Title: Deep Tide Series: The Texas Murder Files #4 Author: Laura Griffin Release date: April 25, 2023 Cliffhanger: no Genre: romantic suspense, mur[image]
Title: Deep Tide Series: The Texas Murder Files #4 Author: Laura Griffin Release date: April 25, 2023 Cliffhanger: no Genre: romantic suspense, murder mystery
I decided to try Deep Tide because I wanted to branch out a little and read something outside my norm. I do not typically gravitate towards murder mysteries, however, the romance element of the synopsis intrigued me. I was feeling adventurous. One FBI agent, a (seemingly) tough heroine, and overprotective/disapproving cop brothers all seemed to hint at the possibility of strong emotional conflicts. I'm a romance reader at heart, so if there is going to be romance in the story, whether it's forefront or background, I'm going to need it to be well-developed. Unfortunately, I came away from the book feeling let down in that area.
I honestly didn't understand Sean's intense draw to Leyla. The synopsis describes her as brash which is defined as: self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way. That's pretty on point. She could be rude at times, distant with her loved ones, and DEFINITELY overbearing. She's the kind of woman who seems to push down her emotions and push those away who try to help or show concern. When she first meets Sean at her brother's wedding, she brushes him off because she perceives him to be a temporary visitor to town just looking for casual fun. Admittedly, she was justified for her concerns. His time there was just temporary until the end of his case. Only, she comes off on page somewhat cold and closed off, so I didn't get why Sean couldn't resist her. They don't spend a ton of time around each other because he is consumed with his undercover work. There aren't any heart-to-hearts or deep, getting to know one another conversations. Leyla was not feeling relatable or endearing to me, but I pushed on.
Sean Moran is in town trying to get information on Luc Gagnon, a tech mogul suspected of ties to the Saledo crime family. When one of Leyla's employees is murdered at her coffee shop, he quickly suspects that the two investigations are somehow connected. He teams up with the lead detective, Nicole Lawson to try to get to the bottom of it. Their investigation did finally pull me in a little bit as it alternated between Nicole and Sean's work tracking down leads.
I was trying to ignore my disconnect with Leyla throughout the book, but there was one point in particular that really bothered me. Not only did she keep trying to pressure information out of Sean about what he was doing there (even after learning he was FBI and on a case), she snooped in his research when he left the room and discovered the man he was investigating. She then proceeds to solicit catering work from the man's secretary KNOWING that he is a seriously dangerous man who could have played a part in the murder of her employee. When Sean is shocked and angered that she is considering taking a job at the man's house, she gets defensive and rude. She's not a trained professional and she wants to go to the man's home for the purpose of digging up information?? This did not make sense to me at all, as a sister of two cops she should know about case confidentiality and leaving the investigation to professionals. Of course, her going there and snooping led to very bad things and she never owns up to her recklessness. Never apologizes to him, and he never even holds her accountable for her immature actions. After that point, she bothered me so much in her actions and personality that I found it really hard to care about her.
I should have felt some emotion towards the romance, but I felt that that aspect was underdeveloped compared to the murder mystery plot line. Even the relationships in general were glossed over-like the fact that her brother didn't like Sean and advised her to stay away from him. He said it was partly because he was working on a dangerous case, but it was more than that. Something about Sean personally bothered her brother but he didn't elaborate. Then it was never talked about again until the end when Miranda basically shrugged and told her in a blasé way that he was over that, but not sure why. There was not much time spent on the connections and feelings of the characters which made them fall flat. Also, without going into detail, the investigation ended in a very unsatisfactory way for me. Maybe it was more realistic that way, but it was frustrating. Not every book is a big winner and that's fine. Overall, I think maybe this author's writing style didn't mesh with my reading taste because it was just okay.
[image] Title: A Hard Day for a Hangover Series: Sunshine Vicram #3 Author: Darynda Jones Release date: December 6, 2022 Cliffhanger: no Genre: mystery, ro[image] Title: A Hard Day for a Hangover Series: Sunshine Vicram #3 Author: Darynda Jones Release date: December 6, 2022 Cliffhanger: no Genre: mystery, romance
Someone had been attacking girls on her watch. That was their first mistake. Their second was to think they could get away with it.
What a crazy ride the Sunshine Vicram books have been! There are very few series that hook me so deeply and keep me craving more like this one has. Typically, my attention starts to wander a little bit after the first book, but in this case, the anticipation has only grown tenfold. Once again, thanks to my book bestie Astrid for encouraging me to read outside of my comfort zone and try a genre that I didn't think I could love. Mysteries are my least favorite books, but she assured me that if anyone could convert me it was Darynda Jones. If you need a little push like I did to try something different, here's my friendly advice: think outside your reading box and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Darynda Jones has such a sharp, acerbic sense of humor that brings such life into her characters. Sunshine was absolutely hilarious. Even in the more tense, suspenseful moments, she was running her sarcastic mouth and making me laugh. That element has been consistent throughout all three books which really made the series a winner for me. Sun always has a million and one tasks on her agenda for the day and torn in so many directions you often wonder how she juggles it all with so much confidence. She's a no nonsense, suck it up and get it done type of woman who would do anything at all to keep her family and town safe. Not only will I miss her and her smart mouth, I will miss her best friend Quincy, her daughter Auri, and her kooky parents. Even the oddballs around town had so much personality and character that it's sad to see them go too. (Except maybe the town flasher, Doug.) I don't think anyone wants to see *ahem* quite so much of him.
In A Hard Day for a Hangover, we take off right where we left off in book two. (**Please be aware that books one and two end in cliffhangers, so if you haven't read the series yet, you may want to hold off on reading my review as there will be plot spoilers ahead for the previous books.**) Sunshine and Levi were finally just starting to communicate and make headway with all of their secrets and issues. Sun had come clean and...BAM!...book abruptly ends. Unfortunately, Levi left before they could fully work everything out as it was a lot to process, and Sunshine drowned her sorrows with tequila. Hungover is not a state you want to be in when you're in charge of keeping Del Sol safe. Not to mention, daughter is prone to getting herself in one dangerous situation after another, and she's as stubborn as she is impulsive.
The mystery in this book revolves around teenage girls getting attacked. There is also a bit of a suspense element from Levi's being in danger from his Uncle Clay's plot against his life. Sunshine is determined to keep the man she loves safe-not only for herself, but for Auri as well. There is also flasher Doug's stabbing, and Mrs. Fairborn's break-in, but these are minor conflicts adding a bit of action to the plot. The girls getting attacked is the most urgent mystery to be solved and both Auri and Sunshine work to find clues in order to piece the puzzle together. Sunshine tries to warn her daughter away from questioning people, but eventually she realizes that she can help her in a small capacity and they end up making quite a symbiotic team. Auri may be a bit reckless, but she's as smart as a whip and genuinely helps her mom with fantastic leads she may have not otherwise found. Typically her boyfriend Cruz would be right at her side watching over her, but after the events in book two, he's at Quincy's most of the time as he heals physically and mentally. I have to say, I missed seeing his strong presence as it was in the first two books. We still saw him, but not as heavily. They make the sweetest young couple and I always enjoy their POV scenes together.
Sun was so hyperaware of every aspect of Levi Ravinder—his nearness, the heat wafting off him, the darkness lying just beneath the glint of humor in his eyes—it was a wonder she could think straight at all.
I've been impatiently waiting for the romance aspect of the series to finally resolve itself. There was another mystery surrounding Auri's conception, how much Levi knew about Sun's kidnapping, and the reasons the never spoke after she left town years ago. So many misconceptions, things left unsaid, and hard feelings that never came out into the open. Sun and Levi just silently pine and brood over what could have been. You are almost desperate for them to share their true feelings and maybe, hopefully, be the family they should have been. There was a glimmer of hope in the previous book, but then things are left hanging for well into this story-around 60% or so. I will say, I got a little bit impatient as the story wore on and Levi was in the wind, nowhere to be found. I'm sure non-romance readers won't be bothered by it, but I was hoping for more interactions a little bit sooner.
There were several things that were left unresolved in the plot overall after book two, so I was wondering if everything would conclude neatly without any plot holes. I'm happy to say that all questions were answered here, even the question over whether Sun's father had ever been to prison. It was a bit of a running joke throughout the series as Sun would try to guess or trip him up into admitting something to her. All in all, I came away from this conclusion a very happy reader and can't recommend the Sunshine Vicram books enough. My only reason for taking a star off of my rating was because the mysteries didn't interest me as much in this one and I felt a little impatient reading through them. I think that was partly because I was waiting so eagerly for Sunshine and Levi's story arc to resolve, and partly because the mystery didn't feel as complex or intriguing as the previous one. However, I was very happy with how everything wrapped up and it was more than a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the residents of Del Sol. Once again, I can't recommend these enough if you're looking for something to keep you laughing out loud, and turning the pages late into the night. Maybe if we're lucky there will be a spin-off series somewhere in the future. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and maybe Ms. Jones will have mercy on us all.
[image] Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine Series: Sunshine Vicram #1 Author: Darynda Jones Release date: April 7, 2020 Cliffhanger: yes Genre: mystery
Confessio[image] Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine Series: Sunshine Vicram #1 Author: Darynda Jones Release date: April 7, 2020 Cliffhanger: yes Genre: mystery
Confession time: I... *inhales deeply* havenotreadDaryndaJonesbefore. Until now.
1) No, I haven't been living on a deserted island, oblivious to her popularity. 2) I have literally no reason for not picking one up before now. 3) I will go sit in the corner marinating in shame for my (in)actions.
Sunshine Vicram is probably the least likely to become sheriff in her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico. She was the firecracker in school who frequently got into trouble, and gave her parents more than their share of premature grey hairs. So it was an unexpected turn of events when she won the election for sheriff-even for Sun. Her unrepentant parents may or may not have had something to do with the job that fell in her lap. Her exasperation was hilariously clear, but she can't help but be grateful that her new position will help her solve a very personal unsolved mystery. Who kidnapped her when she was a teen, and why?
It quickly becomes obvious that work is going to be more challenging than anticipated. No big deal, just a psychic, a flasher, a fresh kidnapping, a dead body, a missing person, a crime family that hates her, and an escaped convict running around. You have to love her self-depreciating, sarcastic personality as she takes it all in stride. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud at her thoughts or conversations with her equally funny family and friends. There were quite a bit of characters introduced here which I stumbled over a time or two, but for the most part, reading flowed really smoothly. You get that small town series feel with each and every oddball person you meet, all of them delightfully original. There was absolutely zero chance of boredom when it comes to the antics of this town.
Sunshine's fourteen-year-old daughter Auri is whip-smart, brave, and like her mom in many ways. I loved the fact that she has significant page time devoted to her story arc in high school. She has a sad family history that you get piece by piece as the story wears on.
She most definitely did not want anyone sifting through her past. She had something to hide. Something she’d give her life to keep hidden. Something Auri could never, under any circumstances, find out.
She meets a broody boy who only has eyes for her, and defends herself against your typical bullies who joyfully make her life miserable. All this while doing her part in helping her mom investigate the kidnapping of her new friend. She isn't your typical rebellious teen, she's not against breaking the rules now and again, but not without good cause. An innocent girl's life hangs in the balance, and she isn't about to sit idly by while time runs out for her.
Most kids loved being burdens. Reveled in it. Counted on it to get their way on multiple occasions. But not this little morsel of moxie. Nugget of nerve. Princess of pluck. It was the red hair. Sun knew it down to her bones. That red soaked into her brain and set it on fire. And Sun would have it no other way.
The main plot is the race to solve Sybil's kidnapping, but we also get detailed backstory on Sunshine's ordeal. Piece by piece, you're able to put together how Levi Ravinder played a part in her life. At least, I was able to ferret out quite a bit, but at this point they're only theories. At first I wasn't sure what to make of this mysterious guy who Sunshine has had strong feelings for. I didn't understand where her fascination stemmed from beyond his bad boy rep and good looks. Thankfully, there isn't a lack of development there, it's simply drawn out at a slower pace. He has a multitude of layers that have yet to be revealed, but so far he's shaping up to be a love interest with a whole lot of charisma and heart.
This was such a breath of fresh air, and I'm so glad my book bestie Astrid pushed me to request it. To be honest, mystery is not my genre of choice because I tend to get easily bored and impatient to get to the big reveal at the end. This is a great book for non-mystery readers like myself who are looking for something with a lot of action, a hint of romance, and a lot of snark. The dialogue is razor sharp. The plot keeps you guessing, and the characters effortlessly engage you into their lives. I'm now a loyal fan of this series and will be auto-reading each installment as soon as they're up for grabs. There is a cliffhanger, but that's pretty much to be expected in a series with a continuing storyline such as this one. It didn't leave me in suspense, just hungry for more. I can't wait to see where Sheriff Sunshine leads us next.
[image] Title: Totally Folked Series: Good Folk: Modern Folktales #1 Author: Penny Reid Release date: July 20, 2021 Cliffhanger: no Genre: contemporary ro[image] Title: Totally Folked Series: Good Folk: Modern Folktales #1 Author: Penny Reid Release date: July 20, 2021 Cliffhanger: no Genre: contemporary romance
I've read just about all of Penny Reid's full length novels and almost every one of them were 4-5 stars for me. Seems unlikely to have that kind of success, but there's always been a feeling of magic when I slipped inside one of her books. When I needed something witty, outside the stereotypical box, and bursting with heartwarming romance, Penny has been my go-to. That being said, I had such a difficult time with this particular story and regrettably it fell below my high expectations.
We are introduced to Raquel as she arrives in town with her friend from Hollywood for Sienna's wedding. Her thoughts gave the impression that she was condescending and superficial which are not traits I particularly like to see in heroines. She laughed as her friend mocked Green Valley, and pitied Sienna for settling down in hicksville. It immediately left a bad taste in my mouth. The reader is told that she finds herself weird, however, I didn't understand that as I saw no evidence of any unusual or quirky traits. Raquel seemed like a very average plastic Hollywood type-obsessed with fame and making it to the top of the "A-list." There's nothing wrong with a woman putting her career at a higher priority than romance, but she uses her past experience of being cheated on to justify objectifying/using men and disposing of them after one night. When the roles are reversed and a man treats women that way, it bothers me to no end, so there is no reason why I would find Raquel's attitude empowering or admirable.
Raquel tells Jackson that they can have some fun together, and he doesn't have to worry about her getting attached because he'll be "dead to her" after they hook up. She promises never to contact him again. She keeps reiterating this thought to herself throughout the book. That she promised never to bother him again, and that's what he expects...but she never once stopped to consider that he may have want more since the beginning. When she comes back to town a few years later after their impulsive hook-up, this is a sample of her internal dialogue:
Hey, so, I know I said I’d never contact you again after our one night together, but do you maybe want to play golf. . . with my holes?
This is not the humor I've come to know and love from this author. It fell flat on its face. In general, I'm used to her endearing, clever characters making me laugh out loud on almost every page. That was noticeably absent for me in this case, except when Cletus appeared to steal the spotlight. Cletus' blunt, razor-sharp tongue never fails to give me a hearty chuckle, so I was really enjoying the small scenes where he made an appearance.
“To the casual observer, someone like Ash or Rae being with someone like you might not make much sense.” Cletus stared off into the distance. “You’re a sheriff’s deputy in a big Tennessee county with a bunch of small towns that can’t afford their own police department. You’re not wealthy. You’re not learned. You’re not impressive. You don’t eat meat. You’re not showy or flashy. Your face isn’t perfectly symmetrical—” “This is you not being mean?”
Jackson James is a reformed ladies man who has been looking for a relationship with substance for some time, but his soiled reputation precedes him. As well, his immature treatment of Ashley back in high school is another stubborn stain that seemingly cannot completely be removed. In a small town, petty grudges have a way of lingering, and Jackson continues to feel shame over old history because of it. In this book, Jackson is presented as intelligent, patient, sometimes a little awkward with Raquel, and above all, a man who strives to live up to his father's legacy. I went back and looked him up in the Winston series, and this is a big departure from who he used to be. He was especially annoying in book one, Truth or Beard. He was described as a "dumb-ass," and "bored little shit of a man drunk on power" and was generally like an annoying fly that wouldn't stop buzzing around your face.
We didn't get any hint of that from him in this book, in fact, he was a gentleman towards Raquel from page one of their interactions, and here and there veering towards a charming flirt-but a sweet one. He has even (mostly) won over the Winston brothers who all had a very low opinion of him in the past. I'm not mad about that, but his character seemed so...erratic? One moment he's acting clueless in reading female signals towards him (not the typical problem of a former player) and another he's losing his battle to avoid "pushiness" with women and expertly manhandling Raquel.
In the first half of the book, he's dating a woman in town named Charlotte when Raquel comes back to town. She's did everything but strip naked and climb him like a tree, and he was totally in the dark about what was going on. His father even tried to help him out and push him towards asserting himself sexually towards her, and when he interpreted Charlotte's behavior to him, Jackson was totally taken aback. To me, it would have made more sense if he was pretending to be clueless because of his desire to avoid a relationship based solely on surface passion. Not literally clueless. It didn't add up with who he's been described as in the past, and to be honest, it wasn't a good look. Neither was his issue with asserting himself and communicating his needs because of hang-ups from high school.
Raquel came off as someone who had spent so long around superficial people, that she fell into their lifestyle and belief system because she didn't have a strong grasp on who she truly was. Everyone around her tells her what's best for her, but unfortunately it's really what's best for them. In other words, she's a bit of a doormat for fake people looking out for themselves. She's become beat down and weary, and like Jackson unable to assert herself with those who wish to capitalize off of her fame. Once Raquel started to evolve and become more sensitive to others, and started to place value on people and things that were real and tangibly good for her, my dislike did ease. I'm all for character growth, and I did see a good amount when it came to her.
Unfortunately by that time, there were many examples of her not treating Jackson with the proper respect-something that he has always given her, and that did bother me. For example, the scene where she talked about Jackson and his "kraken tongue" only served to cheapen their physical experience together. She and her friends were fangirling over an exaggerated physical attribute like teenagers. In the same way that his harem of exes rudely gossiped about him in the past. When he hears that she was sharing personal details of him like that, it genuinely bothered and embarrassed him because of how the women in town have treated him like a piece of meat for years. Raquel herself even calls him a "snack." His hurt feelings made the insensitivity feel even harsher.
“Is this how it’s going to be now? You’re going to be like everyone else and start missing my body more than me?” I’d meant it to be a joke, but she—and I—heard the edge of truth in them before I realized what I’d said and how it sounded. She stared at me, her features growing sober. But not shocked.
Moving on, there was also a small conflict regarding Raquel's family relationships. This felt artificially addressed, and even skimmed over which is a departure from the deep emotional dives this author typically gives. The epilogue in particular ended really abruptly, much to my disappointment. I would have loved to have seen the full scene, as it had the potential to bring some much needed feels, but just when my excitement started to build, a door was slammed in my face and the book ended.
Based on other early reviews out there, I seem to be in the extreme minority so don't just take my subjective word for it on this series starter. If you're a long time fan and you're looking for more time in Green Valley to enjoy, pick this one up and judge for yourself. This one was more of a miss for me, but chances are, you could feel much differently.
[image] Title: The Birthday List Series: Standalone Author: Devney Perry Release date: April 3, 2018 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
H[image] Title: The Birthday List Series: Standalone Author: Devney Perry Release date: April 3, 2018 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
He was a dream. How had I found a man who was so understanding and patient, who saw me so clearly? It was nothing short of a miracle.
Believe it or not, this is my very first read by Devney Perry. I've heard so many good things about her writing, but somehow never got around to checking out any of her books. When the early praise and excitement for The Birthday List started to flood in, I knew it was time to go for it.
I don't shy away from a highly emotional book, in fact, if an author can make me feel so intensely for her characters, I know that they've created something really special and meaningful. I was expecting a more weighty narrative due to the subject matter, but honestly, it felt more uplifting than anything. Perry managed to infuse a lot of humor and lightness into Poppy's journey that made for a really fast-paced read.
This is the story of a woman's rebirth in a sense, how she discovered that there was the possibility of life after loss. Poppy thought she had everything she could ever hope for when she married the love of her life right out of college, and they started to build a home together. She took for granted that the future promised years of laughter and love with her husband Jamie. Then in the blink of an eye, that future suddenly dawned dark and grim.
Logically it makes sense that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was stolen from her. But the guilt gnawing at her seems to contradict that. After four years of surviving a unrelenting grief and living in limbo, she's finally at a place where she feels ready to try to give herself permission to find happiness again. So she comes up with the birthday list plan.
The birthday list was Jamie's own version of a bucket list. Things that he wanted to accomplish and experience in his lifetime by each of his birthdays. Poppy decided that completing his goals would give her a sense of peace and freedom, and fearlessly jumped into each challenge in order to honor the man she loved.
I wanted to do this for Jamie and let it go. Every day, I was getting stronger. I was getting back on my feet. I was starting to live again—for me. And until the list was done, I’d still be living for Jamie.
Despite her brother Finn trying to talk her out of such an emotional upheaval, she knew it was the right thing to do. She was taking steady steps to reach a happier future. Until she walked into her next challenge at the karate dojo, and the past confronted her in the form of Cole Goodman. He was the man who once shattered her entire world. The irony was, he was going to be the one to help her glue all of her pieces back together again. This man was so perfect for her, and so deserving of the fragile woman that needed to be handled with extreme care.
Cole was so utterly patient and understanding of her need to keep things slow, and sensitive to what she needed to feel comfortable with him. He knew that there was a powerful attraction brewing between them, but he needed to help her to see past her guilt for feeling it. One of the things I thought was really amazing was the fact that he realized that he had fallen in love with her before their first kiss. Not because of insta-love, but because he put their physical relationship on hold until she gave him the signal that she was ready.
When I pictured kissing another man, it was Cole. When I imagined sleeping with another man, it was Cole. He was the man of the future, patiently waiting on the other side of the line. I could imagine him standing there, holding out his hand.
Poppy was such an incredibly strong character. She faced each task on Jamie's list with courage and grace, all while managing to launch her new restaurant and make it a huge success. Her budding feelings terrified the living daylights out of her, but she faced her fears and put one foot in front of the other in order to let love in her life again. There was an additional conflict involving the unsolved murder of her husband Jamie. Cole worked his fingers to the bone in order to bring Poppy closure, but what he uncovered was something that neither of them could have anticipated.
I'm really glad I gave this story a chance, and I know without a doubt that I will be reading more from this author. My reason for a four instead of a five was partly because I was expecting more of an ugly cry book, and while it had some sad moments, it didn't really delve into the darkest days of her struggle. I really appreciated the overall tone, but I wouldn't have minded seeing her work through those initial stages of grief. Also, there were a couple of things in the book that occurred that I thought were a little bit too coincidental or convenient to be 100% realistic towards the end. However, if you're looking for a slowburn romance with a heartwarming message about love and new beginnings you can't go wrong with The Birthday List.
[image] Title: Rainy Day Friends Series: Wildstone #2 Author: Jill Shalvis Release date: June 19, 2018 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)[image] Title: Rainy Day Friends Series: Wildstone #2 Author: Jill Shalvis Release date: June 19, 2018 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
It was as if her life had been a fresh painting and then it'd rained, smearing that old life away to nothing but a soggy canvas.
Jill Shalvis is one of those authors that you can depend on to deliver a story with laugh out loud, witty humor from characters who effortlessly steal your heart. The friends and family that she creates feel like coming home even when you've never met them before. And that's the magic that she gives us in Rainy Day Friends. Within the first few pages, I knew immediately that the Capriotti family was special. Not just for their sarcastic and hilarious sense of humor, but most of all the strength of their love and unconditional acceptance. These are people that love so fiercely that you can't be too bothered by their nosiness and meddling.
In essence, Capriotti Winery was a small town all on its own where there were no secrets and the gossip mill was alive and well.
They're large, loud, and never give you a minute's privacy. Unfortunately that's one thing that Lanie is desperate to have, especially at this juncture in her life. Her two month job there gives her an opportunity to get away and lick her wounds in the aftermath of losing her husband and discovering his shocking betrayal. I really empathized with her as I grew to understand the cause of her anxiety and sadness. She's the kind of person who internalizes everything, so it helped to be able to get inside her head, because she's as stubborn as a mule about letting people in and allowing herself to be vulnerable. Externally she's friendly but distant, not that Cora or the rest of the family are deterred. If they have anything to say about it, she's going to have a permanent place in their business and their lives.
Cora's son Mark is a single father of two adorable twin girls who's nursing some heavy heartache himself. After his wife decided she wasn't cut out to be a mother, she split town and never looked back. He's been picking up the pieces ever since. He works endless hours trying to make a better life for his girls, and his utter devotion for them was apparent in every word and action. He puts them first in his priorities, in fact, not wanting to even consider a serious relationship again until they're all grown.
Lainey starts to grow attached little by little. Mark's girls have burrowed into her heart when she wasn't looking, Cora has watched over her with an eagle eye, even Uncle Jack's bad jokes have her cracking a reluctant smile. Mark...he's a whole other story. Each of them dance around their attraction for a bit. This felt like a nice slow burn between them, because they weren't even sure that exploring their chemistry was worth the risk. Her time there had an expiration date, and neither was even remotely looking for love.
In the beginning stages of their relationship, I wasn't loving their casual arrangement. It messed with her mind badly, making her wonder once again if she was not enough. First by her parents, and then her cheating husband. But I could see that Mark was scared too, and things changed quickly once he understood her better. He just didn't know how to get through to her and help her see that it was okay for her to put her trust in him.
She'd really thought she'd known everything about him and their relationship, and yet he'd betrayed her. So she no longer believed in her own judgement and other people.
My one frustration ended up being in Lainey. While I sympathized and even empathized with everything she had gone through, she was continuously and stubbornly pushing everyone away. Even after Mark changed and made his feelings clear, and tried to be patient with her while she decided if she was going to stay, it was like she never gave the man an inch. She was the same way with River, even after their road trip where I thought she had resolved a lot of her animosity between them, but then afterwards, she completely shut down again. I wish I could have seen her let go of her fears a little earlier, and trust in the people who were showing her that they genuinely cared.
The family was absolutely endearing and it made me a little envious of Lainey as she was welcomed into their fold. River's appearance, and her own path to healing was an interesting addition to the story as it eventually intersected with Lainey's. They both needed to completely let go of the past, because it was holding them back from seeing the promise in their future. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the winery. You can't go wrong with Jill Shalvis, and this one was no exception. I'd really like to read Holden and River's story as well, they were the absolute sweetest together!
If you're thinking of reading this, jump right in! It's not necessary to read the other full length or novella first.
[image] Title: Where We Belong Series: Alabama Summer #3.5 Author: J. Daniels Release date: August 18, 2015 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (h[image]
[image] Title: Where We Belong Series: Alabama Summer #3.5 Author: J. Daniels Release date: August 18, 2015 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
[image]
Where We Belong was a nice short and spicy interlude and welcome addition to the series. Fans of Ben and Mia are sure to be satisfied with this novella. It's everything you'd come to expect from a J. Daniels full length novel, just compressed into a fun-sized, steamy indulgence. How can you go wrong with a dirty talking officer of the law? It was such a treat to be able to catch up with the 'Bama Boys and their very lucky ladies.
Ben and his sweet and sexy wife have been going through a dry spell. Their desire hasn't dampened a bit since they've said their I-do's, it's finding the opportunity in their hectic schedules. With Ben working the night shift, and their sons managing to put a halt on every opportunity for some long needed marital bliss, frustration was mounting between the two.
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And as frustration mounted, hilarity (on my part) ensued. As much as I sympathized with their situation, I couldn't help but enjoy their plots to find time for some nooky. What parent hasn't gone through a rough patch such as this? Kids have a way of consuming all of our time, especially at such a tender age. The truth in it made it that much funnier.
My boys are cock-blocking me. Again, because this definitely isn't the first time. I swear they plan this shit out at dinner.
However, with Ben finally getting close to returning back to the day shift, he's given her fair warning. Their sexual drought is coming to and end and she'd better be prepared to pull an all nighter with her handsome husband. It's time to dust out the cobwebs and prep the naughty lingerie. Relief is in sight!
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These two make such a sweet and affectionate couple, I loved seeing them interact and see the devotion they had for one another.
Sighing, I press my lips to his, kissing him slowly and moving my fingers along his cheek. "I love you," I breathe into his mouth. He drops his forehead against mine. "That's all I need, Mia. All I'll ever need.
When a conflict involving Ben's ex Angie pops up, Mia rises to the challenge. It only enforced Ben's belief that this woman was the perfect match for him in every way. Someone who would be a strong foundation in their union and the best person to help his sons flourish. She was like a mama bear protecting her cubs-fierce, loyal, and it made him fall in love with her all over again.
Of course, it was amazing getting to spend time again with the entire group of friends. As the preparations for Beth and Reed's wedding began, everyone made a short appearance. Even my personal favorite Tessa stopped by-the fierce redhead from All I Want. I love that woman so hard. I have a serious character crush going on here-the woman has me at hello.
If you're looking for a quick sexy read with plenty of boisterous fun to tide you over, look no further. It's short, but gives plenty of delighted shivers and heart pounding moments. Ben puts his filthy promises into action and who wouldn't want a front row seat when these two have their fantasies fulfilled?
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Now the clock has started ticking for CJ and Riley's book, What I Need. After the little tease at the end into their story, I'm painfully aware that this is going to be another impatient wait.
[image] Title: Once Kissed Series: O'Brien Family Author: Cecy Robson Release date: November 3, 2015 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spo[image]
[image] Title: Once Kissed Series: O'Brien Family Author: Cecy Robson Release date: November 3, 2015 Cliffhanger: No HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
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Ever since I happened upon this author's Shattered Past series, I've had her on my radar. She impressed me with her addictive storylines and excellent alpha heroes. This series is a spin off of that one with connected characters, but the focus is now on the large O'Brien family. There are six brothers and one sister who will all be getting their own book. Once Kissed is Curran's book, the police officer of the family.
Curran is mentally not in a good place after a tragedy occurred in the line of duty. His rookie partner was paralyzed and he holds himself to blame. He can't wrap his head around the fact that his hesitation to take action caused a man to forever be bound to a wheelchair. It's caused him to second guess his instincts and make him a danger to himself and others on the force. His brother Declan is the DA and he finds the perfect job for him to keep him occupied while he's getting his bearings back. He's been given the task of watching over Tess, the office intern during a sensitive case involving the mafia. Tess has been chosen to aid him during the case and he needs her safe until the targeted criminals are put away.
What neither anticipated was the fact that straight-laced, rigid Tess has met brash and bossy Curran before. After a sizzling one-night stand together in college, neither heard from the other again. They don't exactly have much in common. Except maybe a whole lot of chemistry between the sheets. Tess is completely mortified when she realizes she's going to be stuck with Curran. Coming face to face with her one indiscretion from her past is something that makes her very uncomfortable. I must admit, I wasn't too crazy about Tess in the beginning of the book. She comes off as very formal with zero sense of humor. The way she acted with Curran was kind of ridiculous with her shouting silly antiquated words at him. It's not something I can imagine anyone ever saying.
"You...cad." "What?" "I said you're a cad!" "I heard what you said. I've just never heard anyone aside from Bugs Bunny use that word. You gonna call me scoundrel next?"
Between the way she talked and her conservative, stuffy way of dressing, she's not really a fun heroine. But I will say that as her horrible family life is explained, we get more insight into how she became the way she is. Tess has been emotionally abused and bullied by her father and has been treated as a puppet her entire life. Learning how trapped and abused she's been made me understand her better and I really sympathized with her. One of her struggles in the book was finding a way to overcome her fear of her cruel dictator of a father and finally refuse to give into his threats.
After years of being mistreated and reduced to nothing, I surrendered and obeyed. Just like I do now.
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I liked how Curran's bossy and no-nonsense attitude got her to find that fight in herself that's been smothered for so long. She started learning to speak her mind and push the boundaries. And Curran looked past her exterior and saw the girl who was dying to come out. I did enjoy these two together, I felt that they made a nice opposites attract type pair and they had some great chemistry once they broke through her barrier. With Curran in charge of her protection, he's been forbidden to lay a hand on her by his brother. That made for some nice tension and anticipation between the two of them.
His right arm slips behind my lower back, keeping me in position, while his other hand holds my face so I can't escape his stare. But I don't want to escape. Not from him.
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Once they became a couple, I kind of felt like their relationship faded into the background and lost it's steam. The last half of the book was mainly her struggle with her father and the issues they had regarding the big case. With everything else going on, I think the deeper development between the two of them got lost somewhere. I enjoyed seeing them interact with his family and there were some chuckle worthy moments there, but I wanted to feel a little bit more emotion for this couple and it was just kind of dwindling away.
I enjoy this author's writing style and her ability to make secondary characters that are intriguing enough for their own books. I appreciated the focus she spent on police officers' sacrifices both mentally and physically and how difficult their job really is. Although I wasn't in love with this particular story, I liked it well enough, and I'm still looking forward to trying out more future books in the series.
It has a different cover and author name from what I read however. Apparently a pen name? This book is amazing though. Completely worth your time. When the next book, Summer comes out, I'm all over it. ...more
Have I mentioned the crazy author love I have for J. Daniels? It's hardcore. Gawd, her books are intense. Passionate. Sexy. Even with some things I could nitpick out of her stories, my emotions are all aflutter over my reading experience in the end. Every time. She makes me like things in books that I don't normally especially like. Any author that can do that has the magic touch. I started out with her Sweet Addiction series and fell for her writing style immediately. With it's perfect blend of humor and sexy, I was all over it. In her latest, All I Want, she took a detour from the sweetness that she usually gives us with flair. She went with a grittier storyline this time around with two stubborn, hurting characters stuck in a love-hate vicious cycle. This isn't your mother's bedtime fairytale story.
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Tessa is a bitch. There's no other word for it. She's feisty, crass, and badass. There's a backbone of steel in her and a mouth ready to rip apart anyone who crosses her. God, I just loved her. Always with a ready comeback and literally impossible to fluster.
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One of my favorite Tessa moments:
When Luke's neighbor invites herself to lay in his bed and wait for him, Tessa isn't afraid to give her a piece of her mind.
I hold my hand out, palm up, motioning toward the bed. "You know, we just started a load. Now those STD riddled sheets are going to have to wait at least an hour before they can be disinfected." I sweep my gaze down her body, grimacing. "Heavy disinfected. And honestly, I'm not even sure bleach can handle this situation."
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If you read Where I Belong, you know that Tessa is Mia's best friend and Luke is Ben's friend and partner (they're cops). Tessa and Luke had a "thing" but after a pregnancy scare, she dumped him without an explanation and this began their painful descent into misery.
God, why can't I stop thinking about him? Why? What the fuck is it? I just want to go one day without his name poisoning my thoughts.
The underlying reason for their separation was the fact that Luke kept her at an emotional distance. He's unable to allow anyone into his life and get close to him. As much as he wanted to let Tessa in, his mother's death and his father's alcoholism have left their scars on him. Now they're both in hate with each other. At least that's what they keep telling themselves.
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After a year of being single and celibate, Tessa is ready to clear the cobwebs from her girly bits. She's been hesitant to date after her heart was ripped out and stomped on. Who knew that her date that she met on an online dating site would eventually be the catalyst to send these two stubborn people into each other's arms again? The road isn't smooth even from this point, but once Luke lets go of his protective hate around his heart, all bets are off.
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And the chemistry between them was nuclear. They set each other off like an explosion. There was a lot of back and forth, angsty, angry, obsessive, and passionate feelings between these two people. Luke was a lot more stubborn than she was with getting his act together though. He caused a lot of unnecessary pain and turmoil because he got spooked. There were times I wanted to reach into the book and kick his arrogant, rude self in his junk. But those moments of tenderness broke through and I was like, okay Tessa, I get it.
Everything else this man does is deliberate, calculated, but not kissing. That's where he loses control. Something snaps, breaking his discipline while he steals every memory of any other kiss out of your head. It's honest and real and fucking beautiful the way he gives you all of him when he's always held back.
There isn't anything sweet or easy about this couple. They're both strong and dominant and dancing around trying to top each other. But they fit each other flawlessly, I can't imagine anyone else matching either of them better. J Daniels, you made me like the asshole hero, how'd you do it? You're a miracle worker. Bring on the next book.
What I was looking for going into this book was a quick, easy read with a little bit of steam. Nothing too heavy. Did this deliver that? Yes, but somewhere it felt lacking to me. It was decent, but was I jumping up and down over it…probably not. What attracted me was the fact that Ash has two older, overprotective brothers and she’s been in love with their best friend for her whole life. I love stories like this and I wasn’t disappointed on that score. I got exactly what I was expecting. Maybe that was the problem. It was too much what I was expecting. I could’ve done with a little more surprise. The big mystery of the book I pretty much guessed from the very beginning.
Ash has loved Lucas her entire life. He’s been friends with her two brothers since they were kids and she fell in love…and never fell out of it. Not through all the years and distance she put between them to try to get over him and her unrequited feelings. What she doesn’t know is, is that he is equally crazy about her. And she hasn’t a clue.
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This is one thing that didn’t sit right with me. After all those years, everyone around her could see how he looked at her and protected her but she was completely blind to everything. And….WHY did he never do anything about his feelings? The explanation for that was kind of dissatisfying. He said himself it wasn’t really her brothers threats and warnings to him to keep away.
I was an asshole and scared.” he pleaded. “I told myself it was because of your brothers, but it was just something I never thought I deserved to feel.”
That wasn't a good enough reason. I wasn't seeing the basis for his refusal to be with the love of his life.
Ash has come back to live in her hometown after a bad breakup and after seeing Lucas again, they both confirm to themselves that their feelings haven't dimmed the slightest. They try to act cool, but before too long, a horrible event pushes their inhibitions aside and they decide not to waste any more time.
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Now this is where the steam comes in. There were some parts I enjoyed, but what was lacking was I didn't actually feel anything. I just wasn't feeling their chemistry or professions of deep love.
Lucas is a detective in the same station where her father is captain. An investigation has just gotten personal, someone close to him isn't who they seem and everyone important to him is put at risk. They could be used as leverage against him and he doesn't want to risk Ash while no one is completely past suspicion. Of course, things don't go as planned. No, I wasn't surprised by who the traitor was, but there was a twist that did surprise me at the end. I enjoyed that....but not Ash's reaction to it. I felt like she was a little bit of a pushover and I'm not crazy about that personality trait in a heroine.
To sum it up, this was a decent read, it had some good points to it but the emotion was lacking for me and a couple things didn't add up right. There was nothing overwhelming that bothered me, but it didn't exactly blow my hair back either. I enjoyed Ash's brothers-they were great and very protective of her. I also liked that they both had secret feelings for each other rather than just one of them. It added a little bit more to the story. Good for a light read with no angst.
***ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review***
3.5 stars
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Title: Against the Cage Series: Worth the Fight #1 Author:Sidney Halston Release Dat***ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review***
3.5 stars
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Title: Against the Cage Series: Worth the Fight #1 Author:Sidney Halston Release Date: May 27, 2014 Rating:3.5 stars Cliffhanger:No HEA: (view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
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Chrissy is on her way home to Tarpon Springs, Florida after her brother calls her from jail asking her to come bail him out. They're not really on speaking terms, but he's the only family she has left after their father passed away and she's not the kind of person who forgets about family.
On her way there she has a day from hell. She broke a heel off one of her favorite pair of shoes, got a flat tire, and now is getting pulled over by the police. What else could go wrong? This was one of my favorite parts of the book. Because yes, something else could go wrong-and his name is Jack Daniels (the cop who pulled her over). Yes, his name is really Jack Daniels. Who is Jack? Her brother's best friend all through childhood and as adults and one half of the duo that annoyed the hell out of her until she moved away. Not only did she have a crush on him that was unrequited, but he and her brother were always treating her like an annoying pest and preventing her from having any fun. Now here he is about to give her a ticket. Unfortunately, a small mishap happens with her hand and his crotch and he's on the ground. I cracked up at this tough guy cop brought down by little old Chrissy and once she realizes who he is, she loses her regret and apologetic attitude. He's not exactly her favorite person.
Jack squinted. "Chris?" "Hi, Jack." "Now, it all makes sense. You punched me in the balls on purpose!" "No way! That was completely by accident. But, had I known it was you, the results would have probably been the same."
Chrissy is there to get her brother out of trouble and then she wants to head out of town as quickly as possible. Ever since her brother blamed her for their father’s death at his funeral, she hasn’t wanted to contact him and avoids their hometown as much as possible. She’s no longer a gawky kid trailing behind her brother and his friend trying to make them happy. She’s an independent woman, a doctor, and now has more self-confidence and knows how to stick up for herself. Jack isn’t the same as he was all those years ago either. From the minute she steps out of the car and he sees her fully for the first time, he definitely isn't picturing her like a little sister anymore. Now he’s developing a strong attraction and a serious obsession with her amazing pair of legs. But she can’t stand him….right?
She’s always had a crush on him and that seems to still be there-though she would never admit it. He’s not about to let her pretend for a second though. He’s not a shy or uncertain guy. He wants her and she’s about to find that out.
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Chrissy was not one of my favorite heroines. I thought I would like her based on her character traits, but her personality seemed to prissy and judgmental. She spent a lot of time in the book lecturing her brother and Jack, following Slade around making sure he wasn't getting into trouble. He's a grown man! It got annoying to me. She wasn't TSTL, but she wasn't what I was expecting either. Jack I thought was great. He had a very bossy, controlling, yet protective personality. I liked how take charge he was and man did that guy have a dirty mouth! Holy Hell he could dirty talk.
Their personalities caused them to clash a lot. There was a lot of bickering. She didn't like to be bossed around, and he didn't like her never taking his advice or doing what he wanted. She hated the fact that he's an MMA fighter-she can't stand the violence and his enjoyment of that worries her. She had a horrible experience with an ex-boyfriend that ended badly and she doesn't want history to repeat itself.
One minute you're this sweet protective cop that has me so completely smitten that I forget all logic and reason, and the next you're violent and savage and happy about it. Guess who that reminds me of?"
There were misunderstandings from their past that had to be cleared up, and her relationship with her brother needed some work as well. But his insistence on cage fighting in dangerous fights weren't helping. He was trying to earn some quick money in order to start up his own gym and as his sister and a doctor, she was fighting him every step of the way. And poor Jack was stuck in the middle.
I gave this 3.5 because Jack was quite yummy, the sex was definitely hot, but it really wasn't what I was expecting. There was too much focus on her brother and his fighting. There was only one fight scene with Jack and I was expecting him to be more involved with the sport, but it was more of a hobby for him. The heroine was getting irritating to me by the end, and some scenes came off as silly rather than funny. This is good for a quick read with some steam to it but I didn’t totally fall for the story.
First off, is this book a Mystery? Suspense? Emotional romance? Sw"Fly high, Icarus."
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How many reasons do I have for loving this book?
Unlimited.
First off, is this book a Mystery? Suspense? Emotional romance? Sweet? Sexy? Check all those boxes yes. It's hard to put a specific label on this book because it really has so much of everything and not only that, but it was executed so well.
Plot:
Avery (Iris) experienced something in her childhood that very few people on this earth can claim to. At the age of fourteen years old, her father murdered three men and then committed suicide. The irrevocably changed her and her entire life.
The names of the men my father killed are a mantra, a twisted beat to accompany the throb of my heart and every single step I take through life. Sam O'Brady. Jefferson Kyle. Adam Bright.
She became an outcast in the small town of Breakwater. Everyone turned against her and judged her by her father's sins. Even her mother didn't want to claim her as her daughter anymore. She's left feeling lost and all alone with no one but her Uncle Brandon to take care of her. But did her father really do it? The proof seems ironclad. Avery just can't conceive that her father-the sweet loving man who was always there for her and even mentored young boys from broken homes who needed help could do such an atrocity. When she leaves Breakwater, she's not Iris anymore, she's Avery. She's dying to escape the stigma that's been attached to her name and her life.
I had this dream that once I escaped the confines of Breakwater, things would change for me, things wouldn't be as hard, but I haven't taken any chances. My family name is synonymous with pain and murder no matter where I go, and that's why I've abandoned it. That's why, when I left my past behind in small town Wyoming to come to college, I became Avery Patterson.
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Her life seems to be going easier until unexpectedly she runs into the one person she wants to avoid most. Luke Reid. He's a cop AND singer/guitarist in a band. Could there even possibly be a better combination for a hero? I mean, really. (Loved him!) He was a beloved member from her hometown, a few years older than her in high school and when the murders occurred, he had the unfortunate task of knocking on her door to bring the bad news. He was a cop just starting out who was at the scene and a witness to the aftermath, but he was also personally invested. He was one of the boys who was mentored by her father and had genuine affection and loyalty to. Through the following years, he continued to check on her, to her dismay. To her, seeing him only brings up the pain associated with that horrible night that she only wants to forget. When they run into each other, their lives are intertwined again and a chain reaction starts that brings her back to the question, Did her father really do it? And if not, who did? Are they still out there? How can she begin to piece together this puzzle?
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Now, her father is on the verge of being accused of committing the unsolved murders of a string of teenaged girls around the same time.
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She has only three clues to exonerate him.
Four symbols
The trade
Fly high, Icarus
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The chemistry and emotions between Avery and Luke was palpable and completely consuming. And the anticipation of the two of them owning up to their feelings and desires was almost as good as the culmination. Hot, hot, hot. Some of my favorites...
"Tell me that kiss at the club didn't kill you. Tell me that you haven't been thinking about me like this," he says, his voice rough, full of gravel. Holy shit. "I didn't. I haven't," I say softly, begging him not to hear my voice shake. The corner of his mouth twitches. "Liar."
"Look at me, baby." Luke draws me back with his soft voice, and I do as he asks. He pushes into me again, and my body shudders. "Oh, God." I can't stop what is building. Nothing can. Luke's intensity only grows as he thrusts again, his shoulders starting to tremble. "You're mine. Say it!" he growls. I manage to say it as I came apart in his hands, my body disintegrating into blindly firing nerve endings. "I'm yours, Luke! I'm yours." And I really am.
This book was a crazy ride. I really don't know how I missed this book up until now, but I am so glad I gave it a chance. The characters' backstories and personalities were built extremely well-I was right there along with them. Completely invested in their story and what was going to happen to them. They weren't SO overdone though that it overtook the action of the story. The writing was wonderfully descriptive without dragging down the pace. And the heat between Avery and Luke was achieved with a combination of anticipation, tension, and actual blistering hot sex. Everything had a perfect balance to make the overall package utterly amazing! And let me tell you, I was almost frantically flipping the pages towards the end dying to find out the answer the mystery. It had me guessing for most of the book. Well done! These were two shattered people changed by their pasts who help each other heal and form an indestructable connection. Both trying to heal their broken wings and learn to fly again. It was beautiful!
This is book 6 in the With Me in Seattle series and I still eagerly anticipated this book just as much as the others. And more importantly, I d[image]
This is book 6 in the With Me in Seattle series and I still eagerly anticipated this book just as much as the others. And more importantly, I didn't come away from the experience slightly disappointed that it wasn't quite as good as the previous books. On the contrary, I was fully satisfied with this perfectly matched couple and once again, all the Montgomery clan with all of their sweet, funny, and sexy members.
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Matt's key characteristics:
Calm and self-controlled a detective loyal a big fan of total honesty and trust smoking hot (He's a Montgomery. What else would he be?) protective really, really into bondage. extremely close with his entire extended family.
Nic's key Characteristics:
Sweet beautiful, tatted and pierced Independent Baker and cupcake shop owner talented brave a little shy
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Matt and Nic meet at the Seattle spring erotic festival. Nic was dragged there by her best friend Bailey who thinks she needs more excitement in her boring and uninspired life. Not only does she never do anything but work, she has no love life. And when she did, the last thing she would call herself was kinky or unconventional.
I'm the least kinky person on the planet. I'm so vanilla, I smell of it."
Now Matt, on the other hand, likes his kink and his particular kink comes in the form of rope. Shibari. (Japanese rope bondage). He is technically called a Dom because of his mastery of the art, but isn't fully committed to all the typical practices and beliefs a Dom would have. His interest is purely in getting the woman's submission and therefore, all of her trust while he ties her up and has his wicked (and very talented) way with her. He's not into bossing anyone around for the sake of being in control or controlling anything outside of the bedroom. That's what I liked about him. He was always focused on how to take care of her inside AND outside the bedroom, but purely from a protective standpoint.
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When they meet at the erotic festival, they feel an immediate and intense attraction and they impulsively go home together. Nic has one of the most erotic, yet unsettling sexual encounters of her life. Seeing as she's always viewed herself as "very vanilla" she's a little shaken to find out how much she enjoyed Matt's dominance and bondage. And not altogether happy about it. When he gets called away on a family emergency, they are separated through a misunderstanding until a few weeks later when she bakes the cake for Caleb and Brynna's wedding.
Matt is thrilled to see her again, but she's wary and edgy. She's not about to enter his world with all his preferences. It couldn't possibly work in the long term-she's sure of it. They're too different.
"It'll never happen. Leave it be, Matt." And with that she drives away. Not a chance in fucking hell am I going to leave it be.
Yeah, Matt's not the type to let anything get in his way when he wants something. He's a detective, a dominant, and when he makes his mind up on something, he makes it happen. Once he gets past her initial hesitancy, they embark on a tentative relationship. It explores the ins and outs of the dom/sub relationship and it's many variations (depending on the individual's preference), bondage, and just getting to know each other and their collective friends and family. The sex and steam are as always, off the charts. Loved their sexy times. It steamed up my Kindle.
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Matt comes to see that not only is she everything he's been looking for in the bedroom, but they have a lot in common and are a natural and beautiful fit outside of it as well. She's sweet and funny, strong and independent, and she gets along great with his family-she even plays the piano and works on a song with Leo and Meg. (The musicians in the family) They just fit. He falls hard and isn't afraid to say it or show it. I loved that about him.
You're amazing. I don't have time to untie you because if I don't get you out of here and home in the next ten minutes, I won't be responsible for my actions. I need to be inside you, I need to love you and an hour in a private room isn't going to do it for me. I need to get you home so I can spend the night showing you what you mean to me.
And Nic is feeling just as pulled toward him.
I feel full, Matt. Physically and mentally. I feel like we've turned a corner that we can never turn back from, and I'm terrified and excited at the same time.
Remember when I said Matt is big on honesty and trust? This is where Nic has some issues. She's not fully able to share some things about herself and it causes their main conflict in the story. She has to learn to open herself fully to him and fight for what she wants.
I really enjoyed this latest edition to the series. It had all the humor and sexiness of the previous books but the erotic factor was cranked up a notch. I loved keeping up with all the rest of the past characters and extended family. My one complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen a little more conflict between Nic and Matt. This by no means takes away from my high opinion of the book. I give it a solid 4 stars with no hesitation. If you haven't started on this series, you really need to jump on it.
Christie«SHBBblogger»
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