Review: Relentless, by Anna Wells

 

Category: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 282

Blurb:

Michaela Prentice and Jordan Marsh’s friendship began in the worst of circumstances after she discovered his girlfriend in bed with her fiancé. It had seemed only natural to spend time together as they got over their mutual breakups, but she soon realized Jordan wanted more than friendship.

Jordan Marsh knew the minute he met Michaela that he had to have her. Unfortunately she was already taken, but he wasn’t about to let her get away. When Jordan sets a goal he’s relentless until he gets what he wants, and what he wants is Michaela.

As they make the transition from friends to lovers, Jordan exposes a sensual side to his nature that Michaela didn’t know existed and can’t seem to resist. However, Michaela quickly learns that Jordan isn’t the friend or lover she thought she knew. His world is filled with secrets and she soon finds herself caught up in his deceptions. Is she facing another betrayal?
Warning: This book is funny, steamy and contains sex scenes with chocolate that some readers might find delicious.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20562240-relentless?ac=1

 

About the Author:

I’ m happily married with two children. I love to cook, hike, bike, and hang with my girlfriends.
I’m an avid romance reader and enjoy all types of romance novels including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and erotica.
Oh and did I mention I have my own consulting business?
I obviously had a couple of hours left in the day so I began writing romance. I wanted to bring readers hot, sexy romances that are brought to life with compelling characters. Who knew writing romance could be as fun as reading it!

I love to hear from my readers so please feel free to contact me at annawellswrites@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/annawellswrites
http://annawellwrites.blogspot.ca/

 

 

 

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

 

 

I was expecting something else and unfortunately, I’m quite a bit disappointed.

 

 

While the characters are interesting to a certain extent, I couldn’t see the appeal. I didn’t have the time to really appreciate the connection between Jordan and Michaela before they started to date and it’s annoying to be repeated throughout the book that they have been friends for a year without actually seeing it more than in one chapter. And even then, it wasn’t that convincing.

 

 

I would have loved to see Michaela truly struggling when it comes to being involved with Jordan, to be afraid of losing him if things didn’t work out because it would have been way more believable.

 

 

Here, I felt nothing short of two people going at it whenever they could to the point of being silly. Sexual chemistry is amazing in such a genre of books, but when it’s not believable and when it cuts short to the characterization, then it’s counter-productive and I ended up being bored and not that interested in the story or even the characters.

 

 

Moreover, the relationship between Jordan and Michaela progressed in a linear way which too doesn’t help building the reader’s interest, mine at least. I was bored and even Jordan’s need to takes things further so fast wasn’t funny. I’m not saying that the characters should have fought their attraction for the better part of the book, but at least I would have enjoyed a little more struggling from Michaela when she discovered what Jordan hid from her. But, nothing but one dialogue during which she explained that she was mad.

 

 

Speaking of dialogues… I think they’re not flowing that well. Not enough for my taste at least.

 

 

But the descriptions were good even though the dual POV was a little tricky to follow a couple of times.

 

 

I’m sorry to write such a review, but I didn’t like the plot, the mysteries weren’t that mysterious or even-balanced with the rest of the book, the ending is rushed… No, I didn’t like this book all that much.

 

 

I saw that other people already rated it very well so it’s obvious that I missed the appeal here. Maybe you won’t feel the same, so please, feel free to let me know if you enjoyed this book and why. Maybe you’ll open my eyes. 🙂

 

 

But right now, I don’t think I’ll read the other books that will be about Jordan’s brothers.

 

 

Rating:

 to 2.5

Review: Full Measures, by Rebecca Yarros

 

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Pages: 301

 

Blurb: 

Three knocks can change everything…

“She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.”

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19383432-full-measures?ac=1

 

About the Author:

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She’s a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they’re currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

http://www.rebeccaelizabethyarros.com

 

 

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I thought waiting for a couple hours before writing my review would help, but I’m still unable to truly get my thoughts back together. This book is that good!

I read a lot of New Adult books and more often than not I enjoy reading these books, but they don’t stay with me. And then, among all these books out there you find that gem, that one book that make you feel, that make you root for the characters, that book that makes you believe that these characters are your dearest friends and you want the best for them.

So yeah, you’re on for the ride and cross your fingers while reading because it’s not easy, it’s not without pain and fear, but you’re all in, just like Josh and Ember are all in.

To be honest, it’s not often that I find a book that has me riveted from page 1. Sometimes I need a couple of chapters to adjust to the new characters, the plot or the writing, but in this case, I just went with it and I couldn’t see the hours flying.

The opening is like a punch, a perfect strike right to my heart and I love it when it happens. It means that the author doesn’t spare anything, that he/she went all in, portraying everything to perfection with words that don’t embellish anything, but just show a part of life at its rawest.

Everything felt real, every characters, the plot, the fears and break-downs each and every characters went through and I forgot everything else. I was just in the story, in Ember’s head.

Ember and Josh’s chemistry is undeniable and very well written. It’s not over-done. The author did an amazing job at blending sweet moments with hot ones and it made it all the more amazing and addicting to follow.

Ember’s family is amazing. The author did an amazing job at portraying the differences between everybody grieving. Once again, nothing was over-done.

This book is so amazing that I can’t bring myself to criticize anything as weird as it must seem. I recommend this book to everybody. You have to read it!

What do you think about this book? Is Josh your new book boyfriend? He is mine!

Rating:

4.5 to 

Review: The Hidden, by Kelley R. Martin

 

Category: New Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Warnings: There are a few scenes for readers over 18.

 

Blurb:

On her first day of college, Emily meets a walking, talking god. With a gorgeous face, killer blue eyes, and a body to die for, it’s easy to see why Thomas Paige is the envy of every guy at Potomac Ridge University and why every girl within a fifty mile radius wants to get a piece of him.

Sounds great, right? Well, it would be if Emily didn’t think he was such an ass.

Since she’s not interested in becoming another notch on his bedpost, she tells him to shove it, and convinces herself that her novel use of the word “no” is what’s got him hounding her all over campus. But there are two sides to every story, and Thomas is determined to make Emily hear his. Even if it does sound crazy and impossible.

*Intended for ages 18+ due to sexual situations
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal

 

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18073246-the-hidden?from_search=true

 

About the Author:

Kelley lives in Texas, but she swears it’s not all country music and cowboy boots… Okay, some of it is, but not all of it. She’s got an amazing husband, who continues to inspire her every day, even after twelve years and two ridiculously cute little girls.

 

http://www.kelleyrmartin.com

 

 

 

This book is the first one in a New Adult paranormal romance series. I discovered this book by chance and I’m happy to say that it won me over after a while without reading any paranormal romance novels.

The author succeeded in blending the codes of New Adult books with the ones commonly known in paranormal romance novels. It’s a good thing even if I do think that the sex takes too much space sometimes. Though, I like how the author didn’t fall in the used clichés when it comes to the male interest. Thomas… Damn, he’s one fine male character! (And Gabriel too, but don’t worry, there’s no love triangle).

The multiple POVs made it a little annoying in the last part of the book because it made us go back in time, revisiting a few scenes we already read, but this time from another character’s POV. It’s a little frustrating and I had a harder time enjoying it. But, I did enjoy reading the whole novel, I just think that Gabriel’s POV should have been put elsewhere as to better enjoy it.

I truly love all the characters, even the ones we barely see because they bring a little something that completes the book, they complete the atmosphere.

The mysteries are well-brought and quite well-used for the most part. It’s quite fun even sometimes and I do hope that the author will dig deeper in the next installment. I want high stakes!

The romance itself it great and I could actually ‘see’ the chemistry between Emily and Thomas. It’s always a plus. I felt for them and I’m quite eager to see more of them in the next installment. I just hope that I won’t be disappointed.

The writing style is efficient. Everything flows well and it was never boring to read. The author knows how to convey the characters thoughts and I was able to picture everything in my head, which made it hard for me to put down the book.

Though, even if we often see many sex scenes in New Adult books and I don’t mind them, I truly think that sometimes sex scenes are too much used. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not all about sex here and they work well. In fact, some are even cute.

Who read this book? What do you think about it?

Is Thomas your new book boyfriend? (He is mine!)

Rating:

3.5 to 

 

Review: White Hot Kiss, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Category: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal (romance)

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 400

 

Blurb:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she’s anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she’s crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she’s not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn’t an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she’s the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?ac=1

 

About the Author:

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don’t Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

 

 

 

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review. 

This is a new series written by the amazingly talented Jennifer L. Armentrout and I’m telling you… You will die waiting for the sequel! Prepare yourself, I’m going to fangirl shamelessly. 😉

I’m hopelessly in love with this book. Seriously.

While the first couple of chapters had me unsure for some reason, I soon couldn’t put it down. I read it in two days, picking it back whenever I had even 5 minutes of free time because I needed to know what would happen to Layla and also because I had a big crush on Roth and I wanted to ‘see’ him again.

Roth…

Can you hear me sigh? I’m pretty sure Roth is the new book boyfriend of lots of readers. I mean, a tattooed demon? Come on! He’s irresistible and he brings that feistiness we all love in the genre and in YA books. Moreover, he’s not all cliché and the author really polished his characterization.

Speaking of characterization, I think all characters have this little something that makes this book not just a story, but a real adventure. The whole atmosphere is there, always palpable which makes it so very thrilling to always discover more. Needless to say that I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Layla, the main character is also very interesting. She’s young, but she’s not all whinny contrary to what we often see in YA books. She’s strong and I could identify myself to her, that helps a lot to better delve into a paranormal story. I truly like this character and I hope I won’t be disappointed in the next installment.

Zayne is also a character very interesting even if so far he paled compared to Roth. If I have something negative to say, it’d be that I think Zayne is lacking in characterization in a way. I’d like to know more about him even if I already know that he will never take Roth’s place in my heart. 😉

The plot itself is interesting, different in a way and I let myself get swept in. The resolution is a little too fast for my taste, maybe too ‘easy’ in a way, but it also makes me want the sequel even more.

The end… Let me tell you that if you have yet to read this book, you’ll want to yell and scream your head’s off once you’re finished with it.

I recommend this book if you enjoy reading YA paranormal books, and to be honest even if you’re not all that much into YA as this book is not your typical YA book. Jennifer L. Armentrout is definitely a talented author and one of my favorites.

Who read this book already? What do you think about Roth? And Zayne? Who is your favorite? 

 

Rating:

 to 4.5

Review: Playing for Keeps, by Kate Donovan

 

 

Category: Adult

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

Pages: 295

 

Blurb: 

 

When Erica McCall finally gets her big break in advertising, she knows just which spokesperson to pitch: gorgeous football superstar Johnny Spurling. She has followed his career since college and knows he’s perfect for the spot, even though it’s common knowledge his famous family doesn’t do product endorsements, ever. But Erica knows Johnny’s weak spot, and she’s confident she can use it to gain his trust and seal the deal.

Quarterback Johnny Spurling is running out of time. His father’s health is failing, and there’s one last thing he’s asked Johnny to do—settle down and produce a son, before it’s too late. Which means Johnny needs a new kind of girlfriend. No more casual hookups or high-maintenance divas. When his sister-in-law claims to have the perfect candidate, he urges her to set up a postseason blind date.

Then Johnny meets long-haired, long-legged Erica and can’t resist her outrageous proposal—or her. So he decides he’ll do the commercial and have one final, hot-as-hell fling before settling down. They set the ground rules, then proceed to break every one of them as fun turns to the kind of true romance that just doesn’t end with the final touchdown—and with luck, never ends at all.

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20675791-playing-for-keeps?ac=1

 

 

 

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

I can’t resist a romance when sports is an important part, so when I saw this one on Netgalley, I thought that it should be right my alley. It was my first book written by Kate Donovan and unfortunately, I’m quite disappointed. Let me explain why.

First, while the plot itself is quite easy and classic when it comes to that kind of story, it’s not the thing that bothered me. The plots and sub-plots are quite all over the place, sometimes exploding in all and every direction to the point that it becomes more ‘difficult’ to follow or at least enjoy the adventure. It’s a damn shame because it could have been really amazing. To be honest, I even think some parts weren’t believable and even contradict other parts in the story.

For example, Erica bothered me to no end. She was always changing her mind to the point that it wasn’t even logical. I mean, I don’t mind at all when a character is having trouble settling her mind and when she’s fighting with herself when it comes to a guy because it’s often thrilling to read about, but here it’s not how it felt. In fact, I couldn’t feel her at all most of the time. It’s a big problem when it’s the main character.

Johnny is a good enough male lead character even if I couldn’t see the real chemistry for a good part of the book. I missed it completely in fact. The author had to point it out through both characters’ words for it to be understandable, which is, once again, a real issue to me. Johnny won’t leave any mark in my mind, I think.

I really like the secondary characters like Bam and Decker. These two were awesome to read about, and I’d love to read a book centered on them to better see their friendship and how silly Bam is and how sweet Decker is. The best kind of mix. Hopefully the author will write them books and maybe I’ll enjoy it more if the characters are better characterized and if the plot is better polished or at least better built.

Also, now that I think about it, I miss a higher stake in this book. Since the chemistry between Johnny and Erica isn’t that obvious most of the time, a higher stake would have helped me to get into the story and then fear for the characters. It’s just an idea, because I truly think that there’s material for a good book, but it missed the mark for me. I always feel bad when it happens, almost as if I’m the one who failed a book and not the other way around. I’m weird, I know.

So, obviously, I didn’t like reading this book. Maybe you’ll feel differently if you read it, maybe I was expecting too much or maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind, but either way, I’d love to know what you think about it.

Rating:

 

Review: Fierce, by Clarissa Wild

 

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Warnings: Intended for readers over 18.

Publisher: Self-published.

Pages: 274

 

Blurb: 

 

Fight for your dreams. Fight for your life. Fight for love. 

Nerdy girl Autumn Blakewood is the prime example of a goody two-shoes. She studies every night, is never late for class, and always follows the rules. She has never felt the need to step out of her comfort zone. That is, until she meets Hunter.

Hunter Bane is a cocky, confident bad-boy, who’s nothing but trouble. He’s a dangerous distraction to everyone around him. Sexy and strong, Hunter enjoys the swooning effect he has on women. Especially those who aren’t used to attention, like Autumn.

Autumn finds it hard not to give into Hunter’s advances, even though it all seems like a game to him. Trying to understand him is impossible, because he shrouds himself in mystery.
What she doesn’t know is that Hunter has more baggage than anyone should have to carry. When she discovers he’s in an illegal frat club to save the one person that matters to him, Autumn realizes this could mean the end of her undeniable connection to him. Even their lives are at risk.
But it’s too late to turn back now …

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20307478-fierce

 

About the Author: 

Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire’s Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

Check out my sexy books: http://smarturl.it/clarissawildbooks

Want to review my books? >>Click here!<< 

Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarissaWild…

Or Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildClarissa

 

 

 

 

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

 

While I enjoyed this book enough to read it in one weekend, I still miss something to make it stand out for me.

 

Having a main character who is a nerd and quite shy when it comes to interacting with guys is delightful. I smiled  a few times when Autumn met Hunter at the beginning, but at some point I found her to be too cheesy too fast. And I think I would have enjoyed it more if she was cautious with Hunter and with all the things she was starting to learn about everything. For me, it didn’t feel real and I couldn’t feel anything for them both.

 

Also, and maybe it’s just me, but Autumn seemed quite a bit too different from who she was during the first few chapters. I didn’t see the real evolution, just the result of it. I would have felt better toward her if the author would have put more of an emphasis on her journey instead of having several characters claim that Autumn changed. I’m not buying it all that much.

 

Then, Hunter is not a character I like all that much. Unfortunately. Even when the author described through Autumn’s eyes how hot he is I couldn’t ‘feel’ it. I had a hard time  visualizing their connection and it lasted a long while. Even now that I’m finished with the story I have still mixed up feelings about them.

 

The plot itself is very interesting and different from what I’m used to read in the genre and category. I don’t want to ruin your reading experience so I won’t go into details, but it’s something I enjoyed even if I wasn’t exactly surprised.

 

I enjoyed reading this book, it’s just a story I will not remember in a couple of months. I was expecting something more and maybe it’s my fault because I’m pretty sure a lot of readers will absolutely love this book.

 

And just a prop for the author who writes dialogues with a good rhythm. It’s not always that easy.

 

I will read more books from this author.

 

Have you read this book? What do you think about Hunter? Is he your new book boyfriend?

 

 

Rating:

 

Review: Crash Into Me, by Tracy Wolff

 

Category: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance (borderline erotica)

Pages: 250

Publisher: Entangled: Brazen

Warnings: Mention of drugs, open door sex scenes.

Blurb:

Jamison Matthews has lusted after Ryder Montgomery since she was a preteen. But now that Ryder and her brother’s band, Shaken Dirty, has made it huge, she’s just one of many pining for the brooding lead singer. Too bad Ryder still sees her as a little sister. Not that it matters. Her brother would never allow it, and the last thing Jamison wants is to be another notch on a rock star’s bed post. Even if it’s Ryder’s.
Ryder doesn’t deserve happiness. After his fame destroyed his last girlfriend, he swore he’d never fall in love again. So when Jamison, the girl he’s been in danger of loving for years, joins the band on the road, he’ll do anything to deny the sparks between them–even after one hot night together. But Jamison is determined to show Ryder that he’s worthy of love–her love–and that she’s all grown up and ready to play.

About the author:

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

You can find Tracy also on Twitter, www.tracywolff.blogspot.com and www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com.

Tracy Wolff also writes as Tessa Adams

I received a few recommendations for this book and as soon as I saw that the male character is a rock star, I used my very well trained 1-click finger and bought it.

This novel is not very long and yet, it’s the perfect length as the characterization is mastered and the plot is not rushed, but well-brought to better enjoy the connection between the two main characters.

I was also surprised to enjoy so much the alternate POV because it wasn’t repetitive and it conveyed the feelings of the two characters perfectly, which helped some more the characterization and in turn, I cared more about the characters.

The secondary characters brought something to the dynamic of the story without being all cliché. In fact, I really want to know more about them as they truly are interesting.

The whole story isn’t that original, but it’s not full of clichés as the female character has a backbone, is smart and is just a tiny bit feisty to make it fun sometimes. Also, the male character is the usual kind we all love so much, but he is also very drool worthy and swoon worthy at the end.

Some scenes are openly very hot, but it’s written with taste and is well balanced with the plot. Nothing is overdone and it makes this book all the more addictive.

The author’s writing style is dynamic, flawless and matches the genre without over doing it. Just for that thing alone I know I’ll read more from this author.

The author also broaches some important subjects like drugs, abuse and such and sometimes I would have enjoyed it even more if she would have dug deeper when it comes to the main characters’ past. But I’m being picky as it doesn’t tarnish my reading experience.

As you can guess now, I’m going to read the other books in this series as soon as possible. I’m craving to read more about the other guys in the band.

Who read this book? What do you think about Ryder? Hot Stuff or not? (He sure is my book boyfriend of the week) 😉

Rating:

 to 4.5