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

The Dare ARC Review

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The Dare by Elle Kennedy

Rating: ⭐⭐💫

Genre: Sports Romance

Series: Briar U #4

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Release Date: June 16, 2020

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

I will admit that I haven’t read all the books in the Briar U series, but did really enjoy The Risk I was excited to read another book set at Briar U, but sadly I wasn’t as blown away by The Dare as I had hoped to be.

Taylor is a sorority sister, but she doesn’t always love it on Greek Row. Not only is she not interested in the parties, but she’s also not super-model skinny and is a bit insecure about her curves. Her sorority president is a bit of a mean girl and it seems like she’s always out to get Taylor.

Hockey player Connor can have his pick of any women he wants, but he’s tired of the revolving door of women in his life. He hasn’t had a meaningful relationship that’s lasted and he’s a bit over it.

When Taylor accepts a dare to seduce Connor, something special happens. The two end up talking all night and truly end up really liking one another. This is the perfect opportunity to fake date, to make everyone think that they’re truly a couple.

Connor and Taylor are both trying to come into their own while in college and are having a bit of difficulty trying to “fit in.” I really enjoyed how sweet Connor was with Taylor and how reassuring he was about her insecurities regarding her weight. But I really had a hard time finding the chemistry between Connor and Taylor.

The second half of The Dare dragged for me and I wasn’t as interested in the story line twist as I wanted to be. The main conflict resolved itself pretty quickly, but I expected to feel more angst than I did.

I did enjoy the camaraderie between Connor and his friends. Those scenes were some of my favorites. I just wish I was more invested in the romance between Connor and Taylor.

Overall I would give The Dare 2.5 stars.

Not My Romeo ARC Review

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Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Sports Romance

Series: The Game Changers #1

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 18, 2020

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

Do you like to read sports romances? I love a sports romances, so when I read the synopsis for Not My Romeo – I knew it was a book I had to pick up right away!

Elena doesn’t have the best of luck with men. They usually love her and leave her and she’s had enough. But when her best friend sets her up on a blind date – she agrees. Turns out her date is a hottie and they end up having a one night stand. But her one night stand isn’t who he said he was and turns out to be football quarterback Jack Hawke.

I absolutely LOVED Not My Romeo. I read it over the course of one day and could not put this book down. With Jack and Elena’s respective histories, you would think that these two wouldn’t be so willing to be together. But Elena and Jack had so much great chemistry and I loved the way they let their guard down with one another. Their little inside jokes and hanging out (watching K-dramas) were my favorite.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters in Not My Romeo as well and that is really hard to do. A lot of times secondary characters are added in, but don’t really help with the plot of the book. Definitely not the case with this book and I loved everyone from Elena’s mom to Timmy – the little boy who idolizes Jack.

Not My Romeo was my first book my Ilsa Madden-Mills, but will most definitely NOT be my last! I can not wait for the next book in the series (maybe Devon or Aiden?).

Excerpt from The Dare by Elle Kennedy

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The Dare by Elle Kennedy releases on Tuesday June 16, 2020 and I am so excited to share an excerpt! I’ve loved the Briar U series and just started my ARC of The Dare .

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

EXCERPT FROM THE DARE BY ELLE KENNEDY

“Thank you,” she breathes the moment we’re alone.

“No problem. Mind if I make myself comfortable?”

“Um, yeah. I mean, no. I don’t mind. Sit if you want. Or—wow, okay, you’re lying down.”

I grin at her visible nervousness. It’s cute. While I stretch out my six-foot-two frame amid the stuffed animals and decorative pillows on the bed, she remains the startled rabbit plastered against the door and breathing heavily.

“Gotta be honest,” I tell her, entwining my hands behind my head, “I’ve never seen a girl so unhappy to be locked in a bedroom with me.”

This has the desired effect of loosening her shoulders and even eliciting a shy smile. “I have no doubt.”

“I’m Conor, by the way.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know.”

“What’s the eyeroll for?” I ask, playing wounded.

“No, sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just, I know who you are. You’re, like, campus famous.”

The more I watch her, hands braced at her sides against the door, one knee bent, dirty-blonde hair a little messy and draped over one shoulder, I can’t help picturing myself holding her arms above her head while I explore her body with my mouth. She’s got very kissable skin. 

“Taylor Marsh,” she blurts out, and I realize I don’t know how long we were silent until then.

I scoot to the far side of the bed and put a pillow beside me as a divider. “Come on. If we’re going to be in here awhile, let’s at least make friends.”

Taylor laughs out a breath and with it she releases a bit more tension. She’s got a nice smile. Bright, warm. It takes a bit more coaxing, however, to get her on the bed.

“This isn’t like a move,” she tells me, lining up stuffed animal guards to patrol the pillow wall between us. “I’m not some sort of weirdo who tricks men into getting in bed with her and then mauls them.”

“Sure.” I nod with mock seriousness. “But a little mauling would be okay.”

BLURB

Get ready for another binge-worthy romance from New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy!

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread
my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting
in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.
The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.
Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s
the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance.
Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid
by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy. 
Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he
thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes. 
But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m
realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.
And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my
face.

The Dare purchase links:
Amazon: https://geni.us/TDrAmz
Apple: https://geni.us/TDrAp
Kobo: https://geni.us/TDrKobo
Nook:  https://geni.us/TDrNook

Other Links:
Briar U series:  https://geni.us/BriarU
Elle’s Newsletter sign-up:  http://geni.us/EKNL
Blogger Newsletter sign-up:  http://geni.us/EKBlog

Take a Hint, Dani Brown ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: The Brown Sisters #2

Release Date: June 23, 2020

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

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

After reading Get a Life, Chloe Brown last year I knew that I had to read Take a Hint, Dani Brown!

Dani Brown doesn’t do emotional relationships. She’s been burned in the past and doesn’t want a repeat performance. Dani is also a practicing witch and asks the universe to send her the perfect no-string-attached partner.

Zafir Ansari and Dani work at the same place and Zaf has kind of had a crush on Dani for some time now. When Zaf ends up rescuing Dani from a stalled elevator (super cute scene), they go viral with the hashtag #DrRugbae!

I absolutely love a fake relationship trope and Dani and Zaf are faking it for the cameras constantly pointed at them – but how long will the faking last? The chemistry between Zaf and Dani was so great and I was rooting for them right from the beginning!

I love a strong heroine and Dani Brown was amazing! She was so sure of herself – from her sexuality (bi-sexual) to her work on intersectionality in feminist literature. And Zaf…swoon! Zaf was so perfect. Not only was he a rugby player, but he also teaches kids on how to work through their anxiety. He has dealt with loss and anxiety over the years and there’s no one better to teach young athletes on how to manage that. Zaf’s family was also from Pakistan and I loved the Hindi/Punjabi works sprinkled throughout the book. It definitely helped me to relate to his character. Oh … he also reads romance books!!!

As always, Talia’s writing was so beautiful. I have so many parts of the books highlighted that resonated with me. Whether it was the way Zaf felt about Dani or the way Dani was so passionate about her work and how was afraid of entering into a relationship.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown was the perfect follow up to Get a Life, Chloe Brown and I can’t wait for Eve’s book next!!!

Spotlight If You Never Come Back

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If You Never Come Back

If You Never Come Back by Sarah Smith

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release: June 9, 2020

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

I was so excited to read an early copy of Faker by Sarah Smith last year and instantly became a fan of her work. When I found out she was releasing a self-published novella this year I was so excited! I’ve had a bit of a hard time focusing on reading (I’m sure that is the case with a lot of us), but I am so excited to read If You Never Come Back. Second chance romances are one of my most favorite tropes and I look forward to reading If You Never Come Back!

Synopsis:

I hate Valentine’s Day for one reason and one reason only: Wes Paulsen.

He came into my life like a wrecking ball one year ago today. After an incredible night together, we were inseparable for months. I’d never been happier in a relationship—neither had he. We were just starting to build a life together when everything changed…

Turns out Wes was hiding things from me—big things. I wanted to work through it, but he walked out, never giving me—never giving us a chance. I didn’t know how I’d be able to get over him, but I threw myself into my art. After months of working nonstop to escape the memories of Wes, my career’s finally taking off and what do you know—Wes walked back into my life. Once again on Valentine’s Day.

One year to the day that we met.

I’ve spent six months hardening my heart. It should be easy to reject him, to tell him I’ve moved on. But he’s doing everything—and more—to win me back. He’s being the boyfriend I’ve always wanted. It’ll take everything in me to resist him—I’m not even sure if I can. But I’ll sure as hell try.

GoodReads Link: here

Amazon Link: amzn.to/3cFSNz2

B & N Link: bit.ly/3dK1GIM

Kobo Link: bit.ly/2ARUiMV

The Boyfriend Project ARC Review

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The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Office Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Release Date: June 9, 2020

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

Girls night out (GNO) is something I look forward to (when it’s safe to hang out again) with my girlfriends! We usually meet about once a month and I love hanging out with them. We discuss every topic under the sun and by the end of the night my mouth usually hurts from laughing so hard! Since being quarantined I definitely miss GNO. There’s something uniquely special and healing about talking with your female friends vs your significant other. I absolutely loved loved loved the relationship that the three women in The Boyfriend Project had with one another.

Samiah Brooks works at a tech company and is currently dating a guy she met on a dating website. While getting ready to go on their date, she realizes via Twitter that he is on another date with another woman! Samiah decides to head down to the restaurant and confront him. This is where Samiah meets London and Taylor. The two other women who were also dating the same man!

I loved this relationship meet cute between Taylor, Samiah and London. Their interactions and weekly dates were so much fun. I could definitely see myself meeting with my girlfriends just like this!

I also really enjoyed that all three friends were very independent and successful in their own professions. I absolutely love it when strong females are written in romances and Samiah, Taylor and London embody that.

While swearing off men for the time being along with her new girlfriends, Samiah happens to meet Daniel at work. He’s a new co-worker at Samiah’s tech company and they casually start seeing each other.

What lacked for me was the romance equation of The Boyfriend Project. The romance really took a back seat. Samiah’s relationship with her girlfriends and her ability to write a new app were a big part of The Boyfriend Project as well as the reason Daniel was at the company. I enjoyed the suspense surrounding Daniel’s profession, but the reveal and ending tied up a bit too neatly for me. I enjoyed the relationship between Samiah and her girlfriends, but I wish I was more invested in the romance.

I am definitely looking forward to London and Taylor’s books!

Dark Wild Night Review

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Dark Wild Night (Wild Seasons, #3)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Wild Seasons #3

Heat Rating:🔥🔥🔥

I absolutely love older Christina Lauren books. They have so much heart, but also a lot of steamy scenes (that are very evidently missing in their newer books). This whole series probably contains my favorite books from them (Dirty Rowdy Thing I think will always be my favorite). I love the story of a group of guys meeting a group of girls and then whoops they’re accidentally married in Vegas!

Lola and Oliver have been connected since book 1 in the series when they married each other in Vegas (read book 1 for the whole story), but had the marriage annulled because they realized what they had done after the alcohol wore off. And since then they remained friends. But underneath the friendship they have had feelings for one another and they both finally realize that they want more from one another than just a platonic friendship.

Dark Wild Night was such a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. Unlike newer Christina Lauren books this book had a lot of steamy scenes, but I feel like the intimacy added to the story. I loved the fact that Lola was a comic book creator and Oliver had a comic store! They were so cute together.

Christina Lauren’s writing is always so beautiful and Dark Wild Night was no exception. I loved the other facets in this book that made it so lovely. The relationship that Lola has with his dad, Not-Joe’s relationship with Oliver and of course seeing the group again!

Although Dark Wild Night can be read as a standalone I really think that the first two books need to be read before so that you can get the full impact of Lola and Oliver’s aka Loliver‘s friendship.

GoodRead reviews for Sweet Filthy Boy, Dirty Rowdy Thing & Wicked Sexy Liar

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2920451039?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2920453624?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2954775853?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

May Reads

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

I started off reading strong in May, but my brain literally could not read more than a few pages at a time near the end of the month. Audiobooks and the comfort of re-reads really did take up a majority of my reading in May.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean (ARC releases June 30, 2020)

Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills (ARC releases August 18, 2020)

Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (re-read)

Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas (re-read)

Rating: 4 out of 5.

40-Love by Olivia Dade (ARC releases June 18, 2020)

Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting (re-read)

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (ARC releases June 9, 2020)

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel (ARC)

Did we read any of the same books? What are you looking forward to reading in June?

Supporting BIPOC Authors

~ Tej ~ 4 Comments

My heart has been heavy for weeks now and all but completely broke in the last few days. My skin is not white, and yet still I do not feel the same injustices as those who are Black. I may have felt prejudice and racism in the past, but I can not even pretend to know that it feels like to walk a mile in a Black American’s shoes.

I will be honest and say that I hadn’t really read very many books from authors who were not white in the past. It wasn’t until I joined bookstagram that I really noticed that most authors that I was supporting were mainly white authors. And that’s on me – because I should have been diversifying myself even before I joined bookstagram.

But that’s one great thing to come out of being friends with other book lovers who also make an effort to diversify the books that they read. I don’t particularly read a lot of non-fiction, but even through the fiction I read I am able to learn about different cultures if the books I am reading are not all by white authors. I am able to learn about the hardships and struggles that people of color face.

I looked at my shelves and I own six books by Black authors. I need to make an effort and change that number. In the picture above are a few Black authors who I have either read or will be reading very soon. I have diversified myself over the past year, but I need to do better.

I have so much learning to do and have to look within myself to start that change. I have been having an open dialogue with my friends, family and even my young children. We have to do better and it has to start with us. I need to take a real good look at the way I address racism, privilege and anti-Blackness. Not just today or tomorrow – we must be actively making these changes in the weeks, months and years to come.

Please consider reading from BIPOC authors – whether you enjoy reading fiction or non-fiction, there are so many resources available to us.