring, “you don’t want me to be a wise-ass, best not invite me back to your barn. Think it’s a part of me you can’t get rid of by paddling my ass.”

This book is a full standalone — complete with epilogue — but it’s also the start of a new series of standalones. The next book will be about a different couple and I absolutely cannot wait to read it!

I’ve read and loved over 40 Kristen Ashley books. I adore her writing style, I always fall in love with her characters, and her stories never fail to make my heart race, but I was beyond thrilled to see her explore this new territory and deliver such a beautiful love story. This is Kristen Ashley as you’ve never read her before — and I loved every word!

Rating: 5 stars!! Erotic Contemporary Romance. Can standalone.

NOTE: this book releases tomorrow at midnight so be sure to pre-order an eBook so that your copy downloads automatically for you the moment it’s released. You also have the option of getting a paperback (it’s GORGEOUS, I have one) but if you’re going to do that, pre-order your print copy now to lock in the special 45% OFF sale pricing!

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Series of standalones.

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