Review of Sleepover by Serena Bell

“…I want to dance with you…” 

 

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length: 224 Pages

POV:  Alternating First Person

Description:

The girl next door is the one that got away. He just doesn’t know it yet. . . .

Sawyer: After my wife died, I promised myself I’d never go through the pain of losing someone again. Now I keep my flings neat, tidy, and one-time-only. Besides, my son needs me more than ever. He’s miserable in our new town, so I’m pumped when he makes friends with the kid next door—until I recognize his mom from a one-night stand. Perky and upbeat, Elle Dunning is not my type for anything other than tearing up the sheets. So why do I keep letting myself get roped into game nights and get-togethers?

Elle: It so hasn’t been my year. That’s my first thought when I see my new next-door neighbor. I never would have hooked up with Sawyer Paulson if my husband hadn’t left me for his high-school sweetheart, but because our eight-year-old boys have become best friends, I’ve got to make nice with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent. Yet the more time we spend together, the more Sawyer opens up. We’ve both been hurt—badly. So it’s one thing to send the kids off to sleepaway camp together. It’s quite another to promise each other a lifetime of sleepovers. . . .

Sleepover is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after.

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received an ARC of this book free from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley.*

Sawyer is a widower and single dad who isn’t interested in anything except one night stands. He doesn’t want to get emotions involved. And never even thought twice about another woman besides his wife until Elle.

“I do have a lot of fantasies involving remote-control vibrators and church pews.”

Elle is a single mom who doesn’t have the best luck with men. Her one and only one night stand was so hot they didn’t even make it out of the alley behind the bar. She likes to remember it, but not in a million years did she expect him to move in next door. Or to remember her.

“Those shoes. Do you know what those shoes make me want to do? They make me want to take them off with my teeth.”

Their son’s quickly become best friends, leaving Sawyer and Elle kind of stuck being around each other. And their spark is too difficult to hide, leaving the only option to let it ignite.

Sleepover is sweet and comical with a little sizzle added in.

“He’s not a dick,” Sawyer says thoughtfully. “He’s a cheap purple rubber dildo with sparkles.”

The beginning has too much non-essential detail about how they met that I found myself speed reading through those parts. However, the rest of the book definitely held my full attention. From the little rendezvous’ to the text messages…one can only hope for that kind of attention in a relationship.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

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Review of Christmas on Mistletoe Lane (Sweetwater Springs #1) by Annie Rains

“…I’ll try to be the man you deserve.”

 

Genre: Holiday Romance

Length: 432 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

Christmas is coming to the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She’s inherited her grandparents’ charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it’s just the new lease on life she needs. Only “heaven” comes with a catch-and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that.

After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he’s now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he’s given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it’s his pretty-and incredibly headstrong-partner who’s the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he’s been given?

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from Grand Central Publishing – Forever via NetGalley.*

Kaitlyn inherited her grandparent’s bed in breakfast, which was perfect because she needed something good to happen in her life. A new beginning. What she didn’t anticipate was being only partial owner.

Mitch didn’t want to own a bed and breakfast. He surely didn’t want to be back in his home town. He wanted to walk away from it all, but something about Kaitlyn convinced him to follow through with the terms of the will. Then he planned to leave as quickly as possible.

Fortunately for Kaitlyn and Mitch grandmothers can play matchmaker even from beyond.

I absolutely loved the B&B guests. They all brought a uniqueness to the story that made it feel more realistic.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane is the perfect way to put you in that loveable holiday mood. The characters are well developed and the storyline is full of little quirks and humorous moments that keep you entertained.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

Review of Gravity (The Collective: Season Two) by JL Leslie

“I love her. Remy Cartwright blindsided the shit out of me.”

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 149 Pages

POV:  Alternating First Person

Description:

Remy…
As a rehabilitation therapist for the California State Prison, I look for the best in people. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to find the best in myself though. I only wanted an escape. That’s all I have ever wanted. I walked into that bar and found my escape in a man I had no intentions of seeing again.

I didn’t have any expectations from the stranger from the bar. I didn’t expect him to save me from a riot that broke out in the city. I certainly didn’t expect to feel this unexplainable pull to him. But I do. And now I know who he is. He’s a member of the Iron Claw MC.

Riggers…
She was supposed to be a one-time thing. Neither of us wanted more. Instead, she turned my world upside down. I don’t know who I am when I’m with her. A good guy, or the guy I have always been? The guy who follows orders from my president. No matter the cost.

I can’t expect Remy to be part of my world. She’s heaven and I’m hell. It doesn’t matter that gravity continues to pull us to each other. I can’t drag her down with me, especially when the things I do for the club will forever change her life.

**This book contains adult content, graphic language, violence, and sexual situations. It is intended for mature readers only.**

Mindy’s Review:

*I received an ARC of this book free from the author.*

Riggers is a member of the Iron Claw MC. He has done a lot of bad things so when he finds himself drawn to a good girl he feels as though he does not deserve her. When he cannot shake her from his thoughts he actually feels he is losing his mind. Not to mention she just so happens to be the District Attorney’s daughter.

Remy Cartwright works as a Rehabilitation therapist for the California State Prison. She loves her job and she loves to find the good in people. Remy lets her inner bad girl out by having meaningless one night stands, The last thing she needs right now if a relationship.

I really enjoyed this book. I found myself drawn to every page and really cheering on the relationship they thought they didn’t need. I would love to see where these characters go in the future.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

Review of Big Stick (Aces Hockey #7) by Kelly Jamieson

“The truth will set you free. But first it will piss you off.”

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Length: 264 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

A brooding hockey hunk learns to embrace life—and love—from a single mom who takes the world one puck at a time.

Big move . . . Jodie’s motto is “Don’t wait for the perfect moment – take the moment and make it perfect.” And that’s just what she decides to do when she moves to Chicago with her two-year-old daughter. Now all Jodie needs is a place to live, and her best friend’s boyfriend has just the answer.

Big stick . . . Nick Balachov has zero interest in socializing, partying, or flirting right now. It’s not that he doesn’t like women. He loves them. It’s just that hockey, casual hookups, and hanging out at home are enough for him these days. Now Nick has a big problem – because the woman living in his empty coach house is a major distraction.

Big deal? The more Nick tries to keep his distance, the more Jodie needs him – around the house, that is. First he helps with the snowstorm, then the power outage. Nick even finds himself trying to impress her little girl. What the hell is wrong with him? Jodie represents everything Nick doesn’t want. But maybe she’s just what he needs. . . .

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley.*

Nick likes his solitude. Nothing gives him more happiness than being home with his peace and quiet. However, everything changes when his life gets shook up a little.

Jodie wants to make life wonderful for her daughter, but getting settled after the big move hasn’t been all that fun. She’s staying with her best friend and feels like she’s imposing on her and her boyfriend so house hunting she goes, only to end up discouraged at the prospects within her price range.

Nick has an empty guest house. Jodie needs a place to stay. They’re both put in a spot where neither can say no.

It doesn’t take long for kid hating Nick to fall in love with two-year-old, Zyana, and Jodie shortly after. However, the ghosts of his past keep him from making any commitments. He doesn’t want anyone to depend on him and risk letting them down again.

Big Stick is an adorable and steamy romance. What starts out as just a little adult fun quickly entangles their hearts. And the ending…oh so sweet! I love the Aces Hockey series! Each book pulls you in and the characters completely captivate you.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

Review of An Unlikely Setup (Welcome to Otter Tail #1) by Margaret Watson

“You should come with a warning label…”

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 200 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

After a disastrous business decision plunged her into debt, Maddie Johnson had only one way to save herself – return to Otter Tail, Wisconsin, sell her godfather’s pub and start over. But the best laid plans…

Quinn Murphy, her former crush and the man she least wanted to see, is running the pub. He wants to buy it, and he’s willing to play dirty. Too bad Maddie can’t afford to take his bid and get out of town.

Maddie hasn’t seen Quinn since a humiliating night fifteen years ago. But she never forgot him. She’s still drawn to him – even though getting involved with Quinn would be an utter disaster.

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from the author.*

The last thing Maddie wanted to do was return to Otter Tail. She used to spend the summers with her godfather, but after a humiliating one she never came back. That is until he passed away and left her everything from his house to the bar he’d owned.

“There’s a lot to be said for instant gratification.”

Quinn was supposed to buy the bar, but everything changed once the owner passed away. Now he had to convince the new owner to sell it to him for the amount he could afford. He never expected to be told no. Nor did he expect to be attracted to the woman who was basically destroying his future.

“I just like touching you.”

An Unlikely Setup puts two people who just may be destined for each other together…or rather someone they both cared for did. Even after death her godfather worked his magic knowing better than they did what they both needed.

It’s funny and quirky, not to mention a little emotional. It’s a good way to start a series and I look forward to reading more.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Review of Without Judgment (Without #3) by Aubrey Bondurant

“Not adulting today.” 

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 346 Pages

POV:  Alternating First Person

Description:

Do you know what I got for always being the good girl? A cheating ex, fake friends, and now a scandal that has even my own father ashamed of me.

No one believes it isn’t me on the video. My new bodyguard is no exception. Mason is not only my brother’s best friend, but my newly assigned babysitter who wishes he was anywhere but here.

He’s both hot and judgmental. It’s a maddening combination that has me wanting to push all his buttons.

With his bad boy vibe, alpha demeanor and the way he calls me princess, I’m convinced my draw to him is crazy. Until I learn under the tattoos and piercings there may be more than meets the eye. Turns out I may not be the only one fighting the attraction.

I’m determined not to be the helpless girl everyone thinks I am, even if it means taking drastic measures.

The question is whose side will Mason be on in the end?

*** Without Judgment is a standalone romance for mature audiences due to steamy bedroom scenes that are in no way contained to just the bedroom.***

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received an ARC of this book free from the author.*

Everything went downhill after Avery broke up with her ‘perfect’ boyfriend. He leaked a video of him having sex, supposedly with her, although it wasn’t. She knew the truth, but no one would believe her. Her dad acts embarrassed, her friends basically tell her to enjoy the limelight, and her new bodyguard thinks he guarding some kind of party princess. She just wants it all to go away. Well…maybe not her bodyguard.

“He was sex on an angry stick.”

After the military Mason decided to open his own security company, but while starting it up his best friend aka Avery’s brother asked him to watch her until all the publicity died down and he couldn’t exactly tell him no. He would rather be doing anything else than guarding some rich princess that spent all day shopping and hanging with her friends, but he had a debt to repay.

“Are you wet for me, princess?”

 

Slowly Avery learned that none of her friends were actually friends. Her dad was always gone campaigning and all she had was the sulky bodyguard to keep her company.

“You going to take me over your knee and spank me?”

I love watching how they progressed from not caring to even talk to one another to Avery waking Mason with a water gun, to him taking her out of town (for her safety of course). That cabin was about as rustic as it could get and yet he made it perfect for her.

“I’m not as big of a prima donna as you seem to think I am. Although if there’s a spider, all bets are off. You can call me whatever you wish so long as you kill it for me.”

Without Judgment has the perfect balance of sweet and sexy, with some humor mixed in. Watching their relationship develop and watching the ups and downs of a father/daughter relationship were heartwarming. But don’t think it’s all mush. There’s a lot of chemistry between these two and when they finally give into all that heat the pages explode with their desires.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Review of The Boss (Fire’s Edge #1) by Abigail Owen

“Nothing about you is protocol, luv.” 

 

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance (Dragons)

Length: 286 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

Finn Conleth leads his team of enforcer dragon shifters with an iron fist and a cold heart. Every dragon seeks his destined mate, but the process to turn the woman he once thought was his killed her and devastated him. He will never risk his heart again. His team is his family now. When his body eventually gives out, he’ll leave, living his last days alone.

Delaney Hamilton moved across the country to escape the freak fires that plague her. But when another suspicious fire erupts and rapidly escalates around her, her hopes for a new life go up in smoke. She has no choice but to turn to the mysterious men who come to her aid.

Finn knows the fire is dragon-caused, which puts Delaney’s problems directly in his jurisdiction. No matter how her wounded grey eyes call to every part of him, he refuses to risk her life in the mating process.

Until another dragon threatens to claim Delaney for his own, and Finn has to sacrifice everything to keep her alive…

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received an ARC of this book free from the author.*

The Boss overlaps some of The Mate so if you haven’t read it first then you may want to. I’d definitely suggest it.

Finn is leader of his enforcer team and he runs everything with strict protocols. He expects nothing less than the best from his dragons. But his world turns hectic with his brother, Fallon, at a mating ceremony, a disappearing dragon who he cannot catch, and a woman he’s drawn too at the heart of the chaos surrounding his headquarters.

“Remind me to start donating to firemen. The deserve every damn penny.”

Delaney has a stalker who keeps starting fires around her. She thinks she’s losing her mind and a talk dark fireman seems to draw her every desire even in the middle of everything crazy going on around her. But she has to confide in someone and Finn, with is beautiful blue eyes, is it for her.

“I’m not ashamed, but you try being the focus of a bunch of horndog dragon shifters’ overactive libidos.”

Finn will break the rules to protect Delaney and his dragons adore her so much that they’ll help. As for Delaney, dragons being real…just another crazy thing for her to accept. And oh how she does it with such grace. I love the way she handles them.

“Just tell me, Finn. It can’t be worse than dragons.”

He grimaced.

“Wait.” The bottom fell out of her stomach. “It’s worse than dragons?”

The Boss is suspense wrapped in sexual heat. It will keep you wondering what will happen next and have you cheering for Finn and Delaney at the same time. I cannot wait for the next book in the Fire’s Edge series.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.