This review is going to contain spoilers – so if you haven’t read the series yet, please look at my GoodReads reviews (no spoilers).
Feyre has defeated the evil general Amarantha in the previous book in the series A Court of Thorn and Roses and she’s free now. Free to go live her life with her love, Tamlin. Tamlin who Feyre fell in love with in ACOTAR. The same Tamlin who doesn’t want anything to happen to Feyre and will protect her at all costs.
Feyre wants to know what is happening with the fallout after Amarantha. She wants to help Tamlin and go with him to his meetings and ventures. But Tamlin’s love for Feyre has put limitations on what he allows her to do or try to do.
I didn’t think I would loveĀ A Court of Mist and FuryĀ (ACOMAF) as much as I loved ACOTAR and I do! Every character in this book was there for a purpose, for a reason and I loved learning about all of them. From Azriel and Amren to getting to see more of RhysandĀ (swoooooooon).
Immediately from ACOTAR I loved Rhysand’s character. The way he didn’t seem to give a shit about what anyone thought about him. Okay, yes he was a bit of an asshole – but I still really liked him. Especially the way he flirted with Feyre. But in ACOMAF – gosh I loved him so damn much. I loved the way he cared so deeply about Feyre, but wanted her to shine on her own. He wants her to find her balance, her strength without getting in the way of that. And that is seriously so damn sexy.
ACOMAF has the slowest of slow burns and it paid off completely by the end of the book. I am still left reeling after reading it and keep on going back to read the bits and pieces of the book that I highlighted. Those few chapters that everyone keeps on talking about – they are the absolute best! They were sweet and sexy and just the perfect way to show how much Rhysand and Feyre belong to one another.
ACOMAF is definitely going into one of my favorite reads of this year! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
The second book in the Sacramento series by Karen Rose – Say No More is the perfect mix of romance and suspense. Read on for an excerpt!
Mercy Callahan thought she’d escaped the cult decades ago, but its long fingers are reaching out for her again in this electrifying novel in the Sacramento series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.
Seventeen years ago. That was the last time Mercy Callahan saw Ephraim Burton, the leader of the twisted Eden cult where she was raised. But even though she escaped the abuse and terror, they continue to haunt her.Ā
Ā When her brother Gideon discovers new evidence of the cult’s–and their victims’–whereabouts, Mercy goes to Sacramento to reconnect with him. There, she meets Gideon’s closest friend–homicide detective Rafe Sokolov. From Rafe, she receives an offer she never knew she needed: to track down Ephraim and make him pay for everything.
But Ephraim, who had thought Mercy long dead, discovers she is in fact alive and that she is digging around for the cult’s secrets. And now he’ll do anything to take her back to Eden–dead or alive.
Say No More Excerpt
Amos Terrill rubbed his thumb over the lines of the script heād just carved into the lid of the hope chest. He was almost finished with it, this special project on which heād been laboring for the past five months, mostly in secret. Heād made countless hope chests, coffee tables, kitchen cabinets, armoires, and jewelry boxes over the thirty years heād lived in Eden. All of them had been gifts for the membership or items to be sold to bring money into the community coffers.
This was the first time heād ever made something for himself. Something he didnāt intend to share with anyone.
No one except his Abigail. His heart.
A splinter caught at his thumb and he pulled it out, sucking at the small wound before returning to his task. He could sand the hope chest later. He didnāt have much more time to himself. Everyone knew he stopped working at suppertime, and then people would start dropping by.
Amos, can you fix this? Amos, a minute of your time? Amos, need a pair of strong hands to help withā¦ It didnāt matter what. It was all the same after thirty years.
He picked up the detail blade, his favorite of all of his carving tools. Heād brought it with him to Eden, when he was young and full of hope, ready to change the world.
Now he knew the truth and every day had become a struggle, each harder than the day before.
He had to stay positive. Had to keep smiling. Had to stay patient. Had to nod and pleasantly reply that all was well when he was greeted in passing.
In other words, he had to lie.
He finished carving the last word and took a look at his work. It had become something of a trademark, a personal signature heād added to all the larger pieces of cabinetry he created.
The words were carved in a scrolling, oldāfashioned script: Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me All The Days Of My Life. Psalms 23:6. Anyone in the community would think it simply a beautiful Bible verse, one that matched the song that used to be in his heart.
But it wasnāt. It was a tribute. Penance, even. His way of trying to make it up to a beautiful little girl whom heād failed. So utterly.
Mercy. He thought of her often, especially after the birth of his Abigail, whose name meant fatherās joy. As with most things in his life, Abigailās birth had been bittersweet, losing her mother just minutes after theyād held their baby for the first time.
Heād thought heād lose them both. Like heād lost his first family. Mercy. Gideon. Rhoda. Dammit, Rhoda, Iām so sorry. You tried to tell me, but I wouldnāt listen.
He hadnāt wanted to listen.
But now he knew the truth and he needed to get Abigail out. To safety. To freedom.
He wouldnāt fail her like heād failed Mercy, Rhoda, and Gideon.
He picked up the hope chest and turned it over effortlessly, a lifetime of woodworking giving him more strength than most men. He began to carve his true signature into the base of the chest, no larger than a dime. A small olive tree with twelve branches. It was exacting, but, at the same time, something he could do with his eyes closed, heād done it so many times.
āPapa!ā
Amos startled, the knife in his hand skipping over the wood, and pain ripped into his finger. āUgh!ā he cried, unable to stifle the sound. āPapa?ā Abigail bounded into his workshop, with the same energy with which she tackled everything else in her life. āTackledā being the operative term. Abigail never walked when she could run, never sat when she could stand. Never whispered. Ever.
His lips curved up into a smile even as he grabbed a clean rag to press to his finger.
āAbiāgirl,ā he said with genuine warmth. Abigail was the only one who could summon anything close to happiness for him. She was the only thing that was real and had been for the past six months. Ever since Amos had witnessed Brother Ephraim calmly breaking the necks of Sister Dorcas, her husband, and their sixteenāyearāold son, three of the dearest people in the world. Amosās throat burned every time he remembered Brother Ephraim so carelessly tossing their bodies into an unmarked grave.
After which Ephraim had returned to tell the membership that Dorcas and her family had chosen to return to the world after the untimely death of their dear Miriam.
Miriam, whoād walked around with shadows in her eyes. Who, the last time Amos had seen her, had been bruised and bloody and begging to die.
Sister Dorcas had begged Amos for his help. Please help us get her out of here. Please.
Amos had done his best, or heād thought so at the time, working through the night to fashion a hope chest similar to the one he was now building for Abigail. It wasnāt ornate and hadnāt had a false bottom, but it had been large enough that Miriam had been able to hide inside. Her father and brother had hoisted the hope chest into the bed of Brother DJās truck when no one was around to see their muscles strain under the added weight. Miriam was supposed to have climbed from the back of the truck and run for freedom the moment that Brother DJ had slowed enough to make it possible.
But it had all been for naught. Miriam must have been attacked by an animal because her body had been returned to them, too damaged to be identified. And, as punishment for their part in her escape, Sister Dorcas, Brother Stephen, and their son, Ezra, had been murdered in cold blood.
I failed them, too.
But he would not fail again. He would not fail his Abigail.
I have to preface this review by stating that I took a very long time to pick up my copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). A friend had gifted me a copy so that I would have it for a buddy read, but I totally put it off. I honestly didn’t think that this series would be one that I would enjoy. I’ve slowly been reading more fantasy romance this year, but I definitely thought this was more suspense and not necessarily romance so I didn’t pick up my copy. But I was totally proven wrong! This was romance, it was suspense, it was a little bit of everything and I’m so glad I took a chance and picked up my copy. So if you’re even slightly thinking about reading ACOTAR – don’t hesitate! I hope you’ll love it as much as I did!!
Feyre has had a hard life. She’s the only one in her family willing to venture out in to the forest and provide food for her family so that they can survive. Her two sisters and father live with her, but times have been tough. They definitely aren’t living as extravagantly as they once used to.
Beyond the forrest are Fairies and magic that Feyre tries to stay away from. These creatures on the other side are evil monsters or so legends say. When Feyre shoots and kills a wolf who is magical – a beast comes from the shadows to take Feyre as retribution to the other side of the wall.
Feyre immediately hates the beast who is also known as Tamlin. But the more she gets to know him, the deeper she begins to fall for him and this magical place known as Spring Court.
I can’t really go into more detail without giving away the rest of the plot, but I was immediately enthralled with this world. I loved all of the details and places that Maas takes us through A Court of Thorns and Roses. I could totally see this being turned into a movie. It was part Hunger Games, part Game of Thrones and just it’s own beautiful world.
A Court of Thorns and RosesĀ was the perfect blend of intrigue, fantasy, romance and suspense all intertwined with one another. I’ve already bought the next book in the series and can’t wait to read it!
I’ve been in a reading slump these last few months. I haven’t had too many books where I pick them up and can’t stop reading them – even if the book ended up being a 5āļø book for me. I was doing a bookstagram stack challenge and had pulled out Getaway Girl by Tessa Bailey and decided to pick it up. Why I didn’t pick up this book sooner I don’t know!!!! I started it one evening and read 75% in one sitting and the rest of the book the next day. And then of course I had to read the next book in the series and binged that one just as fast! If you’re looking for a smoking hot series with the sweetest alpha/cinnamon rolls and strong fierce heroines then pick up this series!
GETAWAY GIRL
Addison is back in Charleston. She left a few years ago and hasn’t been back. Her cousin is getting married though and Addison is bold enough to drop by the wedding – just to see the reaction from her estranged relatives.
Elijah is set to be the future mayor of Charleston. His father occupied the seat and now he is a natural shoo in. He’s planned the perfect wedding with his perfect fiancee. Only his fiancee stands him up at the alter. When he gets a chance to getaway from his failed nuptials Addison is in the car waiting to go.
What starts off as two people who hardly know each other turns in to so much more. I loved the easiness that Elijah and Addison have one another. They give each other shit, but also look out for one another. That kind of easy chemistry was evident from the moment these two met each other.
In typical Tessa Bailey fashion – she brought the heat and had the pagesĀ sizzling! The intimacy between Elijah and Addison was so real. I felt every push and pull of their relationship. They weren’t always perfect and didn’t always see eye to eye, but the love between them was so evident. Bailey sure does know how to write the sweetest heroes who are part alpha and part cinnamon roll and Elijah was all of those thing. I loved the sweet nicknames Elijah had for Addison and Addison’s obsession with Elijah’s butt was hilarious.
RUNAWAY GIRL
On the day of her wedding – literally minutes before she’s due to walk down the aisle – Naomi Clemons calls of her wedding. Her future husband – the mayor of Charleston – is the perfect man and on paper Naomi and Elijah are the perfect couple. But he doesn’t even know what kind of wine she likes to drink and they’re lacking that spark that Naomi craves. Naomi doesn’t want to go through the motions for the rest of her life and so she gets in her car and runs away.
Jason Bristow is on leave from the Special Forces. Circumstances have it that his sister Birdie who is a senior in high school is now in his care. Birdie and Jason have become distant over the years and they’re both grieving in their own ways over the loss of their sibling. An ad for a pageant coach leads Naomi to their door and immediately sparks fly between Jason and Naomi.
Grumpy meets sunshine is maybe one of my favorite tropes and Tessa Bailey does such a wonderful job with Jason and Naomi! I love how grumpy Jason is but equally how fierce and brave Naomi is. Naomi needs to prove to herself that she’s not just a former beauty queen and that she can stand on her own two feet without her parents money or help. Jason isn’t quite sure what to do with this gorgeous lady who is so far out of his league, but he decides to take a chance on her if she can help his sister with her quest to compete in a beauty pageant.
I loved the slow burn relationship between Jason and Naomi. Jason knows exactly when to back off and let Naomi make her own decisions. He never rushes her and is as patient with her as he can be. But being away with the Special Forces has built up a need in him to protect those close to him and Naomi is now in that inner circle. Their relationship was sweet, fun and so so sexy!
After reading Getaway Girl, I absolutely had to read more about Naomi and I’m so glad that I picked up Runaway Girl. Although this book can potentially be read a standalone I would recommend reading Getaway Girl first and then picking up Runaway Girl. I absolutely love this series so much and am so glad I read it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Lacey Cherish is the new mayor in town and she has big plans for her town Idont. Namely to change the name to Ido and make it a wedding destination! But she can’t do it all alone and needs the help of Deputy Sheriff Bodie.
Bodie has a complicated relationship with his family – specifically his father and grandfather. Where Bodie’s badge binds him to the law, his family doesn’t always operate in black and white. Bodie’s not sure how much longer he can take it – knowing that someday he might have to confront his family. He’s not quite sure what his family’s ulterior motives are and doesn’t want to be mixed in with their shady deals.
I loved how strong and independent Lacey was! She wants something to happen and finds a way to make it happen. She’s determined and not afraid of going up against residents of the town who think they know whats better for the town.
Lacey and Bodie have known each other since they were kids, but only recently became reacquainted with one another after not seeing each other for a number of years. And now they will be working very closely with one another. These two are trying so hard to fight their attraction towards one another, but they both want the same goals – the best interest in their small town. How far are they willing to go without letting their feelings get in the way?Ā
The chemistry between Lacey and Bodie is evident right from the beginning. I loved when these two were verbally sparring with one another! I do feel that sometimes maybe their antics towards one another were a bit much and the miscommunication between Lacey and Bodie felt a bit forced at times. My favorite moments were when Bodie and Lacey had their guards down and how sweet they were with one another.
I enjoyed this charming small town romance that totally gave me hallmark movie vibes!
The Cowboy Says I Do Excerpt
Chapter One
“I do.”
Lacey Cherish blinked multiple times, trying to see through the obnoxious fake eyelashes her assistant had talked her into wearing at the last minute. Her fingers fiddled with the microphone in front of her as she silently willed the reporter from the television station in Houston to give it a rest. Not even forty-eight hours into her term as the newly appointed mayor of the little town of Idont, Texas, and she already had a full-blown crisis on her hands.
The reporter didn’t back down. Instead, she got up from the metal folding chair, causing the legs to scrape across the linoleum. Lacey squinted as she fought the urge to cover her ears. Her upper and lower eyelashes tangled together and she struggled to peer through the dark lines barring her vision.
“Let me rephrase that.” The reporter cocked a hip while she consulted her notebook. “You expect us to believe you’re going to find a way to put a positive spin on this?”
Lacey inhaled a deep breath through her nose in an attempt to buy some time and answer with what might sound like a well-thought-out response. The problem was, she was winging this. No one had been more shocked than she was to find out the biggest business in town, Phillips Stationery and Imports, had closed their doors. The company had made their headquarters in Idont for over a hundred years, starting as a printing press then moving into manufacturing, and importing all kinds of novelties from overseas.
“I’m sure Mayor Cherish will have more to say as the situation unfolds.” Leave it to Deputy Sheriff Bodie Phillips to bully everyone back into line. He was part of the problem. Granted, he wasn’t the ogre who decided to shut down the warehouse, but he did share DNA with the two men in charge.
“I’ll have a statement to the press by the end of the week,” Lacey promised.
Her assistant stepped to the microphone as Lacey moved away. “Thanks, everyone, for coming. As Mayor Cherish said, she’ll be prepared to address the closing by the end of the day on Friday.”
“You okay?” Bodie appeared at her side. He angled his broad chest like a wall, as if trying to protect her from the prying eyes of the people who’d turned out for the press conference at city hall. All six of them.
“Yes. No thanks to you.” She summoned her best scowl, ready to chastise him for interfering in her business. It didn’t matter that much when they were kids, but he needed to see her in a different light now. She was the mayor, after all, not the same scrawny, bucktoothed little girl who used to follow him everywhere.
“I’m just as surprised as you.” The look in his eyes proved he was telling the truth. She’d never seen that particular mixture of anger and frustration, and she was pretty sure she’d been exposed to all of his moods. “Dad didn’t say a word to me about this and I spent the holidays over at their place, surrounded by the family.”
“Well, you and your dad aren’t exactly bosom buddies, now, are you?” She gathered her purse and shrugged on her jacket before heading down the hall to the back door of the building.
Bodie followed, taking one step to every three of hers. Damn heels. She would have been much more comfortable in a pair of ropers, but her new assistant never would have let her step in front of a microphone without looking the part of mayor. Which was precisely what Lacey paid her to do.
“Hey, you can’t punish me for something my dad and my pops decided to do.” Bodie stopped in front of her, his muscular frame blocking the door, his head nearly touching the low ceiling.
Lacey clamped a hand to her hip, ready for a throwdown. “I’m not trying to punish you. I just don’t understand how all of a sudden, after a century in business, they decided they can’t make a go of it anymore. And breaking the news right after the holidays?”
Bodie shrugged. “I don’t know, Sweets.”
“Stop calling me that. I’m the mayor now.” She pursed her lips. Why couldn’t he take her seriously? She’d figured the childhood nickname would have disappeared, along with her aggravating attraction to the man who’d been her big brother’s best friend all her life. But here she was, back in Idont where nothing had changed, especially the way her traitorous body reacted to Bodie Phillips.
“Aw, come on, Lacey. You’ll always be Sweets to me.” He grinned, dazzling her with his million-dollar smile. Well, maybe not million-dollar, but she’d been there when he had to go through braces twice, so it had to be worth at least five or six grand.
She resisted the pull of his charm. He’d always been able to tease her back into a good mood when hers had gone sour. But this was different. The only reason she’d run for mayor was because her dad had been forced out of office after a particularly embarrassing public incident. In which he drove a golf cart into a pond. A stolen golf cart. While drunk.
His stunt earned him his third DWI and twenty-four months of house arrest. During her tenure as mayor, she hoped she could polish off the tarnished family name and turn the tide of public opinion about the Cherish family. That, and she couldn’t find a real job. Evidently a degree in communications wasn’t worth much more than the paper her diploma was printed on.
“What am I going to do, Bodie?” She shook her head, her gaze drawn to a section of chipped linoleum on the floor. The whole town seemed to be falling apart.
“Maybe it’s time to consider merging with Swynton.”
Lacey jerked her head up, causing one of her fake eyelashes to flop up and down. “Please tell me you didn’t just suggest we wave good-bye to our roots and hand our town over to that obnoxious man.” She tried to reattach the line of lashes against her eyelid.
Bodie didn’t bother to suppress his smile. “Come on, Lacey. You’ve got to admit, their economy could run circles around ours. I know you don’t care for Buck, but he’s doing something right over there.”
She pressed her lips together. The only thing Mayor Buck Little was doing was turning the once-semicharming town of Swynton into a hot pocket of cheap housing and seedy businesses. “Have you seen how many building permits they’ve issued in the past three months? If he had it his way, we’d end up with empty strip malls and low-rent apartment buildings all over town.”
“At least that would create jobs and give people some affordable housing options.” Bodie leaned against the wall. “My family’s business was our biggest employer.”
“I know.” Lacey gritted her teeth, wishing with all her heart she had someone to talk to about this. Someone who might be able to offer a realistic option, not just confirm everything she already knew about what a sorry situation they were in. “I need to think.”
Bodie pushed open the door leading to the back parking lot and swept his arm forward, gesturing for her to go first. “You want to grab lunch over at the diner and talk?”
“I can’t now. I’m late for my shift at the Burger Bonanza.” She jammed her sunglasses on her face, crushing them against the stupid lashes as she brushed past him through the door into the sunny, but chilly, February day.
“When are you going to quit that job, Lacey Jane? The mayor shouldn’t be flipping burgers and mixing milk shakes.”
She turned, jabbing a finger into Bodie’s chest. “I’ll do what I have to do to pay the bills.” She jabbed harder. “And I’ll do what I have to do to keep this town afloat.”
Despite her effort, the concrete plane of his pecs didn’t budge. Damn him.
He grabbed her hand, twirling her around like they were doing a two-step instead of sparring about the future of their hometown. “That’s one thing Idont has going for it that Swynton never will.”
“What’s that?” Lacey stumbled as he released her, not sure if she was dizzy from the spin or off-balance because of the way her hand had felt in his.
“You.” Bodie tipped his cowboy hat at her as he walked away. “You’re determined, I’ll give you that, Mayor.”
She adjusted her purse strap and tried to compose herself as he climbed into his pickup and drove away. Bodie wasn’t one to dish out compliments, especially to a woman he’d considered a pesky nuisance most of his life. Either that was the nicest thing he’d ever said to her or he wanted something. Knowing him, it was the latter.
That would give her two things to think about while she worked her shift at the Burger Bonanza . . . how to save the town of Idont, and why in the world Bodie was trying to butter her up like a fresh-baked biscuit.
āYouāre late.ā Jojo stood at the counter, loading her arms with blue plate specials. āWatch out for Helmut, heās on a bender.ā
“Thanks.” Lacey slipped off her heels and slid her feet into her flats before tying an apron around her waist. “Where do you need me today?”
“Why don’t you start on the floor and take over the grill when Helmut leaves?” Jojo had been waiting tables at the Burger Bonanza since she and Lacey started high school. If Helmut had taken the time to name a manager, Jojo would be the natural choice. But instead he paid her the same as the rest of the waitstaff and expected her to keep everyone in line.
“Sounds good.” Lacey grabbed her order pad and made her way to the front of the restaurant.
“Table twelve just got seated.” Jojo nodded toward the corner booth.
“Got it.” Lacey headed that way, her eyes on her notebook. “Hey, can I get y’all something to drink?”
“Well, look who it is.” The voice that had squashed a thousand of Lacey’s childhood dreams drifted across the table.
Lacey lifted her gaze to stare right into the eyes of her high school nemesis-Adeline Monroe. “Oh, hi, Adeline. It’s been a long time.” And thank God for that. Adeline lived over in Swynton. It used to be the only reason she’d cross the river that divided the two towns was if she was on the hunt for some too-good-to-pass-up gossip. What was she after now?
“It sure has. And look at you. I heard you came back.” Adeline leaned over the table, lowering her voice, that familiar glint in her eye. “Is it true you got yourself elected mayor?”
Lacey nodded. “Yep, sure did. Now, what will it be? A round of Burger Bonanza Banzai Shakes? Or can I start you off with a basket of buffalo bites?” She tried to pull a smile from deep down, but it seemed to stick on the way to her face. Half of her mouth lifted, the other half slid down, probably making her look like an undecided clown, especially with the damn lashes still glued to her eyelids.
Adeline turned to the man next to her. A quick glance at the giant rock on her left hand confirmed he was probably her finance. What happened to the curse Lacey had cast at graduation? Adeline was supposed to be hairless and withered by now, or at least well on her way. Instead she looked like she’d just stepped out of a salon. Every highlighted hair was in place. Her eyebrows were plucked to perfection and there was no sign of premature aging.
“Lacey, I’d like you to meet my finance, Roman.” Adeline put her hand on Roman’s arm, obviously staking her claim. As if Lacey were going to try to hump the man right there at table twelve.
“Congratulations. Nice to meet you, Roman.” She managed to correct her awkward expression and forced a smile. “Are you ready to order?”
Adeline’s smirk faded. She ran a manicured nail down the side of the menu. “We’ll take two Burger Bonanza baskets with fries. Diet for me.”
“Do you have iced tea?” Roman asked.
Lacey nodded. She’d been afraid the man couldn’t speak. She wouldn’t have put it past Adeline to marry a man incapable of talking back to her. He probably didn’t get a word in edgewise most of the time. “I’ll be back in a minute with your drinks.”
She tucked her order pad into the front of her apron. First the news of the Phillips business closing, now an unexpected visit from Adeline. Bad news usually came in threes. What would happen next?
It took less than a minute to find out. As she approached the soda station to grab two cups, someone grabbed her arm.
Bodie.
“Mayor Cherish, you’ll need to come with me.” His voice was all business. The commanding tone sent a shiver straight through her. But his lips twitched. A hint of humor shone in those deep gray eyes. She’d spent way too much of her life thinking about what it would feel like to lose herself in those depths.
“What are you doing here? I’ve got a shift.”
“I’m aware of that.” His fingers closed around her elbow, eliminating any argument, propelling her toward the door. “But we’ve got a problem that needs your attention. Now.”
two
Bodie gripped Lacey’s elbow a little tighter as he led her outside. He wouldn’t admit it, but he kind of enjoyed spending time with Idont’s new mayor-much more than he expected, and a lot more than he should.
“Stop, Bodie. I’m not taking another step until you tell me what’s going on.” Lacey planted her feet as she wrapped her arms around her middle. It was chilly, even for Texas. He should have grabbed her coat, but now he didn’t want to take the time to go back inside.
“Here.” He slid his jacket off then draped it over her shoulders.
“I don’t want your jacket.” She shrugged it off and tossed it back at him. “I want to know why you dragged me out here during my shift. Helmut’s going to pop a blood vessel over this. What’s so important?”
“There’s a protest down at the warehouse. Seems Jonah Wylder has chained himself to the front doors. Says he’s not leaving until someone gives him his job back.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She tilted her head back, giving him a full-on glimpse of the smooth ivory column of her neck.
When did the little girl who used to bug the hell out of him turn into such a beauty? Seemed like she’d always been underfoot as a kid. He and her big brother, Luke, couldn’t go anywhere without her tagging along. Since she’d been back he hadn’t paid much attention to her-he’d been too focused on trying to figure out a way to get out of Idont himself. But now with her taking on the doomed role of mayor, he started to wish he hadn’t ignored her for so long.
I ended up reading 7 books in July, which is an usually low number for me. I just had a hard time focusing on reading and I felt like my brain was all over the place! I’m hoping that August will get me back in my groove and out of this weird book slump I’m in.
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.
Annabelle Archer is tired, so very tired of taking care of her cousin’s household and his children. When she is given the opportunity to study at Oxford, she wishes nothing more than to have some independence. To study at Oxford Annabelle has accepted a scholarship, but she must support the woman’s suffrage movement and so she agrees.
Her first order is to recruit powerful men to champion on their behalf. This is how she quite literally runs into Sebastian the Duke of Montgomery. The Duke has quite the reputation. He is known to be cold, ruthless and the advisor to the Queen. When Annabelle – a commoner, bluestocking, and suffragist – shows up at his house he’s not quite sure what to make of her.
This is where Annabelle and Sebastian get to know one another. Stripped of their power – they are simply a man and a woman who are attracted to one another. But could they ever be together? Society has put limitations on how they must interact with each other – a nobleman could not and would not ever marry a commoner. And there is that other pressing matter that Annabelle is a suffragist and the Duke – well he surely cannot support that movement and be advisor to the Queen.
I absolutely loved the chemistry between Sebastian and Annabelle. Right from the beginning you could tell that these two were so drawn to one another. For me, what I enjoyed the most about the relationship between Annabelle and Sebastian was how real it felt to me. There was no easy solution to their affair and feelings were going to be hurt. Annabelle is fighting for a cause and she doesn’t lose sight of it. Sebastian is conflicted – he wants to spend time with Annabelle and love her like she deserves, but what would society think if he were to do that? Already a divorcee – this would be another scandal that he would could not live down.
The friendship between the suffragists was so great! I loved when Hattie, Catriona, Lucie and Annabelle would be on the page together. These ladies were so much fun together and were truly each others friend. It didn’t matter to them that Annabelle was not a noble woman – they still wanted to get to know her and befriend her.
It is so important – today more than ever – to understand that women like Annabelle and other suffragists fought so hard for the rights of women. We matter, our voice matters. Years and years of oppression and still we are not considered equals in many situations. Bringing Down the Duke was such a wonderful and refreshing historical romance. I cannot wait to read more from Evie Dunmore.
Maddie runs her own matchmaking service, Perfect Pairings. She’s organized, meticulous about her business and loves pink. Mason is surly, grumpy and in need of a wife so that his organization will get off his back. He’s the local quarterback, but isn’t always in the good graces of his football team.
When Maddie and Mason meet – sparks fly. Maddie and Mason couldn’t be more opposite from one another. Soon their professional relationship turns into a friendship and from there the lines start to blur. But can these two make it work – when they both believe that they’re clearly not suited for one another?
I absolutely LOVED the banter between Maddie and Mason. I’d be laughing one moment and then have my heart pounding in the next. The delicious slow burn had me screaming for these two to finally realize how much they wanted each other.
They weren’t always perfect and often lashed out at each other. But I loved how they understood each others vulnerabilities. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters – especially Mason’s agent Dick and Maddie’s Aunt Waldine. They brought a lot of humor and heart to the story and I loved their mini chapters in between.
If you want a romantic comedy that brings the humor but also the sweetness – grab a copy of Rules of Engagement. I’m looking forward to reading more books by J.T. Geissinger.
I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher and Libor.fm
Luc is in need of a fake boyfriend. He’s just a tiny bit famous – being that his mom and dad are famous rockstars and he can’t really go out without getting recognized.
After a recent paparazzi picture paints him in an unfavorable light, Luc’s work has recently informed him that he needs to get his act together or risk getting fired. Luc isn’t quite sure what to do, but his friends have a brilliant idea! Luc needs a fake boyfriend and they have a mutual friend in common who is also in a predicament and could use a fake boyfriend too.
This is where Luc meets Oliver. Where Luc is a bit spontaneous, Oliver is the exact opposite. But both are in need of a fake boyfriend and so their fake relationship begins.
I love a great fake relationship trope and Oliver and Luc were so damn cute together! I loved that Oliver immediately calls Luc by his full name (Lucian) whenever they are together. These two clearly have feelings for one another and yet they are also vulnerable and their relationship feltĀ real. They had some miscommunication, moments when they weren’t their best and also times when they were there to support one another no matter what.
I really enjoyed the writing by Alexis Hall in this M/M romantic comedy. I listened to the audiobook and it reminded me a lot ofĀ Gilmore GirlsĀ with the fast dialogue and pop culture references thrown in. This was my first book by Alexis Hall, but I’m looking forward to reading more by this talented author!
Audiobook
Story: 4 Narration: 5 Overall: 4
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook ofĀ Boyfriend Material. The narration by Joe Jameson was so good! I loved the various characters that he narrated. Anytime Luc’s mom was being narrated I was just cracking up because the voices were narrated so well!! I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to another audiobook narrated by Joe Jameson.
Readaholic Book Reviews 