Highly Recommended

Book Review — The Will by Kristen Ashley

March 25, 2014 by Aestas · 15 Comments

“It’s never too late to reach for happiness, and no matter what life has done to you, it’s never too late to find it.”

W-O-W!!! This book was EPIC. Absolutely PERFECT!!! ♥♥♥♥♥

Before anything else, I just want to say that if you’re already a Kristen Ashley fan, you’ll understand when I say that this book is “Vintage KA” style — PURE GOLD!!! And, if you’ve never read a KA book before, this would be an awesome book to start with!! It’s a standalone romance and is since it’s so fantabulous, it would be a wonderful introduction to this author’s amazing books 🙂

A few things right off the bat….

1) This might honestly be my favorite KA book. Or, gah, that’s like choosing a favorite child, but it’s definitely one of them. And without a doubt Jake and Josie are one of my favorite KA couples. This is coming from the perspective of someone who has read nearly every single book KA has written too!

2) This book is looooong!!! It was 9568 “locations” on my Kindle and every single word in them was brilliant!! I am so happy that it wasn’t edited down!

3) EPIC FEELS. This book has them. In bucket loads. From the very first page to the gorgeous, heartfelt, tear-enducing epilogue at the end, this book made me feel.

4) This is worth mentioning again: — VINTAGE KA, guys. ‘Nuff said ♥

Ok… on to the real review…

The pure joy felt when opening up a new KA book is just exhilarating. You know that you’re in for a wild ride filled with fantastic writing, Alpha males, and sexy romance… and this book had it all!!

Kristen Ashley truly is one of the most talented authors I’ve read. In my eyes, no one writes like her, and I really mean no one. If you’ve read her books, you know what I mean. Her descriptions and just the way she writes is so unique to her that it’s almost like she has her own language. If you were to give me ten random paragraphs of writing from various authors, I’d be able to pick out which one she wrote in a heartbeat. You feel it so strongly. Every word just sinks into your heart and soul.

The story takes place in the town of Magdalene where Josie returns for the funeral of her beloved grandmother. Her work takes her traveling all over the world but her grandmother was everything to her and she takes some time off to come back and stay at her house after. When she goes in for the reading of the will, she find that her grandmother put into motion a very unusual request which brings Jake Spear into her life in a way she never expected…. and so begins one of the very best romances I have ever read ♥

Less than two pages into this book and I already had shivers running through me and my heart was racing. There was this moment right at the beginning where their eyes meet across the cemetery and I didn’t even know the characters yet but the feels just hit so strongly and I was hooked!!!

I love all kinds of romance but lets be honest, a lot of them are about couples between 18-35 and I loved that this one was about a couple in their 40s. Jake actually had three kids (PS — I adored them) and both him and Josie had a certain… stability (?) and no-nonsense attitude to their characters that I guess came with simply having made a lot of mistakes in their lives and (more importantly) having learned from them. I loved that this book basically acknowledged that not everyone finds their forever love early on and what it also meant was that having lived without it for so long, both Jake and Josie valued it so highly when they got it, they both knew how precious what they had was and that was just beautiful.

“Never keep anything from me, I don’t give a shit how you think I’m gonna react. I’ll react how I react. I will NEVER harm you doin’ it. But I got enough experience with what doesn’t work between a man and a woman to know that keeping’ shit from each other is a big fuckin’ part of that….. Every inch of you, outside and any way you can get inside, baby, physically or emotionally, is mine.”

My heart felt full to bursting throughout the whole time I was reading this. There’s just no other way to describe it. I was just so with the story that like the randomest little things would make me tear up (even if they weren’t sad) just becauseI was feeling so much.

I love love loved Jake. Talk about ALPHA!!! He was bossy but in a loveable way with a total take-no-bullshit attitude. And yes, a few of you know already that he was a boxer but guys, he was so much more than that too. He had so many sides to him, so many roles, so many talents ( 😉 ) …. he was a great father and a gorgeous lover and yes, he was also one heckuva badass fighter, but at the end of the day, he was just a wonderful guy who cared for his loved ones more than anything else in the world and was willing to go to any lengths to bring them safety and happiness. He stole my heart… and he still has it.

“You good?” he asked into the top of my hair.

I stared at the shadowed wall of his chest.

“Josie?” he called when I didn’t answer.

“I’m afraid,” I admitted softly.

His arms pulled me closer and I felt his lips on my hair when he answered, “Beat that back, honey. No reason to be scared. Not with me.”

Josephine was all kinds of cool!! She was… gah, it’s hard to explain… she was a hoot! Very proper and she spoke in a very cultured manner — and by that I mean that words like illuminating, alas, distressing, prowess, vociferous, fibbed, ungentlemanly, await, hence, irksome, and more were all part of her regular vocabulary. But while she had this very collected side to her, she also had the biggest heart and had such a beautiful personality. She was feisty and smart and fun and I loved the way she cared so deeply not only for Jake but also for his children. She was just awesome!!

And the dynamic of the two of them playing off each other was pure gold!!! With her being so proper and him being so chill… they were so different but yet they just fit perfectly together. It was brilliant!!!!!!

“What’s next?” I queried.

“Don’t know, Josie. Just know whatever it is I want you to be a part of it and I hope like fuck you want the same.”

What I loved about them most though was how no matter what life threw at them, they didn’t let themselves get dragged down the wrong path. There was just a refreshing lack of ‘stupidity’ from either of them in this book. Don’t laugh, you know what I mean. Gosh, it was just such an amazing feeling to genuinely have that heartfelt respect for the characters. I not only liked them both as people but also agreed with and understood their decisions and the way they handled their lives, families, and relationships. They had each others’ back, supported each other, and didn’t let anything bring them down.

This book was one gorgeous, epic moment after another. I read so many scenes literally clutching at my heart or squeeing out loud with the hugest grin you can imagine on my face. I not only have whole paragraphs of text highlighted text but there are a few sections where I highlighted several pages on end.

Also, while Kristen Ashley is well known for her Alpha male characters, another thing that many of her fans will eagerly agree to is that she writes magical epilogues and I can say with full certainty that this was one of the most heartfelt, emotional, and deeply powerful epilogues she’s ever written. Tears were pouring down my face. It was just so beautiful!!

On a bit of a random note, I think was makes KA’s alphas so amazing is that they each perfectly ride that balance between dominant, possessive, caring, and badass — they’re family men, fighters, protectors, lovers, friends, everything. Some are a little ‘safer’, some are a little ‘edgier’, some more dangerous, others more swoony … and each one of them has a slightly different mix of all these qualities that makes them unique. They each ride that line between almost too much and just absolutely right. It’s like, they’re extreme enough to make your heart race but they feel just real enough to make you accept them. They’re not perfect people though, they have all kinds of flaws and vices and often even make us mad but we love them as they are. They really are the perfect Alpha males.

“To have what Jake had you had to be born the man he became. You couldn’t want it. You simply were going to be it until you were it.”

The Will is one of the most beautifully written and genuinely heart warming romances I have ever read. This is the kind of book you can lose yourself in. It had everything we have come to love from VintageKA — a loooooooong story, oodles of details, phenomenal dialogue, family dynamics unlike any other, hot & passionate romance and that special and totally unique language style that carries the weight, meaning, and heartfelt power that only a Kristen Ashley book can ever deliver.

This book was perfection. I do not have a single complaint. Quite simply, this was KA at her best!!

“I never wanted anything but you, Jake… And I wanted you before I even knew you… You’re everything I ever wanted, darling.”

Rating: 5+++ STARS!!!

** Note: This book is the first of a new 3-part series. Each book will be about a standalone romance about different couples!! This book can be read on it’s own — you don’t need to read any other book before it!!

_________________________________

*** FULL SERIES (STANDALONES) ***

THE WILL (Jake & Josie)
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Get the Audiobook | Read my Review

SOARING (Mickey & Amelia)
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Get the Audiobook | Read my Review

THE TIME IN BETWEEN
Buy for Kindle

Purchase

And, if you’re new to Kristen Ashley books, here’s the complete reading order of all her series 🙂

Book Review — CRASHED (The Driven Trilogy #3) by K. Bromberg

March 6, 2014 by Aestas · 10 Comments

“Baby, Heaven doesn’t want me yet, and fuck if Hell can handle me, so you’re kinda stuck with me.”

A perfect ending to a fantastic series!!

Crashed was an intense, emotional, riveting ride from A to motherf*cking Z. It’s a story that makes you believe in the resilience and healing power of love. Colton and Rylee’s journey is sexy, romantic, heart breaking and uplifting. This is the kind of book you don’t want to put down and you can’t wait to read more of, and without a doubt, the Driven Trilogy will forever be one of my top favorites!!

This book started off right where the last one ended — the moment after that heart stopping cliffhanger — with an absolutely amazing prologue that brought tears to my eyes and sent chills through my body. It was easily one of the best prologues I’ve read and from the first line, I was transported right back into the story.

The emotions hit strong right from the start — the desperation of the situation, the vivid imagery, the writing… it was so well put together. I have quotes highlighted everywhere throughout my book.

Devastation surrenders, desperation consumes, life splutters, and yet my soul clings.

Superman.

Gosh, even thinking of Colton’s beloved superheroes makes me choked up!! “A childhood obsession now turned into an adult’s grasp on hope.” — They were such a fantastic addition to the whole series. The way these 4 names — Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman. — were woven into the story was so subtle but yet so powerful that each time I read one of their names, my heart squeezed.

I don’t want to say much about the plot at all because this is the final book in the series and, as a direct continuation of the story, it should not be read on it’s own… and if you have read the other books, then I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll just tell you how this book made me feel instead.

One of the many things I loved about this book for me was that it took the time to highlight these incredibly emotionally meaningful ‘bonding’ scenes between the main characters — Colton’s Dad and Rylee (“The first time I saw him, he broke my heart and stole it all with one, single look.”), Colton and his Dad, Colton and the kids at The House (“The damaged man helping the broken child“), Colton and Rylee’s Dad (“The unspoken bond from father to the man his daughter loves passes between them. Man to man. Protector to protector.”). And of course, the central relationship in this story: Colton and Rylee…

“I swear to God she’s the only air my body can breathe. Fuck if she’s not everything I need and nothing I deserve.”

I loved the way Colton and Ryle were together. Yin and yang in so many ways despite their differences. Rylee was just so perceptive, and so understanding, and holy shit did she ever have a badass side too. Ok — I love it when the guys get all growly and protective of their women but there was this scene where Rylee stood up for Colton that was just pure fucking awesome!! And then seeing Colton stand up for her in return…. ohhhh my heart was singing!! It was just one of the many epic moments in this series.

I absolutely adore tortured Alpha male heroes — without a doubt, they are my favorite — and Colton Donavan was the embodiment of the kind of hero I most easily fall for. I felt so heart broken for the things that happened to him in his past, and for the emotionally crippling scars they’d left on him. His struggle to face the nightmares his past felt so real because with the way it was written, and the glimpses at his POV too, you really felt how hard it was for him. I just loved watching the progression of his healing throughout the series. Knowing how strong and deeply rooted his pain was gave so much more meaning to each little victory step forward and to each little bit of healing.

“I want to be your motherfucking checkered flag, Rylee. Your pace car to lead you through tough times, your pit stop when you need a break, your start line, your finish line, your goddamn victory lane.”

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Rylee was just a fantastic heroine. I absolutely loved how she could always see right through Colton and always knew where he was at, even when he couldn’t find it in him to admit or say it, even when he was being a total ass, she just saw right through it. It might sound weird to say this but it was just genuinely refreshing to have a heroine who didn’t make stupid decisions. One who was smart, capable, and independent while also being totally in love with her guy.

“I hold tight letting him know that no matter how far he falls, I’ll catch him. I’ll always catch him.”

Now, part way through there was a development in the story that put my heart in my throat because I was so worried at the direction it would take the story in. It opened the doors for all kinds of frustrating drama but I just want to say how thrilled I was to see that once again, even though it was an intense, angst-ridden issue, and while Colton and Ryle may have stumbled a bit while dealing with it, instead of being broken down, they allowed it make them stronger than ever before. I was honestly just proud of them.

“We can do this… It’s just this selfless girl and this healing boy and we can really make this work.”

The way each issue in this book was dealt with, worked through and overcome was just so emotionally captivating and heart felt. And I especially loved how, throughout the course of the series, there was a whole list of words and phases that grew to have so much meaning and memories behind them — the superheroes, ‘racing’, 747, cotton candy, pit stops, text songs, the motherfucking checkered flag, the alphabet A–Z, sheets, the lifeline… and so many more little things like that.

“God, I fucking race you.”

And lets not forget the scorching hot steam factor here. Seriously — these books are HOT HOT HOTTTT!!! Colton and Rylee had an intense chemistry that left me fanning myself over and over again. Sex was an important part of their connection and healing, but I loved the way the love scenes never overshadowed the general plotline but rather complimented it. This is Adult romance done right with a wonderful balance between sex and emotional character growth.

“I want every inch of you trembling, fucking shaking, begging me to take you, Ry, because fuck if I won’t be doing the same. I want to be your sigh, your moan, your cry out in pleasure and every fucking sound in between.”

Ohhhh, and the ending was just perfect!! I’m not going to spoil it for you but I’ll just say that I loved the way everything came together and definitely shed a few happy tears. Colton and Rylee had just come so far over the course of this series. They deserved every bit of happiness that they got.

And — two words: Double. Epilogue. 😀

Rating: 4.5+ stars

*** SERIES READING ORDER ***

Book #1 — DRIVEN
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #2 — FUELED
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #3 — CRASHED
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book Review — FUELED (The Driven Trilogy #2) by K. Bromberg

February 25, 2014 by Aestas · 2 Comments

“We’re not broken baby… we’re just bent. And bent’s okay. Bent means that we’re just figuring things out.”

I absolutely LOVED this book!!!! I was invested in the story from start to finish. My heart was racing, breaking, melting… I was feeling everything!!! I love Colton. I love Rylee. I love this series. I’m hooked and I can’t wait for more!!!

This book captured my heart from the very first page and I was so impressed with the direction that the storyline went in. Honestly, after the huge cliffhanger that the last book left off, I was a little wary because it opened up the potential for the characters to go down a very frustrating path but they basically just turned it right around in a way that made me have so much respect for them both.

Mistakes were made and there was a lot of heartache but throughout it all, you could always feel how strongly they felt for each other and how badly they were trying to make things work.

Even though though I really liked Driven, it was a bit of a bumpy road for me at first, but I was really blown away by Fueled. It was a very strong book. The story line was captivating and I did not want to put it down!

Please note that this is the second book in this trilogy and it directly continues the story from the first book. I’m not going to talk about the plot here but I’ll just say that this book starts off right where the last one ended but this time, we got to see that devastating scene from Colton’s perspective. We got a glimpse into the memories that were haunting him — “Memories so horrid he vomits with the reappearance of them.” — and my God where they ever heart breaking.

Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman.

I love love love Colton, but before I talk about him, I want to take a minute to focus on Rylee because she’s honestly now one of my favorite book heroines. She was both kind hearted, deeply understanding and incredibly selfless while still remaining a strong woman who wasn’t going to be pushed around by anyone. She set her boundaries and held to them. I totally would want to be friends with her. I loved the way she thought and just generally really respected the decisions she made.

“You know you can talk to me… I won’t judge or try to fix you, but sometimes just getting it out, getting rid of the hate or shame or whatever is eating you makes it a tad bit more bearable.”

Now… about Colton… this guy was a book hero after my own heart. A gorgeous, tortured Alpha bad boy race car driver with a dark past, a reckless side to him, and also a huge heart who was falling in love for the first time in his life. GAHHH!! I LOVED HIM!!! His back story just tore me up and I could see how strong the demons he was fighting were. My heart really went out to him.

“If you look past the gorgeously rough exterior… there’s a scared little boy inside that’s afraid of love… he’s afraid to love someone because he knows that they’ll leave…”

The chemistry between Colton and Rylee was just off-the-charts HOT and their connection was so intense. I swear I spent a good portion of this book just sitting there fanning myself…

“Anticipation… Tonight, Rylee, I want you thinking about me all night long. More specifically everything I plan on doing to you later when I have you alone… Where my tongue is going to lick. Where my fingers are going to grip. Where my mouth is going to taste. Where my cock is going to stroke. How my body is going to worship every incredible inch of yours.”

But while sex scenes were scorching but my favorite part was honestly seeing them open up to each other. Their relationship wasn’t always on a smooth path but they both were trying. They went through lot of ups and downs but everything that happened really made sense for the story — I even found the times when there were miscommunication bearable because I felt like I could understand where they were both coming from at all times. I can’t tell you how important this element is to me as a reader. It’s the number one thing I look for in a story and even though it sometimes broke my heart, I really enjoyed the journey.

“I know we’ve made a mess of this, Ry, but we can figure this out… We can get us right.”

Ohhh and one more gorgeous side to the story was Colton and the kids that Rylee worked with. There’s something unbelievably endearing about a bad boy who is amazing with children but when you add in the fact that that bad boy could also identify with the traumatic pasts that these kids had, it just was emotional overload for me. These scenes brought tears to my eyes more than once.

“Any guy that makes you cry isn’t worth it.”
“Maybe if he makes me cry it’s because he IS worth it.”

All in all, I really felt this whole story — I felt the pain, the love, the heart break, and the healing. The last quarter of the book was intense. Suuuuuper intense. There was a lot of drama and yes, the ending was a big cliffhanger. But interestingly, this one didn’t bother me too much because it wasn’t a relationship cliffhanger. So, even though I’m dying to read the next book and find out what happens next, I’m also ok and really loved the way the whole ending of this book came together.

“Time stands still and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. Just a damaged boy and a selfless girl.”

Overall, I was so impressed with this book. It kept me connected to the characters the whole way through and I was glued to the page from start to finish. I highly recommend checking this series out! It’s fun, addictive, heart felt, emotional… it’s got it all!! And best of all — it has Colton Donavan 😉

I want her to own me.
Every fucking piece of me.
Game over baby.
She’s my motherfucking checkered flag.

Rating: 4.5+ stars

*** SERIES READING ORDER ***

Book #1 — DRIVEN
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #2 — FUELED
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #3 — CRASHED
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book Review — Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan

January 30, 2014 by Aestas · 32 Comments

“Only you. Only ever you.”

Buy ARCHER’S VOICE (Kindle)

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

Archer’s Voice was one of the most heartwarming and uniquely beautiful stories I have ever read. Mia Sheridan’s ability to convey strong emotions and vivid imagery through her writing is absolutely captivating. This was a gorgeous tale of survival and the healing power of love. I strongly encourage everyone to read it!! Without a doubt, it is now one of my top favorite books!

Before anything, I just want to mention though is that this is a standalone novel. Yes, it is a part of the Sign of Love series, but that is a series of standalone novels — each main story is separate from the others. You do not have to read any other book before this and it has a complete resolved ending that beautifully wraps up this entire story.

I really thought that this book’s blurb did a perfect job of describing the story without giving too much away. I’ve thought long and hard over how much I should tell you of the story and decided to just post the blurb here instead of saying anything about it because I really feel like this is one of those stories where the less you know up front, the more you’ll love it as you read:

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer’s Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

This is one of those stories that really grabbed my heart from the first word. I was barely 2% into the book before I had tears in my eyes. I was already completely invested in the story. I truly think that that’s a sign of great writing because I mean, I didn’t even know these characters yet but I already cared so much!! My heart was breaking for them and I desperately wanted to know more.

We were told the story mostly from Bree’s POV but with a few flashback scenes from Archer’s childhood. This was perfect really because it allowed us to follow her story while still connecting emotionally to Archer. And then later on, we also a few present day scenes here and there from his perspective as well.

The story unfolded beautifully in layers. With every little bit I learned about Archer, my heart broke more and more. The pacing was wonderful — there was no insta-love, and nothing was rushed, but I still felt that sizzling connection between them right from their first encounter. My heart was literally just bursting as I watched them get to know each other.

It was absolutely beautiful to watch their connection build. They became friends first but you knew there was so much more between them. I was completely drawn into their story. Their interactions were perfectly detailed — every glance, every gesture, every little exchange between them captivated me just a little bit more.

Archer Hale stole my heart. I really mean it. He’s now definitely one of my top favorite book boyfriends. Mysterious, misunderstood, sweet, silent, beautiful, broken, shy, powerful, protective…. I can go on and on but this man just had the biggest heart you can imaging and every single time he grinned, my heart melted.

Bree Prescott was such a wonderful heroine. She was just genuinely a good person — kind hearted, caring, and sweet. I was never annoyed with her and I loved her for what she did for Archer and for the way she say right into the real him.

Their chemistry was scorching. This is genuinely an Adult romance and once things got going between them, holyyyyy hell was it ever H.O.T. Even just their first kiss had me swooning. Totally butterflies-in-my-stomach moment.

“He… broke his lips from mine to look down questioningly into my face, to see if I was okay with what he was doing. His gentleness and his concern with what I desired made my heart squeeze tightly, and I smiled a small smile. “Yes,” I breathed out. “Yes.”

Archer Hale was not your typical hero but he made my heart melt like few others ever have.

“His eyes told me everything… We communicated a thousand words, without a single one being spoken.”

This book took me through every possible emotion. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love. The story was slow building but perfectly paced for this story — taking the time to fully develop Archer and Bree’s connection to each other, and the reader’s connection to them. It felt real and I experienced every moment right alongside them.

It was so wonderful to see Archer’s trust build as their love grew. Every little act meant SO much and my heart literally ached with love for him.

“I want to be able to love you more than I fear losing you, and I don’t know how. Teach me, Bree. Please teach me. Don’t let me destroy this.” He looked at me beseechingly, pain etched into every feature of his face.

Oh God, Archer, I thought, my heart squeezing tightly in my chest. How do you teach a man who has lost everything, not to fear it happening again?

The thing I appreciated most about this book was that there was no unnecessary drama. I understood and respected both Archer and Bree’s decisions. I loved them together, but also individually.

As the book built towards the ending, things got more intense and I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough but I finished it with happy tears in my eyes and literally just sat there for several minutes smiling and just feeling everything. It was a beautiful, emotional, and entirely unique story — so different from anything else I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend it highly enough!!

Also — can this please get made into a movie???? Seriously – I can picture every scene in my head. It would be absolutely incredible!!

“He smiled back and put his lips against mine, mouthing, “I love you, too,” against my mouth, as if he was breathing love into my body.”

Rating: 5 STARS!!! Read this book, guys!!

Buy ARCHER’S VOICE (Kindle)

Book Review — KISS THE SKY (The Addicted Series) by Krista & Becca Ritchie

January 25, 2014 by Aestas · 2 Comments

“You’re not a pit stop. You’re my finish line. There’s no one after you… I want you for eternity, not for a brief moment in time.”

Buy KISS THE SKY (Kindle)
Buy ADDICTED TO YOU (Kindle) – first book in the series

WOW. WOW. W-O-W.

This is one of the most addictive series I have EVER read!! And it just keeps on getting better and better. Krista & Becca Ritchie have outdone themselves. Every single word was brilliant. The Addicted series is without a doubt one of THE best New Adult romance series out there. It has everything in spades — fantastic writing, an original plot line, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with.

READ THESE BOOKS, GUYS!!!!!!

I’ll be honest. It took me a long time to be able to process my thoughts on this book into actual words. For the first several hours after reading, the only thing running through my mind was along the lines of…

ZOMGTHESEBOOKSAREFUCKINGAMAZING
YOUALLHAVETOREADTHEMNOWWWWWW!!!

… but clearly, I needed to come up with something better than that so here goes:

Virgin. Sex addict. Daredevil. Alcoholic. Smartass. Jackass.

In the first three books of this series, we were introduced to Lily & Lo as the main couple, but also got to know Ryke & Daisy, and Connor & Rose as side characters, and in Kiss The Sky, the spotlight was turned onto Connor and Rose. I’d been looking forward to their story ever since I first met them. Kiss The Sky was easily one of my most highly anticipated book releases and it blew me away!!!

In the aftermath of the scandal that went public at the end of last book, Rose needed to find a way to paint her family in a better light or risk losing her business, Calloway Couture, and everything that she’d worked for. So she decided to sign her and her five friends up to star in a reality TV show. This meant that Lily, Lo, Daisy, Ryke, and her and Connor would be living together and filmed for 6 months by three cameramen who followed them around day and night.

“6 people + 6 months + 3 cameramen + 1 reality show = infinite drama. I’ve done the math.”

While all six friends featured heavily in this story, the main focus of this book was on Rose and Connor. We saw everything through their eyes. We saw what happened in their past that shaped them into the people they were now, we saw what drove them, and what scared them, and what they wanted most.

Honestly, it was absolutely fascinating to see the world through their perspective, especially the way they saw each other. Connor understood Rose in a way that no one else did. He saw through her walls and right into her heart.

“Rose Calloway was different. She was fashionable. But not a sorority girl. She was a genius on paper. But not a team player. She was quick to loathe others. But not against loving them. She was a complicated equation that didn’t need to be solved.”

Rose saw the real him too but…could only see as much of him as he chose to show to the world. Despite caring deeply for her, he found it hard to express his true feelings in so many words. But he and Rose somehow just worked perfectly together. It was so fun to see them verbally spar back and forth. They were competitive, but in the best way.

“He wears confidence like his most expensive suit, with style and dignity and so much charm. I immediately want to combat him, to match him smile for smile, grin for grin, word for word.”

They were such a unique pair. Connor was the only guy who’d ever been able to truly handle Rose without either getting overruled or turned away. He was neither stronger nor weaker than her. He was her perfect match.

“I’m not the hero.
I’m the king to Rose’s queen.”

But here was the twist to their relationship — they were equals on every level, except sex. Rose was a genius, a strong, confident woman in charge of her world, but she was also a virgin in completely over her head because in this one respect, Connor had a definite upper hand. Luckily though, being the amazing person that he was, he never once pushed her beyond her comfort zone. I loved the way he waited for her and was endlessly patient. It made me melt. He knew all along what she wanted but was willing to wait for her to realize it herself.

“You’re safe with me, you know that, Rose?… I won’t ever hurt you.”

And ho-ly HOTNESS, guys!! I have to say that while I didn’t see it coming in the previous books, there was a kinky twist to Connor that just fit his personality so perfectly and had me fanning myself for pages on end.

“I think we both know there’s only one dominant here.”

Oh yeahhh!!! 😀

But if anything can best describe Connor, I think it’s this one quote:

“My power is in my confidence.
It’s that simple.
Their belief that it’s something more – that it’s something greater – is what makes the effect so strong. They need me to be their sturdy unbending fortress.
So I am here.”

In this book, they had so much to deal with — their relationship, Lily & Lo’s relationship (and the aftermath of the events of the first books), how her business was doing, etc — all of this on it’s own would have been a lot of it’s own but add in a reality show to the mix — where every single moment of their lives was caught on film and broadcasted to the world by a producer whose apparent life’s mission was just to fuck with them — and you have a situation brimming with tension, angst and heightened emotion.

Overall, this series truly has one of THE best ensemble casts I’ve ever read. The character dymanics are just GOLD and the dialogue is fantastic. Every little interaction between the cast just shone.

The WRITING was fantastic. I adore these authors’ style. It’s smart, snappy and just draws you IN. There is not a single wasted word and I absolutely loved it. I swear, half my book is highlighted.

“As she rests on my lap, something strong grips my heart. I’ve never been so possessed by another person before. She consumes my body and mind in ways that I can’t articulate.”

The whole story was built on this complex network of all the entwined relationships — some were new, some were built over years, some were bonded by blood, and others were bonded by love. Everything was so multi-layered, and there were so many stories happening at once that were all connected, all linked. It was fascinating. Exciting. Addicting. Compelling. It was romantic. Steamy. Emotional. Beautiful.

But, just as with the first books in the series, I have to applaud the authors because never once did I feel like anything went overboard. Every single event, every piece of drama made perfect sense for the story. It fit. No eye-rolling or Kindle-throwing. The entire story was well paced and meticulously planned out.

I love getting lost in these characters’ world and I absolutely love each one of these main characters. I love their insecurities, flaws, and strengths. I love how despite having their misunderstanding and disagreements within each other, they are always united against an outside threat. They support each other, have each others’ back. They protect each other.

“These five people mean more to me than words can express. I’ve never once felt like I had a real family.
But with them – I know I do.”

Some lines were so hit me so strongly that out of nowhere, I’d just find tears running down my face…

“We’d be the walls that shield these terrible events from them. We can endure the pain for however long they need to heal.”

Without a doubt, this is one of the most addictive series I have ever read. I loved every single word and read this book as slowly as I could trying to make the story last as long as possible. I didn’t want it to end. Some books are worth losing sleep over. This is one of those.

The Addicted series truly stands out in the New Adult romance world. Krista and Becca Ritchie keep raising the bar. This is one of those series that started out strong, and just keeps getting stronger. It’s truly one-of a kind. There is nothing else even remotely close to this out out there. THIS is a series to watch for.

Rating: 5 stars!!!

Buy KISS THE SKY (Kindle)
Buy ADDICTED TO YOU (Kindle) – first book in the series

________________________________________________________

*** TIMELINE EXPLANATION & READING ORDER ***

The Addicted series has a core ensemble cast of 3 main couples: Lily & Lo, Rose & Connor, and Ryke & Daisy. They are all present in each of the books and their stories are all closely connected.

The books this series should be read in order and tell one continuous story. A huge part of why I am so in love with and so addicted to this series is because I know these characters. I’ve been through their ups and downs, I’ve seen their struggles and triumphs, and so each new development in their story has a lot of meaning to me. Everything carries more weight because I know what these guys have been through to get where they are. In my opinion, these characters deserve to have their story appreciated to the max, and that will come with reading the books in order.

If it helps to know…

The first three books (Addicted To You, Ricochet, Addicted For Now) are focused on Lily & Lo and told from their POV with a resolved ending at the end of Addicted For Now.

Then Kiss The Sky continues the same storyline but from a different perspective (Rose & Connors) and while it focuses on their story, it also continues the journey of all the main characters that we’ve been introduced to. It has it’s own HEA.

The next book (Hothouse Flower) is the same deal but focuses on a different couple (Daisy & Ryke) while continuing the stories of all 3 couples as well. It also has it’s own HEA.

After that, Thrive & Addicted After All go back to focusing on Lily & Lo. Thrive contains their POV during the previous 2 books. Addicted After All will move forward in time in their POV while continuing the story of all 3 couples.

Finally, Fuel The Fire (Rose & Connor) and Long Way Down (Daisy & Ryke) will conclude the series.

It is perfectly safe to jump in and start reading this series now. You will not be left hanging! I promise. Cross my heart. No cliffhangers where the story is at now! And – please please please start reading these books, guys. They are just wonderful!!! 😀

*** These books should be read in order ***

ADDICTED TO YOU
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read My Review
Lily & Lo’s perspective

RICOCHET
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read My Review
Full length companion novel – do not skip!!

ADDICTED FOR NOW
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Lily & Lo’s perspective

KISS THE SKY
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Rose & Connor’s perspective

HOTHOUSE FLOWER
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Daisy & Ryke’s perspective

THRIVE
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Full length companion novel – Lily & Lo’s perspective

ADDICTED AFTER ALL
Buy For Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Lily & Lo’s perspective

—- There is no cliffhanger ^^^ so you’re safe to start now!!! —-

FUEL THE FIRE
Rose & Connor’s perspective

LONG WAY DOWN
Daisy & Ryke’s perspective

Book Review — COMING HOME by Priscilla Glenn

January 22, 2014 by Aestas · 4 Comments

“I could suffer through anything if you were my reward.”

Holy WOW — this book was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !!!!

Coming Home was a captivating, beautifully written and deeply heartfelt romance that left me with the powerful message that love is stronger than anything. This is the kind of story that grabs a hold of your heart and doesn’t let go. It was a joy to read and I loved every single word — from the first page to the very last.

I honestly can’t even describe how full my heart felt while I was reading this. Throughout the whole story, there was this quiet intensity that kept me breathless, brimming with emotion, and completely connected.

I think it’s a sign of the author’s talent when, at the very beginning of the story — before knowing anything about the characters, or their story, or their personalities, etc — you can genuinely feel that complete connection to them and that was what happened here from the moment I started reading this book.

The story follows Leah who, on a nostalgic visit back to the house she grew up in, meets Danny, a gorgeous and mysterious mechanic. A bad relationship in her past had broken her trust making her prefer to stay away from relationships rather than put her heart out on the line again. Danny was the first guy in two years who made her feel like it was worth the risk, but he was hiding a huge secret …

Ok, even I’ll admit that what I just said there *points above* is probably THE most vague book description I’ve ever given. But there’s a reason. Honestly, this book was perfect to me. I don’t have any complaints at all to make. But I do feel strongly that one of the things that makes reading this book so special is not knowing too much about it going in. Usually, I’m one of those people who kinda likes to know but in this case, I would honestly say that the less you know in advance, the more you’ll enjoy it. Just trust me, okay? 🙂

I could not stop smiling as I was reading. Danny and Leah just the kind of connection that I felt every step of the way. I fell in love as they fell in love and could just see every scene playing out in front of my eyes like a movie.

The pacing was perfect for this story. It was slow building, but in a way that gave you the time to genuinely believe the development of the relationship. They had an instant connection but the love that grew between them was built — moment by moment, scene after scene — and I absolutely loved the way it was portrayed.

Danny was the kind of hero who you can’t help but fall for. I think the best way to describe him was a good guy with streak of bad boy. This man was kind, caring, loyal, sweet, charming, a touch cocky, and very protective of those he loved. He melted my heart from the moment I met him and had me going crazy trying to figure out what his big secret was!!!

“I was kind of hoping I’d hate you. It would have been so much easier if you were a bitch, or an idiot, or someone who annoyed the shit out of it…But of course you weren’t any of those things… You were smart, and sweet… and fucking beautiful… I figured we could just be friends, you know? No harm in that, right?… But every time I talk to you, I like you more and more, and every time I see you, it’s so fucking hard, Leah.”

Leah was such a lovely heroine. Described by Danny as “the perfect mixture of snarky and sweet, confident and shy”, she’d had her trust broken and so giving it to someone new was a huge step for her, especially to someone who was hiding something from her. But the way she handled everything in the story made me respect her, over and over again.

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can. You’re one of the strongest people I know, and I really hate that life keeps making you have to prove it.”

One of the things that I loved most in this story was that there was absolutely no ‘drama for drama’s sake’ and the entire story was driven forward by the natural pull of the story. And I especially loved that the beginning of the book took the time to fully connect me with the characters before revealing the secret that would put everything to the test.

I loved watching Danny and Leah slowly open up to each other, and learn to trust each other. It was beautiful, very believable romance – the kind I could see happening in real life.

“What’s a talent you have that not a lot of people know about?”

Danny chuckled suggestively, a low rumbling sound, and Leah felt a surge of heat run through her veins. She kicked her covers off as he said, “Hmm, I’m gonna keep it PG for now and go with that I can sing.”

The writing was absolutely beautiful. It flowed effortlessly and conveyed each emotion so strongly. It was one gorgeous, heartfelt moment after another. Some scenes made me laugh out loud and smile for pages on end, and others had me sitting there with silent tears pouring down my face. I felt everything!!! It was romantic, heart wrenching, uplifting, and just SUCH a beautiful reading experience.

Oh — and the TWIST!!! What a unique idea!! I actually have to say that I’ve never read this particular twist before. It took me by surprise and spun the story in a fantastic direction that had my heart in knots wondering how it could ever get sorted out. My heart was in my throat, pounding. I was overflowing with emotion. I just needed everything to be ok. The best way I can describe it would be ‘deliciously heart wrenching.’

“When you love someone, you don’t bail when it gets hard. That’s when you stay the most.”

I’d say one of the things that struck me the most with this book was that this was genuinely a story I’d never read before. It’s not ‘like’ any other one I’ve read. It was such a treat to be able to read something like that.

There’s a lot more that I want to say but won’t because I really don’t want to give anything about the plot away but I’ll just say that I was really impressed with the way the author wrote a certain part of the ending. The way she conveyed the inner struggle that the character was going through and they way she got us right into their mind was very powerful and compelling.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It had amazing dialogue, wonderful character dynamics, a completely original plotline, absolutely beautiful love scenes, and a deeply heartfelt, sexy, and believable romance that filled my heart with every possible emotion.

“I need you,” he said hoarsely. “I need you, Leah.”
“I’m yours,” she promised. “Always.”

Rating: 5 STARS!!! Highly recommended!!

This is a standalone contemporary romance.

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