Category: ARC

Paradise Cove ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Series: Matchmaker Bay #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: July 28, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Jake is content in Moonflower Bay. He is surrounded by a wonderful community – and if they meddle sometimes he’s gotten used to it by now. A lot of the townsfolk don’t really consider him a big talker and he’s used to being solo. If you’ve read Mermaid Inn then you know that Jake’s past involves a lot of heartache, but is a bit of a mystery.

Doctor Nora Walsh needs a fresh start and Moonflower Bay seems like the perfect place. She has just ended a long term relationship and likes the vibe she gets from the quaint and charming small town. Nora and Jake’s paths soon cross and they develop a sweet friendship.

If you love a friends to lovers, slow burn then this is the perfect book for you! I loved how Nora and Jake’s friendship was always center to their relationship. They opened up to one another in ways that they hadn’t been able to do with other people in their life. They talked openly about grief, past relationships and life in general. And although grief was a big part of this book, so was healing. I felt so much for both Jake and Nora and their respective struggles with grief and how to overcome it. The way Jake and Nora always seemed to be there for one another was so sweet and I loved their relationship even more for that. But don’t let the sweet cover fool you! Once Nora and Jake move past the friendship stage they definitely know how to burn up the pages.

Moonflower Bay is so charming with it’s meddling old folks. I absolutely love the relationships that are formed in this small town community. The people here may come off as intrusive, but they sure do really care about one another.

If you’re looking for a sexy friends to lovers/slow burn romance then grab yourself a copy of Paradise Cove! I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading it and can’t wait to return to Moonflower Bay.

Yours to Keep ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Series: Man of the Year #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Release Date: September 1, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Carter Ramsey is a profession baseball player, but suddenly he has a whole lot of time on his hands. You see, he was recently injured and now he’s contemplating his life choices. He had imagined at this point in his life he would have been married, maybe with a couple of kids. Instead, he’s featured in Citizen magazine in the Man of the Year article. Carter wishes to change a few things about his life and so decides to head back home to Haven for his 10 year high school reunion hoping to reconnect with his high school sweetheart.

Olive Dunn has continued living in Haven even after high school was over. She’s a biology teacher in the local high school (same high school she went to) and loves her job and her small town. She lives on the outskirts of town and doesn’t expect any new neighbors. That is, until Carter Ramsey strolls up next door. Carter and Olive were lab partners in high school once upon a time, but that was about it. Now they’re back in the same time and end up co-chairing the high school reunion together.

I loved the banter between Carter and Olive! I was either laughing or had a silly grin on my face while I was reading this book. I absolutely love that the chemistry between Olive and Carter was gradually introduced to us. We got to reunite with these two as acquaintances, who then turned into friends, before the sexual tension started burning up the pages.

This book is low on the drama, but high on the feels. If you want a lovely romance with some sizzling chemistry then pick up Yours to Keep. Although this book is part of a series, you could definitely read it as a standalone. Yours to Keep releases September 1, 2020.

I have been a long time fan of Lauren Layne! I think she is most likely one of the authors whose books I have read the most. I absolutely loved Yours to Keep! It was such a great book that constantly had a smile on my face. I had a hard time connecting with the characters in the previous book in the series – Yours in Scandal – but really fell fast and hard for Carter and Olive! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

A Touch of Stone and Snow ARC Review

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A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: A Gathering of Dragons #2

Release Date: July 21, 2020

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

I received a complimentary copy of this book form the publisher.

Lizzan, a mercenary for hire wanders the road in solitude. She prefers her drink strong and a place to sleep, but is willing to help those in need. The place she called home and her once lover have shunned her. She is an outcast and is determined to stay far away from Koth.

Aerax – also known as the feral prince of Koth – is seeking new alliances to help fight the destroyer. Lizzan and Aerax eventually meet on this road and there are so many unsaid words spoken between them. Lizzan believes that it was Aerax who exiled Lizzan from Koth, but how could it be when Aerax has never stopped loving her?

I absolutely love a second chance romance and I loved loved the first meeting between Lizzan and Aerax . I felt the love and longing between these two as much as the hurt. Milla Vane knows how to write such great dialogue and I was constantly looking forward to the banter between Lizzan and Aerax.

Beyond the love story between Lizzan and Aerax I loved the adventure that this book took me on. I have always loved mythology and learning about the legends of the various Gods that the people in this realm believe in was fascinating. I have so many parts highlighted because the storytelling was spectacular. But what is truth and what is the lie? Will people believe in something that is completely false because it was told to them in this manner for generations? And how will these lies and truths set the people of Koth and other realms free.

A Touch of Stone and Snow was a wonderful follow up to A Heart of Blood and Ashes. I loved being immersed in this world and absolutely cannot wait until the next book in the series is released!

Tools of Engagement ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Series: Hot & Hammered #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: September 22, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Bethany Castle is always in her element. She is calm, collected and cool. After all, she is the interior decorator for her family’s business and that’s exactly what she does best. Put everyone else at ease and make them feel welcome. But what about her, who is going to be there for her when she doesn’t have the energy to always be “perfect”?

Wes Daniels, isn’t used to sticking around in one place for a long time. He’s used to jumping from one place or another; hence his career at being a bull rider. Life throws Wes a curve ball and he soon finds himself in Port Jefferson taking care of his five year old niece for the unforeseeable future.

I really enjoyed Fix Her Up (book #1 in the series), but Love Her or Lose Her (book #2 in the series) wasn’t one I connected with as much. Tools of Engagement might be my favorite of the series. I love a sweet (and dirty) talking, sexy cowboy and Wes was all of those things. The banter between Wes and Bethany was so perfect and the sexual tension was always simmering between these two. But more than that, I loved how Wes seemed to completely get Bethany. He pushed her when she needed it and backed off when she needed her space. He was affectionate and attentive and always so damn sweet.

His sweetness and desire to protect both this niece and Bethany was definitely what made me fall for Wes. The interactions between Wes and his niece were some of my favorites. They were so sweet together and I ended up falling for both of them. A lot of times the single parent trope doesn’t hold that much appeal to me, but these two were so perfect in this book!

I loved the interactions between Bethany and the Just Us League. I enjoyed revisiting with Georgie, Rosie and the rest of the gang. Watching Bethany transform and let go of her insecurities was perhaps my favorite part of this book. As Tessa states in her acknowledgements – we don’t always have to be that perfect person that’s thrown across our social media. It’s okay to just be who we are.

Tools of Engagement releases September 22, 2020 – add this to your TBR list!

You Had Me At Hola ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 4, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

I just finished You Had Me At Hola and what I’m left feeling is the importance of culture, your roots and the strength and love of your family. At the heart of You Had Me At Hola is a love story between two co-stars, Ashton and Jasmine that is intertwined with their respective cultures and background.

Jasmine Lin needs a break from the LA scene. She’s in the tabloids (not for a good reason) and wants to get away from working on soap operas. Ashton Suarez has been working on telenovas and is eager to try his hand at something new. When both of them are cast as the main stars – Carmen and Victor – in a new show on a paid service called Carmen In Charge, they both jump at the opportunity.

I really enjoyed learning about the diverse backgrounds of both Jasmine and Ashton. They each had their own challenges that were equally important to both of them. Jasmine faced the challenge of not knowing Spanish as fluently even when she was starring in a mainly Latinx show. Ashton had his own difficulties because English is his second language and he wasn’t used to the new environment/set.

I will admit that the relationship between Ashton and Jasmine didn’t immediately have me rooting for them as a couple. Ashton was a bit cold towards Jasmine, but as I kept reading I understood his motives. But once these two did decide to take their relationship to the next level – the steamy scenes were so damn hot!

Some of my favorite scenes were the chapters that were dedicated to Carmen In Charge. I loved the way Alexis Daria transformed the book so seamlessly into the show and I found myself really enjoying those scenes between Carmen and Victor.

I really enjoyed You Had Me At Hola! If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy romance that is interwoven with family dynamics then pick up this book when it releases August 4th!

When I first saw the buzz surrounding You Had Me At Hola, I knew it was a book that I really wanted to read. Being a second generation Indian-American I was excited to read a romance that would possibly depict of some of those same struggles that I faced growing up. Alexis Daria does such a wonderful job highlighting those struggles and incorporating Latin representation in You Had Me At Hola without taking away from the romance. Topics such as learning a new language, or not fluently speaking the language of your mother tongue really hit home for me in You Had Me At Hola. I look forward to reading more work from Alexis Daria!

What You Wish For ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Heat Rating: 🔥 (some kissing)

Release Date: July 14, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher

In Katherine Center’s What You Wish For, Sam has chosen to embrace joy. She’s a librarian at a local elementary school and loves quirky things like polka dots and dying her hair pink. She loves the leadership at her school and has found other teachers who embrace joy just like her.

She moved from another school a few years ago and hasn’t really kept in touch with the other teachers she used to work with. She mainly left because of a crush on another colleague who didn’t return any of the feelings that Sam had for him and she needed a new start.

When tragedy strikes and a new principal enters her elementary school none of the teachers know what to make of it. But Sam knows Duncan or rather she used to know Duncan when they worked together a few years ago. This is the same Duncan that Sam had a crush on.

Sam knows that Duncan used to be so great with kids! He was funny and kind and was always a shining light. But principal Duncan is not the same Duncan that she knew when they taught together in the past. This Duncan is hell bent on re-doing the schools security. He sees everything that Sam and the other teachers love as a potential hazard and way for intruders to get in to the school and harm children. With the rising amount of school shootings in America, Duncan is out to make a change. And to make matters worse he doesn’t seem to remember Sam. Will Sam be able to get through to him and to preserve the school that she loves so much.

After reading Things You Save in a Fire last year, I was really looking forward to reading Katherine Center’s new book What You Wish For. Katherine Center is such a talented author. I love her prose and the ability and ease in which I can read her books. She has a way of completely immersing you in the world that she’s created. As soon as I started reading What You Wish For, I couldn’t put it down. The first half was done so well, but the second half felt a bit rushed and not as developed. There were certain storylines that I didn’t feel necessarily added to the story. A lot of character arcs felt incomplete and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to them.

What You Wish For was still an enjoyable read, but I wanted to love it more than I did. Overall I would give it 3.5 stars. I’m looking forward to Katherine Center’s next book!

Romeantically Challenged ARC Review

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Romeantically Challenged by Marina Adair

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Series: When in Rome #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Rating: 🔥

Release Date: July 28, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

I had gotten to read an excerpt of Romeantically Challenged and really enjoyed the first few chapters, so I couldn’t wait to read the rest. Annie was feisty, funny and I couldn’t wait to read more about her journey.

Annie had been engaged, but her fiance left her for another woman. On top of everything else, he’s using their wedding venue to plan his wedding to his new fiance. Annie is determined to get away from that life and moves to Rome. Not Rome, Italy but rather Rome, Rhode Island.

This is where she meets Emmitt. Emmitt and Annie hilariously meet when Annie finds out that the house she’s renting belongs to Emmitt and he’s back in town. Emmitt has been overseas as a photojournalist, but a recent injury has forced him to come back home.

I thought Marina Adair’s writing style was really great, but I wasn’t feeling the emotional connection between Annie and Emmitt. It almost felt like there were too many story lines happening with Emmitt reconnecting with his teenage daughter, his injury and then Annie reconnecting with her Vietnamese heritage. Emmitt and Annie’s love story felt almost more of an afterthought and it didn’t feel as well developed as I would have liked.

Kiss My Cupcake ARC Review

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Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Release Date: August 11, 2020

I am a huge Helena Hunting fan and love her brand of humor! When I heard about the premise of Kiss My Cupcake I couldn’t wait to read it. I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers romances and Blaire and Ronan were so great together!

Blaire has been on the cupcake scene for a while. First she had her own cupcake truck and slowly made her way to a brick and mortar. Buttercream and Booze is her baby and she is determined to make it work. The Knight Cap – a bar with axe throwing is opening up right next door and Blaire is NOT a fan of the owner Ronan Knight. He’s rude and arrogant and is starting his renovations when Blaire is in the middle of opening up her shop. When a YouTuber wants to highlight unique bars in the PNW the battle between the two bars starts! Each is determined to make it #1 on the list!

I love Helena Hunting’s writing style and enjoyed the banter between Ronan and Blaire! I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and Blaire and Ronan had such great chemistry. The way these two would razz each other was so much fun to read! Eventually what starts as a rivalry starts to heat up and I found myself swooning over these two.

Blaire’s family was a bit quirky and over the top and I didn’t necessarily enjoy them – but I think that was the point. I loved Ronan’s grandfather and the history behind The Knight Cap.

The food descriptions alone had me craving cupcakes from the moment I started to read Kiss My Cupcake. I only wish these two shops were actually real and local so I could visit!

If you’re looking for a funny, sweet and sexy enemies-to-lovers romance grab Kiss My Cupcake when it releases August 11, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

The Roommate ARC Review

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The Roommate by Rosie Danan

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: September 15, 2020

From the first moment that I heard about the premise of The Roommate it’s been high on my list of romances to read this year. A story about two roommates and one of them who happens to be a pleasure professional?? YES please! Sign me up for all the romances with all the heat! The Roommate certainly delivered in that department and I cannot wait to read the next book that Rosie Danan writes. If you are a fan of steamy romances – you will LOVE this romance that has equal parts heat and heart.

Clara Wheaton moved all the way to LA to room with her crush from childhood. What better way than convincing him that they should be together than being roommates first?

Her plan backfires as soon as she gets to California. Turns out Everett, her childhood crush is in a band and they’re leaving – like right away. Her roommate now is someone she doesn’t even know and she’s not sure how to feel about it. Clara eventually finds out that her new roommate Josh is a pleasure professional and she’s not entirely sure how to feel about that initially.

Enter Josh – oh Josh. Josh has got to be one of the best book boyfriend there is. He’s so sweet and caring and really tries to get to know Clara better. I love that there was such a deep emotional connection between the two of them. They knew each others hopes and dreams and didn’t mock them, instead tried to elevate each other.

This book was HOT HOT HOT. The sex scenes had my kindle steaming! I don’t want to give the plot away too much – but I absolutely love the way the sex was portrayed in The Roommate. Sex isn’t something that should be ashamed of or made to feel “dirty,” and I love the way Rosie Danan is able to portray that in The Roommate.

The Roommate had everything that I love to read in a romance. It had the perfect amount of sexual tension mixed with scenes that had me laughing. At the same time I also have so many scenes highlighted that had my heart completely in my throat. I felt giddiness, excitement, angst, happiness and longing from this wonderful book. I cannot wait to re-read it again!

Do yourself a favor and pre-order The Roommate so you can fall in love with Clara and Josh. The Roommate releases September 15, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Daring and the Duke ARC Review

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Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Bareknuckle Bastards #3

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: June 30, 2020

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Do you have a favorite historical romance author? I’ve been reading Sarah MacLean for about a year now and I LOVE her romances! She’s such a great author and always writes such great angst. My first book by Sarah MacLean was Wicked and the Wallflower and I have loved her writing since then!

Throughout the Bareknuckle Bastards series we have slowly become acquainted with “The Mad Duke Marwick” as well as his relationship with Grace. We knew that Grace, Whit, Devil and Ewan spent some years together and that the three brothers battled it out over which one was to become Duke. Grace although rightfully the heir to the dukedom was never considered because of her gender.

Well now Grace and Ewan are finally face to face and Grace has had enough of Ewan and his antics. She’s made her own in Covent Garden and is considered a queen in her own right. Ewan can take his dukedom and leave for all she cares.

I love a second chance and Sarah MacLean definitely delivered in Daring and the Duke. I love the backstory of Grace and Ewan and how they grew up together. The Bareknuckle Bastards were inseparable and grew up together, so what happened? What made them split apart and why did Ewan hate Grace, Whit and Devil so much?

This story had the perfect combination of intrigue intertwined with the past and current love stories. I absolutely LOVED Ewan and I can’t believe I just wrote that because I had the opposite feelings in the previous books in the series. His love for Grace was just so damn sweet!

Grace was absolutely amazing! I loved her character as soon as I met her in Wicked and the Wallflower, but she was just so amazing in Daring and The Duke. I love her independence and her relationship with her girl gang. She is so strong even when it’s so hard to be strong and I absolutely love that about her.

This was a great conclusion to the series! And I hope this isn’t the last time we get to visit with The Bareknuckle Bastards